JP4187035B2 - Trackball device used in electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a trackball device used for an electronic apparatus , which is an input device capable of various input operations by a predetermined operation on an operating body.

  In recent years, electronic devices equipped with input devices for various input operations have been remarkably widespread.

  Such a conventional electronic device will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an essential part of a conventional electronic device. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes an input device, whose terminal portion 2 is electrically and mechanically soldered to a predetermined position of a wiring board 3 of the electronic device used. It is connected.

  The input device 1 has an operation body 4 that protrudes or is exposed on the upper side, and the operation body 4 is operated in a predetermined direction by touching the operation body 4 with a hand or a finger of an operator. An electric signal corresponding to the operation is output.

  Then, this electric signal is transmitted to a microcomputer (not shown) of the electronic device through a terminal portion 2 electrically connected to the wiring board 3 of the electronic device by soldering, and the electronic device is adapted to the signal. Activate a given function.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a casing that is an upper case of the electronic device, and includes an opening 5A through which the operating body 4 of the input device 1 can be inserted. Only the operating body 4 of the input device 1 is provided through the opening 5A. The input device 1 is disposed on the wiring board 3 to which the input device 1 is fixed so as to protrude or be exposed on the upper surface side.

  The electronic device including the conventional input device 1 configured as described above performs various operations of the electronic device by performing a predetermined operation on the operation body 4 of the input device 1 protruding or exposed upward from the housing 5. The function could be activated.

  However, in the above-described conventional electronic device, when the input device 1 breaks down and the input device 1 needs to be replaced, the housing 5 of the electronic device is opened, the wiring board 3 is taken out, and the input connected by soldering After the terminal portion 2 of the device 1 is removed from the wiring board 3 and the failed input device 1 is removed, a new input device (not shown) that operates normally is soldered to the wiring board 3 electrically and mechanically. There was a problem that it took a lot of time to install and combine with the original state.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and it is possible to easily replace a mechanically moving part having a high frequency of failure without taking out a wiring board in a housing of an electronic device used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trackball device for use in electronic equipment .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the four rollers with magnets, which are rotatably supported in the component case, with respect to the ball as the operating body , each have a rectangular shape in top view, and A roller is disposed so as to be positioned at a predetermined interval with respect to the lower outer peripheral position of the ball, and further, a cantilevered leaf spring having one end fixed to the component case and the other end pushing the ball upward. a mechanism component structure having, when the corresponding said roller is rotated by the rotation operation to the ball, the magnetic detecting element for detecting a magnetic change of the magnet to the roller and the co-around is disposed wires consists of a plate structure portion, in the normal state of not being operated, the ball is urged upwardly by the plate springs together are maintained away from the rollers, during the rotation operation to the ball contact The ball moves to the corresponding operation direction side so as to contact the roller arranged on the operation direction side among the rollers, and only the roller on the operation direction side rotates in conjunction with the above In the trackball device, the trackball device is used in an electronic device, wherein the predetermined interval between the ball and each roller is set and the ball and each roller are arranged . In addition, it is possible to replace only the mechanical components including mechanically moving parts with a high frequency of failure. In addition, inadvertent rotation of the ball is prevented during non-operation, and only the roller in the corresponding direction is used during rotation. Has a function of rotating in conjunction with the ball operation to obtain a predetermined output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a switch that is actuated by a push-down operation on the ball is further disposed on the wiring board component, and the normal state is changed from the normal state along with the push-down operation to the ball. The ball is moved downward with a gap with each roller, and the other end of the leaf spring moves downward together with the ball in the depressed state to the ball, and the switch on the lower surface of the leaf spring. Since the structure uses the leaf spring that pushes the ball upward when not operated, it has the effect that it can be configured with a small number of additional parts and a switch.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to replace only a mechanical component including a mechanically moving part having a high frequency of failure, and it is possible to prevent inadvertent rotation of the ball during non-operation and In some cases, an advantageous effect is obtained that a trackball device used in an electronic device can be realized in which only a roller in a corresponding direction rotates in conjunction with a ball operation to obtain a predetermined output.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a state viewed from the inside of the housing when a lid-like cover as the main member is attached.

  In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an input device having a substantially square shape in a top view and provided with a signal generating first means 13 in a resin component case 12. The input device 11 is a housing that serves as an upper case of an electronic device. It is incorporated into the body 14.

  The casing 14 is provided with an opening 15 that is large enough to position and fit the component case 12 of the input device 11.

  In the opening 15, the portion corresponding to the upper surface side of the housing 14 is a circular opening hole 15 A provided with a diameter larger than the outer shape of the component case 12, and the lower part is the same center as the circular opening hole 15 A. A rectangular opening hole 15B provided in accordance with the outer shape of the component case 12 at a position, and a holding opening hole 15C projecting outward at the center position of each side of the rectangular opening hole 15B. Has been.

  Note that the holding opening hole portion 15C is in a combination with the lid-shaped cover 19 described later, so that the imaginary line connecting the outer peripheral surfaces thereof is an arc similar to or smaller than the circular opening hole portion 15A. It is preferable to configure.

  A remaining portion of the housing 14 is formed below the circular opening 15A by the rectangular opening 15B and the holding opening 15C. The remaining portion is formed from the upper surface of the housing 14. Is a flat step 15D at the same height.

  An internal member such as a wiring board 16 is disposed at a position in the housing 14 corresponding to the bottom of the opening 15 of the housing 14.

  On the wiring board 16 as an internal member, a signal generation second means 17 that functions in combination with the signal generation first means 13 provided in the input device 11 to generate a predetermined output is disposed.

  The element constituting the signal generation second means 17 has a terminal portion 18, and the terminal portion 18 is connected to the wiring board 16 by soldering.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a lid-like cover for closing the circular opening hole portion 15A, a circular ring-shaped flat plate portion 20 having a through hole 20A at the center thereof, which is slightly smaller in diameter than the circular opening hole portion 15A, and the flat plate portion 20 It consists of four L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 projecting downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface, on the outer surface of the horizontal portions 25 to 28 that are not connected to the flat plate portion 20 of the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24. Are provided with concave grooves 29-32.

  Further, the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 are provided on the lower surface of the lid-like cover 19 at an equal angular pitch, and the horizontal portions 25 to 28 are provided in such a manner that the distal end directions serving as openings are aligned in the same direction.

  Further, the length of each of the horizontal portions 25 to 28 is configured to be shorter than the length dimension of the holding opening hole portion 15 </ b> C of the opening portion 15.

  The input device 11 is positioned by being fitted in the rectangular opening hole 15B of the opening 15 of the housing 14, and then the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 are opened from the top of the housing 14 to the corresponding openings. The lid-shaped cover 19 is attached so as to be inserted into the holding opening hole portions 15C of the portion 15 and the lower surface of the circular ring-shaped flat plate portion 20 is brought into contact with the stepped portion 15D. By rotating in the clockwise direction, the horizontal portions 25 to 28 of the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 of the lid-shaped cover 19 are hooked on the lower surface of the step portion 15D of the housing 14, and the lid-shaped cover 19 is attached and fixed to the housing 14.

  Further, the concave grooves 29 to 32 provided on the outer surfaces of the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 of the lid-like cover 19 are provided in the housing 14 in accordance with the clockwise rotation of the lid-like cover 19. Even if a small force in the counterclockwise direction acts on the lid-shaped cover 19 after the mating with the projected portions 33 to 36, the lid-shaped cover 19 can be easily rotated and detached. There is no such thing.

  In addition, when the lid-like cover 19 is fixed to the housing 14, the thickness of the flat plate portion 20 and the depth of the circular opening hole portion 15A are set so that the upper surface positions of both are flush with each other. It will look good on the exterior.

  When the lid-like cover 19 is fixed to the casing 14 in the above state, the input device 11 is laterally regulated by the side wall of the step portion 15D of the casing 14, and the wiring board 16 and the lid in the vertical direction. And is fixed by being sandwiched by the cover 19.

  As described above, in the present invention, the input device 11 can be easily attached only by attaching and fixing the lid-like cover 19 to the housing 14.

  Next, the operation of the electronic apparatus in which the input device 11 is thus mounted will be described.

  First, when the operation unit 11A serving as the operation body of the input device 11 is operated by a hand or a finger, the signal generation first means 13 is operated in conjunction with the operation unit 11A, and the case functions in combination with this. The signal generation second means 17 disposed on the wiring board 16 in the circuit 14 is activated, and a predetermined output from the terminal portion 18 of the signal generation second means 17 is transmitted through a predetermined pattern of the wiring board 16 to the microcomputer (FIG. The electronic apparatus activates a predetermined function in accordance with the signal.

  When the operation to the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 is interrupted, the operation of the signal generation first means 13 is stopped, and the signal generation second means 17 is also stopped to return to the state where the output signal is not generated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the operability of the input device 11 with respect to the operation unit 11A and the responsiveness of the electronic device itself are equivalent to those of the related art.

  In the electronic device according to the present embodiment, when the input device 11 is replaced, first, the lid-shaped cover 19 is forced to have a force larger than a predetermined value in the counterclockwise direction, that is, the concave portions of the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24. A horizontal force is applied to the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 that are hung on the lower surface of the step portion 15D of the housing 14 by applying a force sufficient to remove the convex portions 33 to 36 fitted in the grooves 29 to 32. The parts 25 to 28 are respectively returned to the positions in the holding opening hole 15 </ b> C, and the cover 19 is removed from the housing 14 upward.

  Next, after taking out the input device 11 positioned and mounted in the rectangular opening hole 15B of the casing 14, a new input device (not shown) that operates normally is fitted into the rectangular opening hole 15B of the casing 14. .

  Then, as described above again, the lid-shaped cover 19 is inserted into the opening portion 15 of the housing 14 and then rotated clockwise so that the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 of the lid-shaped cover 19 are rotated. The horizontal portions 25 to 28 of the housing 14 are respectively hooked on the lower surface of the step portion 15D, and the convex portions 33 to 36 are fitted into the concave grooves 29 to 32 on the outer side surface thereof, whereby the step portion 15D of the housing 14 and the wiring board are fitted. 16 and the lid-shaped cover 19 fix the new input device.

  In particular, in ordinary electronic devices, it is well known that the failure frequency of the input device 11 including a portion that operates mechanically by operating the operation unit 11A is high. However, the present invention has been described above. Thus, the input device 11 can be easily replaced.

  In the case of the failure mode described above, it is often the case that a normal operation is obtained simply by replacing only the relevant part, and a signal in which the terminal portion 18 is soldered and connected to the wiring board 16 in the housing 14 is provided. Since the generation second means 17 and the like are unlikely to break down, there is no need to replace them. The signal generation second means 17 is combined with the signal generation first means 13 in the input apparatus 11 only by replacing the input apparatus 11. Will be functional immediately.

  In addition, as a method for fixing the lid-shaped cover 19 to the housing 14, a snap fit method or a screwing method is used in addition to rotating and fixing the L-shaped columnar portions 21 to 24 described above. And may be fixed.

  In addition, when the input device 11 is replaced, the first signal generation unit 13 of the input device 11 is provided so that the signal generation first unit 13 and the second signal generation unit 17 can be relatively easily aligned. The signal generating second means 17 disposed on the wiring board 16 preferably functions in combination in a non-contact state using, for example, magnetism or light.

  That is, as one example, the first signal generation means 13 of the input device 11 is a magnet, the second signal generation means 17 in the housing 14 is a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element, and the first signal generation of the input device 11 is performed. It is only necessary that the means 13 and the second signal generation means 17 in the housing 14 function in a non-contact state to obtain a predetermined output from the second signal generation means 17.

  In this case, a drip-proof insulating sheet 37 can be disposed between the signal generation first means 13 of the input device 11 and the signal generation second means 17 in the casing 14. The insulating sheet 37 can prevent dust and moisture entering from the opening 15 into which the input device 11 is fitted, the input device 11 itself, and the like, and a dust-proof and drip-proof structure can be obtained.

  Here, instead of providing the insulating sheet 37, a wall that covers the outer peripheral portion and the bottom portion of the opening 15 portion of the housing 14 may be provided, and a drip-proof structure may be formed so as to be enclosed in a box-shaped concave shape.

  Further, the cover-shaped cover 19 is made of a light guide material, and a light-emitting component such as an LED or an EL element is provided on the wiring board 16 provided with the signal generation second means 17 in the housing 14. If the light emitted from the light-emitting component is guided to the upper surface of the housing 14 through the lid cover 19, the periphery of the input device 11 can be illuminated, and the visibility of the mounting position of the input device 11 is improved. It can be operated well even during nighttime use.

  Further, in addition to the lid-like cover 19, the component case 12 itself of the input device 11 may be made of a light guide material, and the light emitted from the light emitting component may be guided in the same manner as described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mechanically moving portion can be obtained by simply removing the cover 19 from the housing 14 without opening the housing 14 of the electronic device and taking out the wiring board 16. The included input device 11 can be taken out and easily replaced, and the electronic device can be realized by connecting the input device 11 electrically and mechanically only by attaching the lid-like cover 19 to the housing 14 again. is there.

  Moreover, since the output corresponding to the predetermined operation to the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 is emitted from the signal generation second means 17 that functions in combination with the signal generation first means 13, both of them are in a non-contact state. If functioning, the wiring board 16 provided with the signal generation second means 17 may be covered with a drip-proof insulating sheet 37 so as to include the signal generation second means 17. The signal generating second means 17 and the wiring board 16 on which the signal generating second means 17 is arranged have a dustproof / dripproof structure inside the casing 14 that is protected against the intrusion of dust and moisture from the outside of the casing 14. Can be.

  Furthermore, the visibility of the position of the input device 11 can be improved by forming the lid-like cover 19 with a light guide material and guiding light from the inside of the housing 14.

  Note that the present invention is applicable to all devices in which a stick, a pad, a rolling member, and the like are mounted as the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 and the signal generation first means 13 is activated by operating them. is there.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described in which the input device 11 is mounted with a trackball device capable of detecting according to a predetermined operation using magnetism.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the part of the same structure as Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus, FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the housing and the trackball device with the case portion, balls, and rollers removed.

  As shown in the figure, in the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment, a trackball device 40 serving as the input device 11 is fitted into the opening 15 of the housing 14, and the lid-like cover 19 is attached to the housing 14 from above. It is the same as in the first embodiment that the trackball device 40 is positioned and mounted by mounting and fixing.

  First, the trackball device 40 will be described in detail below.

  In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a resin-formed base body as a square-shaped trackball device, and four circular shafts are provided near each side of the top surface as shown in FIGS. XI roller 42, XII roller 43, YI roller 44, and YII roller 45 are arranged in a square shape so that two pairs of two facing each other are orthogonal to each other, and two portions integrally formed on the base portion 41. Each of the support portions 46 to 49 is rotatably supported.

  The contact portions provided at the centers of the XI roller 42, the XII roller 43, the YI roller 44, and the YII roller 45 on the outer periphery slightly below the center of the ball 50 as the operating body of the trackball device 40. 42A, 43A and 44A, 45A are arranged so as to be positioned at a predetermined distance from the ball 50.

  Further, the cross sections of the contact portions 42A to 45A of the XI roller 42 to the YII roller 45 have a circular shape having a predetermined convex / concave portion at equal positions on the circumference (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, at one end of the XI roller 42 to the YII roller 45, magnets 51 to 51 serving as signal generation first means in which N or S poles are alternately magnetized every 90 °. 54 is provided, and is configured to rotate together with the rotation of the rollers 42 to 45.

  In the plan view of FIG. 5 as well, the magnets 51 to 54 are indicated by hatching for easy viewing.

  Reference numeral 55 denotes a resin case portion for the trackball device 40, which is fixed to the upper side of the base portion 41 and serves as a component case, and is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. As described above, the central portion of the upper surface has a circular hole 55A that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 50 so that the upper portion of the accommodated ball 50 protrudes. The ball 50 is prevented from being detached from the trackball device 40 in a normal state.

  Further, the ball 50 is pushed up from below by the other end of a cantilevered plate spring 56 fixed at one end to the base portion 41 by insert molding or the like. In a normal state where the ball 50 is not operated, the case portion 55 A circular hole 55A in the center of the upper surface is closed by the upper end of the ball 50.

  Further, the ball 50 is configured such that when a downward pressing force is applied, the leaf spring 56 is pushed down at the lower end of the ball 50 to move up and down in the space formed by the case portion 55 and the base portion 41. Yes.

  The trackball device 40 configured as described above is fitted into the opening 15 of the housing 14 as described above, and then the lid-like cover 19 is attached to the component case (the base portion 41 and the case portion 55). The lateral position is regulated by the side wall of the step portion 15D of the casing 14, and is fixed by being sandwiched and fixed between the wiring board 57 and the lid cover 19 disposed in the casing 14 in the vertical direction. .

  The wiring board 57 arranged in the housing 14 functions in combination with the magnets 51 to 54 as the first signal generating means of the trackball device 40, and generates a predetermined output. As means, magnetic sensors 58 to 61 are arranged by soldering and connecting the respective terminal portions 58A to 61A.

  The magnetic sensors 58 to 61 are provided at positions corresponding to the magnets 51 to 54 attached to the rollers 42 to 45 of the trackball device 40.

  Furthermore, the upper part of the wiring board 57 including the magnetic sensors 58 to 61 is covered with a flexible insulating sheet 62.

  The central portion of the position where the magnetic sensors 58 to 61 arranged on the wiring board 57 correspond to the lower end position of the ball 50 of the trackball device 40. A self-returning push switch 63 is provided.

  The self-returning push switch 63 has a dome-shaped movable contact 65 made of an elastic thin metal plate protruding upward on an outer fixed contact 64 formed of a metal foil or the like on the wiring board 57, and its center. Similarly, the lower surface of the part faces the central fixed contact 66 provided on the wiring board 57 at a predetermined interval, and the upper part of the dome-shaped movable contact 65 is covered with a flexible insulating film 67 having an adhesive layer on the lower surface. It is configured.

  The push switch 63 having the above configuration can be configured with low dimensions and at a low cost, and is a self-returning type with high performance having a sense of moderation during operation.

  Note that the elastic repulsive force of the dome-shaped movable contact 65 is set to a predetermined magnitude or larger so that the elastic repulsive force is not reversed by being pushed during the normal state and when the ball 50 is rotated.

  The self-returning push switch 63 does not necessarily have to be formed on the wiring board 57, and a low-dimensional push switch completed as a single switch may be mounted on the wiring board 57.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below with reference to a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 5 showing a state when the trackball device of FIG. Description will be made with reference to a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 5 showing a state during the push operation in FIG.

  First, in the electronic device according to the present embodiment, from the normal state shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 where the trackball device 40 as an input device is not operated, upward from the circular hole 55A of the case portion 55 of the trackball device 40. First, a case where the upper part of the ball 50 as a protruding operation body is touched with a hand or a finger and the ball 50 is rotated leftward as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 6 and 8 will be described first.

  At the time of this operation, only the contact portion 42A of the XI roller 42 corresponding to the operation direction is provided on the outer periphery of the ball 50, or in addition, one of the contact portions 44A or 45A of the YI roller 44 and the YII roller 45 is provided. It comes to abut together.

  At this time, the ball 50 rotates at the right angle against the concave and convex portions provided on the contact portion 42A of the XI roller 42 corresponding to the operation direction, so that the XI roller 42 is sufficiently rotated. Large friction is obtained and the XI roller 42 rotates.

  On the other hand, even if the ball 50 comes into contact with either the contact portion 44A or 45A of the YI roller 44 or YII roller 45 orthogonal to the operation direction, the contact direction between the ball 50 and the concavo-convex portion is close to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the friction required to rotate any of the YI rollers 44 and YII rollers 45 is not obtained, and the ball 50 idles and the YI rollers 44 and YII rollers 45 do not rotate.

  Then, along with the rotation of the XI roller 42, the magnet 51, which is the first signal generation means provided at one end of the XI roller 42, rotates and is disposed on the lower wiring board 57 so as to correspond to the magnet 51. The N or S pole of the magnet 51 alternately approaches the magnetic sensor 58 as the second signal generation means.

  At this time, when the N pole of the magnet 51 approaches the magnetic sensor 58, the N pole magnetism acting on the magnetic sensor 58 increases, and the positive output voltage of the magnetic sensor 58 also increases accordingly.

  On the other hand, when the south pole approaches the magnetic sensor 58, the south pole magnetism acting on the magnetic sensor 58 increases, and the negative output voltage of the magnetic sensor 58 also increases accordingly.

  When the output voltage from the terminal portion 58A of the magnetic sensor 58 exceeds a predetermined value, a digital signal is generated by processing in an ON state, and when the output voltage is lower than the predetermined value, processing is performed with a microcomputer (not shown).

  Thus, the rotational speed of the XI roller 42 can be detected, and the amount of movement of the X-axis in one positive or negative direction such as a cursor displayed on the display screen of the electronic device is detected accordingly.

  Similarly, when the ball 50 is rotated in the right direction, the XII roller 43 is rotated without rotating the XI roller 42, and the X axis of the cursor displayed on the display screen is rotated in the left direction. If the amount of movement in the opposite direction is rotated forward and backward, rotation is not transmitted to the XI roller 42 and XII roller 43, but rotation is transmitted to the opposing YI roller 44 or YII roller 45. Then, the amount of movement of the Y axis in the positive or negative direction is detected.

  When the ball 50 is further rotated in an oblique direction, one of the XI roller 42 or the XII roller 43 and one of the YI roller 44 or the YII roller 45 rotate according to the rotation direction and the rotation component, and the X axis and the Y axis The amount of movement of the cursor in each direction in the set direction is detected.

  In the above description, the magnets 51 to 54 of the XI roller 42 to YII roller 45 of the trackball device 40 are magnetized with N or S poles every 90 °, that is, one of the rollers 42 to 45. Although what has signaled twice during rotation has been described, this may be increased or decreased as necessary.

  Next, when the cursor on the display screen reaches a desired position by the rotation operation of the ball 50, when the upper part of the ball 50 is pushed with a hand or a finger from the normal state shown in FIG. The leaf spring 56 disposed in the upper portion of the push switch 63 disposed on the wiring board 57 on the lower surface of the protrusion 56A disposed on the leaf spring 56 via the insulating sheet 62 is pushed down. Push the center of the contact 65 downward.

  When the pressing force exceeds a predetermined value, the dome-shaped movable contact 65 is elastically reversed while being moderate, and the lower center surface of the dome-shaped movable contact 65 is fixed to the center as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The contact 66 comes into contact with the outer fixed contact 64 and the central fixed contact 66 through the dome-shaped movable contact 65.

  The signal is transmitted as a recognition signal for the cursor position on the display screen to a circuit of an electronic device using the trackball device 40 via a wiring pattern (not shown) on the wiring board 57. .

  Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the ball 50 is removed, the dome-shaped movable contact 65 of the push switch 63 returns to the original dome shape by its own elastic restoring force, and the protruding portion 56A of the insulating sheet 62 and the leaf spring 56 is moved. Thus, the ball 50 is pushed back upward, and the electrical connection between the outer fixed contact 64 and the central fixed contact 66 of the push switch 63 is again turned off.

  Further, the ball 50 is pushed up until it comes into contact with the circular hole 55A of the case portion 55 by the restoring force of the cantilevered plate spring 56 itself, and returns to the normal state of FIG.

  Instead of providing the leaf spring 56, the position corresponding to the push switch 63 of the insulating sheet 62 is formed in a dome shape, the lower end of the ball 50 is brought into contact with the ball 50, and the ball 50 is urged upward. The circular hole 55A may be closed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cursor displayed on the display screen can be easily moved with fine accuracy by rotating the ball 50, and the ball 50 can be moved downward by pushing the ball 50. Thus, an electronic apparatus including a trackball device with a push switch having a small projection area and stable operation, which can generate a cursor position recognition signal by operating the push switch 63 can be obtained.

  Also in this electronic apparatus, when a failure occurs in a mechanically operating part of the trackball device 40, the case of the trackball device 40 corresponding to the part is not opened and the wiring board 57 is not taken out. The first embodiment allows only the portion to be easily replaced, and the drip-proof insulating sheet 62 is disposed on the wiring board 57 including the magnetic sensors 58 to 61, so that a dust-proof / drip-proof structure can be obtained. Is the same as

(Embodiment 3)
The electronic device according to the present embodiment is provided with the magnetic trackball device 40 as an input device in the same manner as the electronic device described in the above-described second embodiment. Since the second embodiment is different from the second embodiment, the signal generating second means will be mainly described below.

  Note that the same components as those in the first and second embodiments, for example, the detailed configuration of the trackball device 40, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electronic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the casing, the case portion of the trackball device, the ball, and the roller are removed. As shown in FIG. According to the embodiment, the signal generating second means mounted on the wiring board 57 is composed of four reed switches 71 to 74 in contrast to that shown in FIG. 7 in the second embodiment. It is.

  The four reed switches 71 to 74 are disposed by soldering and connecting the terminal portions 71A to 74A onto the wiring board 57 of the electronic device, and the mounting positions thereof are the same as those of the second embodiment. Similarly to the above, magnets 51 to 54 (in FIG. 10) as signal generating first means mounted on XI rollers 42 to YII rollers 45 (not shown in FIG. 10) rotatably supported on the base portion 41. (Not shown) respectively.

  The reed switches 71 to 74 are turned ON / OFF by changing the positions of the N poles or S poles of the magnets 51 to 54 mounted on the corresponding rollers 42 to 45 relative to the rotation of the rollers 42 to 45. Is an element that can output a digital signal.

  Since the configuration other than the above in the present embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the electronic apparatus according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, when the ball 50 of the trackball device 40 is rotated to the left, as in the second embodiment, the XI roller 42 corresponding to the direction rotates and the magnet 51 serving as the first signal generation means is shared. It is the same that the N or S poles alternately approach the reed switch 71 which is a signal generating second means provided corresponding to the magnet 51.

  When the N pole and S pole positions of the magnet 51 are within a predetermined position range with respect to the reed switch 71, the reed switch 71 is turned on. When the reed switch 71 is out of the position range, the reed switch 71 is turned off. A digital signal accompanying the rotation of the magnet 51 can be generated.

  As in the second embodiment, the number of rotations of the roller 42, that is, the amount of movement of the cursor displayed on the display screen of the electronic device using the trackball device 40 in the set direction is thereby detected. Since there is, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  And when it rotates in the direction different from the above, it becomes the same operation | movement, and a digital signal is produced | generated from the reed switches 71-74 corresponding to the operation direction.

  Further, the operation when pushing the ball 50 of the trackball device 40 and the mounting method of the trackball device 40 in the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  As described above, since the reed switches 71 to 74 are disposed as the second signal generation means, the output of the second signal generation means can be obtained as a digital signal, so that the signal processing on the electronic device side As a result, an A / D conversion circuit can be dispensed with and the circuit design of the electronic device can be simplified.

(Embodiment 4)
The electronic device according to the present embodiment is different from the electronic device described in the first embodiment in the configuration of the mounting portion of the input device 11, and the different components will be mainly described with reference to the drawings. .

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an essential part of an electronic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view in a completed state taken along line BB shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic apparatus according to this embodiment is configured such that the input device 11 is positioned and mounted using the casing 81 itself.

  That is, the configuration according to the present embodiment is a configuration that does not use the lid-like cover 19 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, so that the number of components can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the contents will be described. As shown in the figure, the casing 81 is provided with an opening 81A corresponding to the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 at a predetermined position, and in the vicinity of the opening 81A. The rear surface portion of the casing 81 is provided with a positioning recess 81 </ b> B corresponding to the upper shape of the component case 12 of the input device 11.

  Although not shown in the figure, the same surface on which the opening 81A of the housing 81 is formed is provided with other operation members and the like, and the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 is operated. The surface side of the casing 81 is configured as a main operation surface of the electronic device.

  Then, the signal generation second means 17 is disposed by soldering or the like on the wiring board 16 disposed in the housing 81 so as to correspond to the positions of the opening 81A and the recess 81B.

  The signal generation second means 17 functions only after being combined with a signal generation first means (not shown) provided in the input device 11 in a non-contact state to generate a predetermined output. .

  The upper surface of the wiring board 16 is covered with an insulating sheet 37 including the upper part of the signal generation second means 17.

  At this time, although not shown in the drawing, electronic parts other than the signal generation second means 17 of the input device 11 are also mounted and mounted on the wiring board 16, and the upper parts of these electronic parts etc. The insulating sheet 37 covers the entire surface of the wiring board 16.

  In other words, the surface side of the wiring board 16 corresponding to the main operation surface side of the casing 81 is all covered with one insulating sheet 37, and the opening 81A and the other surface are configured on the same surface. Even if dust or moisture enters from the holes or slits for the operation member, the wiring board 16 and the signal generation second means 17 and electronic parts mounted and mounted thereon can be reliably protected. Yes.

  The input device 11 is inserted between the back surface of the recess 81B of the housing 81 and the insulating sheet 37 on the wiring board 16 so that the operation portion 11A is inserted through the opening 81A of the housing 81. Positioned and mounted at a predetermined position.

  At this time, the input device 11 is in a state in which the upper part of the component case 12 is inserted into the recess 81B of the housing 81, and by the engagement between the side portions of the component case 12 and the recess 81B, The input device 11 is positioned in a direction parallel to the surface of the wiring board 16, and the upper surface of the component case 12 is pressed by the back surface of the recess 81 </ b> B of the housing 81 in the vertical direction. The component case 12 is sandwiched and positioned between the back surface of 81B and the insulating sheet 37 on the wiring board 16.

  In the above configuration, since the insulating sheet 37 is flexible, the upper surface of the component case 12 is slightly pressed by the back surface of the concave portion 81B of the housing 81 so that the component case 12 If the insulating sheet 37 is attached so that the lower surface is slightly compressed in the thickness direction, rattling of the input device 11 and the like can be reduced, and high quality can be achieved.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above can be configured with a reduced number of parts, and the part including the operation unit 11A of the input device 11 can be replaced by simply opening the housing 81.

  Since the operation of the input device 11 is the same as that according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Moreover, although the structure which presses down the input device 11 with the housing | casing 81 was demonstrated above, you may position and mount the input device 11 similarly with another member.

  Furthermore, the operation mode of the input device 11 having the non-contact signal generation first means is not limited to the stick type described above, for example, the trackball device 40 described in the second embodiment, etc. The input device may include a rolling member such as a ball or a roller as an operation body, and may be applied to an input device capable of performing a predetermined input operation using a pad method. Is also applicable.

The trackball device used in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention can replace only the mechanical component including the mechanically moving part having a high frequency of failure without taking out the wiring board, and can prevent the ball from being lost when not operated. Prepared rotation is prevented, and at the time of the rotation operation, only the roller in the corresponding direction rotates in conjunction with the ball operation and can be realized as a predetermined output, which is useful for various electronic devices.

The disassembled perspective view of the electronic device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention The conceptual diagram which shows the state seen from the housing | casing inner side at the time of attaching the lid-shaped cover used as the main member The disassembled perspective view of the electronic device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Cross section Top view of the case and the case of the trackball device with the case portion removed Sectional view in the AA line of FIG. Top view of the case and the case of the trackball device with the case part, balls, and rollers removed Sectional drawing in the XX line of FIG. 5 which shows the state at the time of rotation operation of the trackball apparatus Sectional drawing in the XX line of FIG. 5 which shows the state at the time of push operation of the trackball apparatus The top view of the state which removed the case part, ball | bowl, and roller of the housing | casing and the trackball apparatus in the electronic device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Perspective view of the main part of a conventional electronic device The principal part perspective view of the electronic device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Sectional drawing of the completion state in the BB line shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Input device 11A Operation part 12 Component case 13 1st signal production | generation means 14, 81 Case 15,81A Opening part 15A Circular opening hole part 15B Rectangular opening hole part 15C Holding opening hole part 15D Step part 16, 57 Wiring board 17 Signal generation second means 18, 58A to 61A, 71A to 74A Terminal portion 19 Cover-shaped cover 20 Flat plate portion 20A Through hole 21-24 L-shaped columnar portion 25-28 Horizontal portion 29-32 Concave groove 33-36 Convex portion 37 , 62 Insulating sheet 40 Track ball device 41 Base part 42 XI roller 42A-45A Contact part 43 XII roller 44 YI roller 45 YII roller 46-49 Support part 50 Ball 51-54 Magnet 55 Case part 55A Circular hole 55B Surrounding wall 56 Leaf spring 56A Protrusion 58-61 Magnetic sensor 63 Push switch 64 Outer fixed contact 65 domed movable contact 66 central fixed contact 67 insulating film 71 to 74 lead switch 81B recess

Claims (2)

Four rollers with magnets that are rotatably supported in the component case with respect to the ball as the operating body have a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and each roller has a predetermined position relative to the lower outer peripheral position of the ball. And a mechanism component having a cantilevered leaf spring which is disposed at a distance and is fixed to the component case at one end and pushes the ball upward at the other end . When the corresponding roller is rotated by the rotation operation of the circuit board, the wiring board constituting part provided with the magnetic detection element for detecting the magnetic change of the magnet that rotates together with the roller is normally operated. In this state, the ball is biased upward by the leaf spring and is kept away from the rollers, and the ball is operated by a corresponding operation when the ball is rotated. Between the ball and each of the rollers so that only the roller on the operation direction side rotates in conjunction with the roller arranged on the operation direction side among the rollers. A trackball device used for an electronic apparatus, wherein the predetermined interval is set and the ball and each roller are arranged . A switch that is actuated by a push-down operation on the ball is further arranged on the wiring board component, and the ball moves downward from the normal state with a gap with each roller in accordance with the push-down operation on the ball. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the leaf spring moves downward together with the ball in a state where the ball is pushed down, and the switch is operated on the lower surface of the leaf spring. Trackball device.

Images