Scroll wheel control mechanism and mouse device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a scroll wheel control mechanism and a mouse device. The scroll wheel control mechanism includes a base, a roller member, a bridge member, a transmission member, a drive motor and a traction member. The roller member is rotatably disposed on the base and has a first tooth structure. The bridge member is rotatably disposed on the base. The bridge member includes a second tooth structure and an actuator. The second tooth structure engages with the first tooth structure. The transmission member has a track structure. The drive motor is disposed in the base and connected to the transmission member. The traction member has a caliper portion and a sliding portion. The caliper portion is buckled with the actuator, and the sliding portion is slidably inserted into the track structure. The sliding portion slides along the track structure as the transmission member rotates, driving the caliper portion to press the actuator to rotate the bridge member. The present invention can pull the bridge member to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by moving the traction member to change the degree of engagement between the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure, thereby correspondingly adjusting the resistance that the roller member bears when rotating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller control mechanism and a mouse device, and in particular to a roller control mechanism and a mouse device with a resistance control function. Background Art

[0002] The mouse is one of the most important input devices for computer operation. Currently, all mice have a scroll wheel, allowing users to quickly scroll through web pages or document screens on the computer. The mouse is equipped with a rotation sensor and a processor in conjunction with the scroll wheel. The rotation sensor detects the rotation of the scroll wheel. When the rotation sensor detects the rotation of the scroll wheel, the processor analyzes and transmits the information interpreted by the scroll wheel rotation to the computer, allowing the computer to adjust the screen of the web page or document screen accordingly. To provide a better operating feel, a resistance mechanism is installed inside the mouse to provide resistance to the rotation of the scroll wheel. The user will detect the change in resistance as the scroll wheel rotates based on the operating feel, thereby determining the actual number of rotations of the scroll wheel. However, the resistance mechanism of traditional mice uses frictional interference between components to generate resistance. Long-term use will cause the resistance mechanism to wear out, and the resistance change perceived by the user will not accurately reflect the actual number of rotations of the scroll wheel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a roller control mechanism and a mouse device with a resistance control function to solve the above problems.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a roller control mechanism is provided, comprising:

[0005] base;

[0006] a roller member rotatably disposed on the base, the roller member having a first tooth structure;

[0007] a bridge member rotatably disposed on the base, the bridge member comprising a second tooth structure and a triggering portion, the second tooth structure being detachably engaged with the first tooth structure;

[0008] The transmission member has a track structure;

[0009] a drive motor, disposed in the base and connected to the transmission member, for rotating the transmission member; and

[0010] A traction member is movably arranged on the base, and has a caliper portion and a sliding portion. The caliper portion is buckled with the triggering portion, and the sliding portion is slidably inserted into the track structure. As the transmission member rotates, the sliding portion slides along the track structure, thereby driving the caliper portion to press the triggering portion to pull the bridge member to rotate, thereby adjusting the degree of engagement between the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, it also includes:

[0012] The elastic element is arranged on the base and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end stops against the stop block of the base, and the second end stops against the triggering portion.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the roller component has an axle, a wheel frame and a wheel skin, the axle is arranged at the center of the wheel frame, the wheel skin is laid on the outer surface of the wheel frame, and the first tooth structure is arranged in a section of the axle extending outward relative to the wheel frame.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the first tooth structure has a plurality of first tooth units, and the second tooth structure has at least one second tooth unit.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the bridge member has a bridge body, which is an annular sleeve and is sleeved on the first column of the base. The second tooth structure and the triggering part are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the bridge body.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the triggering portion is a pin, and the caliper portion is a recessed structure, and the depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the pin.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the transmission member has a transmission body, and the track structure is arranged around the transmission body.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the traction member has a traction body, the first guide portion of the traction body is slidably coupled to the second guide portion of the base, and the caliper portion and the sliding portion are respectively arranged on different sides of the traction body.

[0019] As an optional technical solution, the first guiding portion is a sliding groove, and the second guiding portion is a latch.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a mouse device with a resistance control function is provided, comprising:

[0021] case;

[0022] The roller control mechanism includes:

[0023] a base, located in the housing;

[0024] a roller member rotatably disposed on the base, the roller member partially protruding from the outer surface of the housing and having a first tooth structure;

[0025] a bridge member rotatably disposed on the base, the bridge member comprising a second tooth structure and a triggering portion, the second tooth structure being detachably engaged with the first tooth structure;

[0026] The transmission member has a track structure;

[0027] a drive motor, disposed in the base and connected to the transmission member, for rotating the transmission member; and

[0028] a traction member movably disposed on the base, the traction member comprising a caliper portion and a sliding portion, the caliper portion being engaged with the triggering portion, and the sliding portion being slidably inserted into the track structure; and

[0029] A controller is electrically connected to the drive motor. The controller uses the drive motor to rotate the transmission member so that the sliding part slides along the track structure as the transmission member rotates, thereby driving the caliper part to press the triggering part to pull the bridge member to rotate, thereby adjusting the degree of engagement between the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure.

[0030] As an optional technical solution, the roller control mechanism further includes an elastic element, which is arranged on the base. The elastic element has a first end and a second end relative to each other, the first end stops at the stop block of the base, and the second end stops at the triggering part.

[0031] As an optional technical solution, the roller component has an axle, a wheel frame and a wheel skin, the axle is arranged at the center of the wheel frame, the wheel skin is laid on the outer surface of the wheel frame, and the first tooth structure is arranged in a section of the axle extending outward relative to the wheel frame.

[0032] As an optional technical solution, the first tooth structure has a plurality of first tooth units, and the second tooth structure has at least one second tooth unit.

[0033] As an optional technical solution, the bridge member has a bridge body, which is an annular sleeve and is sleeved on the first column of the base. The second tooth structure and the triggering part are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the bridge body.

[0034] As an optional technical solution, the triggering portion is a pin, and the caliper portion is a recessed structure, and the depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the pin.

[0035] As an optional technical solution, the transmission member has a transmission body, and the track structure is arranged around the transmission body.

[0036] As an optional technical solution, the traction member has a traction body, the first guide portion of the traction body is slidably coupled to the second guide portion of the base, and the caliper portion and the sliding portion are respectively arranged on different sides of the traction body.

[0037] As an optional technical solution, the first guiding portion is a sliding groove, and the second guiding portion is a latch.

[0038] In summary, the scroll wheel control mechanism and mouse device of the present invention, upon receiving a resistance adjustment command from the controller, controls the drive motor to rotate the transmission member, causing the traction member to move up and down due to the relative motion between the sliding portion and the track structure. The movement of the traction member causes the bridge member to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby changing the degree of engagement between the first and second tooth structures and correspondingly adjusting the resistance experienced by the scroll wheel member during rotation. In various variations, the scroll wheel control mechanism can adjust the engagement force between the first and second tooth structures by varying the width and number of turns of the annular bent section of the elastic element. Furthermore, the scroll wheel control mechanism can also adjust the length of the first guide portion (slideway) to adjust the depth of engagement between the first and second tooth structures.

[0039] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this does not limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 An exploded view of components of a mouse device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is an assembly diagram of a roller control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 An exploded view of the components of a roller control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a roller control mechanism in different operation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the components of a mouse device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The mouse device 10 may include a housing 12, a scroll wheel control mechanism 14, and a controller 16. Both the scroll wheel control mechanism 14 and the controller 16 are disposed on a circuit board 18 within the housing 12. The controller 16 is electrically connected to the scroll wheel control mechanism 14. The mouse device 10 may include a resistance control function. This function utilizes the controller 16 to operate the internal components of the scroll wheel control mechanism 14 to increase, reduce, or eliminate resistance during scroll wheel rotation. This allows the mouse device 10 to provide a different operating feel for various usage scenarios.

[0045] See also Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an assembly diagram of a roller control mechanism 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components of the roller control mechanism 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic diagrams of a roller control mechanism 14 in different operating stages according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roller control mechanism 14 may include a base 20, a roller member 22, a bridge member 24, a transmission member 26, a drive motor 28, a traction member 30, and an elastic element 32. The base 20 may be disposed within the housing 12 and has an irregular shape. It provides at least two accommodating chambers 20A and 20B for accommodating the roller member 22 and the drive motor 28 (or a first accommodating chamber 20A for accommodating the roller member 22 and a second accommodating chamber 20B for accommodating the drive motor 28). The bridge member 24, the traction member 30, and the elastic element 32 are disposed on the outer surface of the base 20. The transmission member 26 is coupled to the drive motor 28, thereby forming the roller control mechanism 14.

[0046] The roller member 22 is rotatably disposed within the first accommodating cavity 20A of the base 20 and partially protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 12. The roller member 22 may include a first tooth structure 34, an axle 36, a wheel frame 38, and a wheel skin 40. The axle 36 may be disposed at the center of the wheel frame 38 and slidably engaged with a corresponding hole in the base 20. The wheel skin 40 may be laid on the outer surface of the wheel frame 38. The first tooth structure 34 may be disposed in a specific section of the axle 36 that extends outward from the wheel frame 38. The first tooth structure 34 may include a plurality of first tooth units 341 disposed around the periphery of the aforementioned specific section.

[0047] The bridge member 24 is rotatably mounted on the base 20. The bridge member 24 may include a bridge body 42, a second tooth structure 44, and an initiating portion 46. The bridge body 42 may be an annular sleeve that is sleeved onto the first column 48 of the base 20. The second tooth structure 44 and the initiating portion 46 may be disposed at opposite ends of the bridge body 42. The second tooth structure 44 may have at least one second tooth unit 441 for detachably engaging the first tooth structure 34 of the roller member 22. In this embodiment, the second tooth structure 44 has a plurality of second tooth units 441, but the actual number is not limited thereto and depends on actual needs.

[0048] The transmission member 26 can be inserted into the rotating shaft 50 of the driving motor 28. The transmission member 26 can include a track structure 52 and a transmission body 54, and the track structure 52 is arranged around the transmission body 54. The driving motor 28 can be set in the second accommodating chamber 20B of the base 20 and electrically connected to the controller 16 for rotating or stopping the transmission member 26 according to the control command of the controller 16. The traction member 30 is movably arranged on the base 20. The traction member 30 can include a traction body 56, a caliper portion 58 and a sliding portion 60. The caliper portion 58 and the sliding portion 60 are respectively arranged on different sides of the traction body 56. The caliper portion 58 can be set on the side of the traction body 56 adjacent to the bridge member 24 for buckling the triggering portion 46. The sliding portion 60 can also be set on the top edge of the traction body 56 adjacent to the transmission member 26 for slidably inserting into the track structure 52.

[0049] In addition, the traction body 56 may have a first guide portion 62, and the base 20 may correspondingly have a second guide portion 64. The first guide portion 62 slidably engages with the second guide portion 64, allowing the traction body 56 to slide relative to the base 20 in a specific direction. Generally speaking, the first guide portion 62 can be designed as a slide groove, and the second guide portion 64 can be designed as a latch; of course, the first guide portion 62 can also be designed as a latch, and the second guide portion 64 can be designed as a slide groove. As long as the length of the slide groove is greater than the radial dimension of the latch, allowing the latch to move freely within the slide groove, the design purpose of the traction body 56 being slidably disposed on the base 20 in the present invention is met.

[0050] In this embodiment, the triggering portion 46 can be designed as a latch, and the caliper portion 58 can be correspondingly designed as a recessed structure. The depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the latch. This allows the caliper portion 58 to move within the triggering portion 46 when the pulling member 30 rotates the bridge member 24. However, practical applications are not limited to this. For example, the triggering portion 46 can be designed as a recessed structure, and the caliper portion 58 can be correspondingly designed as a latch. As long as the depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the latch, the design objectives of the roller control mechanism 14 of the present invention are met.

[0051] The elastic element 32 can be mounted on the second column 66 of the base 20. The elastic element 32 has a first end 321 and a second end 322 that are opposite each other. The first end 321 of the elastic element 32 can abut against the stopper 72 of the base 20, while the second end 322 of the elastic element 32 can abut against the triggering portion 46 of the bridge member 24. The elastic element 32 can have an annular curved section between the first end 321 and the second end 322. The width and number of turns of the annular curved section can be designed based on the desired resistance strength of the present invention. Therefore, various possible variations of the width and number of turns will not be described in detail.

[0052] like Figure 4As shown, the sliding portion 60 of the traction member 30 is located at the upper end of the track structure 52 of the transmission member 26, and the first guide portion 62 of the traction member 30 contacts or approaches the second guide portion 64 of the base 20 with its bottom end. At this time, the triggering portion 46 of the bridge member 24 stops at the upper end of the caliper portion 58 of the traction member 30 due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 32, so that the second tooth structure 44 of the bridge member 24 can deeply engage with the first tooth structure 34 of the roller member 22; in this state, the roller member 22 will be subjected to a relatively large resistance during the rotation process.

[0053] If the resistance is to be reduced, the driving motor 28 can control the transmission member 26 to rotate in a specific direction; Figure 5 As shown, as the transmission member 26 rotates, the sliding portion 60 of the pulling member 30 moves from the upper end to the lower end along the track structure 52, thereby driving the pulling member 30 downward, causing the top end of the first guide portion 62 to contact or approach the second guide portion 64 of the base 20. As the pulling member 30 moves downward, the triggering portion 46 of the bridge member 24 is compressed, causing the bridge body 42 to rotate clockwise relative to the first post 48, thereby adjusting the degree of engagement between the second tooth structure 44 of the bridge member 24 and the first tooth structure 34 of the roller member 22. In this state, the second tooth structure 44 can slightly separate from the first tooth structure 34 while maintaining engagement, so that the roller member 22 only experiences a small amount of resistance during rotation, or the second tooth structure 44 can completely separate from the first tooth structure 34, in which case the roller member 22 rotates in a resistance-free mode.

[0054] If the resistance is to be increased again, the drive motor 28 can control the transmission member 26 to rotate in another direction opposite to the specific direction, and the sliding part 60 moves back from the lower end to the upper end along the track structure 52, thereby raising the position of the traction member 30; at this time, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 32 will drive the bridge member 24 to rotate counterclockwise relative to the first column 48, and the second tooth structure 44 of the bridge member 24 will be further inserted into the depth of the first tooth structure 34 of the roller member 22, thereby increasing the degree of engagement between the two. Therefore, the roller member 22 will be subjected to a greater resistance during the rotation process.

[0055] It is worth noting that the base 20 can also selectively form at least one through-hole 68 near the roller member 22, and the axle 36 of the roller member 22 can further be provided with a grating structure 70. The mouse device 10 can be provided with a light detection module (not shown) adjacent to the roller control mechanism 14. The light emitter and light receiver of the light detection module are located on either side of the roller control mechanism 14. The light detection signal output by the light emitter can be irradiated onto the grating structure 70 through the through-hole 68. The light receiver then determines the rotational speed and number of revolutions of the grating structure 70 and its roller member 22 based on the received light detection signal, thereby determining the control command intended to be input by the user by manipulating the roller member 22.

[0056] In summary, the scroll wheel control mechanism and its associated mouse device of the present invention, upon receiving a resistance adjustment command from the controller, controls the drive motor to rotate the transmission member, causing the traction member to move up and down due to the relative motion of the sliding portion and the track structure. The movement of the traction member causes the bridge member to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby varying the degree of engagement between the first and second tooth structures and correspondingly adjusting the resistance experienced by the scroll wheel member during rotation. In various variations, the scroll wheel control mechanism can adjust the engagement force between the first and second tooth structures by varying the width and number of turns of the annular bent section of the elastic element. Furthermore, the scroll wheel control mechanism can also vary the length of the first guide portion (slideway) to adjust the depth of engagement between the first and second tooth structures.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A roller control mechanism, characterized in that: It includes: base; a roller member rotatably disposed on the base, the roller member having a first tooth structure; a bridge member rotatably disposed on the base, the bridge member comprising a second tooth structure and a triggering portion, the second tooth structure being detachably engaged with the first tooth structure; The transmission member has a track structure; a driving motor, disposed in the base and connected to the transmission member, for rotating the transmission member; as well as A traction member is movably arranged on the base, and has a caliper portion and a sliding portion. The caliper portion is buckled with the triggering portion, and the sliding portion is slidably inserted into the track structure. As the transmission member rotates, the sliding portion slides along the track structure, thereby driving the caliper portion to press the triggering portion to pull the bridge member to rotate, thereby adjusting the degree of engagement between the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure.

2. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The elastic element is arranged on the base and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end stops against the stop block of the base, and the second end stops against the triggering portion.

3. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roller component comprises a wheel axle, a wheel frame and a wheel skin. The wheel axle is arranged at the center of the wheel frame. The wheel skin is laid on the outer surface of the wheel frame. The first tooth structure is arranged on a section of the wheel axle extending outward relative to the wheel frame.

4. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first tooth structure has a plurality of first tooth units, and the second tooth structure has at least one second tooth unit.

5. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bridge member has a bridge body which is an annular sleeve and is sleeved on the first column of the base. The second tooth structure and the triggering part are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the bridge body.

6. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The triggering portion is a latch, and the caliper portion is a recessed structure. The depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the latch.

7. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission component has a transmission body, and the track structure is arranged around the transmission body.

8. The roller control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The traction member comprises a traction body, a first guide portion of the traction body being slidably coupled to a second guide portion of the base, and the caliper portion and the sliding portion being respectively arranged on different sides of the traction body.

9. The roller control mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first guiding portion is a sliding groove, and the second guiding portion is a latch.

10. A mouse device with resistance control function, characterized in that: It includes: case; The roller control mechanism includes: a base, located in the housing; a roller member rotatably disposed on the base, the roller member partially protruding from the outer surface of the housing and having a first tooth structure; a bridge member rotatably disposed on the base, the bridge member comprising a second tooth structure and a triggering portion, the second tooth structure being detachably engaged with the first tooth structure; The transmission member has a track structure; a driving motor, disposed in the base and connected to the transmission member, for rotating the transmission member; as well as a traction member movably disposed on the base, the traction member comprising a caliper portion and a sliding portion, the caliper portion being engaged with the triggering portion, and the sliding portion being slidably inserted into the track structure; as well as A controller is electrically connected to the drive motor. The controller uses the drive motor to rotate the transmission member so that the sliding part slides along the track structure as the transmission member rotates, thereby driving the caliper part to press the triggering part to pull the bridge member to rotate, thereby adjusting the degree of engagement between the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure.

11. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The roller control mechanism further includes an elastic element, which is arranged on the base. The elastic element has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end stops at a stop block of the base, and the second end stops at the triggering portion.

12. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The roller component comprises a wheel axle, a wheel frame and a wheel skin. The wheel axle is arranged at the center of the wheel frame. The wheel skin is laid on the outer surface of the wheel frame. The first tooth structure is arranged on a section of the wheel axle extending outward relative to the wheel frame.

13. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The first tooth structure has a plurality of first tooth units, and the second tooth structure has at least one second tooth unit.

14. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The bridge member has a bridge body which is an annular sleeve and is sleeved on the first column of the base. The second tooth structure and the triggering part are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the bridge body.

15. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The triggering portion is a latch, and the caliper portion is a recessed structure. The depth and width of the recessed structure are greater than the radial dimension of the latch.

16. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The transmission component has a transmission body, and the track structure is arranged around the transmission body.

17. The mouse device according to claim 10, wherein: The traction member comprises a traction body, a first guide portion of the traction body being slidably coupled to a second guide portion of the base, and the caliper portion and the sliding portion being respectively arranged on different sides of the traction body.

18. The mouse device according to claim 17, wherein: The first guiding portion is a sliding groove, and the second guiding portion is a latch.

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