WO2012086601A1

WO2012086601A1 - Manipulator and manual operating device

Info

Publication number: WO2012086601A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/079407
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭司外川; 山岸　建; 邦彰成田; 五十嵐　健; 潤西原
Original assignee: 株式会社ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2011-12-19
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: JP2014052664A; WO2012086457A1

Abstract

A manipulator (3) used for a manual operating device comprises a manipulating body (31) for accepting input operation; detecting bodies (32) for detecting the displacement direction of the manipulating body (31), the detection points being defined as at least two points set equally spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the manipulating body (31); and a support body (33) which surrounds the manipulating body (31) and displaceably supports the manipulating body (31). Hereby, the rotational movement of the manipulating body can be detected in addition to the parallel displacement of the manipulating body, thus many more manipulation directions of the manipulating body can be detected.

Description

Operating element and operating device

The present invention relates to an operator and an operation device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation device that is connected to an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a game device and transmits an operation signal to the information processing device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The controller (operation device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a left grip portion and a right grip portion that are gripped by the left and right hands of a user, and a direction key and an operation button that are disposed in front of the controller. . Among these, the direction key is disposed at a position corresponding to the thumb when the left grip portion is gripped with the left hand, and the operation button is disposed at a position corresponding to the thumb when the right grip portion is gripped with the right hand. It is installed. Further, the controller is provided with two analog sticks between areas where direction keys and operation buttons are arranged.
Such an analog stick has an orthogonal two-axis joystick structure, and the analog stick is provided in a hemispherical manner so as to be displaceable. And if the said analog stick is operated, a controller will output the operation signal according to the displacement direction.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0131171

In recent years, a lot of software such as game software that requires complicated operations has been distributed. For example, in a game called FPS (First Person Person shooter), an operation for changing the line of sight of the character and an operation for changing the aim of the target are performed while moving the character. On the other hand, the controller described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 detects the up / down / left / right directions with the direction keys, and detects the pan and tilt directions with the analog stick. However, there has been a demand for a controller (operation device) that can deal with game software that requires more complicated operations and can detect various operation directions with a single operator.

The present invention is to provide an operator and an operation device capable of detecting more operation directions.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an operating element of the present invention is an operating element used in an operating device, and an operating body that receives an input operation and at least two that are set at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operating body. A plurality of detection bodies for detecting a displacement direction of the operation body with a point as a detection site, and a support body that surrounds the operation body and supports the operation body in a freely displaceable manner.

Examples of the detection body include a mechanical sensor such as a strain gauge, a displacement sensor such as a Hall element, and an optical sensor.
According to the present invention, the plurality of detection bodies detect the displacement of the operation body at at least two detection sites, thereby causing the translation of the operation body in at least two directions, the roll of the operation body, and the pan and tilt. At least one of them can be detected.
For example, when the operating body has a cylindrical shape, the displacement along the central axis of the operating body and the displacement in the direction orthogonal to the central axis indicate that the respective detecting bodies detect the displacement of the operating body in the same direction. Is detected. Further, the roll of the operating body (roll rotation with the central axis as the rotation axis) is detected by each detector detecting the displacement of the operating body in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the pan and tilt of the operating body (yaw rotation and pitch rotation with the direction orthogonal to the central axis as the rotational axis) detects the displacement of one detector along the central axis and the other detecting body It is detected by detecting the displacement to the other along the central axis.
Thus, by detecting the displacement of the operating body by the plurality of detecting bodies, more displacement directions of the operating body can be detected than in the case of the analog stick described above. Therefore, when such an operation element is provided in the operating device, the convenience of the operating device can be improved.

In the present invention, the detection body surrounds the operation body in accordance with the detection site and is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation body. It is preferable to have a follower that follows.
According to the present invention, the action direction (pressure direction) of the pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body can be reliably transmitted to the detection body by the follow-up portion of the detection body. Therefore, the detection body can reliably detect the displacement direction of the operation body.
In addition, if the follower is configured by a transmission mechanism such as a link mechanism, the detection body is not necessarily provided around the operation body. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of arrangement of the detectors, and thereby improve the degree of freedom of design of the operation element.

In the present invention, one of the follower and the operation body has a hole, and the other has an insertion part that is inserted into the hole and transmits the movement of the operation body to the follower. It is preferable.
In this case, the formation position of the hole or the insertion portion becomes the above-described detection site.
According to the present invention, the follower and the operating body can be connected with a simple configuration, and the pressure direction caused by the displacement of the operating body can be reliably transmitted to the detecting body via the follower.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion.
Such clearance includes a clearance between the end surface of the insertion portion and the inner surface of the hole portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the hole portion, and an end surface of the insertion portion and an inner surface of the hole portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. The clearance between is mentioned.
According to the present invention, since these clearances are formed, the detection body does not detect the displacement of the operation body when the operation body is slightly displaced by the amount corresponding to the clearance. For this reason, it can suppress that the displacement detection of the operation body by a detection body is performed frequently.

Further, when the detection body is constituted by a strain gauge, if the clearance is not formed, the operation body in a direction orthogonal to the strain gauge, that is, an insertion direction of the insertion portion into the hole portion. Due to the displacement, internal force interference occurs between the operating body and the detection body, which causes a detection error.
On the other hand, since the clearance is formed, the operation body can be displaced in the insertion direction without the insertion section coming into contact with the inner surface of the hole, so that internal force interference between the operation body and the detection body. Can be prevented. And the displacement of the said operation body can be detected because another detection body detects the displacement of the operation body to the said insertion direction, without detecting the detection body which has the said insertion part or a hole. Therefore, the displacement direction of the operating body can be detected appropriately.

In the present invention, it is preferable that each detection body is attached to the support body, and the operation body is supported by the detection body by inserting the insertion portion into the hole.
According to the present invention, since the operation body is supported by the insertion portion of each detection body supported by the support body, it is not necessary to separately provide a configuration for supporting the operation body so as to be displaceable. Therefore, the configuration of the operation element can be simplified.

In this invention, it is preferable that the said operation body has an elastic part which elastically deforms according to the displacement of the said operation body.
According to the present invention, when the operating body is displaced, the elastic portion elastically deforms and bends, so that the user can feel the input operation on the operating body, and therefore the operability of the operating element can be further improved.

In addition, an operating device of the present invention includes the above-described operating element.
According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above-described operation element, thereby improving the convenience of the operation device.

In this invention, it is preferable to provide the housing | casing in which the said operation element is provided, and the both ends of the said operating body are each exposed from the said housing | casing.
According to the present invention, since both ends of the operating body are exposed from the casing, the operating body can be operated by sandwiching both ends. Therefore, the operability of the operating element and thus the operating device can be further improved.

In the present invention, the housing is provided in accordance with a left grip part and a right grip part gripped by a user's left hand and right hand, respectively, and a thumb position when the left grip part is gripped by the left hand. A first placement portion on which the first button is placed, and a second placement on which the right button is provided according to the position of the thumb when the right hand is gripped with the right hand. It is preferable to have an arrangement part, and an operation element arrangement part provided between the first arrangement part and the second arrangement part, where the operation element is arranged.
According to the present invention, since the operation element disposition part in which the operation element is disposed is provided between the first disposition part and the second disposition part, the user who grasps the left grip part. The operator can be operated with either the left hand or the right hand of the user holding the right grip. According to this, since the operator can be operated without releasing the hand from the operating device, the operability of the operating device can be improved.

The perspective view which shows the operating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the operation body of the operation element in the said embodiment displaced. The front view which shows the displacement state to the X direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the displacement state to the X direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the displacement state to the Y direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the displacement state to the Y direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the displacement state to the Z direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the displacement state to the Z direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the yaw rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the yaw rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the pitch rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the pitch rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the roll rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The side view which shows the roll rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the deformation | transformation of the operation element in the said embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the deformation | transformation of the operation element in the said embodiment. The perspective view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The perspective view which shows the deformation | transformation of the operation element in the said embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the deformation | transformation of the operation element in the said embodiment. The front view which shows the operating device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the operating device in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention has. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention has. The perspective view which shows the operation body in the said embodiment. The rear view which shows the operating device which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the operating device in the said embodiment. The rear view which shows the operating device which concerns on 11th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the operation element of the operating device which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The perspective view which shows the operation element of the operating device which concerns on 13th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an operating device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following drawings, the Z direction indicates the axial direction of the operating body 31 to be described later, and the X direction and the Y direction are the right direction when the housing 2 is viewed from the front out of the directions orthogonal to the Z direction. Indicates upward direction. The X1 direction indicates a direction inclined by 45 ° from the X direction toward the Y direction on the XY plane, and the Y1 direction indicates a direction inclined by 45 ° from the Y direction toward the opposite direction to the X direction.
The operation device 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to an information processing device such as a PC or a game device, and transmits an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the information processing device. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 includes a synthetic resin casing 2 and a pair of operating elements 3 provided in the casing 2 (the left and right operating elements in FIG. ).

[Case configuration]
The housing 2 includes a left grip 21L that is gripped by the user's left hand and a right grip 21R that is gripped by the user's right hand. In addition, on the front surface 2F of the housing 2, a first disposing portion 22 where a direction key K1 is disposed is provided at a position corresponding to the thumb when the left gripping portion 21L is gripped with the left hand of the user. Yes. Further, on the front surface 2F, a second disposing portion 23 in which four operation keys K2 are disposed is provided at a position corresponding to the thumb when the right grip portion 21R is gripped with the right hand of the user. .
In addition, on the front surface 2F, between the first disposing portion 22 and the second disposing portion 23, the manipulator disposing portions 24 provided with the manipulating

members

3L and 3R (left and right manipulating element arrangements) are provided. The installed portions are 24L and 24R, respectively). Further, other operation keys K3 are provided on the upper surface 2T of the housing 2 on the left and right sides, and these arrangement positions are positions corresponding to the index finger of the user.

Among these, the operation

element arrangement parts

24L and 24R are configured as holes having a substantially circular shape in plan view and communicating the front surface 2F and the back surface 2R, and the operation element 3 is provided in the hole parts. Then, both ends of the central axis of the operation body 31 constituting the operation element 3 (3L, 3R) are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 from the front surface 2F and the back surface 2R.
When using the operating device 1, for example, the user operates the operation keys with the left and right index fingers while holding the left gripping part 21 L and the right gripping part 21 R so as to be wrapped with the left and right palms, the little finger, and the ring finger. While inputting K3, the direction key K1 and the operation key K2 are input with the left and right thumbs. In addition, when operating the

operating elements

3L and 3R in this state, the

operating elements

3L and 3R are operated with the left and right thumbs and, if necessary, the

operating elements

3L and 3R are sandwiched between the thumb and the middle finger. To operate. Further, as will be described later, it is also possible to roll the

operating elements

3L and 3R by pinching the

operating elements

3L and 3R with the thumb and forefinger.

[Configuration of controls]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the operation element 3, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) showing the operation element 3. FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view on the XY plane at the axial center of the operation element 3) showing the operation element 3. Further, FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view on the X1Z plane) of the operation element 3 showing a state of the detection body 32 when the operation body 31 is displaced (rotated in the direction opposite to the X1 direction).
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation element 3 (3L, 3R) includes a cylindrical operation body 31 that is operated by a user, and four detection bodies 32 that detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31. , Each of the detection bodies 32 is supported, and thus has a support body 33 that supports the operation body 31. The operation element 3 detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the six-axis directions by each detection body 32. That is, the operation element 3 detects the parallel movement of the operation body 31 in the XY plane and the parallel movement in the Z direction, and also rotates the operation body 31 with a virtual line on the XY plane as a rotation axis (for example, , Yaw rotation and pitch rotation), and rotation of the operation body 31 with the Z direction as a rotation axis (roll rotation).

[Operation body configuration]
The operating body 31 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 311, a pair of fixing portions 312 attached to both ends of the shaft portion 311, and a pair of elastic portions 313 and action portions 314 sandwiched between the fixing portions 312. .
Among these, the fixing portion 312 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view having substantially the same diameter as the elastic portion 313, and is fixed to the shaft portion 311 with a screw 315. A cylindrical cap 316 (see FIG. 1) is attached to these fixing portions 312 so as to cover the fixing portion 312 and is a portion operated by the user. A pair of elastic portions 313 and action portions 314 are arranged at positions sandwiched between such fixing portions 312.

The pair of elastic portions 313 is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as rubber, and is provided so as to surround the shaft portion 311 and sandwich the action portion 314. The pair of elastic portions 313 connect the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 and the action portion 314, and mediate the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 to the action portion 314. The elastic portion 313 is elastically deformed and bent when the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 are rotationally displaced, so that the rotation is absorbed, and only the pressure generated by the rotational displacement acts. Is transmitted to the unit 314. For this reason, even if the axial part 311 and the fixing | fixed part 312 are displaced, the action part 314 is hardly displaced, and even if it is displaced, it is a little compared with the displacement amount of the axial part 311 and the fixing | fixed part 312.

The action part 314 is formed in an annular shape from a synthetic resin or metal having higher rigidity than the elastic part 313, and is fixed to the elastic part 313 by an adhesive or the like. The action part 314 has a diameter larger than that of the elastic part 313, and the action part 314 has a hole part into which an insertion part 3211 (described later) is inserted at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the XY plane. 3141 are formed so as to penetrate the action part 314, respectively. The action unit 314 transmits the pressure in the displacement direction of the operating body 31 transmitted through the elastic unit 313 to the detection body 32 through the insertion unit 3211. The hole 3141 into which the insertion part 3211 is inserted corresponds to the hole of the present invention, and the formation position of the hole 3141 corresponds to the detection site of the present invention. Therefore, in the operating body 31 of the present embodiment, four detection sites are provided. A predetermined gap is formed between the inner wall of the hole through which the shaft portion 311 passes in the action portion 314 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 311, and the stroke amount of the operating body 31 is secured by the gap. The
In addition, a hole 3142 that penetrates along the axial direction of the action part 314 is formed in the action part 314. The shaft 311 is inserted through the hole 3142.

[Configuration of the detection object]
In the present embodiment, the detection body 32 (the detection bodies positioned at the X1 direction front end side and the base end side are 32X1, 32X2 and the Y direction front end side and base end side detection bodies are 32Y1, 32Y2) is a strain gauge. Each of the pressures in the displacement direction of the operating body 31 is detected. Specifically, each detection body 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the above-described hole 3141, and thereby the operation body 31 is arranged at equal intervals (every 90 ° in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the operation body 31. It is arranged so that it surrounds. Each of these detectors 32 includes a follower 321 that protrudes toward the operating body 31 and a detector 322 that detects the direction of pressure applied to the follower 321.
Among these, the detection unit 322 detects a change in the pressure of the operation body 31 by detecting a pressure change transmitted through the follower 321 when the operation body 31 is displaced.

The follower 321 is formed of a member having rigidity or flexibility. The follower 321 has an insertion part 3211 that is inserted into the hole 3141 at the tip of the follower 321 in the protruding direction.
These insertion portions 3211 have an outer diameter dimension that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the corresponding hole portion 3141, whereby a slight clearance is provided between the inner surface of the hole portion 3141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. Is formed. More specifically, a clearance C 1 is formed between the end surface of the insertion portion 3211 orthogonal to the protruding direction (insertion direction into the hole portion 3141) and the inner surface of the hole portion 3141. In addition, since the hole 3141 formed in the action part 314 is formed so as to penetrate the action part 314, a clearance is formed between the hole 3141 and the end surface in the protruding direction of the insertion part 3211. C2 is formed.

Such a follower 321 is displaced according to the displacement of the operating body 31 to cause a change in the pressure direction detected by the detector 322.
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the operating body 31 is rotationally displaced in the direction opposite to the X1 direction (P direction) with the Y1 direction as the rotational axis. The follower 321 of the detector 32X1 located on the side transmits the pressure in the Z direction to the detector 322, and the follower 321 of the detector 32X2 located on the base end side in the X1 direction is in a direction opposite to the Z direction. Is transmitted to the detection unit 322. And the detection part 322 of these detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2 detects the pressure direction of each tracking part 321.
In addition, since the above-mentioned clearance C1 is formed between the insertion part 3211 and the hole 3141 in the follower part 321, the follower part 321 of the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2 located on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the Y1 direction. No pressure is transmitted in the rotational displacement of the operating body 31 shown in FIG. For this reason, the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2 do not detect the displacement of the operation body 31.
Based on the detection results of these detection bodies 32, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 is detected.

Moreover, the structure which contact | abuts the said tracking part 321 (insertion part 3211) is not arrange | positioned at the protrusion direction front end side (following direction of the insertion part 3211 to the hole 3141) of the tracking part 321. A clearance C2 is formed. For this reason, when the operating body 31 is displaced along the protruding direction, the detection body 32 having the follower 321 protruding in the protruding direction does not detect the displacement of the operating body 31. This prevents internal force interference between the operating body 31 and the detecting body 32 and prevents the detection error of the operating body 31 from occurring.

[Structure of the support]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the support body 33 has a regular rectangular tube shape made of metal or the like, and is disposed so as to surround the operation body 31 (particularly the action portion 314). Each detection body 32 is attached to each of the four planes of the support 33 by screws 331 so that the follower 321 faces the operating body 31. The dimension of the operation body 31 in the axial direction (Z direction) of the support body 33 is set to about 1/3 of the dimension of the operation body 31 in the same direction. Are exposed from the support 33. As described above, the caps 316 are attached to both ends of the operation body 31, and the operation body 31 can be operated (displaced).

[Operation body displacement detection]
6A and 6B are views showing the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction, and are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction (translation in the XY plane), the follower 321 is moved to the displacement of the operating body 31. The pressure in the copied direction is applied. Specifically, pressure in the direction opposite to the Y1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2, and pressure in the X1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. Then, by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to each follower 321, the operation element 3 L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the X direction.

7A and 7B are views showing the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Y direction, and are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Y direction (translation in the XY plane), each follower 321 has the same A pressure in the direction is applied following the displacement of the operating body 31. Specifically, pressure in the Y1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2, and pressure in the X1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. Then, the operation element 3L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the Y direction by detecting the pressure direction applied to each follower 321 by each detection body 32.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Z direction, and are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Z direction (parallel movement in the Z direction), pressure in the Z direction is applied to all the followers 321. Then, by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to each follower 321, the operator 3 L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the Z direction.
Thus, the operation element 3 detects the parallel movement along the X, Y, and Z directions of the operation body 31 by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to the follower 321. Note that the parallel movement of the operating body 31 in the other direction on the XY plane is also detected in the same manner.

9A and 9B are diagrams showing the operation device 1 when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (yaw rotation) in the X direction about the Y direction as a rotation axis. FIG. 2 is a front view and a side view of the device 1.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction (yaw rotation) about the Y direction as a rotation axis, the detection bodies 32X1 and 32Y2 shown in FIG. A pressure in the direction opposite to the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 and a pressure in the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 of the detection bodies 32X2 and 32Y1. Then, when each detector 32 detects the direction of pressure applied to the follower 321, the operator 3 L detects the yaw rotation of the operator 31 in the X direction.

10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operation device 1 when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (pitch rotation) in the Y direction about the X direction as a rotation axis. FIG. 2 is a front view and a side view of the device 1.
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (pitch rotation) in the Y direction about the X direction as a rotation axis, the detection bodies 32X1 and 32Y1 shown in FIG. A pressure in the direction opposite to the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 and a pressure in the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 of the detection bodies 32X2 and 32Y2. Then, when each detection body 32 detects the pressure direction applied to the follower 321, the operation element 3 L detects the pitch rotation of the operation body 31 in the Y direction.
Note that rotation in another direction with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as a rotation axis is also detected.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams showing the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced (rotated by a roll) with the Z direction as a rotational axis, and each is a front view of the operating device 1 FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced (rotated by a roll) with the Z direction as a rotational axis, the followers of all the detecting bodies 32 shown in FIG. The pressure in the same direction (same direction as viewed from the protruding direction of the follower 321) when the detection bodies 32 are viewed from the front is applied to the 321. For example, in the example of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the operating body 31 is rolled in a counterclockwise direction when the operating device 1 is viewed from the front. In this state, the operating body 31 faces the follower 321 and is in the Z direction. When the follower portions 321 are viewed so that is on the top, pressure is applied to each follower portion 321 to the left. On the other hand, when the operating body 31 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the rightward pressure is applied to each of the following portions 321. When each detection body 32 detects the pressure direction applied to the follower 321, the operator 3 L detects roll rotation about the Z direction of the operation body 31 as a rotation axis.
In addition, the case where the parallel movement and the rotational displacement of the operation body 31 are combined is also detected in the same manner.

The operating element 3R has the same configuration as the operating element 3L, and detects the displacement of the operating body 31 in the same manner as the operating element 3L.
The displacement of the operating body 31 detected in this way is transmitted as a control signal from the

operating elements

3L, 3R to the control device (not shown) of the operating device 1. Then, the control device performs various corrections such as sensitivity correction, bias correction, variation correction, and drift correction between the detection bodies 32, performs dead zone processing, and the like, and obtains an operation signal based on the control signal as the above-described information. Send to processing device.

The operation device 1 according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects.
(1) The parallel movement of the operating body 31 in the XY plane by the two detection bodies 32 arranged in the X1 direction and the two detection bodies 32 arranged in the Y1 direction orthogonal to the X1 direction in the XY plane, the Z direction , A rotation with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as a rotation axis, and a rotation with the Z direction as a rotation axis can be detected.
According to this, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 more than the conventional analog stick can be detected. Therefore, the convenience of the operating device 1 can be improved.

(2) Each follower 321 of each detection body 32 is engaged with the action portion 314 of the operation body 31 to reliably transmit the direction of pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body 31 to each detection body 32. Can do. Accordingly, each detection body 32 can reliably detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31.
(3) An insertion portion 3211 to be inserted into a hole 3141 formed in the action portion 314 is formed at the leading end of the follow-up portion 321 in the protruding direction from the detection body 32, whereby the operating body 31 and the detection body 32 can be physically connected with a simple configuration. According to this, the direction of the pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body 31 can be reliably transmitted to the detection body 32 via the follower 321. Therefore, each detection body 32 can detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31 more reliably.

(4) Clearances C 1 and C 2 are formed between the inner surface of the hole portion 3141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. For this reason, when the operating body 31 is slightly displaced by a dimension corresponding to the clearance C1, the detecting body 32 does not detect the displacement of the operating body 31. According to this, it can suppress that the displacement detection of the operation body 31 by the detection body 32 arises frequently.
Further, since the clearance C 2 is formed, the operating body 31 extends along the protruding direction of the insertion portion 3211 (the insertion direction into the hole portion 3141) in a state where the insertion portion 3211 does not contact the inner surface of the hole portion 3141. Can be displaced. According to this, it is possible to prevent internal force interference between the detection body 32 having the insertion portion 3211 and the operation body 31. In this case, since the displacement of the operation body 31 is detected by the other detection body 32, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 can be detected appropriately.

(5) The operation body 31 is supported by the follower 321 (insertion section 3211) of each detection body 32 supported by the support body 33 so as to surround the operation body 31. According to this, it is not necessary to separately provide another configuration for supporting the operation body 31 so as to be displaceable in the above-described direction. Therefore, the configuration of the operation element 3 can be simplified.
(6) The operation body 31 has a pair of elastic parts 313 so as to sandwich the action part 314 in which the hole 3141 serving as a detection part is formed, and the elastic part 313 is moved when the operation body 31 is displaced. Elastically deforms and bends. According to this, since the user can actually feel the input operation on the operation body 31, the operability of the operation element 3 can be further improved.

(7) In the operating device 1, since both ends of the operating body 31 are exposed on the front 2F side and the back 2R side of the housing 2, the operating body 31 is operated so that the both ends are sandwiched between the thumb and the middle finger. it can. Therefore, the operability of the operating element 3 and thus the operating device 1 can be further improved.
(8) In the operating device 1, operating element arrangement portions 24 L and 24 R where the operating element 3 is provided are provided between the first arranging part 22 and the second arranging part 23. The operation element 3 is disposed in each of the

installation portions

24L and 24R. According to this, the left and right operators 3 can be operated with the left hand of the user holding the left gripping part 21L and the right hand of the user holding the right gripping part 21R. Therefore, since the operation element 3 can be operated without releasing the hand from the operation device 1, the operability of the operation device 1 can be improved.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
In the above-described operation element 3, the pair of elastic parts 313 sandwiching the action part 314 is formed in a cylindrical shape by the elastic member, but increases the stroke amount when the operation body 31 is operated, and also in the Z direction. In order to make the sensation at the time of displacement of the operating body 31 along the direction similar to the sensation at the time of displacement of the operating body 31 in the other direction, the elastic portion has a part that can partially extend and contract It may be.

12 and 13 are cross-sectional views showing

operation elements

3A and 3B, which are modifications of the operation element 3, respectively.
For example, the operation element 3A shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration and function as the operation element 3 except that the operation element 3A includes a pair of elastic parts 313A instead of the pair of elastic parts 313. 13 has the same configuration and function as the operation element 3 except that the operation element 3B includes a pair of elastic parts 313B instead of the pair of elastic parts 313.
The pair of

elastic portions

313A and 313B are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by an elastic member, and are provided so as to surround the shaft portion 311 and sandwich the action portion 314, similarly to the pair of elastic portions 313. . The

elastic portions

313A and 313B connect the fixed portion 312 and the action portion 314, and mediate the displacement of the fixed portion 312 and the shaft portion 311 to the action portion 314.

Such an elastic portion 313A includes a deformable portion 3131 having a substantially S-shaped cross section in the X1Z plane between a connection portion with respect to the fixing portion 312 and a connection portion with respect to the action portion 314.
In addition, the elastic portion 313B includes a deformable portion 3132 having a substantially L-shaped cross section in the X1Z plane between the connection portions.
Such deforming

parts

3131 and 3132 expand or contract when the shaft part 311 and the fixed part 312 are displaced. Can be increased. Accordingly, in the

operating elements

3A and 3B, the displacement of the operating body 31 in the Z direction is easier than in the above-described operating element 3 having the elastic portion 313 formed by the same elastic member. For this reason, the user's feeling when the operating body 31 is displaced in the Z direction can be made substantially coincident with the user's feeling when the operating body 31 is displaced in another direction. Therefore, a user's operational feeling can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the operating device 1 described above. Here, the operation element 3 (3L, 3R) provided in the operation device 1 has a configuration including four detection bodies 32. On the other hand, the operator provided in the operating device according to the present embodiment has three detectors. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the operating element 4 provided in the operating device according to the present embodiment. 15 and 16 are a longitudinal sectional view (cross sectional view on the XZ plane) and a lateral sectional view (cross sectional view on the XY plane) showing the operation element 4.
Although the detailed illustration is omitted, the operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 4 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the operation element 4 supports the operation body 41, the three detection bodies 32 (32A to 32C), and the detection bodies 32, and thus supports the operation body 41. And a body 43.

The operating body 41 has the same configuration as the operating body 31 except that the operating body 414 has an operating section 414 instead of the operating section 314.
Similar to the action portion 314, the action portion 414 is an annular body that is disposed at the approximate center in the axial direction of the operating body 41 so as to surround the shaft portion 311 and be sandwiched between the pair of elastic portions 313. Three holes 4141 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operating body 41 on the XY plane on the outer surface of the action portion 414, and protrusions 4142 are formed between the formation portions of the holes 4141. . In the present embodiment, the position of the hole 4141 is the detection site of the present invention. In addition, the action portion 414 is formed with a hole 4143 through which the shaft portion 311 is inserted.

Among these, the insertion part 3211 of the detection body 32 arranged according to the formation position of the hole 4141 is inserted into each hole 4141.
The inner diameters of these hole portions 4141 are formed larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3211, similar to the above-described hole portion 3141, and there is a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the hole portion 4141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. The clearance C1 is formed. The hole portion 4141 is formed so as to penetrate the action portion 414, and the operating body 31 is displaced in the direction in which the hole portion 4141 is formed also between the protruding end surface of the insertion portion 3211 and the shaft portion 311. Even so, the clearance C 2 is formed so that the insertion portion 3211 and the shaft portion 311 do not contact each other.

Each projection 4142 has a substantially semicircular cross section in the XY plane. These protrusions 4142 are positioned in a recess 431 formed on the inner side of the support body 43 in accordance with the protrusions 4142. These protrusions 4142 and recesses 431 suppress excessive displacement of the follower 321.

The support body 43 has a regular triangular tube shape made of metal or the like, and is disposed so as to surround the operation body 41 (particularly the action portion 414). The detection bodies 32 are attached to the three planes of the support body 43 with screws 331 so that the follower 321 faces the operating body 41. Similarly to the support body 33, the dimension of the support body 43 in the Z direction is set to about 1/3 of the dimension of the operation body 41 in the same direction. , Exposed from the support 43. Caps 316 (see FIG. 1) are attached to both ends of the operating body 41.

Such an operator 4 detects the displacement of the operating body 41 in the same manner as the aforementioned operator 3.
That is, in the parallel movement of the operating body 41 in the XY plane, the detecting unit 322 detects the displacement of each follower 321 on the XY plane, and the operating element 4 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 41. As in the case of the operator 3, when the displacement direction of the operating body 41 matches the protruding direction of the follower 321 and the direction in which the hole 4141 is formed, the follower 321 is not displaced. Internal interference between the body 41 and the detection body 32 is prevented.
The parallel movement along the Z direction of the operating body 41 causes each follower 321 to be displaced along the Z direction. Therefore, when the detecting unit 322 detects the displacement direction of each follower 321, the operator 4 is operated The displacement along the Z direction of the body 41 is detected.

Further, the rotational displacement of the operating body 41 with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as the rotational axis is the displacement of one or two followers 321 in the direction opposite to the Z direction, and one or two When the detection unit 322 detects the displacement of the follower 321 in the Z direction, the operation element 4 detects the displacement direction of the operation body 41.
Furthermore, the rotation displacement (roll rotation) of the operation body 41 with the Z direction as the rotation axis is detected by the detection unit 322 by detecting the displacement of each follower 321 in the same direction. The displacement direction of the operating body 41 is detected.

Note that the displacement of the operating body 41 detected by the operating element 4 is transmitted as a control signal from the operating element 4 to the control device of the operating apparatus, as in the case of the operating element 3. And the said control apparatus performs the above-mentioned various corrections, performs a dead zone process etc., and transmits the operation signal based on the said control signal to the above-mentioned information processing apparatus.

The operation device according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the same effects as the operation device 1 described above.
That is, the operating element 4 can detect the displacement of the operating body 41 in the same direction as the displacement direction of the operating body 31 that can be detected by the four detecting bodies 32 in the operating element 3 by the three detecting bodies 32. However, the number of the detection bodies 32 is smaller than that of the operation element 3 having the four detection bodies 32. Therefore, the operation element 4 can be manufactured at a lower cost than the operation element 3, and as a result, the operation device can be manufactured at a lower cost.
Note that the pair of

elastic portions

313A and 313B described above may be employed in the operation element 4 instead of the pair of elastic portions 313.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
In the above-described operation element 4, the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 is transmitted to the action portion 414 via each elastic portion 313, and the three detection bodies 32 detect slight displacement of the action portion 414. The displacement directions of the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 were detected. When the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 are displaced, the elastic portions 313 sandwiching the action portion 414 are deformed, so that the displacement amount (stroke amount) of the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 is increased. . In other words, when a cylindrical body made of a material that hardly undergoes elastic deformation is used instead of the elastic portion 313, the displacement amount of the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 is extremely small. However, even when the elastic portion 313 is employed, it cannot be said that the amount of displacement of the shaft portion 311 is sufficiently large. For this reason, even if the displacement of the action portion is small, it is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the displacement amount of the shaft portion is large as the operation element.

17 and 18 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing an operation element 4A which is a modification of the operation element 4. FIG. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the detector 32 and the support are not shown.
In response to such a demand, the operation element 4A, which is a modification of the operation element 4, has the same configuration and function as the operation element 4 except that the operation element 41A is provided instead of the operation element 41.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the operating body 41A includes a shaft portion 41A1, a pair of fixing portions 41A2, a biasing portion 41A3, a pressing portion 41A4, a gimbal 41A5, a washer 41A6, an action portion 41A7, and holding portions 41A8 and 3. There are two pins 41A9.

The shaft portion 41A1 is a metal rod-shaped member. A bulging portion 41A11 bulging outward in the radial direction is formed at the approximate center of the shaft portion 41A1. The bulging portion 41A11 is formed with an opening 41A12 that penetrates the shaft portion 41A1 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft portion 41A1.
A cylindrical member 41A13 having holes formed at both ends in the axial direction is disposed in the opening 41A12. The tubular member 41A13 is held in the opening 41A12 by a pin 41A9 that penetrates the tubular member 41A13 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the tubular member 41A13.
In the bulging portion 41A11, the outer surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft portion 41A1 is a curved surface, and the pressing portion 41A4 described later can be smoothly swung along the curved surface. .

The pair of fixed portions 41A2 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and are attached to both ends in the axial direction of the shaft portion 41A1. The caps 316 (see FIG. 1) are attached to the fixing portions 41A2.

The urging portion 41A3 and the pressing portion 41A4 are disposed between the fixing portion 41A2 and the bulging portion 41A11.
Among these, the urging portion 41A3 is configured by a compression spring in the present embodiment. By inserting one end of the shaft portion 41A1 along the axial direction of the urging portion 41A3, the urging portion 41A3 is in a state (compressed state) under a predetermined load, and the shaft portion 41A1 is fixed by the fixing portion 41A2. Attached to. One end of the urging portion 41A3 abuts on the fixing portion 41A2, and the other end abuts on the pressing portion 41A4. For this reason, the urging portion 41A3 applies an urging force in a direction away from the fixing portion 41A2 to the pressing portion 41A4.

The pressing portion 41A4 includes an opening 41A41 through which the shaft portion 41A1 is inserted along the axial direction of the pressing portion 41A4. The pressing portion 41A4 abuts on a gimbal 41A5 attached to a cylindrical member 41A13 disposed in the bulging portion 41A11 by a pin 41A9, and transmits the displacement of the shaft portion 41A1 to the gimbal 41A5. The end portion on the gimbal 41A5 side of the pressing portion 41A4 is formed in a flange shape larger than the outer diameter of the end portion on the biasing portion 41A3 side.

The gimbal 41A5 transmits the displacement of the shaft portion 41A1 transmitted through the pressing portion 41A4 to the action portion 41A7. The gimbal 41A5 includes an annular portion 41A51 that is substantially circular in plan view, and three projecting portions 41A54 that project from the outer surface of the annular portion 41A51.
The annular portion 41A51 has an opening 41A52 along the axial direction of the annular portion 41A51 and a pair of hole portions 41A53 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. With the shaft portion 41A1 inserted through the opening portion 41A52, the position of the hole formed in the tubular member 41A13 in the bulging portion 41A11 and the position of the hole portion 41A53 are matched, and the hole and hole portion 41A53 are aligned. The gimbal 41A5 is attached to the shaft portion 41A1 (the bulging portion 41A11) by inserting the pin 41A9. The pair of hole portions 41A53 and the protruding portion 41A54 are formed at positions that do not overlap each other.

The three projecting portions 41A54 are located at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the annular portion 41A51 and project toward the radially outer side of the annular portion 41A51. These protrusions 41A54 are each formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, and penetrate the holding portion 41A8 attached to the action portion 41A7. Thereby, the displacement of the gimbal 41A5 (that is, the displacement of the shaft portion 41A1) is transmitted to the action portion 41A7 via the holding portion 41A8.

The washer 41A6 is a flat plate-like annular member and is attached to the action part 41A7. In the center of the washer 41A6, an opening 41A61 having a substantially circular shape in plan view through which the shaft 41A1 is inserted is formed. In addition, three holes 41A62 are formed in the washer 41A6 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the washer 41A6.

As described above, the action portion 41A7 is slightly displaced according to the displacement of the shaft portion 41A1 to displace the follow-up portion 321 of the detection body 32 supported by a support body (not shown). The detection unit 322 detects the displacement direction of the action unit 41A7.
This action part 41A7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and is combined with the washer 41A6. In the action part 41A7, a gimbal 41A5 is disposed on the inner side, and an opening 41A71 through which the shaft part 41A1 is inserted is formed along the axial direction of the action part 41A7.

The action part 41A7 has three recesses 41A72 and three holes 41A73.
The three concave portions 41A72 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action portion 41A7 and communicate with the opening portion 41A71. The holding portions 41A8 are attached to the concave portions 41A72, respectively.

Each holding part 41A8 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and when attached to the action part 41A7, a hole 41A81 is formed along the radial direction of the action part 41A7. The aforementioned protrusion 41A54 is inserted into the hole 41A81. These holding portions 41A8 have a function of filling the gap between the protruding portion 41A54 and the action portion 41A7, and are gently elastically deformed when the operating body 41A is displaced, thereby further increasing the stroke amount of the operating body 41A. The operation feeling of the operation body 41A is improved.
The holding portion 41A8 is formed with a protrusion 41A82 that protrudes toward the arrangement side (Z direction side) of the washer 41A6 with respect to the action portion 41A7 when the holding portion 41A8 is attached to the recess 41A72. The protrusion 41A82 is inserted into the hole 41A62 of the washer 41A6 and is pressed by the washer 41A6, whereby the holding portion 41A8 is positioned and fixed in the recess 41A72.

The three holes 41A73 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the action part 41A7. The insertion portion 3211 (following portion 321) of the detection body 32 held by a support (not shown) is inserted into the holes 41A73 with the clearance C1 described above. Even when the operating body 41A is displaced, the clearance C2 is maintained to such an extent that the insertion portion 3211 and the gimbal 41A5 do not contact each other. Each detection body 32 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 41A by the detection section 322 detecting the displacement direction of the action section 41A7 via the follow-up section 321 inserted into the hole 41A73. That is, the position of the hole 41A73 is the detection site of the present invention.

Here, the displacement detection by the operation element 4A will be described.
When the cap 316 (see FIG. 1) attached to the fixing portion 41A2 is operated and displacement occurs in the fixing portion 41A2 and the shaft portion 41A1, the displacement is applied to the gimbal 41A5 via the biasing portion 41A3 and the pressing portion 41A4. Then, the gimbal 41A5 is displaced. The displacement of the gimbal 41A5 is transmitted to the action part 41A7 via the protrusion 41A54 and the holding part 41A8 formed on the gimbal 41A5, and the action part 41A7 is slightly displaced. Since the insertion part 3211 of the detection body 32 is inserted into each of the three hole parts 41A73 formed in the action part 41A7, the displacement of the action part 41A7 is transmitted to the follower part 321. When the detection unit 322 detects the displacement direction of the follower 321, the displacement direction of the operating body 41 A is detected. The detection of each displacement direction by the detection body 32 is the same as that of the operation element 4.

Such an operation element 4A has the same effect as the operation element 4 described above.
In addition, the operating element 4A is provided with an urging portion 41A3 composed of a compression spring that compresses and expands, so that, compared to the operating element 4, a shaft portion centered on the rotation axis on the XY plane. The displacement amount (stroke amount) during rotation of 41A1 and fixed portion 41A2 can be increased. Further, when the compressed urging portion 41A3 extends, the displaced shaft portion 41A1 and fixed portion 41A2 can be returned to the state before the displacement (initial state). Further, by adjusting the urging force generated by the urging portion 41A3, the force when displacing the operating body 41A can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability and the operational feeling of the operation element 4A, and consequently the operation device having the operation element 4A.

In the operating element 4A, three hole portions 41A73 into which the insertion portion 3211 is inserted are formed in the action portion 41A7. However, the number of the hole portions 41A73 and the number of the detection bodies 32 are appropriately set as long as each is two or more. You can do it. For example, when four detection bodies 32 are provided, the hole portions 41A73 may be formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action portion 41A7, avoiding the formation positions of the respective concave portions 41A72. Further, the number of the concave portions 41A72 and the number of the protruding portions 41A54 are not limited to three, and can be set as appropriate as long as they are two or more. For example, the number may be four.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but in the operating device 1, the operating

bodies

31 and 41 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In such an operating device, the operating body is formed in a substantially spherical shape. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the operating device 1. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are views showing the operating device 1A according to the present embodiment, and are a front view and a side view showing the operating device 1A, respectively.
The operating device 1A according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as those of the operating device 1 described above except that the housing 2A and the operating element 5 are provided instead of the housing 2 and the

operating elements

3 and 4.
The housing 2A has an operation element arrangement part 25 (the left and right operation element arrangement parts in FIGS. 19A and 19B are 25L and 25R, respectively) instead of the operation element arrangement part 24 (24L, 24R). Other than that, it has the same shape and configuration as the housing 2.
These operation element arrangement | positioning parts 25 are comprised as the recessed part opened to the front 2F, the lower surface 2B (side surface opposite to the upper surface 2T), and the back surface 2R of the housing | casing 2A. The operation element 5 is arranged inside the operation element arrangement part 25.

The operation elements 5 (the left and right operation elements in FIGS. 19A and 19B are respectively 5L and 5R) are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the XY plane of the operation body 51 and the operation body 51. For example, three detection bodies 32 (not shown) and a support body (not shown) arranged so as to surround the operation body 51 and supporting each detection body 32 are included.
Among these, the operation body 51 is formed in a spherical shape, and has a hole (not shown) into which the insertion portion 3211 of the detection body 32 is inserted at a position corresponding to each detection body 32.
Such an operating body 51 is supported by the support body that supports each detecting body 32 so that the operating

bodies

31 and 41 can be displaced in the same direction as the displaceable direction. And the displacement of the said operation body 51 is detected by the detection body 32 (detection part 322) via the follow-up part 321 displaced according to the said displacement. A site where the follower 321 contacts the operating body 51 (a site of the operating body 51 where the follower 321 is inserted) is a detection site in the present embodiment.
According to the operation device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operating device 1 described above, but in the

operating elements

3 and 4 of the operating device 1, each detection body 32 is a support 33 that surrounds the operating

bodies

31 and 41. , 43 so as to face the operating

bodies

31, 41. On the other hand, in the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment, each detecting body is arranged on a substrate through which the operating body is inserted, and the detecting body is configured by a link mechanism that engages with the operating body. Have In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the operating device 1. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the XZ plane) showing the operation element 6 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 6 is provided instead of the

operating devices

3 and 4.
The operation element 6 is arranged in the above-described operation

element arrangement portions

24L and 24R. As shown in FIG. 20, the operation element 6 includes an operation body 31, a flat plate-like support body 64 having a hole 641 through which the operation body 31 is inserted, and a plurality of the operation elements 6 disposed on the support body 64. Detector 62.

In addition to the follower 321 and the detector 322 described above, each detector 62 connects the follower 321 and the operating body 31, and follows the displacement of the operating body 31 to be displaced. The other follower 63 that transmits this displacement to the follower 321 is provided.
The follower 63 includes an insert 631 inserted into the hole 3141 of the operating body 31, a link 632 to which the displacement of the insert 631 is transmitted, and a transmitter 633 that covers the follower 321 on the support 64. Have

Similar to the insertion portion 3211, the insertion portion 631 is inserted into the hole 3141 with the clearances C 1 and C 2 described above.
The link portion 632 has a plurality of shaft portions that can rotate relative to each other, and these shaft portions rotate relative to each other in accordance with the displacement of the insertion portion 631.
The transmission unit 633 is provided at the end of the link unit 632. The transmission portion 633 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hole 6331 into which the following portion 321 is inserted with the clearances C1 and C2 described above. Then, the transmission unit 633 transmits the displacement of the operating body 31 transmitted through the insertion unit 631 and the link unit 632 to the follower unit 321.

In such a follow-up part 63, the displacement along the XZ plane or the YZ plane of the insertion part 631 is converted into a displacement along the XY plane of the follow-up part 321 by the link part 632 and transmitted. Then, the detection unit 322 detects the displacement direction of the follower 321. Such a detection operation is performed by each detector 62, and the operation element 6 detects the displacement of the operation object 31 in the same direction as the displacement direction of the operation object 31 that can be detected by the operation element 3 described above. In the present embodiment, the part where the insertion portion 631 contacts the operating body 31, that is, the hole 3141 is the detection part of the present invention.

The operation device according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the same effects as the operation device 1 described above.
That is, each detection body 62 to which the displacement of the operation body 31 is transmitted by the follower 63 is disposed on the flat support 64. According to this, since the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the detection body 62 (detection part 322) can be improved, the operation element 6 can be assembled easily. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the operation element 6 can be improved.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of detectors 62 and followers 63 are provided. However, the number of detectors 62 and followers 63 is not limited to this, and one detector 62 and followers 63 may be provided. 641 (in other words, the operation body 31) is preferably arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole 641.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but the operating element 3 of the operating device 1 employs a detector 32 having a strain gauge. On the other hand, the detector of the operating device according to the present embodiment employs a detection body having a pressure sensitive sensor. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 7 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 7 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIG. 21, the operating element 7 includes an operating body 71, a detection device 72, and a support (not shown), detects the displacement direction of the operating body 71, and controls signals according to the displacement direction. Is output to a control device (not shown). Among these, a support body supports the operation body 71 so that displacement is possible.
The operation body 71 is a member that receives an input operation by a user. The operating body 71 includes a shaft portion 311 and a pair of fixing portions 312, and also includes a pair of elastic portions 713 and action portions 714 sandwiched between the fixing portions 312.

One end of the pair of elastic portions 713 is fixed to a fixing portion 312 located on the Z-direction distal end side and proximal end side by an adhesive or the like, and the other end is fixed to the action portion 714 by an adhesive or the like. These elastic parts 713 have a substantially cylindrical shape, and are elastically deformed and bent when the shaft part 311 and the fixed part 312 are displaced, and transmit pressure generated by these displacements to the action part 714. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical elastic portion 713 is employed, but an elastic portion having a curved shape and a bent shape may be employed as in the above-described

elastic portions

313A and 313B.

The action part 714 is a rigid body having an annular shape, and an opening 7141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted is formed in the action part 714 along the Z direction. In addition, a space in which the detection device 72 is disposed is formed in the action portion 714, and the action portion 714 is slightly displaced according to the action direction of the transmitted pressure to constitute the detection device 72. The follower 723 is displaced.

The detection device 72 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 71 and is fixed separately from the action portion 714. The detection device 72 includes a base plate 721 serving as a base, a plurality of detection bodies 722 disposed on the front and back surfaces of the base plate 721 (surfaces on the base end side and the front end side in the Z direction), and on the detection bodies 722. And a follower 723 provided in the
The substrate 721 has an annular shape in plan view, and a circular hole 7211 through which the shaft portion 311 is inserted is formed at the center of the substrate 721. The substrate 721 is connected to a controller of the operating device via a signal line (not shown), and outputs the displacement direction of the operating body 71 detected by each detector 722.

Of the detection body 722 and the follower 723, the detection body 722 is configured by a pressure-sensitive sheet, and a plurality of detection bodies 722 are arranged on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole 7211. That is, a plurality of detection bodies 722 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 311. These detection bodies 722 detect the displacement direction of the operating body 71 by detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723.
The follower 723 has an oval shape and is disposed on the detection body 722. Each follower 723 is connected to a surface of the acting portion 714 facing the detection body 722 and is displaced according to the displacement of the action portion 714 to come into contact with the detection body 722. For this reason, in this embodiment, the site | part corresponding to the tracking part 723 in the action part 714 becomes a detection site | part of this invention. The follower 723 may be connected to either the action part 714 or the detection body 722 as long as it can transmit the displacement direction of the action part 714 to the detection body 722. Also good. Further, the shape of the follower 723 can be changed as appropriate, and may be a true sphere.

In such an operator 7, the parallel movement of the operation body 71 along the XY plane is detected by the detection body 722 detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723 that is displaced along the displacement direction of the operation body 71. The Further, the parallel movement of the operating body 71 along the Z direction detects the pressure transmitted through the follower 723 by each detecting body 722 arranged on the surface opposite to the displacement direction of the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721. Is detected.

Further, the rotational displacement of the operating body 71 around the rotational axis on the XY plane is caused by at least one of the detection bodies 722 arranged on one surface of the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721 and the other surface. At least one of the plurality of detection bodies 722 arranged (a detection body 722 positioned opposite to the detection body 722 that detects pressure on one surface across the hole 7211) It is detected by detecting the pressure transmitted through the sensor.
In addition, the rotational displacement of the operating body 71 around the rotational axis along the Z direction is detected by each detecting body 722 detecting the displacement of the follower 723 in the direction along the rotational direction of the operating body 71. Detected.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that four detection bodies 722 are provided on each surface of the substrate 721, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of the detection bodies 722 may be one, and in the case of two or more, around the hole 7211 (in other words, the shaft portion 311), in the circumferential direction of the hole 7211 (that is, the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 311). It is preferable to arrange | position at equal intervals along.
In the present embodiment, the detection bodies 722 are provided on both surfaces of the substrate 721. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection body 722 may be provided only on one surface (for example, the surface on the tip side in the Z direction) of the substrate 721. . In the case of such a configuration, for example, a biasing means such as a spring for biasing the action portion 714 is provided so that a predetermined pressure is always applied to the detection body 722, and the operation body 71 is opposite to the Z direction and the Z direction. When each detector 722 detects a pressure change when displaced in the direction, the parallel movement of the operating body 71 along the Z direction and a virtual straight line on the XY plane of the operating body 71 are used as the rotation axis. You may comprise so that rotation displacement may be detected.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the action unit 714 is connected to each follower 723 on each detector 722 arranged on both surfaces of the substrate 721, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the follower 723 on one surface of the substrate 721 and the follower 723 on the other surface may be connected to each other. In this case, it is not necessary to form a space in which the detection device 72 is arranged in the action unit 714.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but the operating element 3 of the operating device 1 employs a detector 32 having a strain gauge. On the other hand, the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment employs a detection body having an angle sensor. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 8 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 8 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIG. 22, the operation element 8 includes an operation body 81, a detection device 82, and a support body 83, detects the displacement direction of the operation body 81, and sends a control signal corresponding to the displacement direction to the control device. (Not shown).
Among these, the support body 83 supports the operation body 81 and the detection device 82 in a displaceable manner, and the support body 83 is formed with a circular hole 831 through which the operation body 81 is inserted. . On the support 83, a plurality of detection devices 82 are provided so as to surround the hole 831 and at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole 831 (that is, the circumferential direction of the operation body 81). .

The operating body 81 is a member that receives an input operation by the user. The operating body 81 has the same configuration and function as the operating body 71 described above except that the operating section 814 is provided instead of the operating section 714. Among these, the action part 814 is an annular body fixed to each elastic part 713 with an adhesive or the like, and a hole part 8141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted is formed in the center. The acting portion 814 is displaced slightly according to the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 via the elastic portion 713.

The detection device 82 is provided so as to connect the action part 814 and the support 83 and detects the displacement direction of the action part 814. The detection device 82 is configured by a combination of a link and an angle sensor. That is, the detection device 82 has three followers 821 to 823 and two

detectors

824 and 825.
The followers 821 to 823 are each composed of a rod-like member and are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. Among these, one end of the follower 821 is connected to the action unit 814, and the other end is connected to the detection body 824. One end of the follower 821 corresponds to a detection site in the present embodiment. In addition, one end of the follower 822 is connected to the detection body 824, and the other end is connected to the detection body 825. Furthermore, one end of the follower 823 is connected to the detection body 825, and the other end is connected to the support body 83.
These

detection bodies

824 and 825 have an angle sensor, and detect the angles of the connected followers 821 to 823. Then, the

detection bodies

824 and 825 of the detection devices 82 detect the angles of the followers 821 to 823 in the same manner, whereby the displacement direction of the operation body 81 is detected.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the four detection devices 82 are provided on the support body 83. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the detection devices 82 may be one. It is preferable that the holes 831 (in other words, the operating body 81) are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the holes 831. In this embodiment, each detection device 82 has three followers 821 to 823 and two

detectors

824 and 825. However, the number of followers and detectors is not limited to this. It can be changed.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described operating device. Here, the above-described operating elements 3 to 8 are configured to include a detector having a strain gauge, a pressure-sensitive sheet, and an angle sensor. On the other hand, the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment has a conductive elastic body, and detects a change in voltage that is conducted according to the displacement of the operating body, and detects the displacement of the operating body. Prepare the body. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described operating device. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 9 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 23, illustration of a part of the configuration of the operation body 81 is omitted.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 9 is replaced with the operating device 9, and the operating device 9 is replaced with the detecting device 82. Other than the above, the configuration and functions are the same as those of the operation element 8.

The detecting device 92 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 81 by detecting the displacement direction of the operating section 814 constituting the operating body 81, and a plurality of detecting devices 92 are provided so as to surround the operating section 814. As shown in FIG. 23, these detection devices 92 have a follower 921 whose one end is connected to the action part 814, and a detection body 922 connected to the other end of the follower 921. It has become.

The follower 921 is configured by a wire or the like that transmits a pressure corresponding to the displacement of the action part 814 to the detection body 922 when the action part 814 is displaced. Since the follower 921 transmits the pressure to the detection body 922, a material having rigidity and conductivity is selected as the material of the follower 921. The part where the follower 921 is connected to the action part 814 corresponds to a detection part in the present embodiment, and the detection part is equally spaced along the circumferential direction of the hole 8141 formed in the action part 814. positioned.

The detection body 922 is fixed separately from the action part 814 and detects the displacement direction of the operation body 81. The detection body 922 connects the conductive elastic body 923 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “elastic body 923”) connected to the other end of the follower 921, the substrate 924, and the elastic body 923 and the substrate 924. Connecting portion 925 to be connected.
Among these, the connection part 925 is comprised with the wire etc. which were comprised with the material similar to the tracking part 921.

The elastic body 923 has a resistance value that changes with a change in pressure applied to the elastic body 923. Accordingly, when the operating body 81 is displaced, the pressure applied to the elastic body 923 from the action portion 814 via the follow-up portion 921 changes, whereby the resistance value of the elastic body 923 changes.
The substrate 924 detects a change in the resistance value of the elastic body 923.
Then, each detection device 92 similarly detects a change in the resistance value of the elastic body 923, so that the displacement direction of the operation body 81 is detected as a whole, and the detection result is output to the control device.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained.
In this embodiment, detection parts are set at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action part 814, the follower part 921 is positioned according to these detection parts, and four detection devices are provided according to the follower part 921. A configuration in which 92 is arranged is assumed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the detection devices 92 may be one, and in the case of two or more, around the action part 814 (in other words, the operation body 81), along the circumferential direction of the action part 814, etc. It is preferable to arrange them at intervals.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device. Is different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 10 provided in the operation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 24, illustration of a part of the configuration of the operation body 101 is omitted.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 10 is replaced with the operating device 10, and the operating device 10 has an operating body as shown in FIG. It has the same configuration and function as the operation element 8 except that the operation body 101 and the detection device 102 are provided instead of the operation device 81 and the detection device 82.

The operating body 101 is a member that receives an input operation by a user. Although the detailed illustration of the operation body 101 is omitted, the operation body 101 has the same configuration and function as the operation body 81 described above except that the operation section 814 is provided instead of the operation section 814. Among these, the action part 1014 is an annular body fixed to each elastic part 713 by an adhesive or the like, and a hole part 10141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted is formed in the center. The acting portion 1014 is displaced slightly according to the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 via the elastic portion 713. In addition, the action unit 1014 is provided with a magnetic field generation site such as a magnet.

The detection device 102 detects the displacement direction of the operation body 101 by detecting the displacement direction of the operation section 814 constituting the operation body 101, and a plurality of detection devices 102 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation section 1014. Is provided. Each of these detection devices 102 includes a follower 1021 whose one end is connected to the action unit 814, a substrate 1022 connected to the other end of the follower 1021, and a detector 1023 provided on the substrate 1022.
The follower 1021 includes a coil spring, and follows the displacement of the action part 1014. In this embodiment, the connection part of the follower 1021 to the action part 1014 corresponds to a detection part, and the detection parts are set at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action part 1014 (circumferential direction of the hole 10141). Has been. The follower 1021 is not limited to a coil spring, and may have a configuration having an elastic member such as a link or rubber.

The substrate 1022 supports the tracking unit 1021 and the detection body 1023 separately from the action unit 1014, and outputs a detection result by the detection body 1023 to the control device.
The detection body 1023 is configured to include a Hall element that detects a magnetic field, and detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the displacement of the action unit 1014 having a magnetic field generation site.
Then, each detection body 1023 detects a change in the magnetic field, whereby the displacement direction of the operation body 101 is detected as a whole.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that four detection devices 102 are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action unit 1014. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one detection device 102 may be provided. In the above case, it is preferable that the action part 1014 is arranged at equal intervals around the action part 1014 in the circumferential direction.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operating device 1 described above, but differs from the operating device 1 in that the configuration of the operating device employed is different from the operating device 3. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the XZ plane) showing the operation element 11 included in the operating device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 3 is replaced with an operating device 11.
As shown in FIG. 25, the operating element 11 includes an operating body 111 that receives an input operation by a user, a follower 112 that follows the displacement of the operating body 111, and a case 113 that covers the follower 112.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the operating body 111.
As shown in FIG. 26, the operating body 111 is configured to include a ball joint. Specifically, the operating body 111 includes

cylindrical portions

1111 and 1114 located on the base end side and the distal end side in the Z direction,

shaft portions

1112 and 1115 extending in directions close to each other, and tip portions of the shaft portions 1112. A spherical first action part 1113 provided and a second action part 1116 provided at the tip of the shaft part 1115 are provided. The cylindrical portion 1114, the shaft portion 1115, and the second action portion 1116 constitute a first operation portion 111A, and the cylinder portion 1111, the shaft portion 1112, and the first action portion 1113 constitute a second operation portion 111B.

Among these, the second action part 1116 has a side wall PXY along the XY plane, a side wall PYZ along the YZ plane, and a side wall PXZ along the XZ plane. A notch 1117 corresponding to the spherical shape of the first action part 1113 is formed in the second action part 1116 on the origin side when these side walls PXY, PYZ, PXZ are replaced with the XYZ coordinate system. For this reason, the 2nd operation part 1116 is provided slidably along the surface of the 1st operation part 1113, and, thereby, the 1st operation part 111A and the 2nd operation part 111B can rotate mutually. In contact.

In addition, the dimension of the Y direction of the side walls PXY and PYZ is formed larger than the dimension of the X direction of the side wall PXZ. In addition, a hole 1118 through which a bar-like pressing portion 1119 (see FIG. 25) for pressing detectors S1XY, S2XY, S1YZ, S2YZ described later is inserted is formed at a position away from the above-described origin on each side wall PXY, PYZ. Has been. Similarly, although the hole 1118 is formed in the side wall PXZ, the pressing part 1119 is not provided in the hole 1118. However, the pressing portion 1119 may be provided.

Returning to FIG. 25, the follower 112 follows the displacement of the operating body 111. The follower 112 has an overall quadrangular prism shape, and has a space S in which the first action part 1113 and the second action part 1116 are accommodated. (Omitted) are formed on the end faces on the base end side and the front end side in the Z direction.
In such a follow-up portion 112, a substantially L-shaped opening 1121 is formed through which the end portions of the side walls PXY and PYZ are exposed. At the edge of the opening 1121, detectors S1XY and S2XY configured with pressure-sensitive sheets are disposed so as to sandwich the pressing portion 1119 of the side wall PXY, and so as to sandwich the pressing portion 1119 of the side wall PYZ. Similar detectors S1YZ and S2YZ are arranged.

For this reason, when the first operation unit 111A rotates about the rotation axis along the X direction, either the detection body S1XY or the detection body S2XY is pressed by the pressing unit 1119, thereby The displacement direction of one operation unit 111A is detected.
Further, when the first operation unit 111A rotates about the rotation axis along the Y direction, the pressing unit 1119 presses one of the detection bodies S1XY, S1YZ and the detection bodies S2XY, S2YZ, thereby The displacement direction of the first operation unit 111A is detected.
Further, when the first operation unit 111A rotates about the rotation axis along the Z direction, either the detection body S1YZ or the detection body S2YZ is pressed, and thereby the displacement of the first operation unit 111A Direction is detected.
In addition, you may arrange | position the same detection body so that the press part 1119 of the side wall PXZ may be pinched | interposed.

The case 113 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape that accommodates the follower 112 therein, and holes 1131 through which the

shaft portions

1112 and 1115 are inserted are formed in the Z-direction proximal end side and the distal end side of the case 113. Yes. Therefore, a part of the cylindrical part 1114 and the shaft part 1115 in the first operation part 111A and a part of the cylindrical part 1111 and the shaft part 1112 in the second operation part 111B are exposed from the case 113. A predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole portion 1131 and the outer surfaces of the

shaft portions

1112 and 1115.

Detectors S1Z and S2Z including pressure-sensitive sheets pressed by the outer surface of the follower 112 are disposed at positions on the front end side and the base end side in the Z direction on the inner surface of the case 113, and X on the inner surface is also provided. Similar detectors S1X and S2X are arranged at the positions on the distal and proximal sides in the direction. Further, although not shown in the drawing, similar detectors are also provided at positions on the front end side and the base end side in the Y direction on the inner surface.

For example, when the operating body 111 is displaced along the X direction, the follower 112 is also displaced in the same direction together with the operating body 111. For this reason, one of the detection bodies S1X and S2X on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the X direction is pressed by the follower 112. Thereby, the displacement direction of the operating body 111 is detected.
Similarly, when the operating body 111 is displaced along the Z direction, one of the detection bodies S1Z and S2Z on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the Z direction is pressed by the follower 112. The displacement direction is detected.
The same applies when the operating body 111 is displaced along the Y direction.
Therefore, the operation element 11 can detect the displacement direction (displacement in the 6-axis direction) of the operation body 111.
According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained.

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but a lever member for improving the operability of the operating body is provided at the end of the operating body on the back surface 2R side. In this respect, it differs from the aforementioned operation device 1. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 27 is a rear view showing the operating device 1B according to the present embodiment.
The operating device 1B has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 1B further includes a lever member 34.
As shown in FIG. 27, the lever member 34 extends along the back surface 2R with a predetermined clearance from the back surface 2R at the end of each operating body 31 protruding to the back surface 2R side of the housing 2. It is attached as follows. Such a lever member 34 is formed in an oval shape when viewed from the back surface 2R side, and the lever member 34 has a hemispherical recess into which two fingers (for example, a middle finger and a ring finger) are respectively fitted. 341, 342 are formed.
Of these

recesses

341 and 342, the center of the recess 341 is located on the central axis of the operation body 31 (center axis of the shaft portion 311), and the dimension of the recess 341 (the dimension on the XY plane) is also the It is almost the same as the diameter dimension. The recess 342 is formed on the upper surface 2T side (Y direction side) with respect to the recess 341, and the dimension of the recess 342 (dimension on the XY plane) is substantially the same as the dimension of the recess 341.

FIG. 28 is a front view showing the operation device 1B, and is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the operation device 1B and the user's finger when the user holds the operation device 1B.
When gripping such an operating device 1B with both hands, for example, as shown in FIG. 28, the left grip 21L is gripped by the palm of the left hand LH and the little finger LH5, and the right grip is held by the palm of the right hand RH and the little finger RH5. The part 21R is gripped. Then, the left and right thumbs LH1, RH1 are positioned on the cap 316 exposed to the front 2F side, and the left and right index fingers LH2, RH2 are positioned on the operation key K3 provided on the upper surface 2T.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 27, the left and right middle fingers LH3 and RH3 are positioned on the recesses 342 of the lever members 34, and the left and right ring fingers LH4 and RH4 are positioned on the recesses 341, respectively.
By gripping the controller device 1B in this way, the lever member 34 and the cap 316 on the front 2F side can be gripped.

Since the gripping state of the controller device 1B varies depending on the size of the hand, for example, the left and right ring fingers LH4 and RH4 are positioned on the recess 342, and the left and right little fingers LH5 and RH5 are positioned on the recess 341. The operating device 1B may be gripped. When two operation keys K3 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper surface 2T, the left and right index fingers LH2, RH2 and middle fingers LH3, RH3 may be placed along the operation keys K3. In this case, by placing the left and right little fingers LH5, RH5 and ring fingers LH4, RH4 along the

recesses

341, 342 of the lever member 34, the operating device 1B can be securely held and the operation element 3 can be operated reliably. Can be operated.

According to the operating device 1B according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as the above-described operating device 1 can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
When the operating element 3 is rotated about the rotation axis along the Z direction (roll rotation), the center of the recess 341 in the lever member 34 becomes the rotation axis, so that the lever member 34 is based on the lever principle. Can be easily rotated. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operability of the operating element 3, and consequently the operating device 1B.
In the present embodiment, the operation element 3 is employed, but any one of the

operation elements

3A, 3B, 4, 4A, and 6 to 11 may be employed instead of the operation element 3. The lever member 34 may also be provided on the front 2F side. Furthermore, you may employ | adopt the lever member extended toward the other from one of the front 2F side and the back 2R side. Examples of such a lever member include substantially U-shaped and substantially arc-shaped shapes such as operating

bodies

121 and 131 described later.

[Eleventh embodiment]
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described operating device 1B, but differs from the operating device 1B in that the configuration of the lever member is different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 29 is a rear view showing the operating device 1C according to the present embodiment.
The operating device 1C according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1B except that the lever member 35 is provided instead of the lever member 34 and the operation key K3.
The lever member 35 is for improving the operability of the operating body 31 (not shown) of the operating element 3 (particularly, the operability when the roll is turned), as with the lever member 34 described above. As shown in FIG. 29, the lever member 35 is formed in a shape bent at an angle of approximately 135 degrees, one end is attached to the end of the operating body 31 on the back surface 2R side, and the other end is the operation described above. It extends to the position where the operation key K3 in the device 1B was disposed.

Of these ends, a recess 351 into which a finger is fitted when the operating device 1C is gripped is formed at a position corresponding to the central axis of the operating body 31 on one end side.
Further, an operation key K4 similar to the operation key K3 is provided at the other end, and the operation key K4 is connected to a control device (not shown) provided inside the operation device 1C.
Further, a rib 26 is formed on the back surface 2 R of the housing 2 so as to surround the lever member 35 and to provide a predetermined clearance between the lever member 35. These ribs 26 protect the lever member 35 and restrict the movement of the lever member 35 more than necessary.

According to the operation device 1C according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1B described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the operation element 3 is employed. However, as described above, any of the

operation elements

3A, 3B, 4, 4A, and 6 to 11 may be employed instead of the operation element 3. . The lever member 34 may also be provided on the front 2F side. Further, the lever member 35 may be extended to the front surface 2F side.

[Twelfth embodiment]
Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described operating device 1B in that the configuration of the operating element is different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

30 and 31 are perspective views of the operating element 12 employed in the operating device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side and the back side. FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view showing the operation element 12.
Although the detailed illustration is omitted, the operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1B except that the operating device 12 is provided instead of the operating device 3 and the lever 34.
As shown in FIG. 30 to FIG. A third detector 127 and a pedestal 128 are provided.

The operating body 121 has a pair of extending

parts

1211 and 1212 that are along the XY plane and face each other, and a connecting part 1213 that connects one end of each extending

part

1211 and 1212 on the proximal side in the Y direction. In addition, it is formed in a substantially U shape that is lateral when viewed from the X direction. Among these, the extension part 1211 is located on the front surface 2F side when the operating element 12 is attached to the operating device, and the extension part 1212 is located on the back surface 2R side.

Concave portions

1214 and 1215 similar to the above-described concave portions 341 and 342 (the concave portions of the extended portion 1212 on the back surface 2R side are not shown) are formed on the surfaces opposite to each other in the respective

extended portions

1211 and 1212. ing.
In addition, on the surface of the extending portion 1211 that faces the extending portion 1212, a fitting portion 1216 into which the shaft portion 1221 provided on the first detection body 122 is fitted is provided at the end opposite to the connecting portion 1213. Is formed. Note that the shaft portion 1221 and the fitting portion 1216 are fixed by an adhesive or the like.

The first detector 122 includes a shaft portion 1221 and a sensor portion (not shown) that detects rotation (for example, pitch rotation and yaw rotation) of the shaft portion 1221 around the rotation axis on the XY plane. Have The first detector 122 is composed of a two-axis joystick-type potentiometer. Such first detection body 122 detects the rotation of the shaft portion 1221 (that is, the rotation of the operation body 121), and the detected rotation direction of the shaft portion 1221 (the displacement direction of the operation body 121) is: It is output from the first detector 122 to a control device (not shown). Such a first detector 122 is fixed on the first support 123 with an adhesive or the like.

The first support 123 includes a support base portion 1231 having a substantially circular shape in plan view, a cylindrical portion 1232 provided on the opposite side of the support base portion 1231 from the mounting side of the first detection body 122, and the cylindrical portion. And a connecting portion 1233 protruding from 1232.
Among these, the cylindrical portion 1232 has a hole (not shown) into which the shaft portion 1262 of the third support 126 is inserted along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 1232. Thereby, the 1st support 123 is supported on the 3rd support 126 so that rotation is possible centering on the rotation axis which follows a Z direction. Further, the connecting portion 1233 is connected to the second support 124.

The second support 124 is connected to the connecting portion 1233 and supports the first support 123. The second support 124 has a hole (not shown) into which a shaft 1251 provided in the second detector 125 is inserted. The second support 124 is displaced in the same direction together with the displacement of the operation body 121 along the Z direction and the rotation (roll rotation) of the operation body 121 around the rotation axis along the Z direction. The displacement of the operation body 121 is transmitted to the second detection body 125.

The second detection body 125 has the above-described shaft portion 1251, detects the displacement direction of the shaft portion 1251, and consequently detects the displacement direction of the operation body 121. That is, the second detection body 125 detects the displacement of the operation body 121 along the Z direction and the rotation (roll rotation) of the operation body 121 around the rotation axis along the Z direction. And the 2nd detection body 125 outputs the displacement direction of the operation body 121 to the above-mentioned control apparatus. Such a second detection body 125 is configured by an orthogonal two-axis potentiometer, and the second detection body 125 is attached to the third support 126.

The third support 126 is formed in a substantially L shape when viewed from the X direction. The third support body 126 includes a support base portion 1261 along the XY plane, a shaft portion 1262 formed at the center of the support base portion 1261, and an attachment portion 1263 along the XZ plane.
Of these, the shaft portion 1262 is inserted into the hole (not shown) of the cylindrical portion 1232 as described above. Further, the second detection body 125 is attached to the attachment portion 1263.
Such a third support 126 is connected to the third detector 127.

The third detection body 127 detects the displacement direction of the third support body 126 that is displaced in the same direction as the operation body 121 is displaced along the XY plane, and thereby detects the displacement direction of the operation body 121. And the 3rd detection body 127 outputs the detected displacement direction of the operation body 121 to the above-mentioned control apparatus. The third detector 127 is also composed of a two-axis potentiometer.
The pedestal 128 is a flat plate-like member, supports the third detection body 127, and is fixed in the casing of the operating device.

In such an operator 12, as described above, the operation body 121 is rotated (pitch rotation and yaw rotation) around the rotation axis on the XY plane. It is detected by the connected first detector 122.
Further, the displacement of the operation body 121 along the Z direction and the rotation (roll rotation) of the operation body 121 around the rotation axis along the Z direction are performed by the operation body 121 and the first support body 123. It is detected by a second detector 125 having a shaft portion 1251 connected to the second support 124 that is displaced along with the displacement.
Further, the displacement of the operation body 121 along the XY plane is detected by the third detection body 127 detecting the displacement direction of the first support body 123 that is displaced together with the operation body 121.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
The first detector 122 employs a conventional orthogonal biaxial joystick type potentiometer. For this reason, the same operational feeling as the above-mentioned analog stick can be obtained. That is, the stroke amount of the operating body 121 when rotating in the direction detected by the first detecting body 122 can be increased, and a light operational feeling of the operating body 121 can be obtained. Further, since the configuration of the analog stick can be used, the operating device can be configured at low cost.

Further, since the first detection body 122, the second detection body 125, and the third detection body 127 have different configurations for detecting the displacement of the operation body 121, the rotation axis of the operation body 121 on the XY plane is the center. The operational feelings of rotation (pitch rotation and yaw rotation) and displacement in other directions (translational movement) and rotation (roll rotation) can be made different.
An urging member such as a compression spring may be provided between the first support 123 and the third support 126. By providing such an urging member, it is possible to adjust the force required when the operating body 121 is displaced in the Z direction. The shape of the operating body 121 is not limited to a substantially U-shape that is lateral when viewed from the X direction, and may be a substantially arc shape when viewed from the X direction as in the operating body 131 described later.

[Thirteenth embodiment]
The thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described operating device 1B in that the configuration of the operating element is different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

33 and 34 are perspective views of the operating element 13 employed in the operating device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side and the back side. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing the operation element 13.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1B except that the operating device 13 is provided instead of the operating device 3 and the lever 34.
As shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, the operation element 13 includes an operation body 131, a first detection body 132, a first support body 133, a second support body 134, a first holding member 135, a first elastic member 136, A second detection body 137, a second holding member 138, a second elastic member 139, and a third detection body 140 are included.

The operating body 131 is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the X direction, and when the operating element 13 is attached to the operating device, one end of the arc shape is positioned on the front surface 2F side and the other end is on the back surface 2R side. To position. A cylindrical portion 1311 that protrudes toward the other end is formed on the one end side of the operation body 131. The cylindrical portion 1311 is formed with a hole (not shown) into which the shaft portion 1321 of the first detection body 132 is inserted along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 1311.

The first detection body 132 is configured by an orthogonal two-axis joystick type potentiometer, like the first detection body 122 described above. The first detection body 132 has a shaft portion 1321 protruding in the Z direction, and detects rotation (for example, pitch rotation and yaw rotation) of the shaft portion 1321 around the rotation axis along the XY plane. As a result, the rotation of the operation body 131 is detected. The first detector 122 is fixed on the first support 133.

The first support 133 is formed by bending a sheet metal. The first support 133 includes a support base 1331 formed in a substantially L shape in plan view, a first action part 1332, and a second action part 1334.
The first detector 132 is placed and fixed on the support base 1331.
The first action portion 1332 is formed on one end side of the support base portion 1331 so as to stand along the XZ plane. A circular hole 1333 is formed in the first action part 1332, and a first elastic member 136 described later is inserted into the hole 1333.
The second action part 1334 is formed on the other end side of the support base part 1331. The second action portion 1334 stands up along the XZ plane and then extends along the XY plane. A circular hole 1335 is formed along the XY plane, and a first elastic member 136 described later is inserted into the hole 1335.

The second support 134 supports the first support 133, the first holding member 135, the second detection body 137, the second holding member 138, and the third detection body 140. The second support 134 has a first attachment portion 1341 along the XZ plane and a second attachment portion 1342 along the XY plane.
Among these, the first holding member 135 and the second detection body 137 are attached to the first attachment portion 1341. In addition, the second holding member 138 and the third detector 140 are attached to the second attachment portion 1342. That is, the second detection body 137 is attached so as to be able to detect the direction of translation along the XZ plane of the first support body 133. The third detector 140 is attached so as to be able to detect the direction of translation along the XY plane of the first support 133.

The first holding member 135 is attached to the first attachment portion 1341 in a state in which the second detection body 137, the first elastic member 136, and the first action portion 1332 are interposed between the first holding member 135 and the first attachment portion 1341. It is done. That is, the first holding member 135 maintains the state in which the first action portion 1332 and the displacement shaft 1371 of the second detection body 137 are engaged with each other via the first elastic member 136, and these are attached to the first attachment portion 1341. It is a member for holding. Such a first holding member 135 has an annular hole 1351 into which the first elastic member 136 is inserted.

The first elastic member 136 is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as rubber and has a hole along the central axis of the cylindrical shape (not shown). The first elastic member 136 is inserted into the hole 1351 through the hole 1333 formed in the first action part 1332 of the first support 133. In addition, a displacement shaft 1371 of the second detection body 137 is inserted into the hole of the first elastic member 136 along the direction opposite to the Y direction.

The second detection body 137 is composed of an orthogonal biaxial force sensor (strain gauge), and is formed in a substantially T shape that is laterally viewed from the Y direction. A displacement shaft 1371 that protrudes in a direction opposite to the Y direction protrudes from the approximate center of the second detection body 137. As described above, the displacement shaft 1371 is inserted into the first elastic member 136 and engages with the first action portion 1332 of the first support 133 via the first elastic member 136. Thereby, the translational movement force along the XZ plane of the operating body 131 is transmitted to the displacement shaft 1371, and the displacement shaft 1371 is displaced along the displacement direction of the operating body 131. When the second detection body 137 detects the displacement direction of the displacement shaft 1371, the translational movement of the operation body 131 along the XZ plane is detected.

The second holding member 138 has the same shape as the first holding member 135. The second holding member 138 is attached to the second mounting portion 1342 with the third detector 140, the second elastic member 139, and the second action portion 1334 interposed between the second mounting portion 1342. It is attached. That is, the second holding member 138 maintains the state in which the second action portion 1334 and the displacement shaft 1401 of the third detection body 140 are engaged with each other via the second elastic member 139, and these are attached to the second attachment portion 1342. It is a member for holding. Such a second holding member 138 has an annular hole 1381 into which the second elastic member 139 is inserted.

As with the first elastic member 136, the second elastic member 139 is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as rubber, and has a hole along the cylindrical central axis, although not shown. The second elastic member 139 is inserted into the hole 1381 through the hole 1335 formed in the second action part 1334. In the hole formed in the second elastic member 139, the displacement shaft 1401 of the third detection body 140 is inserted along the Z direction.

As with the second detector 137, the third detector 140 is composed of orthogonal two-axis force sensors (strain gauges). The third detector 140 is formed in a substantially T shape when viewed from the Z direction, and is attached to the second attachment portion 1342. A displacement shaft 1401 that protrudes in the Z direction protrudes substantially at the center of the third detection body 140. The displacement shaft 1401 is inserted into the second elastic member 139 and engages with the second action portion 1334 of the first support 133 via the second elastic member 139. Thereby, the translational movement force along the XY plane of the operation body 131 is transmitted to the displacement shaft 1401, and the displacement shaft 1401 is displaced along the displacement direction of the operation body 131. When the third detector 140 detects the displacement direction of the displacement shaft 1401, the translational movement of the operating body 131 along the XY plane is detected. In the present embodiment, the translational movement along the X direction of the operation body 131 is detected by the second detection body 137 with priority over the third detection body 140.

In such an operation element 13, of the displacement of the operation body 131, the rotation direction around the rotation axis along the XY plane is the first detection body 132 in which the operation body 131 and the shaft portion 1321 are connected. Is detected.
Further, the pressure when the operating body 131 is displaced along the X direction is the second detecting body via the first supporting body 133 and the first elastic member 136 that are displaced in the same direction together with the operating body 131 and the first detecting body 132. 137. The second detector 137 detects the direction of translational movement along the X direction out of the displacement of the operating tool 131. Similarly, the direction of translational movement along the Z direction of the operation body 131 is detected by the second detection body 137.

Further, the pressure when the operating body 131 is displaced along the Y direction is detected by the third detection body via the first support body 133 and the second elastic member 139 that are displaced in the same direction together with the operating body 131 and the first detection body 132. 140. The third detection body 140 detects the direction of translational movement along the Y direction among the displacements of the operation body 131.
In addition, when the operating body 131 is rotated about the rotation axis along the Z direction, the pressure along the X direction detected by the second detection body 137 and the third detection body 140 are detected. The difference from the pressure along the X direction is not zero. Accordingly, the second detector 137 and the third detector 140 detect the rotation of the operation body 131 around the rotation axis along the Z direction.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device shown in the twelfth embodiment can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the operating body 131 is formed in an arc shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have another shape. That is, the operation body 131 only needs to have one end located on the front surface 2F side and the other end located on the back surface 2R side. For example, as in the operation body 121 described above, the operation body 131 is horizontally oriented. It may be formed in a substantially U shape.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The best configuration for implementing the present invention has been disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the description limited to the shape, material, etc. disclosed above is an example for easy understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member which remove | excluded the limitation of one part or all of such is included in this invention.

In the first embodiment, the

operating elements

3, 3A, 3B have four detecting bodies 32 that detect the displacement of the operating body 31, and in the second and third embodiments, the operating elements 4-6, 4A. Has three detection bodies 32 for detecting the displacement of the

operation bodies

31, 41, 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of detection bodies provided in the operation element may be 1 or 2 or 5 or more. Of these, in the case where the operating element includes two detection bodies, the operation elements may be arranged at a position corresponding to one of the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2 and the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. The same applies to other operators. Furthermore, you may comprise an operation element combining the above-mentioned detection body or detection apparatus.

In each of the embodiments described above, the detection body employed in each operation element has a configuration including a strain gauge, a pressure sensitive sheet, an angle sensor, a Hall element, a potentiometer, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to this, It is also possible to employ a dynamic sensor, a displacement sensor, and an optical sensor. For example, instead of the detection body 32 having a strain gauge in the operation element 3, a detection body having a follow-up section similar to the detection body 32 and a detection section having a Hall element may be employed. In this case, it is good also as a structure which provides the follower part in which the insertion part was formed in the front end in the action part side, and forms the hole part in which the said insertion part is inserted in a detection part. Further, instead of the detection body 32, a detection body including a follower 723 connected to the action unit 314 and a detection unit having a pressure-sensitive sheet for detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723 may be employed. Is possible.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the insertion portion is inserted into the operation body to form a hole portion that is a detection site in displacement detection by the detection body 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, an insertion part may be formed in the operating body, and a hole may be formed in the follow-up part that transmits the displacement of the operating body to the detection body. In this case, the position where the insertion portion is formed becomes the detection site. In addition, if the above-mentioned clearances C1 and C2 are formed between the hole and the insertion portion, it is possible to prevent internal interference between the operation body and the detection body.

In the first, second, and fourth to eleventh embodiments, the pair of elastic portions 313 are each formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the entire operating body may be formed of a rigid member such as a synthetic resin without providing the elastic portion. Even when the elastic portion is provided, the operational feeling of the operating body in the predetermined direction is changed by changing the shape, material, etc. so that resistance is generated in the displacement of the operating body in the predetermined direction. May be changed. That is, a curved shape and a bent shape such as the

elastic portions

313A and 313B may be adopted for the elastic portion of another operation element.

In each said embodiment, although the both ends of the operation body were exposed to the front 2F side and back 2R side in the housing | casing 2 and 2A, this invention is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary that a part of the operating body is exposed from the casing.
In each of the above embodiments, two operating elements are provided in the operating device, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of operators provided in the operating device can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the position of the operation element arrangement portion can be set as appropriate.

In each of the embodiments described above, the operation body protrudes from the support and is further exposed from the

housings

2 and 2A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation body may be formed in an annular shape and disposed in the support body, and the user may operate the operation body by inserting a finger into the opening of the operation body through the opening of the support body. . Further, the operation element may be arranged so that only one end of the operation body is exposed from the casing.
In the first, second, and fourth to eleventh embodiments, the operating body is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the operating body may be formed in a prismatic shape.

In each of the above embodiments, the operating element detects the displacement direction of the operating body, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a button that protrudes and sunk at the end of the operation body may be provided, and an operation element that also detects the input state of the button may be configured. In this case, the button may be provided at both ends of the operating body, or may be provided only at one end.

In the first embodiment, the operation element 3 is arranged in the housing 2 so that the two detection bodies 32 are respectively positioned in the X1 direction and the Y1 direction inclined by 45 ° with respect to the X direction and the Y direction on the XY plane. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the arrangement of the operation elements can be set as appropriate in consideration of the detection sensitivity of the detection object, the usability of the user, and the like. The same applies to the controls shown in the other embodiments.

In each of the above embodiments, the operation of the operating body by the user (translational movement along the XY plane, XZ plane, and YZ plane, and rotation about the rotation axis along the XY plane, XZ plane, and YZ plane) is performed. The configuration is such that the displacement direction of the operating body when detected is always detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the direction in which the displacement of the operating body is detected may be limited according to the usage state of the operating device. For example, a sensor for detecting whether or not a user's finger is in contact is provided at at least one of the front 2F side and the back 2R side of the operating body, and based on the detection result of the sensor, the operating body The detection of the displacement direction may be partially limited.

Here, if the operating body is not gripped from the front surface 2F side and the back surface 2R side, it is difficult to perform roll rotation of the operating body and translational movement of the operating body along the XY plane. On the other hand, the roll rotation and the translational movement along the XY plane may not necessarily be detected.
Therefore, when the sensor detects that the operating body is gripped from each of the front surface 2F side and the back surface 2R side, the displacement direction of all detectable operating bodies is detected and gripped. When it is detected that there is no motion, rotation of the operating body around the rotation axis on the XY plane and translational movement along the Z direction are detected, and displacement of the operating body in other directions is detected. You may make it not. In such a case, it is not necessary to perform complicated exclusive control.

In the case where the operation body is provided with a portion that extends to the front 2F side and the back surface 2R side and contacts the user's finger like the

lever members

34 and 35 and the

operation bodies

121 and 131. The sensor may be provided at the site on at least one of the front 2F side and the back 2R side. Further, display means for displaying the detection state by the sensor on the operating device may be provided, and the detection state may be displayed on the screen by the information processing apparatus.
Further, in the case of detecting only the rotation of the operating body around the rotation axis on the XY plane, and in addition to the rotation of the operating body, the rotation of the operating body around the rotation axis along the Z axis is performed. The operation device may be provided with a mechanism for switching between movement and a case of further detecting displacement along the XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane.

In each of the embodiments described above, the operating element is attached to the casing, but a mechanism capable of adjusting the direction of the operating element (the direction of the operating body with respect to the casing) may be provided. For example, an adjustment mechanism that holds the operation element and is rotatably attached to the housing may be provided. According to such a configuration, since the initial position of the operating tool can be set according to the size of the user's hand, etc., the operability of the operating device can be improved, and erroneous operation and erroneous detection of the operating tool can be suppressed. .

In the first to eighth embodiments, the detection site for detecting the displacement of the operating tool is set at the same position in the direction along the central axis of the operating tool (Z direction), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the

hole portions

3141 and 4141 into which the insertion portion 3211 is inserted are formed at the same position in the Z direction in the

action portions

314 and 414. Not exclusively. That is, it is only necessary that the positions of the plurality of detection parts are set at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operating body as viewed from the Z direction, and the positions in the Z direction can be changed. For example, the position of any one of the four hole portions 3141 and the three hole portions 4141 may be shifted in the Z direction with respect to the positions of the other hole portions.

In each of the above embodiments, the operating device of the present invention is cited as an operating device connected to an information processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation device may be provided in a portable information terminal (portable terminal).

The present invention can be applied to an operation device (controller) connected to an information processing device such as a PC or a game device.

DESCRIPTION OF

SYMBOLS

1,1A, 1B, 1C ... Operation device, 2,2A ... Case, 3-11 ... Operator, 22 ... First arrangement part, 23 ... Second arrangement part, 24 (24L, 24R), 25 ( 25L, 25R) ... operation element arrangement part, 31, 41, 51, 71, 81, 101, 111 ... operation body, 32 (32X1, 32X2, 32Y1, 32Y2, 32A, 32B, 32C), 62, 722, 824 , 825, 922, 1023... Detection body, 33, 43, 64, 83... Support, 313, 313A, 313B, 713. 3141, 4141 ... hole (detection site), 3211, 631 ... insertion part, C1, C2 ... clearance, K1 ... direction key (first button), K2 ... operation key (second button), S1X, S1Z , S 1XY, S2XY, S1YZ, S2YZ ... detector.

Claims

An operating element used in an operating device,
An operation body that accepts input operations;
A plurality of detection bodies for detecting the displacement direction of the operation body, with at least two points set at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operation body as detection portions;
An operation element comprising: a support body that surrounds the operation body and supports the operation body so as to be displaceable.
The operation element according to claim 1,
The detecting body surrounds the operating body according to the detection part, is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operating body, and engages with the operating body to follow the movement of the operating body. An operator characterized by having
The operation element according to claim 2,
One of the follower and the operation body has a hole, and the other has an insertion part that is inserted into the hole and transmits the movement of the operation body to the follower. The operator to perform.
The operation element according to claim 3,
A predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole and the outer surface of the insertion portion.
In the operation element according to claim 3 or 4,
Each of the detectors is attached to the support,
The operation body is supported by each detection body by inserting the insertion portion into the hole.
In the operation element according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The operation body has an elastic portion that is elastically deformed according to the displacement of the operation body.
An operation device comprising the operation element according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The operating device according to claim 7,
A housing provided with the operation element;
Both ends of the operation body are exposed from the casing, respectively.
The operating device according to claim 8,
The housing is
A left side gripping part and a right side gripping part respectively gripped by the left hand and right hand of the user;
A first disposition portion provided according to the position of the thumb when the left grip portion is grasped by the left hand, and a first button disposed;
A second arrangement part provided according to the position of the thumb when the right side grip part is grasped by the right hand, and a second button arranged;
An operating device provided between the first arranging portion and the second arranging portion, and an operating element arranging portion on which the operating element is arranged.