Direction control mechanism of electronic device

Abstract

The utility model provides a direction control mechanism of an electronic device, which comprises a base and a trigger component, optical signal reflection mechanisms are arranged on the trigger component, and two optical signal reflection mechanisms with opposite control directions form a group. The base is provided with a group of shared light signal receiving mechanisms and light source mechanisms corresponding to each group of light signal reflecting mechanisms, the light emitting ends of the light source mechanisms and the receiving ends of the light signal receiving mechanisms are arranged corresponding to the light signal reflecting mechanisms respectively, and the light source mechanisms and the light signal receiving mechanisms are connected with a control unit of the electronic device respectively. According to the utility model, each trigger part is provided with the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism, so that when the trigger part acts, the light signal reflecting mechanism reflects the light of the light source mechanism to the light signal receiving mechanism, the action identification of the trigger part is realized according to the change of the received light reflecting signal, and the detection of direction control is further realized; according to the utility model, an optical signal reflection structure is adopted, and a contact switch is not needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronic devices, and in particular to a directional control mechanism for an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] A directional control mechanism is a mechanism that controls the displacement direction of a controlled object. It is commonly found in electronic devices, such as the D-pad on a game controller, the joystick on a gaming device, and the directional control levers of some mechanical equipment components, such as the forks of a forklift, the bucket of an excavator, and the directional control levers of a robotic arm. Currently, these directional control mechanisms are triggered by electrical signals from electronic devices such as circuit boards. This is typically achieved through corresponding contact switches or microswitches. After triggering the corresponding contact switch or microswitch, the controller outputs a corresponding directional control signal, thereby controlling the displacement direction of the controlled object.

[0003] In reality, since contact switches or micro switches are triggered by contact-type electrical signals, their service life is limited. Once a contact switch or micro switch is damaged, the direction control mechanism will malfunction and needs to be replaced, which is very inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the background art, this utility model proposes a direction control mechanism for an electronic device.

[0005] A directional control mechanism for an electronic device includes a base and a triggering component disposed on the base. The triggering component is provided with light signal reflection mechanisms in at least four directional dimensions. Two light signal reflection mechanisms with opposite control directions form a group. The base is provided with a shared light signal receiving mechanism and a light source mechanism for each group of light signal reflection mechanisms. The light emitting end of the light source mechanism and the receiving end of the light signal receiving mechanism are respectively disposed corresponding to the light signal reflection mechanisms. The light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism are respectively connected to the control unit of the electronic device.

[0006] Based on the above, the optical signal reflection mechanism is a reflective element.

[0007] Based on the above, the light source mechanism is a light-emitting diode, and the light signal receiving mechanism is a light-receiving tube, with the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism arranged side by side.

[0008] Based on the above, the direction control mechanism is a cross-shaped button, and the triggering component is a reflector set at the bottom of the cross-shaped button. The reflector has reflective elements on the surface facing the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

[0009] Based on the above, there are two sets of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism. One set of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism is located on the left or right side of the cross-shaped button, and the other set of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism is located on the top or bottom side of the cross-shaped button.

[0010] Based on the above, the direction control mechanism is a rocker arm, and the triggering component is a reflector clock located at the bottom of the rocker arm. The reflector clock has reflective elements on its surface facing the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

[0011] Based on the above, under normal conditions, the bottom of the reflector clock is higher than the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism; under oscillation conditions, the bottom of the reflector at the bottom of the reflector clock is lower than the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

[0012] Based on the above, a connecting groove is provided at the top of the reflective clock corresponding to the bottom of the rocker arm.

[0013] This invention has substantial features and advancements compared to existing technologies. Specifically, by equipping each triggering component with a light source mechanism and a light signal receiving mechanism, when the triggering component is activated, the light signal reflection mechanism reflects the light from the light source mechanism to the light signal receiving mechanism. Based on the changes in the received light reflection signal, the activation of the triggering component is identified, thereby enabling the detection of directional control. This invention employs a light signal reflection structure, eliminating the need for contact switches and offering advantages such as long lifespan and ease of use. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-shaped button-type direction control mechanism of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a side view of the cross-shaped button of this utility model in its normal state.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view diagram of the cross-shaped button of this utility model when pressed on the left side.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a side view of the cross-shaped button of this utility model when pressed on the right side.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the light source of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the optical signal receiving mechanism and control unit of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rocker-type direction control mechanism of this utility model (the rocker is not shown).

[0021] Figure 8 This is a side view of the reflective clock of this utility model in its normal state.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a side view of the rocker arm of this utility model in the left swing state.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a side view of the rocker arm in the right-hand swing state of this utility model.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Cover plate; 2. Base; 3. Cross-shaped button; 4. Reflector; 5. Light shield; 6. Light source mechanism; 7. Light signal receiving mechanism; 8. Reflector clock; 9. Connecting groove; 10. Rocker arm. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] Example 1: The direction control mechanism is a cross-shaped button.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, a direction control mechanism for an electronic device includes a base 2 and a triggering component disposed on the base 2. The triggering component is provided with light signal reflection mechanisms in at least four directional dimensions. In this embodiment, the four directional dimensions refer to the front, back, left, and right directions; in other embodiments, this can be extended to the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right directions. Two light signal reflection mechanisms with opposite control directions form a group. The base 2 is provided with a shared light signal receiving mechanism 7 and a light source mechanism 6 for each group of light signal reflection mechanisms. The light emitting end of the light source mechanism 6 and the receiving end of the light signal receiving mechanism 7 are respectively disposed corresponding to the light signal reflection mechanism. The light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving 7 are respectively connected to the control unit of the electronic device.

[0028] In normal operation, the light signal reflecting mechanism on the triggering component is at a different height than the light signal receiving mechanism 7 and the light source mechanism 6; generally, the light signal reflecting mechanism is higher than the light signal receiving mechanism 7 and the light source mechanism 6. After the triggering component is activated, the light signal reflecting mechanism moves downward and blocks the light signal receiving mechanism 7 and the light source mechanism 6, causing the light emitted by the light source mechanism 6 to be reflected by the light signal reflecting mechanism to the receiving end of the light signal receiving mechanism 7, thereby detecting the activation of the triggering component. The control unit of the electronic device performs corresponding displacement control on the controlled object based on the detection signal from the light signal receiving mechanism 7.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the electronic device is a game controller, the directional control mechanism is a cross-shaped button 3, and the triggering component is a reflector 4 located at the bottom of the cross-shaped button 3. The cross-shaped button 3 is an integrated button, essentially having four directional buttons, with a reflector 4 at the bottom of each directional button. The cross-shaped button 3 and its connection structure with the base 2 adopt existing structures, such as a common method of mounting it on the cover plate 1 via a return spring. In this embodiment, to reduce costs, there are two sets of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7. One set of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7 is located on the left or right side of the cross-shaped button 3, and the other set is located on the upper or lower side of the cross-shaped button 3. That is, the reflectors 4 on two opposite directional dimensions share one set of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7. Correspondingly, reflective elements are provided on the surface of the reflector 4 facing the light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7, and the two reflective elements in the same direction have different light reflection performance. The explanation will focus on the example of the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 located to the right of the cross-shaped button 3: Figure 2 As shown, under normal conditions, the reflectors 4 on the left and right sides of the bottom of the cross-shaped button 3 are higher than the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7. At this time, there is no reflected light signal (or the light intensity received by the light signal receiving mechanism 7 is much lower than the preset value), and the detection indicates no directional control input. When the left button of the cross-shaped button 3 is pressed, since the cross-shaped button 3 is a one-piece button, the right button tilts upwards when the left button is pressed, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, the reflector 4 on the left side blocks the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7, and is far away from them. Furthermore, the reflective element on the left reflector 4 is a relatively weak reflective surface, such as gray, resulting in a weak reflected light signal. The detection indicates a leftward directional control input, and the control unit of the electronic device controls the object to move to the left based on this detection signal. When the button on the right side of the cross-shaped button 3 is pressed, as... Figure 4As shown, the reflector 4 on the right side blocks the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 and is relatively close to them. The reflector on the reflector 4 on the right side is a mirror or white surface with relatively strong reflective properties. At this time, the reflected light signal is stronger than that of the button on the left side. The detection and judgment is a rightward direction control input. The control unit of the electronic device controls the rightward displacement of the controlled object according to the detection signal.

[0030] In this embodiment, the light signal reflecting mechanism is a reflective element, which in reality is a surface structure capable of reflecting light, such as a painted surface, a mirror surface, or a plastic surface with sufficient smoothness. The light source mechanism 6 is a light-emitting diode, and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 is a light-receiving tube. The light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 are arranged side by side. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram (only two paths are shown for the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 respectively; in practice, multiple paths are provided as needed), chip U1A is the control unit of the electronic device itself (in this embodiment, only the STM32F103C8T6 MCU is used as an example for explanation, and no limitation is imposed), and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 is a light receiving tube, specifically an Everlight IRPT26-21C series ball-head 1206 surface-mount transmitter-receiver tube. Control unit U1A controls the switching on and off of transistors Q2 and Q3 by outputting high and low levels, thereby controlling the switching on and off of the LED and power supply, and thus controlling the operation of the LED light source. When there is no reflected light or the reflected light is low, the reverse current of the photosensitive receiving tube is very small, and the pins of control unit U1A receive a high level from the AD0 and / or AD1 terminals, indicating that no button is pressed; when there is reflected light, the reverse current of the photosensitive receiving tube increases rapidly, and the pins of control unit U1A receive a low level from the AD0 and / or AD1 terminals, indicating that a button is pressed. The control unit of the electronic device performs corresponding displacement direction control outputs based on the two AD inputs. In this embodiment, the left and right buttons share a single light source and light receiver, reducing the number of light-emitting and light-receiving tubes used and lowering cost and power consumption. In other embodiments, a separate set of light source and light receiver can be provided for each button.

[0031] In reality, the base 2 is shell-shaped, with a cover plate 1 on top. A cross-shaped keyway is provided on the cover plate 1 corresponding to the cross-shaped button 3. The light source mechanism 6, the light signal receiving mechanism 7, and the reflector 4 are all housed inside the shell of the base 2 to avoid interference from external light sources. Preferably, a light shield 5 is provided inside the base 2 corresponding to the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7. The light shield 5 has light-transmitting holes corresponding to the light emitting end of the light source mechanism 6 and the light receiving end of the light signal receiving mechanism 7, thereby limiting the angle of the emitted light from the light source mechanism 6 and the received light from the light signal receiving mechanism 7, further preventing light interference from external sources and other light sources 6.

[0032] Example 2: The direction control mechanism is a rocker arm.

[0033] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the direction control mechanism is a rocker arm, and the triggering component is a reflective clock 8 located at the bottom of the rocker arm 10, i.e., a bell-shaped cylindrical component. Reflective elements are provided on the surface of the reflective clock 8 facing the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7; that is, reflective elements are respectively provided on the outer and inner side walls of the lower part of the reflective clock 8. Figure 7 As shown.

[0034] Under normal conditions, the bottom of the reflector clock 8 is higher than the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7, meaning that the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 are unobstructed and no light reflection occurs. The light signal receiving mechanism 7 receives no light signal or the signal is much weaker than the preset value. After the rocker arm 10 swings, the bottom of the reflector at the bottom of the reflector clock 8 is lower than the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 due to the tilt. At this time, it obstructs the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7, and the light signal receiving mechanism 7 receives the reflected light signal. In this embodiment, there are two sets of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7. One set of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7 is located on the left or right side of the rocker arm 10, and the other set is located on the upper or lower side of the rocker arm 10. Only the set of light source mechanism 6 and light signal receiving mechanism 7 located on the right side of the rocker arm 10 is used as an example for explanation: Figure 8 As shown, under normal conditions, the reflector 8 at the bottom of the joystick 10 is higher than the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7. At this time, there is no reflected light signal (or the light flux received by the light signal receiving mechanism 7 is much lower than the preset value), and the detection indicates no directional control input; after the joystick 10 swings to the left, as... Figure 9 As shown, the reflector clock 8 tilts to the left, and at this time, the bottom of the reflector clock 8 is tilted upwards to the right. Therefore, the inner wall on the left side of the reflector clock 8 blocks the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7. The inner wall on the left side of the reflector clock 8 is a mirror or white surface with strong reflective properties, and the concave arc surface of the inner wall of the reflector clock 8 has a certain converging and strengthening effect on the reflected light. Therefore, the reflected light signal is strong at this time, and the detection and judgment indicate a leftward directional control input. The control unit of the electronic device controls the leftward displacement of the controlled object according to the detection signal; after the rocker arm 10 swings to the right, as... Figure 10As shown, the reflector clock 8 tilts to the right, and its bottom is tilted upwards to the left. Therefore, the outer wall on the right side of the reflector clock 8 blocks the light source mechanism 6 and the light signal receiving mechanism 7. The outer wall on the right side of the reflector clock 8 is a gray surface with relatively weak reflectivity, and the convex arc of the outer wall has a certain divergence and weakening effect on the reflected light. Therefore, the reflected light signal is relatively weak at this time, and the detection determines a rightward direction control input. The control unit of the electronic device controls the rightward displacement of the controlled object based on this detection signal. Upward or downward direction control follows the same principle and will not be elaborated further. Control of the four directions—upward to the left, downward to the left, upward to the right, and downward to the right—is based on a combination of two cases from each of the four directions, and the principle is similar, so it will not be elaborated further.

[0035] In practice, the top of the reflector clock 8 is provided with a connecting groove 9 corresponding to the bottom of the rocker arm 10, and the reflector clock 8 is connected to the bottom of the rocker arm 10 through the connecting groove 9. The rocker arm body and its setting method adopt the existing structure.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A directional control mechanism for an electronic device, comprising a base and a triggering component disposed on the base, characterized in that: The triggering component is equipped with light signal reflection mechanisms in at least four directional dimensions. Two light signal reflection mechanisms with opposite control directions form a group. The base is equipped with a shared light signal receiving mechanism and a light source mechanism for each group of light signal reflection mechanisms. The light emitting end of the light source mechanism and the receiving end of the light signal receiving mechanism are respectively set for the light signal reflection mechanism. The light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism are respectively connected to the control unit of the electronic device.

2. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light signal reflection mechanism is a reflective element.

3. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source mechanism is a light-emitting diode, and the light signal receiving mechanism is a light-receiving tube. The light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism are arranged side by side.

4. The orientation control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direction control mechanism is a cross-shaped button, and the triggering component is a reflector located at the bottom of the cross-shaped button. The reflector has reflective elements on the surface facing the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

5. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are two sets of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism. One set of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism is located on the left or right side of the cross-shaped key, and the other set of light source mechanism and light signal receiving mechanism is located on the top or bottom side of the cross-shaped key.

6. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direction control mechanism is a rocker arm, and the triggering component is a reflector clock located at the bottom of the rocker arm. The reflector clock has reflective elements on its surface facing the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

7. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Under normal conditions, the bottom of the reflector clock is higher than the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism; under oscillation conditions, the bottom of the reflector at the bottom of the reflector clock is lower than the light source mechanism and the light signal receiving mechanism.

8. The direction control mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top of the reflective clock has a connecting groove corresponding to the bottom of the rocker arm.

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