Pointing device

Abstract

To provide a pointing device with a high degree of freedom in design.SOLUTION: A pointing device that detects at least an operating amount in a first direction and an operating amount in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction comprises: an operating part that is a columnar strain-generating body operated by an operator and extending from one end fixed to base members, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction; a first strain sensing part that is attached to the operating part and detects a strain corresponding to the operating amount in the first direction; and a second strain sensing unit that is attached to the operating part and detects a strain corresponding to the operating amount in the second direction.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 pointing devices that can be efficiently arranged within the electronic device and have a high degree of design freedom.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device with a high degree of freedom in design. [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, an operation unit which is a columnar strain body operated by an operator and extends from one end fixed to a base member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction; a first strain sensing unit attached to the operation unit and configured to detect a strain corresponding to an amount of operation in the first direction; There is provided a pointing device including a second strain sensing portion attached to the operation portion and configured to detect a strain corresponding to an amount of operation in the second direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The pointing device of the present invention has a high degree of freedom in design, so that an appropriate design can be adopted depending on the size of the space where the device is to be attached. [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] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the operation unit, the strain gauge attached to the operation unit, and the flexible printed circuit board (FPC), respectively. Figure 3(a) shows the state before the FPC is connected to the strain gauge, with the FPC unfolded. Figure 3(b) shows the state after the FPC is connected to the strain gauge, with the FPC wrapped around the operation unit. In Figure 3(b), the strain gauge hidden under the FPC is drawn with a dotted line. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a plan view of the pointing device according to the embodiment, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in Fig. 4(a). [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified pointing device taken along a plane perpendicular to the X direction and passing through the center of the operation unit. [Figure 6] 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are top views of the operation unit of the modified example. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of the operation unit and the strain sensor attached to the operation unit. The strain sensor is in an expanded state before being attached to the operation unit. 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. 1 to 4(b).

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pointing device 100 according to this embodiment is a pointing stick assembly (PSA) having a columnar operation unit 12. The pointing device 100 includes a main body 10 and four strain gauges (i.e., strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 ) and a support plate 20 (an example of a base member, an example of a support body) that supports the main body 10.

[0012] In the following description, the direction in which the main body 10 and the support plate 20 are aligned is the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the side where the main body 10 is located with respect to the support plate 20 is the top, and the side where the support plate 20 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 20 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 base plate 11 (an example of a base member), an operation unit 12, and three legs (that is, a first leg 131, a second leg 132, and a third leg 133).

[0015] The base plate 11 is a substantially flat plate extending in a plane including the X-direction and the Y-direction. The base plate 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 the above.

[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] 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 base plate 11.

[0018] The operation unit 12 is a rectangular column extending in the vertical direction and has an upper surface 12a, a lower surface 12b, and four side surfaces 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f.

[0019] A cap C is attached to the upper end (i.e., upper surface 12a) 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.

[0020] A lower surface 12b of the operation unit 12 is fixed to an upper surface 11a of the base plate 11. The connection position of the operation unit 12 to the base plate 11 is not particularly limited. For example, the operation unit 12 may be fixed to the center of gravity of the base plate 11.

[0021] The side surface 12c faces the positive side of the X direction, and the side surface 12d faces the negative side of the X direction. The side surfaces 12c and 12d are planes arranged perpendicular to an axis extending in the X direction (in other words, planes arranged parallel to a plane including the up-down direction and the Y direction). The side surface 12e faces the positive side of the Y direction, and the side surface 12f faces the negative side of the Y direction. The side surfaces 12e and 12f are planes arranged perpendicular to an axis extending in the Y direction (in other words, planes arranged parallel to a plane including the up-down direction and the X direction). The orientation of the four side surfaces 12c to 12f of the operation unit 12 is not limited to this. For example, the four side surfaces 12c to 12f may face a direction inclined by 45 degrees from the above-mentioned direction in a plan view (i.e., in the XY plane).

[0022] The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are support legs fixed to the support plate 20 to support the base plate 11. The first leg 131 is provided on a first top portion V1 of the base plate 11, the second leg 132 is provided on a second top portion V2 of the base plate 11, and the third leg 133 is provided on a third top portion V3 of the base plate 11.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 base plate 11. In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are formed integrally with the lower surface 11b of the base plate 11. Note that the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 may be formed separately from the base plate 11 and then fixed to the base plate 11 later with an adhesive or the like.

[0025] Strain Gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 are attached to the side surfaces 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f of the operation unit 12 by adhesive or the like. X1 On side 12c, strain gauge SG X2 On side 12d, strain gauge SG Y1 On side 12e, strain gauge SG Y2 are attached to the side 12f, respectively.

[0026] Strain Gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2The strain gauges SG may have the same configuration or may have different configurations. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The strain gauges SG are assumed to have the same structure. Y1 As shown in Figure 3(a), the strain gauge SG Y1 has a base material B formed of a resin film or the like, and a metallic resistor RS provided on the base material B.

[0027] The resistor RS has a strain sensing portion SS and a pair of tabs T1, T2 for connecting the strain sensing portion SS to the outside.

[0028] In the strain sensing section SS, the linear resistor RS is folded back in a zigzag pattern to form a predetermined pattern. In the following description, the extension direction of the linear portion defined between the folding back points is called the grid direction (strain sensing direction), and the direction in which the linear portions are arranged is called the grid width direction. The grid direction and the grid width direction are perpendicular to each other. Each strain gauge is configured to detect strain occurring in the grid direction.

[0029] Strain Gauge SG X1 The strain gauge SG is attached to the operation unit 12 with the strain sensing part SS positioned below the tabs T1 and T2 so that the strain sensing part SS is located near the lower end of the side surface 12c of the operation unit 12. X2 is attached to the operation unit 12 with the strain sensing unit SS positioned below the tabs T1 and T2 so that the strain sensing unit SS is located near the lower end of the side surface 12d of the operation unit 12. In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, when the operation unit 12 is not being operated, the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 The grid direction of the strain gauge SG is parallel to the vertical direction. X1 , S.G. X2 The grid width direction is parallel to the Y direction.

[0030] Strain Gauge SG Y1 The strain gauge SG is attached to the operation unit 12 with the strain sensing part SS positioned below the tabs T1 and T2 so that the strain sensing part SS is located near the lower end of the side surface 12e of the operation unit 12. Y2 is attached to the operation unit 12 with the strain sensing unit SS positioned below the tabs T1 and T2 so that the strain sensing unit SS is located near the lower end of the side surface 12f of the operation unit 12. In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, when the operation unit 12 is not being operated, the strain gauge SG Y1 , S.G. Y2 The grid direction of the strain gauge SG is parallel to the vertical direction. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The grid width direction is parallel to the X direction.

[0031] From the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable to arrange each strain gauge so that the strain sensing part SS is as close as possible to the lower end of the operation unit 12. However, the position of each strain gauge is not limited to this. For example, each strain gauge (and the position of the strain sensing part SS) may be appropriately determined according to the detection accuracy required for each strain gauge, the size of the space in which the pointing device 100 is installed, and the positional relationship with other components. For example, the strain sensing part SS of each strain gauge may be arranged in an area within 50% of the entire length of the operation unit from the lower end (one end) of the operation unit. Also, for example, the strain sensing part SS of each strain gauge may be arranged in an area within 25% of the entire length of the operation unit from the lower end (one end) of the operation unit. Furthermore, in this specification and the present invention, "the strain sensing unit is attached to a specified area of ​​the operating unit" may mean that at least a portion of the strain sensing unit is attached to the operating unit so as to be located in the specified area, or may mean that the entire strain sensing unit is attached to the operating unit so as to be located in the specified area.

[0032] The support plate 20 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 20 may be made of, for example, a metal (stainless steel, as an example).

[0033] The support plate 20 is a substantially flat plate extending in a plane including the X-direction and the Y-direction. In this embodiment, the support plate 20 is square in plan view. However, the shape of the support plate 20 is not limited thereto, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications and shape of the object to which it is attached. For example, the support plate 20 may have various shapes such as a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse in plan view.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, three openings A1 are provided in the approximate center of the support plate 20. 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 20b is larger than the diameter near the upper surface 20a (Fig. 4(b)).

[0035] In this embodiment, as an example, an opening A2 is provided at each of the four corners of the support plate 20 as shown in Fig. 1. The number of openings A2 is not limited. Each of the four openings A2 is an opening for attaching the support plate 20 (and thus the pointing device 100) to a device to which the support plate 20 (and thus the pointing device 100) is to be attached (i.e., the device to be attached). In this embodiment, the four openings A2 are circular in plan view, but the openings A1 and A2 may each have the shape of a screw hole for receiving a screw portion.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4(b), the main body 10 is fixed to the support plate 20. 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 20 and fixed by welding (Fig. 4(b)). 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 20b of the support 20.

[0037] When the main body 10 is fixed to the support plate 20 , the lower surface 11 b of the base plate 11 abuts against the upper surface 20 a of the support plate 20 .

[0038] 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 screws or the like through the openings A2 of the support plate 20.

[0039] Strain Gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 are connected to the outside via a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, FPC) 50. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the FPC 50 includes a rectangular gauge connection area 51 and an external connection area 52 connected to one long side of the connection area 51. The gauge connection area 51 is partitioned along the long side direction of the gauge connection area 51 into four areas 51c, 51d, 51e, and 51f.

[0040] The FPC 50 is connected to the strain gauge SG by wrapping the gauge connection area 51 around the operation unit 12. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 When the FPC 50 is wrapped around the operation unit 12 (FIG. 3(b)), the region 51c abuts against the side surface 12c of the operation unit 12 and is connected to the strain gauge SG X1 , and the region 51d is in contact with the side surface 12d of the operation unit 12 to connect the strain gauge SG X2 , and the region 51e abuts against the side surface 12e of the operation unit 12 to connect the strain gauge SG Y1 , and the region 51f abuts against the side surface 12f of the operation unit 12 to contact the strain gauge SG Y2 is connected to.

[0041] The external connection area 52 of the FPC 50 abuts against the upper surface 11a of the base plate 11, extends in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, and is connected to the electrical components of the device to which it is attached. X1 , S.G. X2and 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. The FPC 50 may be regarded as a part of the pointing device 100.

[0042] When an operator operates the operating unit 12 through the cap C (i.e., when the operator applies a load to the operating unit 12), a strain corresponding to the magnitude and direction of the load applied to the operating unit 12 by the operator is generated in the operating unit 12.

[0043] For example, suppose that an operator operates the operating unit 12 in the X direction (i.e., the operator applies a load along the X direction to the cap C). As described above, the lower end of the operating unit 12 is fixed to the base plate 11. Therefore, the operating unit 12, which was approximately vertical in the up-down direction, is curved in the X direction by the above-mentioned operation. Alternatively, the upper surface 12a of the operating unit 12 is shifted to one side in the X direction relative to the lower surface 12b. As a result, an extensional strain is generated in one of the side surfaces 12c and 12d of the operating unit 12, and a compressional strain is generated in the other.

[0044] Similarly, when the operator operates the operation unit 12 in the Y direction (i.e., when the operator applies a load along the Y direction to the cap C), the operation unit 12, which was approximately vertical in the up-down direction, curves in the Y direction. Alternatively, the upper surface 12a of the operation unit 12 shifts to one side in the Y direction relative to the lower surface 12b. As a result, one of the side surfaces 12e and 12f of the operation unit 12 undergoes tensile strain, and the other undergoes compressive strain. Note that the operation unit 12 may be operable not only in the X and Y directions, but also in any direction of 360 degrees on the XY plane.

[0045] The pointing device 100 measures the magnitude of the strain generated in the operation unit 12 using a strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2The amount of operation input by the operator is calculated by detecting the amount of operation in the X direction using the 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 on which the pointing device 100 is mounted (i.e., the apparatus to be attached). The pointing device 100 may calculate the 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) by combining the X-direction and Y-direction components, and input this to the apparatus to be attached. In addition, when the side surfaces 12c to 12f of the operation unit 12 are arranged at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) in a plan view from the detection direction of the operation amount (X-direction and Y-direction in this embodiment), the pointing device 100 uses the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The detected values ​​may be combined to determine the amount of operation in the detected direction.

[0046] The advantageous effects of the pointing device 100 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0047] The pointing device 100 of this embodiment has a strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 In other words, the operation unit 12 is used as a strain-generating part that is strained by the operation of the operator. Therefore, there is no need for a plate-shaped strain-generating part as in the conventional pointing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, and there is a high degree of freedom in design.

[0048] The improvement of the design freedom is particularly advantageous when the pointing device 100 is attached to another device. For example, devices to which the pointing device 100 is attached, such as notebook computers and game machines, are required to be compact, and the space available for installing the pointing device 100 inside these devices is limited. In this regard, if the design freedom of the pointing device 100 is high, it is possible to make the pointing device 100 into a shape that corresponds to the internal space of the device to which it is attached. For example, it is possible to install the pointing device 100 compactly and efficiently. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to adopt an appropriate design for the pointing device 100 depending on the size of the space at which it is attached.

[0049] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, the strain gauge SG is arranged so that the strain sensing unit SS is located near the lower end of the operation unit 12. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 is attached to the operation unit 12. In addition, the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Each of the strain gauges SG is attached to the operating unit 12 so that the strain sensing portion SS is located below the tabs T1 and T2 (i.e., in the vertical direction, the strain sensing portion SS is located between the tabs T1 and T2 and the bottom surface 12b). When an operator applies a load to the vicinity of the top surface 12a of the operating unit 12, the amount of strain is greatest near the bottom surface 12b of the operating unit 12. Therefore, in this manner, the strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 By arranging the strain gauge SG near the bottom surface 12b, X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 This can increase the output, thereby improving the strain detection accuracy.

[0050] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, the lower end of the operation unit 12 is connected to a plate-shaped base plate 11, and the base plate 11 is fixed to the support plate 20 using three legs 131, 132, and 133, thereby fixing the operation unit 12 to the support plate 20. In this manner, by fixing the operation unit 12 to the support plate 20 at multiple points using the base plate 11, rattling of the operation unit 12 caused by deterioration of the fixed (welded) points, etc., can be suppressed, and the operation unit 12 can be supported in a more stable state.

[0051] In the pointing device 100 of this embodiment, a base plate 11 that is triangular in plan view is supported by a first leg 131, a second leg 132, and a third leg 133 that are provided on three vertices V1, V2, and V3 of the base plate 11. Therefore, the area of ​​the base plate 11 that is positioned outside the outline obtained by connecting the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 is small, making the base plate 11 compact and space-efficient.

[0052] <Modification> In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the following modifications may also be used.

[0053] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the shape of the base plate 11 in a plan view is an isosceles triangle, but is not limited to this. The shape of the base plate 11 in a plan view may be any triangle, such as an equilateral triangle or a right-angled triangle. Alternatively, the base plate 11 may be any shape, such as a rectangle or a circle.

[0054] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the operating unit 12 is a rectangular prism. However, the shape of the operating unit 12 is not limited to this. The operating unit 12 may have any shape, such as a rectangular tube (FIG. 6(a)), a column (FIG. 6(b)), or a cylinder (FIG. 6(c)). For example, by making the operating unit 12 a hollow cylinder having a central hole Th extending in the axial direction, the amount of strain generated on the outer surface of the operating unit 12 can be increased. With this configuration, the strain gauge SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2Since the output can be increased, the accuracy of strain detection can be improved.

[0055] For example, when the operating unit 12 is a rectangular tube (FIG. 6(a)), four strain gauges SG are attached to the four side surfaces 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f in the same manner as in the above embodiment. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 can be attached.

[0056] For example, when the operating unit 12 is cylindrical (FIG. 6(b)), four strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the operation unit 12 so that the grid directions of the four strain gauges SG coincide with the vertical direction and the grid width direction of the four strain sensing parts SS coincides with the circumferential direction of the operation unit 12. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The strain gauges SG can be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operating unit 12. X1 The center of the strain sensing portion SS in the grid width direction may be disposed at the most positive position in the X direction on the outer circumferential surface of the operation portion 12. X2 The center of the strain sensing portion SS in the grid width direction may be disposed at the most negative position in the X direction on the outer circumferential surface of the operation portion 12. Y1 The center of the strain sensing portion SS in the grid width direction may be disposed at the most positive position in the Y direction on the outer circumferential surface of the operation portion 12. Y2 The center of the strain sensing portion SS in the grid width direction may be located at the most negative position in the Y direction on the outer circumferential surface of the operation portion 12.

[0057] When the operating part 12 is a cylinder (FIG. 6(c)), four strain gauges SG are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the operating part 12 in the same manner as when the operating part 12 is a column (FIG. 6(b)). X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 can be attached.

[0058] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the base plate 11 and the legs 131, 132, and 133 may be omitted. In this case, for example, only one opening A1 is provided in the center of the support plate 20 in a plan view. Then, a region in the vicinity of the lower surface 12b of the operation unit 12 is inserted into the opening A1, and the lower end of the operation unit 12 is fixed (welded) directly to the support plate 20 (FIG. 5). By omitting the base plate 11 and the legs 131, 132, and 133, the pointing device 100 can be made even smaller.

[0059] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 are cylindrical. However, this is not limited to this. The first leg 131, the second leg 132, and the third leg 133 may be any shape, such as a cylinder, a rectangular prism, or a triangular prism.

[0060] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the strain gauge SG is arranged so that the strain sensing unit SS is located near the lower end of the operation unit 12. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The strain gauge SG is attached to the operation unit 12. However, this is not limited to this. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 However, by disposing the strain sensing unit SS closer to the lower surface 12b (lower end portion) of the operation unit 12, the strain detection accuracy can be improved.

[0061] Specifically, the strain gauge SG is arranged so that the strain sensing portion SS is located between the center of the operation portion 12 in the vertical direction and the bottom surface 12b. X1, S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Alternatively, the strain gauge SG may be attached to the operation unit 12 so that the strain sensing unit SS is in contact with the lower end of the operation unit 12. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 may be attached to the operation unit 12.

[0062] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, four strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 are attached to the operation unit 12 individually, but this is not limited to this. X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Alternatively, a strain sensor 70 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used.

[0063] The strain sensor 70 includes a flexible substrate BB and four strain sensing parts SS formed on the substrate BB. X1 , S.S. X2 , S.S. Y1 , S.S. Y2 and four tabs T.

[0064] The substrate BB includes a rectangular sensory part formation region BB1 and an external connection region BB2 connected to one long side of the sensory part formation region BB1. The sensory part formation region BB1 is partitioned into four regions BB1c, BB1d, BB1e, and BB1f along the long side direction of the sensory part formation region BB1.

[0065] In the area BB1c, the strain sensing part SS X1 However, in the area BB1d, there is a strain sensing part SS X2 However, in the region BB1e, there is a strain sensing part SS Y1 However, in the region BB1f, there is a strain sensing part SS Y2 are formed. Strain sensing part SS X1 , S.S. X2 , S.S.Y1 , S.S. Y2 are the strain gauges SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 The strain sensor SS has the same structure as the strain sensor SS. X1 , S.S. X2 , S.S. Y1 , S.S. Y2 are formed so that the grid direction coincides with the short side direction of the sensory part formation area BB1 and the grid width direction coincides with the long side direction of the sensory part formation area BB1.

[0066] Four tabs T are formed in the external connection area BB2. The four tabs T are connected to the strain sensing part SS by wiring (not shown) formed on the base material BB. X1 , S.S. X2 , S.S. Y1 , S.S. 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.

[0067] The strain sensor 70 is attached to the operation unit 12 by wrapping the sensory part forming region BB1 around the operation unit 12. When the sensory part forming region BB1 is wrapped around the operation unit 12, the region BB1c abuts against the side surface 12c of the operation unit 12, the region BB1d abuts against the side surface 12d of the operation unit 12, the region BB1e abuts against the side surface 12e of the operation unit 12, and the region BB1f abuts against the side surface 12f of the operation unit 12.

[0068] When the sensor-sensing portion forming region BB1 is wrapped around the operation portion 12, the strain sensor SS X1 , S.S. X2 , S.S. Y1 , S.S. Y2 are located near the lower end of the operation unit 12. X1 , S.S. X2 The grid direction of is parallel to the vertical direction, and the strain sensing part SS X1 , S.S. X2 The grid width direction of the strain sensing element SS is parallel to the Y direction. Y1 , S.S. Y2The grid direction of is parallel to the vertical direction, and the strain sensing part SS Y1 , S.S. Y2 The grid width direction is parallel to the X direction.

[0069] The external connection area BB2 of the strain sensor 70 abuts against the upper surface 11a of the base plate 11 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A tab T of the external connection area BB2 is connected to the electrical configuration of the operation target via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or the like. This allows, for example, X1 , S.S. X2 and a resistor outside the pointing device 100, and a strain sensing unit SS Y1 , S.S. Y2 and a resistor external to the pointing device 100 to form a Wheatstone bridge.

[0070] In the pointing device 100 of the above embodiment, the support plate 20 may be omitted. In this case, the first leg 131 to the third leg 133 of the main body 10 or the lower end of the operation unit 12 of the main body 10 is 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" or "base member" of the present invention.

[0071] 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]

[0072] 10 main body; 11 base plate; 12 operation unit; 131 first leg; 132 second leg; 133 third leg; 20 support plate; 60 flexible printed circuit board (FPC); 70 strain sensor; 100 pointing device; A1, A2 openings; SG X1 , S.G. X2 , S.G. Y1 , S.G. Y2 Strain gauge;;SSX1 , S.S. X2 , S.S. Y1 , S.S. Y2 Strain sensing part

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, an operation unit that is a columnar strain body operated by an operator, the strain body extending from one end fixed to a base member in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction; a first strain sensing unit attached to the operation unit and configured to detect a strain corresponding to an amount of operation in the first direction; a second strain sensing unit attached to the operation unit and configured to detect a strain corresponding to an amount of operation in the second direction;

2. The pointing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first strain sensing portion and the second strain sensing portion are attached between a center portion of the operation portion in the third direction and the one end.

3. The pointing device according to claim 2 , wherein the first strain sensing portion and the second strain sensing portion are attached near the one end of the operation portion.

4. a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge; The first strain gauge comprises: a first substrate on which the first strain sensing portion is formed; a first tab formed on the first base material and connected to the first strain sensing portion by wiring; The second strain gauge comprises: a second substrate on which the second strain sensing portion is formed; a second tab formed on the second base material and connected to the second strain sensing portion by wiring; the first strain gauge is attached to the operating portion such that the first strain sensing portion is disposed between the first tab and the end portion in the third direction; A pointing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second strain gauge is attached to the operating portion so that the second strain sensing portion is positioned between the second tab and the end portion in the third direction.

5. a flexible substrate that connects the first strain sensing unit and the second strain sensing unit to an external device; A pointing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible substrate includes a sensing part connection area that is wrapped around the operating part and connected to the first strain sensing part and the second strain sensing part, and an external connection area that extends along a plane that includes the first direction and the second direction and is connected to the outside.

6. Equipped with strain sensors, The strain sensor includes: a substrate including a sensing portion forming region and a tab forming region; a tab; the first strain sensing portion and the second strain sensing portion are formed in the sensing portion forming region, the tab is formed in the tab forming region and is connected to the first strain sensing portion and the second strain sensing portion by wiring, the sensing portion forming region is wrapped around the operation portion so that the first strain sensing portion and the second strain sensing portion are attached to the operation portion, 4. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the tab forming region extends along a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

7. 4. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion is cylindrical and has a center hole extending in the third direction.

8. the base member is a plate-shaped base plate extending in a plane including the first direction and the second direction, and to which the one end of the operation unit is fixed, the base plate has a plurality of legs extending from the base plate in the third direction and fixed to a support that supports the base plate; The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation portion extends from the base plate in one of the third directions, and each of the plurality of legs extends from the base plate in the other of the third directions.

9. 9. The pointing device according to claim 8, wherein the base plate is triangular when viewed in the third direction, and the plurality of legs are three legs provided at three corners of the base plate, respectively.

10. 4. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the base member is a support plate to which the one end of the operation portion is fixed and which is attached to an apparatus to which the pointing device is to be attached.

11. 9. The pointing device according to claim 8, wherein the support is a support plate to which the plurality of legs are fixed and which is attached to an apparatus to which the pointing device is to be attached.

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