Vernier positioning device

Abstract

The present application provides a vernier positioning device, comprising a bottom shell, a circuit, a swing seat, a roller and a fixed cover. The circuit is arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom shell. The swing seat is located in the bottom shell and has a swing axis parallel to the bottom surface and a first sub-limiting member protruding from one side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface. The swing seat is laterally swingably arranged on the bottom shell relative to the swing axis. The roller is located in the bottom shell and has a rotation axis perpendicular to the swing axis, and is rotatably mounted on the swing seat by the rotation axis. The lower surface of the fixed cover faces the bottom surface and is combined with the bottom shell, and has a through hole passing through the lower surface and a second sub-limiting member arranged on the lower surface; the through hole allows a part of the roller to pass through, and the first sub-limiting member and the second sub-limiting member are movably combined. When the roller swings laterally relative to the swing axis under the lateral force, the circuit is triggered.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a computer input device, and more particularly to a cursor positioning device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A cursor positioning device, such as a mouse, is an indispensable peripheral device for a computer, which has various basic functions, such as inputting coordinates, selecting objects, scrolling a picture up or down (forward or backward), or scrolling a picture left or right. A typical mouse design includes a scroll wheel and buttons, which allow a user to control the movement of a cursor by holding the mouse with a palm, to control the scrolling of a computer window by rotating the scroll wheel with a finger, and / or to select an image on a computer screen or perform a function by pressing a button.

[0003] Since the scroll wheel of a conventional mouse can only be rotated forward or backward, it can only control the scrolling of a computer window in a single direction (e.g., moving a vertical scrolling bar on a window operation interface up or down), and cannot move a cursor in multiple directions. In order to improve the operability of a mouse (e.g., to meet the requirements of responsiveness and agility for game operation), a design has been proposed in which the rotation of a scroll wheel is connected and accommodated in a scroll wheel base, and a spring arm or a movable cantilever is used to connect a mouse base and the scroll wheel base, so that the scroll wheel base can be laterally deflected on the mouse base. When the scroll wheel in the scroll wheel base is subjected to a lateral force, the scroll wheel base can be correspondingly deflected to trigger a micro switch on a mouse circuit board, thereby completing a corresponding input operation.

[0004] However, since the scroll wheel base and the mouse base are connected by a spring arm or a movable cantilever, the deflection amplitude of the scroll wheel base cannot be accurately controlled. When the scroll wheel is subjected to a lateral force, the scroll wheel base is easily displaced too much to the left or right, which causes it to be unable to quickly return to its original position, thereby affecting the responsiveness and agility of the mouse operation. In addition, since the lateral force applied to the scroll wheel base cannot be constrained, the scroll wheel base is also likely to improperly hit the micro switch, which can damage the micro switch and cause the circuit board to fail.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide an advanced display firmware updating method and application system to solve the problems faced by the prior art. SUMMARY

[0006] An embodiment of the present specification discloses a cursor positioning device, comprising a bottom shell, a circuit, a swing seat, a roller and a fixed cover. The bottom shell has a bottom surface; the circuit is disposed on the bottom surface. The swing seat is located in the bottom shell and has a swing shaft parallel to the bottom surface and a first sub-limiting part protruding from a side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface. The roller is located in the bottom shell and has a rotating shaft perpendicular to the swing shaft and is rotatably mounted on the swing seat. The lower surface of the fixed cover faces the bottom surface and is combined with the bottom shell, and has a through hole passing through the lower surface and a second sub-limiting part provided on the lower surface; wherein the through hole allows a part of the roller to pass through, and the first sub-limiting part and the second sub-limiting part are movably combined; when the roller swings laterally relative to the swing shaft under lateral force, the circuit is triggered.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the first sub-limiting part comprises a limiting seat protruding from a side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface, and the limiting seat has a limiting space; and the second sub-limiting part is a protruding part protruding from the lower surface and movably accommodated in the limiting space.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the limiting space is a horn-shaped limiting space.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the second sub-limiting part comprises a limiting seat protruding from the lower surface of the fixed cover, and the limiting seat has a limiting space; and the first sub-limiting part is a protruding part protruding from a side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface and movably accommodated in the limiting space.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, it further comprises an upper cover combined with the bottom shell, so that the fixed cover is located between the upper cover and the bottom shell.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the upper cover comprises at least one button, and the circuit comprises at least one button switch corresponding to the at least one button.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the swing seat comprises:

[0013] a swing support fixed to the bottom surface and having a pivot hole; and

[0014] a bearing shell comprising:

[0015] a hub shell swingably fixed to the swing support for accommodating the roller; and

[0016] two clamping grooves recessed in the hub shell and arranged parallel to the rotating shaft for pivoting the roller.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, the roller has an axle for pivoting in the two clamping grooves and the pivot hole.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment, the circuit includes a first micro switch and a second micro switch.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment, the swing base further includes a first trigger arm and a second trigger arm. The first trigger arm extends outwardly from the hub shell and corresponds to the first micro switch; when the roller swings leftward relative to the swing axis, the first trigger arm is pressed and triggered. The second trigger arm extends outwardly from the hub shell and corresponds to the second micro switch; when the roller swings rightward relative to the swing axis, the first trigger arm is pressed and triggered.

[0020] In comparison with the prior art, the present specification provides a cursor positioning device, which includes a bottom shell, a circuit arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom shell, a swing base laterally swingably arranged on the bottom shell, a roller pivotally arranged in the swing base, and a fixed cover combined with the bottom shell. By movably combining a first sub-limiting member protruding from one side of the swing base away from the bottom surface and a second sub-limiting member arranged on the lower surface of the fixed cover facing the bottom surface, the lateral swing amplitude of the roller and the swing base can be controlled, so as to prevent the roller and the swing base from being laterally biased and displaced too much to be quickly returned, affecting the responsiveness and agility of the mouse operation, and preventing the swing base from being damaged by being impacted due to excessive lateral force and damaging the control circuit arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to have a better understanding of the above technical features and other aspects of the present specification, the following embodiments are specifically described in detail below, together with the accompanying drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1A A perspective structural exploded view of a cursor positioning device according to an embodiment of the present specification;

[0023] FIG. 1B A perspective structural exploded view of the cursor positioning device of FIG. 1A from another angle;

[0024] FIG. 1C A perspective structural exploded view of the cursor positioning device of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B a top view of the combined structure of the cursor positioning device;

[0025] FIG. 2A A cross-sectional perspective view of the combined structure of the cursor positioning device according to FIG. 1C ;

[0026] FIG. 2B A partial enlarged view of the combined structure of the cursor positioning device for FIG. 2A ;

[0027] FIG. 3A partial cross-sectional perspective enlarged view of the combined structure of the vernier positioning device according to another embodiment of this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0029] This specification provides a vernier positioning device that prevents excessive lateral displacement of the rollers, which could affect operational responsiveness and agility, or damage the control circuit of the vernier positioning device. To make the above-described embodiments and other objects, features, and advantages of this specification more apparent and understandable, several preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] However, it is important to note that these specific implementation examples and methods are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can still be implemented using other features, elements, methods, and parameters. The proposed preferred embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical features of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the patent application. Those skilled in the art will be able to make equivalent modifications and variations based on the description in the following specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In different embodiments and drawings, the same elements will be represented by the same element symbols.

[0031] Please refer to FIGS. 1A-1C , FIG. 1A An exploded perspective view of a vernier positioning device 100 illustrated according to an embodiment of this specification. FIG. 1B Draw FIG. 1A Exploded view of the vernier positioning device 100 from another angle. FIG. 1C Draw FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B A top view of the combined structure of the vernier positioning device 100.

[0032] In some embodiments of this specification, the cursor positioning device 100 may be a mouse. However, in other embodiments, the form and function of the cursor positioning device 100 are not limited thereto. Any method that uses a built-in scroll wheel to trigger a microswitch on a built-in circuit board to perform data input operations (such as controlling the movement of a mouse cursor, controlling the scrolling of a computer window, or selecting or performing functions on an image on a computer screen) does not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

[0033] The cursor positioning device 100 comprises a bottom shell 101, a circuit 102, a swing seat 103, a roller 104, a fixed cover 105, and an upper cover. The bottom shell 101 has a bottom surface 101a for bearing the circuit 102, the swing seat 103, and the roller 104. In the embodiment, the cursor positioning device 100 can be a game controller. The bottom shell 101 can be a base shell of the game controller.

[0034] The circuit 102 is disposed in the bottom shell 101 and is fixed on the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 by locking elements (e.g., screws) 109. The circuit 102 has a circuit substrate 102a and a control circuit 102b composed of a plurality of active elements and / or passive elements on the circuit substrate 102a, and is electrically connected to a host computer (not shown) by wires 102c. In addition, at least one key switch 108, a first micro switch 107a, and a second micro switch 107b are disposed on the circuit 102 and are in electrical contact with the control circuit 102b, respectively.

[0035] The swing seat 103 is disposed in the bottom shell 101 and has a swing axis L parallel to the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101. The swing seat 103 is laterally swingable relative to the swing axis L and is disposed on the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101, and extends upward through a through hole 102d of the circuit board 102.

[0036] In the embodiment, the swing seat 103 comprises a swing bracket 103a swingably fixed on the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 and a bearing shell 103b. The swing bracket 103a comprises a bracket body 103a1, at least one pin rod 103a2, and a threaded hole 103a3. One end of the pin rod 103a2 is connected to the bracket body 103a1, and the other end is movably disposed in a plurality of limiting holes (not shown) of the bottom shell 101 to limit the bracket body 103a1 to a fixed position on the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101.

[0037] In detail, the pin rod 103a2 is substantially perpendicular to the swing axis L and forms an acute angle Θ with the bracket body 103a1. The limiting holes (not shown) in the bottom shell 101 for accommodating the pin rod 103a2 are substantially larger than the size of the pin rod 103a2 itself. When the bracket body 103a1 is erected on the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 and the pin rod 103a2 is disposed in the plurality of limiting holes (not shown), the pin rod 103a2 and the bracket body 103a1 can be pivot points relative to each other, thereby allowing the bracket body 103a1 to swing left and right laterally relative to the swing axis L, and the bearing shell 103b to swing left and right laterally with the swing bracket 103a.

[0038] It is worth noting that the manner in which the swing seat 103 is swingably secured to the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 is not limited to the above. Any mechanism, design and arrangement that can secure the swing seat 103 to the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 and allow it to swing laterally left and right is within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0039] In addition, the swing seat further comprises a first trigger arm 103b1 and a second trigger arm 103b2, which extend outwardly from the outer edge of the bearing shell 103b. The first trigger arm 103b1 and the second trigger arm 103b2 correspond to the first micro switch 107a and the second micro switch 107b provided on the circuit 102, respectively. When the roller 104 swings right relative to the swing axis L, it drives the first trigger arm 103b1 to tilt right and press the first micro switch 107a, thereby triggering the circuit 102 to output a first signal; when the roller 104 swings left relative to the swing axis L, it drives the second trigger arm 103b2 to tilt left and press the second micro switch 107b, thereby triggering the circuit 102 to output a second signal.

[0040] The roller 104 is located in the bottom shell 101 and has a wheel body 104a and a rotating shaft 104b passing through the center of the wheel body 104a and perpendicular to the swing axis L, which is rotatably mounted in the swing seat 103 by the rotating shaft 104b. In particular, in this embodiment, the bearing shell 103b of the swing seat 103 can be a substantially semicircular hub shell (but not limited to this), and two clamping grooves 103b3 are recessed on the opposite sides of the bearing shell 103b for bearing and pivoting the rotating shaft 104b of the roller 104, so that at least a part of the wheel body 104a is rotatably accommodated in the semicircular hub shell of the bearing shell 103b. The part of the wheel body 104a not accommodated in the bearing shell 103b extends upward beyond the upper edge of the semicircular hub shell of the bearing shell 103b.

[0041] The fixed cover 105 is located in the bottom shell 101 and above the swing base 103, and is combined with the bottom shell 101. In the embodiment, the fixed cover 105 has a lower surface 105a facing the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101 and a through hole 105b passing through the lower surface 105a of the fixed cover 105. When the fixed cover 105 is combined with the bottom shell 101, the through hole 105b can allow a portion of the wheel body 104a not contained in the semicircular hub shell of the bearing shell 103b to extend upward through the top surface of the fixed cover 105. The transverse dimension of the through hole 105b parallel to the rotation shaft 104b is substantially greater than the thickness of the wheel body 104a. Therefore, when the fixed cover 105 is combined with the bottom shell 101, the wheel body 104a can be driven by a lateral force (not shown) to swing the bearing shell 103b and the swing bracket 103a laterally left and right under the control of the through hole 105b.

[0042] The upper cover 106 is located above the fixed cover 105 and is combined with the bottom shell 101, so that the fixed cover 105 is located between the bottom surface of the upper cover 106 and the bottom surface 101a of the bottom shell 101. The upper cover 106 also includes a through hole 106a. Similarly, the transverse dimension of the through hole 106a parallel to the rotation shaft 104b is substantially greater than the thickness of the wheel body 104a. Therefore, when the upper cover 106 is combined with the bottom shell 101, the through hole 106a can allow a portion of the wheel body 104a not contained in the bearing shell 103b to extend upward through the top surface of the upper cover 106, so that the user can operate the scroll wheel 104 by fingers to control the scrolling of the computer window (not shown), and can push the scroll wheel 104 to swing laterally left and right to control the movement of the cursor in the computer window.

[0043] In addition, the upper cover 106 also includes at least one (for example, a plurality of) button 106b corresponding to the button switch 108 provided on the circuit 102, respectively. In the embodiment, the button 106b is aligned with the button switch 108 by the pressing column 106c (refer to FIG. 1B ) protruding from the lower surface. When the user presses the button 106b, the pressing column 106c pushes the button switch 108 to trigger the circuit 102 to output a third signal to select or perform a function operation on the image (not shown) on the computer screen.

[0044] In order to prevent the lateral displacement of the roller 104 from being too large when the roller 104 is subjected to a lateral force, the first sub-limiting member 111a provided on the bearing shell 103b and the second sub-limiting member 111b provided on the fixed cover 105 are combined to limit the lateral displacement of the bearing shell 103b within a certain range. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b are movably combined when the fixed cover 105 is combined with the bottom shell 101. In this way, the lateral displacement of the bearing shell 103b can be limited within a certain range.

[0045] For example, please refer to FIGS. 2A-2B , FIG. 2A According to FIG. 1C the combined structure of the vernier positioning device 100 is shown in the perspective view. FIG. 2B For FIG. 2A the combined structure of the vernier positioning device 100 is shown in the perspective view.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the first sub-limiting member 111a includes a limiting seat protruding from the side of the bearing shell 103b away from the bottom surface. The limiting seat has a trumpet-shaped limiting space 111c defined by a recess. The second sub-limiting member 111b includes a protruding portion protruding from the lower surface 105a of the fixed cover 105. The first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b are arranged face-to-face. When the fixed cover 105 is combined with the bottom shell 101, the protruding portion of the second sub-limiting member 111b can be accommodated in the limiting space 111c of the first sub-limiting member 111a.

[0047] The size of the limiting space 111c is substantially larger than the size of the protruding portion of the second sub-limiting member 111b. Therefore, when the second sub-limiting member 111b is combined with the first sub-limiting member 111a, the combination of the first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b is not tightly engaged, and there is still a certain degree of freedom between them. In other words, the second sub-limiting member 111b and the first sub-limiting member 111a are movably engaged with each other. Therefore, when the wheel body 104a is subjected to a lateral force to drive the bearing shell 103b to swing laterally left and right, the swinging range of the wheel body 104a and the bearing shell 103b can be limited within the degree of freedom of the first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b control the lateral swinging range of the wheel body 104a and the carrier shell 103b, which is substantially smaller than the lateral swinging range of the wheel body 104a in the through hole 105b of the fixed cover 105. In this way, when the user applies a force to laterally deflect the wheel 104, the wheel body 104a can be prevented from being laterally displaced too much, which would result in the inability to quickly return, affecting the responsiveness and agility of the mouse operation. At the same time, the user is prevented from applying too much force, causing the first trigger arm 103b1 (or the second trigger arm 103b2) of the carrier shell 103b to improperly strike the first micro switch 107a (or the second micro switch 107b), resulting in excessive pressure on the first micro switch 107a (or the second micro switch 107b) and the circuit 102, which would damage them.

[0049] However, it is worth noting that the configuration of the first sub-limiting member 111a and the second sub-limiting member 111b should not be limited to this. For example, please refer to FIG. 3 , FIG. 3 A partial cross-sectional perspective enlarged view of the combined structure of the cursor positioning device 200 according to another embodiment of the present specification. FIG. 3 The structure of the illustrated cursor positioning device 200 is generally similar to FIG. 2B FIG. 2B The cursor positioning device 200 illustrated is similar to the cursor positioning device 200 illustrated in the previous embodiment, except that the first sub-limiting member 211a of the cursor positioning device 200 includes a protruding portion protruding from a side of the carrier shell 203b away from the bottom surface, and the second sub-limiting member 211b includes a limiting seat protruding from the lower surface 205a of the fixed cover 205.

[0050] The limiting seat of the second sub-limiting member 211b has a limiting space 211c defined by a recessed portion, and the size of the limiting space 211c is substantially larger than the size of the protruding portion of the second sub-limiting member 211b. When the fixed cover 205 is combined with the bottom shell 201, the protruding portion of the first sub-limiting member 211a can be accommodated in the limiting space 211c of the second sub-limiting member 211b.

[0051] Since there is still a certain degree of freedom between the first sub-limiting member 211a and the second sub-limiting member 211b, the second sub-limiting member 211b is movably engaged with the first sub-limiting member 211a. When the wheel body 104a is forced to laterally swing the carrier shell 203b, the swinging range of the wheel body 104a and the carrier shell 203b can be limited within the degree of freedom of the first sub-limiting member 211a and the second sub-limiting member 211b.

[0052] According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present application provides a cursor positioning device, which comprises a bottom shell, a circuit arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom shell, a swing seat swingably arranged on the bottom shell, a roller pivotally arranged in the swing seat, and a fixed cover combined with the bottom shell. The lateral swing range of the roller and the swing seat can be controlled by movably combining a first sub-limiting member protruding from one side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface and a second sub-limiting member arranged on the lower surface of the fixed cover facing the bottom surface, so as to prevent the lateral displacement of the roller and the swing seat from being too large to quickly return, affecting the responsiveness and agility of the mouse operation, and preventing the swing seat from being damaged by the impact of the control circuit on the bottom surface of the bottom shell.

[0053] The present application has been described by the above-mentioned embodiments, however, the above-mentioned embodiments are only examples for implementing the present application. It must be pointed out that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. On the contrary, modifications and improvements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application are within the scope of the patent protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A vernier positioning device, characterized in that, include: The bottom shell has a bottom surface; The circuit is located on this bottom surface; The swing seat, located within the bottom shell, has a swing shaft and a first sub-limiting member. The swing shaft is parallel to the bottom surface. The swing seat is laterally swingable on the bottom shell relative to the swing shaft. The first sub-limiting member protrudes from the side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface. A roller, located within the base housing, has a pivot perpendicular to the swing axis and is rotatably mounted on the swing base via this pivot; and A fixed cover has a lower surface facing the bottom surface and being combined with the bottom shell, and has a through-hole passing through the lower surface and a second sub-limiting member disposed on the lower surface; wherein the through-hole allows a portion of the roller to pass through it, and the first sub-limiting member and the second sub-limiting member are movably coupled; when the roller is subjected to a lateral force and swings laterally relative to the swing axis, the circuit is triggered; The swing seat includes: A swing bracket includes a bracket body, a bolt, and screw holes. One end of the bolt is connected to the bracket body, and the other end is movably inserted through multiple limiting holes in the bottom shell. The bolt is perpendicular to the swing axis and forms an acute angle with the bracket body. The bracket body is fixed at a fixed position on the bottom surface of the bottom shell. The supporting housing includes: A hub housing, pivotally fixed to the pivot bracket, for accommodating the roller; and Two slots are recessed in the hub housing and arranged parallel to the shaft to support and pivotally connect the shaft of the roller. The roller has a wheel body, and the shaft passes through the center of the wheel body. The hub housing is semi-circular, so that at least a portion of the wheel body is rotatably accommodated in the hub housing. The portion of the wheel body not accommodated in the hub housing extends upward beyond the upper edge of the hub housing.

2. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-limiting member includes: a limiting seat protruding from the side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface, the limiting seat having a limiting space; the second sub-limiting member is a protrusion protruding from the lower surface, movably accommodated in the limiting space.

3. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting space is a trumpet-shaped limiting space.

4. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second sub-limiting member includes a limiting seat protruding from the lower surface of the fixed cover, the limiting seat having a limiting space; the first sub-limiting member is a protrusion protruding from the side of the swing seat away from the bottom surface, movably accommodated in the limiting space.

5. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a top cover, which is combined with the bottom shell so that the fixed cover is located between the top cover and the bottom shell.

6. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The top cover includes at least one button, and the circuit includes at least one push-button switch, which corresponds to the at least one button.

7. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit includes a first micro switch and a second micro switch.

8. The vernier positioning device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The swing seat also includes: A first trigger arm extends outward from the hub housing and corresponds to the first micro switch; when the roller swings to the left relative to the pendulum axis, it triggers the first trigger arm; and The second trigger arm extends outward from the hub housing and corresponds to the second micro switch; when the roller swings to the right relative to the pendulum axis, it triggers the first trigger arm.

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