Pointing device

Abstract

A pointing device (100), which senses at least an operation amount in a first direction and an operation amount in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, is provided with: a plate-shaped strain body (11) extending in a plane including the first direction and the second direction; an operation part (12) which is operated by an operator and extends from the strain body to one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; three legs (131, 132, 133) that extend from the strain body toward the other side in the third direction and are fixed to a support body that supports the strain body; first strain gauges (SGX1, SGX2) which are attached to the strain body and which sense an operation amount in a first direction; and second strain gauges (SGY1, SGY2) which are attached to the strain body and which sense the amount of operation in the second direction. The strain body is triangular when being observed along a third direction, and the three legs are respectively arranged at three top parts (V1, V2 and V3) of the strain body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pointing device. Background Art

[0002] As one of input devices that sense the amount of operation of an operator and input it to an electronic device (i.e., an operation target) such as a laptop computer or a game machine, a pointing device having a rod-shaped operation unit is known. The pointing device generally has a rod-shaped operation unit and a strain unit connected to the operation unit, and senses the amount of operation of the operator based on the strain generated in the strain unit when the operator operates the operation unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a pointing device including: a rod operated by an operator; a flexible rod support portion connected to a lower end portion of the rod; and three protrusions for fixing the flexible rod support portion to a support member. In Patent Document 1, the flexible rod support portion is a circular member in plan view that functions as a strain body.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5285001 Specification Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] With the miniaturization of electronic devices such as laptop computers and game machines, there has been an increasing demand for a compact pointing device that can be efficiently arranged inside the electronic device.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact pointing device.

[0010] Solutions to the Problems

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pointing device that senses at least an operation amount in a first direction and an operation amount in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the pointing device includes:

[0012] a plate-shaped strain body extending in a plane including the first direction and the second direction;

[0013] an operation unit operated by an operator and extending from the strain body to one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction;

[0014] three legs extending from the strain body to the other side in the third direction and fixed to a support body that supports the strain body;

[0015] a first strain gauge attached to the strain body and sensing the operation amount in the first direction; and

[0016] A second strain gauge is assembled to the strain body and senses the operating amount in a second direction.

[0017] The strain body is triangular when viewed in a third direction.

[0018] The three legs are respectively provided at three tops of the strain body.

[0019] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0020] The pointing device of the present invention is compact and can be compactly arranged in an electronic device or the like, which is a device to which the pointing device of the present invention is to be assembled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the pointing device according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pointing device according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 (a) of is a top view of the main body portion and the strain sensor. Figure 3 (b) of is a bottom view of the main body portion and the strain sensor.

[0024] Figure 4 (a) of is a top view of the pointing device according to the embodiment. Figure 4 (b) of is along Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb of (a) of . Figure 4 (c) of is along Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line IVc-IVc of (a) of .

[0025] Figure 5 (a) of is a cross-sectional view of the pointing device according to a modification example. The cross-sectional position is equivalent to Figure 4 the position of line IVc-IVc of (a) of . Figure 5 (b) of is a cross-sectional view of the pointing device according to another modification example. The cross-sectional position is equivalent to Figure 4 the position of line IVc-IVc of (a) of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] <Embodiment>

[0027] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 to describe the pointing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] As Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment is a pointing stick assembly (PSA) having a columnar operation unit 12. The pointing device 100 mainly includes a main body 10, a strain sensor 20 that senses the strain generated by the main body 10, and a support plate 30 that supports the main body 10.

[0029] In the following description, the direction in which the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are arranged is set as the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the side where the main body 10 is located is set as the upper side with respect to the support plate 30, and the side where the support plate 30 is located is set as the lower side with respect to the main body 10. In addition, one direction extending in the plane orthogonal to the vertical direction is set as the X direction, and the direction extending in the plane orthogonal to the vertical direction and orthogonal to the X direction is set as the Y direction. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, as Figure 1 shown, the direction of one side of the square support plate 30 is set as the X direction, and the direction of the other side orthogonal to this side is set as the Y direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, as Figure 1 shown, the positive and negative sides of the X direction and the Y direction are defined. However, the X direction and the Y direction are not limited to Figure 1 the example. The X direction, the Y direction, and the vertical direction are respectively an example of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction of the present invention.

[0030] An example of the main body 10 is formed of resin. The main body 10 can be formed by integral molding.

[0031] The main body 10 includes a strain body 11, an operation unit 12, three legs (i.e., a first leg 131, a second leg 132, and a third leg 133), and a convex portion 14.

[0032] The strain body 11 is a substantially flat plate extending in the plane including the X direction and the Y direction. The strain body 11 is triangular in plan view (i.e., when observed along the vertical direction), and has a first apex V1, a second apex V2, and a third apex V3, and a first side S1, a second side S2, and a third side S3. In the present embodiment, the first apex V1, the second apex V2, and the third apex V3 have rounded corners in plan view, but are not limited thereto.

[0033] The first apex V1 and the second apex V2 are arranged along the X direction. The first side S1 extends parallel to the X direction. The perpendicular line from the third apex V3 to the first side S1 extends parallel to the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the lengths of the second side S2 and the third side S3 are equal to each other, and the first side S1 is longer than the second side S2 and the third side S3. That is, the plan view shape of the strain body 11 is an isosceles triangle.

[0034] At the center of the first side S1 of the strain body 11, a protruding portion 11p that protrudes in the positive Y direction from the first side S1 and is semicircular in plan view is provided. On the lower surface 11b of the strain body 11, a recess R that is rectangular in plan view is provided (see (a) of Figure 3 , and (b) of Figure 3 ). It should be noted that the recess R may not be provided on the lower surface 11b.

[0035] The operation unit 12 is a part operated by the user of the pointing device 100 (that is, a part to which a force is applied by the user). The operation unit 12 is provided on the upper surface 11a of the strain body 11.

[0036] The operation unit 12 is a prism extending in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the operation unit 12 is fixed to the upper surface 11a of the strain body 11. The connection position of the operation unit 12 with respect to the strain body 11 is not particularly limited. For example, the operation unit 12 is fixed to the positive side of the strain body 11 relative to the central portion in the Y direction. In addition, the operation unit 12 may be fixed to the center of gravity position of the strain body 11 in plan view. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 12 is configured such that its four side faces face the positive X direction, the negative X direction, the positive Y direction, and the negative Y direction, respectively. However, the orientations of the four side faces of the operation unit 12 are not limited to this. For example, in plan view (that is, in the XY plane), the four side faces of the operation unit 12 may also face the directions inclined 45 degrees from the aforementioned directions, respectively.

[0037] A cap C is assembled at the upper end of the operation unit 12. The cap C is a part that the operator of the pointing device 100 directly contacts in order to operate the pointing device 100. The cap C can be made of rubber, for example.

[0038] The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are all support legs that are fixed to the support plate 30 to support the strain body 11. The first leg 131 is provided at the first top V1 of the strain body 11, the second leg 132 is provided at the second top V2 of the strain body 11, and the third leg 133 is provided at the third top V3 of the strain body 11.

[0039] The first leg 131 and the second leg 132 are located at the same position in the Y direction. That is, the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The third leg 133 is located at the central position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the X direction. That is, the distance between the first leg 131 and the third leg 133 in the X direction is equal to the distance between the second leg 132 and the third leg 133 in the X direction. The third leg 133 is located on the negative side of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction.

[0040] The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are all cylindrical legs extending downward from the lower surface 11b of the strain body 11. In the present embodiment, the upper surfaces of the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 are integrally formed with the lower surface 11b of the strain body 11. It should be noted that the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 may also be separately formed from the strain body 11 and then fixed to the strain body 11 with an adhesive or the like.

[0041] In addition, a protruding portion 11p protruding in a plan view is formed on a certain side of the strain body 11. A cylindrical convex portion 14 extends downward from the lower surface 11b including the lower surface of the protruding portion 11p. The convex portion 14 is configured to adjust the strain amount of the strain body 11 by bringing its lower end portion into contact with the support plate 30.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the convex portion 14 is integrally formed with the lower surface 11b. It should be noted that the convex portion 14 may also be separately formed from the strain body 11 and then fixed to the lower surface 11b including the lower surface of the protruding portion 11p with an adhesive or the like. The convex portion 14 is located directly on the positive side of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 11p is located at the center position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in a plan view. Therefore, the convex portion 14 is also located at the center position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132, and the distance between the first leg 131 and the convex portion 14 in the X direction is equal to the distance between the second leg 132 and the convex portion 14 in the X direction. The convex portion 14 is located at the same position as the third leg 133 in the X direction. In other words, the convex portion 14 and the third leg 133 are arranged side by side in the Y direction.

[0044] It should be noted that the length of the convex portion 14 in the up-and-down direction (i.e., the length in the axial direction of the cylinder) is shorter than the lengths of the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 in the up-and-down direction.

[0045] The strain sensor 20 is pasted on the strain body 11 with an adhesive or the like. In the present embodiment having the concave portion R, the strain sensor 20 is pasted on the bottom surface Rb of the concave portion R of the lower surface 11b. In a scheme where the concave portion R is not provided on the lower surface 11b, the strain sensor 20 is pasted on the lower surface 11b. The strain sensor 20 includes a base material B, four strain gauges provided on the surface of the base material B (i.e., strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 ) and four tabs T provided on the surface of the base material B.

[0046] The base material B is, for example, a flexible sheet formed of a resin. In plan view, the base material B is a substantially rectangular shape with the X direction as the short side direction and the Y direction as the long side direction. A through hole Th penetrating the base material B is provided in a substantially central portion of the base material B in plan view. The shape of the through hole Th in plan view is circular. The region of the base material B located on the negative Y direction side with respect to the through hole Th is pasted to the bottom surface Rb of the concave portion R in a state of being embedded in the concave portion R of the strain body 11( Figure 2 , Figure 3 of (a) Figure 3 of (b)). By providing the concave portion R in this way and embedding a part of the base material B therein, the alignment of the strain body 11 and the base material B can be easily performed. Therefore, the alignment of the strain body 11 and the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 also becomes easy.

[0047] The strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 are provided in a region of the lower surface of the base material B (i.e., the surface opposite to the upper surface of the base material B that is oppositely pasted to the strain body 11) located on the negative Y direction side with respect to the through hole Th (i.e., the region pasted to the strain body 11).

[0048] Each of the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 in this embodiment includes a strain sensing portion (not shown) formed by zigzagging a linear resistor (not shown). The strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 are arranged such that the grid direction of the strain sensing portion (the extending direction of the straight portion of the zigzag linear resistor, i.e., the strain sensing direction) is parallel to the X direction. The strain gauges SG Y1 , the strain gauges SG Y2 are arranged such that the grid direction of the strain sensing portion is parallel to the Y direction. According to this arrangement, the strain gauges SG X1 and the strain gauges SG X2 sense the strain of the strain body 11 with respect to the X direction. In addition, the strain gauges SG Y1 and the strain gauges SG Y2 sense the strain of the strain body 11 with respect to the Y direction. Therefore, the strain sensing directions (the directions for sensing the operation amount of the operator) of the pointing device 100 are the X direction and the Y direction (and the directions obtained by synthesizing these direction components).

[0049] Four connectors T are provided in a region on the positive Y-side of the through-hole Th (i.e., a region not adhered to the strain body 11) on the lower surface of the base material B. The four connectors T are each rectangular in plan view and are connected to the strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 via wirings (not shown) formed on the base material B. It should be noted that the shape of the connector T is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. For example, the connector T may be circular or elliptical.

[0050] The positional relationship between the respective parts of the main body 10 and the respective parts of the strain sensor 20 is as follows ([a] of Figure 3 and [b] of Figure 3 ).

[0051] In plan view, the operation unit 12 is located inside (e.g., at approximately the center of) the strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 of the strain sensor 20 adhered to the strain body 11. The first leg 131 is located on the positive X-side of the strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 , the second leg 132 is located on the negative X-side of these strain gauges, the convex portion 14 is located on the positive Y-side of these strain gauges, and the third leg 133 is located on the negative Y-side of these strain gauges. That is, the strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 are sandwiched between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the X direction and between the convex portion 14 and the third leg 133 in the Y direction.

[0052] The convex portion 14 of the main body 10 is located within the through-hole Th of the base material B of the strain gauge 20. When the strain gauge 20 is adhered to the strain body 11, by using the fitting of the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 and the through-hole Th of the strain gauge 20 as a reference, the alignment of the strain body 11 and the strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 can be easily performed.

[0053] The support plate 30 is a member that supports the main body 10 and is a member for assembling the pointing device 100 to an assembly target device (personal computer, game machine, etc.). The support plate 30 can be formed of, for example, metal (stainless steel as an example).

[0054] The support plate 30 is a substantially flat plate extending in a plane including the X direction and the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the support plate 30 is square when viewed from above. However, the shape of the support plate 30 is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications and shape of the assembly object, etc. For example, the support plate 30 can be set to various shapes such as rectangular, circular or elliptical when viewed from above.

[0055] As Figure 1 shown, three openings A1 are provided in the substantially central portion of the support plate 30. The three openings A1 are all openings for fixing the main body 10. The shape of the three openings A1 when viewed from above is circular. The three openings A1 are all stepped holes whose diameter near the lower surface 30b is larger than the diameter near the upper surface 30a ( Figure 4 of (b), Figure 4 of (c)).

[0056] In the present embodiment, as an example, as Figure 1 shown, openings A2 are provided at all four corners of the support plate 30. It should be noted that the number of the openings A2 is not particularly limited. The four openings A2 are all openings for assembling the support plate 30 (and thus the pointing device 100) to a device to be assembled (i.e., the assembly object device). In the present embodiment, the shape of the four openings A2 when viewed from above is circular, but the openings A1 and the openings A2 can also be set to the shape of threaded holes for receiving threaded portions respectively.

[0057] As Figure 2 , Figure 4 of (b), Figure 4 of (c) shown, the main body 10 is fixed to the support plate 30. Specifically, the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 of the main body 10 are respectively inserted into the openings A1 of the support plate 30 and are fixed by welding ( Figure 4 of (b), Figure 4 of (c)). The lower end portions of the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are deformed by welding and fill the inside of the openings A1 so as not to protrude downward from the lower surface 30b of the support body 30.

[0058] In a state where the main body 10 is fixed to the support plate 30, the regions of the lower surface 11b of the strain body 11 other than the concave portion R and the lower surface 14b of the convex portion 14 are in contact with the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. It should be noted that in a scheme where the concave portion R is not provided on the lower surface 11b of the strain body 11, the entire region of the lower surface 11b can be configured to have a gap with respect to the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. In this case, the lower surface 14b of the convex portion 14 is also in contact with the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30.

[0059] The pointing device 100 is fixed to the housing or substrate of the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be assembled, such as a threaded fastener through the opening A2 of the support plate 30. In addition, the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 are electrically connected to the electrical structure of the above-mentioned device to be assembled via the connector T of the strain sensor 20. Thus, a Wheatstone bridge including, for example, the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 and the external resistor of the pointing device 100, and a Wheatstone bridge including the strain gauges SG Y1 , SG Y2 and the external resistor of the pointing device 100 are formed.

[0060] When the operator operates the operation unit 12 via the cap C (that is, when the operator applies a load to the operation unit 12), a strain corresponding to the magnitude and direction of the load applied by the operator to the operation unit 12 is generated in the strain body 11. The pointing device 100 senses the magnitude of the strain generated in the strain body 11 using the strain sensor 20, and thereby obtains the operation amount input by the operator. Specifically, the operation amount in the X direction is obtained using a Wheatstone bridge including the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , and the operation amount in the Y direction is obtained using a Wheatstone bridge including the strain gauges SG Y1 , SG Y2 . The pointing device 100 inputs the obtained operation amount to the device (i.e., the device to be assembled) on which the pointing device 100 is mounted. It should be noted that the pointing device 100 may also calculate the operation amount in the direction obtained by synthesizing the components in the X direction and the Y direction (i.e., any direction of 360 degrees in the XY plane) and input it to the device to be assembled.

[0061] Hereinafter, the advantageous effects of the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment will be summarized.

[0062] The pointing device 100 of the present embodiment supports the strain body 11 having a triangular shape in plan view by the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 respectively provided at the three top portions V1, V2, and V3 of the strain body 11. Therefore, the area of the strain body 11 located outside the contour obtained by connecting the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 is small, and the strain body 11 is compact and has high space efficiency.

[0063] The compactification of the variant 11 is particularly advantageous when assembling the pointing device 100 into various devices. That is, laptops and gaming consoles, which are the objects for assembling the pointing device 100, require miniaturization, and the space available inside them for setting up the pointing device 100 is limited. In this regard, by forming the variant 11 of the pointing device 100 into a compact and space-efficient shape, the pointing device 100 can be set up compactly and efficiently inside the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be assembled.

[0064] In the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment, the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 are provided on both sides of the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 in the X direction. In addition, the third leg 133 and the convex portion 14 are provided on both sides of the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 in the Y direction. By thus providing members that restrict the movement of the variant 11 on both sides of the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 in the X direction and the Y direction, the state of the strain generated in the variant 11 can be made uniform in the X direction and the Y direction. Thereby, the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20 can be improved.

[0065] In the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment, the convex portion 14 is disposed on the positive side in the Y direction of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132. In other words, the convex portion 14 of the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment is disposed on the opposite side of the side where the strain gauges SG X1 , SG X2 , SG Y1 , SG Y2 are disposed, across the reference line connecting the first leg 131 and the second leg 132, in the Y direction. By adopting such a configuration, in the pointing device 100, the distance in the Y direction between the third leg 133 and the convex portion 14 can be increased. Thereby, the state of the strain generated in the variant 11 can be made more uniform in the X direction and the Y direction, and the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20 can be further improved.

[0066] In the pointing device 100 of the present embodiment, the convex portion 14 is not fixed to the support plate 30. Therefore, there is no need for the operation of fusing the convex portion 14 to the support plate 30, and the main body 10 can be fixed to the support plate 30 with less effort.

[0067] <Variation Example>

[0068] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the following modified schemes may also be used.

[0069] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the top view shape of the strain body 11 is an isosceles triangle, but it is not limited thereto. The top view shape of the strain body 11 may also be any triangle such as an equilateral triangle or a right triangle.

[0070] As shown in the above-described embodiment, the pointing device 100 may have the following structure: the strain body 11 is an isosceles triangle, and the direction of its base is made to coincide with one of the X direction or the Y direction (i.e., one of the two strain sensing directions), and the direction orthogonal to the base is made to coincide with the other of the X direction or the Y direction (i.e., the other of the two strain sensing directions). Thereby, the state of the strain generated in the strain body 11 can be made uniform in the X direction and the Y direction, and the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20 can be further improved.

[0071] Alternatively, the pointing device 100 may also have the following structure: the strain body 11 is an equilateral triangle, and the direction of one of its sides is made to coincide with one of the X direction or the Y direction (i.e., one of the two strain sensing directions), and the direction orthogonal to the side is made to coincide with the other of the X direction or the Y direction (i.e., the other of the two strain sensing directions). Thereby, the state of the strain generated in the strain body 11 can be made uniform in the X direction and the Y direction, and the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20 can be further improved.

[0072] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 12 is a quadrangular prism, and the first leg 131, the second leg 132, the third leg 133, and the convex portion 14 are cylinders. However, it is not limited thereto. The operation unit 12 may also be any shape such as a cylinder, a cylinder, or a triangular prism. The first leg 131, the second leg 132, the third leg 133, and the convex portion 14 may also be any shape such as a cylinder, a quadrangular prism, or a triangular prism.

[0073] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, a through hole Th is provided in the base material B of the strain sensor 20, and in a state where the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are combined into one body, the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 passes through the through hole Th of the base material B and abuts against the support plate 30. However, it is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, the through hole Th of the base material B may be omitted, and as shown in (a) of Figure 5 the base material B is clamped by the lower surface 14b of the convex portion 14 and the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30.

[0074] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, in a state where the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are combined as one, the lower surface 14b of the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 abuts against the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. However, it is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, as shown in (b) of Figure 5 the convex portion 14 may be fusion-fixed to the support plate 30 in the same manner as the first leg 131 to the third leg 133. In this case, the size of the convex portion 14 in the vertical direction is increased, and an opening A1 is provided at a position on the support plate 30 corresponding to the convex portion 14.

[0075] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 is located at the central position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the X direction, but it is not limited thereto. The convex portion 14 may be provided at any position in the X direction.

[0076] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 is located on the positive side of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction, but it is not limited thereto. The convex portion 14 may also be located at the same position as the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction, or may be located on the negative side of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction.

[0077] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the main body portion 10 may be configured such that, in the X direction, the central position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 and the strain gauge SG X1 and the strain gauge SG X2 coincide with each other. Thereby, the strain generated in the strain body 11 in the X direction can be detected with higher accuracy. Further, in the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the main body portion 10 may also be configured such that, in the Y direction, the central position between the convex portion 14 and the third leg 133 and the strain gauge SG Y1 and the strain gauge SG Y2 coincide with each other. Thereby, the strain generated in the strain body 11 in the Y direction can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0078] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 14 may be omitted. In this case, in order to make the state of the strain generated in the strain body 11 uniform in the X direction and the Y direction, the thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) of the strain body 11 may be changed in the plane including the X direction and the Y direction as needed.

[0079] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, four strain gauges SG X1 、SG X2 、SG Y1 、SG Y2 integrally provided on the base material B are used as the strain sensor 20, but it is not limited thereto. The strain gauge SGX1 、 SG X2 、 SG Y1 、 SG Y2 They may also be four mutually separated strain gauges. In addition, at least one strain gauge for strain sensing in the X direction and at least one strain gauge for strain sensing in the Y direction may be assembled in the strain body 11.

[0080] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the strain gauge 20 is led out to the outside of the strain body 11 via between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 of the main body 10, but is not limited thereto. The strain gauge 20 may also be led out to the outside of the strain body 11 via between the second leg 132 and the third leg 133 of the main body 10, or the strain gauge 20 may be led out to the outside of the strain body 11 via between the third leg 133 and the first leg 131 of the main body 10. In addition, it may be that the strain gauge 20 itself is sized to fit between the strain body 11 and the support plate 30, and the wiring led out from the strain gauge 20 is led out to the outside of the strain body 11 and connected to the electrical structure (circuit, etc.) of the device to which the pointing device 100 is assembled.

[0081] In the pointing device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the support plate 30 may also be omitted. In this case, the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 of the main body 10 are fixed to a part of the device to which the pointing device 100 is assembled (for example, a substrate built in the device to which it is assembled). In this case, this part of the device to which it is assembled corresponds to the "support body" of the present invention.

[0082] As long as the features of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other embodiments conceivable within the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0083] Description of Reference Numerals

[0084] 10: Main body; 11: Strain body; 12: Operation part; 131: First leg; 132: Second leg; 133: Third leg; 14: Protrusion; 20: Strain sensor; 30: Support plate; 100: Pointing device; A1, A2: Openings; SG X1 、 SG X2 、 SG Y1 、 SG Y2 : Strain gauge; Th: Through hole.

Claims

1. A pointing device that senses at least an operation amount in a first direction and an operation amount in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein, The pointing device includes: A plate-shaped strain body extending within a plane including a first direction and a second direction; An operation part, operated by an operator, extending from the strain body to one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction; Three legs, extending from the strain body to the other side in the third direction and fixed to a support body that supports the strain body; A first strain gauge, assembled to the strain body and sensing the operation amount in the first direction; And A second strain gauge, assembled to the strain body and sensing the operation amount in the second direction, The strain body is triangular when viewed in the third direction, The three legs are respectively provided at three tops of the strain body.

2. The pointing device according to claim 1, The strain body is an isosceles triangle when viewed in the third direction, and the base of the isosceles triangle is arranged parallel to the first direction, or the strain body is an equilateral triangle when viewed in the third direction, and one side of the equilateral triangle is arranged parallel to the first direction.

3. The pointing device according to claim 1 or 2, Further includes: a convex portion, extending from the strain body to the other side in the third direction, and an end portion of the convex portion is supported by a surface of the support body opposite to the strain body, The three legs include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, The first leg and the second leg are arranged with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge therebetween in the first direction, The third leg and the convex portion are arranged with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge therebetween in the second direction.

4. The pointing device according to claim 1 or 2, Further includes: a convex portion, extending from the strain body to the other side in the third direction and fixed to the support body, The three legs include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, The first leg and the second leg are arranged with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge therebetween in the first direction, The third leg and the convex portion are arranged with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge therebetween in the second direction.

5. The pointing device according to claim 3 or 4, The convex portion is arranged on the opposite side of the side where the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge are arranged, with a reference line connecting the first leg and the second leg therebetween in the second direction.

6. The pointing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, In the first direction, the third leg, the convex portion, and the second strain gauge are arranged at the same position.

7. The pointing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, Further includes: a strain sensor having a base material formed with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge, A through hole is provided in the base material of the strain sensor, The convex portion is arranged inside the through hole.

8. The pointing device according to claim 3, Further includes: a strain sensor having a base material formed with the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge, The base material is clamped by the convex portion and the support body.

9. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The support body is a support plate of an assembly target device to which the strain body is assembled in a state of supporting the strain body.

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