Joystick unit, controller with the same and tilting shaft member provided in the joystick unit

Abstract

To provide a joystick capable of variously changing operational feelings, a controller with it and a tilting shaft member provided in the joystick unit.SOLUTION: A joystick unit includes a joystick 1 to be tilted by user's operation, a tilting shaft member 2 that is tilted according to a tilted state of the joystick 1, and energization means 3 for applying restoring force to a neutral position of the tilted joystick 1, the tilting shaft member 2 includes a tilting shaft member body 21, and an adjustment part 22 attached to the tilting shaft member body, the energization means 3 is interposed between the joystick 1 and the adjustment part 2 to energize each of them, and the adjustment part 22 is configured to be able to freely adjust a relative position of the joystick 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joystick unit provided in a controller for operating a computer game, an industrial robot, or the like, a controller equipped with the same, and a tilting shaft member provided in the joystick unit. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there have been various controllers equipped with a joystick unit for operating computer games, industrial robots, etc., in which an object to be operated moves in the tilt or rotation direction by tilting or rotating a joystick that can be tilted and rotated in various directions.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a joystick unit in which an operating body is provided at the end of the operating shaft, and this operating body is brought into elastic contact with the opposing surface of a return member via a return spring, so that the operating shaft automatically returns to a neutral position when not in operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 07-027608 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, so-called e-sports, in which people compete against each other in computer games like sports, have become popular, and there is a demand for joysticks on controllers in particular to have an operating feel that suits the user's playing style and preferences.

[0006] However, in the joystick unit described in Patent Document 1 and controllers equipped with a general joystick unit, as shown in FIG. 8, the biasing force of the biasing means that contributes to the restoring force of the tilted operating axis to the neutral position is uniquely determined at the time of manufacture, making it difficult for the user to adjust the joystick to their preferred operating feel.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to provide a joystick unit that can vary the operational feel in various ways, a controller equipped with the same, and a tilting axis member equipped with the joystick unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a joystick unit provided in a controller, comprising: a joystick that is tilted by operation by a user; a tilting axis member that tilts in accordance with the tilted state of the joystick; and a biasing means that applies a restoring force to the tilted joystick toward a neutral position, wherein the tilting axis member has a tilting axis member main body and an adjustment unit attached to the tilting axis member main body, the biasing means is interposed between the joystick and the adjustment unit, biasing them, and the adjustment unit is configured so that its relative position with respect to the joystick can be freely adjusted.

[0009] According to the present invention, by adjusting the relative positions of the adjustment unit and the joystick, it is possible to adjust the biasing force of the biasing means that is interposed between the joystick and the adjustment unit and biases them.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment portion is threadedly engaged with the tilting shaft member body.

[0011] With this configuration, the position can be easily adjusted by rotating the adjustment part.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment portion is provided with a locking portion.

[0013] With this configuration, by engaging a tool that can be engaged with the engaging portion with the engaging portion and rotating it, it is possible to easily rotate and adjust the position of the adjustment portion stored in the internal space of the housing portion described below.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion includes a recess provided on a top surface of the adjustment portion.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to insert a tool that can be inserted into the recess through an opening provided in the housing part described below and rotate the adjustment part, making it possible to adjust the position of the adjustment part without completely disassembling the joystick unit or removing it from the controller.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tilting shaft member has a support spring, the tilting shaft member body is provided with a base portion, and the support spring is interposed between the adjustment portion and the base portion to bias each of them.

[0017] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more firmly attach the adjustment portion to the tilting shaft member main body.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biasing means is a compression spring.

[0019] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to make the space in which the biasing means is installed more compact. It also reduces the manufacturing cost of the joystick unit.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the joystick has an insertion hole into which the biasing means and the tilting shaft member are inserted, and the biasing means abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole.

[0021] With this configuration, the position of the compression spring can be stabilized.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is a tilting shaft member as described above.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention is a controller including the joystick unit described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a joystick unit that can vary the operating feel in various ways and greatly improve convenience, a controller equipped with the same, and a tilting axis member equipped with the joystick unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the joystick unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a perspective view of a joystick, a tilting shaft member, and a biasing means. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the joystick unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a perspective view of a joystick, a tilting shaft member, and a biasing means. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the joystick unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a cross-sectional view of the joystick body, the tilting shaft member, and the biasing means. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tilting shaft member provided in the joystick unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tilting shaft member provided in the joystick unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the tilting shaft member main body and the adjustment portion. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method of using a joystick unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method of using a joystick unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional joystick unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] A joystick unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The embodiment shown below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown below. In these drawings, the symbol X indicates a joystick unit according to this embodiment. Here, the neutral position is the position of the joystick 1 when the joystick 1 is not tilted, rotated, or pressed.

[0027] <Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the joystick unit X includes a joystick 1 that is tilted by the user's operation, a tilting shaft member 2 that tilts according to the tilt state of the joystick 1, and a biasing means 3 that applies a restoring force to the tilted joystick 1 to its neutral position.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the joystick 1 has a joystick body 11 operated by the user, a housing 12 into which the joystick body is inserted, and an output section 13 that outputs an operation signal to a controller (not shown) in response to tilting of the joystick body 11. This makes it possible to operate an operation target (not shown) by tilting the joystick body 11.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the joystick body 11 includes a joystick lever 111 that is biased by a biasing means 3, and a stick cover T that is exposed from a controller (not shown).

[0030] The joystick body 11 is configured so that it can be restored to a neutral position from a tilted state by a tilt operation. For example, the output section 13 may be provided with a spiral spring (not shown). As a result, tilting the joystick body 11 rotates the protruding shaft P1 or P2 (described later), causing the spiral spring to rotate. After that, when the tilting operation is terminated, the joystick body 11 can be restored to the neutral position by the rotation of the spiral spring.

[0031] The joystick lever 111 is provided with an insertion hole H into which the tilting shaft member main body 21 is inserted, and protruding shaft portions P1 and P2 extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, respectively.

[0032] The insertion hole H is provided with an upper insertion hole H1 and a lower insertion hole H2 that communicates with the upper insertion hole H1 and into which the biasing means 3 is inserted. In detail, the inner diameter of the upper insertion hole H1 in a planar view is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower insertion hole H2 and the inner diameter of the biasing means 3, and a connection surface HS is formed in a stepped shape between the upper insertion hole H1 and the lower insertion hole H2. This allows the biasing means 3 inserted into the lower insertion hole H2 to come into contact with and bias the connection surface HS. Furthermore, when the joystick unit X receives an impact, the biasing means 3 is prevented from being inserted into the upper insertion hole H1.

[0033] The stick cover T is formed so that an upper stick cover T1 that comes into contact with the user's finger and a lower stick cover T2 into which the edge that forms the upper insertion hole H1 is inserted are connected.

[0034] The upper stick cover T1 is circular in plan view and is made of silicone. This makes it easy to tilt the joystick 1 in various directions, and also makes it possible to provide an excellent sense of touch.

[0035] The edge of the upper insertion hole H1 is inserted into the lower stick cover T2. As a result, the joystick lever 111 is tilted in accordance with the tilt of the stick cover T. Also, it becomes easy to replace only the stick cover T.

[0036] The protruding shafts P1 and P2 are inserted into notches 123 of the housing 12, which will be described later, and are connected to the output section 13. In this way, the joystick body 11 is attached to the housing part 12. In addition, it is possible to tilt the joystick 1 around the protruding shaft portion P1 or P2 as an axis, and transmit the tilted state to the output unit 13.

[0037] In addition, the biasing means 3 attached to the tilting shaft member 2 abutting against the bottom plate B biases the joystick main body 11 upward, causing the protruding shaft portions P1 and P2 to abut against the notches 123, and therefore the joystick main body 11 is attached to the housing portion 12.

[0038] The housing 12 is provided with an internal space 121, an opening 122 that connects the internal space 121 to the external space, a notch 123, and a bottom plate B.

[0039] The inner diameter of the opening 122 is smaller than that of the upper stick cover T1 and larger than that of the lower stick cover T2. This prevents the stick cover T from being stored in the internal space 121 when the stick cover T is removed from the joystick lever 111.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the tilting shaft member 2 has a tilting shaft member main body 21 , an adjustment portion 22 attached to the tilting shaft member main body 21 , and a support spring 23 .

[0041] The tilting shaft member main body 21 is provided with an upper tilting shaft 211 that is inserted into the biasing means 3, a lower tilting shaft 212 to which the adjustment part 22 is attached, a middle tilting shaft 213 that is interposed between the upper tilting shaft 211 and the lower tilting shaft 212 and connected to them respectively, and a base part 214 that is formed at the lower end part of the tilting shaft member main body 21.

[0042] The upper tilting shaft 211, the lower tilting shaft 212, and the middle tilting shaft 213 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. More specifically, the diameter of the upper tilting shaft 211 is smaller than the diameter of the middle tilting shaft 213, which is smaller than the diameter of the lower tilting shaft 212. This allows the center of gravity of the tilting shaft member main body 21 to be lowered, making it easier for the joystick 1 to be restored to the neutral position.

[0043] The lower tilting shaft 212 is provided with a screw thread r1 in a spiral shape for attaching the adjustment part 22.

[0044] The adjustment portion 22 has a cylindrical shape, and a screw hole r2 that can be screwed onto the screw thread r1 is provided in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface thereof. As a result, the screw thread r1 and the screw hole r2 are screwed together, so that the adjustment part 22 can be screwed onto the tilting shaft member main body 21 and attached. In this embodiment, the adjustment portion 22 is configured to approach the connection surface HS by rotating it counterclockwise in a plan view, but the direction of rotation may be reversed.

[0045] The circumferential length of the top surface of the adjustment portion 22 is formed to be greater than the circumferential length of the insertion hole H. This prevents the adjustment part 22 from being inserted into the insertion hole H when the joystick body 11 is pushed downward.

[0046] The circumferential length of the top surface of the adjuster 22 in plan view is formed to be larger than the diameter of the biasing means 3. This allows the biasing means 3 inserted into the upper tilting shaft 211 to come into contact with the top surface of the adjustment part 22 and bias it.

[0047] The adjustment portion 22 is provided with a recess C as a locking portion. The locking portion is not limited to the recess C, but may be, for example, a cylindrical portion provided so as to protrude from the side surface of the adjustment portion 22.

[0048] The recess C is provided on the top surface of the adjustment part 22, and is formed so that a sharp tool F (see FIG. 6) such as a needle can be inserted therein.

[0049] The recess C is provided inside the edge that forms the opening 122 of the housing 12 in plan view. This makes it easy to insert a tool F (see FIG. 6) that can be inserted into the recess C through the opening 122.

[0050] Moreover, a plurality of recesses C are provided at equal intervals. This makes it possible to rotate the adjuster 22 by inserting a tool F (see FIG. 6) that can be inserted into the recess C into the recess C at a position where the tool F can be easily inserted.

[0051] The base portion 214 is disposed so as to abut against the bottom plate B.

[0052] The support spring 23 is a compression spring having a diameter that allows the lower tilting shaft 212 to be inserted therein, and is interposed between the adjustment part 22 and the base part 214 to bias them. In this embodiment, the support spring 23 is a compression spring, but is not particularly limited to this as long as it is a spring that can be interposed between the adjustment portion 22 and the base portion 214 while biasing them.

[0053] The biasing means 3 is inserted into the insertion hole H while being inserted into the upper tilting shaft 211, and is interposed between the connection surface HS and the adjustment part 22 to bias them. As a result, the biasing means 3 contributes to restoring the joystick body 11 to the neutral position when the joystick body 11 is tilted and rotated. Furthermore, since it is possible to press the joystick body 11, it is possible to increase the number of input types for the controller. In this embodiment, the biasing means 3 is a compression spring, but is not particularly limited as long as it is interposed between the connection surface HS and the adjustment portion 22 and is capable of biasing each of them.

[0054] The biasing means 3 is interposed between the tilting shaft member 2 abutting against the bottom plate B and the insertion hole H to bias them, so that the joystick body 11 is directly supported by the biasing means 3.

[0055] <How to use> Hereinafter, a method of using the joystick unit X will be described with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG.

[0056] When operating an operation target (not shown), the user touches the upper stick cover T1 and tilts or rotates it, similar to a general joystick. At this time, the joystick lever 111 tilts or rotates in response to the tilt or rotation of the upper stick cover T1, and an output signal is transmitted by the output unit 13 connected to the joystick lever 111. In this way, it becomes possible to operate an operation target (not shown) in a desired direction.

[0057] When adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means 3, the user first removes the stick cover T.

[0058] Next, when adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means 3 to a stronger state, i.e., to make the joystick 1 feel harder to operate, the user inserts a sharp tool F such as a needle into the opening 122 and then into the recess C, as shown in Figure 6.

[0059] Next, the user inserts the tool F into the recess C and rotates it leftward in a plan view.

[0060] By doing so, the adjustment part 22 rises as shown in FIG. 7(a). At this time, since the joystick main body 11 is supported by the housing part 12 and the biasing means 3, the distance between the bottom plate B and the joystick main body 11 is kept substantially constant. As a result, the distance h1 between the adjustment portion 22 and the connection surface HS becomes shorter than the distance h0 (see FIG. 3) between the adjustment portion 22 and the connection surface HS before the adjustment portion 22 is raised.

[0061] Next, the user attaches the removed stick cover T to the joystick lever 111.

[0062] By doing this, the distance between the connection surface HS and the adjustment portion 22 becomes shorter, making it possible to strengthen the biasing force of the biasing means 3 that is interposed between the connection surface HS and the adjustment portion 22 and biases each of them. In other words, the joystick 1 can be operated with a firmer feel.

[0063] Furthermore, when the biasing force of the biasing means 3 is made weaker, that is, when the joystick 1 is made to have a softer operating feel, the user adjusts it in the same manner as when adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means 3 to a stronger state. However, the tool F inserted into the recess C is rotated clockwise in a plan view.

[0064] By doing so, the adjustment part 22 moves down as shown in FIG. 7(b). At this time, since the joystick main body 11 is supported by the housing 12 and the biasing means 3, the distance between the bottom plate B and the joystick main body 11 is kept substantially constant. As a result, the distance h2 between the adjustment portion 22 and the connection surface HS becomes shorter than the distance h0 between the adjustment portion 22 and the connection surface HS before the adjustment portion 22 is raised (see FIG. 3).

[0065] By doing so, the distance between the adjustment portion 22 and the connection surface HS is increased, making it possible to weaken the biasing force of the biasing means 3 that is interposed between the connection surface HS and the adjustment portion 22 and biases them.

[0066] <Effects> According to this embodiment, the adjustment part 22 attached to the tilting shaft member main body 21 is configured so that its relative position with respect to the connection surface HS of the joystick 1 can be freely adjusted, and therefore it is possible to adjust the biasing force of the biasing means 3 that is interposed between the connection surface HS of the joystick 1 and the adjustment part 22 and applies biasing force.

[0067] Furthermore, since the adjustment portion 22 is screwed into the tilting shaft member main body 21, the position can be easily adjusted by rotating the adjustment portion 22.

[0068] In addition, the adjustment unit 22 is provided with a locking portion 221, so that by locking a tool F that can be locked to the locking portion 221 to the locking portion and rotating the adjustment unit 22, the position of the adjustment unit 22 stored in the internal space 121 of the housing unit 12 can be easily adjusted.

[0069] Furthermore, since the locking portion 221 includes a recess C provided on the top surface of the adjustment portion 22, it is possible to insert a metal fitting for insertion into the recess through the opening 122 provided in the housing portion 12 and rotate it, making it possible to adjust the position of the adjustment portion 22 without disassembling the joystick unit or removing it from the controller.

[0070] Furthermore, since the biasing means 3 is a compression spring, the lower insertion hole H2 to which the biasing means 3 is attached can be made more compact. It also reduces the manufacturing cost of the joystick unit.

[0071] In addition, the joystick 1 has an insertion hole H into which the biasing means 3 and the tilting shaft member 2 are inserted, and the biasing means 3 abuts against the connection surface HS of the insertion hole H, thereby stabilizing the position of the biasing means 3.

[0072] <Example of change> The shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc.

[0073] For example, the locking portion may be cylindrical rather than recessed portion C and provided so as to protrude from the side surface of adjustment portion 22.

[0074] This prevents the locking hole into which the tool F is inserted in the locking portion from being crushed when the tool F is used.

[0075] The joystick unit X can be suitably used not only as a video game controller, but also as a radio-controlled controller, an industrial robot controller, and an airplane flight stick. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] X Joystick Unit 1 joystick 11 Joystick body H insertion hole H1 Upper insertion hole H2 Lower insertion hole HS connection surface T-stick cover 12 Housing 2. Tilting shaft member 21 tilting shaft member body 211 Upper tilting axis 212 Lower tilting axis 213 Middle tilt axis 214 Base 22 Adjustment part 23 Support spring C recess r1 Threaded thread r2 screw hole 3. Actuation means F Tool

Claims

1. a joystick that is tilted by a user's operation, a tilting shaft member that tilts in accordance with the tilted state of the joystick, and a biasing means that applies a restoring force to the tilted joystick to a neutral position, the tilting shaft member has a tilting shaft member main body and an adjustment portion attached to the tilting shaft member main body, the biasing means is interposed between the joystick and the adjustment unit to bias each of them, The adjustment unit is configured so that the relative position of the adjustment unit to the joystick can be adjusted freely.

2. The joystick unit according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment portion is threadedly engaged with the tilting shaft member body.

3. The joystick unit according to claim 2 , wherein the adjustment portion is provided with a locking portion.

4. The joystick unit according to claim 3 , wherein the locking portion includes a recess provided on a top surface of the adjustment portion.

5. The tilting shaft member has a support spring, The tilting shaft member main body is provided with a base portion, The joystick unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support spring is interposed between the adjustment portion and the base portion so as to bias the adjustment portion and the base portion.

6. 2. The joystick unit according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is a compression spring.

7. 2. The joystick unit according to claim 1, wherein the joystick has an insertion hole into which the biasing means and the tilting shaft member are inserted, and the biasing means abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.

8. The tilting shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A controller comprising the joystick unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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