WO2014028953A1

WO2014028953A1 - Sliding device for a movable input device for controlling the position of a cursor icon

Info

Publication number: WO2014028953A1
Application number: PCT/AT2013/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Dellemann
Original assignee: Manfred Dellemann
Priority date: 2012-08-24
Filing date: 2013-08-21
Publication date: 2014-02-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a sliding device (1) for a movable input device (2), particularly a computer mouse, for controlling the position of a cursor icon (13) on a display surface (12), said sliding device having at least one sliding unit (3) comprising a sliding element (4) particularly capable of rolling and a retaining device (5), in or on which the sliding element (4) is movably mounted. The sliding device (1), preferably designed in the form of a housing, has at least one chamber (6) in which at least one sliding unit (3) is or can be movably arranged, said chamber (6) having at least one exit opening (7) for a sliding element (4).

Description

Slide device for a movable input device for control

the position of a pointer icon

The invention relates to a sliding device for a movable input device for controlling the position of a pointer symbol on a display surface, in particular for a computer mouse, comprising at least one sliding unit, which comprises a sliding element in particular rolling and a holding device, in or on which the sliding element is movably mounted.

Sliding devices for movable input devices for controlling the position of a pointer symbol on a display surface have long been known. The movements of the input device are detected, further processed by a computing unit and displayed in the form of a pointer icon, also called cursor, on a display surface, such as a computer screen. The purpose of such sliding devices is to facilitate moving the input device to the user.

Such an input device may for example be a PC mouse, it is irrelevant whether the input device is wired or wirelessly, for example via radio, in communication with the computing unit. It is known to attach flat sliding blocks made of hard plastic on the base surface of such a PC mouse, which is given in thus designed input devices, due to their reduced by the sliding blocks bearing surface, an easier moving the mouse.

Also already known are input devices, which have on their bearing surface facing the bottom ball-bearing roller balls. Although these input devices have greatly improved sliding properties over the sliding blocks described above, it has been found to be disadvantageous that the direct arrangement of the bearing for the rolling balls in the base element of the PC mouse easily contaminate such sliding devices and their sliding properties are greatly reduced. The invention has therefore taken on the task of creating a novel sliding device, which has one of the improved sliding properties while avoiding the above disadvantages on the one hand and on the other hand, regardless of the design of the input device can be used.

This object is achieved in that the preferably shaped housing sliding device has at least one chamber in which at least one sliding unit slidably disposed or can be arranged, wherein the chamber has at least one outlet opening for a sliding element.

The fact that the sliding unit is arranged in a chamber of the sliding device, this is protected from knocks and scratches, which of course has a positive effect on the life of the sliding unit and thus the entire sliding device.

Due to the displaceable arrangement of the sliding unit in the chamber results in correspondingly formed outlet openings for the sliding or further for the user a certain margin for moving the input device and thus for moving the pointer icon on the display surface in such a way that small movements with the Input device can be performed without the sliding elements themselves are moved. The associated shortened displacement for the sliding elements when moving the input device has, as attempts of the Applicant have shown extremely positive for a reduced uptake of dirt on the rollable sliding elements.

In order to ensure that the input device is actually only moved over the rolling surfaces of the sliding elements in controlling the position of the pointer symbol, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that the minimum height of the sliding unit is greater than the receiving height of the chamber, wherein the receiving height the chamber corresponds to the sum of the internal height of the chamber and the wall thickness of the outlet opening.

Such a design of the sliding unit also ensures that no further components are arranged in the chamber except for the sliding unit must be, as would be the case if the minimum height of the sliding unit would be lower than the receiving height of the chamber, since in such a case yes then would have to be ensured by the arrangement of other components that in the use state of the sliding device, the sliding elements of the sliding actually the outlet opening of the chamber protrude.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the holding device is formed substantially flat and has at least one bearing element for receiving a sliding element, whereby a particularly compact realization of the sliding unit can be achieved with a low overall height.

It goes without saying that many of the already known bearing elements can be used to realize the inventive concept. Experiments by the applicant in practice have shown that a structurally particularly simple and also stable in use solution can be achieved if the bearing element tubular, preferably cylindrical, is formed and its longitudinal axis is arranged substantially normal to the main plane of the holding device. In other words, according to the invention, therefore, a plurality of tubular bearing elements are connected to each other by means of a planar holding device, whereby in particular a production by injection molding is inexpensive to implement.

In order to prevent the sliding element (s) from falling off the support surface when the input device is raised, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bearing element has a flange, preferably a peripheral flange, on at least one end face Inner diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the bearing element, wherein a technically easy to implement solution according to a further embodiment is achieved when the flange is conical. A particularly good sliding ability of the sliding device is achieved when, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the sliding element is mounted movably in the bearing element along its longitudinal axis

In other words, the sliding element is arranged in the bearing element with play, whereby, for example, small bumps on the support surface for the input device, such as dust grains, crumbs or the like, can be at least partially compensated, so that overall a smooth displacement of the input device is made possible. Also, the accumulation of dirt particles on the inner walls of the bearing element can be prevented or at least reduced by such a training, because possibly located in the bearing element dirt particles are repeatedly solved by the movement of the sliding member along the longitudinal axis of the bearing element from the walls, in particular if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably all, sliding element (s) is (are) spherical.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the sliding unit has a holding device with exactly one sliding element, while an alternative embodiment provides that the sliding unit has a holding device with a plurality of sliding elements.

With regard to the number of chambers to be formed and the sliding units arranged therein, all conceivable variants are suitable for implementing the abovementioned invention. In attempts by the applicant, however, in particular three variants have emerged as particularly practical.

It is provided according to a first variant, that the sliding device has exactly one chamber in which exactly one sliding unit is arranged. This variant is technically the easiest to implement and therefore the most cost-effective to implement. According to another embodiment, it is provided that the sliding device has at least one chamber, in which at least two, preferably interconnected, sliding units are arranged. This variant makes it possible to arrange a correspondingly large number of sliding elements despite the small area size of the holding devices.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the

Sliding device comprises a plurality of chambers, in each of which exactly one sliding unit is arranged. While in the two variants described above, the damage of a sliding unit, for example by breaking the holding device, could lead to a strong impairment of the sliding property of the sliding device, the sliding properties in this last embodiment remain almost equally good even if one of the sliding units is damaged.

The invention further relates to a movable input device for controlling the position of a pointer symbol on a display surface with a housing and a sensor unit arranged at least partially in the housing for detecting movements of the input device and a sliding device according to the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the input device is an optical mouse, wherein according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the preferably battery-powered input device for wireless data transmission is formed.

In particular, in the formation of the movable input device as optical wireless mouse, as it provides a further embodiment of the invention, the advantages of the sliding device according to the invention come into full effect, since

painful fatigue symptoms due to the repeated, repeated pushing back and forth of relatively heavy due to the use of batteries input device with the invention can be completely avoided. Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Show:

1 shows an application example for a movable input device with a sliding device according to the invention,

2a and 2b different input devices

3a to 3d schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a

sliding device according to the invention

4a to 4c schematic diagrams of different embodiments of a

Sliding device in cross section

5a and 5b embodiments of the housing of a sliding device in a bottom view

6a and 6b variants of sliding units

7a to 12b schematic diagrams of different embodiments of a

Sliding device in a plan view of the sliding unit

FIG. 1 shows in general a possible use of a movable input device 2 with a sliding device 1 according to the invention. The position of a pointer symbol 13 is controlled on a display surface 12. The

Display area 12 is, as well as the movable input device 2, with a

Computing unit 14 connected. It does not matter if the movable

Input device 2 is connected via a cable to the computing unit 14 in communication or is designed for wireless data transmission.

To control the position of the pointer symbol 13 is by means of a suitable scanning mechanism, for example by means of laser, LED, a ball (also called track ball) or GPS navigation, the movements of the movable

Input device 2 detected on the support surface 16, to the computing unit 14th transmitted and used by this, so that the pointer icon 13 follows the movements of the input device 2.

It is quite common that the movable input device 2, which is arranged on a sliding device 1 or in which the sliding device 1 is an integral part of the input device 2, on a flat support element 15, for example a mouse pad is moved. This has the advantage on the one hand that a flat reference surface for the scanning mechanism is available through the flat surface of the support element 15 and on the other hand, in this way the underside of the sliding device 1 or the movable input device 2 when pushed back and forth against mechanical damage protected.

Is now the movable input device 2 for wireless data transmission

formed, requires the input device 2, for example, as an optical

Wireless mouse, can be designed as a remote control or smart phone, its own power supply, for example in the form of batteries. By the batteries or a battery but increases the weight of the movable input device 2, so that in particular when you work longer and often moving the input device 2 times the user fatigue phenomena to pain in the wrists can adjust.

This can be avoided with the sliding device 1 according to the invention. In this case, as shown in Figure 2a, the sliding device 1 is an integral part of the housing 1 1 of the input device 2, which is formed in this case as a PC mouse. In other words, the sliding device 1 forms in this preferred

Embodiment, the base element or the bottom plate of the input device. 2

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 b, the input device 2 is a smart phone or a remote control that is placed on the sliding device 1 for controlling the pointer symbol 13. Of course it's not just this

Application example possible and cheap, the sliding device 1 with the

Input device 2 releasably connect, for example via snap-in connections or a hook and loop fastener. The construction of a sliding device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d.

The housing-shaped sliding device 1 shown in FIG. 3a has a chamber 6 in which a sliding unit 3 is displaceably arranged in the direction of the arrow. The sliding unit 3 is formed in this embodiment of a holding device 5, are mounted on the two sliding elements 4 movable.

In Figure 3b, only the housing 18 of the sliding device 1 is shown. The housing encloses a chamber 6 and has on its underside two outlet openings 7 for sliding elements 4. 19 schematically indicates a passage opening for a scanning mechanism (not shown) of the input device 2. For easy connection of the housing 18 of the sliding device 1 with the housing 1 1 of the input device 2, a plurality of locking means 20 are arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the housing 18. At the support surface facing away from the top surface of the chamber 6 a sliding layer 17 is arranged in this embodiment shown, which is to facilitate the sliding along the input device 2 and the associated movement of the holding device 5, the sliding along the sliding elements 4 on the top surface of the chamber 6. This sliding layer 17 may also be antistatic, for example, to prevent the adhesion of dirt particles.

In the exemplary embodiment of a holding device 5 shown in FIG. 3c, two bearing elements 8 are arranged on the planar holding device 5 and are cylindrical in shape, the longitudinal axis a of the bearing elements 8 extending essentially at right angles to the main plane E of the planar holding device 5. In the bearing elements 8 sliding elements 4 are arranged, which are formed in the illustrated embodiment as balls. The sliding elements 4 are rotatably mounted both in the bearing elements 8 about its own axis and along the longitudinal axis a of the bearing elements 8 slidably.

FIG. 3d shows the principle of a first exemplary embodiment of a bearing of a sliding element 4 in a sliding device 1. In this case, the sliding element 4 in turn arranged in a cylindrical bearing element 8, wherein the

Bearing element 8 on its surface facing the support surface has a circumferential flange 10, whose inner diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the bearing element 8, so falling out or slipping of the sliding element 4 from the bearing element 8 is reliably prevented. The

Bearing element 8 is in turn substantially at right angles to the planar

Holding device 5 is arranged, which in turn is displaceably mounted in the chamber 6 of the housing-shaped sliding device 1, as already shown in Figure 3a. Characterized in that the minimum height HG _{min of} the sliding member 4 is greater than the receiving height HK _{A of} the chamber 6, which is formed by the sum of the inner height HKi of the chamber 6 and the wall thickness HW of the outlet opening 7, it is ensured that the sliding device 1 to Every time about this

Embodiment spherical sliding elements 4 rolls there and a contact of the underside of the holding device 1 is avoided with the support surface, whereby a slight displacement of the sliding device 1 is given. As already described in FIG. 3 b, a sliding layer 17, which additionally facilitates the displacement of the holding device 5 in the chamber 6, can be arranged on the cover side of the chamber 6.

Figures 4a to 4c show different embodiments of

Sliding devices 1 in cross section. In this case, the outlet openings 7 were left open for a better understanding.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4a, the sliding device 1 comprises precisely one chamber 6, in which exactly one sliding unit 3 is displaceably arranged in the direction of the arrow. The sliding unit 3 consists of a holding device 5, arranged on the plurality, advantageously four, cylindrical bearing elements 8 or

are formed and in each of which a sliding element 8 is rotatably mounted. The chamber 6 has only one outlet opening 7, which extends over the entire base element or the bottom plate of the sliding device 1.

The embodiment according to Figure 4b differs from

Embodiment of Figure 4a essentially in that the chamber. 6 a plurality of outlet openings 7, preferably for each sliding element 4 one. These outlet openings may be circular or elliptical, but also rectangular and polygonal shapes are suitable for implementing the invention.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, the sliding device 1 shown in FIG. 4 c has more than one chamber 6, wherein a sliding unit 3 with a holding device 5 and a sliding element 4 is arranged in each chamber 6.

Incidentally, in the illustration according to FIGS. 4 b and 4 c, the sliding device 1 does not lie on the support surface, so that the sliding elements 4 slide downwards in the bearing elements 8 in the direction of the support surface 15 and move away from the cover surface 17 of the chamber 6. By this game in the storage of the sliding elements 4 in the bearing elements 8 can be on the one hand, the slider 1 easier to move and is prevented on the other hand that accumulate on the top surface 17 of the chamber 6 deposits.

The bottom view of the housing 18 of a sliding device 1 shown in FIG. 5a corresponds to the sliding device 1 according to FIG. 4a. The outlet 7 occupies almost the entire base of the slider 1, and the width of the remaining peripheral edge should not be less than 0.5 cm in practice.

The bottom view of the housing 18 of a sliding device 1 shown in FIG. 5b corresponds to a sliding device 1 according to FIG. 4b or 4c. It serves the

schematically indicated passage opening a not shown

Scanning mechanism, the input device 2 for detecting the movements of the input device 2 on a reference surface.

FIG. 6a shows the arrangement of four sliding units 3 in a sliding device 1 according to FIG. 4c. In this case, each slide unit 3 has exactly one holding device 5 and a sliding element 4. The sliding unit 3 shown in FIG. 6b comprises a holding device 5 on which four sliding elements 4 are arranged. Such a sliding unit 3 is suitable for use in a sliding device 1 according to FIGS. 4a and 4b.

Different embodiments of the invention or different combinations of housings 18 with sliding units 3 are shown by way of example in FIGS. 7a to 12b. In this case, the representation corresponds to a plan view of the sliding units 3 in the direction of the support surface and along a running in the chamber sectional area, so that the top surface of the chamber is not visible.

In FIGS. 7a to 7c, the sliding device 1 is substantially diamond-shaped.

In FIGS. 7a and 7c, a sliding unit 3 with a holding device 5 with four is shown

Bearing elements 8, in each of which a sliding element 4 is arranged, in the

Chamber 6 of the sliding device, while in Figure 7b, two sliding units 3 are slidably mounted with two bearing elements 8 and sliding elements 4 in the sliding device 1.

In the figures 8a and 8b, the sliding device 1 has a substantially triangular base surface, wherein in the embodiment of Figure 8b, the two holding device are connected via a common bearing element 8 hinged together.

In Figures 9a, 9b and 11 are sliding devices with a rectangular

Base surface shown, while the base are formed in the embodiments of Figures 10a and 10b circular. In these sliding devices and the holding devices 5 are circular or diamond-shaped.

Figures 12a and 2b show the same slider 1 in different displacement positions. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

claims

1 . Sliding device (1) for a movable input device (2) for controlling the position of a pointer symbol (13) on a display surface (12), in particular for a computer mouse, with at least one sliding unit (3) comprising a sliding element (4) which can roll, in particular Holding device (5), in or on which the sliding element (4) is movably mounted, comprises, characterized in that the preferably housing-shaped

Sliding device (1) has at least one chamber (6), in which at least one sliding unit (3) is arranged displaceably or can be arranged, wherein the chamber (6) has at least one outlet opening (7) for a sliding element (4).

2. Sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the

minimum height (HG _min ) of the sliding unit (3) is greater than the receiving height (HK _A ) of the chamber (6), the receiving height (HK _A ) of the chamber (6) being the sum of the internal height (HKi) of the chamber (6) and the wall thickness (HW) of the outlet opening (7) corresponds.

3. sliding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding device (5) is formed substantially flat and at least one bearing element (8) for receiving a sliding element (4).

4. sliding device according to claim 3, characterized in that the

Bearing element (8) rohrformig, preferably cylindrical, is formed and its longitudinal axis (a) is arranged substantially normal to the main plane (E) of the holding device (5).

5. Sliding device according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Bearing element (8) on at least one end face (9) has a, preferably circumferential flange (10) whose inner diameter (d _F ) is smaller than the inner diameter (d _L ) of the bearing element (8).

6. Sliding device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the flange (10) is conical.

7. Sliding device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the sliding element (4) in the bearing element (8) along the longitudinal axis (a) is movably mounted.

8. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one, preferably all, sliding element (s) (4) is spherical (are).

9. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sliding unit (3) has a holding device (5) with exactly one

Sliding element (4).

10. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sliding unit (3) has a holding device (5) with several

Has sliding elements (4).

1 1. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sliding device (1) has exactly one chamber (6) in which exactly one sliding unit (3) is arranged.

12. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sliding device (1) has at least one chamber (6) in which at least two, preferably interconnected, sliding units (3) are arranged. 3. Sliding device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sliding device (1) has a plurality of chambers (6), in each of which exactly one sliding unit (3) is arranged.

14. Movable input device (2) for controlling the position of a

Pointer symbol (13) on a display surface (12) with a housing (11) and at least partially in the housing (1 1) arranged sensor unit for detecting movements of the input device (2), characterized by a sliding device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A movable input device according to claim 14, characterized in that the input device (2) is an optical mouse.

16. A movable input device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized

in that the preferably battery-operated input device (2) is designed for wireless data transmission.

17. A movable input device according to claim 16, characterized in that the input device (2) is an optical radio mouse.