Simulation mechanical shaft body for realizing continuous simulation signal input through potentiometer

Abstract

The invention discloses a simulation mechanical shaft body for realizing continuous simulation signal input through a potentiometer. The invention relates to the field of keyboard key switches, and discloses a novel simulation mechanical shaft body capable of inputting continuous simulation signals by adding a mechanical shaft body of a potentiometer, so that the problem that the continuous simulation signals cannot be really input by the existing mechanical shaft body is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of keyboard key switches, and is a new type of analog mechanical shaft that can input continuous analog signals. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, key switches capable of continuous analog signal input, such as magnetic axes, analog optical axes, and electrostatic capacitive axes, are widely used, offering unparalleled advantages in gaming input. Continuous analog signals allow for rapid on / off switching, ultra-short key travel, and quick triggering and disconnection. Traditional mechanical switches rely on the contact of metal springs to control the circuit, making continuous analog signal input impossible. Magnetic axes, analog optical axes, and electrostatic capacitive axes also have their drawbacks. Magnetic axes offer a relatively limited tactile feel, consume high power, are susceptible to magnetic field interference, are greatly affected by temperature, and exhibit non-linear changes in key travel and signal output, making tuning difficult and reliant on algorithm optimization. Analog optical axes are susceptible to light interference, consume high power, and are easily affected by dust. Both types of switches have separate shafts and sensing elements, making them vulnerable to external factors such as housing deformation or pressure, leading to malfunctions or decreased accuracy. Electrostatic capacitive switches offer a limited tactile feel and are expensive. Mechanical switches are mature, widely available, low-cost, have simple circuitry, are energy-efficient, and use all-electronic signal transmission without signal conversion. They are immune to deformation interference, offer a versatile feel (both soft and hard), and have significant standby advantages in wireless mode. However, achieving continuous analog signal input has become a crucial issue that needs to be addressed in the development of mechanical switches. A potentiometer is a resistive element with three leads whose resistance can be adjusted according to a specific pattern. A potentiometer typically consists of a resistive element and a movable brush. When the brush moves along the resistive element, a resistance or voltage value proportional to the displacement is obtained at the output terminal. Potentiometers can be used as either three-terminal or two-terminal components. The mature application of potentiometers in game controller joysticks provides a reference for achieving analog signal input in mechanical switches. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a simulated mechanical shaft with a potentiometer, solving the problem of achieving continuous analog signal input in a mechanical shaft.

[0004] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows: A mechanical shaft with a potentiometer element integrated inside the shaft body, available in two-pin and three-pin designs. The two-pin design is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, its structure consists of a housing, a cross slider, a spring, metal plates A, B, and C. The housing is compatible with existing mechanical shafts. The pins of metal plates A and B are compatible with existing shaft pins. The cross slider is mostly the same as existing cross sliders, except for the addition of a fixed position for metal plate C in the middle. The upper part of metal plate A is extended and can slide in contact with pin 1 of metal plate C. The upper part of metal plate B is connected to a resistor and is conductive. The resistor is elongated and can slide in contact with pin 2 of metal plate C. The relative positions of metal plates A and B are fixed. Except for the springs 1 and 2 on both sides of the upper part of metal plate A that provide tactile feedback and sound, other parts are not deformed. The top cover of the shaft housing is designed with a latch to lock the upper ends of metal plates A and B to prevent deformation during sliding. Alternatively, a separate latch can be designed. Metal plate C is fixed in a slot in the middle of the cross slider and slides up and down with the cross slider. Metal plates A and C form a movable brush that moves on the resistive element above metal plate B, thereby changing the resistance value of the connected circuit. The external pins of the shaft are two-pin, namely the pins at the bottom of metal plates A and B, the same as existing shafts. This model is one implementation of the invention and is only for explaining the principle; it is not limited to this single design.

[0005] Three-pin design such as Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, its structure consists of a housing, a cross slider, segmented latches, a spring, metal plates A, B, C, and D. The housing is compatible with existing mechanical shafts. The pins of metal plates A and B are compatible with existing shaft pins. Metal plate D has new pins, requiring an additional pin hole on the shaft housing. The cross slider is mostly the same as existing cross sliders, except for the addition of a fixing position for metal plate C in the middle. The segmented latches are compatible with existing ones. The upper part of metal plate A is extended, allowing it to slide in contact with pin 1 of metal plate C. The upper part of metal plate B is connected to and conducts through a resistor, which is elongated and slides in contact with pin 2 of metal plate C. Metal plate D is fixed to the resistor on the upper part of metal plate B and conducts through the upper end of the resistor. Metal plates B and D can be considered as two leads forming the resistor; they are not in direct contact but are fixed together by the insulation of the resistor, enhancing physical resistance. Metal plates A and B are fixed in relative positions. Except for the springs 1 and 2 on the upper sides of metal plate A, which provide tactile feedback and sound, the rest of the body remains unchanged. The top cover of the shaft housing has a latch to hold the upper ends of metal plates A and B in place to prevent deformation during sliding; alternatively, a separate latch can be designed. Metal plate C is fixed in a slot in the middle of the cross slider and slides up and down with it. Metal plates A and C form a movable brush that moves on the resistive element above metal plate B, changing the output resistance value. The shaft has three external pins: pins on metal plates A and B, and pins on the lower part of metal plate D. The pin on metal plate D is a newly added pin, distinguishing it from existing shafts. This model is one implementation of the invention and is only for explaining the principle; it is not limited to this single design. Attached image description: Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view of the side surface of the shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a two-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the metal sheet A in the two-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the metal sheet B in the two-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the metal sheet C in the two-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cross slider in the two-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a three-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the metal sheet D in the three-pin shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the shaft split design according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the contact design in the shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a segmented shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the two-pin principle according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the three-pin principle according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] The specific implementation method is as follows: The mechanical shaft designed in this invention uses a completely signal-free conversion process, requiring no electromagnetic or photoelectric conversion. During use, the potentiometer is adjusted by pressing a button, similar to sliding a finger on a rheostat, to change the circuit's resistance, thus causing a corresponding change in the output or detected voltage.

[0007] Design 1: Two-pin design as follows Figure 12 As shown, the general principle is as follows: RP acts as the switch. One pin of the resistor inside, which is also the pin of metal plate B, is connected in series with a resistor R connected to VDD. The resistance of this resistor R is approximately equal to, but slightly less than, the total resistance of the potentiometer. This ensures a noticeable voltage change; too small a value would result in relatively high keyboard power consumption. The other end of the resistor is not connected. One pin of the brush, which is the pin of metal plate A, is connected to GND, forming a circuit. When the key is not pressed, the circuit current is relatively minimal, and the voltage detected by VOUT is relatively maximum. When the key is pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C slides down the resistor on metal plate B, causing the resistance to decrease. The voltage detected by VOUT also decreases, and VOUT is connected to the main control chip, which continuously monitors the voltage change and calculates the key signal input using an algorithm. This achieves the analog signal input of the mechanical switch. Additionally, if this analog mechanical switch is connected to a keyboard matrix for key input, a diode needs to be added to prevent interference or key conflicts. The two-pin design can be directly adopted from existing switch molds, requiring only minor modifications to the cross slider and metal plate. It is low-cost and quick to market. At the same time, it simplifies PCB circuit board design compared to magnetic shafts and other components.

[0008] Furthermore, this two-pin design for the analog mechanical shaft comes in two designs: the first is a disconnected design, such as... Figure 9 As shown, its characteristic is that when the keyboard is not in use and is in standby mode, and a key is not pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C does not contact the resistive element of metal plate B, but rests on the conductor of the resistive element. At this time, the circuit containing the switch is not closed, which can significantly reduce standby power consumption. The second type is a contact design, such as... Figure 10As shown, its characteristics are: when the keyboard is not in use and is in standby mode, and the key is not pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C contacts the resistive element of metal plate B and rests on the conductor of the resistive element. The circuit where the switch is located is closed throughout the entire circuit, regardless of whether the key is pressed or not.

[0009] Design 2: Three-pin design as follows Figure 13 As shown: RP acts as the switch. One pin of the resistor inside, which is also the pin of metal plate B, is connected in series with a resistor R to VDD. The resistance of this resistor R should be slightly smaller than the total resistance of the potentiometer for a noticeable voltage change; it cannot be too small, as this will significantly increase the keyboard's power consumption. The other end of the resistor is connected to GND, which is the pin of metal plate D, forming a circuit. The total resistance of this circuit is the sum of the resistance of the incoming resistor R and the total resistance of the potentiometer RP, a stable value. One pin of the brush, which is the pin of metal plate A, is connected to VOUT. When the key is not pressed, the voltage detected by VOUT is relatively maximum. When the key is pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C slides down the resistor on metal plate B, the resistance begins to decrease, and the voltage detected by VOUT begins to decrease. VOUT is connected to the main control chip, which continuously monitors the voltage change and calculates the key signal input using an algorithm. This achieves the analog signal input of the mechanical switch. Additionally, if this analog mechanical switch is connected to a keyboard matrix to implement key input, a diode needs to be added to prevent interference or key conflicts. This three-pin design can be used for existing magnetic switches and analog optical switches.

[0010] Furthermore, this three-pin analog mechanical axis design comes in two types: the first is a disconnected design, such as... Figure 9 As shown, its characteristic is that when the keyboard is not in use and is in standby mode, and no key is pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C does not contact the resistive element of metal plate B, but rests on the conductor of the resistive element. At this time, the brush, i.e., metal plate C, does not contact the resistive element of metal plate B, and VOUT does not receive a signal. This design can prevent interference with other key switches. The second type is a contact design, such as... Figure 10 As shown, its characteristics are: when the keyboard is not in use and is in standby mode, and when the key is not pressed, pin 2 of metal plate C contacts the resistor of metal plate B and rests on the conductor of the resistor. VOUT can detect the input voltage signal throughout the entire process, regardless of whether the key is pressed or not.

[0011] like Figure 11 As shown, the switch provided by this invention supports various mainstream feel types. The implementation method is the same as existing switches. The figure shows a blue switch with a tactile feel; for other feel types, only the lower clip of the cross-shaped switch needs to be replaced.

[0012] The technical solution provided by this invention can effectively eliminate the jitter problem that has always plagued mechanical shafts, and resolve the delay caused by jitter optimization. In implementation, it also achieves compatibility between the old and new access methods, namely a combined solution of analog input and on / off input.

Claims

1. An analog mechanical shaft that achieves continuous analog signal input via a potentiometer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... The potentiometer is built into the switch body, and the switch body design and key input are realized by pressing and sliding.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... Connect one end of the potentiometer resistor and one end of the brush to the circuit, and realize the two-pin shaft design and key input by detecting the signal change of the potentiometer pin.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... The two ends of the potentiometer resistor are connected to the circuit, and the signal is detected by one end of the brush to realize the three-pin shaft design and key input.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... The design of the shaft and key input is achieved by keeping the potentiometer brush out of contact with the resistive element when the button is not pressed.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... The design of the shaft and key input is achieved by keeping the potentiometer brush in constant contact with the resistive element.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... Different feel and sound of the switches can be achieved by replacing the internal modules of the switches.

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