JPH1021004A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a coordinate input device simply and to effectively clean soiling on the surfaces of transmission rollers, by providing plural cleaning pawls which fall down to abut on the plural transmission rollers when a click button means is turned on and rise up to be detected from the plural transmission rollers when the click button means is turned off. SOLUTION: When the click button 1 is clicked, cleaning pawls 4 are pushed down and abut on transmission rollers 3 and when the transmission rollers 3 are rotated, these pawls are operated so as to slide in contact with their surfaces. Thus, dust or soiling stuck on the transmission rollers 3 are scraped away like shaved off. After wards, when the click of the click button 1 is released, the cleaning pawls 4 get away of the transmission rollers 3 to be embedded in comparatively soft cleaning members 6 of separate bodies provided around the pawls and even when dust or soiling is stuck on the cleaning pawls, 4, it is removed while the click button 1 is vertically moved.

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, and more particularly to a mouse with a cleaning device used for a personal computer or a word processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional coordinate input device. The conventional coordinate input device includes a sphere 11 rotatably held inside a housing P and partially projecting from a hole provided on the lower surface of the housing P, and a transmission rotating in contact with the sphere 11. The rollers 12a and 12b and the rotating shafts 13a and 1b having one end fixed to the center of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b and the other end connected to signal generators 14a and 14b described later.
3b and the transmission roller 12 via the rotating shafts 13a and 13b.
signal generators 14a, 14b which output signals corresponding to the rotational positions of the transmission rollers 12a, 12b in conjunction with the transmission rollers 12a, 12b.
4b.

The transmission rollers 12a and 12b are located in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction which are orthogonal to each other, and a signal based on the rotation of the sphere in the X-axis direction is output from the signal generator 14a, and a signal is output from the signal generator 14b. A signal is generated based on the rotation of the sphere in the Y-axis direction.

When this coordinate input device is slid on a desk or the like,
The sphere 11 rotates on the desk, and the transmission rollers 12a and 12b contacting the sphere 11 rotate. Transmission roller 12a,
The rotation position of 12b is transmitted to signal generators 14a and 14b via rotation shafts 13a and 13b.
Reference numerals a and 14b denote built-in encoders that read the rotation of the rotating shaft and output two signals corresponding to the rotational positions of the sphere in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

However, in the coordinate input device having such a configuration, dirt such as dust and hand grit on the desk adheres and accumulates on the outer periphery of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b via the sphere 11, and this is the same as the sphere 11. Transmission rollers 12a, 12b
There is a problem that the transmission of a stable rotation amount during the rotation is hindered.

That is, the diameter of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b is substantially increased due to the adhesion of dust, or the slip is generated between the transmission rollers 12a and 12b, and as a result, the signal generators 14a and
There is a possibility that an error is included in the signal generated by 14b. To solve this, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-36
In 9709, a brush is provided in contact with the outer periphery of the transmission roller,
We intend to remove dirt by this.

FIG. 6 is an example shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-369709. The coordinate input device shown in this conventional example,
In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, there are provided rotation transmitting mechanisms 20a and 20b including cleaning members 15a and 15b and gears a, b and c which are in contact with the outer circumferences of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b.

When the coordinate input device is slid on a desk or the like, the sphere 11 rotates, and the transmission rollers 12a and 12b and the rotating shafts 13a and 13b rotate. Rotating shafts 13a, 1
The rotation transmitting mechanisms 20a and 20b that transmit the rotation of the transmission roller 12a transmit the power by gears a, b, and c.
The cleaning members 15a and 15b are rotated in conjunction with 12b. Since the brushes around the cleaning members 15a and 15b always rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b, the dirt attached to the surfaces of the transmission rollers 12a and 12b can be wiped.

However, this example of the coordinate input device has the following problems. 1) Parts for transmission (rotary shafts 13a, 13b,
The number of gears a, b, c, etc.) is large, and the cost of parts and assembly is high. 2) Since the mechanism is complicated, the device becomes large and the weight increases. 3) Due to the large number of parts, maintenance work takes time,
Also, the number of failures increases accordingly. 4) The brush adheres to the surface, shaft, etc. of the transmission roller due to adhesion peeling, and changes the rotation of the transmission roller.
There is a possibility that a correct signal cannot be transmitted. Further, the cleaning effect may be reduced due to abrasion or deformation of the brush. In view of the above, it is an object to realize a coordinate input device having a cleaning device that solves these problems.

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional coordinate input device, dirt such as dust on the desk and dirt on the desk accumulates and accumulates on the outer periphery of the transmission roller via the sphere, and this stabilizes between the sphere and the transmission roller. There is a problem that the transmission of the rotation amount is hindered and a measurement error occurs. In order to solve this, there is a conventional example in which a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the transmission roller in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission roller is provided, but the number of parts is large, the mechanism is complicated, and the structure has a time for maintenance. There is also a possibility that the cleaning member is deformed, which is not always satisfactory. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to realize a coordinate input device having a cleaning mechanism that can be easily configured with a relatively small number of parts and that can effectively clean dirt on the surface of a transmission roller. I do.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing and a housing provided rotatably inside the housing, a part of which is formed through a hole provided in a lower surface of the housing. A projecting sphere, a plurality of transmission rollers rotating in contact with the sphere, and signal generating means for outputting a signal corresponding to a rotational position of the plurality of transmission rollers in conjunction with the movement of the plurality of transmission rollers; And a click button means provided on the upper surface of the housing and turned on by a pressing force and turned off by releasing the pressing force to recover and turn off. A plurality of cleaning claws come into contact with each of the plurality of transmission rollers and rise when the click button means is turned off and separate from the plurality of transmission rollers.

[0012] Further, there is provided an elastic nail cleaning member fixed to the housing and provided corresponding to each of the cleaning claws so as to cover and house the cleaning claws when the click button means is turned off. It is characterized by the following.

Here, the plurality of cleaning claws are integrally formed. Alternatively, a cleaning button is provided at the center of the upper part of the housing, and the plurality of cleaning claws are lowered when the cleaning button is turned on and raised when the cleaning button is turned off, instead of the click button. It is characterized by the following.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a coordinate input device used for a personal computer, a word processor or the like, and more particularly to a coordinate input device having a cleaning mechanism for a transmission roller therein. Hereinafter, a coordinate input device (hereinafter, referred to as a mouse) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the mouse of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view thereof. The click button 1 on the upper surface of the mouse is a button that performs functions such as inputting a signal from the mouse. When you click this click button 1,
The cleaning claw 4, which has been urged upward by the spring 2 and has been separated from the transmission roller 3, descends completely, and its tip comes into contact with the surface of the transmission roller 3.

FIG. 3 shows a cleaning member 6 comprising a cleaning claw 4 and a sponge with a slit provided around the cleaning claw 4.
FIG. When the mouse is moved by pressing the mouse horizontally on the desk in a normal state, the mouse ball 5 rotates,
The transmission roller 3 in contact therewith also rotates. The rotation amount of the transmission roller 3 is transmitted to a signal generator (not shown) via a rotation shaft (not shown), and the signal generator changes the rotation of the rotation shaft from the rotation of the rotation shaft to the rotation position of the mouse ball 5 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Two corresponding signals are output to a main unit such as a computer.

At this time, for example, dirt and hand marks on the desk adhere to the mouse ball 5, and the dirt of the mouse ball 5 adheres to the transmission roller 3 which is in direct contact with the mouse ball 5, and is fixed by repeated rotation. Sometimes. In this case, the transmission of a stable rotation amount between the mouse ball 5 and the transmission roller 3 is hindered, and a measurement error may occur. However, in the mouse of the present invention, when the click button 1 is clicked, the cleaning claw 4 comes into contact with the transmission roller 3, and the cleaning claw 4 removes dust and dirt attached to the transmission roller 3.

This operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the click button 1 is not clicked, the cleaning claw 4 is pushed up by the spring 2 and is at the position a in FIG. When the click button 1 is clicked, the cleaning claw 4 is pushed down, moves down to the position of b in FIG.
When the transmission roller 3 rotates, it operates so as to rub against the surface thereof. As a result, dust and dirt 7 attached to the transmission roller 3 are scraped off so as to be scraped off.

Thereafter, when the click of the click button 1 is released, the cleaning claw 4 separates from the transmission roller 3 and returns to the position a in FIG. At this time, the cleaning claw 4 is buried in a separate relatively soft cleaning member 6 provided around the claw, and even if dirt or dirt is attached to the cleaning claw 4, the click button is clicked. 1 will be removed while raising and lowering.

As described above, by moving the mouse by clicking the click button 1 and moving the click button 1 up and down, dirt and dust transferred from the desk to the mouse ball 5 and from the mouse ball 5 to the transmission roller 3 are removed. The cleaning member 6 also cleans dirt and debris scraped off by the cleaning claw 4 and remaining on the cleaning claw 4.

As a result, the entire mouse is always kept in a clean state, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility that an error is included in a signal output from the mouse due to dirt or dust. Furthermore, according to this method, the mouse housing is opened one by one,
There is no need to disassemble the lid to check for dirt or clean it, and it can be automatically cleaned by the normal use of the mouse without any special attention from the operator, so it is also easy to use from this point become.

By the way, the cleaning claws 4 must be provided by the number of the transmission rollers 3, but since the position where the transmission rollers 3 are installed is determined, a plurality of cleaning claws can be integrally formed. . When they are integrally formed, the mechanism is simplified, the weight is reduced, and the assembly cost can be reduced.

In the above description, when the click button 1 is turned on and off, the cleaning claw 4 is moved up and down. In addition to the click button 1, another cleaning button is provided at the center of the upper part of the housing. The cleaning button may be turned on and off to move up and down. In this case, the cleaning button must be consciously operated, unlike the case of interlocking with the click button 1. However, it is not necessary to operate the cleaning button when cleaning is unnecessary, and can be operated only when necessary. Further, it is possible to prevent the depression of the click button 1 from becoming heavy due to the cleaning claw 4.

[0024]

As described above, the present invention provides a housing,
A sphere that is rotatably held inside the housing and a part of which protrudes from a hole provided on the lower surface of the housing, a plurality of transmission rollers that rotate by contacting the sphere, and interlock with movement of the transmission roller Signal generating means for outputting a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the transmission roller, and a click button provided on the upper surface of the housing and turned on by a pressing force and turned off by releasing the pressing force to turn off and recover. In the coordinate input device,
A plurality of cleaning claws are provided which lower when the click button is turned on and come into contact with each of the plurality of transmission rollers, and rise when the click button is turned off and separate from the plurality of transmission rollers.
Thus, the transmission roller can be cleaned by turning the click button on and off with a relatively simple configuration without particularly being conscious of cleaning and without having to open the housing or open the lid. Because the configuration is simple,
Parts costs and assembly costs can be kept low, and the weight can be reduced.

Further, an elastic nail cleaning member is provided corresponding to each cleaning nail so as to cover and house the cleaning nail which is fixed to the housing and raised when the click button is turned off. This makes it possible to further clean dirt attached to the cleaning claw by moving the cleaning claw up and down.
The cleaning effect can be further improved.

Further, a plurality of cleaning claws may be integrally formed. As a result, the apparatus can be made lighter, and the cost of parts and assembly can be further reduced. In addition, a cleaning button is provided at the center of the upper part of the housing, and the plurality of cleaning claws fall in place of the click button when the cleaning button is turned on and rise when the cleaning button is turned off.
In this case, cleaning can be performed consciously only when cleaning is necessary, and it is possible to prevent the pressing of the click button from becoming heavy due to the cleaning claw.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of a mouse to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the mouse according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a cleaning claw and a cleaning member used in the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a cleaning claw and a cleaning member.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional coordinate input device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another example of a conventional coordinate input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 click button 2 spring 3 transmission roller 4 cleaning claw 5 mouse ball 6 cleaning member 11 sphere 12 transmission roller 13 rotation axis 14 signal generator 15 cleaning member 20 rotation transmission mechanism

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a sphere rotatably held inside the housing, a part of which protrudes from a hole provided in a lower surface of the housing, and a plurality of spheres rotating in contact with the sphere. A transmission roller, signal generation means for outputting a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the plurality of transmission rollers in conjunction with the movement of the plurality of transmission rollers; and Click button means for restoring and turning off by releasing the lowering force, wherein the click button means is lowered when the click button means is turned on to contact each of the plurality of transmission rollers, and A coordinate input device comprising: a plurality of cleaning claws that rise when off and separate from the plurality of transmission rollers. 2. A resilient claw cleaning member fixed to the housing and provided corresponding to each of the cleaning claws so as to cover and house the cleaning claws when the click button means is turned off. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning claws are integrally formed. 4. A cleaning button means is provided at the center of the upper part of the housing, and the plurality of cleaning claws are lowered when the cleaning button means is turned on instead of the click button means, and are raised when the cleaning button means is turned off. 4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein