JPH11325956A - Now-contact variable voltmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact variable voltmeter for providing cost-down, long service life, simple structure, high reliability and satisfactory workability (especially 0 point control). SOLUTION: A rod 20 is attached to a case 10 so as to be rotated, a magnet 30 is fixed at the terminal part of the rod 20 inside the case 10, and a magnetic sensor 41 is arranged while proximately facing the magnet 30. A printed circuit board 40 mounting the magnetic sensor 41 is provided with a circuit part for converting the output change of the magnetic sensor 41 to a voltage change, and the magnet 30 is provided on the side in counter to the magnetic sensor 41 and shaped to an irreducible minimum while having a section within a rotation angle range and a supporting section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-contact variable voltage device comprising a magnet and a magnetic sensor, and more particularly to a non-contact variable voltage device which is incorporated in a stick controller used as an input device of a personal computer or a game machine. The present invention relates to a non-contact variable voltage device used in the present invention.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a variable resistor is used in a stick controller or the like used for an input device for moving a position of a picture (character) or a cursor displayed on a display of a personal computer or the like. . That is, by operating the stick lever, the stick controller rotates the rotation axis of the variable resistor in conjunction with the lever,
The voltage is changed according to the change in the resistance value.

A "non-contact potential control device" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-17082 uses a permanent magnet and a magnetic-sensitive element instead of a variable resistor. Are rotatably supported, and a magnetically sensitive element is disposed opposite to the permanent magnet, and a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the permanent magnet is a change in an output voltage of the magnetically sensitive element. As a result, a simple structure, an improved life, and a low price are realized.

[0004]

However, an input device using a variable resistor has the following problems.
There is. The life of the variable resistor is very short, from 10,000 to 20,000 times as the number of rotations of the rotary shaft, and it is necessary to frequently replace the resistor, particularly when it is used as an input device for a game machine or the like. It is difficult to adjust the zero point at the time of replacement. That is, since the resistance value at the intermediate position (reference position) of the variable resistor varies, it is necessary to adjust the circuit section of the game device main body, and the workability is very poor. The contact of the variable resistor is liable to cause a contact failure, resulting in poor reliability.

The apparatus described in the above publication has the following problems. Since the circuit unit related to the magnetic sensor (the circuit unit that converts the output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change) is provided outside the apparatus, zero point adjustment cannot be performed by the apparatus alone. Therefore, as described above, the workability is extremely poor particularly when used as an input device such as a game machine. High cost due to the use of large circular magnets. In order to obtain necessary output characteristics (a characteristic in which the output voltage of the magnetic sensitive element decreases linearly in accordance with the rotation angle of the magnet), it is necessary to magnetize the magnet in a special shape, which increases the cost.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has been made to reduce the cost and extend the life.
An object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact variable voltage device that realizes a simple structure, high reliability, and good workability (particularly, zero-point adjustment work).

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contactless variable voltage generator comprising: a rotatably supported magnet; and a magnet opposed to the magnet. A magnetic sensor for changing an output of the magnetic sensor by a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the magnet, wherein a circuit unit for converting an output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change is built in.

In this voltmeter, a circuit for converting a change in output of the magnetic sensor into a change in voltage is built in. Therefore, compared to the device described in the above-mentioned publication having the circuit portion outside, a zero point of the device alone is obtained. Adjustment is possible, and workability such as zero-point adjustment is good even when used by incorporating it into an input device such as a game machine. A non-contact variable voltage device according to a second aspect includes a rotatably supported magnet and a magnetic sensor arranged to face the magnet, and the output of the magnetic sensor changes according to a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the magnet. The magnet is characterized in that the magnet has at least a portion facing the magnetic sensor and has a portion within a rotation angle range and a pivot portion.

In this voltage generator, the cost can be reduced because the magnet has a minimum necessary portion, that is, the amount of the expensive magnet used can be small. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact variable voltage device, comprising: a rotatably supported magnet; and a magnetic sensor arranged to face the magnet, and the output of the magnetic sensor is changed by a change in magnetic flux due to the rotation of the magnet. A circuit portion for converting an output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change, wherein the magnet has at least a portion within a rotation angle range and a pivot portion on a side facing the magnetic sensor. It is characterized by being.

[0010] This voltage device is provided with the structure of claim 1 and claim 2, and has good workability such as zero point adjustment and can reduce the cost. In the present invention, any magnetic sensor may be used as long as it can extract a change in the strength of a magnetic field as an electric signal, and may be a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element [for example, a magnetic resistance sensor (M
R sensor)].

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a non-contact variable voltage device according to an embodiment, and FIG. In the non-contact variable voltage device 1, a housing is constituted by a circular case 10 having an open bottom, and a shield cover 11 fitted to the bottom so as to cover the bottom opening of the case 10. The case 10 has a positioning boss 12 at an upper portion used for positioning when the voltage device 1 is incorporated into an input device such as a stick controller.

A bearing 21 is attached to the upper center of the case 10 by, for example, press fitting.
Are rotatably supported. The shaft 20 has a notch 20
a and a step 20b, and the bearing 21 is fitted to the step 20b. Further, inside the case 10, an E-ring 22 is fitted into the circumferential groove of the shaft 20 along the end of the bearing 21. Therefore, the shaft 20 has its stepped portion 20 b and the E-ring 22
Accordingly, the bearing 21 securely supports the bearing 21 so as not to come off.

The bearing 21 has, on the outer periphery of a portion protruding from the case 10, a screw portion 21a for fixing the voltage generator 1 to an input device such as a stick controller with a nut. The fixing of the bearing 21 to the case 10 may be performed by integration by insert molding, fixing by an adhesive, or the like. Inside the case 10, a magnet 30 having a shape as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to an end of the shaft 20, and the magnet 30 rotates integrally with the shaft 20. Further, a printed board 40 is sandwiched and arranged at a predetermined position by the shield spacer 15 and the board presser 16 inside the case 10. A magnetic sensor 41 for detecting a change in magnetic flux of the magnet 30 and a connector 42 for connecting an external circuit are provided on one side of the printed circuit board 40.
However, on the other side, various electronic components 43 constituting a circuit section for converting a change in output of the magnetic sensor 41 into a change in voltage are mounted. The magnetic sensor 41 faces the outer periphery of the magnet 30 with a slight gap. The magnetic sensor 41 includes a shaft 20,
That is, when the magnet 30 is at the reference position, the magnetically sensitive part
The magnetic sensor 41 is positioned so as to face the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of 0. In this state, the magnetic sensor 41 does not detect a magnetic change and does not output.

The connector 42 projects out of the case 10 and is connected to, for example, a shielded cable. Note that the magnetic sensor 41 and the printed circuit board 40 may be separately arranged, and both may be connected by a lead wire. Also, the shield cover 11
The shield spacer 15 and the shield spacer 15 are both made of a magnetic material, and by surrounding the magnet 30 and the magnetic sensor 41 with the magnetic material, the influence of external magnetism is reduced, and the leakage of the magnetism of the internal magnet 30 to the outside is reduced. I have.

Here, the shape of the magnet 30 is shown in FIG.
This will be described in more detail with reference to [a plan view (a), a plan view (b) of another embodiment, and a plan view (c) of another embodiment]. Magnet 3
Reference numeral 0 denotes a portion at least on the side facing the magnetic sensor 41 and within the rotation angle range θ and a shaft support portion (the mounting hole 3 of the shaft 20).
1 peripheral portion). That is, magnet 3
Numeral 0 has a necessary minimum portion, and does not require a shaded portion in a circular magnet of a normal size indicated by a two-dot chain line.

Specifically, when the voltage generator 1 is incorporated in, for example, a stick controller, the general maximum tilt angle of the lever of the stick controller is about 30 °, and therefore, the rotatable angle range θ of the shaft 20 is About 60 °. Therefore, the magnet 30 is located on the side facing the magnetic sensor 41 and within the rotation angle range θ = 60 ° and the mounting hole 31.
, And the other portions (hatched portions) become unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced. Of course, the N pole and the S pole of the magnet 30 are axisymmetric, and there is no need to magnetize the magnet into a special shape.

The magnet 30A shown in FIG. 3A has a surface 30a facing the magnetic sensor 41 within the rotation angle range θ.
Are arc-shaped, and even if the magnet 30A rotates, the magnet 30A
The distance between the opposing surface 30a and the magnetic sensor 41 is kept constant. In this case, the output of the magnetic sensor 41 with respect to the rotation angle of the shaft 20 is linear as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, and the output voltage changes in proportion to the rotation angle.

However, in order to obtain a linear output characteristic, an arc-shaped facing surface 30a as shown in FIG. 3A may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. If the opposing surface 30b is made linear, the output characteristics shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5 can be obtained. In order to obtain an output characteristic in which the output characteristic indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5 is more emphasized, if the facing surface 30c of the magnet 30C is formed into a concave curved line as shown in FIG. The output characteristics as shown by are obtained. FIG.
According to the characteristic curves indicated by the dotted line and the solid line, when the rotation angle exceeds a certain value or more, the output voltage sharply changes as compared with the linear characteristic shown in FIG. By using a non-contact variable voltage device capable of obtaining a characteristic curve as shown in FIG. 5, the difficulty of operation can be freely changed on software. As described above, when characteristics other than the linear characteristics are obtained, the shape of the surface of the magnet 30 facing the magnetic sensor 41 may be changed accordingly.

Non-contact variable voltage generator 1 constructed as described above
Is incorporated in an input device such as a stick controller or the like, and FIG. Stick controller 5 of FIG.
0 indicates that the lever 52 projects from the upper part of the housing 51,
Two voltage generators 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B are attached to the side of the housing 51 such that the shaft 20 enters the housing 51. The voltmeters 1A and 1B relate to, for example, detection in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively.

The mounting of each of the voltage generators 1A and 1B to the stick controller 50 is not particularly shown, but when positioning the voltage generators 1A and 1B in the housing 51, the positioning bosses 12 of the case 10 are fixed to predetermined positions of the housing 51. May be inserted into the positioning holes formed in the holes. Then, the housing 5 is fixed to the screw portion 21a of the bearing 21 and the nut.
Fix to 1. The shaft 20 and the lever 52 are connected to each other.
When the lever 52 is tilted straight in the X-axis direction (voltage unit 1A side) or the Y-axis direction (voltage unit 1B side), the shaft 20 of the voltage unit 1A or the voltage unit 1B is rotated.
Is rotated by an amount of rotation according to the degree of inclination, and in the other direction, the shafts 20 of the voltage generators 1A and 1B are rotated by a predetermined angle in accordance with the direction and the degree of inclination. is there.

Since each of the voltmeters 1A and 1B has a built-in circuit for converting the output change of the magnetic sensor 41 into a voltage change, the zero point adjustment when the shaft 20 is at the reference position can be easily performed. A series of assembling operations including zero-point adjustment can be performed easily. In the voltage devices 1A and 1B of the stick controller 50 configured as described above, when the lever 52 is not operated, that is, when the shaft 20 is at the reference position, the magnet 30 does not rotate, and the N and S poles of the magnet 30 are not rotated. Since the boundary faces the magnetic sensing part of the magnetic sensor 41, the magnetic sensor 41 does not detect a magnetic change and does not output.

Here, when the shaft 20 rotates counterclockwise by the tilting operation of the lever 52, the N pole is gradually increased from the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet 30 according to the rotation angle of the shaft 20. 41 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the magnetic sensor 41 outputs a voltage proportional to the degree of approach of the N pole of the magnet 30 (the rotation angle of the shaft 20) (see FIGS. 4 and 5). When the shaft 20 rotates clockwise, the S pole gradually approaches the magnetic sensor 41 from the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet 30 according to the rotation angle of the shaft 20. Accordingly, the magnetic sensor 41 outputs a voltage proportional to the degree of approach of the S pole of the magnet 30.

As described above, in response to the tilting operation of the lever 52 in an arbitrary direction, the shaft 20 of the voltmeter 1A and / or the voltmeter 1B rotates by a predetermined angle, and each of the voltmeters 1A and 1B applies the corresponding voltage. Output. The inclination direction and the inclination angle of the lever 52 are detected based on the outputs from the two voltage generators 1A and 1B. Next, a circuit example of the magnetic sensor 41 in the non-contact variable voltage device 1 will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a Hall element is used as a magnetic sensor. FIG.
In the circuit of the above, the voltage applied between V _CC -V _EE flows through the resistors R ₁ and R ₂ to the Hall element. If the Hall element has no magnetism, no voltage is generated at the output connected to the resistors R ₃ and R ₄ . This is the same in the case of a non-magnetic force in which the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet 30 faces the magnetic sensing part of the Hall element. Here, the shaft 20 is rotated, when the N pole approaches the Hall element, the positive voltage on the terminal side of the connected Hall elements to the resistor R ₄ is, negative voltage is generated in the connected terminal side to the resistor R ₃ . The output voltage of the Hall element is inputted to the amplifier IC _2, is output as the positive voltage than OUT by an amplification factor determined by the resistor R _5.

Conversely, the shaft 20 rotates, and S
When poles approaches, the positive voltage on the terminal side of the connected Hall elements to the resistor R ₃ is a negative voltage terminal of the Hall element is connected to the resistor R ₄ is generated. The output voltage of the Hall element, since the input to the amplifier IC _2, is outputted as a negative voltage than OUT by an amplification factor determined by the resistor R _5.

Of course, it is also possible to reverse the detection of the N pole and the S pole by exchanging the output terminals of the Hall element.
Also, by inputting reversing the output of the Hall element in positive and negative input of the amplifier IC _2, it is possible to retrieve the reverse output. Note that the variable resistor VR ₁ is
It intended to balance the offset and the Hall element of the amplifier IC _2, is used to adjust the OUT to 0V when the shaft 20 is located at the reference position.

Next, the switch function of the magnetic sensor 41 will be described. Of course, an IC in which the magnetic sensor itself has a switching function may be used, but here, a general one will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example of the circuit. Since the operation of the basic circuit is the same as that of the circuit shown in FIG. 6, only the parts added to the circuit of FIG. 6 will be described. In the circuit of FIG. 7, the voltage output from the IC ₂ is input to the IC _3, IC ₄ which constitutes the analog comparator circuit.
For example, assuming that V _CC = + 5 V and V _EE = −5 V with respect to GND, the output of IC ₂ is 0 V when the shaft 20 is at the non-operating reference position. 0V for the GND, when viewed from the comparator constituted by IC _3, IC ₄ to reference the V _EE, the + 5V with respect to V _EE. Assuming that CV ₁ is set to +7 V with respect to V _EE by the division ratio of the resistors R ₇ and R ₈ , and CV ₂ is set to +3 V with respect to V _EE by the division ratio of the resistors R ₉ and R _10. Is located at the reference position, the output of the Hall element is 0 V, the input of IC ₂ is 0 V, and the output of IC ₂ is GND.
To 0V. This 0V is + 5V with respect to _VEE which is the reference of the comparator.

[0027] Accordingly, the output + 5V is lower than the comparison voltage CV ₁ = + 7V of IC _3, the output OUT of the IC ₃
+ = L (Low), and the comparison voltage CV ₂ = + 3V
For higher output of IC ₄ OUT- = a L. Next, the shaft 20 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, when the N pole approaches the Hall element, the output of the Hall element becomes positive, the voltage amplified by the IC ₂ is + 3V with respect to GND. Since this voltage is + 8V to V _EE, comparison of IC ₃ voltage C
Higher than V _1, the output of the IC ₄ OUT- = a L.
Conversely, when the shaft 20 rotates clockwise, the Hall element
As the pole approaches, the output of the Hall element becomes negative. Here, if the output of IC ₂ becomes −3 V with respect to GND, this voltage is +2 V with respect to V _EE ,
UT + = L and output OUT− = H. Thus, a switching output according to the rotation direction of the shaft 20 can be obtained.

FIG. 2 shows a case where the non-contact variable voltage device 1 is applied to a stick controller. However, the non-contact variable voltage device 1 can also be applied to an input device other than the stick controller, or is used in place of a normal variable resistor. It is also possible.

[0029]

The contactless variable voltage device of the present invention has the following effects because it is configured as described above. (1) In the configuration of the first and third aspects, since a circuit section for converting an output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change is built in, zero point adjustment can be performed by the voltage unit alone. Therefore, when it is incorporated in a stick controller or the like, it is only necessary to attach the voltmeter, and workability such as zero point adjustment is very good. (2) In the configuration of the second and third aspects, since the magnet has a minimum necessary portion, the amount of expensive magnet used is reduced, and the cost can be reduced. (3) The combination of a magnet and a magnetic sensor detects the rotation angle of the magnet (its rotation axis), so that the life is greatly extended as compared with an input device using a variable resistor or the like using a contact. realizable. (4) A simple structure improves reliability and durability. (5) Since there is a middle position (reference position) of the rotation axis of the magnet, an absolute position can be obtained when incorporated in a stick controller or the like. (6) By changing the shape of the surface of the magnet facing the magnetic sensor, required output characteristics (the relationship between the rotation angle of the magnet and the output voltage of the magnetic sensor) can be easily obtained. (7) By making it possible to obtain a linear output according to the rotation amount of the rotating shaft of the magnet, operability can be simplified,
Alternatively, it is possible to improve the difficulty of operation by obtaining an extremely exaggerated output. Therefore, an optimal input device can be provided by incorporating it into various game machines. (8) By adopting the configuration of claim 6, the influence of external magnetism is reduced, not only the reliability of the detection accuracy is further increased, but also the magnetism of the internal magnet is hardly leaked to the outside, and the storage using magnetism is used. There is no magnetic influence on devices such as media.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a non-contact variable voltage device according to an embodiment, and FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state where the non-contact variable voltage device is incorporated in a stick controller.

3A is a plan view of a magnet used in the non-contact variable voltage generator, FIG. 3B is a plan view of a magnet according to another embodiment, and FIG. 3C is a plan view of a magnet according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation angle of a shaft and an output voltage of a magnetic sensor in a non-contact variable voltage device having a magnet as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation angle of a shaft and an output voltage of a magnetic sensor in a non-contact variable voltage device having a magnet as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c).

FIG. 6 is a circuit example in the case where a Hall element is used as a magnetic sensor and the rotation angle of a shaft is output in analog form.

FIG. 7 is a circuit example in which a comparator circuit is added to the circuit of FIG. 6 and a rotation of a shaft is output as a switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Non-contact variable voltage device 10 Case 11 Shield cover (magnetic material) 15 Shield spacer (magnetic material) 20 Axis 30 Magnet 41 Magnetic sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact variable voltage device comprising: a rotatably supported magnet; and a magnetic sensor arranged to face the magnet, wherein the output of the magnetic sensor is changed by a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the magnet. A non-contact variable voltage device having a built-in circuit for converting an output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change. 2. A non-contact variable voltage device comprising: a rotatably supported magnet; and a magnetic sensor arranged to face the magnet, wherein the output of the magnetic sensor is changed by a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the magnet. The non-contact variable voltage device, wherein the magnet has at least a portion facing the magnetic sensor and having a portion within a rotation angle range and a pivot portion. 3. A non-contact variable voltage device comprising: a rotatably supported magnet; and a magnetic sensor arranged to face the magnet, wherein the output of the magnetic sensor is changed by a change in magnetic flux due to rotation of the magnet. A circuit portion for converting an output change of the magnetic sensor into a voltage change, wherein the magnet has a shape having at least a portion within a rotation angle range and a pivot portion on a side facing the magnetic sensor. Non-contact variable voltage device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The magnet according to claim 1, wherein the N pole and the S pole are magnetized line-symmetrically.
Or the non-contact variable voltage device according to claim 3. 5. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1, wherein, when the magnet is at the reference position, the magnetic sensing portion is positioned so as to face a boundary between the north pole and the south pole of the magnet. 5. The non-contact variable voltage device according to claim 2, 3 or 4. 6. The non-contact variable voltage device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by a magnetic material. . 7. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor outputs a switching output when the rotation angle of the magnet becomes a predetermined amount or more. Or the non-contact variable voltage device according to claim 6.