JPH09128140A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a coordinate input device enabling a cursor to move subtly by providing a sphere freely turnably at the upper end of an operation part of a force sensor and turning the sphere by means of a finger so as to apply a small force in a direction corresponding to the turning direction. SOLUTION: An operation shaft 22 consists of a shaft main body 22a integrately formed with a strain generating body 2, an intermediate member mounted on the shaft main body 22a, the sphere 22c mounted on the intermediate member and a housing 22d surrounding the outer peripheral face of the intermediate member. At the time of desiring to slowly move the cursor a little, the sphere 22c is turned by a finger to apply a little force in a direction corresponding to the turning direction. Consequently, it is possible to slowly move the cursor a little. At the time of desiring to move the cursor quickly, the internal projection piece part of the housing 22d is pressed by a finger so that the force is applied directly to the shaft main body 22a to move the cursor quickly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device such as a computer and information equipment, and more particularly to a coordinate input device using a force sensor having an operation axis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a force sensor having an operating axis has been used as a coordinate input device for a computer, information equipment, etc., but this device outputs a force when the operating axis is pushed laterally by a finger. The voltage is detected, and the cursor displayed on the display is moved according to the magnitude and direction of the output voltage.

However, in the force sensor, since all the force from the finger acts as the displacement force of the operation axis, there is a problem that it is very difficult to perform a delicate operation of moving the cursor slightly slowly. It was

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device which enables even a delicate movement of a cursor.

[0005]

According to the coordinate input device of the present invention, a spherical body is rotatably provided on the upper end of the operating portion of the force sensor, and the rotating direction is set to the operating portion by rotating the spherical body with a finger. A little force is applied in the corresponding direction.

Therefore, the cursor can be moved slightly slowly even with a large movement of the finger, and control of the cursor movement becomes easy. Further, by applying a force to the operation part other than the sphere with the finger, the cursor can be moved quickly.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a coordinate input device, which detects an output voltage as a force when a finger pushes the operating shaft 22 laterally with respect to the axis, and detects the output voltage according to the magnitude and direction of the output voltage. To move the cursor displayed on the computer display.

This coordinate input device is composed of a force sensor, and is basically constructed so that the single crystal substrate 1 is attached to the deformed portion of the flexure element 2, as shown in FIG. .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the single crystal substrate 1 is a thin plate having a circular shape, and the lower surface has four pieces each on the X axis and the Y axis passing through the center thereof. Strain gauges R (R _{X1 to} R _X4 , R _{y1 to} R _y4 ) are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the flexure element 2 is formed in a circular shape as a whole, and has an outer thick portion 20, an inner thin deformed portion 21, and a deformed portion 21. And an operating shaft 22 provided upright in the center of the deformable portion 21 by tilting the operating shaft 22 as shown in FIG.
Is deformed in a wavy manner. Then, in this device, as shown in FIG. 3, the central portion of the flexure element 2 and the central portion of the single crystal substrate 1 are made to coincide with each other, and the both are bonded.

Therefore, in this device, the flexure element 2 is used.
When an operation force is applied to the operation shaft 22 of, as shown in FIG.
As the single crystal substrate 1 is deformed, the strain gauges R arranged therein are also deformed and the electric resistance thereof is changed (if strain in the tensile direction is applied to the strain gauge R, the resistance value increases, and strain in the compression direction is increased. If is added to the strain gauge R, the resistance value will decrease)
Will be done. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the four strain gauges R arranged on the X axis and the Y axis is
When the electric bridge circuits K1 and K2 are connected, the resistance change can be detected as a voltage change, and the moment Mx + about the axis orthogonal to the array line of the strain gauges R,
Mx−, My +, My− can be detected as output voltages.

Here, the operation shaft 22 is, as shown in FIG. 2, a shaft main body 22a integrally formed with the flexure element 2.
And an intermediate member 22b mounted on the shaft main body 22a.
And a sphere 22c placed on the intermediate member 22b,
And a housing 22d that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the above-mentioned member.
It is projected from d. As shown in FIG. 2, the spherical body 22c is provided with an inward projecting piece at the end of the housing 22d to prevent the spherical body 22c from coming out of the housing 22d. In this state, the spherical body 22c can be smoothly rotated. I am doing it.

Since the coordinate input device has the above-mentioned structure, various cursor movements can be performed by operating the operation shaft 22. When wanting to move the cursor quickly As shown in FIG. 7, when the inward protruding piece portion of the housing 22d is pressed with a finger, the force directly acts on the shaft main body 22a,
As a result, the cursor moves faster. When it is desired to move the cursor slightly slowly, as shown in FIG. 8, by rotating the spherical body 22c with a finger, a little force is applied to the shaft main body 22a in a direction corresponding to the rotating direction. Therefore, the cursor can be moved slightly slowly.

A metal strain gauge or a semiconductor strain gauge can be used as the strain gauge used in the coordinate input device.

Further, in order to detect the force, a force is of a type in which electrodes are formed on opposite surfaces of the upper and lower substrates and the upper substrate is displaced with respect to the lower substrate to change the electrostatic capacitance between the upper and lower substrates. A sensor may be used, and further, a force sensor of a type in which a pressure sensitive resistor is sandwiched between upper and lower electrode plates may be used.

[0017]

From the contents described in the latter part of the column of the means for solving the above problems, it is possible to provide the coordinate input device which enables the delicate movement of the cursor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the coordinate input device.

FIG. 3 is a layout view of a strain gauge included in the coordinate input device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when an external force is applied laterally to the operation shaft of the coordinate input device.

FIG. 5 is a bridge circuit diagram used in the coordinate input device.

FIG. 6 is a bridge circuit diagram used in the coordinate input device.

FIG. 7 is a front view when the housing of the coordinate input device is pressed with a finger.

FIG. 8 is a front view when the sphere of the coordinate input device is rolled by a finger.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 Operation axis 22c Sphere

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sphere is rotatably provided on an upper end of an operation portion of a force sensor, and a little force is applied to the operation portion in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction by rotating the sphere with a finger. A coordinate input device characterized in that 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion is formed in a cylindrical shape.