Cross key device and handle with omnidirectional trigger

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of gaming peripheral technology, and specifically relates to a cross key device and a handle with omnidirectional triggering. Among them, the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering includes: a mounting plate, on which a plurality of key elements are distributed; a spherical seat, connected to the mounting plate, provided with an accommodating cavity inside and the cavity wall having a section of accommodating cavity spherical surface; a cross key seat, the outer wall of which has a section of key seat spherical surface, the key seat spherical surface is concentric with the accommodating cavity spherical surface and can slide relative to each other, a limiting column is provided at the middle bottom end of the cross key seat, the bottom end of the limiting column abuts the mounting plate, a plurality of key columns are provided at the edge bottom end of the cross key seat, and each key column is relatively arranged at a preset distance above each key element; a reset device is provided between the mounting plate and the cross key seat. The present invention realizes the current motion trajectory requirements of the rotating shaft cross key through the cooperation of two spherical surfaces, reduces the accuracy of assembly parts and related parts, improves product production efficiency and reduces product costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of game peripherals, and in particular relates to a cross key device and a handle with omnidirectional triggering. Background Art

[0002] The cross keys of game controllers on the market are currently divided into four-way and eight-way types. Both are achieved through four switches, but the triggering of the tilt direction is achieved by triggering two adjacent switches at the same time.

[0003] Although the four-way cross key currently on the market can also trigger two adjacent switch functions of 45° / 135° / 225° / 325°, since this type of cross key has no fixed center when pressed, the physical center will change when pressed, and the problem of accidental touch will often occur during operation, which brings great inconvenience to game use.

[0004] The eight-way cross key currently on the market uses a fixed structure to rotate the center of the sphere and the direction of the Z axis, and the rotation angles of the X and Y axes to achieve that all points move on a fixed virtual sphere. Although this method can improve the accuracy of pressing and the comfortable pressing force, it has a large number of parts and a relatively complex structure. Figure 1 The figure shows an exploded view of a conventional eight-way cross key, which includes a cross key cap 91, a handle housing 92, a cross key base 93, a silicone pad 94, a pivot bracket 95, a return spring 96, a spring pad 97, a pivot base 98, screws 99, and a circuit board 910. Because it rotates along the X and Y axes, corresponding positioning structures for the X and Y axes are required. This requires precise alignment of the cross key base 93, the pivot bracket 95, and the pivot base 98, placing high demands on the manufacturing precision of the components and, consequently, high manufacturing costs. Manufacturing errors often lead to subpar user experiences. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention addresses the technical problems of the existing cross key of game controllers, such as accidental touches or high manufacturing precision and cost due to complex structures, and aims to provide a cross key device and a controller with omnidirectional triggering.

[0006] In order to solve the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering comprising:

[0007] A mounting plate, with a plurality of key elements distributed on the mounting plate;

[0008] A spherical seat connected to the mounting plate, wherein a receiving cavity is provided in the spherical seat, and a cavity wall of the receiving cavity has a spherical surface;

[0009] A cross key base, wherein the outer wall of the cross key base has a key base spherical surface, the key base spherical surface is located in the accommodating cavity of the spherical base, the key base spherical surface is concentric with the accommodating cavity spherical surface and can slide relative to each other, a limit post is provided at the bottom end of the middle portion of the cross key base, the bottom end of the limit post abuts the mounting plate, and a plurality of key posts are provided at the bottom end of the edge of the cross key base, each of the key posts being relatively arranged at a preset distance above each of the key elements;

[0010] A reset device is provided between the mounting plate and the cross key seat.

[0011] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering, the mounting plate is a circuit board.

[0012] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, the mounting plate is detachably connected to the spherical seat.

[0013] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, a lubricating material is applied between the spherical surface of the key base and the spherical surface of the accommodating cavity.

[0014] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering, the key elements are four or eight evenly distributed around the circumference, and the bottom edge of the cross-key seat has four or eight evenly distributed key columns around the circumference.

[0015] Optionally, in the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering as described above, the reset device adopts a reset compression spring, the reset compression spring is located outside the limit column, the upper end of the reset compression spring abuts against the compression spring mounting groove at the bottom of the cross key seat, and the lower end of the reset compression spring abuts against the mounting plate.

[0016] Optionally, in the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering as described above, a limiting groove is provided on one of the spherical seat and the cross key seat and a limiting slider is provided on the other, the limiting slider is inserted into the limiting groove and can slide up and down in the limiting groove, and the cross key seat is limited by the limiting slider and the limiting groove to rotate in the up and down directions.

[0017] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, the number of the limiting sliding grooves is two and the number of the limiting sliding blocks ...

[0018] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, the limiting sliding grooves are a plurality of evenly arranged around the circumference, and the limiting sliding blocks are a plurality of evenly arranged around the circumference.

[0019] Optionally, in the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering as described above, the limiting slider is provided on the spherical seat, the limiting groove is provided on the cross key seat, and the outer side and upper side of the limiting groove are both open structures.

[0020] Optionally, in the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering as described above, the limiting groove is provided on the spherical seat, the limiting slider is provided on the cross key seat, the lower end of the limiting groove is provided with an assembly rail, the lower end of the assembly rail extends to the bottom end of the spherical seat, and the upper end of the assembly rail is connected to the limiting groove.

[0021] Optionally, in the aforementioned cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering, the cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering further includes:

[0022] A cross key cover is fixedly or detachably connected to the cross key base.

[0023] Optionally, in the cross key device with omnidirectional triggering as described above, a connecting column is provided at the bottom middle end of the cross key cover, and a connecting hole is provided at the top middle end of the cross key base, and the connecting column is tightly fitted into the connecting hole.

[0024] Optionally, in the cross-key device with omnidirectional trigger as described above, a connecting column is provided at the bottom middle end of the cross-key cover, a connecting hole is provided at the top middle end of the cross-key seat, a buckle is provided on one of the connecting column and the connecting hole and a buckle hole is provided on the other, and the buckle is inserted into the buckle hole.

[0025] Optionally, in the cross-key device with omnidirectional trigger as described above, one of the connecting column and the connecting hole is provided with an anti-reverse installation bone position and the other is provided with a groove that cooperates with the bone position, and when the cross-key cover is connected to the cross-key base, the bone position is inserted into the groove.

[0026] In order to solve the aforementioned technical problem, a second aspect of the present invention provides a handle having one or more cross-key devices with omnidirectional triggering provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

[0027] The positive progress effect of the present invention is:

[0028] 1. The present invention realizes the motion trajectory requirements of the current rotating shaft cross key through the cooperation of two spherical surfaces. By directly taking the preset fixed spherical surface SR motion as the design concept, the structural design of the physical X-axis and Y-axis, such as the positioning structure, is omitted. The virtual ball center is physically fixed directly from the final physical spherical motion trajectory. At the same time, the X-axis and Y-axis are also fixed accordingly, which reduces the accuracy of assembly parts and related parts, improves product production efficiency and reduces product costs.

[0029] 2. The present invention limits the rotation of the cross key base in the up and down directions by means of a limit slider and a limit slot, so as to fix the rotation of the Z axis through the structure. The simple structure achieves the same function as the prior art, which greatly reduces the number of parts, reduces the functional problems caused by the assembly chain and the accumulation of assembly errors, and also reduces the relative manufacturing cost.

[0030] 3. The present invention adopts a modular design and can be used as a standard part on handles with different shapes.

[0031] 4. The present invention avoids being restricted by the appearance of the handle cover by placing the structural components on the mounting plate / circuit board, and can be applied to handles of different shapes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The disclosure of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the prior art;

[0034] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded diagram;

[0036] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Further exploded diagram of;

[0037] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of

[0038] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the process from the cross key base of the present invention being unoperated to being pressed;

[0039] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Two schematic diagrams of assembling the cross key cover and the cross key base of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 10 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the middle ball seat and cross key seat from another angle;

[0041] Figure 11 This is another schematic diagram of a partial assembly structure of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Schematic diagram of part of the structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the other advantages and benefits of the present invention from the disclosure herein. The present invention may also be implemented or applied through various other specific embodiments, and the details in this specification may be modified or altered based on different perspectives and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0044] It should be noted that, unless there is any conflict, the following embodiments and features therein may be combined with each other.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for directional words, such as the terms "outside", "middle", "inside", "outside", etc., the directions and positional relationships indicated are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and cannot be understood as limiting the specific scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly refer to one or more of these features. Throughout the description of the present invention, "several" and "a number" mean two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0047] Reference Figures 2 to 9 An embodiment of the present invention provides a cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering. This cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering is used in devices requiring a cross-key, such as game controllers. The cross-key device with omnidirectional triggering includes a mounting plate 10, a key element 20, a spherical seat 30, a cross-key seat 40, a reset device 50, and a cross-key cover 60. The cross-key cover 60 is optional.

[0048] There are several key elements 20 distributed on the mounting plate 10. The key elements 20 can be set in several numbers according to actual needs, and the key elements 20 are preferably four or eight evenly distributed around the circumference. Figure 3and Figure 4 As shown in FIG, there are four key elements 20, and the four key elements 20 are concentrically arranged on the mounting plate 10.

[0049] The spherical seat 30 is connected to the mounting plate 10 and contains a housing cavity. In practice, the upper and lower ends of the housing cavity are preferably open to facilitate assembly and maintenance of the cross key base 40. The wall of the housing cavity has a spherical surface 30a, which is not a complete sphere, but rather a partial sphere.

[0050] The outer wall of the cross key seat 40 has a key seat spherical surface 40a. The key seat spherical surface 40a is located in the accommodating cavity of the spherical seat 30. The key seat spherical surface 40a is concentric with the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30a and can slide relative to each other. A limit column 41 is provided at the bottom of the middle part of the cross key seat 40. The bottom end of the limit column 41 abuts against the mounting plate 10. A plurality of key columns 42 are provided at the bottom edge of the cross key seat 40. Each key column 42 is relatively arranged at a preset distance above each key element 20. Preferably, four or eight key columns 42 are evenly distributed around the circumferential direction at the bottom edge of the cross key seat 40. The number of key columns 42 is consistent with the number of key elements 20. When any key column 42 moves downward, it can contact its corresponding key element 20 to trigger a key operation.

[0051] The reset device 50 is provided between the mounting plate 10 and the cross key base 40 .

[0052] The cross key cover 60 is fixedly or detachably connected to the cross key base 40 .

[0053] The cross key base 40 of the present invention is installed into the spherical base 30, ensuring that the key base spherical surface 40a is located inside the spherical surface 30a of the receiving cavity and that the two can slide relative to each other. The reset device 50 is installed in the fixed spring position of the cross key base 40. The assembled assembly is connected to the mounting plate 10 via the spherical base 30 and then assembled into the handle. Finally, the cross key cover 60 is placed into the cross key base 40 to complete the assembly. In other words, after assembly, the cross key cover 60 extends from the handle for user operation, while all other components can be built into the handle. Of course, if the cross key cover 60 is not present, the top of the middle portion of the cross key base 40 extends from the handle for user operation.

[0054] The assembled cross key device is as follows when not in normal operation: Figure 5 As shown, when the reset device 50 is compressed, the cross key base 40 is subjected to upward pressure due to the rebound force of the reset device 50. Due to the restriction of the spherical surface 30a of the accommodating cavity of the spherical seat 30, the key base spherical surface 40a of the cross key base 40 coincides with the spherical surface of the spherical seat 30. The spherical surface 30a of the accommodating cavity of the spherical seat 30 is a vertically symmetrical structure, and the cross key base 40 is also maintained in a vertical position.

[0055] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 When the cross-key cover 60 is subjected to pressure, the cross-key cover 60 and the cross-key base 40 rotate relative to each other along the same virtual axis, driven by a force from a connection such as a tight fit or snap fit. Simultaneously, because the cross-key cover 60 and the cross-key base 40 are subject to downward torque and tend to move downward, the limit posts 41 of the cross-key base 40 prevent downward movement, forcing the cross-key base 40 to rotate. As the cross-key base 40 rotates along the virtual axis, the key posts 42 of the cross-key base 40, in the direction of rotation, press against the key element 20 below it, thereby triggering the key element 20.

[0056] When pressing downward along the 45° / 135° / 225° / 325° direction, the two spherical surfaces of the spherical seat 30 and the cross key seat 40 rotate relative to each other about the same virtual axis. At the same time, the limit post 41 of the cross key seat 40 prevents the cross key seat 40 from moving downward and only allows rotation. The two adjacent key elements 20 in the direction of pressure are triggered accordingly.

[0057] When the pressure applied to the cross key cover 60 disappears, the cross key cover 60 and the cross key base 40 rotate back to the initial position along the virtual axis formed by the two spherical surfaces of the spherical base 30 and the cross key base 40 under the action of the rebound force of the reset device 50 to complete the centering.

[0058] In addition, refer to Figure 7 The preset distance in the present invention can also be considered the travel L of the cross key device, that is, the compression switch amount. Because the structure of the key base spherical surface 40a and the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30a of the present invention uses a partial spherical surface as the motion trajectory, the travel is not too large, otherwise it will occupy a large space. Currently, most cross keys have a travel range between 1.2 mm and 0.2 mm. The partial spherical design of the present invention is suitable for the travel range of conventional cross keys.

[0059] In some embodiments, the arc length of the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30a in the Z-axis direction (i.e., the up and down direction) is not less than the arc length of the key seat spherical surface 40a in the Z-axis direction. Preferably, the arc length of the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30a in the Z-axis direction is greater than the arc length of the key seat spherical surface 40a in the Z-axis direction. More preferably, the arc length of the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30a in the Z-axis direction is greater than the sum of the arc length of the key seat spherical surface 40a in the Z-axis direction and the stroke.

[0060] In some embodiments, the mounting plate 10 is a circuit board, that is, the key element 20 is directly mounted on the circuit board. The circuit board can also be the circuit board of the handle, that is, the cross key device of the present invention and the handle share the same circuit board.

[0061] In some embodiments, the mounting plate 10 and the spherical seat 30 are detachably connected.

[0062] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The detachable connection between the mounting plate 10 and the spherical seat 30 can be achieved by a snap-fit ​​method. Specifically, a plurality of snap-fit ​​holes are provided on the mounting plate 10, and a plurality of snap-fit ​​holes are provided on the spherical seat 30. The snap-fit ​​holes snap into the snap-fit ​​holes to achieve the detachable connection between the mounting plate 10 and the spherical seat 30. The number of snap-fit ​​holes and snap-fit ​​holes can be designed according to actual needs, for example, four snap-fit ​​holes can be provided along the circumference.

[0063] In some embodiments, to ensure smooth sliding, lubricating material is applied between the key seat spherical surface 40 a and the accommodating cavity spherical surface 30 a.

[0064] The lubricating material in this embodiment is conventional, such as readily available grease, lubricating oil or lubricant.

[0065] In some embodiments, the reset device 50 uses a reset compression spring, which is located outside the limiting column 41 , with the upper end of the reset compression spring abutting against the compression spring mounting groove at the bottom of the cross key seat 40 , and the lower end of the reset compression spring abutting against the mounting plate 10 .

[0066] Of course, the reset device 50 may also be other reset devices in the prior art that can achieve reset.

[0067] In some embodiments, a limiting groove is provided on one of the spherical seat 30 and the cross key seat 40 and a limiting slider is provided on the other. The limiting slider is inserted into the limiting groove and can slide up and down in the limiting groove. The limiting slider and the limiting groove limit the cross key seat 40 from rotating in the up and down directions.

[0068] The number of the limiting sliding grooves and limiting sliding blocks can be determined according to actual conditions, such as two relatively arranged or three, four or more evenly arranged along the circumference.

[0069] The limiting sliding groove 31 is preferably a waist-shaped groove with its length direction being the up-down direction.

[0070] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Four limiting grooves 31 are provided on the spherical seat 30, and four limiting sliders 43 are provided on the cross key seat 40. Each limiting slider 43 is inserted into its corresponding limiting groove 31 and can slide up and down in the corresponding limiting groove 31.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, assuming the vertical direction is the Z-axis, the cross key base 40 can rotate about the X-axis and Y-axis directions perpendicular to the Z-axis. The limiting slider 43 and the limiting slot 31 prevent the cross key base 40 and the cross key cover 60 from rotating about the Z-axis, thereby preventing rotation about the Z-axis. This simple structure satisfies the requirement for preventing rotation about the Z-axis for the cross key.

[0072] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 Four limiting sliders 32 are provided on the spherical seat 30, and four limiting slots 45 are provided on the cross key seat 40. Each limiting slider 32 is inserted into its corresponding limiting slot 45 and can slide up and down in the corresponding limiting slot 45.

[0073] In some embodiments, the outer side and the upper side of the limiting slot 45 are open structures. At this time, when assembling the cross key base 40, the limiting slot 45 on the cross key base 40 is aligned with the limiting slider 32 on the spherical seat 30 for assembly.

[0074] In some embodiments, reference Figure 10 A limiting slide groove 31 is provided on the spherical seat 30, a limiting slider 43 is provided on the cross key seat 40, and an assembly slide rail 33 is provided at the lower end of the limiting slide groove 31. The lower end of the assembly slide rail 33 extends to the bottom end of the spherical seat 30, and the upper end of the assembly slide rail 33 is connected to the limiting slide groove 43.

[0075] In this embodiment, due to the design of the assembly rail 33 , when assembling the cross key seat 40 , the cross key seat 40 can be installed into the spherical seat 30 along the assembly rail 33 on the side of the spherical seat 30 , which is convenient for assembly.

[0076] In some embodiments, when the cross key cover 60 and the cross key base 40 are connected in a detachable manner, this embodiment provides the following two optional designs.

[0077] Reference Figure 8 , Tight fit assembly: The connecting column 61 at the bottom middle end of the cross key cover 60 and the connecting hole 44 at the top middle end of the cross key base 40 are tightly fitted with a certain amount of pressure.

[0078] Reference Figure 9 , Buckle assembly: Use a certain amount of pressure to buckle the cross key cover 60 into the buckle holes 611 on both sides of the connecting column 61 at the bottom of the middle part and the buckle holes in the connecting hole 44 at the top of the middle part of the cross key base 40 by using a certain amount of pressure.

[0079] Of course, in the above design, the positions of the button positions and button holes can be swapped.

[0080] In some embodiments, a bone position is provided on the connecting column 61 to prevent reverse installation, and a groove is provided on the connecting hole 44 to cooperate with the bone position. When the cross key cover 60 is connected to the cross key base 40, the bone position is inserted into the groove to ensure that the direction of installation of the cross key cover 60 is consistent with the designed direction.

[0081] Of course, in the above design, the positions of the bone and the groove can be swapped.

[0082] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a handle having one or more cross-key devices with omnidirectional triggering provided by the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] The handle is preferably a game handle, but may also be other handles for cross-key operation.

[0084] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings. A person skilled in the art can make various modifications to the present invention based on the above description. Therefore, certain details in the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cross key device with omnidirectional triggering, characterized in that: The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering includes: A mounting plate, with a plurality of key elements distributed on the mounting plate; A spherical seat connected to the mounting plate, wherein a receiving cavity is provided in the spherical seat, and a cavity wall of the receiving cavity has a spherical surface; A cross key base, wherein the outer wall of the cross key base has a key base spherical surface, the key base spherical surface is located in the accommodating cavity of the spherical base, the key base spherical surface is concentric with the accommodating cavity spherical surface and can slide relative to each other, a limit post is provided at the bottom end of the middle portion of the cross key base, the bottom end of the limit post abuts the mounting plate, and a plurality of key posts are provided at the bottom end of the edge of the cross key base, each of the key posts being relatively arranged at a preset distance above each of the key elements; A reset device is provided between the mounting plate and the cross key seat, and the reset device adopts a reset compression spring, which is located outside the limit column, and the upper end of the reset compression spring abuts against the compression spring mounting groove at the lower part of the cross key seat, and the lower end of the reset compression spring abuts against the mounting plate; One of the spherical seat and the cross key seat is provided with a limiting slide groove and the other is provided with a limiting slider. The limiting slider is inserted into the limiting slide groove and can slide up and down in the limiting slide groove, and the cross key seat is restricted from rotating in the up and down directions by the limiting slider and the limiting slide groove; the limiting slide grooves are several evenly arranged around the circumference, and the limiting sliders are several evenly arranged around the circumference; the limiting slide groove is provided on the spherical seat, the limiting slider is provided on the cross key seat, and the lower end of the limiting slide groove is provided with an assembly slide rail, the lower end of the assembly slide rail extends to the bottom end of the spherical seat, and the upper end of the assembly slide rail is connected to the limiting slide groove.

2. The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting plate is a circuit board; and / or, the mounting plate is detachably connected to the spherical seat; And / or, a lubricating material is applied between the spherical surface of the key seat and the spherical surface of the accommodating cavity.

3. The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are four or eight key elements evenly distributed in a circumferential direction, and four or eight key columns evenly distributed in a circumferential direction on the edge bottom of the cross key seat.

4. The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering also includes: A cross key cover is fixedly or detachably connected to the cross key base.

5. The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering according to claim 4, characterized in that: A connecting column is provided at the bottom of the middle portion of the cross key cover, and a connecting hole is provided at the top of the middle portion of the cross key base, wherein the connecting column is tightly fitted into the connecting hole; or, A connecting column is provided at the bottom middle end of the cross key cover, and a connecting hole is provided at the top middle end of the cross key base. A buckle is provided on one of the connecting column and the connecting hole, and a buckle hole is provided on the other. The buckle is installed in the buckle hole.

6. The cross key device with omnidirectional triggering according to claim 5, characterized in that: One of the connecting column and the connecting hole is provided with a bone position for preventing reverse installation, and the other is provided with a groove matching the bone position. When the cross key cover is connected to the cross key base, the bone position is inserted into the groove.

7. A handle, characterized in that: The handle has one or more cross-key devices with omnidirectional triggering according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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