JP2563761Y2 - XY coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an XY coordinate input device provided in a display device such as a CRT display and detecting the amount and direction of rotation of a rotating ball by a pair of rotation angle detecting means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this kind of XY coordinate input device, a device using a rotating ball for controlling a cursor position and inputting a graphic is widely used.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a conventional example of such an XY coordinate input device. In the same figure, a rotating sphere 2 made of steel balls or the like is rotatably housed inside a casing 1, and a driven portion 3 a is brought into contact with the rotating sphere 2 so that a pair of bearings 4, 5 are pivoted. The supported first rotating shaft 3 and the second rotating shaft 6 that is also supported by the pair of bearings 7 and 8 by bringing the driven portion 6a into contact with the rotating sphere 2 make the respective axes perpendicular to each other. They are arranged in a positional relationship. Code plates 9 and 10 having slits (not shown) at regular intervals are fixedly provided on each of the rotating shafts 3 and 6, and a light emitting element 11 and a light receiving element 12 are provided on both sides of the code plate 9 therebetween.
Are arranged facing each other, and a light emitting element 13 and a light receiving element 14 are arranged facing each other with the code plate 10 interposed therebetween.

Therefore, when the rotating sphere 2 slightly projecting from an opening (not shown) of the casing 1 is rotated in an arbitrary direction by manual operation, the first and second rotating shafts 3 and 3 are rotated.
6 rotates in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating sphere 2, so that the rotation angles of the code plates 9, 10 are detected by the light emitting elements 11, 13 and the light receiving elements 12, 14 so that The rotation angles of the rotating shafts 3 and 6 can be individually extracted, and the detection signals of the rotating angles of the two rotating shafts 3 and 6 obtained as described above are input to a display device (not shown) as the X coordinate component and the Y coordinate component of the rotating sphere 2. It has become so.

In order to ensure that power is transmitted between the rotating sphere 2 and each of the rotating shafts 3 and 6, the line connecting the driven portions 3a and 6a is vertically divided into two equal parts. The rotatable sphere 2 is rotatable on a straight line passing through the center of the sphere 2.
A biasing roller 15 is disposed to elastically contact the roller.

[0006]

By the way, such an XY coordinate input device is provided with a peripheral portion of an opening of a casing 1 and a rotatable projecting member protruding from the opening so that the rotatable sphere 2 can rotate smoothly. It is necessary to secure a slight clearance between the rotating sphere 2 and the sphere 2. However, if an excessive operating force is applied to the rotating sphere 2 during operation (particularly at the time of starting, etc.), the clearance within the range of the clearance is required. The rotating sphere 2 is likely to be displaced, and at that time, the bearings 4 and 5 and the bearings 7 and 8
There is a possibility that the first rotating shaft 3 and the second rotating shaft 6 supported by the rotating shaft 2 may receive a strong force from the rotating sphere 2, and these rotating shafts 3 and 6 may cause plastic deformation. Was. Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed a type in which both the rotating shafts 3 and 6 are thickened to increase the mechanical strength. However, in such a case, the bearings and the like must be increased, which hinders miniaturization and cost reduction of the device. Will be done.

[0007]

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to ensure that the rotating shaft is not deformed even if it receives a strong force from the rotating sphere, and that the rotating shaft is reliably linked to the rotation of the rotating sphere.
X which can, and it can be made compact and space-saving
-To provide a Y coordinate input device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a casing having an opening, a rotating sphere housed in the casing and having a part of the upper hemisphere protruding from the opening, and a rotating sphere. a pair of rotary shaft rotates in conjunction with rotation of the sphere is the axial direction of each other at the intersection relationship, and the code plate is integrated respectively to these two rotary shafts, rotation that is opposed through the code plate ; and a corner detector, the detectable X-Y coordinate input device when rotating the driven rotating sphere the rotation amount and rotation direction by the rotation angle detecting means, the one end portion of the pair of rotary shafts On the center
A pair of bearings that are supported so as to be capable of swinging downward,
A spring member for urging the rotation shaft upward, the pair of
The rotation member is provided with the above-mentioned spring member in a state where its axis crosses at an acute angle.
Is pressed against the lower hemisphere of the rotated sphere by
Both, the two contact points with the rotating sphere and the rotating sphere
Are achieved by orthogonally arranging the lines connecting the center points of .

[0010]

According to the above means, the point of contact between the rotating sphere and the rotating shaft is set on the lower hemisphere side of the rotating sphere, and the rotating shaft is allowed to move while allowing the axis of the rotating shaft to fluctuate. Even if a pivot bearing is provided to support the rotating shaft and receives a strong force from the rotating sphere, the rotating shaft can move the axis while pushing the spring member, so that the external force is reduced. Also,
Even in the state where the axis is deflected in this way, the rotating shaft is urged upward by the spring member in a direction other than the center direction of the rotated sphere, so that it can be reliably linked to the rotation of the rotated sphere.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c) are a plan view, a front view and a side view showing the entire structure of an XY coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part viewed from above the XY coordinate input device, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part viewed from the front of the XY coordinate input device, FIG.
(B), (c), and (d) are a rear view, a plan view, a front view, and a bottom view of the casing, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an enlarged view of FIG. 4 (d), and FIG. Sectional view along line AA,
(B) is a cross-sectional view along line BB, (c) is a cross-sectional view along line CC, (d) is a cross-sectional view along line DD,
(E) is a cross-sectional view along the line EE, (f) is a cross-sectional view along the line FF, FIGS. 7 (a), (b), and (c) are plan views showing the lid, and front view. It is a figure and a side view, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to FIG. 8 demonstrated previously.

The XY coordinate input device shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 rotates a rotating sphere 2 projecting from an opening 24 of a casing 1 in an arbitrary direction with a finger to display the image on a screen of a display device (not shown). The position of the cursor is controlled, and a pair of rotating shafts 3 and 6 interlocked with the rotation of the rotating sphere 2
Is supported. The rotating spheres 2 are attached to the rotating shafts 3 and 6.
Rollers 19 and 20 that are brought into contact with each other are fixedly provided. The first rotating shaft 3 has one end near the code plate 9,
As shown in FIG. 2, a synthetic resin having high wear resistance is supported by a pivot bearing 16. The end of the rotating shaft 3 on the side opposite to the code plate 9 is a torsion coil. Terminal 1 extending linearly of spring 17 and having its tip bent in an L-shape
The roller 19 is constantly urged toward the rotating sphere 2 by 7a. Therefore, this rotating shaft 3 is
In addition to rotating in the circumferential direction in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft, the shaft is allowed to swing in the vertical direction while centering on the pivot bearing 16. Similarly, the second rotating shaft 6 that brings the roller 20 into contact with the rotating sphere 2 also has one end near the code plate 10 supported by a pivot bearing 21 equivalent to the pivot bearing 16, terminal at the opposite end, of the torsion coil spring 22 and the code plate 10 side
Since the rotating sphere 2 is constantly urged toward the rotating sphere 2 by the rotation shaft 22a , the rotating shaft 2 not only rotates in the circumferential direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating sphere 2, but also swings up and down around the pivot bearing 21. Run-out is allowed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rollers 19 and 20 are set so that the contact point A with the rotating sphere 2 is inside the maximum diameter portion, that is, on the surface of the lower hemisphere.
The torsion coil springs 17 and 22 urge the rotating shafts 3 and 6 from below, and the rotating sphere 2 protrudes in the swinging direction of the rotating shafts 3 and 6. Axis 3,
The rollers 19 and 20 are pressed against the rotating sphere 2 respectively.

The rotating sphere 2 of the rollers 19 and 20
Are disposed at an angle of 90 degrees about the center point of the rotating sphere 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation shaft 3 of the roller 19 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the casing 1 (not shown, for example, θ ₁ = −8).
°: based on the longitudinal direction of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 2)
It is arranged. On the other hand, the rotation shaft 6 of the roller 20 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 1 is arranged to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (not shown, for example, θ ₂ = 75 °: based on the longitudinal direction of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 2). And the axes of the two rotating shafts 3 and 6 intersect at an acute angle.
Has become . θ ₁ −θ ₂ ≠ 90 °, and in the present embodiment, θ ₂ −θ ₁ = 83 ° <90 °. At the contact points A, A, the angles of the rotating shafts 3 and 6 with respect to the rotating sphere 2 are different, but they are in orthogonal contact with the center of the rotating sphere 2, and The outer peripheral surfaces of the rollers 19 and 20 are formed in a semicircular cross section. For this reason, even if the rotation axes 3 and 6 are not orthogonal, since the contact points A and A are orthogonal, the detection of the amount of ball rotation in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is not affected and no correction is required. And, the rotating shafts 3, 6, rollers 9, 10,
Since the components such as the torsion coil spring 22 are arranged, as in the conventional example, for example, the rollers 9, 10 and the torsion coil spring 22
And so on, and there is no dead space, so that the apparatus as a whole does not become large. That is, in the present embodiment, the components are arranged so as to fill the dead space by arranging the components at an angle, and the protruding portions of the protruding components are also retracted to reduce the protruding length. It can be shortened and made compact as a whole.

[0016] In FIG. 2, 34 and 35 Ah in the circuit board
You .

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the casing 1 is formed with holes for accommodating and holding the torsion coil springs 17 and 22, respectively.
And coil recesses 28 and 30 through which the ends 17a and 22a are inserted. The casing 1 has a rotating shaft 3,
A housing recess 31 for housing the code plate 9 and the like, a housing recess 32 for housing the rotating shaft 6, the code plate 10 and the like, and the rotating sphere 2
Are provided, and concave portions 36, 36, 36 for holding the support spheres 23 described later are provided.

FIG. 7 shows a cover 25 attached to the upper surface of the casing 1. The cover 25 is provided with an opening 26 from which the rotating sphere 2 is projected, and the cover 25 allows the rotating sphere 2 to cover the casing. I tried not to drop from 1.

High-hardness supporting spheres 23 made of ruby or the like are incorporated in three places on the inner bottom surface of the casing 1. The rotating spheres 2 are mounted on these supporting spheres 23 and supported at three points, so that they can be rotated. The stability and good operability of the sphere 2 are guaranteed.

The construction of a portion of the embodiment which is not particularly described is the same as that of the above-described conventional example.
When the rotating sphere 2 slightly projecting from the rotating sphere 4 is rotated in an arbitrary direction, the first and second rotating shafts 3 and 6 whose axial directions cross each other interlock with the rotation of the rotating sphere 2 respectively. rotated, the code plate rotation angle of each code plate 9
Rotation angle detection means disposed opposite to each other via 9, 10
Detected by all light emitting elements 11 and 13 and light receiving elements 12 and 14
The rotation amount and the rotation direction of the rotated sphere 2
, And the detection signals of the rotation angles of the two rotating shafts 3 and 6 are input to a display device (not shown) as the X coordinate component and the Y coordinate component of the rotating sphere 2.

When an excessive operating force is applied to the rotating sphere 2 during operation, the rotating sphere 2 is displaced within the clearance between the peripheral portion of the opening 24 and the rotating sphere 2. And the first rotating shaft 3 and the second rotating shaft 6 may receive a strong force from the rotating sphere 2,
Even if such a strong external force acts, each of the rotating shafts 3 and 6 can cause the axis thereof to move while pushing the ends 17a and 22a of the torsion coil springs 17 and 22, respectively. The external force received from the sphere 2 is relieved, so that there is no concern about plastic deformation even if the mechanical strength is not increased by making both the rotating shafts 3 and 6 thicker, and the structure is advantageous in promoting miniaturization. . Further, even in the state where the axes are displaced in this manner, the rotating shafts 3 and 6 are urged upward by the torsion coil springs 17 and 22 so that the rollers 19 and 20 come into contact with the rotating sphere 2. It can be reliably linked to the rotation of the rotating sphere 2, and furthermore, even if the axis is shaken and the code plates 9, 10 are slightly tilted, there is no danger of detection error due to the optical reading type, so that high reliability is achieved. Can be expected. In addition, the number of bearings is reduced by half as compared with the conventional product which required two bearings on one rotating shaft, and the torsion coil springs 17, 22 which were not provided in the conventional product are inexpensive. Costs have been significantly reduced.

The rotating sphere 2 and the rollers 1 of the rotating shafts 3 and 6
The contact points A, A with the spheres 9, 20 are set on the lower hemisphere side of the sphere 2 to be rotated, and a pivot bearing 18 that supports the rotation shafts 3, 6 while allowing the axis of the rotation shafts 3, 6 to be provided. , Rotating shaft 3,
Since the torsion coil springs 17 and 22 for urging the rotating shaft 6 upward are provided, when the rotating shafts 3 and 6 receive a strong force from the rotating sphere 2 during operation, the rotating shafts 3 and 6 are interlocked with the rotating sphere 2 in a state where the axis is moved. Therefore, there is no danger of deformation even if the mechanical strength is not increased by making the rotating shafts 3 and 6 thicker, and the rotating shafts 3 and 6 are not deformed even when receiving a strong force from the rotating sphere, and The structure is simple, space can be saved, and miniaturization and cost reduction can be achieved.

It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to other X-rays such as a mouse.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a Y coordinate input device.

[0024]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention employs a rotating shaft.
The axis of rotation can be swung while the axes of
Since the rotating shaft receives the strong force from the rotating sphere during operation , the rotating shaft interlocks with the rotating sphere in a state where the axis is shaken, so that the interlocking of the rotating shaft can be improved.
Deformation may occur even if the rotating shaft is not thickened to increase strength
And the rotating shaft is deformed even when receiving strong force from the rotating sphere
And the structure of the spring is simple.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an excellent XY coordinate input device in which the size of the device can be reduced and the cost can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire structure of an XY coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a main part of the XY coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of the XY coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a casing of the XY coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a casing of the XY coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a lid of the XY coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an internal structure of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Rotating sphere 3,6 Rotation axis 9,10 Code plate 17,22 Torsion coil spring 19,20 Roller

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A casing having an opening, a rotated sphere housed in the casing, and a part of the upper hemisphere side protruding from the opening, and a rotational axis interlocked with the rotation of the rotated sphere, the axes of which rotate with each other. A pair of rotating shafts having directions intersecting with each other, a code plate integrated with each of the rotating shafts , and rotation angle detecting means arranged to face each other via the code plate; Is rotated, the rotation amount and the rotation direction can be detected by the rotation angle detecting means.
In the coordinate input device, the pair of rotating shafts are vertically swung about one end thereof.
A pair of bearings that support the shaft and the pair of rotating shafts
And a spring member for urging the pair of rotating shafts in a state where their axes intersect at an acute angle.
The spring member presses and contacts the lower hemisphere of the rotating sphere.
And both contact points with the rotating sphere and the
An XY coordinate input device, wherein lines connecting the center points of the rotated spheres are arranged orthogonally .