Pointing device

Abstract

To provide a compact pointing device.SOLUTION: A pointing device for detecting at least the amount of operation in a first direction and the amount of operation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction comprises: a plate-like strain generating body that extends in a plane including the first direction and the second direction; an operation part that is operated by an operator and extends from the strain generating body in one direction in a third direction perpendicular to both first and second directions; three legs that extend from the strain generating body in the other direction in the third direction and are fixed to a support that supports the strain generating body; first strain gauges that are attached to the strain generating body and detect the amount of operation in the first direction; and second strain gauges that are attached to the strain generating body and detect the amount of operation in the second direction. The strain generating body has a triangular shape when viewed in the third direction. The three legs are provided respectively at the three vertices of the strain generating body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Pointing devices equipped with a rod-shaped operating part are known as a type of input device that detects the amount of operation by an operator and inputs the amount to an electronic device (i.e., an operation target) such as a notebook computer or a game machine. A pointing device usually has a rod-shaped operating part and a strain-flexing part connected to the operating part, and detects the amount of operation by the operator based on the strain generated in the strain-flexing part when the operator operates the operating part.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a pointing device having a stick operated by an operator, a flexible stick support part connected to the lower end of the stick, and three protrusions for fixing the flexible stick support part to a support material. In Patent Document 1, the flexible stick support part is a member that is circular in plan view and functions as a strain generating body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5285001 Specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art As electronic devices such as notebook computers and game consoles become smaller, there is an increasing demand for compact pointing devices that can be efficiently placed within the electronic devices.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a compact pointing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, A pointing device that detects at least an operation amount in a first direction and an operation amount in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plate-shaped strain body extending in a plane including a first direction and a second direction; an operating unit operated by an operator, the operating unit extending from the strain body in one of a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction; Three legs extending from the flexure body in the other third direction and fixed to a support that supports the flexure body; a first strain gauge attached to the strain body and configured to detect an amount of operation in a first direction; a second strain gauge attached to the strain body and configured to detect an amount of operation in a second direction; The strain body is triangular when viewed in a third direction, A pointing device is provided in which the three legs are provided on three apexes of the strain body, respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The pointing device of the present invention is compact and can be placed compactly in the device to which it is to be attached, such as an electronic device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pointing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3(a) is a top view of the main body and the strain sensor, and FIG 3(b) is a bottom view of the main body and the strain sensor. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a plan view of the pointing device according to the embodiment, Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVc-IVc in Fig. 4(a). [Diagram 5]Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of a pointing device according to one modified example. The cross-sectional position corresponds to the position of line IVc-IVc in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of a pointing device according to another modified example. The cross-sectional position corresponds to the position of line IVc-IVc in Fig. 4(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <Embodiment> A pointing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] 1 and 2, a pointing device 100 according to this embodiment is a pointing stick assembly (PSA) equipped with a columnar operation unit 12. The pointing device 100 mainly includes a main body 10, a strain sensor 20 that detects strain generated in the main body 10, and a support plate 30 that supports the main body 10.

[0012] In the following description, the direction in which the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are arranged is the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the side where the main body 10 is located with respect to the support plate 30 is the top, and the side where the support plate 30 is located with respect to the main body 10 is the bottom. Also, one direction extending in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is the X direction, and a direction extending in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and perpendicular to the X direction is the Y direction. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction of one side of the square support plate 30 is the X direction, and the direction of the other side perpendicular to the side is the Y direction. Also, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the positive side and negative side of the X direction and the Y direction are defined as shown in FIG. 1. However, the X direction and the Y direction are not limited to the example of FIG. 1. The X direction, the Y direction, and the vertical direction are examples of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction of the present invention, respectively.

[0013] The main body 10 is formed of resin, for example, and may be formed by integral molding.

[0014] The main body 10 includes a strain body 11, an operation portion 12, three legs (that is, a first leg 131, a second leg 132, and a third leg 133), and a protrusion 14.

[0015] The flexure body 11 is a substantially flat plate extending in a plane including the X-direction and the Y-direction. The flexure body 11 is triangular in plan view (i.e., when viewed in the up-down 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 this embodiment, the first apex V1, the second apex V2, and the third apex V3 are rounded in plan view, but this is not limited to this.

[0016] The first vertex V1 and the second vertex V2 are aligned in the X direction. The first side S1 extends parallel to the X direction. A perpendicular line drawn from the third vertex V3 to the first side S1 extends parallel to the Y direction. In this embodiment, the second side S2 and the third side S3 are equal in length, and the first side S1 is longer than the second side S2 and the third side S3. That is, the planar shape of the flexure body 11 is an isosceles triangle.

[0017] A protruding portion 11p having a semicircular shape in a plan view protruding from the first side S1 to the positive side in the Y direction is provided at the center of the first side S1 of the flexure body 11. A recessed portion R (see Figs. 3(a) and 3(b)) having a rectangular shape in a plan view is provided on the lower surface 11b of the flexure body 11. Note that the recessed portion R does not necessarily have to be provided on the lower surface 11b.

[0018] The operation unit 12 is a portion that is operated by a user of the pointing device 100 (that is, a portion to which a force is applied by the user). The operation unit 12 is provided on an upper surface 11a of the strain body 11.

[0019] The operation unit 12 is a rectangular column extending in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the operation unit 12 is fixed to the upper surface 11a of the flexure body 11. The connection position of the operation unit 12 to the flexure body 11 is not particularly limited. For example, the operation unit 12 is fixed to the positive side of the center of the flexure body 11 in the Y direction. The operation unit 12 may also be fixed to the position of the center of gravity of the flexure body 11 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the operation unit 12 is arranged so that the four side surfaces face the positive X-direction side, the negative X-direction side, the positive Y-direction side, and the negative Y-direction side, respectively. However, the orientation of the four side surfaces of the operation unit 12 is not limited to this. For example, the four side surfaces of the operation unit 12 may face in a direction inclined by 45 degrees from the above-mentioned direction in a plan view (i.e., in the XY plane).

[0020] A cap C is attached to the upper end of the operation unit 12. The cap C is a portion that an operator of the pointing device 100 directly touches in order to operate the pointing device 100. The cap C may be made of, for example, rubber.

[0021] The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are each a support leg fixed to the support plate 30 and supporting the flexure body 11. The first leg 131 is provided at a first apex V1 of the flexure body 11, the second leg 132 is provided at a second apex V2 of the flexure body 11, and the third leg 133 is provided at a third apex V3 of the flexure body 11.

[0022] The first leg 131 and the second leg 132 are at the same position in the Y direction. That is, the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 are aligned in the X direction. The third leg 133 is located at the center 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.

[0023] The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are each a cylindrical leg extending downward from the lower surface 11b of the flexure body 11. In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 are formed integrally with the lower surface 11b of the flexure body 11. Note that the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 may be formed separately from the flexure body 11 and then fixed to the flexure body 11 later with an adhesive or the like.

[0024] A protruding portion 11p that protrudes in a plan view is formed on one side of the flexure body 11. A cylindrical convex portion 14 extends downward from a lower surface 11b including the lower surface of the protruding portion 11p. The convex portion 14 is configured to adjust the amount of strain of the flexure body 11 by abutting its lower end against the support plate 30.

[0025] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the protrusion 14 is integral with the lower surface 11b. The protrusion 14 may be formed separately from the flexure body 11 and then fixed to the lower surface 11b including the lower surface of the protrusion 11p with an adhesive or the like. The protrusion 14 is located on the positive side of the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the Y direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, the protrusion 11p is located at the center 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 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 in 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 aligned in the Y direction.

[0027] The vertical length of protrusion 14 (ie, the axial length of the cylinder) is shorter than the vertical lengths of first leg 131, second leg 132, and third leg 133.

[0028] The strain sensor 20 is attached to the strain body 11 with an adhesive or the like. In this embodiment having the recess R, the strain sensor 20 is attached to the bottom surface Rb of the recess R in the lower surface 11b. In an embodiment in which the recess R is not provided in the lower surface 11b, the strain sensor 20 is attached to the lower surface 11b. The strain sensor 20 is composed of a base material B and four strain gauges (i.e., strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 ) and four tabs T provided on the surface of the substrate B.

[0029] The substrate B is, for example, a flexible sheet made of resin. In plan view, the substrate B is substantially rectangular with its short side in the X direction and its long side in the Y direction. A through hole Th is provided in the substantially central portion of the substrate B in plan view, penetrating the substrate B. The through hole Th has a circular shape in plan view. An area of ​​the substrate B located on the negative side in the Y direction from the through hole Th is attached to the bottom surface Rb of the recess R of the flexure body 11 while being fitted into the recess R (FIGS. 2, 3(a), and 3(b)). By providing the recess R in this manner and fitting a part of the substrate B therein, it is possible to easily align the flexure body 11 and the substrate B. Therefore, the flexure body 11 and the strain gauge SG described later can be easily aligned with each other. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 This also makes it easier to align the position.

[0030] Strain Gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 is provided in an area on the lower surface of the substrate B (i.e., the surface opposite to the upper surface of the substrate B attached opposite to the flexure body 11) that is located on the negative side of the Y direction from the through hole Th (i.e., the area attached to the flexure body 11).

[0031] Strain gauge SG according to this embodiment X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2Each of the strain gauges SG includes a strain sensing portion (not shown) in which a linear resistor (not shown) is folded back in a zigzag pattern. X1 , S.G. X2 The strain gauge SG is arranged so that the grid direction of the strain sensing part (the extension direction of the straight part of the zigzag wire resistor, i.e. the strain sensing direction) is parallel to the X direction. Y1 , Strain gauge SG Y2 The strain gauges SG are arranged so that the grid direction of the strain sensing parts is parallel to the Y direction. X1 and S.G. X2 detects the strain of the strain body 11 in the X direction. Y1 and S.G. Y2 detects the strain of the strain body 11 in the Y direction. Therefore, the strain detection directions of the pointing device 100 (directions for detecting the amount of operation by the operator) are the X direction and the Y direction (and a direction obtained by combining these directional components).

[0032] The four tabs T are provided in an area located on the lower surface of the base material B on the positive side in the Y direction from the through-hole Th (i.e., an area not attached to the strain gauge 11). Each of the four tabs T is rectangular in plan view, and is connected to the strain gauge SG by wiring (not shown) formed on the base material B. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The shape of the tab T is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. For example, the tab T may be circular or elliptical.

[0033] The positional relationship between each part of the main body 10 and each part of the strain sensor 20 is as follows (FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)).

[0034] In a plan view, the strain gauge SG of the strain sensor 20 attached to the strain body 11 X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The operation unit 12 is located inside (for example, approximately in the center of) these strain gauges. X1 , S.G.X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The first leg 131 is located on the positive side in the X direction, the second leg 132 is located on the negative side in the X direction, the protrusion 14 is located on the positive side in the Y direction, and the third leg 133 is located on the negative side in the Y direction. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 is sandwiched between first leg 131 and second leg 132 in the X direction, and between protrusion 14 and third leg 133 in the Y direction.

[0035] The convex portion 14 of the main body 10 is located in the through hole Th of the base material B of the strain gauge 20. When attaching the strain gauge 20 to the flexure body 11, the fit between the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 and the through hole Th of the strain gauge 20 is used as a reference, and the flexure body 11 and the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 It is possible to easily align the position with the

[0036] The support plate 30 is a member that supports the main body 10 and is a member for attaching the pointing device 100 to an apparatus (such as a personal computer or a game machine) to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached. The support plate 30 may be made of, for example, metal (stainless steel, as an example).

[0037] The support plate 30 is a substantially flat plate extending in a plane including the X-direction and the Y-direction. In this embodiment, the support plate 30 is square in plan view. However, the shape of the support plate 30 is not limited thereto, and may be appropriately changed depending on the specifications and shape of the object to be attached. For example, the support plate 30 may have various shapes such as a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse in plan view.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, three openings A1 are provided in the approximate center of the support plate 30. Each of the three openings A1 is an opening for fixing the main body 10. The three openings A1 have a circular shape in a plan view. Each of the three openings A1 is a stepped hole whose diameter near the lower surface 30b is larger than the diameter near the upper surface 30a (Figs. 4(b) and 4(c)).

[0039] In this embodiment, as an example, an opening A2 is provided at each of the four corners of the support plate 30 as shown in Fig. 1. The number of openings A2 is not particularly limited. Each of the four openings A2 is an opening for mounting the support plate 30 (and thus the pointing device 100) to a device to which the support plate 30 (and thus the pointing device 100) is to be mounted (i.e., a device to be mounted). In this embodiment, the four openings A2 are circular in plan view, but the openings A1 and A2 may each have a shape of a screw hole for receiving a screw portion.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2, 4(b) and 4(c), 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 inserted into the opening A1 of the support plate 30 and fixed thereto by welding (Figures 4(b) and 4(c)). The lower ends of the first leg 131, the second leg 132 and the third leg 133 are deformed by welding and fill the inside of the opening A1 without protruding below the lower surface 30b of the support 30.

[0041] In a state in which the main body 10 is fixed to the support plate 30, the area of ​​the lower surface 11b of the flexure body 11 excluding the recessed portion R and the lower surface 14b of the protruding portion 14 abut against the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. In a mode in which the lower surface 11b of the flexure body 11 does not have the recessed portion R, the entire lower surface 11b may be disposed with a gap between it and the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. In this case as well, the lower surface 14b of the protruding portion 14 abuts against the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30.

[0042] The pointing device 100 is fixed to the housing or board of the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached by means of screws or the like through the opening A2 of the support plate 30. X1 , S.G.X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 is connected to the electrical configuration of the device to which it is to be attached via the tab T of the strain sensor 20. X1 , S.G. X2 and a resistor external to the pointing device 100, and a strain gauge SG Y1 , S.G. Y2 and a resistor external to the pointing device 100 to form a Wheatstone bridge.

[0043] When the operator operates the operation unit 12 via the cap C (i.e., 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 detects the magnitude of the strain generated in the strain body 11 with the strain sensor 20, thereby determining the amount of operation input by the operator. Specifically, the amount of operation in the X direction is measured using a strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 The amount of operation in the Y direction is calculated using a Wheatstone bridge including the strain gauge SG Y1 , S.G. Y2 The pointing device 100 inputs the obtained operation amount to an apparatus in which the pointing device 100 is mounted (i.e., the apparatus to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached). Note that the pointing device 100 may calculate an operation amount for a direction obtained by combining the X-direction and Y-direction components (i.e., any direction of 360 degrees on the XY plane) and input the calculated operation amount to the apparatus to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached.

[0044] The advantageous effects of the pointing device 100 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0045] The pointing device 100 of this embodiment supports the flexure body 11, which is triangular in plan view, by a first leg 131, a second leg 132, and a third leg 133 provided on three vertices V1, V2, and V3 of the flexure body 11. Therefore, the area of ​​the flexure body 11 located outside the outline obtained by connecting the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 is small, making it compact and space efficient.

[0046] Making the flexure body 11 compact is particularly advantageous when attaching the pointing device 100 to various devices. In other words, notebook computers and game machines to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached are required to be compact, and the space available inside these devices for installing the pointing device 100 is limited. In this regard, by making the flexure body 11 of the pointing device 100 have a compact and space-efficient shape, it becomes possible to install the pointing device 100 compactly and efficiently inside the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached.

[0047] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, a strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 A first leg 131 and a second leg 132 are provided on both sides in the X direction of the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The third leg 133 and the protrusion 14 are provided on both sides of the Y direction of the strain gauge SG. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 By providing the strain sensors 20 on both sides in the X direction and both sides in the Y direction, the manner in which strain occurs in the strain element 11 can be made uniform in the X direction and the Y direction. This can improve the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20.

[0048] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, the protrusion 14 is disposed on the positive side in the Y direction relative to the first leg 131 and the second leg 132. In other words, the protrusion 14 of the pointing device 100 of this embodiment is disposed on the positive side in the Y direction relative to the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2、 SG Y1 , S.G. Y2 The third leg 133 and the convex portion 14 are disposed on the opposite side of the reference line connecting the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 to the side where the third leg 133 is disposed. By disposing in this manner, the distance in the Y direction between the third leg 133 and the convex portion 14 can be increased in the pointing device 100. This makes it possible to further homogenize the state of strain generated in the strain body 11 in the X direction and the Y direction, and further improves the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20.

[0049] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, the convex portion 14 is not fixed to the support plate 30. Therefore, the task of welding the convex portion 14 to the support plate 30 is not necessary, and the main body 10 can be fixed to the support plate 30 with less effort.

[0050] <Modification> In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the following modifications may also be used.

[0051] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the shape of the flexure body 11 in a plan view is an isosceles triangle, but this is not limited to this. The shape of the flexure body 11 in a plan view may be any triangle, such as an equilateral triangle or a right-angled triangle.

[0052] As shown in the above embodiment, the pointing device 100 may be configured such that the flexure body 11 is an isosceles triangle, the direction of its base coincides with one of the X direction or Y direction (i.e., one of the two strain detection directions), and the direction perpendicular to the base coincides with the other of the X direction or Y direction (i.e., the other of the two strain detection directions). This makes it possible to homogenize the state of strain occurring in the flexure body 11 in the X direction and the Y direction, and further improves the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20.

[0053] Alternatively, the pointing device 100 may be configured such that the flexure body 11 is an equilateral triangle, one side of which is aligned with either the X or Y direction (i.e., one of the two strain detection directions), and the direction perpendicular to the side of which is aligned with the other of the X or Y directions (i.e., the other of the two strain detection directions). This makes it possible to homogenize the state of strain occurring in the flexure body 11 in the X and Y directions, thereby further improving the accuracy of strain detection using the strain sensor 20.

[0054] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the operation unit 12 is a rectangular prism, and the first leg 131, the second leg 132, the third leg 133, and the protrusion 14 are cylindrical. However, this is not limited to this. The operation unit 12 may be of any shape, such as a cylindrical column, a cylinder, a triangular prism, etc. The first leg 131, the second leg 132, the third leg 133, and the protrusion 14 may be of any shape, such as a cylinder, a rectangular prism, a triangular prism, etc.

[0055] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, a through hole Th is provided in the base material B of the strain sensor 20, and in a state in which the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are integrally combined, 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, this is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the through hole Th of the base material B may be omitted, and the base material B may be sandwiched between the lower surface 14b of the convex portion 14 and the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30 as shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0056] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, when the main body 10, the strain sensor 20, and the support plate 30 are combined together, the lower surface 14b of the protruding portion 14 of the main body 10 abuts against the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. However, this is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the protruding portion 14 may be welded and fixed to the support plate 30 in the same manner as the first leg portion 131 to the third leg portion 133. In this case, the vertical dimension of the protruding portion 14 is increased, and an opening A1 is provided at a position of the support plate 30 corresponding to the protruding portion 14.

[0057] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the protrusion 14 of the main body 10 is located at the center position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the X direction, but this is not limited to this. The protrusion 14 can be provided at any position in the X direction.

[0058] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the convex portion 14 of the main body 10 is located on the positive side in the Y direction relative to the first leg 131 and the second leg 132, but this is not limited to this. The convex portion 14 may 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.

[0059] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the center position between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 in the X direction of the main body 10 is located at the strain gauge SG X1 and strain gauge SG X2 In this way, the strain occurring in the strain body 11 in the X direction can be detected with higher accuracy. In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the main body 10 may be configured such that the center position between the convex portion 14 and the third leg 133 in the Y direction coincides with the center position between the strain gauge SG Y1 and strain gauge SG Y2 This allows the strain generated in the strain element 11 in the Y direction to be detected with higher accuracy.

[0060] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the convex portion 14 may be omitted. In this case, in order to homogenize the manner of strain generated in the flexure body 11 in the X direction and the Y direction, the thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) of the flexure body 11 may be changed in a plane including the X direction and the Y direction, as necessary.

[0061] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, four strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 In the present embodiment, the strain sensor 20 is integrally provided on the substrate B, but the present invention is not limited to this. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Alternatively, the strain gauges 11 may be four strain gauges separated from each other. Furthermore, it is sufficient that at least one strain gauge for detecting strain in the X direction and at least one strain gauge for detecting strain in the Y direction are attached to the strain generating body 11.

[0062] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the strain gauge 20 is drawn out to the outside of the flexure body 11 between the first leg 131 and the second leg 132 of the main body 10, but this is not limited thereto. The strain gauge 20 may be drawn out to the outside of the flexure body 11 between the second leg 132 and the third leg 133 of the main body 10, or may be drawn out to the outside of the flexure body 11 between the third leg 133 and the first leg 131 of the main body 10. The strain gauge 20 itself may be sized to fit between the flexure body 11 and the support plate 30, and the wiring drawn out from the strain gauge 20 may be drawn out to the outside of the flexure body 11 and connected to the electrical configuration (circuit, etc.) of the apparatus to which the pointing device 100 is attached.

[0063] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the support plate 30 may 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 to be attached (for example, a board built into the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached). In this case, the part of the device to which the pointing device 100 is to be attached corresponds to the "support" of the present invention.

[0064] As long as the characteristics of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 main body; 11 strain body; 12 operation unit; 131 first leg; 132 second leg; 133 third leg; 14 convex part; 20 strain sensor; 30 support plate; 100 pointing device; A1, A2 opening; SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Strain gauge; Th through hole

Claims

1. A pointing device that detects at least an operation amount in a first direction and an operation amount in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plate-shaped strain element extending in a plane including the first direction and the second direction; an operating unit operated by an operator, the operating unit extending from the strain body in one of a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction; three legs extending from the flexure body in the other of the third directions and fixed to a support body that supports the flexure body; a first strain gauge attached to the strain body and configured to detect an amount of operation in the first direction; a second strain gauge attached to the strain body and configured to detect an amount of operation in the second direction, the strain body is triangular when viewed in the third direction, The three legs are provided at three apexes of the strain generating body, respectively.

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

3. a protrusion extending from the flexure body in the other direction of the third direction, the protrusion having an end supported by a surface of the support body facing the flexure body, the three legs include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg; the first leg and the second leg are arranged to sandwich the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge in the first direction, 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the third leg and the protrusion are arranged to sandwich the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge in the second direction.

4. a protrusion extending from the strain body in the other direction of 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 to sandwich the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge in the first direction, 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the third leg and the protrusion are arranged to sandwich the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge in the second direction.

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

6. A pointing device as described in Claim 3, wherein in the first direction, the third leg, the convex portion, and the second strain gauge are arranged in the same position.

7. The strain sensor further comprises a substrate on which the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge are formed, a through-hole is provided in the substrate of the strain sensor, The pointing device according to claim 3 , wherein the protrusion is disposed inside the through-hole.

8. The strain sensor further comprises a substrate on which the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge are formed, The pointing device according to claim 3 , wherein the base material is sandwiched between the protrusion and the support.

9. A pointing device as described in Claim 4, wherein the convex portion is arranged on the opposite side of the reference line connecting the first leg and the second leg from the side on which the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge are arranged in the second direction.

10. A pointing device as described in Claim 4, wherein in the first direction, the third leg, the convex portion, and the second strain gauge are arranged in the same position.

11. The strain sensor further comprises a substrate on which the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge are formed, a through-hole is provided in the substrate of the strain sensor, The pointing device according to claim 4 , wherein the protrusion is disposed inside the through-hole.

12. 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the support body is a support plate that is attached to an apparatus to which the pointing device is to be attached, while supporting the strain-generating body.

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