JP3753408B2 - Alternate input device for game machines - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alternating input device for a game machine used for a pedal portion or the like of a flight simulator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, input devices that imitate real handles, accelerators, and the like have been used as input devices for video games such as drive games. With these devices, players can enjoy the game as if they were operating a real vehicle.
On the other hand, with the development of computer technology in recent years, it has become possible to play a game that reproduces a real thing in a very complicated and precise manner that was impossible in the past. One of them is a game classified into a type called a flight simulator that reproduces the operation of an aircraft. As described above, the flight simulator has been able to reproduce the operation of the aircraft with extremely high complexity and precision. Accordingly, players have come to demand a feeling of operation closer to that of a real aircraft.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, most of the input devices of conventional game machines are only input operations by hand, and there are many things that are far from the actual operation feeling of an aircraft. Even if an operation with a foot is added, the operation is different from the actual one. That is, in an actual aircraft, when operating with the foot, for example, when the right foot is depressed, the operation unit on the left foot side performs an alternate motion in which the two pedals simultaneously move in opposite directions that are substantially parallel. There is no input device having a feeling of operation, and left and right inputs can be performed independently.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternating input device for a game machine having a simple structure, good maintainability, a small size, and an operational feeling similar to an actual one.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when one of the first and second operation units (31R, 31L) for inputting the operation amount by the player and one of the first and second operation units is operated in the first direction, A link mechanism capable of reciprocating with the other moving in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and a detector (11C) for detecting a mechanical operation amount of the first and second operation units; In the alternating input device for a game machine, the link mechanism has a first moving rotation center (12R) and a second moving rotation center (12L) at both ends, respectively, and a central first fixed rotation center ( 11) and a first link (10) provided rotatably within a predetermined range around the center, and a center line Z passing through the first fixed rotation center and parallel to the operation direction in a direction perpendicular to the operation direction. A predetermined distance LX from the first fixed rotation center and the center line Z direction A fourth link (20R) having a second fixed rotation center (21R) at one end and a third moving rotation center (22R) at the other end at a position separated by a predetermined distance LZ, and the first A second link (30R) that connects the third rotational center of movement and the third rotational center of rotation, and a third fixed position that is symmetrical to the second fixed rotational center with the center line Z as the axis of symmetry. A fifth link (20L) having a rotation center (21L) at one end and a fourth moving rotation center (22L) at the other end and having the same length as the fourth link, and the second link An alternate input device for a game machine comprising a third link (30L) that connects a moving rotation center and the fourth moving rotation center and has the same length as the second link.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the invention, the alternating input device of the game machine according to claim 1, the length of the first link L1, a length of the second link L2, the length of the fourth link When the length is L4, the distance LX and the distance LZ are in a relationship of LX = (L1) / 2−L4, LZ = L2, and are an alternating input device for a game machine.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3 is the alternating input device of the game machine according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The detector (11C) is an alternating input device for a game machine that detects a rotation amount at the first fixed rotation center.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the alternating input device for a game machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first and second operation portions (31R, 31L) are operated by a foot. This is an alternating input device for a game machine.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
(Construction)
1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an alternating input device for a game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view, and FIG. 3 is A in FIG. -A sectional drawing and FIG. 4 are BB sectional drawings in FIG.
[0011]
The first link 10 is a pipe member having a first fixed rotation center 11 at the center and a first moving rotation center 12R and a second moving rotation center 12L at both ends. Arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the operation direction F1 indicated by the arrow F1. The first link 10 is rotatably mounted around the first fixed rotation center 11 and is rotatable within a range limited by the rubber stoppers 51R and 51L.
[0012]
The first fixed rotation center 11 is rotatably attached to the base 50 via the bearing 11A, rotates integrally with the first link 10, and supports the first link 10, and is made of metal. It consists of the axis.
[0013]
The bearing 11 </ b> A is a bearing that needs to support a load received during operation, has sufficient strength, and is configured to be smoothly rotated.
[0014]
The second fixed rotation center 21R passes through the first fixed rotation center 11, is separated from the center line Z parallel to the operation direction F1 by a predetermined distance LX on the right side of the drawing in FIG. The center of rotation is located at a distance and attached to the base 50. The first fixed rotation center 11 mainly supports the load, and the second fixed rotation center 21R divides and supports the load with the third fixed rotation center 21L, so it is used for the first fixed rotation center 11. The load bearing capacity of a bearing is not necessary, but is a smaller and simpler center of rotation.
Further, since the second fixed rotation center 21R and the third fixed rotation center 21L are separated by a predetermined distance (2LX), maintenance such as refueling can be performed on the bearing 11A using the gap.
Furthermore, as described above, the second fixed rotation center 21R and the third fixed rotation center 21L can be reduced in size and have a gap at a predetermined interval. Therefore, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.
[0015]
The fourth link 20R is a sheet metal member having a second fixed rotation center 21R at one end and a third moving rotation center 22R at the other end.
[0016]
The second link 30R is a sheet metal member having a first moving rotation center 12R at one end and a third moving rotation center 22R at the other end.
[0017]
The third link 30L, the fifth link 20L, the fourth moving rotation center 22L, and the third fixed rotation center 21L are respectively the second link 30R, the fourth link 20R, the third moving rotation center 22R, Similar members are arranged symmetrically about the second fixed rotation center 21R with the center line Z as the axis of symmetry.
[0018]
The pedals 31R and 31L are operation members attached to the second link 30R and the third link 30L, and are members for inputting an operation amount when the player pushes with a foot.
[0019]
The detector 11 </ b> C is a variable resistor that changes the resistance value according to the amount of rotation of the first fixed rotation center 11, and plays a role of detecting the player's operation amount.
[0020]
The rubber spring 11B is made of rubber, which is an elastic body that produces the same action as the torsion spring, and is attached so as to be neutral when the first link 10 is in the direction shown in FIG. The rubber spring 11B serves to return the link mechanism to the neutral position when the player removes his / her foot from the pedals 31R and 31L, and also serves to generate an appropriate reaction force. Therefore, the amount of stepping force of the pedals 31R and 31L can be changed by changing the hardness, shape, etc. of the rubber.
[0021]
(Operation of alternating input device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the above-described link mechanism including the five links and the seven rotation centers with a simple model for easy understanding. Since symbols corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are attached to FIG. 5, the operation of the alternating input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to these symbols as well.
[0022]
When the player steps on the pedal 31R in the direction of arrow F1, the second link 30R moves in the direction of arrow F1. As a result, the first link 10, the fourth link 20R, and the fifth link 20L are left about the first fixed rotation center 11, the second fixed rotation center 21R, and the third fixed rotation center 21L, respectively. Rotate. Accordingly, the third link 30L moves in the arrow F2 direction by the same movement amount corresponding to the movement of the second link 30R.
[0023]
At this time, since the second link 30R and the third link 30L are supported by the fourth link 20R and the fifth link 20L, the first link 10 is in a rotating motion. It works close to parallel motion. Actually, the operation is performed with a slight angle, but the actual operation feeling cannot be distinguished from the difference in operation in parallel. Therefore, it feels like operating in parallel.
[0024]
The player steps on the pedals 31R and 31L alternately as necessary to rotate the first fixed rotation center 11 and sends the operation amount to the game machine main body by the detector 11C. A game operation (input) such as a control operation is performed.
[0025]
Thus, according to this embodiment, maintainability is high, and the alternating input device of a small game machine can be manufactured with a simple structure.
[0026]
(Deformation)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention.
[0027]
(1) In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the operation is performed with the feet, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be performed with hands, for example.
[0028]
(2) In this embodiment, although the example which uses this invention for a flight simulator was shown, it is not restricted to this, What is necessary is just a game which performs an alternating input.
[0029]
(3) In the present embodiment, an example in which each link is made of metal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, resin or wood.
[0030]
(4) In the present embodiment, an example in which the operation unit is alternately moved substantially in parallel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by changing the position of each fixed rotation center, a predetermined direction is set in the movement direction of the operation unit. An angle may be given to give another sense of operation. In addition, it is the same form as the alternate input device shown in the embodiment, and when the interval between the two operation units is wide, the operation unit may be directed inward by a predetermined angle to facilitate the operation. Good. This is effective, for example, in the case of a game for children.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an alternating input device for a game machine with a simple structure that is easy to maintain and can be sensed as being input in parallel even with a small size. Can do.
Moreover, since another member can also be arrange | positioned between the 2nd fixed rotation center and the 3rd fixed rotation center, it can be used for various game machines.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention with a simple model.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 1st link 11 1st fixed rotation center 12L 2nd movement rotation center 12R 1st movement rotation center 20L 5th link 20R 4th link 21L 3rd fixed rotation center 21R 2nd fixed rotation center 22L Fourth moving rotation center 22R Third moving rotation center 30L Third link 30R Second link

Claims (4)

First and second operation units for inputting an operation amount by a player;
When one of the first and second operation portions is operated in the first direction, the other moves in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and a reciprocating link mechanism;
A detector for detecting a mechanical operation amount of the first and second operation units;
In an alternating input device of a game machine comprising :
The link mechanism has a first moving rotation center and a second moving rotation center at both ends, respectively, and a first link provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range around a central first fixed rotation center. ,
A predetermined distance LX from the first fixed rotation center in a direction orthogonal to the operation direction from a center line Z passing through the first fixed rotation center and parallel to the operation direction, and a predetermined distance LZ in the center line Z direction. A fourth link having a second fixed rotational center at one end at a remote location and a third moving rotational center at the other end;
A second link connecting the first moving rotation center and the third moving rotation center;
Having a third fixed rotation center at one end that is symmetrical to the second fixed rotation center with the center line Z as the axis of symmetry, and a fourth moving rotation center at the other end; A fifth link equal in length to the link;
Connecting the second moving rotation center and the fourth moving rotation center, and comprising a third link having the same length as the second link;
An alternating input device for a game machine. The alternating input device of the game machine according to claim 1 ,
When the length of the first link is L1, the length of the second link is L2, and the length of the fourth link is L4, the distance LX and the distance LZ are LX = (L1) / 2−L4, LZ = L2
An alternating input device for a game machine. The alternating input device of the game machine according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The detector detects a rotation amount at the first fixed rotation center;
An alternating input device for a game machine. In the alternating input device of the game machine of any one of Claim 1- Claim 3 ,
The first and second operation units are operated by feet;
An alternating input device for a game machine.

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