JP3595494B2 - Wheel type input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheel-type input device used as a controller of an electronic device such as a home game machine or a video deck.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, there is a field called music game in home game machine software. In this music game, a controller simulating an instrument is used, and the player moves the controller as if actually playing the instrument. Some controllers of this type have a wheel type input device.
[0003]
The wheel-type input device includes a substantially fan-shaped operation unit supported to be tiltable, a signal output unit that outputs a signal in response to an operation of the operation unit, and an opening through which a part of the operation unit is exposed. An upper case of the housing as a constituent member, an operation unit base on which the signal output unit is mounted, and when no external force is applied to the operation unit, the operation unit is returned to the neutral position. And a neutral return spring.
[0004]
The operation portion is formed in a substantially fan shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circular shape, and a large concave portion indicating a neutral position is provided on a peripheral surface, and a plurality of small concave portions for preventing slipping are provided around the concave portion. Is provided. An engaging portion that engages with the signal output portion is provided at the center on the surface side of the operation portion. In addition, the operation portion is formed with an operation portion side projection portion on which an end portion of a neutral return spring described later is hooked.
[0005]
The signal output unit is a switch that is turned on when the operation unit is tilted by a certain angle or more and is turned off when the operation unit is tilted by the certain angle or less. This signal output unit is mounted on the operation unit base. The signal output unit includes a tilting unit that is tilted according to a tilting operation of the operation unit, a conductive piece provided on the tilting unit, and a substrate on which a conductive pattern that contacts the conductive piece is provided. Yes. A boss into which the operation unit is fitted projects from the tilting unit. Therefore, the operation part can be tilted around the boss.
[0006]
A base-side protruding portion on which an end portion of a neutral return spring, which will be described later, is hung is formed on the operation portion base.
[0007]
The upper case has a rectangular opening for exposing a part of the peripheral surface of the operation portion.
[0008]
The neutral return spring is a so-called helical spring, and a coil portion is externally fitted to the engagement portion, and a pair of end portions protruding from the coil portion are positioned on both sides of the operation portion side projection portion. . In addition, the pair of end portions are also located on both sides of the base-side protruding portion of the operation portion base.
[0009]
The operation of such a wheel type input device is as follows.
When the operation unit is tilted, one end of the operation unit comes into contact with the base side protrusion of the operation unit base. In this state, the operation unit is prevented from further tilting by this contact. When the hand is released and the external force applied to the operation portion is eliminated, the operation portion automatically returns to the neutral position by the elastic force of the neutral return spring.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the wheel type input device described above has the following problems. First, since the operation unit is fitted to the boss of the signal output unit, the force applied from above is received only by the boss. Since the wheel type input device in this type of controller is operated roughly with a relatively large force, if an excessive force is applied from above, the boss may not be able to withstand that force and may be damaged. . Damage to the boss results in a controller failure.
[0011]
Further, since the wheel-type input device in this type of controller is operated with a relatively large force, one end of the operation unit has a relatively large force when the operation unit is tilted to the maximum. To abut on the base side protruding portion of the operating portion base. For this reason, a relatively large force is applied to the base-side protruding portion, which may cause damage. If this base side protrusion is damaged, it will be tilted more than the angle allowed for the operating portion, causing a failure.
[0012]
The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wheel-type input device that is less likely to damage each part even when an excessive force is applied to the operation part from above or tilted to the maximum. It is an object.
[0013]
A wheel-type input device according to the present invention includes a case having an opening, an operation unit base disposed in the case, and a part of a peripheral surface exposed to the case and the operation unit base from the opening of the case. A substantially fan-shaped operation unit supported so as to be tiltable in a circumferential direction; and a signal output unit that outputs a signal in response to the operation of the operation unit. While an engaging portion into which the provided boss is fitted is provided, a substantially circular ridge supported by the operating portion base is provided on the other surface, and the operating portion base has a substantially circular opening. The signal output unit is a substantially ring-shaped member into which the pulsation of the operation unit is fitted, and a tilting unit in which one surface is in surface contact with the other surface of the operation unit in the fitted state; The conductive piece attached to the tilting part and the facing part are arranged opposite to the tilting part. And a substrate on which a conductive pattern with which the conductive piece is slidably contacted is formed, and the tilting portion is fitted into the opening of the operation portion base so as to be tiltable in a state where the protrusion of the operation portion is fitted. It is characterized by that .
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wheel-type input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view of a state in which an operation unit is tilted to the maximum, and FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is drawing of the wheel type input device which concerns on this, Comprising: The schematic side view of the state which has an operation part in a neutral position, FIG. 3: is the operation part used for the wheel type input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention 4A is a schematic front view, FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view, FIG. 4C is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is drawing of the operation part base used for the wheel type input device which concerns, Comprising: The figure (A) is a schematic front view, The figure (B) is a schematic side view, The figure (C) is a schematic back view. It is.
[0015]
FIG. 5 is a drawing of a tilting part constituting a signal output part used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 (A) is a schematic front view, FIG. (B) is a schematic side view, FIG. 6 (C) is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 6 is an outline of a substrate constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a schematic front view, FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a conductive piece constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is drawing of the state which incorporated the signal output part in the operation part base of the wheel type input device which concerns on 1 embodiment, The figure (A) is a schematic front view, The figure (B) is a schematic side view. (C) is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 9 is used by the wheel type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Is a drawing of the controller, Fig (A) is a schematic partial plan view and FIG. (B) is a schematic partial front view, and FIG. (C) is a schematic side view.
[0016]
Further, FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a wheel-type input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
A wheel-type input device A according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially fan-shaped operation unit 100 that is supported to be tiltable, a signal output unit 200 that outputs a signal in response to an operation of the operation unit 100, The operation unit base 400 is provided with a signal output unit 200, and the operation unit 100 is supported by the operation unit base 400 so as to be tiltable.
[0018]
The wheel type input device A is provided at the end of the controller as shown in FIG. In addition to the wheel-type input device A, this controller is provided with various switches for controlling other functions necessary for the game, such as one cross key 610 and two push switches 620.
[0019]
The operation unit 100 is formed in a substantially fan shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circular shape, and a large concave portion 121 indicating a neutral position is provided on the peripheral surface, and small concave portions for preventing slipping are provided before and after the concave portion 121. A plurality of 122 are provided. At the center of the operation unit 100 surface side, a circular ridge 150 is formed that fits into an opening 430 of the operation unit base 400 described later. In addition, the ridge 150 is provided with an engaging recess 151 that engages with the engaging claw 211 of the tilting portion 210 of the signal output portion 200. A boss 152 projects from the center of the ridge 150.
[0020]
Further, the operation unit 100 is provided with an operation unit side projection 140 on which an end 520 of a neutral return spring 500 described below is hung at the center on the side opposite to the side where the bulge 150 is formed. Yes.
[0021]
Further, an engaging portion 130 to which the neutral return spring 500 is fitted is formed on the opposite side to the side where the ridge 150 is formed, that is, on the back surface side of the operation portion 100. Further, a hole 131 is formed at the center of the engaging portion 130. The hole 131 is a portion into which the boss 320 formed in the upper case 300 is inserted.
[0022]
The operation unit 100 is different from the conventional one in a contact unit 110. The contact portion 110 protrudes outward from the peripheral surface on which the concave portions 121 and 122 are provided, and comes into contact with the back surface on the short side of the opening portion 310 of the upper case 300 to be described later. It does not come out outside 310.
[0023]
In addition, although the shape of the operation unit 100 was referred to as a substantially fan shape, this fan shape has a peripheral surface formed when the peripheral surface is formed with a dominant arc or as shown in FIGS. This includes the case where the other side is inferior arc.
[0024]
The signal output unit 200 is a switch that is turned on when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or more and turned off when the operation unit 100 is tilted by the certain angle or less. The signal output unit 200 is provided at the tilt center of the operation unit 100. The signal output unit 200 includes a tilting unit 210 (see FIG. 5) that is tilted according to a tilting operation of the operation unit 100, a conductive piece 230 (see FIG. 7) provided in the tilting unit 210, and the conductive piece 230. And a substrate 220 provided with a conductive pattern 221 in contact with the substrate. The tilting part 210 is attached to the operation part 100, and the substrate 220 is attached to an operation part base 400 described later.
[0025]
The tilting portion 210 is a disc made of an insulating synthetic resin, and an engaging claw 211 that engages with the engaging recess 151 is formed on the surface side. In addition, an opening 212 into which the boss 152 of the operation unit 100 is fitted is formed at the center of the tilting unit 210. Further, three protrusions 213 for attaching the conductive piece 230 are formed on the rear surface side of the tilting portion 210 so as to protrude.
[0026]
The conductive piece 230 is provided with one common terminal 231 and four contact terminals 232. These terminals 231 and 232 are in contact with the conductive pattern 221 of the substrate 220.
[0027]
On the other hand, the operating portion base 400 is formed with a base-side protruding portion 410 that projects one end of a neutral return spring 500, which will be described later, protruding in the lateral direction. A tube 420 made of a synthetic resin having flexibility is externally fitted to the base side protrusion 410. The tube 420 is for reducing a contact sound caused by coming into contact with an end 520 of a neutral return spring 500 described later when the operation unit 100 is tilted.
[0028]
The operation unit base 400 is provided with an opening 430 into which the tilting unit 210 is fitted so as to be rotatable from the back side, and the bulge 150 of the operation unit 100 is fitted from the front side. The ridge 150 of the operation unit 100 is fitted inside the opening 430. Accordingly, the operation unit 100 and the tilting unit 210 are attached to the operation unit base 400 with the engagement recess 151 and the engagement claw 211 engaged with the operation unit base 400 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the tilting unit 210 tilts according to the tilting operation of the operation unit 100.
[0029]
The neutral return spring 500 is a so-called helical spring, and a coil portion 510 is externally fitted to the engaging portion 130, and a pair of end portions 520 protruding from the coil portion 510 are connected to the operating portion side protruding portion 140. It is located on both sides. In addition, the pair of end portions 520 are located on both sides of the cover-side protrusion 410 of the switch cover 400.
[0030]
The upper case 300 has a rectangular opening 310 for exposing a part of the peripheral surface of the operation unit 100. A cushion 320 made of a synthetic resin having flexibility is provided on the back side of the short side of the opening 310 of the upper case 300, that is, on the part where the contact part 110 contacts. The cushion 320 is for reducing an impact when the contact portion 110 comes in contact and reducing a contact sound.
[0031]
Further, the upper case 300 is formed with a boss 320 (see FIG. 1) to be inserted into the hole 131 of the engaging portion 130 of the operation portion 100. The boss 320 is shown only in cross section in FIG.
[0032]
The operation of the wheel type input device A is as follows.
When the operation unit 100 is tilted against the elastic force of the neutral return spring 500 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and the tilt reaches the maximum, one contact portion 110 of the operation unit 100 is moved to the back side of the upper case 300. , It also abuts against a cushion 320 provided on the back side. In this state, the operation unit 100 is prevented from further tilting by this contact. In addition, in this state, the other contact portion 110 is not in contact with another component member, for example, the base-side protruding portion 410. In this state, the signal output unit 200 is naturally turned on.
[0033]
Accordingly, the external force applied for the tilting operation of the operation unit 100 is applied to the upper case 300. Since the upper case 300 is considerably larger than the base side protrusion 410, the possibility of damage from the base side protrusion 410 is extremely small.
[0034]
Further, when the external force applied to the operation unit 100 is removed by releasing the hand, the operation unit 100 automatically returns to the neutral position by the elastic force of the neutral return spring 500. When the operation unit 100 automatically returns to the neutral position as described above, the pair of end portions 520 of the neutral return spring 500 come into contact with the operation unit side protrusion 140 and the base side protrusion 410 as shown in FIG. It becomes a state to do.
[0035]
Since the force applied to the operation unit 100 from above is received by the opening 430 of the operation unit base 400 and the boss 320 of the upper case 300, the force from above is larger than the boss provided in the conventional signal output unit. Can withstand.
[0036]
In the first embodiment described above, the operation unit 100 is formed in a substantially fan shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circle. However, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation unit 100 is a wheel-shaped operation unit 600. Also good. In this case, the operation unit 600 is supported to be rotatable rather than tilted, and therefore there is nothing that protrudes outward from the peripheral surface corresponding to the contact unit 110. Further, the neutral return spring 500 is not required for the operation unit 600 to be rotated. Accordingly, the operation unit side protrusion 140 is deleted from the operation unit 600 and the base side protrusion 410 is deleted from the operation unit base 400.
[0037]
Further, although the operation unit 100 is supported to be tiltable between the operation unit base 400 and the boss 320 of the upper case 300, the operation unit 100 is supported by only the operation unit base 400 without the boss 320 of the upper case 300. May be.
[0038]
In the above description, the bulge 150 of the operation unit 100 is externally fitted into the opening 430 of the operation unit base 400. Conversely, the bulge 150 of the operation unit 100 is internally inserted into the opening 430 of the operation unit base 400. It may be fitted.
[0039]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the signal output unit 200 is a switch that is turned on when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or more and is turned off when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or less. For example, a volume or a rotary encoder may be used.
[0040]
The wheel-type input device A can be used not only as a home game machine but also as a controller such as a video deck for instructing fast forward and rewind.
[0041]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the neutral return spring 500 is provided, but it may be omitted depending on a required function.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
A wheel-type input device according to the present invention includes a case having an opening, an operation unit base disposed in the case, and a part of a peripheral surface exposed to the case and the operation unit base from the opening of the case. A substantially fan-shaped operation unit supported so as to be tiltable in a circumferential direction; and a signal output unit that outputs a signal in response to the operation of the operation unit. While an engaging portion into which the provided boss is fitted is provided, a substantially circular ridge supported by the operating portion base is provided on the other surface, and the operating portion base has a substantially circular opening. The signal output unit is a substantially ring-shaped member into which the pulsation of the operation unit is fitted, and a tilting unit in which one surface is in surface contact with the other surface of the operation unit in the fitted state; The conductive piece attached to the tilting part and the facing part are arranged opposite to the tilting part. And a substrate on which a conductive pattern with which the conductive piece is slidably contacted is formed, and the tilting portion is fitted into the opening of the operation portion base so as to be tiltable in a state where the protrusion of the operation portion is fitted. It is like that .
[0043]
In such a wheel-type input device, the tilting portion of the signal output unit is fitted to the pulsation of the operation unit so that one surface of the tilting unit and the other surface of the operation unit are in surface contact, and the operation unit Is fitted to the opening of the operation unit base so as to be tiltable. For this reason, since the tilting part of the signal output part can be used as a part of the tilting shaft part of the operating part, the diameter of the tilting shaft part of the operating part can be increased. Therefore, the signal output unit than that boss conventionally supported on a, Ri a stronger against the force exerted on the operation unit from above, can be a result, unbreakable device.
[0044]
The wheel-type input device can be applied not only to a substantially fan-shaped operation unit, but also to a wheel-type operation unit that is rotatably supported by the case and the operation unit base, and can obtain the above-described effects. it can.
[0047]
At both ends in the circumferential direction of the circumferential surface of the operation portion, there are integrally provided contact portions that are protrusions protruding outward and can be brought into contact with the back side of the opening edge of the housing. Yes. For this reason, the impact due to the contact is not applied to other components such as the operation unit base and the signal output unit, and there is no risk of damage. Therefore, the malfunction that the operation part tilts more than the permitted angle does not occur.
[0048]
Moreover, the cushion is provided in the part which the contact part of the back surface of the opening edge part of the said case contacts. With this cushion, the impact at the time of contact of the contact portion can be weakened and the contact sound can be reduced, which contributes to an improvement in operational feeling.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a wheel-type input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a state where an operation unit is tilted to the maximum extent.
FIG. 2 is a drawing of the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view showing a state where an operation unit is in a neutral position.
3A and 3B are diagrams of an operation unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view. FIG. 1C is a schematic rear view.
4A and 4B are diagrams of an operation unit base used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a schematic front view, and FIG. A side view and the same figure (C) are schematic back views.
FIG. 5 is a drawing of a tilting part constituting a signal output part used in the wheel type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5 (A) is a schematic front view, FIG. (B) is a schematic side view, and (C) is a schematic rear view.
FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a substrate constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a conductive piece constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a drawing of a state in which a signal output unit is incorporated in the operating unit base of the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 8 (A) is a schematic front view, FIG. (B) is a schematic side view, and FIG. (C) is a schematic rear view.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams of a controller in which the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used, in which FIG. 9A is a schematic partial plan view, and FIG. A partial front view and FIG. 10C are schematic side views.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a wheel-type input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Operation part 110 Contact part 200 Signal output part 300 Upper case (component)

Claims (4)

A case having an opening, an operation unit base disposed in the case, and a support member that can be tilted in a circumferential direction with a part of a peripheral surface exposed from the case and the operation unit base. A substantially fan-shaped operation unit, and a signal output unit that outputs a signal in accordance with the operation of the operation unit,
The operation portion is provided with an engagement portion into which a boss provided in the case is fitted on one surface, and is provided with a substantially circular bulge supported on the operation portion base on the other surface.
The operation unit base has a substantially circular opening, and the signal output unit is a substantially ring-shaped member into which the bulge of the operation unit is fitted, and one surface of the operation unit is fitted in the fitted state. A tilting portion that is in surface contact with the other surface, a conductive piece attached to the tilting portion, and a substrate on which the conductive pattern is disposed to be opposed to the tilting portion and in sliding contact with the conductive piece, The wheel-type input device, wherein the tilting part is fitted into the opening of the operation part base so as to be tiltable in a state where the bulge of the operation part is fitted . 2. The wheel type input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a wheel type operation unit rotatably supported by the case and the operation unit base . The wheel type input device according to claim 1, wherein both end portions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface of the operation portion are protrusions protruding outward and can be brought into contact with the back surface side of the opening edge portion of the housing. A wheel-type input device, wherein each of the contact portions is integrally provided . 4. The wheel type input device according to claim 3, wherein a cushion is provided in a portion where the contact portion of the operation portion on the back surface of the opening edge portion of the case can come into contact .

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