KR100994997B1 - Pointing device and electronic device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pointing device and an electronic device having the same, an operating member moving by a user, a sensor unit located in a lower region of the operating member, a cover unit exposing and covering a part of the operating means; A media member including a central portion supporting the sensor portion, a plurality of fixing portions fixed to the cover portion, and a plurality of curved pattern portions connected to the central portion and the plurality of fixing portions, respectively, and the movement of the sensor portion. And sensing means for outputting an electrical signal by detecting the plurality of pattern portions, wherein the plurality of pattern portions having the curved shape provide a pointing device having a line width of the region adjacent to the central portion and a line width of the region adjacent to the fixed portion, and an electronic device having the same. In this way, the line width of the bent line of the adjacent region of the central portion can be increased, and the line width of the bent line of the adjacent region of the fixed portion can be reduced to disperse the stress applied to the bent line, and the operation feeling can be improved through stress distribution.

Magnet, magnetic sensor, intermediate member, elastic force, pointing, cursor, pattern part, line width

Description

POINTING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE SAME}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointing device and an electronic device having the same. The present invention relates to a pointing device capable of dispersing the stress of the intermediate member for moving the operation means and improving the durability as well as the operation feeling.

In recent years, electronic devices have become smaller and smaller, and a graphic user interface (GUI) method is used to make electronic devices easier to operate. Various input devices such as a mouse or a touch pad are used to control the movement of the pointer of the graphical user interface.

Recently, an input device for controlling the movement of the pointer on the screen by detecting the two-dimensional movement of the magnet using a sensor for detecting the direction and strength of the magnet is used. Such an input device provided a silicone resin on a substrate, arranged a magnet on the silicone resin, and attached a sensor to the lower substrate.

An input device using such a silicone resin (ie rubber) is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2004-002918. In the Published Patent Publication, a silicone resin is used instead of the existing coil spring to reduce the number of parts and improve the assembly of the mechanism. At this time, the silicone resin is easily deformed by applying an external force, and returns to the initial state when the external force is removed.

However, such a prior art has a problem that the silicone resin is easily damaged due to the friction between the silicone resin and the substrate. In addition, as in the Japanese Patent Application, the space between the magnet mounting portion of the silicone resin and its vicinity is made thinner than that of the silicone resin on which the magnet is not provided. At this time, since the space portion protrudes more than the surrounding silicone resin, it acts as a factor of increasing the overall thickness of the pointing input device.

In addition, the overall size of the pointing input device depends on the size of the silicone resin rather than the size of the magnet. This is because silicone rubber has to maintain a certain size or more in order to maintain elasticity and restoring force. That is, the elastic and restoring force of the silicone rubber is generated by the contraction and expansion of the silicone rubber. Therefore, when the size of the silicone rubber is reduced, the shrinkage and expansion length of the silicone rubber are shortened, and the target elastic force and the restoring force are lost. As a result, there is a limit to reducing the size of the silicone rubber, which is a big obstacle to miniaturization by reducing the overall size of the pointing input device.

In addition, when the silicone rubber shrinks and expands, it is subjected to stress in the region where the silicone rubber is bent. As a result, the bending area of the silicone rubber is easily worn, which may cause a problem that the durability of the silicone rubber is weakened, a feeling of operation is deteriorated, or even the elastic force and the restoring force are lost.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention manufactures a media member which moves, rotates, and restores a magnet member into a plurality of curved lines that are bent in a curved shape, and the media member receives a different thickness according to the bending area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pointing device and an electronic device having the same, which can reduce stress and improve durability as well as a user's operation feeling.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a pointing device and an electronic device having the same that can be made thin, as well as miniaturized by making a thin intermediate member in the form of a thin plate, to improve the assembly of the intermediate member and simplify the manufacturing process. It is done.

An operating member moved by a user according to the present invention, a sensor unit located in a lower region of the operating member, a cover unit exposing and covering a part of the operating means, a central portion supporting the sensor unit, and the cover A sensing member for outputting an electrical signal by sensing a movement of the sensor unit and a media member including a plurality of fixing parts fixed to the part, a plurality of curved pattern parts connected to the central part and the plurality of fixing parts, respectively; Includes, the plurality of pattern portion of the curved form provides a pointing device having a line width of the area adjacent to the central portion is wider than the line portion adjacent to the fixed portion.

Each of the plurality of pattern portions may include a bending line portion whose both ends are connected to the central portion and the fixing portion and bent in an S-shape shape, and at least one deflection preventing protrusion formed on a lower surface of the bending line portion. Do.

The bent line portion is effective to sequentially decrease the line width from the center portion toward the fixing portion.

The bent line portion includes a first connecting portion connected to the central portion, a first arc extending arc portion extending from the first connecting portion, and an arc extending second arc extending portion extending in a direction opposite to the first extending portion. And a second connection portion extending from the second extension line portion and connected to the fixed portion.

It is effective that the line width of the first connection part or the first connection part and the first extension line is the widest, and the line width of the second connection part is the narrowest.

The intermediate member is manufactured through a plastic injection process or an etching process of metal, and the line width of the bent line portion is preferably selected within a range of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.

It is effective that the intermediate member includes a plurality of fixing protrusions extending from the central portion to fix the sensor portion and the central portion to the operation member.

The operation member includes a first mounting groove into which a part of the sensor part is to be drawn, and a plurality of second mounting grooves provided on an outer side of the first mounting groove, each of the fixing protrusions being horizontal in the center direction. It is preferable to have a horizontal projection to protrude from the support for the magnet and a vertical projection protruding in the vertical direction from the horizontal projection to be fixed to the second mounting groove of the operating member.

It is preferable that the said intermediate member has only three or four pattern parts.

In addition, a control unit for processing data according to the present invention, a screen display unit for displaying an image and a pointing device for outputting a signal for moving the pointer in the screen display unit, the pointing device is an operating member to be moved by the user A sensor part located in a lower region of the actuating member, a cover part exposing and covering a part of the actuating means, a central part supporting the sensor part, a plurality of fixing parts fixed to the cover part, A medial member including a plurality of curved pattern portions each connected to a central portion and the plurality of fixing portions, and sensing means for sensing a movement of the sensor portion and outputting an electrical signal; The unit provides an electronic device in which a line width of the region adjacent to the center portion is wider than a line width of the region adjacent to the fixed portion.

As described above, the present invention can apply a restoring force to the center portion fixed to the sensor portion and the operation member through a plurality of bent lines in the form of an arc between the center portion and the fixing portion, and can reduce the pointing device as well as miniaturization.

In addition, the present invention can increase the line width of the bent line in the area adjacent to the center portion, reduce the line width of the bent line in the area adjacent to the fixed portion can disperse the stress received by the bent line, it is possible to improve the operation feeling through the stress distribution .

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention in more detail. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, It is provided to let you know. Like numbers refer to like elements in the figures.

1 is a perspective view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the pointing device according to an embodiment. 3 is a plan view of an intermediate member of a pointing device according to an embodiment. 4 is a plan view of an intermediate member according to a modification of the embodiment; 5 is a rear view of the intermediate member assembled to the cover unit, according to an exemplary embodiment. 6 is a simulation diagram analyzing the stress of the intermediate member according to an embodiment.

1 to 6, the pointing device according to the present embodiment moves the magnet part 300 through the substrate 100, the magnet part 300 provided on the substrate 100, and a user's movement. The operation member 400, the intermediate member 200 for moving, rotating and restoring the magnet part 300 and the operation member 400, and the magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet part 300 are detected and output. Sensor unit 600 for generating a signal, and the intermediate member 200 is fixed, and includes a cover portion 500 fixed to the substrate 100.

Here, as the board | substrate 100, it is preferable to use a printed circuit board. The shape of the substrate 100 may be modified into various shapes according to the electronic device to which the pointing device is applied. In this embodiment, a rectangular substrate 100 is used. Of course, for example, a circle or ellipse shape or a polygonal shape is possible. In addition, the substrate 100 may be omitted as necessary. That is, the main substrate of the electronic device to which the pointing device is applied may take the role of the substrate 100.

The dome switch 110 is positioned on the upper surface of the substrate 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, when the operation member 400 is lowered in the Z-axis direction, the dome switch 110 is pressed by the intermediate member 200. In addition, the substrate 100 includes a hook fixing groove 120 to which the hook part 530 of the cover part 500 is fixed and a protrusion fixing groove 130 into which the fixing pin part 540 of the cover part 500 is introduced. do. Through this, the cover part 500 may be fixed to the substrate 100 to fix the movement of the cover part 500. Here, the hook fixing groove 120 and the protrusion fixing groove 130 may be disposed around the dome switch 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lubrication pad 140 is attached to at least the dome switch 110 of the substrate 100. In this case, the friction between the dome switch 110 and the intermediate member 200 may be reduced by using a Teflon tape as the lubrication pad 140. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and friction between the dome switch 110 and the intermediate member 200 may be reduced by using a material having excellent lubricity and wear resistance.

The sensor unit 600 is disposed in the lower region of the substrate 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. At this time, the sensor unit 600 detects a magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet unit 300 disposed in the upper region of the substrate 100 and outputs a corresponding movement signal. That is, the sensor unit 600 detects the movement (ie, two-dimensional movement) in the up, down, left and right directions of the magnet part.

The sensor unit 600 detects a magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet unit 300 in the X-axis direction and outputs an X coordinate value corresponding thereto, and detects the magnetic field change according to the movement in the Y-axis direction. And a plurality of magnetic sensors for outputting corresponding Y coordinate values. In addition, a control unit (not shown) which amplifies the output of the magnetic sensor, aggregates, and detects and outputs a change in the final magnetic field. In the present embodiment, a sensor chip having a plurality of magnetic sensors described above as one chip is used as the sensor unit 600. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plurality of magnetic sensors may not be chipped, and the plurality of magnetic sensors may be spaced apart from each other in four directions (ie, up, down, left, and right directions) with respect to the magnet part 300. The magnetic sensors are preferably arranged to be symmetrical with each other in the center point region of the magnet part 300.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable to use any one of a Hall element, a semiconductor magnetoresistive element, a potato magnetoresistive element or a GMR (Giant Magneto Resistive) element as the magnetic sensor in the sensor unit 600. It is preferable to use an element in which such a magnetic sensor changes its electrical characteristics in response to a change in the magnetic field. In this embodiment, a magnetic element uses a Hall element whose output voltage changes in proportion to the magnetic flux density.

Subsequently, the magnet part 300 is positioned in the upper region of the substrate 100 as described above. At this time, the magnet part 300 is disposed in the central region of the intermediate member 200 and the operation member 400 to move according to the movement of the operation member 400, and is restored to the initial position by the intermediate member 200. .

A square magnet magnetized up and down by the magnet part 300 according to the present embodiment is used. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and magnets in which single-sided multi-pole (2-pole, 4-pole, 8-pole) magnetization or cross-sectional release multi-pole magnetization is performed may be used. Of course, the magnet of circular, oval, circular band and polygonal shape may be used as the magnet.

An operating member 400 that is moved by a user's manipulation is disposed above the magnet part 300.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the operation member 400 includes a pillar part 410 in which the magnet part 300 is located in the lower center area, and a separation prevention part extending from the pillar part 410. 420. The pillar portion 410 is manufactured in a circular pillar shape.

On the bottom surface of the operation member 400, a first mounting groove 411 in which a part of the magnet part 300 is mounted, and a second mounting in which a part of the intermediate member 200 fixing the magnet part 300 is mounted. The groove 412 is provided. At this time, the first mounting groove 411 is preferably located inside the second mounting groove 412. Here, the diameter of the first mounting groove 411 is preferably similar to the diameter of the magnet portion 300. Of course, it is effective that the diameter of the first mounting groove 411 is 0.01 to 0.5 mm larger than the diameter of the magnet part 300. The reason for being as large as the above range is because a portion of the upper region of the magnet part 300 is fixed to the first mounting groove 411.

Here, the first mounting groove 411 and the second mounting groove 412 has a single circular shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of second mounting grooves 412 may be provided around the single circular first mounting groove 411. In this case, in the case of the plurality of second mounting grooves 412, it is effective that a part of the intermediate member 200 is manufactured in a groove shape having a small size to be fixed in a fitting shape.

The departure prevention part 420 is provided in a plate shape in the lower region of the pillar part 410. And, the departure prevention unit 420 is preferably formed along the circumference of the pillar portion 410 in the form of a plate as shown in the figure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the separation prevention part 420 may include a plurality of plates, and the plurality of plates may be formed along the circumference of the pillar part 410. At this time, the departure prevention part 420 prevents the operation member 400 from leaving the cover portion 500 located above the operation member 400.

In this embodiment, it is effective to manufacture using the metallic material as the operation member 400. This is because the magnet part 300 may be fixed to the operation member 400 by the magnetic force of the magnet part 300 when a part of the magnet part 300 is inserted and fixed inside the first mounting groove 411. . In addition, when the metal is used, not only the magnetic field of the magnet part 300 may be prevented from being released to the outside, but also the thickness of the operation member 400 may be reduced, thereby miniaturization. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the operating member 400 may be manufactured using plastic, silicone resin, and rubber. As such, when using plastic, silicone resin, and rubber, a separate magnetic field preventing member may be provided between the operation member 400 and the magnet part 300 to prevent the magnetic field of the magnet part 300 from spreading. .

The operation member 400 described above is moved and rotated by a force applied from the outside (that is, a user's manipulation force), and the movement and rotational force are transmitted to the magnet part 300. That is, since the magnet part 300 of the present embodiment is fixed to the operation member 400 by the intermediate member 200, the magnet part 300 may move and rotate together with the operation member 400.

As such, the magnet 300 moving and rotating together with the operation member 400 is restored to the initial position by the intermediate member 200 when the external force disappears. The intermediate member 200 of the present embodiment fixes the magnet part 300 to the operation member 400, and applies an elastic force and a restoring force to the magnet part 300 and the operation member 400.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the intermediate member 200 is provided at the end of each of the central portion 210, the plurality of pattern portions 220 extending from the central portion 210, and each of the pattern portions 220. A plurality of fixing portions 230 and a fixing protrusion 240 protruding from the central portion 210 to support and fix the magnet portion 300 is provided. Here, the intermediate member 200 is preferably manufactured by an injection process using a high-strength plastic (for example, POM, PC, etc.). Through this, the manufacturing process of the intermediate member 200 can be simplified, and mass production can be performed. As a result, the central portion 210, the pattern portion 220, the fixing portion 230, and the fixing protrusion 240 are manufactured as a single body. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the intermediate member 200 may be made of a metallic material. In the case of using a metallic material, the metal is manufactured through an etching process or a metal cutting process. At this time, it is effective to use a thin metal plate as the metallic material. In the case of using the metal plate, the fixing protrusion 240 may further perform a process of bending a part of the metal plate to the upper surface after the etching and cutting process. In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a material having excellent lubricity, wear resistance, elasticity, and resilience may be used as the intermediate member 200.

The central portion 210 is manufactured in a circular plate shape. This may minimize the interference between the central portion 210 and the pattern portion 220 by making the central portion 210 in a circular shape. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the central portion 210 may be manufactured in an ellipse or polygonal shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the center portion 210 includes a click protrusion 211 protruding to a lower bottom surface. The click feeling may be improved when the dome switch 110 is clicked through the click protrusion 211. That is, the dome switch 110 can be clicked with a small force. In addition, regardless of the position of the central portion 210 may have a uniform click feeling. The pattern portion 220 formed on the same plane as the central portion 210 may be spaced apart from the substrate 100 by the click protrusion 211.

The central portion 210 is disposed in the center point region of the fixing portions 230. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, three fixing parts 230 are disposed in the region around the central portion 210. In this case, the center portion 210 is disposed in the center point region of the triangle formed by the three fixing portions 230.

At this time, the central portion 210 is preferably smaller in size than the magnet portion 300 to be positioned as shown in the upper portion 2 and 5. That is, the diameter of the central portion 210 is preferably 20 to 80% of the diameter of the magnet portion. By adjusting the diameter of the central portion 210 within the above range, the moving space (that is, the moving region) of the pattern portion 220 extending from the central portion 210 may be widened. And, it is effective that the minimum diameter of the central portion 210 is 0.6mm. When the diameter of the central portion 210 is smaller than this, a problem arises in that it is difficult to manufacture the central portion 210 and the pattern portion 220 extending therefrom using an injection process.

Each of the plurality of pattern portions 220 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a bending line portion 221 connected at both ends to the central portion 210 and the fixing portion 230, respectively, and extending in a curved shape. Each of the plurality of pattern portions 220 also includes a plurality of sag preventing protrusions 222 formed on the lower surface of the bent line portion 221 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Here, the sag prevention protrusion 222 is manufactured in a protrusion shape protruding in the direction of the substrate 100 from the lower surface of the bent line portion 221. At this time, the sag prevention protrusion 222 prevents sagging of the plurality of pattern portions 220. This is the central portion 210 of the present embodiment is located above the dome switch, the fixing portion 230 is fixed to the cover portion 500. As a result, the plurality of pattern portions 220 provided between the two are spaced apart from the substrate 100. However, deflection may occur in the bent line portions 221 of the plurality of pattern portions 220 due to prolonged use and own weight. Therefore, when the pattern portion 220 is struck, most areas of the bent line portion 221 of the pattern portion 220 are connected to the substrate 100. This causes a problem that the friction between the bent line 221 and the substrate 100 is increased to greatly reduce the operation feeling. However, in this embodiment, even if the bent line portion 221 of the pattern portion 220 sags, most of the area of the bent line portion 221 is not connected to the substrate 100, and only the region of the sag prevention protrusion 222 is the substrate. By being connected to the (100) it is possible to suppress the increase in the friction between the pattern portion 220 and the substrate 100 to prevent the operation feeling is reduced. 2 and 5, one sag prevention protrusion 222 is formed in one pattern portion 220. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of bending preventing protrusions 222 may be provided at one bending line portion 221. In addition, the sag prevention protrusion 222 preferably has a hemispherical shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be manufactured in the form of a semi-ellipse, a cone, an elliptic cone, and a polygonal horn.

Here, the pattern unit 220 supports the central portion 210 when the central portion 210 moves or rotates by an external force, and when the external force is not applied (that is, the central portion 210 does not move and rotate). The central portion 210 is restored to its original position.

At this time, the shape and number of the pattern portion 220 affects the restoring force and the user's operation feeling. That is, there is a large difference in the restoring force and the feeling of operation depending on the number of the bending lines 221, the shape and shape of the line in the one bending line 221, and the number of bending areas of the line. In addition, a difference occurs in the restoring force and the operation feeling depending on the separation distance between the bent lines 221.

This is because the restoring force and the feeling of operation by the bending line portion 221 of the pattern portion 220 are generated by shape distortion such as contraction and expansion of the bending line portion 221. In addition, it is because the operation feeling may be greatly changed by contact or overlap between adjacent bent line portions 221.

First, in this embodiment, the number of pattern portions 220 (that is, the number of bent line portions 221) is three. Through this, the movement space of the bending line portion 221 can be widened to the maximum, and the central portion 210 can be effectively supported. In addition, this may minimize overlap (or contact) between adjacent bent lines 221. At this time, when the number of the bent line portion 221 is smaller than the number occurs a problem that is difficult to support the central portion (210). Of course, it is also possible to set the number of bending line | wire parts 221 to four. However, when three or four bent lines 221 are provided, not only the movement space of the bent lines 221 is reduced but also a problem that the operation feeling decreases due to interference between the bent lines 221.

Each of the bent lines 221 of this embodiment is manufactured to have an approximately S shape (ie, approximately sinusoidal shape) as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5. Here, since the intermediate member 200 including the pattern portion 220 is manufactured through an injection process, it is effective that the line width of the bent line portion 221 is within a range of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bent line portion 221 has a first connecting portion 221-a connected to the central portion 210 and a first extension portion 221 extending in an arc shape from the first connecting portion 221-a. -b) and an arc-shaped second extension line portion 221-c and a second extension line portion 221-c extending from the first extension line portion 221-b and connected to the fixing portion 230. Provided second connection portion 221-d. Here, the first extension line portion 221-b and the second extension line portion 221-c are bent in opposite directions. That is, for example, when the extension direction of the first extension line portion 221-b extends clockwise from the first connection portion 221-a, as shown in FIG. 3, the second extension line portion 221-c. The extension direction of is preferably a counterclockwise direction.

The first connection portion 221-a is an end region of the bent line portion 221 and is connected to one surface of the central portion 210.

The first extension line portion 221-b is manufactured in the form of an arc-shaped line. In this case, when the entire circumference of the circle formed by the arc is 1, the first extension line portion 221-b is preferably extended within the range of 1/2 to 5/6 of the circumference. Through this, the operation feeling of the first extension part 221-b may be maximized, and the elasticity and the restoring force may be maximized. If the range is larger than the above range, the first extension line portion 221-b overlaps the center portion 210. If the range is smaller than the range, the restoring force of the first extension line portion 221-b is reduced to decrease the center portion. It may be difficult to restore the position of the 210. In addition, a portion of the circle formed by the arc preferably overlaps with the central portion 210.

In this case, the diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the arc-shaped first extension line portion 221-b is larger than the diameter of the central portion 210, and the side end portion of the central portion 210 and the side surface of the cover portion 500. It is desirable to be smaller than the distance between them. At this time, preferably, the diameter of the circle is a through hole 512 of the pillar part 410 of the operating member 400 and the cover part 500 at a distance between the side end of the central portion 210 and the side wall surface of the cover part 500. It is preferable that the distance is smaller than or equal to the distance minus the separation distance in the horizontal direction. Of course, it may be larger than the above distance, but may be disadvantageous in miniaturization.

In addition, the minimum separation distance between the first extension line part 221-b and the side surface (that is, the side wall surface) of the cover part 500 is a through hole of the pillar part 410 and the cover part 500 of the operation member 400. It is effective, such as the horizontal separation distance between the 512. Through this, the moving distance of the first extension part 221-b may be increased and downsized.

Of course, the minimum separation distance between the first extension line part 221-b and the side surface (ie, the side wall surface) of the cover part 500 is the through part of the pillar part 410 and the cover part 500 of the operation member 400. It may be less than the separation distance in the horizontal direction between the (512). Through this, the moving distance of the first extension part 221-b may be extended. At this time, the minimum separation distance between the first extension line portion 221-b and the side surface (that is, the side wall surface) of the cover portion 500 is the through portion of the pillar portion 410 and the cover portion 500 of the operation member 400. If larger than the distance in the horizontal direction between the 512, the problem that the moving distance of the first extension portion (221-b) is reduced. Of course, if necessary, the minimum separation distance between the first extension line portion 221-b and the side surface (that is, the side wall surface) of the cover part 500 may be variously changed.

The second extension line portion 221-c is also produced in the form of an arc. The second extension line portion 221-c is bent in the opposite direction with respect to the first extension line portion 221-b to support the movement of the first extension line portion 221-b, and the first extension line portion 221-b. Dissipates some of the force). In this case, the diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the arc of the second extension line portion 221-c is preferably smaller than the diameter of the circle of the arc of the first extension line portion 221-b. At this time, when the diameter of the circle of the circular arc of the first extension line portion 221-b is 1, the diameter of the circular arc of the second extension line portion 221-c is preferably 0.1 to 0.6. When the entire circumference of the circle formed by the arc of the second extension line portion 221-c is 1, the second extension line portion 221-c preferably extends in the range of 1/6 to 1/3 of the circumference. Do. In this case, when the second extension line portion 221-c is smaller than the above-described ranges, a problem occurs that the second extension line portion 221-c is easily damaged by an external force. There is a problem that the movement of the line portion 221 is slowed.

The second connecting portion 221-d is manufactured in the form of a straight line extending from one end of the second extension line portion 221-c. When the second extension line (221-c) is bent by the external force thereby serves to support this.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first extension line portion 221-b and the second extension line portion 221-c having an arc shape, and the first and second connection portions 221-a and 221-d connected thereto are provided. By the center portion 210 can be given a moving and rotational force and a restoring force.

At this time, the first extension line 221-b is formed in an arc shape (that is, an unconnected circular band shape or roughly a horseshoe) so that two end regions of the arc are brought closer or further away from each other by an external force, thereby applying an external force. The center 210 can be moved and rotated. In addition, when the external force is removed, the center portion 210 may be restored to the initial position because the circular arc maintains its original shape.

Here, when the user applies the force to the central portion 210 to move the central portion 210, the stress received by the bending line portion 221 of the above-described structure will vary depending on the position of the bending line.

That is, when the central portion 210 is moved in the + Y axis direction, as shown in FIG. 6, the first adjacent portion 221-a and the first adjacent portion 221-a of the bent line portion 221 are shown in FIG. 6. It can be seen that the stress in the extension line portion 221-b region (see region S1 in FIG. 6) is the greatest and the stress in the second connection portion 221-d region (see region S2 in FIG. 6) is the smallest. As such, the stress is concentrated in some intervals. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first connection portion 221-a connected to the central portion 210 is connected to the fixing portion 230 via the first and second extension lines 221-b and 221-c. This stress can be dispersed by varying the line width of the linear bending line 221 extending to the connection portion 221-d. This means that the first extension line portion 221-b may also have a different line width depending on its position.

That is, the line width of the bent line portion 221 in the direction of the fixing portion 230 in the central portion 210 is sequentially reduced. This maximizes the line width D1 of the first stressed connection portion 221-a and the smallest line width D3 of the second contact portion 221-d as shown in FIG. 6. For example, the line width D1 of the end of the bent line portion 221 (that is, the end of the first connection portion 221-a) connected to the central portion 210 is 5 mm, and is sequentially reduced to connect to the fixing portion 230. The line width D4 at the end of the bent line portion 221 (that is, the end of the second connecting portion 221-d) is set to 3 mm. Through this, the stress can be dispersed, thereby smoothing the movement of the central portion 210 and improving the operation feeling. In particular, the vector value acting vertically at the center point during the rotational movement (for example, rotation of more than 0.9 mm radius) can be uniformly provided to give a soft feeling. In addition, it is possible to improve durability of the pattern portion 220 in which the deformation of the shape of the intermediate member 200 is severe through stress distribution.

Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the line width of the bent line portion 221 may vary the line width according to the section as shown in the modification of FIG. 4. That is, as in the modified example of FIG. 4, the line widths D1 and D2 of the first connecting portion 221-a and the first extending portion 221-b are made largest, and the second extending portion 221-c is formed. The line width D3 is made smaller than the line width D2 of the first extension line portion 221-b, and the line width D4 of the second connecting portion 221-d is made the smallest. At this time, in a region in which the line width changes, an area in which a line width continuously decreases or increases in a predetermined section may occur in order to prevent a sudden change in the line width. In this way, the line width of the severe stress section is increased, and the line width of the non-stress section is reduced, thereby effectively distributing the stress. Of course, the line width D1 of the first connection portion 221-a may be larger than the line width D2 of the first extension line portion 221-b.

An end of the bent line portion 221 having the above-described shape and line width is connected to the fixing portion 230. In this case, the fixing part 230 is fixed to the cover part 500. This prevents the departure of the bending line 221. In addition, by fixing one end of the plurality of bending line portion 221 may be a criterion for imparting a restoring force.

Due to the structure of the bent line 221 as described above, the central portion 210 may perform two-dimensional movement by an external force within a range of 0.6 to 3.0 mm. Not only linear motion but also curved and circular motions are possible. When the external force is removed, the center portion 210 may be naturally restored to the center point of the fixing portion 230 by the bending line portion 221.

At this time, the fixing part 230 of the present embodiment is fixed to the cover part 500. The fixing part 230 includes a body part 231 and a fixing protrusion 232 protruding downward from the body part 231.

Here, the body portion 231 is preferably fixed to fit the groove of the cover portion 500. At this time, when the body portion 231 is fixed to the cover portion 500, the fixing portion 230 may be spaced apart from the substrate 100 by a predetermined distance. As a result, the fixing protrusion 232 may not be fixed and may be pushed toward the substrate 100 by an external force. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the fixing protrusion 232 may be provided to eliminate the separation distance between the fixing part 230, that is, the body part 231 and the substrate 100, and the cover part 500 and the substrate 100 may be removed. When assembling the body portion 231 is pressed so that the fixing portion 230 may be completely mounted on the cover portion 500.

The medial member 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment manufactures the size of the central portion 210 smaller than the magnet portion 300 in order to increase the moving space of the pattern portion 220, in particular, the bending line portion 221. However, in this case, the center portion 210 may not fully support the magnet portion 300, and the force applied to the magnet portion 300 by the operation member 400 may not be applied to the center portion 210. In addition, the restoring force of the pattern unit 220 may not be applied to the magnet unit 300 through the central portion 210.

Accordingly, the intermediate member 200 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of fixing protrusions 240 protruding from the central portion 210 to support the magnet part 300 for smooth transfer of the moving force and the restoring force.

In this case, each of the plurality of fixing protrusions 240 is a plurality of horizontal protrusions 241 protruding in the horizontal direction from the central portion 210 and a vertical direction from the horizontal protrusions 241 (that is, the upper direction of the central portion 210). It has a vertical projection 242 protruding into. As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes three fixing protrusions 240. In this case, each of the fixing protrusions 240 is positioned in the space between the first connecting portions 221-a of the plurality of bent lines 221 connected to the central portion 210, respectively. That is, the horizontal protrusions 241 protrude and extend in regions of the center portion 210 between the first connecting portions 221-a of the center portion 210. At this time, the horizontal protrusion 241 extends to the inner region of the first extension line 221-b of the bent line 221. In this case, the separation distance between the end of the horizontal protrusion 241 and the first extension line portion 221-b is a through hole 512 of the pillar portion 410 of the operating member 400 of the operating member 400 and the cover 500. It is preferable to be equal to or larger than the separation distance in the horizontal direction between.

Since the horizontal protrusion 241 of the present exemplary embodiment extends in the horizontal direction with respect to the central portion 210, the horizontal protrusion 241 supports the lower region of the magnet portion 300 together with the central portion 210. In addition, since the vertical protrusion 242 extends vertically with respect to the central portion 210, the vertical protrusion 242 supports the side region of the magnet part 300. Here, the vertical protrusion 242 is preferably manufactured in an arc shape (ie, curved shape) for smooth support of the magnet part 300. That is, it is manufactured in a shape corresponding to the side surface of the magnet portion 300 of a circular shape and is in close contact with the magnet portion 300. The vertical protrusion 242 is fixed to the space between the magnet 300 and the operation member 400. That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the vertical protrusion 242 is fixed to the space between the magnet part 300 and the second mounting groove 412.

Through this, not only the magnet part 300 can be fixed but also the movement of the operation member 400 can be transmitted to the pattern part 220 through the central part 210, and the restoring force of the pattern part 220 is transmitted to the operation member 400. ) And the magnet unit 300 can be provided.

In addition, as described above, a first mounting groove 411 through which the magnet part 300 is inserted is provided below the operating member 400, and a second mounting having a larger diameter than the first mounting groove 411 is provided. The groove 412 is provided outside the first mounting groove 411. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the magnet part 300 is mounted in the first mounting groove 411, and then the fixing protrusion 240 of the intermediate member 200 is disposed between the magnet part 300 and the second mounting groove 412. The insertion may fix the central portion 210 of the intermediate member 200 as well as the magnet part 300. As such, it is possible to fix the magnet part 300, the operation member 400, and the intermediate member 200 without using a separate adhesive or a separate adhesive member, thereby improving assembly performance. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the operation member 400 may be provided with a number of second mounting grooves 412 corresponding to the vertical protrusions 242.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the magnet part 300 is fixed to the operation member 400 by the fixing protrusion 240 of the intermediate member 200, and the fixing part of the intermediate member 200 fixed to the cover part 500 ( The operating member 400 and the magnet part 300 are fixed to the cover part 500 by 230.

The cover part 500 includes a top plate 511 having a through groove 512, a housing body part 510 having a side wall part 513, and a plurality of lower parts of the side wall part 511. The fixing groove 520, the plurality of fixing hooks 530 extending in the lower portion of the side wall portion 511, and the plurality of fixing pins 540 extending in the lower portion of the side wall portion 511. It is provided.

Here, the pillar portion 410 of the operation member 400 protrudes through the through groove 512. At this time, the diameter of the through groove 512 is preferably larger than the diameter of the pillar portion 410. As a result, a space is formed between the pillar part 410 and the through hole 512, and the two-dimensional moving area of the magnet part 300 is defined by the space. At this time, the separation distance between the pillar portion 410 and the through groove 512 is preferably smaller than the separation distance between the separation prevention portion 420 of the operation member 400 and the side wall portion 511 of the cover 500. Do. At this time, when the distance in the horizontal direction between the pillar portion 410 and the through groove 512 is 1, the horizontal direction between the separation prevention portion 420 and the side wall portion 511 of the cover portion 500 It is effective that the separation distance is 1.05 to 1.2. At this time, when the range is out of the range, a problem occurs in that the movement (that is, the operation feeling) of the operation member 400 is lowered. If it is smaller than the above range, the movement of the operation member 400 is not smooth, and if it is larger than the above range, not only the operation feeling is lowered but also it is difficult to miniaturize.

The fixing part 230 of the medium member 200 is fixed to the fixing groove 520 described above. Through this, the intermediate member 200 can be fixed to the cover part 500, and the magnet part 300 and the operation member 400 fixed by the fixing protrusion 240 of the intermediate member 200 are covered with the cover part 500. ) Can be fixed.

In addition, the fixing hook 530 described above is mounted in the hook fixing groove 120 of the substrate 100. Through this, the bottom surface of the side wall part 511 of the cover part 500 is tightly fixed to the substrate 100. In the present embodiment, the plurality of fixing pins 540 of the cover part 500 are fixed to the protrusion fixing groove 130 of the substrate 100. That is, the two fixing pin parts 540 facing each other based on the center point of the storage member 510 are fixed to the protrusion fixing groove 130 of the substrate 100, respectively, so that the movement and separation such as the shaking of the cover part 500 may occur. prevent.

As such, since the cover part 500 is fixed to the substrate 100 by the fixing hook part 530 and the fixing pin part 540, the central part 210 of the intermediate member 200 is fixed to the dome switch 110. . That is, the click protrusion 211 of the center portion 210 is connected to the dome switch 110.

At this time, as mentioned above, the center portion 210 supports the magnet portion 300, and the magnet portion 300 is fixed to the operation member 400 by the fixing protrusion 240 protruding from the center portion 210. In addition, the central portion 210 is fixed to the operation member 400. Therefore, when the first force is applied to the operation member 400 by the user, the operation member 400 is vertically lowered (Z-axis movement) to click on the dome switch 110 by the click protrusion 211. In addition, when a second force smaller than the first force is applied, the operation member 400 moves in a horizontal direction (two-dimensional directions, X and Y axes). At this time, the magnet 300 and the central portion 210 also move together. As such, the click protrusion 211 is in close contact with the dome switch 110 and clicks the dome switch 110 according to the user's force, or the two-dimensional motion of the central portion 210, the magnet portion 300, and the operation member 400. It serves to support. That is, the central portion 210 is prevented from being treated down. Of course, the central portion 210 is restored to the initial position by the restoring force by the pattern unit 220 when the force applied by the user is removed. At this time, one end of the pattern portion 220 is fixed by the fixing portion 230. The fixing part 230 may also be fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 100 by the fixing groove 520 of the cover part 500. Through this, it is possible to prevent the artificial movement of the fixing unit 230 (that is, the movement by the user's applied force).

The pointing device according to the above embodiments may be applied to various electronic devices including a portable terminal. That is, the portable telephone may be used in various types of electronic devices such as a digital camera, a camcorder, an MP3, a PMP, a PDA, a GPS, a laptop, a game machine, a remote controller, an electronic dictionary, and the like. Such an electronic device includes a control unit for processing a predetermined signal (data) and a screen display unit for displaying an image, and a pointer or a cursor is provided in the screen display unit. The electronic device moves a pointer or cursor in the screen display unit according to an input signal applied through the input device. A pointing device can be used as such an input device. That is, the sensor unit output (coordinate signal) of the pointing device is applied to the control unit, and the control unit moves the pointer in the screen display unit.

The pointing device that can be used in the electronic device according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various sensors for moving the cursor on the screen and devices for driving the sensor may be further added. For example, an optical sensor can be used to detect the movement of the operating member to move the cursor on the screen.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be implemented in various forms. That is, the above embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be understood by the claims of the present application. .

1 is a perspective view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the pointing device according to one embodiment.

3 is a plan view of an intermediate member of the pointing device according to one embodiment;

4 is a plan view of an intermediate member according to a modification of the embodiment;

5 is a rear view of the intermediate member assembled to the cover unit, according to an exemplary embodiment;

6 is a simulation diagram analyzing the stress of the intermediate member according to an embodiment.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

100: substrate 200: intermediate member

210: center 220: pattern part

221: bending line 222: deflection preventing projection

230: fixing part 240: fixing protrusion

241: horizontal projection 242: vertical projection

300: magnet 400: operating member

410: pillar portion 420: separation prevention portion

500: cover portion 510: storage body portion

520: fixing groove portion 530: fixing hook portion

Claims (10)

An actuating member moved by the user; A magnet part located in the lower region of the actuating member; A cover part exposing and covering a part of the operation member; A media member including a central portion supporting the magnet portion, a plurality of fixing portions fixed to the cover portion, and a plurality of curved pattern portions each connected to the central portion and the plurality of fixing portions; And Sensing means for sensing the movement of the magnet part and outputting an electrical signal, And a line width of the plurality of pattern portions having the curved shape is wider than a line width of the region adjacent to the fixed portion, and the line width of the plurality of pattern portions decreases sequentially from the center portion toward the fixing portion. The method according to claim 1, Each of the plurality of pattern portions includes a bending line portion whose both ends are connected to the central portion and the fixing portion and bent in an S-shape shape, and at least one deflection preventing protrusion formed on a lower surface of the bending line portion. . delete The method according to claim 2, The bent line portion and the first connection portion connected to the central portion, An arc-shaped first extension line extending from the first connection portion, An arc-shaped second extension line that bends and extends in a direction opposite to the first extension line; And a second connection portion extending from the second extension line portion and connected to the fixing portion. The method according to claim 4, The first connecting portion, the first extension portion, the second extension portion, the second connection portion each having a different line width, of which the line width of the first connection portion is the widest, the pointing device of the narrowest line width of the second connection portion. The method according to claim 2, The intermediate member is manufactured by a plastic injection process or an etching process of a metal, and the line width of the bent line portion is selected within the range of 0.2 to 1.0mm. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The intermediate member extends from the central portion and includes a plurality of fixing protrusions for fixing the magnet portion and the central portion to the operation member. The method of claim 7, The actuating member includes a first mounting groove into which a part of the magnet part is to be drawn in a bottom surface, and a plurality of second mounting grooves provided outside the first mounting groove, Each of the fixing protrusions includes a horizontal protrusion protruding in the horizontal direction from the center portion to support the magnet portion, and a vertical protrusion protruding in the vertical direction from the horizontal protrusion to be fixed to the second mounting groove of the operating member. Device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the intermediate member has only three or four pattern portions. A controller for processing data; A screen display for displaying an image; And A pointing device for outputting a signal for moving a pointer in the screen display unit; The pointing device includes an actuating member that is moved by a user, a magnet part positioned in a lower region of the actuating member, a cover part exposing and covering a part of the actuating member, a central part supporting the magnet part, and the cover. Sensing means for outputting an electrical signal by sensing the movement of the magnetic member and the intermediate member comprising a plurality of fixed parts fixed to the part, a plurality of bent curved pattern parts respectively connected to the central portion and the plurality of fixed parts And a plurality of pattern portions having a curved shape, wherein the line widths of the adjacent areas of the central portion are wider than the line widths of the adjacent areas of the fixing portion, and the line widths of the plurality of pattern portions decrease in a direction from the center to the fixing portions.

Images