JP2004133703A

JP2004133703A - Pointing device and portable information device

Info

Publication number: JP2004133703A
Application number: JP2002297824A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shuji Nakamura; 中村　修二; Takeshi Nishino; 西野　武志
Original assignee: Fujitsu Component Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Component Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-10
Filing date: 2002-10-10
Publication date: 2004-04-30

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To significantly reduce manufacturing cost by minimizing damage to and deterioration of an elastic member of an operation part in a thin magnetoelectric conversion element type pointing device. <P>SOLUTION: The pointing device 10 comprises the operation part 14 supported for horizontal displacement on a base part 12, a magnet 16 arranged in the operation part 14, and a plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 arranged in the base part 12 near the magnet 16. The operation part 14 comprises the elastic member 22 for returning the operation part 14 to an origin position of displacement, a touch operation member 26 having an operation surface 24, and a holding member 28 carried in the elastic member 22. The touch operation member 26 is connected to the holding member 28 when a plurality of connection elements 54 are passed through receiving holes 56 in a first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and frictionally fitted on corresponding fitting elements 60 of the holding member 28. In the state, the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 is fixedly held between the touch operation member 26 and the holding member 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、データ処理装置に組み込まれるポインティングデバイスに関する。さらに本発明は、ポインティングデバイスを搭載した携帯型情報機器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
パーソナルコンピュータやワードプロセッサ等の、ディスプレイ及びキーボードを備えたデジタルデータ処理装置において、オペレータの手操作によるアナログ的な情報（例えば指先の動作方向や動作距離）の入力により、ディスプレイ上のカーソル移動データ等の座標データを指示する補助入力装置としてのポインティングデバイスを備えたものは周知である。
【０００３】
この種のポインティングデバイスとして、基部と、基部上の支点に揺動自在に支持される操作部と、基部に設置される磁電変換素子と、磁電変換素子に近接して操作部に設置される磁石とを具備するものが知られている（例えば特許文献１参照）。このポインティングデバイスでは、オペレータが操作部を基部上で任意の方向へ揺動操作することにより、磁石と磁電変換素子との相対的位置関係を変化させて磁電変換素子の出力電圧を変動させ、以って操作部の揺動方向及び揺動角度に対応したアナログ情報を入力することができる。
【特許文献１】
特開平８−３３９２５８号公報
【０００４】
また、上記した揺動構造に代えて、基部に設けた曲面部分に沿って操作部を移動可能に配置したポインティングデバイスが知られている（例えば特許文献２参照）。特許文献２には、基部と操作部との間にスイッチ機構を装備し、オペレータが操作部を基部に向けて押し込むことによりスイッチ機構を作動させる構成も開示されている。この構成によれば、アナログ情報の入力に加えて、操作部を押下操作することにより、例えば搭載対象機器のディスプレイ上のポインタに関連してクリック操作を実施することができる。
【特許文献２】
特公平７−１１７８７５号公報
【０００５】
さらに、携帯可能な小型データ処理装置に好適に搭載できる薄型のポインティングデバイスとして、基部に対して操作部を水平方向へ移動させる構成を有するものも知られている（例えば特許文献３参照）。特許文献３には、内蔵する光センサにより、操作部の水平移動方向及び移動距離を検出する構成が開示されている。このポインティングデバイスでは、操作部を水平移動動作の原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を確保すべく、操作部を囲繞するように環状の弾性部材（ゴム）が配設されている。また、オペレータが操作部を変位操作する際に指先を触接させる触接操作部材が、弾性部材に連結して設けられている。
【特許文献３】
特開２００１−１５４７９６号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
一般に、磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスは、座標データ入力に必要な操作部の移動量が少なく、かつ消費電力が比較的低いことから、電子手帳、携帯情報端末（ＰＤＡ）、携帯電話等の、手持操作可能な種々の携帯型情報機器に、とりわけ有利に搭載できると考えられる。しかし、前述した特許文献１又は２に開示される従来の磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスにおいては、操作部を基部上で揺動又は曲面移動させる構成を採用しているので、磁石と磁電変換素子との間に操作部の揺動又は曲面移動を許容する間隔を確保する必要があり、結果としてポインティングデバイスの外形（特に高さ方向）寸法を、携帯型情報機器への搭載を実現可能とする程度に削減することが困難になっていた。
【０００７】
これに対し、前述した特許文献３に開示されるポインティングデバイスは、基部に対して操作部を水平方向へ移動させる構成を採用したので、光センサ型のポインティングデバイスであってもある程度の薄型化が可能となっている。したがて、このような操作部の水平移動構造を、上記した磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスに採用すれば、携帯型情報機器に好適に搭載可能な薄型のポインティングデバイスを提供できると考えられる。
【０００８】
ここで、特許文献３に開示されるポインティングデバイスでは、操作性を向上させるために、操作部を水平移動動作の原点位置に復帰させる環状の弾性部材が使用されている。この弾性部材は、オレフィン系ゴム等のエラストマーから形成されるものであるが、ポインティングデバイス自体の薄型化に伴い、オペレータの指や他の物体が弾性部材に接触する機会が増加し、素材の特性により弾性部材の損傷や劣化が生じ易くなることが懸念される。特に、携帯型情報機器にポインティングデバイスを搭載する場合には、情報機器の筐体に設けたポインティングデバイス操作用の開口部を介して、異物が弾性部材に容易に触れることができるような状況を極力回避することが要求される。この場合、開口部の面積を縮小してしまうと、ポインティングデバイスの操作性が損なわれる危惧がある。
【０００９】
また、操作時にオペレータが指先を触接させるために設けられる触接操作部材は、特許文献３の構成では二色成形法によって弾性部材に一体的に成形されるようになっているが、ポインティングデバイスの製造コストを削減するためには、別部材として成形した触接操作部材と弾性部材とを互いに組み合わせることが有利である。この場合、触接操作部材と弾性部材とを相互固定するために、通常は接着剤を使用することになるが、特に弾性部材のゴム素材の特性に起因して、この接着剤の選択自由度が低く、そのことが製造コスト削減の隘路となる危惧がある。また、接着剤の選択を誤った場合などは、使用中に触接操作部材が弾性部材から剥落してしまう懸念もある。
【００１０】
したがって本発明の目的は、磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスにおいて、携帯型情報機器へ好適に搭載できる薄型構造を有しながらも、操作部に設置した弾性部材の損傷や劣化を極力回避でき、しかも製造コストを有意に削減できるポインティングデバイスを提供することにある。
本発明の他の目的は、磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスを搭載した携帯型情報機器において、ポインティングデバイスの操作性を損なうことなくその操作部に設けた弾性部材の寿命を向上させることができる携帯型情報機器を提供することにある。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、基部と、基部に対して水平方向へ変位可能に基部上に支持される操作部と、操作部に設置される第１磁気作用要素と、第１磁気作用要素の近傍で基部に設置される第２磁気作用要素とを具備し、操作部の水平変位に対応して第１磁気作用要素と第２磁気作用要素との協働下で磁界変化に基づく信号を出力するポインティングデバイスにおいて、操作部は、基部上での水平方向への変位に伴い操作部を変位原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を発揮する弾性部材と、弾性部材に取り付けられ、操作部を変位操作するための操作面を有する触接操作部材とを備え、弾性部材は、第１磁気作用要素及び第１磁気作用要素の関連部材を含む内部構造と、触接操作部材との間に挟持され、触接操作部材は、弾性部材を通過して延びる連結要素を介して、内部構造に連結されること、を特徴とするポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１２】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、内部構造が、第１磁気作用要素を固定的に保持して基部上に水平方向へ移動可能に支持される保持部材を備え、保持部材が連結要素を介して触接操作部材に連結されるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１３】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、連結要素が、触接操作部材から一体的に延設されて弾性部材を貫通する嵌合部分を有し、嵌合部分が内部構造に摩擦嵌合するポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１４】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、連結要素が、内部構造から一体的に延設されて弾性部材を貫通する嵌合部分を有し、嵌合部分が触接操作部材に摩擦嵌合するポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１５】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項３又は４に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、嵌合部分に接着剤が供給されているポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１６】
請求項６に記載の発明は、基部が、第２磁気作用要素に電気的に接続される回路基板と、内部構造を水平方向へ摺動自在に支持する略平坦な支持面を有して回路基板に載置される支持部材とを備える請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、回路基板と支持部材との間に形成される空所の内部で回路基板に実装され、操作部を支持部材に押し付ける方向へ操作することにより作動するスイッチ機構をさらに具備するポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１７】
請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項６に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、支持部材を載置する側の反対側で、第２磁気作用要素が回路基板に実装されるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１８】
請求項８に記載の発明は、請求項１〜７のいずれか１項に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、第１磁気作用要素が磁石であり、第２磁気作用要素が磁電変換素子であるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００１９】
請求項９に記載の発明は、請求項１〜８のいずれか１項に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、触接操作部材は、操作面を有するとともに内部構造と協働して弾性部材を挟持する主操作部分と、主操作部分から外方へ張り出して弾性部材の外部に延設される延長部分とを備えるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００２０】
請求項１０に記載の発明は、請求項９に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、触接操作部材の主操作部分と延長部分とが、互いに独立した別体の部材からなるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００２１】
請求項１１に記載の発明は、請求項９又は１０に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、弾性部材は、内部構造を実質的全周に渡って囲繞する中空筒状の主弾性部分と、主弾性部分の一端で内部構造に連結される第１連結部分と、主弾性部分の他端で基部に連結される第２連結部分とを一体に有し、基部は、弾性部材の第２連結部分を包囲する環状壁と主弾性部分及び第１連結部分を水平移動可能に挿通させる中心開口とを有するカバー部材を備え、触接操作部材の延長部分は、カバー部材の中心開口よりも小さい外形を有するポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００２２】
請求項１２に記載の発明は、請求項９又は１０に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、弾性部材は、内部構造を実質的全周に渡って囲繞する中空筒状の主弾性部分と、主弾性部分の一端で内部構造に連結される第１連結部分と、主弾性部分の他端で基部に連結される第２連結部分とを一体に有し、基部は、弾性部材の第２連結部分を包囲する環状壁と主弾性部分及び第１連結部分を水平移動可能に挿通させる中心開口とを有するカバー部材を備え、触接操作部材の延長部分は、カバー部材の中心開口よりも大きい外形を有するポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００２３】
請求項１３に記載の発明は、請求項１２に記載のポインティングデバイスにおいて、基部は、第２磁気作用要素に電気的に接続される回路基板と、回路基板に載置され、カバー部材と協働して弾性部材の第２連結部分を挟持する第１の支持部材と、第１の支持部材に隣接して回路基板に載置され、内部構造を水平方向へ摺動自在に支持する略平坦な支持面を有する第２の支持部材とを備えるポインティングデバイスを提供する。
【００２４】
請求項１４に記載の発明は、請求項９〜１３のいずれか１項に記載のポインティングデバイスを筐体に内蔵した携帯型情報機器であって、筐体は、ポインティングデバイスの触接操作部材の操作面を外部に露出させる開口部を有し、触接操作部材の延長部分は、筐体の開口部よりも大きい外形を有することを特徴とする携帯型情報機器を提供する。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。全図面に渡り、対応する構成要素には共通の参照符号を付す。
図１は本発明の第１の実施形態によるポインティングデバイス１０の分解斜視図、図２はポインティングデバイス１０の組立斜視図、図３はポインティングデバイス１０の組立断面図である。ポインティングデバイス１０は、パーソナルコンピュータ、パーソナルワードプロセッサ等のデータ処理装置や、電子手帳、携帯情報端末（ＰＤＡ）、携帯電話等の携帯型情報機器において、ディスプレイ上の二次元座標データを指示する補助入力装置として機器筐体に一体的に組み込んだ構成で使用できるものである。
【００２６】
ポインティングデバイス１０は、基部１２と、基部１２に対して任意の水平方向へ変位可能に基部１２上に支持される操作部１４と、操作部１４に設置される第１磁気作用要素である円板状の磁石（例えば永久磁石）１６と、磁石１６の近傍で基部１２に設置される第２磁気作用要素である複数（図では４個）の磁電変換素子（例えばホール素子）１８と、基部１２と操作部１４との間に配置されるスイッチ機構２０とを備える。後述するようにポインティングデバイス１０は、操作部１４の水平変位に対応して、磁石１６と複数の磁電変換素子１８との協働下で磁界変化に基づく信号を出力する。
【００２７】
操作部１４は、基部１２上での水平方向への変位に伴い、操作部１４を変位原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を発揮する弾性部材２２と、弾性部材２２に取り付けられ、操作部１４を変位操作するための操作面２４を有する触接操作部材２６と、触接操作部材２６とは反対側で弾性部材２２に連結され、磁石１６を固定的に保持して基部１２上に水平方向へ移動可能に支持される保持部材２８とを備える。操作部１４のさらなる特徴的構成は、後に詳述する。
【００２８】
基部１２は、図示しないＣＰＵ等の電子部品が実装される回路基板３０と、回路基板３０に固定的に連結される支持部材３２と、支持部材３２の外周領域３２ａを実質的に遮蔽して支持部材３２に固定的に連結されるカバー部材３４とを備える。回路基板３０には、支持部材３２を載置する表面３０ａの反対側（すなわち裏面３０ｂ）に、計４個の磁電変換素子１８が、ポインティングデバイス１０の中心軸線Ｐを中心とした等間隔分散配置で実装される。このような磁電変換素子１８の配置構成により、ポインティングデバイス１０は二次元座標系におけるアナログデータ信号を出力できるようになっている。
【００２９】
支持部材３２は、平面視で略八角形の板状部材であり、その中央の略円形の凹状領域に、操作部１４の保持部材２８を任意の水平方向へ摺動自在に支持する複数（図では４個）の弾性梁部分３６を備える。それら弾性梁部分３６は、ポインティングデバイス１０の中心軸線Ｐを中心として放射状に配置され、それらの径方向外端で支持部材３２の外周領域３２ａに一体的に連結される。各弾性梁部分３６は、回路基板３０の表面３０ａから離隔して配置され、外周領域３２ａとの一体的連結部位を支点に、互いに独立して弾性的に変位できるようになっている。また、それら弾性梁部分３６には、回路基板３０から離れた側に、無負荷状態で回路基板３０の表面３０ａに実質的平行に広がる平坦な支持面３６ａがそれぞれ形成される。それら支持面３６ａは互いに協働して、回路基板３０の表面３０ａから突出した位置で、保持部材２８を任意の水平方向へ摺動自在に支持する。
【００３０】
支持部材３２にはさらに、隣り合う弾性梁部分３６の間にそれぞれ扇形に広がる取付部分３８が形成される。各取付部分３８は、その径方向外端で支持部材３２の外周領域３２ａに一体的に連結される。また、それら取付部分３８の径方向内縁には、各弾性梁部分３６の支持面３６ａを囲繞するようにして、操作部１４の保持部材２８の水平移動範囲を規定する円弧壁３８ａが突設される。それら円弧壁３８ａは、中心軸線Ｐを中心とする同一円周上に配置され、したがって中心軸線Ｐが、複数の支持面３６ａ上での保持部材２８の水平移動範囲の原点位置を規定する。なお、各弾性梁部分３６には、その支持面３６ａに隣接して、各取付部分３８の円弧壁３８ａと同一の円周上に配置される補助円弧壁３６ｂが突設される。
【００３１】
支持部材３２の互いに対向するいずれか一対の取付部分３８には、円弧壁３８ａとは反対側の裏面に、図示しない位置決めピンが突設される。支持部材３２は、それら位置決めピンを、回路基板３０の対応位置に設けられた穴（図示せず）に嵌入することにより、回路基板３０上の所定位置に固定的に組み付けられる。なお、支持部材３２を回路基板３０に強固に固定するために、接着剤を補助的に用いることもできる。また、支持部材３２は、所望の樹脂材料から一体的に作製できる。
【００３２】
カバー部材３４は、支持部材３２に対応する平面視略八画形状を有する薄板状部材であり、環状壁４０と、環状壁４０の中央領域に形成され、後述する操作部１４の主要操作部分を水平移動可能に挿通させる略円形の中心開口４２とを有する。カバー部材３４の環状壁４０の外縁には、対向四辺に沿ってそれぞれ延長片４４が環状壁４０に略直交する方向へ延設され、各延長片４４に、板厚方向へ貫通する取付孔４４ａが形成される。カバー部材３４は、支持部材３２の対向四辺に沿って側方へ突設された複数の爪４６を、それら延長片４４の対応の取付孔４４ａに、各延長片４４の弾性変形を利用してスナップ式に嵌着することにより、支持部材３２に固定的に組み付けられる。カバー部材３４は、後述するように、中心開口４２を通して操作部１４の主要操作部分を外方に突出させた状態で、操作部１４を基部１２から脱落しないように保持する。なお、カバー部材３４は、所望の板金材料から一体的に作製できる。
【００３３】
操作部１４の弾性部材２２、触接操作部材２６及び保持部材２８は、それぞれに独立した部材として所望材料から個別に作製され、互いに固定的に組み合わされる。弾性部材２２は、平面視略円形の椀状部材からなり、保持部材２８の周囲に隙間を介して延長される主弾性部分４８と、主弾性部分４８の一端で保持部材２８に連結される第１連結部分５０と、主弾性部分４８の他端で基部１２に連結される第２連結部分５２とを一体に有する。弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８は、保持部材２８を実質的全周に渡って囲繞するとともに、無負荷状態で保持部材２８に対して同軸に配置される円錐台状又はドーム状の輪郭形状を有し、操作部１４を基部１２上で水平変位操作する間に比較的容易に弾性変形する。したがって弾性部材２２は、その主弾性部分４８が、基部１２上での保持部材２８の水平移動に伴い弾性変形し、その変形量に対応して、保持部材２８を水平移動範囲の原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を、保持部材２８の水平移動方向に関わらず一様に発揮する。
【００３４】
弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０は、円錐台状輪郭の主弾性部分４８の小径端から軸線方向へ皿状に突出して一体に延長され、その内側に形成される窪みに、保持部材２８が固定的に受容される。弾性部材２２の第２連結部分５２は、円錐台状輪郭の主弾性部分４８の大径端から径方向及び軸線方向へフランジ状に突出して一体に延長され、その肉厚部分で、基部１２を構成する支持部材３２の複数の取付部分３８とカバー部材３４の環状壁４０との間に固定的に掛止して挟持される。第１及び第２連結部分５０、５２は、基部１２上で保持部材２８が水平移動する間に実質的に変形することなく、弾性部材２２を保持部材２８及び基部１２にそれぞれ固定的に連結する。
【００３５】
なお弾性部材２２は、合成ゴム、天然ゴム等の種々の弾性材料から一体的に作製できる。特に、ポインティングデバイス１０を搭載対象機器の主回路基板に実装する際にリフロー工程を実施することを考慮すれば、シリコンゴム等の、高温下でも性質が劣化し難い材料から形成することが有利である。
【００３６】
触接操作部材２６は、平面視略円形の皿状部材であり、操作面２４の反対側の裏面２６ａで、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に密接する。触接操作部材２６の裏面２６ａには、図４に示すように、複数（図では４個）の連結要素５４が所定の離間配置で一体的に形成される。各連結要素５４は、触接操作部材２６の裏面２６ａに略直立状に立設される一対の嵌合部分５４ａを有し、両嵌合部分５４ａの間に、連結対象物を摩擦下で嵌合保持できるようになっている。他方、弾性部材２２には、第１連結部分５０を貫通する複数（図では４個）の受容孔５６が、それら連結要素５４に対応する位置に形成される。各連結要素５４は、第１連結部分５０の対応の受容孔５６に挿通され、第１連結部分５０を通過してその内側に延出する。なお、触接操作部材２６は、所望の樹脂材料から一体的に作製できる。
【００３７】
保持部材２８は、操作部１４を基部１２上で水平変位操作する間に実質的に変形しない程度の剛性を有する中空円筒状部材からなり、その円筒状周壁５８の内側に、磁石１６を収容する段付きの空洞部５８ａが形成される。磁石１６は、例えば接着剤を用いたり圧入したりすることにより、保持部材２８の空洞部５８ａ（図では下方の小径部分）に固定できる。保持部材２８は、周壁５８の軸線方向一端面（図で下端面）を、基部１２を構成する支持部材３２の複数の支持面３６ａに一様に当接した状態で、支持面３６ａ上で３６０°全方位へ摺動しつつ平行移動できる。
【００３８】
保持部材２８の周壁５８には、その外周面から径方向外方へ突出する複数（図では４個）の嵌合要素６０が、触接操作部材２６の複数の連結要素５４に対応する周方向所定位置に形成される。それら嵌合要素６０は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０の内側で、触接操作部材２６の対応の連結要素５４に嵌合する。このとき、各嵌合要素６０は、各連結要素５４の両嵌合部分５４ａの間に好ましくは締まり嵌め状態で嵌入され、摩擦下で嵌合保持される（図５参照）。なお、保持部材３２は、所望の樹脂材料から一体的に作製できる。
【００３９】
保持部材２８には、磁石１６と弾性部材２２との間に介在するヨーク６２が取り付けられる。ヨーク６２は、略円板状部材であり、保持部材２８に収容された磁石１６を一面（図で上面）から遮蔽して保持部材２８に取り付けられる。ヨーク６２は、例えば接着剤を用いたり圧入したりすることにより、保持部材２８の空洞部５８ａ（図では上方の大径部分）に固定できる。ヨーク６２は所望の磁性金属材料からなり、磁石１６と複数の磁電変換素子１８との間で磁路を積極的に閉じることにより、弾性部材２２及び触接操作部材２６を通した外部への磁気漏洩を防止するように作用する。
【００４０】
磁石１６並びに磁石１６の関連部材である保持部材２８及びヨーク６２は、弾性部材２２に担持される内部構造を構成する。ポインティングデバイス１０では、上記したように、触接操作部材２６に設けた複数の連結要素５４が、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０を貫通してその内側に延びて、保持部材２８に設けた対応の嵌合要素６０に摩擦嵌合することにより、それら内部構造１６、２８、６２と触接操作部材２６とが相互に連結されている。この状態で、弾性部材２２はその第１連結部分５０にて、内部構造１６、２８、６２と触接操作部材２６との間に固定的に挟持される。このように、ポインティングデバイス１０では、弾性部材２２と触接操作部材２６及び保持部材２８との間に接着剤を用いることなく、それら部材２２、２６、２８を相互に固定的に連結することができる。なお、触接操作部材２６と保持部材２８とは、例えば相互嵌合する連結要素５４と嵌合要素６０との間に適当な接着剤を供給することにより、さらに強固に相互連結することができる。
【００４１】
回路基板３０の表面３０ａには、回路基板３０と支持部材３２の複数の弾性梁部分３６との間に形成される空所の内部に、クリック機能を付加するためのスイッチ機構２０が実装される。スイッチ機構２０は、可動接点と固定接点とを有する周知の開閉構造を備え、それら両接点がポインティングデバイス１０の中心軸線Ｐから僅かにずれた位置に配置される。すなわち、スイッチ機構２０の可動接点は、支持部材３２のいずれか１つの弾性梁部分３６の自由端領域の直下に位置決めされる。なお、スイッチ機構２０の構成は任意であり、可動接点がばねに担持されるメカニカルスイッチや、一対のフレキシブル回路基板を有するメンブレンスイッチ等、様々なものを採用できる。また、スイッチ機構２０の外形寸法によっては、複数の磁電変換素子１８を、回路基板３０と複数の弾性梁部分３６との間の空所内に設置することもできる。
【００４２】
上記した各種構成部品を有するポインティングデバイス１０は、以下のようにして容易に組み立てることができる。まず、磁石１６及びヨーク６２を内蔵した操作部１４を前述したように一体的に組み合わせる。次にこの操作部組立体を、支持部材３２の複数の支持面３６ａ上に載せ、その上にカバー部材３４を被せて支持部材３２に組み付けることにより、これら部品を一体化する。そして、この一体化した半完成品を、複数の磁電変換素子１８を実装した回路基板３０の所定位置に固定的に載置することにより、ポインティングデバイス１０が完成する。この完成状態で、操作部１４は、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８及び第１連結部分５０並びに触接操作部材２６を、基部１２のカバー部材３４の中心開口４２に水平移動可能に挿通配置するとともに、触接操作部材２６を、基部１２のカバー部材３４の環状壁４０から外方に突出した位置に配置する。したがってオペレータは、触接操作部材２６に設けられた操作面２４を、例えば指先で操作して、保持部材２８を基部１２上で水平移動させることができる。
【００４３】
操作部１４の弾性部材２２が図３に示す平衡状態にあるときには、保持部材２８及びその周壁５８に保持される磁石１６の中心軸線は、ポインティングデバイス１０の中心軸線Ｐに合致する。この状態で保持部材２８は、基部１２の支持部材３２上で水平移動範囲の原点位置に位置決めされ、回路基板３０上の４個の磁電変換素子１８が磁石１６から等距離の位置に配置される。この状態から、オペレータが操作面２４に指先を当接して保持部材２８を任意の水平方向へ平行移動させると、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８が、保持部材２８の移動方向及び移動距離に対応して、全周に渡り異なる形態の弾性変形を生じる。それにより弾性部材２２は、主弾性部分４８の全体で合力としての弾性力を発揮し、保持部材２８をその移動方向と反対の方向に付勢する。したがってオペレータは、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８が生ずるばね付勢力に抗して、操作部１４を水平変位操作することになる。
【００４４】
操作部１４を図３の原点位置から水平変位操作すると、磁石１６と各磁電変換素子１８との相対的位置関係が変化し、各磁電変換素子１８の出力電圧が変動する。各磁電変換素子１８の出力電圧の変動は、回路基板３０上の図示しないＣＰＵでアナログ情報として処理されてデジタル座標データに変換され、回路基板３０に設けられるコネクタ部（図示せず）を介して、搭載対象機器（図示せず）のデータ処理回路に出力される。このようにして、操作部１４の保持部材２８の移動方向及び移動距離に対応して、例えば搭載対象機器のディスプレイ上のカーソルやポインタを所望方向に所望距離だけ移動することができる。
【００４５】
また、このデータ入力位置から、オペレータが操作部１４から指を離して操作力を解除すると、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８が生じているばね付勢力により、直ちに保持部材２８が磁石１６と一体的に原点位置に向けて移動し、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８が平衡状態に到達した時点で原点位置に復帰する。なお、保持部材２８が原点位置に復帰する間に、磁石１６の迅速な移動に伴って生じる各磁電変換素子１８の出力電圧の急激な変動は、例えばＣＰＵにおける処理フローでキャンセルしてデジタル座標データに変換しないように構成することができる。
【００４６】
さらに、図３に示す原点位置において、オペレータが操作部１４の操作面２４を例えば指先で押下して、保持部材２８の周壁５８の下端面を複数の弾性梁部分３６に押し付けることにより、それら弾性梁部分３６を弾性的に撓ませるとともに、１つの弾性梁部分３６の下方に位置するスイッチ機構２０を閉成させることができる。スイッチ機構２０の閉成信号は、回路基板３０に設けられるコネクタ部（図示せず）を介して、搭載対象機器（図示せず）のデータ処理回路に出力される。それにより、例えば搭載対象機器のディスプレイ上のポインタに関連してクリック操作を実施することができる。
【００４７】
上記構成を有するポインティングデバイス１０によれば、基部１２の支持部材３２に設けた平坦な支持面３６ａ上で、操作部１４の保持部材２８を水平方向へ移動させる構成としたから、操作部を基部上で揺動又は曲面移動させる従来の構成に比べて、基部１２の外形（特に高さ方向）寸法を削減することができる。また、操作部１４の操作性を向上させる弾性部材２２を、操作時にオペレータが指先を触接させる触接操作部材２６とは別部品として構成し、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０を、弾性部材２２の内部構造と触接操作部材２６との間に挟持する構成としたから、コスト的に有利な簡易な組立構造が実現される。
【００４８】
この組立構造において、触接操作部材２６は、カバー部材３４から外部に露出する弾性部材２２の中央に位置する第１連結部分５０を被覆するので、弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化を効果的に低減することができる。しかも、触接操作部材２６がそれ自体に設けた連結要素５４によって、弾性部材２２の内側の保持部材２８に連結される構成としたから、シリコンゴム等から作製される弾性部材２２に対して、適正選択が困難な接着剤を敢えて使用する必要は無くなる。触接操作部材２６と保持部材２８との連結強度は、例えば連結要素５４と嵌合要素６０との締まり嵌め度合を調節したり、それらの間に適当な接着剤（樹脂材料同士であるから一般に選択容易）を使用したりすることにより、構造的に容易に高めることができる。したがってポインティングデバイス１０では、各種構成部品に最適素材を使用しながら、製造コストを有意に削減することが可能になる。このように、ポインティングデバイス１０によれば、電子手帳、携帯情報端末（ＰＤＡ）、携帯電話等の、手持操作可能な種々の携帯型情報機器へ好適に搭載できる薄型構造を有しながらも、操作部１４に設置した弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化を極力回避でき、しかも製造コストを有意に削減できるようになる。
【００４９】
図６〜図８は、本発明の第２の実施形態によるポインティングデバイス７０を示す。ポインティングデバイス７０は、操作部の触接操作部材の構成以外は、前述した第１実施形態によるポインティングデバイス１０と実質的同一の構成を有するので、対応する構成要素には同一の参照符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００５０】
ポインティングデバイス７０は、基部１２と、基部１２に対して任意の水平方向へ変位可能に基部１２上に支持される操作部７２と、操作部７２に設置される第１磁気作用要素である円板状の磁石（例えば永久磁石）１６と、磁石１６の近傍で基部１２に設置される第２磁気作用要素である複数（図では４個）の磁電変換素子（例えばホール素子）１８と、基部１２と操作部７２との間に配置されるスイッチ機構２０とを備える。ポインティングデバイス７０は、操作部７２の水平変位に対応して、磁石１６と複数の磁電変換素子１８との協働下で磁界変化に基づく信号を出力する。
【００５１】
操作部７２は、基部１２上での水平方向への変位に伴い、操作部７２を変位原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を発揮する弾性部材２２と、弾性部材２２に取り付けられ、操作部７２を変位操作するための操作面７４を有する触接操作部材７６と、触接操作部材７６とは反対側で弾性部材２２に連結され、磁石１６を固定的に保持して基部１２上に水平方向へ移動可能に支持される保持部材２８とを備える。保持部材２８には、磁石１６と弾性部材２２との間に介在するヨーク６２が取り付けられる。磁石１６、保持部材２８及びヨーク６２は、弾性部材２２に担持される内部構造を構成する。
【００５２】
触接操作部材７６は、平面視略円形の皿状部材であり、操作面７４を有する主操作部分７８と、主操作部分７８から径方向外方へ張り出す環状の延長部分８０とを一体的に備える。主操作部分７８は、操作面７４の反対側の裏面７８ａで、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に密接する。主操作部分７８の裏面７８ａには、図９に示すように、複数（図では４個）の連結要素８２が所定の離間配置で一体的に形成される。各連結要素８２は、主操作部分７８の裏面７８ａに略直立状に立設される一対の嵌合部分８２ａを有し、両嵌合部分８２ａの間に、連結対象物を摩擦下で嵌合保持できるようになっている。各連結要素８２は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に形成した対応の受容孔５６に挿通され、第１連結部分５０を通過してその内側に延出する。なお、触接操作部材７６は、所望の樹脂材料から一体的に作製できる。
【００５３】
触接操作部材７６に設けた複数の連結要素８２は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０を貫通してその内側に延び、保持部材２８に設けた対応の嵌合要素６０に嵌合する。このとき、保持部材２８の各嵌合要素６０は、触接操作部材７６の各連結要素８２の両嵌合部分８２ａの間に好ましくは締まり嵌め状態で嵌入され、摩擦下で嵌合保持される。それにより、弾性部材２２の内部構造である磁石１６、保持部材２８及びヨーク６２と、触接操作部材７６とが相互に連結され、弾性部材２２はその第１連結部分５０にて、内部構造１６、２８、６２と触接操作部材７６との間に固定的に挟持される。このように、ポインティングデバイス７０では、弾性部材２２と触接操作部材７６及び保持部材２８との間に接着剤を用いることなく、それら部材２２、７６、２８を相互に固定的に連結することができる。なお、触接操作部材７６と保持部材２８とは、例えば相互嵌合する連結要素８２と嵌合要素６０との間に適当な接着剤を供給することにより、さらに強固に相互連結することができる。
【００５４】
触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０は、上記したように触接操作部材７６を弾性部材２２及び保持部材２８に適正に組み付けた状態で、弾性部材２２の第一連結部分５０に対して径方向外方へ張り出して、主弾性部分４８から離隔した位置に延設される。触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０は、後述するように、カバー部材３４から外部に露出する弾性部材２２の大部分を被覆して、弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化を効果的に低減するように作用する。
【００５５】
上記した各種構成部品を有するポインティングデバイス７０は、前述したポインティングデバイス１０の組立手順と同じ手順で容易に組み立てることができる。完成状態では、触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０は、カバー部材３４の環状壁４０よりも外側（図で上方）に配置され、操作部７２の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡って、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８及びカバー部材３４の環状壁４０に接触しないように配置される。なお、この組立手順では、磁石１６及びヨーク６２を操作部７２に一体的に組み合わせた操作部組立体を、支持部材３２の複数の支持面３６ａ上に載せた後に、その上にカバー部材３４を被せて支持部材３２に組み付けることにより、これら部品を一体化している（図８参照）。したがって、触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０の外径寸法は、必然的に、カバー部材３４の中心開口４２の内径寸法よりも小さく設定される。その結果、ポインティングデバイス７０をその鉛直上方から見たときに、延長部分８０の外縁８０ａと中心開口４２の内縁４２ａとの間には、僅かな環状の間隙が形成される（図１０参照）。
【００５６】
上記構成を有するポインティングデバイス７０は、前述したポインティングデバイス１０と同様にして操作でき、またポインティングデバイス１０と同等の作用効果を奏するものである。特にポインティングデバイス７０では、触接操作部材７６に、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０のみならず主弾性部分４８をも被覆する延長部分８０を設けたから、弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化の低減効果が一層顕著なものとなる。しかもこの延長部分８０は、操作部７２の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡って、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８及びカバー部材３４の環状壁４０に非接触に配置されるから、弾性部材２２による操作部原点復帰作用に影響を及ぼすことはない。
【００５７】
図１１は、ポインティングデバイス７０を筐体９０に内蔵した本発明の一実施形態による携帯型情報機器の主要部を示す。この携帯型情報機器では、筐体９０は、ポインティングデバイス７０の触接操作部材７６の操作面７４を外部に露出させるための、平面視略円形の開口部９２を有する。ポインティングデバイス７０の触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０は、筐体９０の開口部９２の内径寸法よりも大きな外径寸法を有し、その外周縁領域が、筐体９０の内側に非接触に配置される。
【００５８】
ここで、筐体９０の開口部９２は一般に、内蔵したポインティングデバイス７０を適正かつ円滑に操作できる寸法に設定される。したがって、前述したポインティングデバイス１０を筐体９０に内蔵した場合には、触接操作部材２６の外周縁と開口部９２の内周縁との間に比較的大きな隙間ができるので、開口部９２を通して弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８を容易に視認でき、その結果、主弾性部分４８を損傷する機会が増加することが懸念される。弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８は、操作部１４の原点復帰動作を主として支配する部分であるから、その損傷や劣化は操作部１４の操作性に影響を及ぼす危惧がある。これに対し、ポインティングデバイス７０を搭載した図示の携帯型情報機器では、ポインティングデバイス７０の触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０が、触接操作部材７６の主操作部分７８の外周縁と開口部９２の内周縁との間を見かけ上で塞ぐように配置されるので、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８を損傷する機会を効果的に低減することができる。さらにこの構成では、ポインティングデバイス７０の触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０が、筐体開口部９２の内周縁近傍の壁面内側に位置するので、オペレータが不注意で触接操作部材７６に偏った押圧力を加えたときに触接操作部材７６が傾くような望ましくない動作を、延長部分８０と筐体壁面との衝突により抑制することができる。
【００５９】
図１２は、上記したポインティングデバイス７０の変形例における構成部品を示す。この変形例では、触接操作部材７６の主操作部分７８と延長部分８０とが、互いに独立した別体の部材から形成されている。この場合、延長部分８０は、主操作部分７８を連結要素８２によって保持部材２８に連結する際に、その内周縁領域８０ｂで、主操作部分７８と弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０との間に固定的に挟持される。図１３は、この変形例によるポインティングデバイス７０を携帯型情報機器の筐体９０に内蔵した状態を示す。このような構成によれば、上記した作用効果に加えて、触接操作部材７６の主操作部分７８と延長部分８０とを、それぞれの機能に照らして、個々に最適な材料から作製できる利点が得られる。
【００６０】
図１４及び図１５は、本発明の第３の実施形態によるポインティングデバイス１００を示す。ポインティングデバイス１００は、基部の支持部材及び操作部の触接操作部材の構成、並びにスイッチ機構２０を省略した構成以外は、前述した第１実施形態によるポインティングデバイス１０と実質的同一の構成を有するので、対応する構成要素には同一の参照符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００６１】
ポインティングデバイス１００は、基部１０２と、基部１０２に対して任意の水平方向へ変位可能に基部１０２上に支持される操作部１０４と、操作部１０４に設置される第１磁気作用要素である円板状の磁石（例えば永久磁石）１６と、磁石１６の近傍で基部１０２に設置される第２磁気作用要素である複数（図では４個）の磁電変換素子（例えばホール素子）１８とを備える。ポインティングデバイス１００は、操作部１０４の水平変位に対応して、磁石１６と複数の磁電変換素子１８との協働下で磁界変化に基づく信号を出力する。
【００６２】
操作部１０４は、基部１０２上での水平方向への変位に伴い、操作部１０４を変位原点位置に復帰させる弾性力を発揮する弾性部材２２と、弾性部材２２に取り付けられ、操作部１０４を変位操作するための操作面１０６を有する触接操作部材１０８と、触接操作部材１０８とは反対側で弾性部材２２に連結され、磁石１６を固定的に保持して基部１０２上に水平方向へ移動可能に支持される保持部材２８とを備える。保持部材２８には、磁石１６と弾性部材２２との間に介在するヨーク６２が取り付けられる。磁石１６、保持部材２８及びヨーク６２は、弾性部材２２に担持される内部構造を構成する。
【００６３】
触接操作部材１０８は、所望の樹脂材料から作製される平面視略円形の皿状部材であり、操作面１０６を有する主操作部分１１０と、主操作部分１１０から径方向外方へ張り出す環状の延長部分１１２とを一体的に備える。主操作部分１１０は、操作面１０６の反対側の裏面１１０ａで、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に密接する。主操作部分１１０の裏面１１０ａには、図１６（ｂ）に示すように、複数（図では４個）の連結要素１１４が所定の離間配置で一体的に形成される。各連結要素１１４は、主操作部分１１０の裏面１１０ａに略直立状に立設される一対の嵌合部分１１４ａを有し、両嵌合部分１１４ａの間に、連結対象物を摩擦下で嵌合保持できるようになっている。各連結要素１１４は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に形成した対応の受容孔５６に挿通され、第１連結部分５０を通過してその内側に延出する。
【００６４】
触接操作部材１０８に設けた複数の連結要素１１４は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０を貫通してその内側に延び、保持部材２８に設けた対応の嵌合要素６０に嵌合する。このとき、保持部材２８の各嵌合要素６０は、触接操作部材１０８の各連結要素１１４の両嵌合部分１１４ａの間に好ましくは締まり嵌め状態で嵌入され、摩擦下で嵌合保持される。それにより、弾性部材２２の内部構造である磁石１６、保持部材２８及びヨーク６２と、触接操作部材１０８とが相互に連結され、弾性部材２２はその第１連結部分５０にて、内部構造１６、２８、６２と触接操作部材１０８との間に固定的に挟持される。このように、ポインティングデバイス１００では、弾性部材２２と触接操作部材１０８及び保持部材２８との間に接着剤を用いることなく、それら部材２２、１０８、２８を相互に固定的に連結することができる。なお、触接操作部材１０８と保持部材２８とは、例えば相互嵌合する連結要素１１４と嵌合要素６０との間に適当な接着剤を供給することにより、さらに強固に相互連結することができる。
【００６５】
触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２は、上記したように触接操作部材１０８を弾性部材２２及び保持部材２８に適正に組み付けた状態で、弾性部材２２の第一連結部分５０に対して径方向外方へ張り出して、主弾性部分４８から離隔した位置に延設される。触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２は、カバー部材３４から外部に露出する弾性部材２２の大部分を被覆して、弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化を効果的に低減するように作用する。
【００６６】
このように、触接操作部材１０８は、前述したポインティングデバイス７０における触接操作部材７６と実質的に同一の構成を有するものであるが、延長部分１１２の外径寸法が、触接操作部材７６の延長部分８０の外径寸法よりも大きくなっている。すなわち、触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２の外径寸法は、カバー部材３４の中心開口４２の内径寸法よりも大きく設定される。それにより、ポインティングデバイス１００をその完成状態において鉛直上方から見たときに、延長部分１１２の外縁１１２ａと中心開口４２の内縁４２ａとの間に、いかなる間隙も形成されないようになっている。特にポインティングデバイス１００では、操作部１０４の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡って、そのような見かけの間隙が形成されないように、触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２の外径寸法が設定されている。
【００６７】
基部１０２は、回路基板３０に固定的に連結される第１の支持部材１１６と、第１の支持部材１１６に隣接して回路基板３０に載置される第２の支持部材１１８と、第１の支持部材１１６の外周領域１１６ａを実質的に遮蔽して支持部材１１６に固定的に連結されるカバー部材３４とを備える。第１の支持部材１１６は、平面視で略八角形の板状部材であり、前述したポインティングデバイス１０における支持部材３２から複数の弾性梁部分３６を除去したものと実質的同一の構成を有する。したがって第１の支持部材１１６は、支持部材３２の取付部分３８に相当する複数（図では４個）の取付部分１２０を備え、カバー部材３４と協働して、それら取付部分１２０に載せられた弾性部材２２の第２連結部分５２を挟持する。
【００６８】
他方、第２の支持部材１１８は、平面視で略十字形の梁状部材であり、複数の取付部分１２０の間に形成される空所１２２（図１６（ｂ））に例えば圧入して設置される。第２の支持部材１１８は、ポインティングデバイス１００の中心軸線Ｐ（図１８）を中心として放射状に配置される４個の梁部分１２４を有し、それら梁部分１２４の、回路基板３０から離れた側に、回路基板３０の表面３０ａに実質的平行に広がる平坦な支持面１２４ａが形成される。支持面１２４ａは、回路基板３０の表面３０ａから突出した位置で、弾性部材２２の内部構造１６、２８、６２を任意の水平方向へ摺動自在に支持する。このように、第２の支持部材１１８は、一体構造である点以外は、前述した支持部材３２の複数の弾性梁部分３６に類似した構成を有する。
【００６９】
上記した各種構成部品を有するポインティングデバイス１００は、前述したポインティングデバイス１０の組立手順とは若干異なる以下の手順で容易に組み立てることができる。まず、磁石１６及びヨーク６２を組み込んだ支持部材２８を、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０の内側に嵌入して仮保持し、この弾性部材２２を、第１の支持部材１１６の複数の取付部分１２０に載せる。次に、弾性部材２２にカバー部材３４を被せ、カバー部材３４を第１の支持部材１１６に組み付ける（図１６（ａ））。この組立体に対し、カバー部材３４の外側から、触接操作部材１０８を前述した要領で、弾性部材２２及び保持部材２８に組み付ける。この状態で、必要に応じて、触接操作部材１０８の複数の連結要素１１４と嵌合相手の保持部材２８の嵌合要素６０との間に接着剤を供給する。その後、第１の支持部材１１６に第２の支持部材１１８を前述した要領で組み付けて、これら部品を一体化する（図１７）。そして、この一体化した半完成品を、複数の磁電変換素子１８を実装した回路基板３０の所定位置に固定的に載置することにより、ポインティングデバイス１００が完成する。なお、図１７に示す半完成品を回路基板３０に載置する際に、第２の支持部材１１８が意図せず第１の支持部材１１６から脱落することを防止するために、第２の支持部材１１８を組み付けた第１の支持部材１１６の底面に、図示のような押さえシート１２６を例えば接着剤により貼着することもできる。
【００７０】
上記した完成状態で、操作部１０４は、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８及び第１連結部分５０を、基部１２のカバー部材３４の中心開口４２に水平移動可能に挿通配置するとともに、触接操作部材１０８を、基部１２のカバー部材３４の環状壁４０から外方に突出した位置に配置する。このとき、触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２は、その外周縁領域でカバー部材３４の環状壁４０の外側（図で上方）に隙間を介して重畳配置され、操作部１０４の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡って、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８及びカバー部材３４の環状壁４０に接触しないように、かつ、前述の如く延長部分１１２の外縁１１２ａと中心開口４２の内縁４２ａとの間に見かけの間隙を形成しないように配置される。
【００７１】
上記構成を有するポインティングデバイス１００は、前述した第２実施形態によるポインティングデバイス７０と同様にして操作でき、またポインティングデバイス７０と同等の作用効果を奏するものである。特にポインティングデバイス１００では、触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２の外径寸法を、カバー部材３４の中心開口４２の内径寸法よりも大きく設定して、操作部１０４の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡り、中心開口４２の内側に配置される弾性部材２２の主要部分を被覆するように構成したから、弾性部材２２の損傷や劣化の低減効果がより一層顕著なものとなる。なお、ポインティングデバイス１００における分割型の第１及び第２の支持部材１１６、１１８の構成は、前述した組立手順において、触接操作部材１０８の複数の連結要素１１４を保持部材２８の対応の嵌合要素６０に適正に嵌着した状態でそれらの間に接着剤を供給する作業を容易にするためのものである。したがって、この接着剤供給作業が不要であるか又は他の代替手段を遂行できる場合は、これら支持部材１１６、１１８に代えて、前述した一体型の支持部材３２を使用することもできる。
【００７２】
図１８は、ポインティングデバイス１００を筐体９０に内蔵した本発明の他の実施形態による携帯型情報機器の主要部を示す。この携帯型情報機器では、筐体９０は、ポインティングデバイス１００の触接操作部材１０８の操作面１０６を外部に露出させるための、平面視略円形の開口部９２を有する。ポインティングデバイス１００の触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２は、筐体９０の開口部９２の内径寸法よりも十分に大きな外径寸法を有し、その外周縁領域が、筐体９０の内側に非接触に配置される。したがってこの携帯型情報機器では、ポインティングデバイス１００の触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２が、触接操作部材１０８の主操作部分１１０の外周縁と開口部９２の内周縁との間を見かけ上で塞ぐように配置されるので、弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８を損傷する機会を効果的に低減することができる。特に、触接操作部材１０８の延長部分１１２の寸法を、ポインティングデバイス１００の基部構造の制約を受けずに拡大できるので、操作部１０４の水平変位動作の全範囲に渡って確実に弾性部材２２の主弾性部分４８を保護できる。さらにこの観点では、携帯型情報機器の筐体開口部９２の寸法や形状も、ポインティングデバイス１００の構造の制約を受けずに、自由に設計することができるようになる。
【００７３】
図１９は、上記したポインティングデバイス１００の変形例における構成部品を示す。この変形例では、触接操作部材１０８の主操作部分１１０と延長部分１１２とが、互いに独立した別体の部材から形成されている。この場合、延長部分１１２は、主操作部分１１０を連結要素１１４によって保持部材２８に連結する際に、その内周縁領域１１２ｂで、主操作部分１１０と弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０との間に固定的に挟持される。図２０は、この変形例によるポインティングデバイス１００の半完成品の図、図２１は、この変形例によるポインティングデバイス１００を携帯型情報機器の筐体９０に内蔵した状態を示す。このような構成によれば、上記した作用効果に加えて、触接操作部材１０８の主操作部分１１０と延長部分１１２とを、それぞれの機能に照らして、個々に最適な材料から作製できる利点が得られる。
【００７４】
以上、本発明の種々の好適な実施形態を説明したが、本発明に係るポインティングデバイス及び携帯型情報機器の構成は、これら実施形態に限定されず、様々な変形を施すことができる。例えば、触接操作部材と弾性部材の内部構造とを相互連結する連結要素の構成は、上記各実施形態とは逆の構成、すなわち、内部構造から一体的に延設されて弾性部材を貫通する嵌合部分を有し、この嵌合部分が触接操作部材に摩擦嵌合する構成とすることができる。この場合、図２２に例示するように、保持部材２８の周壁５８に、その外周面から径方向外方及び軸線方向へ突出する複数（図では４個）の連結要素５４´を、所定の離間配置で一体的に形成する。他方、触接操作部材２６には、その裏面２６ａから直立状に突出する複数（図では４個）の嵌合要素６０´を、保持部材２８の複数の連結要素５４´に対応する位置に形成する。保持部材２８の各連結要素５４´は、弾性部材２２の第１連結部分５０に設けた受容孔５６を貫通して、触接操作部材２６の対応の嵌合要素６０´に、好ましくは締まり嵌め状態で嵌合する。このような構成によっても、弾性部材２２に対して接着剤を使用しない簡易な組立構造が実現される。
【００７５】
また、上記した連結要素の構成は、保持部材以外の弾性部材の内部構造、すなわち磁石やヨークと、触接操作部材との間に形成することもできる。さらに、本発明に係る薄型ポインティングデバイスの特徴的構成は、磁石と複数の磁電変換素子との位置関係が、図示実施形態とは逆の構成、すなわち基部に設置した磁石に対し、操作部に設置した磁電変換素子が変位するように構成されたポインティングデバイスにおいても、有効に採用でき、かつ同様に格別の作用効果を奏するものである。
【００７６】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、磁電変換素子型のポインティングデバイスにおいて、携帯型情報機器へ好適に搭載できる薄型構造を有しながらも、操作部に設置した弾性部材の損傷や劣化を極力回避するとともに、製造コストを有意に削減することが可能になる。さらに本発明によれば、このようなポインティングデバイスを携帯型情報機器に搭載することにより、ポインティングデバイスの操作性を損なうことなくその操作部に設けた弾性部材の寿命を向上させることが可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態によるポインティングデバイスの分解斜視図である。
【図２】図１のポインティングデバイスの組立斜視図である。
【図３】図２の線ＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩに沿ったポインティングデバイスの縦断面図である。
【図４】図１のポインティングデバイスの一部構成部品群を下方から示す分解斜視図である。
【図５】図４の構成部品群を組み合わせた状態で示す底面図である。
【図６】本発明の第２実施形態によるポインティングデバイスの分解斜視図である。
【図７】図６のポインティングデバイスの組立斜視図である。
【図８】図６のポインティングデバイスの半完成品の正面図である。
【図９】図６のポインティングデバイスに装備される触接操作部材を下方から示す斜視図である。
【図１０】図６のポインティングデバイスの組立平面図である。
【図１１】図６のポインティングデバイスを内蔵した本発明の一実施形態による携帯型情報機器の主要部を示す図で、図７の線ＸＩ−ＸＩに沿った縦断面図で示す。
【図１２】図６のポインティングデバイスの変形例における一部構成部品群を示す分解斜視図である。
【図１３】図１２の変形例によるポインティングデバイスを内蔵した携帯型情報機器の、図１１に対応する縦断面図である。
【図１４】本発明の第３実施形態によるポインティングデバイスの分解斜視図である。
【図１５】図１４のポインティングデバイスの組立斜視図である。
【図１６】図１４のポインティングデバイスの一部構成部品群を示す図で、（ａ）構成部品群の組立途中の斜視図、及び（ｂ）構成部品群を下方から示す分解斜視図である。
【図１７】図１４のポインティングデバイスの半完成品の正面図である。
【図１８】図１４のポインティングデバイスを内蔵した本発明の他の実施形態による携帯型情報機器の主要部の、図１１に対応する縦断面図である。
【図１９】図１４のポインティングデバイスの変形例における一部構成部品群を示す図で、（ａ）構成部品群の組立途中の斜視図、及び（ｂ）構成部品群を下方から示す分解斜視図である。
【図２０】図１９の変形例によるポインティングデバイスの半完成品の正面図である。
【図２１】図１９の変形例によるポインティングデバイスを内蔵した携帯型情報機器の、図１８に対応する縦断面図である。
【図２２】他の変形例によるポインティングデバイスの一部構成部品を下方から示す分解斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１０、７０、１００…ポインティングデバイス
１２、１０２…基部
１４、７２、１０４…操作部
１６…磁石
１８…磁電変換素子
２０…スイッチ機構
２２…弾性部材
２４、７４、１０６…操作面
２６、７６、１０８…触接操作部材
２８…支持部材
３４…カバー部材
４２…中心開口
４８…主弾性部分
５０…第１連結部分
５２…第２連結部分
５４、８２、１１４…連結要素
５６…受容孔
６０…嵌合要素
６２…ヨーク
７８、１１０…主操作部分
８０、１１２…延長部分
９０…筐体
９２…開口部
１１６…第１の支持部材
１１８…第２の支持部材[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pointing device incorporated in a data processing device. Further, the present invention relates to a portable information device equipped with a pointing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In a digital data processing device including a display and a keyboard, such as a personal computer or a word processor, input of analog information (for example, a moving direction and a moving distance of a fingertip) by a manual operation of an operator causes a cursor movement data or the like on a display to be input. 2. Description of the Related Art Devices having a pointing device as an auxiliary input device for designating coordinate data are well known.
[0003]
As a pointing device of this kind, a base, an operation unit swingably supported on a fulcrum on the base, a magnetoelectric conversion element installed on the base, and a magnet installed on the operation unit close to the magnetoelectric conversion element Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this pointing device, the operator swings the operation unit in an arbitrary direction on the base to change the relative positional relationship between the magnet and the magneto-electric conversion element, thereby changing the output voltage of the magneto-electric conversion element. Thus, analog information corresponding to the swing direction and the swing angle of the operation unit can be input.
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-339258
[0004]
In addition, a pointing device in which an operation unit is movably arranged along a curved surface portion provided on a base in place of the swing structure described above is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). Patent Literature 2 also discloses a configuration in which a switch mechanism is provided between a base and an operation unit, and an operator pushes the operation unit toward the base to activate the switch mechanism. According to this configuration, in addition to the input of the analog information, the click operation can be performed, for example, in relation to the pointer on the display of the device to be mounted by pressing the operation unit.
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-117875
[0005]
Further, as a thin pointing device that can be suitably mounted on a portable small data processing device, there is known a thin pointing device having a configuration in which an operation unit is moved in a horizontal direction with respect to a base (for example, see Patent Document 3). Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which a built-in optical sensor detects a horizontal movement direction and a movement distance of an operation unit. In this pointing device, an annular elastic member (rubber) is provided so as to surround the operation unit in order to secure an elastic force for returning the operation unit to the origin position of the horizontal movement operation. Further, a touch operation member for touching a fingertip when the operator performs a displacement operation of the operation unit is provided in connection with the elastic member.
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-154796 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, a magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device requires a small amount of movement of an operation unit required for inputting coordinate data and has relatively low power consumption, so that it can be used in electronic notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and the like. It is thought that it can be mounted particularly advantageously on various handheld portable information devices. However, the conventional magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2 described above employs a configuration in which the operation unit is swung or moved on a curved surface on the base, so that the magnet and the magneto-electric conversion element are used. It is necessary to secure an interval allowing swinging of the operation unit or movement of the curved surface between them, and as a result, the external dimensions (especially in the height direction) of the pointing device can be mounted on a portable information device. It was difficult to reduce to the extent.
[0007]
On the other hand, the pointing device disclosed in Patent Document 3 described above employs a configuration in which the operation unit is moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the base, so that even an optical sensor-type pointing device can be reduced in thickness to some extent. It is possible. Therefore, if such a horizontal movement structure of the operation unit is adopted for the above-mentioned magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device, it is considered that a thin pointing device which can be suitably mounted on a portable information device can be provided.
[0008]
Here, in the pointing device disclosed in Patent Document 3, in order to improve operability, an annular elastic member that returns the operation unit to the origin position of the horizontal movement operation is used. This elastic member is formed from an elastomer such as olefin rubber. However, with the thinning of the pointing device itself, the chance that an operator's finger or other object comes into contact with the elastic member increases, and the characteristics of the material are increased. It is feared that the elastic member is likely to be damaged or deteriorated. In particular, when a pointing device is mounted on a portable information device, a situation in which a foreign object can easily touch the elastic member through an opening for operating the pointing device provided in the housing of the information device is considered. It is required to avoid as much as possible. In this case, if the area of the opening is reduced, operability of the pointing device may be impaired.
[0009]
Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 3, the touch operation member provided for the operator to touch the fingertip during operation is formed integrally with the elastic member by a two-color molding method. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, it is advantageous to combine the touching operation member and the elastic member formed as separate members with each other. In this case, an adhesive is usually used to mutually fix the touching operation member and the elastic member. However, particularly due to the characteristics of the rubber material of the elastic member, the degree of freedom of selection of the adhesive is increased. And there is a risk that this may be a bottleneck in reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, when the adhesive is selected incorrectly, there is a concern that the touching operation member may fall off from the elastic member during use.
[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device, which has a thin structure that can be suitably mounted on a portable information device, while minimizing damage and deterioration of an elastic member installed on an operation unit, and An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device that can significantly reduce manufacturing costs.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable information device equipped with a magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device, which can improve the life of an elastic member provided on an operation unit without impairing the operability of the pointing device. To provide a type information device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a base, an operation unit supported on the base so as to be displaceable in a horizontal direction with respect to the base, and a first magnetic action installed on the operation unit. And a second magnetic operating element installed on the base in the vicinity of the first magnetic operating element, wherein the first magnetic operating element and the second magnetic operating element cooperate in response to a horizontal displacement of the operating portion. In the pointing device that outputs a signal based on a magnetic field change below, the operation unit includes an elastic member that exhibits an elastic force for returning the operation unit to the displacement origin position with a horizontal displacement on the base, and an elastic member. A touch operation member having an operation surface for performing a displacement operation of the operation unit, wherein the elastic member includes an internal structure including the first magnetic action element and a related member of the first magnetic action element; The contact operation member is sandwiched between Via a linking element extending through an elastic member, being connected to the internal structure, to provide a pointing device characterized by.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the first aspect, the internal structure includes a holding member fixedly holding the first magnetic action element and supported on the base so as to be movable in a horizontal direction. A pointing device is provided, wherein the holding member is connected to the touch operation member via the connection element.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the first or second aspect, the connecting element has a fitting portion integrally extended from the contact operation member and penetrating the elastic member. A pointing device is provided wherein the mating portion frictionally fits into the internal structure.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the first or second aspect, the connecting element has a fitting portion integrally extended from the internal structure and penetrating through the elastic member. Provides a pointing device that frictionally fits with the contact operation member.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pointing device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein an adhesive is supplied to the fitting portion.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circuit having a base having a circuit board electrically connected to the second magnetic action element and a substantially flat support surface for slidably supporting an internal structure in a horizontal direction. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a support member mounted on the board, wherein the pointing device is mounted on the circuit board inside a space formed between the circuit board and the support member. And a pointing device further provided with a switch mechanism that operates by operating the operation unit in a direction of pressing the operation unit against the support member.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 7 provides the pointing device according to claim 6, wherein the second magnetic element is mounted on the circuit board on the side opposite to the side on which the support member is mounted.
[0018]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first magnetic action element is a magnet, and the second magnetic action element is a magnetoelectric conversion element. provide.
[0019]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the touch operation member has an operation surface and holds the elastic member in cooperation with the internal structure. Provided is a pointing device including an operation portion and an extension portion that protrudes outward from the main operation portion and extends outside the elastic member.
[0020]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pointing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the main operation portion and the extension portion of the touch operation member are formed of separate members independent of each other.
[0021]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the elastic member includes a hollow cylindrical main elastic portion surrounding the internal structure over substantially the entire circumference, and a main elastic portion. A first connecting portion connected to the internal structure at one end and a second connecting portion connected to the base at the other end of the main elastic portion are integrally formed, and the base surrounds the second connecting portion of the elastic member. A pointing device, comprising: a cover member having an annular wall and a center opening through which the main elastic portion and the first connection portion are inserted so as to be movable in a horizontal direction, and wherein an extension of the contact operation member has an outer shape smaller than the center opening of the cover member. I will provide a.
[0022]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the elastic member includes a hollow cylindrical main elastic portion surrounding the internal structure over substantially the entire circumference, and a main elastic portion. A first connecting portion connected to the internal structure at one end and a second connecting portion connected to the base at the other end of the main elastic portion are integrally formed, and the base surrounds the second connecting portion of the elastic member. A pointing device having a cover member having an annular wall and a central opening through which the main elastic portion and the first connecting portion are inserted so as to be movable in a horizontal direction, and an extended portion of the contact operation member has an outer shape larger than the central opening of the cover member. I will provide a.
[0023]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the twelfth aspect, the base is placed on the circuit board electrically connected to the second magnetic action element, and cooperates with the cover member. A first support member for sandwiching the second connection portion of the elastic member, and a substantially flat surface mounted on the circuit board adjacent to the first support member and supporting the internal structure slidably in the horizontal direction. A second support member having a support surface.
[0024]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information device in which the pointing device according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects is built in a housing, wherein the housing is a touch operation member of the pointing device. A portable information device having an opening for exposing an operation surface to the outside, and an extended portion of the touch operation member having an outer shape larger than that of the housing.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the pointing device 10, and FIG. The pointing device 10 is an auxiliary input device for instructing two-dimensional coordinate data on a display in a data processing device such as a personal computer or a personal word processor, or a portable information device such as an electronic organizer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone. It can be used in a configuration integrated into a device housing.
[0026]
The pointing device 10 includes a base 12, an operation unit 14 supported on the base 12 so as to be displaceable in an arbitrary horizontal direction with respect to the base 12, and a disc serving as a first magnetic action element installed on the operation unit 14. (For example, permanent magnets) 16, a plurality of (four in FIG. 4) magnetoelectric conversion elements (for example, Hall elements) 18, which are second magnetic action elements, installed on the base 12 near the magnet 16, and the base 12. A switch mechanism 20 disposed between the control unit 14 and the operation unit 14. As will be described later, the pointing device 10 outputs a signal based on a magnetic field change in cooperation with the magnet 16 and the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 in accordance with the horizontal displacement of the operation unit 14.
[0027]
The operation unit 14 is provided with an elastic member 22 that exerts an elastic force for returning the operation unit 14 to the original position of the displacement in accordance with the horizontal displacement on the base 12, and is attached to the elastic member 22 to displace the operation unit 14. A touch operation member 26 having an operation surface 24 for operation, and connected to the elastic member 22 on the opposite side to the touch operation member 26, fixedly holding the magnet 16 and moving horizontally on the base 12. And a holding member 28 that is supported as possible. Further characteristic configurations of the operation unit 14 will be described later in detail.
[0028]
The base 12 supports a circuit board 30 on which electronic components such as a CPU (not shown) are mounted, a support member 32 fixedly connected to the circuit board 30, and an outer peripheral area 32a of the support member 32 by substantially shielding the same. A cover member 34 fixedly connected to the member 32. On the circuit board 30, a total of four magnetoelectric transducers 18 are arranged on the opposite side of the front surface 30 a on which the support member 32 is mounted (that is, on the back surface 30 b) at regular intervals around the center axis P of the pointing device 10. Implemented in The pointing device 10 can output an analog data signal in a two-dimensional coordinate system by such an arrangement of the magnetoelectric conversion elements 18.
[0029]
The support member 32 is a plate member having a substantially octagonal shape in a plan view. A plurality of support members 32 support the holding member 28 of the operation unit 14 in an arbitrary horizontal direction in a substantially circular concave region at the center thereof (see FIG. In this case, four elastic beam portions 36 are provided. The elastic beam portions 36 are arranged radially around the center axis P of the pointing device 10 and are integrally connected to the outer peripheral region 32a of the support member 32 at their radially outer ends. Each elastic beam portion 36 is disposed apart from the surface 30a of the circuit board 30, and can be elastically displaced independently of each other, with the integral connection portion with the outer peripheral region 32a as a fulcrum. The elastic beam portions 36 have flat support surfaces 36a that extend substantially parallel to the surface 30a of the circuit board 30 in a no-load state on the side away from the circuit board 30. The support surfaces 36a cooperate with each other to support the holding member 28 slidably in any horizontal direction at a position protruding from the surface 30a of the circuit board 30.
[0030]
The support member 32 is further formed with a mounting portion 38 which extends in a fan shape between the adjacent elastic beam portions 36. Each mounting portion 38 is integrally connected to the outer peripheral region 32a of the support member 32 at its radially outer end. An arc-shaped wall 38a that defines the horizontal movement range of the holding member 28 of the operation unit 14 is provided so as to surround the support surface 36a of each elastic beam portion 36 at the radial inner edge of the mounting portion 38. You. The arc walls 38a are arranged on the same circumference centered on the center axis P, so that the center axis P defines the origin position of the horizontal movement range of the holding member 28 on the plurality of support surfaces 36a. Each elastic beam portion 36 has an auxiliary arc-shaped wall 36b protruding adjacent to the support surface 36a and arranged on the same circumference as the arc-shaped wall 38a of each mounting portion 38.
[0031]
A positioning pin (not shown) protrudes from one of a pair of mounting portions 38 of the support member 32 facing each other, on a back surface opposite to the arc wall 38a. The support member 32 is fixedly assembled at a predetermined position on the circuit board 30 by fitting the positioning pins into holes (not shown) provided at corresponding positions on the circuit board 30. Note that an adhesive may be used as an auxiliary to firmly fix the support member 32 to the circuit board 30. Further, the support member 32 can be integrally formed from a desired resin material.
[0032]
The cover member 34 is a thin plate-like member having a substantially octagonal shape in plan view corresponding to the support member 32, and is formed in the annular wall 40 and a central region of the annular wall 40. A substantially circular center opening 42 is inserted so as to be movable horizontally. At the outer edge of the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34, extension pieces 44 are respectively provided along four opposing sides in a direction substantially orthogonal to the annular wall 40, and each extension piece 44 has a mounting hole 44a penetrating in the thickness direction. Is formed. The cover member 34 uses a plurality of claws 46 projecting sideways along the four opposing sides of the support member 32 into the corresponding mounting holes 44 a of the extension pieces 44 by utilizing the elastic deformation of each extension piece 44. By snap-fitting, it is fixedly assembled to the support member 32. The cover member 34 holds the operation unit 14 so as not to fall off from the base 12 in a state where a main operation part of the operation unit 14 projects outward through the center opening 42 as described later. Note that the cover member 34 can be integrally formed from a desired sheet metal material.
[0033]
The elastic member 22, the touch operation member 26, and the holding member 28 of the operation portion 14 are individually manufactured from desired materials as independent members, and are fixedly combined with each other. The elastic member 22 is formed of a bowl-shaped member having a substantially circular shape in a plan view. The main elastic portion 48 extends around the holding member 28 through a gap, and a first elastic portion 48 connected to the holding member 28 at one end of the main elastic portion 48. One connecting portion 50 and a second connecting portion 52 connected to the base 12 at the other end of the main elastic portion 48 are integrally provided. The main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 surrounds the holding member 28 over substantially the entire circumference, and has a frustoconical or dome-shaped contour shape which is arranged coaxially with the holding member 28 under no load. It is relatively easily elastically deformed during the horizontal displacement operation of the operation unit 14 on the base 12. Accordingly, the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 is elastically deformed in accordance with the horizontal movement of the holding member 28 on the base 12, and the holding member 28 is returned to the origin position in the horizontal movement range in accordance with the amount of the deformation. The elastic force to be exerted is exerted uniformly regardless of the horizontal movement direction of the holding member 28.
[0034]
The first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 is integrally extended by projecting in an axial direction from the small-diameter end of the main elastic portion 48 having a truncated cone shape, and is integrally extended. Fixedly accepted. The second connecting portion 52 of the elastic member 22 protrudes from the large-diameter end of the main elastic portion 48 having a truncated conical shape in a radial and axial direction in a flange-like manner and is integrally extended. The plurality of mounting portions 38 of the supporting member 32 and the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 are fixedly hung and sandwiched. The first and second connecting portions 50, 52 fixedly connect the elastic member 22 to the holding member 28 and the base 12, respectively, without substantially deforming while the holding member 28 moves horizontally on the base 12. .
[0035]
Note that the elastic member 22 can be integrally formed from various elastic materials such as synthetic rubber and natural rubber. In particular, considering that the reflow process is performed when the pointing device 10 is mounted on the main circuit board of the device to be mounted, it is advantageous to form the material from a material such as silicon rubber, whose properties are hardly deteriorated even at high temperatures. is there.
[0036]
The touch operation member 26 is a dish-shaped member having a substantially circular shape in a plan view, and is in close contact with the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 on the back surface 26 a opposite to the operation surface 24. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of (four in the figure) connecting elements 54 are integrally formed on the back surface 26 a of the touching operation member 26 in a predetermined separated arrangement. Each connecting element 54 has a pair of fitting portions 54a that are provided substantially upright on the back surface 26a of the contact operating member 26, and the object to be connected is fitted between the two fitting portions 54a under friction. Can be held together. On the other hand, a plurality of (four in the figure) receiving holes 56 penetrating the first connecting portion 50 are formed in the elastic member 22 at positions corresponding to the connecting elements 54. Each connecting element 54 is inserted into a corresponding receiving hole 56 of the first connecting part 50 and extends through and through the first connecting part 50. The contact operation member 26 can be integrally formed from a desired resin material.
[0037]
The holding member 28 is formed of a hollow cylindrical member having a rigidity that does not substantially deform during the horizontal displacement operation of the operation unit 14 on the base 12, and houses the magnet 16 inside the cylindrical peripheral wall 58. A stepped cavity 58a is formed. The magnet 16 can be fixed to the hollow portion 58a (the lower small-diameter portion in the figure) of the holding member 28 by using, for example, an adhesive or press-fitting. The holding member 28 is disposed on the support surface 36a in a state where one end surface (the lower end surface in the figure) of the peripheral wall 58 in the axial direction uniformly contacts the plurality of support surfaces 36a of the support member 32 constituting the base 12. ° Sliding in all directions can be translated.
[0038]
A plurality of (four in the figure) fitting elements 60 projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 58 of the holding member 28 are provided in the circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of connecting elements 54 of the contact operating member 26. It is formed at a predetermined position. The fitting elements 60 are fitted to the corresponding connecting elements 54 of the touch operation member 26 inside the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22. At this time, each fitting element 60 is fitted between the two fitting portions 54a of each connecting element 54, preferably in a tight fit state, and fitted and held under friction (see FIG. 5). The holding member 32 can be integrally formed from a desired resin material.
[0039]
A yoke 62 interposed between the magnet 16 and the elastic member 22 is attached to the holding member 28. The yoke 62 is a substantially disk-shaped member, and is attached to the holding member 28 while shielding the magnet 16 housed in the holding member 28 from one surface (the upper surface in the drawing). The yoke 62 can be fixed to the hollow portion 58a (the upper large-diameter portion in the figure) of the holding member 28 by using, for example, an adhesive or press-fitting. The yoke 62 is made of a desired magnetic metal material, and actively closes a magnetic path between the magnet 16 and the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 so that the magnetic field to the outside through the elastic member 22 and the contact operating member 26 is increased. Acts to prevent leakage.
[0040]
The magnet 16 and the holding member 28 and the yoke 62, which are related members of the magnet 16, constitute an internal structure supported by the elastic member 22. In the pointing device 10, as described above, the plurality of connecting elements 54 provided on the touch operation member 26 extend through the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 to the inside thereof, and are provided on the holding member 28. By frictionally fitting the corresponding fitting element 60, the internal structures 16, 28, 62 and the touch operation member 26 are interconnected. In this state, the elastic member 22 is fixedly held at the first connection portion 50 between the internal structure 16, 28, 62 and the touch operation member 26. As described above, in the pointing device 10, the members 22, 26, and 28 can be fixedly connected to each other without using an adhesive between the elastic member 22 and the contact operation member 26 and the holding member 28. it can. The contact operating member 26 and the holding member 28 can be connected to each other more firmly by supplying an appropriate adhesive between the connecting element 54 and the fitting element 60 to be fitted to each other. .
[0041]
On the surface 30a of the circuit board 30, a switch mechanism 20 for adding a click function is mounted inside a space formed between the circuit board 30 and the plurality of elastic beam portions 36 of the support member 32. . The switch mechanism 20 has a well-known opening / closing structure having a movable contact and a fixed contact, and these two contacts are arranged at positions slightly shifted from the center axis P of the pointing device 10. That is, the movable contact of the switch mechanism 20 is positioned immediately below the free end region of any one of the elastic beam portions 36 of the support member 32. The configuration of the switch mechanism 20 is arbitrary, and various switches such as a mechanical switch having a movable contact carried by a spring and a membrane switch having a pair of flexible circuit boards can be employed. Further, depending on the external dimensions of the switch mechanism 20, the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 can be installed in a space between the circuit board 30 and the plurality of elastic beam portions 36.
[0042]
The pointing device 10 having the various components described above can be easily assembled as follows. First, the operation unit 14 including the magnet 16 and the yoke 62 is integrally combined as described above. Next, the operation unit assembly is mounted on the plurality of support surfaces 36a of the support member 32, and the cover member 34 is put thereon and assembled to the support member 32, thereby integrating these components. Then, the integrated semi-finished product is fixedly placed at a predetermined position on the circuit board 30 on which the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 are mounted, whereby the pointing device 10 is completed. In this completed state, the operating section 14 inserts the main elastic portion 48 and the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and the contact operating member 26 through the center opening 42 of the cover member 34 of the base 12 so as to be horizontally movable. At the same time, the contact operation member 26 is disposed at a position protruding outward from the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 of the base 12. Therefore, the operator can operate the operation surface 24 provided on the contact operation member 26 with, for example, a fingertip to move the holding member 28 horizontally on the base 12.
[0043]
When the elastic member 22 of the operation unit 14 is in the equilibrium state shown in FIG. 3, the center axis of the magnet 16 held by the holding member 28 and the peripheral wall 58 coincides with the center axis P of the pointing device 10. In this state, the holding member 28 is positioned at the origin position of the horizontal movement range on the support member 32 of the base 12, and the four magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 on the circuit board 30 are arranged at positions equidistant from the magnet 16. . From this state, when the operator abuts the fingertip on the operation surface 24 to move the holding member 28 in parallel in an arbitrary horizontal direction, the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 corresponds to the moving direction and the moving distance of the holding member 28. Thus, different forms of elastic deformation occur over the entire circumference. Thereby, the elastic member 22 exerts an elastic force as a resultant force on the entire main elastic portion 48, and urges the holding member 28 in a direction opposite to the moving direction. Therefore, the operator performs the horizontal displacement operation of the operation unit 14 against the spring urging force generated by the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22.
[0044]
When the operation unit 14 is horizontally displaced from the origin position in FIG. 3, the relative positional relationship between the magnet 16 and each magneto-electric conversion element 18 changes, and the output voltage of each magneto-electric conversion element 18 changes. Fluctuations in the output voltage of each magneto-electric conversion element 18 are processed as analog information by a CPU (not shown) on the circuit board 30, converted into digital coordinate data, and transmitted via a connector (not shown) provided on the circuit board 30. Is output to a data processing circuit of a device to be mounted (not shown). In this manner, for example, the cursor or pointer on the display of the mounting target device can be moved in a desired direction by a desired distance in accordance with the moving direction and the moving distance of the holding member 28 of the operation unit 14.
[0045]
When the operator releases the finger from the operation unit 14 to release the operation force from the data input position, the holding member 28 is immediately integrated with the magnet 16 by the spring urging force generated by the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22. When the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 reaches an equilibrium state, it returns to the original position. While the holding member 28 returns to the home position, a sudden change in the output voltage of each magnetoelectric conversion element 18 caused by the rapid movement of the magnet 16 is canceled by, for example, a processing flow in the CPU, and the digital coordinate data is canceled. Can be configured so as not to be converted.
[0046]
Further, at the origin position shown in FIG. 3, the operator presses down the operation surface 24 of the operation unit 14 with, for example, a fingertip, and presses the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 58 of the holding member 28 against the plurality of elastic beam portions 36, whereby the elasticity The beam portion 36 can be elastically bent, and the switch mechanism 20 located below one elastic beam portion 36 can be closed. The closing signal of the switch mechanism 20 is output to a data processing circuit of a device to be mounted (not shown) via a connector (not shown) provided on the circuit board 30. Thereby, for example, a click operation can be performed in relation to the pointer on the display of the device to be mounted.
[0047]
According to the pointing device 10 having the above configuration, the holding member 28 of the operation unit 14 is horizontally moved on the flat support surface 36 a provided on the support member 32 of the base 12. The outer shape (especially in the height direction) of the base portion 12 can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration in which the base portion 12 swings or moves on a curved surface. Further, the elastic member 22 for improving the operability of the operation unit 14 is configured as a separate component from the touch operation member 26 for the operator to touch the fingertip during operation, and the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 Since it is configured to be sandwiched between the internal structure of the member 22 and the contact operation member 26, a simple assembly structure that is advantageous in terms of cost is realized.
[0048]
In this assembly structure, the contact operation member 26 covers the first connecting portion 50 located at the center of the elastic member 22 exposed to the outside from the cover member 34, so that damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22 are effectively reduced. can do. In addition, since the contact operation member 26 is connected to the holding member 28 inside the elastic member 22 by the connecting element 54 provided on the contact member 26, the elastic member 22 made of silicon rubber or the like can be used. It is no longer necessary to use an adhesive for which proper selection is difficult. The connection strength between the contact operation member 26 and the holding member 28 may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the degree of tight fit between the connection element 54 and the fitting element 60, or by using an appropriate adhesive between them (generally, because of the resin material, By using (easy selection), the structure can be easily increased. Therefore, in the pointing device 10, it is possible to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost while using the optimum material for various components. As described above, according to the pointing device 10, although it has a thin structure that can be suitably mounted on various portable information devices that can be held by hand, such as an electronic organizer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile phone, the operation can be performed. Damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22 installed in the portion 14 can be avoided as much as possible, and the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced.
[0049]
6 to 8 show a pointing device 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The pointing device 70 has substantially the same configuration as that of the pointing device 10 according to the above-described first embodiment except for the configuration of the touching operation member of the operation unit. Therefore, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.
[0050]
The pointing device 70 includes a base 12, an operation unit 72 supported on the base 12 so as to be displaceable in an arbitrary horizontal direction with respect to the base 12, and a disc serving as a first magnetic action element installed on the operation unit 72. (For example, permanent magnets) 16, a plurality of (four in FIG. 4) magnetoelectric conversion elements (for example, Hall elements) 18, which are second magnetic action elements, installed on the base 12 near the magnet 16, and the base 12. And a switch mechanism 20 disposed between the control unit 72 and the operation unit 72. The pointing device 70 outputs a signal based on a magnetic field change in cooperation with the magnet 16 and the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 in accordance with the horizontal displacement of the operation unit 72.
[0051]
The operation unit 72 is attached to the elastic member 22 for exerting an elastic force for returning the operation unit 72 to the original position of displacement in accordance with the horizontal displacement on the base unit 12, and the operation unit 72 is displaced. A touch operation member 76 having an operation surface 74 for operation, and connected to the elastic member 22 on the opposite side to the touch operation member 76, fixedly holding the magnet 16 and moving horizontally on the base 12. And a holding member 28 that is supported as possible. A yoke 62 interposed between the magnet 16 and the elastic member 22 is attached to the holding member 28. The magnet 16, the holding member 28, and the yoke 62 constitute an internal structure supported by the elastic member 22.
[0052]
The contact operation member 76 is a dish-shaped member having a substantially circular shape in a plan view, and integrally includes a main operation portion 78 having an operation surface 74 and an annular extension portion 80 projecting radially outward from the main operation portion 78. Prepare for. The main operation portion 78 is in close contact with the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 on the back surface 78 a opposite to the operation surface 74. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of (four in the figure) connecting elements 82 are integrally formed at a predetermined separation arrangement on the back surface 78 a of the main operation portion 78. Each connecting element 82 has a pair of fitting portions 82a which stand substantially upright on the back surface 78a of the main operation portion 78, and fits the object to be connected between the two fitting portions 82a under friction. It can be held. Each connecting element 82 is inserted into a corresponding receiving hole 56 formed in the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and extends through the first connecting portion 50 to the inside thereof. The contact operation member 76 can be integrally formed from a desired resin material.
[0053]
The plurality of connecting elements 82 provided on the touch operation member 76 extend through the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and extend inside the first connecting portion 50, and are fitted to the corresponding fitting elements 60 provided on the holding member 28. At this time, each fitting element 60 of the holding member 28 is preferably fitted in a tightly fitted state between both fitting portions 82a of each connecting element 82 of the contact operating member 76, and fitted and held under friction. . Thereby, the magnet 16, the holding member 28, and the yoke 62, which are the internal structure of the elastic member 22, and the contact operation member 76 are connected to each other, and the elastic member 22 is connected to the internal structure 16 at the first connection portion 50 thereof. , 28, 62 and the contact operation member 76 are fixedly held therebetween. As described above, in the pointing device 70, the members 22, 76, and 28 can be fixedly connected to each other without using an adhesive between the elastic member 22 and the contact operation member 76 and the holding member 28. it can. In addition, the contact operation member 76 and the holding member 28 can be connected to each other more firmly by supplying an appropriate adhesive between the connecting element 82 and the fitting element 60, for example. .
[0054]
The extended portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 is, with the touch operation member 76 properly assembled to the elastic member 22 and the holding member 28 as described above, radially with respect to the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22. It protrudes outward and extends at a position separated from the main elastic portion 48. As will be described later, the extended portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 covers most of the elastic member 22 exposed to the outside from the cover member 34 so that damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22 are effectively reduced. Works.
[0055]
The pointing device 70 having the various components described above can be easily assembled by the same procedure as the above-described assembly procedure of the pointing device 10. In the completed state, the extension portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 is disposed outside (upward in the figure) of the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34, and the elastic member extends over the entire range of the horizontal displacement operation of the operation portion 72. The main elastic part 48 of the cover 22 and the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 are arranged so as not to contact with each other. In this assembling procedure, after the operation unit assembly in which the magnet 16 and the yoke 62 are integrally combined with the operation unit 72 is mounted on the plurality of support surfaces 36a of the support member 32, the cover member 34 is placed thereon. These parts are integrated by mounting them on the support member 32 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the outer diameter of the extension portion 80 of the contact operation member 76 is necessarily set smaller than the inner diameter of the center opening 42 of the cover member 34. As a result, when the pointing device 70 is viewed from vertically above, a slight annular gap is formed between the outer edge 80a of the extension portion 80 and the inner edge 42a of the center opening 42 (see FIG. 10).
[0056]
The pointing device 70 having the above-described configuration can be operated in the same manner as the above-described pointing device 10, and has the same operation and effect as the pointing device 10. In particular, in the pointing device 70, since the contact operation member 76 is provided with the extension portion 80 that covers not only the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 but also the main elastic portion 48, the effect of reducing damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22 is provided. Becomes more remarkable. In addition, since the extension portion 80 is disposed in a non-contact manner with the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 and the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 over the entire range of the horizontal displacement operation of the operation portion 72, the elastic member 22 It does not affect the operation of the operation section.
[0057]
FIG. 11 shows a main part of a portable information device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the pointing device 70 is built in the housing 90. In this portable information device, the housing 90 has a substantially circular opening 92 in a plan view for exposing the operation surface 74 of the touch operation member 76 of the pointing device 70 to the outside. The extension portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 of the pointing device 70 has an outer diameter dimension larger than the inner diameter dimension of the opening 92 of the housing 90, and its outer peripheral edge region is in non-contact with the inside of the housing 90. Be placed.
[0058]
Here, the opening 92 of the housing 90 is generally set to a size that allows the built-in pointing device 70 to be properly and smoothly operated. Therefore, when the above-described pointing device 10 is incorporated in the housing 90, a relatively large gap is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the touching operation member 26 and the inner peripheral edge of the opening 92, so that the elasticity is increased through the opening 92. There is a concern that the main elastic portion 48 of the member 22 can be easily visually recognized, and as a result, the chance of damaging the main elastic portion 48 increases. The main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 is a portion that mainly controls the operation of returning the operation unit 14 to the home position. Therefore, damage or deterioration of the main elastic portion 48 may affect the operability of the operation unit 14. On the other hand, in the illustrated portable information device equipped with the pointing device 70, the extension 80 of the touch operation member 76 of the pointing device 70 is formed by the outer peripheral edge of the main operation portion 78 of the touch operation member 76 and the opening 92. The inner peripheral edge of the elastic member 22 is arranged so as to close the inner peripheral edge, so that the chance of damaging the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 can be effectively reduced. Further, in this configuration, since the extended portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 of the pointing device 70 is located inside the wall near the inner peripheral edge of the housing opening 92, the operator inadvertently biases the touch operation member 76. An undesired operation in which the contact operation member 76 is tilted when a pressing force is applied can be suppressed by a collision between the extension portion 80 and the housing wall surface.
[0059]
FIG. 12 shows components in a modification of the pointing device 70 described above. In this modification, the main operation portion 78 and the extension portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 are formed of separate members independent of each other. In this case, when the main operation portion 78 is connected to the holding member 28 by the connection element 82, the extension portion 80 is provided between the main operation portion 78 and the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 at the inner peripheral edge region 80b. Is fixedly pinched. FIG. 13 shows a state in which a pointing device 70 according to this modification is built in a housing 90 of a portable information device. According to such a configuration, in addition to the above-described functions and effects, there is an advantage that the main operation portion 78 and the extension portion 80 of the touch operation member 76 can be made of individually optimum materials in light of their respective functions. can get.
[0060]
14 and 15 show a pointing device 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The pointing device 100 has substantially the same configuration as the pointing device 10 according to the above-described first embodiment, except for the configuration of the base support member and the contact operation member of the operation unit, and the configuration in which the switch mechanism 20 is omitted. Corresponding components have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.
[0061]
The pointing device 100 includes a base 102, an operation unit 104 supported on the base 102 so as to be displaceable in an arbitrary horizontal direction with respect to the base 102, and a disk serving as a first magnetic action element installed on the operation unit 104. A magnet (for example, a permanent magnet) 16 and a plurality of (four in the figure) magnetoelectric conversion elements (for example, Hall elements) 18 which are second magnetic action elements installed on the base 102 near the magnet 16 are provided. The pointing device 100 outputs a signal based on a magnetic field change in cooperation with the magnet 16 and the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 in response to the horizontal displacement of the operation unit 104.
[0062]
The operation unit 104 is provided with an elastic member 22 that exerts an elastic force for returning the operation unit 104 to the original position of displacement in accordance with the horizontal displacement on the base 102, and is attached to the elastic member 22 to displace the operation unit 104. A touch operation member 108 having an operation surface 106 for operation, and connected to the elastic member 22 on the opposite side to the touch operation member 108, fixedly holding the magnet 16 and moving horizontally on the base 102. And a holding member 28 that is supported as possible. A yoke 62 interposed between the magnet 16 and the elastic member 22 is attached to the holding member 28. The magnet 16, the holding member 28, and the yoke 62 constitute an internal structure supported by the elastic member 22.
[0063]
The contact operation member 108 is a substantially circular dish-shaped member made of a desired resin material in plan view, and has a main operation portion 110 having an operation surface 106 and an annular shape projecting radially outward from the main operation portion 110. And an extension portion 112 of the same. The main operation portion 110 is in close contact with the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 on the back surface 110 a opposite to the operation surface 106. As shown in FIG. 16B, a plurality of (four in the figure) connecting elements 114 are integrally formed on the back surface 110a of the main operation portion 110 with a predetermined spacing. Each connecting element 114 has a pair of fitting portions 114a that are provided substantially upright on the back surface 110a of the main operation portion 110, and the object to be connected is fitted between the two fitting portions 114a under friction. It can be held. Each connecting element 114 is inserted into a corresponding receiving hole 56 formed in the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and extends through the first connecting portion 50 to the inside thereof.
[0064]
The plurality of connection elements 114 provided on the contact operation member 108 penetrate the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22 and extend to the inside thereof, and are fitted to the corresponding fitting elements 60 provided on the holding member 28. At this time, each fitting element 60 of the holding member 28 is preferably fitted in a tight fit between both fitting portions 114a of each connecting element 114 of the contact operating member 108, and is fitted and held under friction. . Thereby, the magnet 16, the holding member 28 and the yoke 62, which are the internal structure of the elastic member 22, are connected to the contact operation member 108, and the elastic member 22 is connected to the internal structure 16 at the first connection portion 50. , 28, 62 and the contact operation member 108 are fixedly held therebetween. As described above, in the pointing device 100, the members 22, 108, and 28 can be fixedly connected to each other without using an adhesive between the elastic member 22 and the contact operation member 108 and the holding member 28. it can. The contact operation member 108 and the holding member 28 can be interconnected more firmly, for example, by supplying an appropriate adhesive between the interlocking connection element 114 and the interlocking element 60. .
[0065]
The extended portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 is, with the touch operation member 108 properly assembled to the elastic member 22 and the holding member 28 as described above, radially with respect to the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22. It protrudes outward and extends at a position separated from the main elastic portion 48. The extended portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 covers most of the elastic member 22 exposed to the outside from the cover member 34 and acts to effectively reduce damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22.
[0066]
As described above, the touch operation member 108 has substantially the same configuration as the touch operation member 76 in the pointing device 70 described above, but the outer diameter of the extension portion 112 is different from that of the touch operation member 76. Is larger than the outer diameter of the extension portion 80. That is, the outer diameter of the extension portion 112 of the contact operation member 108 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the center opening 42 of the cover member 34. This prevents any gap from being formed between the outer edge 112a of the extension 112 and the inner edge 42a of the center opening 42 when the pointing device 100 is viewed from above vertically in its completed state. In particular, in the pointing device 100, the outer diameter of the extension portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 is set so that such an apparent gap is not formed over the entire range of the horizontal displacement operation of the operation unit 104. .
[0067]
The base 102 includes a first support member 116 fixedly connected to the circuit board 30, a second support member 118 mounted on the circuit board 30 adjacent to the first support member 116, And a cover member 34 which substantially shields the outer peripheral region 116a of the support member 116 and is fixedly connected to the support member 116. The first support member 116 is a plate-like member having a substantially octagonal shape in plan view, and has substantially the same configuration as the above-described pointing member 10 in which the plurality of elastic beam portions 36 are removed from the support member 32. Therefore, the first support member 116 includes a plurality of (four in the figure) mounting portions 120 corresponding to the mounting portions 38 of the support member 32, and is mounted on the mounting portions 120 in cooperation with the cover member 34. The second connecting portion 52 of the elastic member 22 is sandwiched.
[0068]
On the other hand, the second support member 118 is a beam member having a substantially cruciform shape in a plan view, and is, for example, press-fitted into a space 122 (FIG. 16B) formed between the plurality of mounting portions 120. Is done. The second support member 118 has four beam portions 124 radially arranged about the center axis P (FIG. 18) of the pointing device 100, and the side of the beam portions 124 away from the circuit board 30. Then, a flat support surface 124a extending substantially parallel to the surface 30a of the circuit board 30 is formed. The support surface 124a slidably supports the internal structure 16, 28, 62 of the elastic member 22 in an arbitrary horizontal direction at a position protruding from the surface 30a of the circuit board 30. As described above, the second support member 118 has a configuration similar to the plurality of elastic beam portions 36 of the support member 32 described above except that the second support member 118 is an integral structure.
[0069]
The pointing device 100 having the various components described above can be easily assembled by the following procedure which is slightly different from the procedure of assembling the pointing device 10 described above. First, the support member 28 incorporating the magnet 16 and the yoke 62 is fitted and temporarily held inside the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22, and the elastic member 22 is attached to the plurality of first support members 116. Place on part 120. Next, the cover member 34 is put on the elastic member 22, and the cover member 34 is assembled to the first support member 116 (FIG. 16A). The contact operation member 108 is attached to the elastic member 22 and the holding member 28 from the outside of the cover member 34 in the manner described above. In this state, an adhesive is supplied between the plurality of connecting elements 114 of the touch operation member 108 and the fitting element 60 of the holding member 28 to be fitted, as necessary. Thereafter, the second support member 118 is assembled to the first support member 116 in the manner described above, and these components are integrated (FIG. 17). Then, the integrated semi-finished product is fixedly mounted on a predetermined position of the circuit board 30 on which the plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements 18 are mounted, whereby the pointing device 100 is completed. In order to prevent the second support member 118 from unintentionally falling off the first support member 116 when the semi-finished product shown in FIG. A pressing sheet 126 as shown in the figure may be attached to the bottom surface of the first support member 116 to which the member 118 is attached by, for example, an adhesive.
[0070]
In the completed state described above, the operation unit 104 inserts the main elastic portion 48 and the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22 into the center opening 42 of the cover member 34 of the base 12 so as to be able to move horizontally, and performs a touching operation. The member 108 is disposed at a position protruding outward from the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 of the base 12. At this time, the extended portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 is superposed and arranged outside the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 (upward in the drawing) in the outer peripheral region with a gap therebetween, and the extension portion 112 of the operation portion 104 is moved horizontally. Over the entire range, the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 and the annular wall 40 of the cover member 34 are not in contact with each other, and between the outer edge 112a of the extension portion 112 and the inner edge 42a of the central opening 42 as described above. It is arranged so as not to form an apparent gap.
[0071]
The pointing device 100 having the above configuration can be operated in the same manner as the pointing device 70 according to the above-described second embodiment, and has the same operation and effect as the pointing device 70. In particular, in the pointing device 100, the outer diameter of the extended portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the center opening 42 of the cover member 34, and the entire diameter of the horizontal displacement operation of the operation section 104 is set. Since the main portion of the elastic member 22 disposed inside the center opening 42 is configured to be covered, the effect of reducing damage and deterioration of the elastic member 22 is further remarkable. Note that the configuration of the split first and second support members 116 and 118 in the pointing device 100 is such that the plurality of connecting elements 114 of the touching operation member 108 are engaged with the corresponding fitting of the holding member 28 in the assembling procedure described above. This is for facilitating the operation of supplying an adhesive therebetween while being properly fitted to the element 60. Therefore, when the adhesive supply operation is not necessary or other alternative means can be performed, the above-described integrated support member 32 can be used instead of the support members 116 and 118.
[0072]
FIG. 18 shows a main part of a portable information device according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the pointing device 100 is built in the housing 90. In this portable information device, the housing 90 has a substantially circular opening 92 in plan view for exposing the operation surface 106 of the touch operation member 108 of the pointing device 100 to the outside. The extended portion 112 of the touching operation member 108 of the pointing device 100 has an outer diameter that is sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the opening 92 of the housing 90, and its outer peripheral edge region is not inside the housing 90. Placed in contact. Therefore, in this portable information device, the extension 112 of the touch operation member 108 of the pointing device 100 is apparently located between the outer periphery of the main operation portion 110 of the touch operation member 108 and the inner periphery of the opening 92. Since it is arranged so as to close, the chance of damaging the main elastic portion 48 of the elastic member 22 can be effectively reduced. In particular, since the dimension of the extension 112 of the touch operation member 108 can be increased without being restricted by the base structure of the pointing device 100, the elastic member 22 can be reliably moved over the entire range of the horizontal displacement operation of the operation unit 104. The main elastic portion 48 can be protected. Further, from this viewpoint, the size and shape of the housing opening 92 of the portable information device can be freely designed without being restricted by the structure of the pointing device 100.
[0073]
FIG. 19 shows components in a modification of the pointing device 100 described above. In this modification, the main operation portion 110 and the extension portion 112 of the touch operation member 108 are formed of separate members independent of each other. In this case, when connecting the main operation portion 110 to the holding member 28 by the connection element 114, the extension portion 112 has an inner peripheral region 112 b between the main operation portion 110 and the first connection portion 50 of the elastic member 22. Is fixedly pinched. FIG. 20 is a view of a semi-finished product of the pointing device 100 according to this modification, and FIG. 21 shows a state in which the pointing device 100 according to this modification is built in a housing 90 of a portable information device. According to such a configuration, in addition to the above-described functions and effects, there is an advantage that the main operation portion 110 and the extension portion 112 of the touching operation member 108 can be made of individually optimum materials in light of their respective functions. can get.
[0074]
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configurations of the pointing device and the portable information device according to the present invention are not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, the configuration of the connecting element that interconnects the touch operation member and the internal structure of the elastic member is the reverse of the above-described embodiments, that is, it is integrally extended from the internal structure and penetrates the elastic member. It is possible to have a configuration in which a fitting portion is provided, and the fitting portion is frictionally fitted to the contact operation member. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 22, a plurality (four in the figure) of connecting elements 54 ′ projecting radially outward and axially from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 58 of the holding member 28 at a predetermined distance. It is formed integrally with the arrangement. On the other hand, a plurality of (four in the figure) fitting elements 60 ′ projecting upright from the back surface 26 a of the contact operation member 26 are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of connecting elements 54 ′ of the holding member 28. I do. Each connecting element 54 ′ of the holding member 28 passes through a receiving hole 56 provided in the first connecting portion 50 of the elastic member 22, and preferably has an interference fit with a corresponding fitting element 60 ′ of the contact operating member 26. Fit in state. Even with such a configuration, a simple assembly structure that does not use an adhesive for the elastic member 22 is realized.
[0075]
Further, the configuration of the connecting element described above can also be formed between the internal structure of the elastic member other than the holding member, that is, between the magnet or the yoke and the contact operating member. Further, the characteristic configuration of the thin pointing device according to the present invention is such that the positional relationship between the magnet and the plurality of magneto-electric conversion elements is opposite to the configuration in the illustrated embodiment, that is, the magnet installed on the base is installed on the operation unit. The present invention can be effectively applied to a pointing device configured such that the magneto-electric conversion element is displaced, and also has a special effect.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the magneto-electric conversion element type pointing device has a thin structure that can be suitably mounted on a portable information device, but the elastic member installed on the operation unit is damaged. And deterioration as much as possible, and the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced. Further, according to the present invention, by mounting such a pointing device on a portable information device, it is possible to improve the life of the elastic member provided on the operation unit without impairing the operability of the pointing device. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the pointing device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the pointing device taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a partial component group of the pointing device of FIG. 1 from below.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing a state in which the components shown in FIG. 4 are combined.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an assembled perspective view of the pointing device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a front view of a semi-finished product of the pointing device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a touch operation member provided in the pointing device of FIG. 6 from below.
FIG. 10 is an assembled plan view of the pointing device of FIG. 6;
11 is a view showing a main part of a portable information device incorporating the pointing device of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in a longitudinal sectional view along line XI-XI of FIG. 7;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a partial component group in a modification of the pointing device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portable information device incorporating a pointing device according to a modification of FIG. 12, corresponding to FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an assembled perspective view of the pointing device of FIG. 14;
16 is a view showing a part of the group of components of the pointing device of FIG. 14; FIG. 16 (a) is a perspective view of the part during assembly, and FIG. 16 (b) is an exploded perspective view of the part;
FIG. 17 is a front view of a semi-finished product of the pointing device of FIG. 14;
FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11 of a main part of a portable information device according to another embodiment of the present invention incorporating the pointing device of FIG. 14;
19A and 19B are views showing a partial component group in a modification of the pointing device of FIG. 14; FIG. 19A is a perspective view of the component part group in the process of being assembled; and FIG. 19B is an exploded perspective view showing the component part group from below. It is.
20 is a front view of a semi-finished pointing device according to a modification of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18 of a portable information device incorporating a pointing device according to a modification of FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of components of a pointing device according to another modification from below.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 70, 100 ... pointing device
12, 102 ... base
14, 72, 104 ... operation unit
16 ... magnet
18… Magnetoelectric conversion element
20 ... Switch mechanism
22 ... elastic member
24, 74, 106 ... operation surface
26, 76, 108 ... Touch operation member
28 ... Support member
34 ... Cover member
42 ... Center opening
48 ... Main elastic part
50: first connecting portion
52: second connecting portion
54, 82, 114 ... connecting elements
56 ... receiving hole
60 ... fitting element
62 ... Yoke
78, 110: Main operation part
80, 112 ... extension
90 ... housing
92 ... opening
116: first support member
118 ... second support member

Claims

A base, an operating unit supported on the base so as to be displaceable in a horizontal direction with respect to the base, a first magnetic operating element installed on the operating unit, and the base in the vicinity of the first magnetic operating element And a second magnetic operating element installed at the second position, and outputs a signal based on a magnetic field change in cooperation with the first magnetic operating element and the second magnetic operating element in response to the horizontal displacement of the operation unit. A pointing device
The operation unit includes an elastic member that exerts an elastic force for returning the operation unit to the original position of displacement along with the displacement in the horizontal direction on the base, and is attached to the elastic member to perform a displacement operation on the operation unit. A contact operation member having an operation surface for performing
The elastic member is sandwiched between an internal structure including the first magnetic action element and a related member of the first magnetic action element, and the touch operation member,
The contact operation member is connected to the internal structure via a connection element extending through the elastic member;
A pointing device characterized by the following:

The internal structure includes a holding member fixedly holding the first magnetic action element and supported on the base so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, wherein the holding member is configured to contact the first magnetic action element via the connection element. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is connected to an operation member.

3. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element has a fitting portion integrally extended from the contact operation member and penetrating the elastic member, and the fitting portion friction-fits with the internal structure. 4. A pointing device as described.

3. The connection element according to claim 1, wherein the connection element has a fitting portion integrally extended from the internal structure and penetrates the elastic member, and the fitting portion frictionally fits with the contact operation member. 4. A pointing device as described.

The pointing device according to claim 3, wherein an adhesive is supplied to the fitting portion.

The base has a circuit board electrically connected to the second magnetic action element and a substantially flat support surface slidably supporting the internal structure in the horizontal direction, and is mounted on the circuit board. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a supporting member, which is mounted on the circuit board inside a space formed between the circuit board and the supporting member, A pointing device further comprising a switch mechanism that operates by operating the operation unit in a direction to press the support member against the support member.

7. The pointing device according to claim 6, wherein the second magnetic action element is mounted on the circuit board on a side opposite to a side on which the support member is mounted.

The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first magnetic action element is a magnet, and the second magnetic action element is a magnetoelectric conversion element.

The touch operation member includes a main operation portion having the operation surface and holding the elastic member in cooperation with the internal structure, and extending outward from the main operation portion to extend outside the elastic member. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an extended portion.

The pointing device according to claim 9, wherein the main operation portion and the extension portion of the touch operation member are separate members independent of each other.

The elastic member includes a hollow cylindrical main elastic portion surrounding the internal structure over substantially the entire circumference, a first connecting portion connected to the internal structure at one end of the main elastic portion, A second connecting portion integrally connected to the base at the other end of the portion, the base including an annular wall surrounding the second connecting portion of the elastic member, the main elastic portion, and the first connection; 11. A cover member having a center opening through which a portion is horizontally movably inserted, wherein the extended portion of the touch operation member has an outer shape smaller than the center opening of the cover member. pointing device.

The elastic member includes a hollow cylindrical main elastic portion surrounding the internal structure over substantially the entire circumference, a first connecting portion connected to the internal structure at one end of the main elastic portion, A second connecting portion integrally connected to the base at the other end of the portion, the base including an annular wall surrounding the second connecting portion of the elastic member, the main elastic portion, and the first connection; 11. A cover member having a center opening through which a portion is horizontally movably inserted, wherein the extension portion of the touch operation member has an outer shape larger than the center opening of the cover member. pointing device.

The base is a circuit board electrically connected to the second magnetic action element, and a second circuit board mounted on the circuit board and holding the second connection portion of the elastic member in cooperation with the cover member. A second support member having a substantially flat support surface mounted on the circuit board adjacent to the first support member and slidably supporting the internal structure in the horizontal direction; The pointing device according to claim 12, comprising:

A portable information device having the pointing device according to any one of claims 9 to 13 incorporated in a housing, wherein the housing has the operation surface of the touching operation member of the pointing device outside. A portable information device having an opening to be exposed, wherein the extended portion of the touch operation member has an outer shape larger than the opening of the housing.