Multidirectional input device, control handle and operating device

Abstract

This application provides a multi-directional input device, a control handle, and an operating device. [Solution] The multi-directional input device 10 includes a housing 100, an operating body 200, a rocker assembly, a circuit board, a return mechanism, and electrical connection members. A housing cavity 101 is provided inside the housing, and an opening 102 communicating with the housing cavity is provided in the housing. At least a portion of the operating body is pivotably mounted inside the housing cavity, and the operating body has a first end 201 that protrudes out of the housing cavity from the opening and a second end that is inserted inside the housing cavity. The circuit board is installed inside the housing cavity. The return mechanism is provided inside the housing cavity and elastically contacts the second end, and the return mechanism is configured to return the operating body when at least a portion of the operating body has swung inside the housing cavity, and the return mechanism includes a plurality of elastic members and a floating member, the floating member is provided with a housing groove, the plurality of elastic members are installed inside the housing groove, the floating member is installed at the end of the elastic member closer to the opening, and the elastic member causes the floating member to contact the second end. By supporting the floating member with multiple elastic members, the fatigue resistance of the return mechanism is significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of non-contact sensing technology, and particularly to multi-direction input devices, control handles, and operating devices.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional multi-direction input devices mainly rely on the restoring elasticity of up and down movement by a single spring. After being subjected to long-term loads, elastic fatigue and irreversible deformation of the spring are likely to occur. As a result, the elastic potential decays, affecting the operation feeling of the operator.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] To solve the problems of the above prior art, it is necessary to provide a multi-direction input device, a control handle, and an operating device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a multidirectional input device. The multidirectional input device includes a housing, an operating body, a rocker assembly, a circuit board, a return mechanism, and electrical connection members. A housing cavity is provided inside the housing, and the housing is further provided with an opening that communicates with the housing cavity. At least a portion of the operating body is pivotably mounted within the housing cavity, and the operating body has a first end protruding out of the housing cavity from the opening and a second end inserted into the housing cavity. At least a portion of the rocker assembly is located within the housing and is rotatably mounted within the housing, and the operating body is drive-coupled to the rocker assembly. The circuit board is provided within the housing cavity. The return mechanism is provided within the housing cavity and includes a plurality of elastic members and a floating member, the floating member is provided with a housing groove, the plurality of elastic members are installed within the housing groove, the second end is located on the side facing the opening of the floating member, the elastic members elastically contact the second end via the floating member and are configured to return the operating body when at least a portion of the operating body swings within the housing cavity. The electrical connection member is installed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board; the rocker assembly is connected to the electrical connection member; the electrical connection member is configured to move in conjunction with the rocker assembly; and the circuit board is configured to detect changes in the position of the electrical connection member.

[0005] This invention significantly improves the fatigue resistance of a return mechanism by supporting a floating member with multiple elastic members. Even if some elastic members experience slight elastic damping due to long-term use, the remaining elastic members can maintain sufficient overall return elasticity, avoiding the drawback that a single spring failure immediately affects the entire system. This significantly extends the effective service life of the return mechanism and ensures stable elastic support even after long-term use. Furthermore, by adjusting the elastic potential of the springs, it is possible to achieve changes in the pressing feel.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member is a coil spring and includes a third end and a fourth end that are positioned opposite each other, the third end being located within the housing groove and in contact with the bottom surface of the housing groove, and the fourth end being located outside the housing groove and in contact with the housing.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, at least a portion of the circuit board is provided within the housing and located on the opposite side of the opening of the floating member, and a relief hole is provided in the circuit board, with the fourth end passing through the relief hole and abutting against the housing.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that are fixed to each other, the circuit board is mounted in the lower housing, the lower housing is provided with a relief groove corresponding to an elastic member, and the fourth end abuts against the bottom surface of the relief groove.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, four elastic members are provided, four housing grooves are provided corresponding to the elastic members, and each of the four elastic members is housed in one of the four housing grooves.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, a first recess is provided on the side of the floating member facing the operating body, and the second end abuts against the bottom surface of the first recess.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the rocker assembly includes a first rocker and a second rocker arranged to rotate in each of two mutually orthogonal directions, at least one of the first rocker and the second rocker including a rocker body, rotating parts provided at both ends of the rocker body, and a drive unit provided on the rotating part, the drive unit located in a housing cavity, and a second recess corresponding to the rotating part is provided on the side facing the opening of the floating member.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, an electrical connection member is provided with an engaging column, an engaging groove is provided in the drive unit corresponding to the engaging column, the engaging groove and the engaging column are fitted together, the electrical connection member is configured to move with the drive unit, and the circuit board is configured to detect the movement of the electrical connection member.

[0013] The embodiment of the present application further provides a control handle including the multi-directional input device described above.

[0014] The embodiments of the present application further provide an operating device including the aforementioned control handle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a multidirectional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the multi-directional input device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device along line AA. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a control handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] In the following, the technical solutions in embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the drawings of embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0017] Furthermore, when one component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component, or there may be an intermediate component present simultaneously. When one component is considered to be "installed" on another component, it may be directly installed on the other component, or there may be an intermediate component present simultaneously.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Terms used herein in the specification are solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related enumerated items.

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a multi-directional input device 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The multi-directional input device 10 includes a housing 100, an operating body 200, a rocker assembly 300, a circuit board 400, a return mechanism 500, and an electrical connection member 600. A housing cavity 101 (see Figure 3) is provided inside the housing 100. The housing 100 further has an opening 102 that communicates with the housing cavity 101. At least a portion of the operating body 200 is pivotably mounted inside the housing cavity 101. The operating body 200 has a first end 201 that protrudes outside the housing cavity 101 from the opening 102 and a second end 202 that is inserted into the housing cavity 101. At least a portion of the rocker assembly 300 is located inside the housing 100 and is rotatably mounted inside the housing 100. The operating body 200 is drive-coupled to the rocker assembly 300. The circuit board 400 is installed in the housing cavity 101. The return mechanism 500 is provided in the housing cavity 101 and elastically contacts the second end 202. The return mechanism 500 is configured to return the operating body 200 when at least a portion of the operating body 200 swings within the housing cavity 101. The return mechanism 500 includes a plurality of elastic members 510 and a floating member 520, the floating member 520 is provided with a housing groove 521, and the plurality of elastic members 510 are installed within the housing groove 521. The second end 202 is located on the side of the floating member 520 facing the opening 102. The elastic members 510 elastically contact the second end 202 via the floating member 520 and are configured to return the operating body 200 when at least a portion of the operating body 200 swings within the housing cavity 101. The electrical connection member 600 is installed on the circuit board 400 and electrically connected to the circuit board 400. The rocker assembly 300 is connected to the electrical connection member 600. The electrical connection member 600 is configured to move together with the rocker assembly 300, and the circuit board 400 is configured to detect changes in the position of the electrical connection member 600.

[0020] This invention significantly improves the fatigue resistance of the return mechanism 500 by supporting the floating member 520 with multiple elastic members 510. Even if some of the elastic members 510 experience slight elastic damping due to long-term use, the remaining elastic members 510 can maintain sufficient overall return elasticity, avoiding the drawback that failure of a single elastic member 510 would affect the operation of the multi-directional input device 10. This significantly extends the effective life of the return mechanism 500 and ensures stable elastic support even after long-term use. Furthermore, by adjusting the elastic potential of the elastic members 510, it is possible to achieve changes in the pressing sensation.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 510 is a coil spring and includes a third end 511 and a fourth end 512 arranged opposite each other. The third end 511 is inserted into and abuts against the housing groove 521, while the fourth end 512 is located outside the housing groove 521 and abuts against the housing 100. The abutment of the third end 511 of the elastic member 510 against the housing groove 521 ensures that the mounting position of the elastic member 510 to the floating member 520 is stable and reduces axial displacement during the repeated deformation of the elastic member 510. The fourth end 512 abuts directly against the housing 100 to form a fixed load support point such that the deformation range of the elastic member 510 and the elastic force transmission path always coincide.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments of the present application, at least a part of the circuit board 400 is installed within the housing 100 and is located on the side opposite to the opening 102 of the floating member 520. A relief hole 401 is formed in the circuit board 400, and the fourth end 512 penetrates through the relief hole 401 and abuts against the housing 100. By providing the relief hole 401 in the circuit board 400, it is ensured that the fourth end 512 of the elastic member 510 directly abuts against the housing 100, stabilizing the load support point of the elastic member 510 and not affecting the attachment of the circuit board 400 and the realization of its electrical functions. With a simple relief structure, the elastic member 510 can maintain an optimal stress state, facilitate the positioning of the elastic member 510, improve the space utilization rate and reliability of the multi-direction input device 10, and maintain a good operation feeling even after long-term use.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the present application, the housing 100 includes an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120 that are fixed to each other. The circuit board 400 is installed in the lower housing 120. A relief groove 121 is provided in the lower housing 120 corresponding to the elastic member 510, and the fourth end 512 abuts against the relief groove 121. By positioning the fourth end 512 of the elastic member 510 through the relief groove 121 provided in the lower housing 120, the elastic member 510 can be quickly and accurately attached, ensuring that the abutting states of the plurality of elastic members 510 are consistent. By fixing the circuit board 400 to the lower housing 120 and making the relief hole 401 (shown in FIG. 3) and the relief groove 121 correspond to each other, the rationality of the layout of components such as the elastic member 510 and the circuit board 400 is further guaranteed, and structural interference caused by assembly errors is avoided. Since the relief groove 121 effectively restricts the position of the fourth end 512 of the elastic member 510, the stability of the elastic force transmission is ensured, the elastic potential attenuation is made uniform after long-term use, and the variation of the operation feeling due to the displacement of a single elastic member 510 is prevented.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the present application, four elastic members 510 are provided. The four elastic members 510 are distributed around the four sides of the floating member 520. Four accommodation grooves 521 are provided corresponding to the elastic members 510, and the four elastic members 510 are parallel to each other. The design of the symmetric distribution and parallel arrangement of the four elastic members 510 realizes the balance of forces in all directions of the return mechanism 500. The four elastic members 510 are distributed around the four sides of the floating member 520, and the four elastic members 510 are connected one by one to form a substantially square. Thereby, no matter in which direction the operating body 200 swings, it can receive a uniform return elastic force, and the feeling deviation caused by insufficient elastic force in a single direction or uneven force reception is effectively avoided. When the operating body 200 swings in the Y direction, the two elastic members 510 located on both sides close to the driving part 303 of the first rocker 310 deform and return synchronously, so that the feedback of the return force is rapid and gentle, and there is no jamming or delay.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the present application, on the side of the floating member 520 facing the operating body 200, a first recess 522 is further provided, and the second end 202 abuts against the first recess 522. Here, the first recess 522 is located approximately at the center of the floating member 520, that is, at the intersection where the diagonals of the four elastic members 510 intersect each other. By providing the first recess 522 on the floating member 520, the first recess 522 effectively limits the contact position of the second end 202 of the operating body 200, and prevents relative sliding or displacement from occurring between the floating member 520 and the operating body 200 when the operating body 200 swings, ensuring that the elastic force always acts on the preset force receiving point of the operating body 200 and improving the accuracy of elastic force transmission.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments of the present application, the rocker assembly 300 includes a first rocker 310 and a second rocker 320 arranged to rotate in two mutually orthogonal directions as the operating body 200 rotates. At least one of the first rocker 310 and the second rocker 320 includes a rocker body 301, rotating parts 302 provided at both ends of the rocker body 301, and a drive unit 303 provided on the rotating parts 302. The drive unit 303 is located within the housing cavity 101, and a second recess 523 is provided on the side of the floating member 520 facing the opening 102, corresponding to the rotating part 302. The fitting of the rotating part 302 of the rocker assembly 300 and the second recess 523 of the floating member 520 provides stable support for the rotational movement of the rocker and ensures smooth rotation of the rocker in a predetermined direction. When the operating body 200 swings, the rotational movement of the rocker assembly 300 and the return movement of the floating member 520 work in coordination, ensuring flexibility of multi-directional input. The limiting action of the second recess 523 prevents misalignment of the rotating part 302, ensuring that the interlocking accuracy does not deteriorate even after long-term use. Because the positioning during assembly is highly accurate, the reliability of the multi-directional input device 10 and the stability of the operating feel are improved.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments of the present invention, the electrical connection member 600 is provided with an engaging column 601, and the drive unit 303 is provided with an engaging groove 304 corresponding to the engaging column 601, and the engaging groove 304 and the engaging column 601 are fitted together. The electrical connection member 600 is configured to move with the drive unit 303, and the circuit board 400 is configured to detect the movement of the electrical connection member 600. The fitting structure between the engaging column 601 and the engaging groove 304 ensures the synchronization of their operation, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of the circuit board 400's detection of positional changes of the electrical connection member 600, and improving the accuracy of the input signal of the multi-directional input device 10.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a control handle 30 equipped with the aforementioned multi-directional input device 10.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the embodiment of the present invention further provides an operating device 40 equipped with the aforementioned control handle 30.

[0030] The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that it is possible to modify or substitute equivalents the technical solutions of the present application without departing from the technical idea and scope of the present application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 10. Multidirectional input device 30 Control handle 40 Operating device 100 Housing 101 Containment cavity 102 Aperture 110 Upper Housing 120 Lower Housing 121 Escape ditch 200 Operating Units 201 1st end 202 2nd end 300 Rocker Assembly 301 Locker-focused 302 Rotating part 303 Drive unit 304 Engagement groove 310 Locker 1 320 Second Locker 400 circuit boards 401 Escape Hole 500 Return mechanism 510 Elastic member 511 3rd end 512 4th end 520 Floating Member 521 Storage groove 522 First recess 523 Second recess 600 Electrical connection components 601 Engaging column

Claims

1. A housing is provided with an internal containment cavity, and an opening is provided that communicates with the containment cavity. An operating body having at least a portion that is pivotably mounted within the housing cavity, and having a first end that protrudes out of the housing cavity from the opening and a second end that is inserted into the housing cavity, A rocker assembly, at least a portion of which is located within the housing, rotatably mounted within the housing, and driven and connected to the operating body, A circuit board provided in the aforementioned housing cavity, A return mechanism is provided within the aforementioned housing cavity and includes a plurality of elastic members and a floating member, An electrical connection member provided on the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board, Equipped with, The floating member is provided with a housing groove. Multiple elastic members are provided within the housing groove, The second end is located on the side of the floating member facing the opening, The elastic member is configured to elastically contact the second end via the floating member and to return the operating body to its original position when at least a portion of the operating body swings within the housing cavity. The rocker assembly is connected to the electrical connection member, The electrical connection member is configured to move in conjunction with the rocker assembly. The multidirectional input device is characterized in that the circuit board is configured to detect changes in the position of the electrical connection member.

2. The elastic member is a coil spring and includes a third end and a fourth end that are installed opposite each other. The third end is located within the housing groove and abuts against the bottom surface of the housing groove. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fourth end is located outside the housing groove and abuts against the housing.

3. At least a portion of the circuit board is provided within the housing and is located on the opposite side of the opening of the floating member, The aforementioned circuit board has relief holes provided, The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the fourth end penetrates the relief hole and abuts against the housing.

4. The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that are fixed to each other. The circuit board is installed in the lower housing, The lower housing is provided with a relief groove corresponding to the elastic member, The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the fourth end abuts against the bottom surface of the relief groove.

5. The aforementioned elastic members are provided in four quantities. The aforementioned receiving grooves are provided in four corresponding to the elastic members. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the four elastic members is housed in one of the four housing grooves.

6. A first recess is further provided on the side of the floating member facing the operating body. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end abuts against the bottom surface of the first recess.

7. The rocker assembly includes a first rocker and a second rocker, which are arranged to rotate in each of two mutually orthogonal directions. At least one of the first rocker and the second rocker includes a rocker body, rotating parts provided at both ends of the rocker body, and a drive unit provided on the rotating parts. The drive unit is located within the housing cavity, The multi-directional input device according to claim 6, characterized in that a second recess is provided on the side of the floating member facing the opening, corresponding to the rotating portion.

8. The electrical connection member is provided with an engaging column, and the drive unit is provided with an engaging groove corresponding to the engaging column. The engagement groove and the engagement column are fitted together and connected. The electrical connection member is configured to move in conjunction with the drive unit. The multidirectional input device according to claim 7, characterized in that the circuit board is configured to detect the movement of the electrical connection member.

9. A control handle characterized by comprising a multi-directional input device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An operating device characterized by comprising the control handle described in claim 9.

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