Mouse wheel device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mouse roller device, which comprises a base, a roller module, a light shielding element and a light detection module. The base has a support. The roller module is arranged on the base. The roller module comprises an axle and a roller member. The axle comprises a wheel surface, a pivot and a plurality of radial ribs. The pivot is rotatably arranged on the support along an axial direction, and the radial ribs are located inside the wheel surface. The roller member is mounted on the periphery of the wheel surface of the axle. The light shielding element comprises a plurality of light shielding areas and a plurality of light transmitting areas, which are alternately arranged on the axle or the roller member around the axial direction. The light shielding areas are perpendicular to the pivot. The light detection module comprises a light emitter and a light receiver. The light receiver is used to receive the light signal projected by the light emitter. The present invention can provide better flexible raster structure customization service, and also enable high-cost axles to be shared for different function types of mouse products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a mouse scroll wheel device, and more particularly to a mouse scroll wheel device that uses optical technology to read rotation information. Background Technology

[0002] The scroll wheel module on the top of the mouse is mainly used to control the scrolling of the computer screen. The speed at which the user operates the scroll wheel with their finger is directly related to the scrolling speed of the screen and the area of ​​the screen that the user can view per unit of time.

[0003] The scroll wheel speed is generally detected by an encoder. Mechanical encoders are the most widely used in mice. Compared to optical encoders, mechanical encoders are simpler in structure, easier to program, and have a tactile feel with mechanical scales. Mechanical encoders have a rotating disk. When the mouse wheel rotates, it drives the disk of the mechanical encoder, causing multiple contacts on the disk to make electrical contact with fixed contacts on the base, thus generating intermittent conductive signals.

[0004] A grating encoder uses a set of optical transceiver modules positioned on both sides of a grating structure. As the scroll wheel rotates, the grating structure blocks and conducts the light signal, which can be used to detect the rotation speed of the mouse scroll wheel. An external optical code disk that is linked to the scroll wheel by gears or pivots can serve as the grating structure, allowing the optical transceiver modules to generate intermittent signals corresponding to the speed of the scroll wheel's rotation as the optical code disk rotates.

[0005] Meanwhile, the requirement for the scroll wheel on the top of the mouse to light up presents a new challenge for mice that use grating encoders to detect the scroll wheel speed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a mouse scroll wheel device that uses optical technology to read rotation information, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a mouse scroll wheel device is provided, comprising:

[0008] The base has supporting components;

[0009] A roller module, mounted on the base, comprises:

[0010] A wheel axle, comprising a wheel surface, a pivot, and a plurality of spokes, the pivot being rotatably mounted on a support member along an axial direction, the plurality of spokes being located inside the wheel surface; and

[0011] A roller component, installed on the outer periphery of the wheel surface of the axle;

[0012] A light-shielding element comprising multiple light-shielding areas and multiple light-transmitting areas, alternately arranged on the axle or roller component around the axial direction, wherein the light-shielding areas are perpendicular to the pivot; and

[0013] A light detection module, comprising:

[0014] A light emitter, located on the first side of the roller module, is used to project light signals; and

[0015] A light receiver is disposed on the second side of the roller module opposite to the first side. The light receiver is used to receive the light signal passing through the multiple light-transmitting areas of the roller module and the light-shielding element.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is an independent opaque sheet, which is attached to one side of the axle or the roller.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element also includes an outer ring area and an inner ring area, the outer ring area being connected to the outer ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas, and the inner ring area being connected to the inner ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is attached to the side edge of the plurality of spokes or the side of the roller component by at least one of the outer ring area, the inner ring area, or the plurality of light-shielding areas.

[0019] As an optional technical solution, the roller component is made of transparent material, and the light-shielding element is directly formed on one side or inside of the roller component. Each light-shielding area is composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

[0020] As an optional technical solution, the thickness of each rib is equal to or less than the width of each shading area of ​​the shading element.

[0021] As an optional technical solution, the number of the plurality of light-shielding areas is greater than or equal to the number of the plurality of spokes of the wheel axle.

[0022] According to another invention of the present invention, the present invention also provides a mouse scroll wheel device, which includes:

[0023] The base has supporting components;

[0024] A roller module, mounted on the base, comprises:

[0025] A wheel axle, comprising a pivot, a light guide surface, and a wall surface, wherein the pivot is rotatably mounted on the support member along an axial direction, the light guide surface and the wall surface are located on opposite sides of the pivot and are capable of coaxial rotation about the pivot, and the wall surface is perpendicular to the pivot; and

[0026] A transparent roller component is installed around the axle;

[0027] A light-shielding element comprising multiple light-shielding areas and multiple light-transmitting areas, alternately arranged on the axle or the roller component around the axial direction;

[0028] The light-emitting element outputs at least a portion of the illumination light, which is reflected by the light-guiding surface and passes through the transparent roller; and

[0029] A light detection module, comprising:

[0030] A light emitter, located on the first side of the roller module, is used to project light signals; and

[0031] A light receiver is disposed on the second side of the roller module opposite to the first side. The light receiver is used to receive the light signal passing through the multiple light-transmitting areas of the roller module and the light-shielding element.

[0032] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is an independent opaque sheet, which is attached to the wall of the axle or one side of the transparent roller.

[0033] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element also includes an outer ring area and an inner ring area, the outer ring area being connected to the outer ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas, and the inner ring area being connected to the inner ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas.

[0034] As an optional technical solution, the axle is made of transparent material, the light-shielding element is directly formed on the axle, and each light-shielding area is formed on the light guide surface or the wall surface by a light-shielding ink layer, or each light-shielding area is formed on the light guide surface or the wall surface or the interior of the axle by an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

[0035] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is formed by partially processing the transparent roller.

[0036] As an optional technical solution, the wall surface can cover one side of the hollow area of ​​the transparent roller component.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a mouse scroll wheel device, comprising:

[0038] The base has supporting components;

[0039] A roller module, mounted on the base, comprises:

[0040] A first half-wheel axle and a second half-wheel axle are rotatably mounted on the support member. The first half-wheel axle has a first light-guiding surface, and the second half-wheel axle has a second light-guiding surface.

[0041] The roller component, located between the first half-wheel shaft and the second half-wheel shaft, is made of transparent material;

[0042] The light-shielding element comprises multiple light-shielding areas and multiple light-transmitting areas, which are alternately arranged around a central axis in the roller component;

[0043] A light-emitting element extends into the interior of the roller assembly via one of the first and second half-shafts. At least a portion of the illumination light emitted by the light-emitting element is reflected by the light-guiding surface and exits the roller assembly.

[0044] A light detection module, comprising:

[0045] A light emitter, located on the first side of the roller module, is used to project light signals; and

[0046] A light receiver is disposed on the second side of the roller module opposite to the first side. The light receiver is used to receive the light signal passing through the multiple light-transmitting areas of the roller module and the light-shielding element.

[0047] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is an independent opaque sheet attached to one side of the roller.

[0048] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element also includes an outer ring area and an inner ring area, the outer ring area being connected to the outer ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas, and the inner ring area being connected to the inner ends of the plurality of light-shielding areas.

[0049] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is directly formed on the wheel surface, side surface and / or interior of the roller component, and the multiple light-shielding areas are composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

[0050] As an optional technical solution, the support member has a hole through which the light signal projected by the light transmitter is received by the light receiver.

[0051] As an optional technical solution, the first half-wheel axle has a first wheel wall perpendicular to the axial direction, and the second half-wheel axle has a second wheel wall perpendicular to the axial direction. The first wheel wall and the second wheel wall are used to clamp the two sides of the roller component respectively. The first light guide surface is the inner surface of the first wheel wall, and the second light guide surface is the inner surface of the second wheel wall.

[0052] As an optional technical solution, the first wheel wall extends out a pivot, the second wheel wall extends out a shaft frame with a through hole, the first half-wheel shaft and the second half-wheel shaft are mounted on the support member by the pivot and / or the shaft frame, and the light-emitting element enters the roller member through the through hole.

[0053] As an optional technical solution, the roller module also includes a wheel skin disposed on an annular groove on the wheel surface of the roller component, the width of the wheel skin being smaller than the width of the roller component.

[0054] As an optional technical solution, the light-shielding element is directly formed on the side, inside, wheel surface and / or annular groove of the roller, and the multiple light-shielding areas are composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

[0055] In summary, the mouse scroll wheel device of the present invention incorporates a low-cost light-shielding element on its axle or scroll wheel component, forming staggered light-shielding and light-transmitting areas. This intermittently blocks the detection light path of the light detection module to obtain the rotation information of the scroll wheel module and the input command it represents. The light-shielding and light-transmitting areas of the light-shielding element can be implemented in various ways depending on whether they are combined with outer and inner ring areas, and the material and manufacturing method of the light-shielding area will vary according to its position. Therefore, the shape and position of the light-shielding element can be adapted to different needs, providing not only more flexible grating structure customization services, but also allowing high-cost axles to be used in mouse products with different functional types.

[0056] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the components of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 3 and Figure 4 These are schematic diagrams of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the first embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives;

[0060] Figures 5 to 7 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element combined with the wheel axle in different embodiments of the present invention;

[0061] Figures 8 to 11 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element combined with the roller component in different embodiments of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 12 This is an exploded view of the components of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 13 and Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the second embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives;

[0064] Figures 15 to 17 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element combined with the wheel axle in different embodiments of the present invention;

[0065] Figures 18 to 20 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element combined with the transparent roller component in different embodiments of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 21 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 22 This is an exploded view of the components of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 23 and Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the third embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives;

[0069] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, with reference to other variations. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present invention.

[0071] Please see Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of mouse 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the components of the mouse scroll wheel device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives. The mouse scroll wheel device 10 of the mouse 1 has a portion exposed through an opening in the housing 2 for user touch operation. The mouse scroll wheel device 10 mainly includes a base 12, a scroll wheel module 14, a light-shielding element 16, and a light detection module 18. The top side of the vessel-shaped support member 20 of the base 12 is open to support the scroll wheel module 14; the support member 20 can be pivotally connected along the longitudinal direction Y to the front bracket 12a and the rear bracket 12b on the base 12, so that the scroll wheel module 14 together with the support member 20 can rotate laterally in the deflection direction R. The base 12 may include a circuit board (not shown), or at least a portion of the surface of the base 12 may have circuitry.

[0072] The scroll wheel module 14 can be formed by combining an axle 22 and a hollow scroll wheel 24. The axle 22 may include a wheel surface 26, a pivot 28, and multiple spokes 30. The spokes 30 can connect to the pivot 28 and are disposed inside the wheel surface 26. The pivot 28 is rotatably mounted on the support 20 along the axial direction D. In this embodiment, the pivot 28 is a cylindrical bearing including a ratchet 28a, wherein the pivot 28 connects to multiple spokes 30 and extends along the axial direction D to the outside of the axle 22 to connect to the ratchet 28a. The ratchet 28a can be used with additional adjustment elements to switch the scrolling mode and operating feel of the scroll wheel module 14. For example, in some embodiments, the wheel surface 26 of the axle 22 may be made of metal material, which can rotate at high speed due to inertia when operating the mouse scroll wheel device 10, providing a larger scrolling range in applications such as screen scrolling. The scroll wheel 24 can be located around the wheel surface 26, serving as the contact interface for the user to operate the mouse scroll wheel device 10.

[0073] The optical detection module 18 may include an optical emitter 36 and an optical receiver 38, respectively disposed on a first side and a second side of the roller module 14 opposite to each other. The arrangement of the optical emitter 36 and the optical receiver 38 is not limited to... Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the positions of the light emitter 36 and the light receiver 38 can be interchanged. The support member 20 may have a perforation 40. The opening direction of the perforation 40 is not limited to... Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the light signal S projected by the light emitter 36 passes through the perforation 40 of the support member 20, the roller module 14, and the light-shielding element 16, and is received by the light receiver 38. As the roller module 14 rotates, the light signal S is intermittently blocked by the light-shielding area 32 or passes through the light-transmitting area 34. Based on whether the light signal S is received, the reception frequency, and the reception time, the light receiver 38 can obtain the behavioral information that the user intends to express by operating the roller module 14.

[0074] The light-shielding element 16 provides a grating structure and can be composed of multiple light-shielding areas 32 and multiple light-transmitting areas 34, which can be alternately arranged on the axle 22 or roller 24 around the axial direction D. Generally, the light-shielding areas 32 can be perpendicular to the pivot 28. The light-shielding element 16 may further include an outer ring area 42 and an inner ring area 44. The outer ring area 42 connects to the outer ends of each light-shielding area 32, and the inner ring area 44 connects to the inner ends of each light-shielding area 32. In this embodiment, the light-shielding element 16 can be an independent opaque sheet, that is, the light-shielding areas 32, the outer ring area 42, and the inner ring area 44 are all made of opaque material, and the light-transmitting area 34 is the hollow area between the light-shielding areas 32, the outer ring area 42, and the inner ring area 44. The light-shielding element 16 is fixed to one side of the axle 22. Specifically, the outer ring area 42 of the light-shielding element 16 can be attached to the side edge of the wheel surface 26 and / or the connection between the outer edge of each spoke 30 and the wheel surface 26; a portion of the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 is attached to each spoke 30, so that multiple light-shielding areas 32 and multiple light-transmitting areas 34 can be alternately arranged on the axle 22 or roller 24 around the axial direction D; the inner ring area 44 can be attached to the side edge of the pivot 28 and / or the connection between the inner edge of each spoke 30 and the pivot 28. The spoke 30 does not necessarily have light-transmitting characteristics, and the thickness of each spoke 30 is preferably equal to or less than the width of each light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16, so that the transmission of the light signal S is solely controlled by the light-shielding area 32 and the light-transmitting area 34 of the light-shielding element 16, and is not interfered with by the spoke 30.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the light-shielding element 16 can be selectively attached to one side of the axle 22 and / or the roller 24. If the light-shielding element 16 is attached to the axle 22, the light-shielding element 16 can be attached to the edge of the spoke rib 30 with at least one of the light-shielding area 32, the outer ring area 42, or the inner ring area 44. The light signal S output by the light emitter 36 can pass through the light-transmitting area 34 of the light-shielding element 16 and the gap between the spoke rib 30 and be transmitted to the light receiver 38. In this case, the material of the roller rib 24 is not limited. If the light-shielding element 16 is attached to the roller rib 24, the light-shielding element 16 can be attached to the side of the roller rib 24 using at least one of the light-shielding area 32, the outer ring area 42, or the inner ring area 44. The roller rib 24 is preferably made of a transparent material. In this embodiment, the light-shielding element 16 can be directly formed on the side or inside of the roller rib 24, and the variation can be determined according to design requirements.

[0076] The number of spokes 30 is not limited to Figures 2 to 4The embodiment shown is sufficient to stably support the wheel surface 26 on the pivot 28 to meet the design requirements of the present invention. The number of light-shielding areas 32 and light-transmitting areas 34 can be designed according to the sampling frequency or recognition accuracy requirements of the photodetector module 18. The number of light-shielding areas 32 and light-transmitting areas 34 should be the same, and the number of light-shielding areas 32 and light-transmitting areas 34 can be greater than or equal to the number of spokes 30. However, rollers with grating structures usually require molds for manufacturing, which is expensive and makes it difficult to adjust the number of gratings. Since the manufacturing cost and yield of the number of spokes 30 on the axle 22 are often limited by molding technology, it also affects the number of light signals of the rolling operation that the photodetector module 18 can detect when the roller module 14 and the axle 22 rotate one revolution. The significance of not using the spokes 30 as the grating structure in this embodiment is that the number of light signals that can be received per rotation is not limited by the spokes 30. This allows the more expensive scroll wheel module 14 and axle 22 to be used in mouse products with different functions. The benefits of shared axle 22 and highly customized grating structure can be achieved simply by adjusting and modifying the low-cost light-shielding element 16.

[0077] Please see Figures 5 to 7 , Figures 5 to 7 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element 16 combined with the wheel axle 22 in different embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, an outer ring area 42, and an inner ring area 44; the outer ring area 42 is disposed on the side of the wheel surface 26 of the axle 22, the inner ring area 44 is disposed on the side of the pivot 28 of the axle 22, and the light-shielding area 32 is connected between the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44 and can be used to shield the spokes 30. Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may only have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an outer ring area 42; the outer ring area 42 is disposed on the side of the wheel surface 26, the light-shielding area 32 extends inward from the outer ring area 42, the light-shielding area 32 can block the spokes 30, and some light-shielding areas 32 have no spokes 30 to block. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may only have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an inner ring area 44; the inner ring area 44 is located on the side of the pivot 28, the light-shielding area 32 extends outward from the inner ring area 44, the light-shielding area 32 can block the spokes 30, and some light-shielding areas 32 have no spokes 30 to block.

[0078] Please see Figures 8 to 11 , Figures 8 to 11 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element 16 combined with the roller component 24 in different embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, an outer ring area 42, and an inner ring area 44; the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44 are disposed on the side of the roller component 24 or the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44 are respectively disposed on the outer edge and the inner edge inside the roller component 24, and the light-shielding area 32 is connected between the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44. Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may only have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an outer ring area 42; the outer ring area 42 is disposed on the outer edge of the side of the roller member 24 or inside the roller member 24, and the light-shielding area 32 extends inward from the outer ring area 42 and is disposed on the roller member 24.

[0079] Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, the light-shielding element 16 may only have a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an inner ring area 44; the inner ring area 44 is disposed on the inner edge of the side of the roller member 24 or inside the roller member 24, and the light-shielding area 32 extends outward from the inner ring area 44 and is disposed on the roller member 24. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the light-shielding element 16 may only have a light-shielding area 32 and a light-transmitting area 34; the light-shielding area 32 is disposed on the side or inside of the roller component 24, and the light-transmitting area 34 is the space between adjacent light-shielding areas 32. In the aforementioned embodiment, if the light-shielding element 16 is an independent opaque sheet, it will be attached to one side of the axle 22 or the roller component 24. If the roller component 24 is made of transparent material, the light-shielding element 16 can be attached as an independent opaque sheet, or it can be achieved by a light-shielding ink layer coated on the transparent roller component 24, or by an opaque laser-engraved modified layer (or opaque laser-engraved modified layer) produced by processing the transparent roller component 24.

[0080] In the foregoing embodiments Figure 2-11 When both the support member 20 and the scroll wheel member 24 are light-transmitting, the mouse scroll wheel device 10 may further include a light-emitting element disposed on the outer side of the support member 20. This light-emitting element can output illumination light, which passes upward through the mouse scroll wheel device 10 through partial refraction and partial reflection by the support member 20 and the scroll wheel member 24.

[0081] Please see Figures 12 to 14 , Figure 12 This is an exploded view of the mouse scroll wheel device 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 and Figure 14This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device 10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives. In the second embodiment, the components with the same numbers as those in the first embodiment have the same structure and function, and will not be described again here. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the mouse scroll wheel device 10' further includes a light-emitting element 50, which is electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown in the figure) on the base 12; in addition, the scroll wheel module 14' of the mouse scroll wheel device 10' may include an axle 52 and a transparent scroll wheel component 54. The transparent scroll wheel component 54 is combined with the axle 52 and is rotatably mounted on the support member 20. The light-emitting element 50 is used to output illumination light into the transparent scroll wheel component 54, which is reflected and exits through the transparent scroll wheel component 54, so that the transparent scroll wheel component 54 can be in an luminous state.

[0082] The axle 52 may include a pivot 56, a light guide surface 58, and a wall surface 60. The pivot 56 is a cylindrical bearing that can be rotatably mounted on the support 20 along the axial direction D. The light guide surface 58 and the wall surface 60 may be located on opposite sides of the pivot 56 and can rotate coaxially along the pivot 56. In a preferred embodiment, the light guide surface 58 is a conical surface with a straight or arc-shaped edge, while the wall surface 60 is perpendicular to the pivot 56; however, practical applications are not limited to this. The light guide surface 58 and the wall surface 60 are translucent, but the light guide surface 58 is surface-treated to improve reflectivity. The transparent roller 54 may be mounted on the periphery of the axle 52. The light-emitting end of the light-emitting element 50 may extend into the transparent roller 54 or be located outside the transparent roller 54 but pointing inwards. The light-emitting element 50 may include an LED or other light source directly mounted on the raised light-emitting end, or the light source may be located at other positions on the light-emitting element 50 and emitted from the light-emitting end through a light guide column. The light-emitting element 50 can provide at least a portion of the illumination light to illuminate the axle 52 inside the transparent scroll wheel 54. The illumination light is reflected by the light guide surface 58 of the axle 52 and then diffuses outward through the transparent scroll wheel 54, meaning that the mouse scroll wheel device 10' has a light-emitting function.

[0083] If the light-shielding element 16 of the mouse scroll wheel device 10' is an independent opaque sheet, it can be attached to the side of the transparent scroll wheel 54. If the light-shielding element 16 is an independent opaque sheet and the axle 52 is made of transparent material, the light-shielding element 16 can be attached to the side of the axle 52 and / or the transparent scroll wheel 54. Furthermore, when the axle 52 is made of transparent material, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be a light-shielding ink layer formed on the light guide surface 58, wall surface 60, or inside the axle 52; or, the light-shielding area 32 can be an opaque laser-etched modified layer formed on the light guide surface 58, wall surface 60, or inside the axle 52. Correspondingly, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can also be a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-etched modified layer formed by partially processing the transparent scroll wheel 54.

[0084] As in the first embodiment Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the light-shielding element 16 of the second embodiment can also have various variations. When the light-shielding element 16 includes a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, an outer ring area 42, and an inner ring area 44, the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44 are respectively disposed on the outer edge and inner edge of the side of the wheel axle 52 or the transparent roller 54, the light-shielding area 32 is connected between the outer ring area 42 and the inner ring area 44, and the light-transmitting area 34 is the gap between adjacent light-shielding areas 32. When the light-shielding element 16 only includes a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an outer ring area 42, the outer ring area 42 is disposed on the outer edge of the side of the wheel axle 52 or the transparent roller 54, the light-shielding area 32 extends inward from the outer ring area 42, and the light-transmitting area 34 is the hollow area between adjacent light-shielding areas 32. When the light-shielding element 16 includes only a light-shielding area 32, a light-transmitting area 34, and an inner ring area 44, the inner ring area 44 is located on the inner edge of the side of the axle 52 or the transparent roller 54, the light-shielding area 32 extends outward from the inner ring area 44, and the light-transmitting area 34 is the gap between adjacent light-shielding areas 32. When the light-shielding element 16 includes only a light-shielding area 32 and a light-transmitting area 34, the light-shielding area 32 is located on the side of the axle 52 or the transparent roller 54.

[0085] Please see Figures 15 to 20 , Figures 15 to 17 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element 16 combined with the wheel axle 52 in different embodiments of the present invention. Figures 18 to 20 This is a schematic diagram of the light-shielding element 16 combined with the hollow transparent roller component 54 in different embodiments of the present invention. Figure 15 As shown, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be disposed on the wall surface 60 of the axle 52 in the form of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, in which case the light-shielding area 32 is perpendicular to the pivot 56. Figure 16 As shown, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be disposed on the light-guiding surface 58 of the axle 52 in the form of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, in which case the light-shielding area 32 is not perpendicular to the pivot 56. Figure 17 As shown, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be set inside the axle 52 in the form of an opaque laser-engraved metamorphic layer, for example, between the light guide surface 58 and the wall surface 60. In this case, the light-shielding area 32 can be selectively perpendicular to or not perpendicular to the pivot 56.

[0086] As shown in Figure 18, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be disposed on the adjacent wall 60 of the transparent roller 54 or on the first side facing the light emitter 36 in the form of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, in which case the light-shielding area 32 is perpendicular to the pivot 56. Figure 19 As shown, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be disposed on the second side of the transparent roller 54 facing the light receiver 38 or adjacent to the light guide surface 58 in the form of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, with the first side opposite to the second side, and the light-shielding area 32 perpendicular to the pivot 56. Figure 20As shown, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be disposed inside the transparent roller component 54 in the form of an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, that is, between the first side and the second side. In this case, the light-shielding area 32 can be selectively perpendicular to or not perpendicular to the pivot 56. In the aforementioned embodiments, the light-transmitting area 34 of the light-shielding element 16 is the area between adjacent light-shielding areas 32.

[0087] Please see Figure 21 , Figure 21 This is a partial structural diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The wall surface 60 of the axle 52 is perpendicular to the pivot 56, and can therefore be used to shield one side of the hollow area of ​​the transparent scroll wheel 54. The light guide surface 58 of the axle 52 is housed within the hollow area of ​​the transparent scroll wheel 54, so the illumination light output by the light-emitting element 50 will be reflected by the light guide surface 58, causing the transparent scroll wheel 54 to emit light. In the second embodiment, the light guide surface 58 is designed as a conical structure, and the structural features such as the height, width, and tilt angle of the conical structure are not limited to... Figure 21 The shape shown can be customized according to design requirements. The shape of the light guide surface 58 is also not limited to... Figure 21 The conical structure shown can be designed to uniformly reflect illumination light onto the light guide surface 58 on the top surface of the transparent roller 54, as long as the cross-sectional shape meets the design requirements of the light guide surface 58 of this invention. Generally, axle 52 and transparent roller 54 lacking a hollow area cannot be used as a grating structure. In this embodiment, when the light-shielding element 16 is disposed on the wall 60 of axle 52, the light emitter 36 of the light detection module 18 is disposed on the same side (first side) of roller module 14 as the wall 60, and the light receiver 38 is disposed on the same side (second side) of roller module 14 as the light guide surface 58. The light signal S projected by the light emitter 36 will sequentially pass through the wall 60, light guide surface 58 and light-shielding element 16 of axle 52, or sequentially pass through the wall 60, light-shielding element 16 and light guide surface 58, or sequentially pass through the light-shielding element 16, wall 60 and light guide surface 58, and be received by the light receiver 38. This means that the light signal S will enter through the wall 60 and exit through the light guide surface 58, so that the axle 52, which lacks a hollow area and has a light guide surface 58 that is not easy to penetrate, can also be combined with the light shielding element 16 as a grating structure.

[0088] Please see Figures 22 to 24 , Figure 22 This is an exploded view of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 and Figure 24This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” according to a third embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives. In the third embodiment, the components with the same numbers as those in the previous embodiments have the same structure and function, and will not be described again here. The difference between the third embodiment and the previous embodiments is that the scroll wheel module 14” of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” may include a first half-wheel shaft 62, a second half-wheel shaft 64, and a hollow scroll wheel 66. The first half-wheel shaft 62 and the second half-wheel shaft 64 are rotatably disposed on the support member 20. The first half-wheel shaft 62 and the second half-wheel shaft 64 respectively have a first light guide surface 68 and a second light guide surface 70. The scroll wheel 66 is made of transparent material and may be disposed between the first half-wheel shaft 62 and the second half-wheel shaft 64. The light-emitting element 72 of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” selectively extends into the interior of the scroll wheel 66 through at least one of the first half-wheel shaft 62 and the second half-wheel shaft 64. At least a portion of the illumination light output by the light-emitting element 72 can pass through the scroll wheel 66 after being reflected by the first light guide surface 68 and the second light guide surface 70, so that the mouse scroll wheel device 10” has a light-emitting function.

[0089] In addition, the support member 20 may further have a perforation 74, through which the light signal S output by the light emitter 36 is received by the light receiver 38. Furthermore, the first half-wheel axle 62 may have a first wheel wall 76 perpendicular to the axial direction D, and the second half-wheel axle 64 may have a second wheel wall 78 perpendicular to the axial direction D. The first light guide surface 68 may be the inner surface of the first wheel wall 76, and the second light guide surface 70 may be the inner surface of the second wheel wall 78. The first wheel wall 76 may also extend to a pivot 80, on which a ratchet 82 is provided. The second wheel wall 78 may extend to a shaft frame 86 with a through hole 84. The first wheel wall 76 and the second wheel wall 78 are used to clamp the two sides of the roller member 66 respectively, and are rotatably mounted on the support member 20 by means of the pivot 80 and / or the shaft frame 86. The ratchet 82 may be equipped with an adjustment element to switch the rolling mode and operating feel of the roller module 14. The light-emitting element 72 can enter the hollow area inside the roller 66 through the through hole 84.

[0090] The light-shielding element 16 of the mouse scroll wheel assembly 10” can be directly formed on the wheel surface, side, and / or interior of the transparent scroll wheel 66; such as Figures 22 to 24 As shown, the roller component 66 has light-shielding elements 16 on both its wheel surface and side surfaces. The light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer, and is formed on the roller component 66 made of transparent material, so that a portion of the transparent roller component 66 achieves the purpose of light shielding. The light-transmitting area 34 of the light-shielding element 16 refers to the other areas on the transparent roller component 66 that are not part of the light-shielding area 32.

[0091] Alternatively, the roller module 14” may optionally further include a wheel skin 88 disposed on an annular groove 90 on the surface of the roller component 66. The wheel skin 88 may be elastic, capable of cooperating with the axial clamping force of the first half-shaft 62 and the second half-shaft 64 on the roller component 66, providing a radially tightening force on the roller component 66; or, by combining different microstructures or surface treatments on the wheel skin 88, different user finger feel or friction differences can be given to the same common roller component 66. Preferably, the width W1 of the wheel skin 88 is less than The width W2 of the roller component 66 means that the roller component 66 partially covers the wheel skin 88 using the annular groove 90, so that the outer surface of the wheel skin 88 is aligned with the outer edge of the roller component 66. If the roller module 14” installs the wheel skin 88 in the annular groove 90 of the roller component 66, the light-shielding element 16 of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” can be formed not only directly on the wheel surface, side and / or interior of the roller component 66, but also in the annular groove 90; in this embodiment, the light-shielding area 32 of the light-shielding element 16 can be composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

[0092] In the third embodiment, the arrangement angle of the light-emitting element 72 is not limited to... Figures 22 to 24 As shown, the tilt angle of the mouse scroll wheel 10” can be adjusted according to its position on the housing 2 of the mouse 1. Please refer to... Figure 23 and Figure 25 , Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the mouse scroll wheel device 10” according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and other variations thereof. Figure 23 In the illustrated embodiment, the plane normal vector of the upper surface of the light-emitting element 72 points straight upwards, meaning that the illumination light provided by the light-emitting element 72 is projected directly above the roller 66. And... Figure 25 In the illustrated embodiment, the plane normal vector of the upper surface of the light-emitting element 72 is tilted at an angle (leaning to the left of the drawing). This is because the mouse scroll wheel device 10” protrudes from the tilted opening in the front half of the housing 2. In other words, the plane normal vector of the upper surface (light-emitting surface) of the light-emitting element 72 is approximately perpendicular to the tilted opening of the housing 2. Therefore, the illumination light provided by the light-emitting element 72 preferably passes directly through the tilted opening of the housing 2 via the scroll wheel 66 or its side, allowing the area of ​​the scroll wheel 66 protruding from the housing 2 to provide a better luminous effect. However, it should be noted that the tilt direction and angle of the light-emitting element 72 are not limited to... Figure 25The form shown can be customized according to design requirements. Furthermore, although there is no corresponding icon, the light-shielding element 16 can also be an independent opaque sheet attached to one side of the roller 66 and rotates with it. Generally, the first half-shaft 62 and the second half-shaft 64, lacking a cutout area, and the roller 66 cannot serve as a grating structure; in particular, the hollow frame 86 must be used to house the light-emitting element 72. In this embodiment, the light-shielding element 16 is directly formed on the wheel surface, side surface, and / or interior of the transparent roller 66, allowing the light signal S projected by the light emitter 36 to pass through the transparent roller 66 with the light-shielding element 16 and be received by the light receiver 38. This allows the roller module 14”, which lacks a cutout area, to also incorporate the light-shielding element 16 as a grating structure. Furthermore, in addition to serving as a grating structure to block the light signal S, the light-shielding element 16 can also rotate with the roller 66, intermittently blocking the illumination light passing through the roller 66 through the light-shielding area 32 formed on the wheel surface, side surface, and / or interior of the transparent roller 66, while simultaneously providing intermittent illumination to the roller 66.

[0093] In summary, the mouse scroll wheel device of the present invention incorporates a low-cost light-shielding element on its axle or scroll wheel component, forming staggered light-shielding and light-transmitting areas. This intermittently blocks the detection light path of the light detection module to obtain the rotation information of the scroll wheel module and the input command it represents. The light-shielding and light-transmitting areas of the light-shielding element can be implemented in various ways depending on whether they are combined with outer and inner ring areas, and the material and manufacturing method of the light-shielding area will vary according to its position. Therefore, the shape and position of the light-shielding element can be adaptively modified according to different needs, providing not only more flexible customized grating structures but also allowing high-cost axles to be used in mice with different functions.

[0094] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments above is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention by means of the preferred embodiments disclosed above. Rather, the aim is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of protection of the claims to be made by the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense based on the foregoing description, so as to cover all possible modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A mouse scroll wheel device, characterized in that, It includes: The base has supporting components; A roller module, mounted on the base, comprises: A wheel axle comprising a wheel surface, a pivot, and a plurality of spokes, the pivot being rotatably mounted on the support along an axial direction, and the plurality of spokes being located inside the wheel surface; as well as A roller component, installed on the outer periphery of the wheel surface of the axle; A light-blocking element, which is a separate sheet, comprises multiple light-blocking areas and multiple light-transmitting areas, alternately arranged on the axle around the axial direction, with the light-blocking areas perpendicular to the pivot; and A light detection module, comprising: A light emitter, located on the first side of the roller module, is used to project light signals; and A light receiver is disposed on the second side of the roller module opposite to the first side. The light receiver is used to receive the light signal passing through the multiple light-transmitting areas of the roller module and the light-shielding element. The number of spokes of the axle is less than or equal to the number of light-shielding areas of the light-shielding element, and each spoke is shielded by one of the light-shielding areas on the light-shielding element. The light signal passes through at least one light-transmitting area of ​​the light-shielding element and the hole between two adjacent radial ribs and is received by the light receiver.

2. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding element is attached to one side of the axle.

3. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding element also includes an outer ring area and an inner ring area. The outer ring area is connected to the outer end of the plurality of light-shielding areas, and the inner ring area is connected to the inner end of the plurality of light-shielding areas.

4. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light-shielding element is attached to the side edge of the plurality of ribs by at least one of the outer ring area, the inner ring area, or the plurality of light-shielding areas.

5. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding element is made of transparent material, and each light-shielding area is composed of a light-shielding ink layer or an opaque laser-engraved modified layer.

6. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of each rib is equal to or less than the width of each shading area of ​​the shading element.

7. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding element can rotate synchronously with the axle, and the light-shielding element does not provide support for the wheel surface.

8. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of spokes of the axle and the plurality of shading areas of the shading element can all be rotated to be located between the light emitter and the light receiver.

9. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding element also includes an inner ring region that connects the inner ends of the plurality of light-shielding regions, and the inner diameter of the inner ring region is greater than or equal to the diameter of the pivot.

10. The mouse scroll wheel device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the radial direction of the axle, the length of the plurality of spokes of the axle is greater than or equal to the length of the plurality of light-shielding areas.

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