controller

Abstract

This controller comprises a substrate, a stick, and a functional component. The stick is operated by a user. The functional component has a function for the controller and is different from the stick. The substrate has a front surface and a back surface on the side opposite the front surface. The stick has an arm that moves as the stick is operated and extends from the front-surface side to the back-surface side. The substrate has a circuit provided on the front surface and electrically connected to the functional component, and a first sensor that is provided on the back surface and that directly or indirectly detects the movement of the arm.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a controller. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-43012 (Patent Document 1) discloses a structure in which a stick module is mounted on a board in a game controller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-43012 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The structure described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of utilizing the space inside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The controller according to the present technology includes a substrate, a stick, and a functional component. The stick is operated by a user. The functional component has a controller function and is different from the stick. The substrate includes a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The stick includes an arm that moves as the stick is operated and extends from the front surface to the back surface. The substrate includes a circuit provided on the front surface and electrically connected to the functional component, and a first sensor provided on the back surface and for directly or indirectly detecting the movement of the arm.

[0006] According to the controller of the present technology, the stick has an arm that moves as the stick is operated and extends from the front side to the back side of the board. The board has a circuit provided on the front side and electrically connected to the functional components, and a first sensor provided on the back side and detecting the movement of the arm directly or indirectly. Therefore, the space inside the housing can be effectively utilized.

[0007] According to the above controller, the stick may include a first member that rotates in a first rotation direction in response to the swinging of the stick, and a second member that rotates in a second rotation direction different from the first rotation direction in response to the swinging of the stick. The first member may include a first rotation shaft that is parallel to the substrate and provided on the front surface side. The arm may move in response to the rotation of the first rotation shaft.

[0008] According to the above controller, since the first rotation shaft is provided on the front surface side of the substrate, there is no need to provide a notch or hole in the substrate for locating the first rotation shaft. Therefore, the space required for providing the notch or hole in the substrate can be reduced. As a result, the rigidity of the substrate can be maintained high.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned controller, the controller may further include a movable part provided on the back surface side and movable in a direction parallel to the substrate. The arm may move the movable part in accordance with the rotation of the first rotation shaft. The first sensor may detect the movement of the movable part.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned controller, the movable part is provided on the rear surface of the substrate and is movable in a direction parallel to the substrate, thereby making it possible to reduce the space required in the vertical direction of the substrate.

[0011] According to the controller, the arm may be connected to the first rotation shaft. The rear end of the arm may rotate about the first rotation shaft in association with rotation of the first rotation shaft.

[0012] According to the above controller, the rear end of the arm is located on the rear side of the substrate. This allows the length of the arm to be increased. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the rear end around the first rotation axis can be increased. As a result, the amount of sliding of the movable part is increased. Therefore, the resolution of the movable part detected by the first sensor can be increased.

[0013] According to the controller, the substrate may be provided with a through-hole, and at least one of the stick, the first member, and the second member may be located in the through-hole.

[0014] According to the above controller, the stick may include a first member that swings in a first swing direction in response to swinging of the stick, and a second member that swings in a second swing direction different from the first swing direction in response to swinging of the stick. The arm may move in response to swinging of the first member.

[0015] According to the controller, the stick may include a skirt. The swing of the skirt accompanying the swing of the stick may be restricted by a restricting portion provided on the surface or the surface. A movable part or a first sensor may be provided on the opposite side of the skirt with respect to the substrate.

[0016] According to the above controller, the movable part or the first sensor is provided on the opposite side of the board to the skirt, which makes it possible to reduce the space in the direction parallel to the board while regulating the swing using the skirt.

[0017] According to the above-mentioned controller, the controller may further include a second sensor. The second sensor may be provided in the restricting portion or between the restricting portion and the surface.

[0018] According to the above controller, the second sensor may include a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode. The second sensor detects a capacitance that changes due to contact with the skirt. The controller may further include a flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the substrate. This allows the space in the vertical direction to be reduced compared to a case in which the second electrode is spaced apart from the substrate in the vertical direction.

[0019] According to the above controller, the functional part may be a button. The button may include a button operated portion pressed by a user and a first contact capable of coming into contact with the button operated portion. The controller may include a housing that accommodates the first contact. The first contact may be on a board. The button operated portion may be exposed from the housing in the same direction as a stick operated portion operated by a user in a stick. In this way, when the button operated portion needs to be pressed to press the first contact, if the space between the board and the housing is small, the stroke amount and the vertical volume of the button can be reduced.

[0020] According to the above controller, the stick may be capable of being pushed in a direction from the front surface to the back surface. The controller may further include a second contact that comes into contact with the first rotation shaft as the stick is pushed in. The second contact may be provided on the front surface in an area facing an end of the first rotation shaft. This makes it possible to realize a push button function in a controller that makes effective use of the space within the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present technology, the space inside the housing can be effectively utilized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a controller according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the front surface side of the controller according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the rear surface of the substrate of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a first perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the rear surface side of the controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the movement of a first arm. [Figure 8] 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating the movement of a second arm. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the back side of the controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a second sensor. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a controller according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. (First embodiment) [A. Controller] First, the configuration of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a controller 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment mainly has a housing 3, a stick 1, and a functional component 2. The housing 3 has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A first through hole 65 is provided in the housing 3. The stick 1 is disposed in the first through hole 65. A portion of the stick 1 is located outside the housing 3. The stick 1 is operated by a user. The stick 1 is capable of swinging.

[0025] The functional part 2 is a part different from the stick 1. The functional part 2 has a controller function. A part of the functional part 2 may be provided on the substrate 30. The functional part 2 is, for example, a button. The housing 3 is provided with a second through hole 66. The button is disposed in the second through hole 66. A part of the button is located outside the housing 3. The button is operated by a user. The housing 3 extends along a first direction 101. The first direction 101 is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the housing 3. The second direction 102 is, for example, the lateral direction of the housing 3. The second direction 102 is orthogonal to the first direction 101. In a plan view, the stick 1 and the button may be aligned along the first direction 101.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. The cross section shown in FIG. 2 is parallel to the first direction 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment has a substrate 30. The substrate 30 is disposed inside the housing 3. The substrate 30 has a front surface 31 and a back surface 32. The back surface 32 is opposite to the front surface 31. The substrate 30 is provided with a through-hole 33. The through-hole 33 is a hole or a notch formed by penetrating the substrate 30 from the front surface 31 to the back surface 32. In this specification, a direction parallel to a direction from the front surface 31 to the back surface 32 of the substrate 30 is defined as a third direction 103. Each of the first direction 101 and the second direction 102 is perpendicular to the third direction 103. The third direction 103 is defined as a vertical direction. The direction from the back surface 32 to the front surface 31 is defined as an upper side. The direction from the front surface 31 to the back surface 32 is defined as a lower side.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the stick 1 has a stick operated portion 41, a central shaft 42, a skirt 43, a first member 10, and a second member 20. The stick operated portion 41 is disposed outside the housing 3. The stick operated portion 41 is a portion that is operated by a user. The central shaft 42 is connected to the stick operated portion 41. The central shaft 42 has a main body portion 85 and a retaining portion 86. The retaining portion 86 is connected to the main body portion 85. The main body portion 85 is located between the stick operated portion 41 and the retaining portion 86. The central shaft 42 is located below the stick operated portion 41. The central shaft 42 may extend along the third direction 103.

[0028] Skirt 43 is connected to central shaft 42, for example. Skirt 43 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of central shaft 42. Skirt 43 is arranged in first through hole 65. Skirt 43 may be connected to stick operated portion 41. Skirt 43 is arranged below stick operated portion 41. The inner diameter of skirt 43 may increase with increasing distance from stick operated portion 41. From another perspective, the inner diameter of skirt 43 may increase with increasing distance from stick operated portion 41 to substrate 30.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment further includes a first housing 45, a second housing 46, a coil spring 9, and a support plate 95. The first housing 45 is provided on the front surface 31 side of the substrate 30. A part of the second housing 46 is located in the through-hole portion 33. The coil spring 9 is disposed inside the second housing 46. The support plate 95 is disposed on the coil spring 9. The first member 10 is disposed on the support plate 95. The first member 10 may be sandwiched between the first housing 45 and the second housing 46.

[0030] The first member 10 has a first arm 11, a first rotating shaft 12, and a first main body portion 13. The first arm 11 moves as the stick 1 is operated. The first arm 11 extends from the front surface 31 side to the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30. The first arm 11 is disposed in the through-hole portion 33. The first arm 11 penetrates the through-hole portion 33 and protrudes from the front surface 31 side to the back surface 32 side. The first arm 11 is connected to a first rotating shaft 12. The first rotating shaft 12 extends along a direction parallel to the substrate 30. The first rotating shaft 12 extends along a first direction 101, for example.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the first rotating shaft 12 is connected to the first body portion 13. The first rotating shaft 12 may be located on both sides of the first body portion 13. The first body portion 13 is in contact with the retaining portion 86. The first body portion 13 is curved to be recessed downward along the shape of the retaining portion 86. The first body portion 13 may be located in the through portion 33. The first body portion 13 may be surrounded by the coil spring 9. The first body portion 13 may be disposed inside the second housing 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the second member 20 is disposed on the retaining portion 86. The second member 20 may surround the body portion 85 of the central shaft 42.

[0032] The controller 100 according to the first embodiment may have a cushioning material 7, a flexible printed circuit 6, and a restricting unit 5. A first electrode 81 (see FIG. 10) is wired on the substrate 30. The cushioning material 7 is provided on the first electrode 81. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible printed circuit 6 is provided on the cushioning material 7. The restricting unit 5 is provided on the flexible printed circuit 6. A reinforcing plate of the flexible printed circuit 6 may also serve as the restricting unit 5. The first electrode 81, the cushioning material 7, and the second electrode 82 may form a second sensor 80 (see FIG. 10). The function of the second sensor 80 will be described later.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment may have a first movable part 91. The first movable part 91 is provided on the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30. The first movable part 91 is moved by the first arm 11. The first movable part 91 is engaged with the first arm 11. The first arm 11 may be located outside the second housing 46. The first movable part 91 may be located on the opposite side of the skirt 43 with respect to the substrate 30. From another perspective, the skirt 43, the substrate 30, and the first movable part 91 at least partially overlap in the first direction 101 and the second direction 102, and the substrate 30 is located between the skirt 43 and the first movable part 91 in the third direction 103.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment has a first sensor 60. The first sensor 60 is, for example, a carbon contact. The first sensor 60 is provided on the rear surface 32 of the substrate 30. The first sensor 60 is provided between the rear surface 32 and the first movable part 91. The first sensor 60 may be located on the opposite side of the skirt 43 with respect to the substrate 30. From another perspective, the skirt 43, the substrate 30, and the first sensor 60 at least partially overlap in the first direction 101 and the second direction 102, and the substrate 30 is located between the skirt 43 and the first sensor 60 in the third direction 103.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the functional part 2 has, for example, a button operated part 51 and a first contact 52. The button operated part 51 is a member that is pressed by a user. The button operated part 51 is disposed in the second through hole 66. The first contact 52 is provided on the surface 31 of the substrate 30. The first contact 52 is contactable with the button operated part 51. The first contact 52 faces the bottom surface of the button operated part 51. The housing 3 accommodates the first contact 52. The button operated part 51 is exposed from the housing 3 in the same direction as the stick operated part 41 operated by the user in the stick 1. From another perspective, each of the button operated part 51 and the stick operated part 41 is exposed from the housing 3 in the third direction 103.

[0036] When the user presses the button operated portion 51 toward the surface 31 of the substrate 30, the button operated portion 51 comes into contact with the first contact 52. This causes the controller 100 to detect an input from the user. When the user releases the button operated portion 51, a push-back mechanism (not shown) moves the button operated portion 51 away from the first contact 52. A circuit 53 is provided on the surface 31 of the substrate 30. The circuit 53 is a circuit for a functional component. The circuit 53 is electrically connected to the functional component 2. Specifically, the circuit 53 is electrically connected to the first contact 52.

[0037] In the above, the functional part 2 is described as a button, but the functional part 2 is not limited to a button. The functional part 2 may be, for example, a battery, a wireless communication part, a light emitting diode, or an antenna. The wireless communication part may support a communication method such as short-range wireless communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or infrared communication. The functional part 2 may be located entirely inside the housing 3.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. The cross section shown in FIG. 3 is parallel to the second direction 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the second member 20 has a second arm 21, a second rotating shaft 22, and a second main body 23. The second arm 21 moves as the stick 1 is operated. The second arm 21 extends from the front surface 31 side to the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30. The second arm 21 is disposed in the through-hole 33. The second arm 21 penetrates the through-hole 33 and protrudes from the front surface 31 side to the back surface 32 side. The second arm 21 is connected to the second rotating shaft 22. The second rotating shaft 22 extends along a direction parallel to the substrate 30. The second rotating shaft 22 extends, for example, along the second direction 102.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the second rotating shaft 22 is connected to the second body portion 23. The second rotating shaft 22 may be located on both sides of the second body portion 23. The second body portion 23 may be in contact with the first body portion 13. The second body portion 23 surrounds a part of the first member 10. The second body portion 23 may be disposed inside the first housing 45. The second member 20 is disposed on a support plate 95. The second member 20 may be sandwiched between the first housing 45 and the second housing 46.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment may have a second movable part 92 and a connector 8. The second movable part 92 is provided on the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30. The second movable part 92 is moved by the second arm 21. The second movable part 92 is engaged with the second arm 21. The second arm 21 may be located between the coil spring 9 and the second movable part 92. The first sensor 60 may be provided on the outside of the second housing 46. The second movable part 92 may be located on the opposite side of the skirt 43 with respect to the substrate 30. From another perspective, the substrate 30 is located between the skirt 43 and the second movable part 92 in the third direction 103.

[0041] The connector 8 may be provided, for example, on the back surface 32 of the substrate 30. The flexible printed circuit 6 is electrically connected to the connector 8. The flexible printed circuit 6 may be folded back so that one end of the flexible printed circuit 6 is located on the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30 and the other end of the flexible printed circuit 6 is located on the front surface 31 side of the substrate 30.

[0042] At least one of the stick 1, the first member 10, and the second member 20 may be located in the through-hole 33. Specifically, a part of the central axis 42 of the stick 1 may be located in the through-hole 33. The first rotating shaft 12 and / or the first main body portion 13 may be located in the through-hole 33. The second rotating shaft 22 and / or the second main body portion 23 may be located in the through-hole 33. At least one of the stick 1, the first member 10, and the second member 20 may extend through the through-hole 33 to the back surface 32 side, or may extend halfway through the through-hole 33.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the front surface 31 side of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, in order to explain the internal structure of the controller 100, the housing 3, the first housing 45, and the second housing 46 are omitted, and the skirt 43 is shown by a dashed line. As shown in FIG. 4, the first main body portion 13 of the first member 10 is provided with a first insertion hole 14. Similarly, the second main body portion 23 of the second member 20 is provided with a second insertion hole 24. When viewed in the up-down direction, the first insertion hole 14 overlaps with the second insertion hole 24. The central shaft 42 of the stick 1 is inserted into the first insertion hole 14 and the second insertion hole 24. The first main body portion 13 is located between the coil spring 9 and the second main body portion 23.

[0044] The first rotating shaft 12 is provided so as to sandwich the first main body portion 13. The first arm 11 is connected to one of the first rotating shafts 12. The extension direction of the first arm 11 may be perpendicular to the extension direction of the first rotating shaft 12. The first rotating shaft 12 is provided on the surface 31 side of the substrate 30. The first rotating shaft 12 is parallel to the surface 31 of the substrate 30. Similarly, the second rotating shaft 22 is provided so as to sandwich the second main body portion 23. The second arm 21 is connected to one of the second rotating shafts 22. The extension direction of the second arm 21 may be perpendicular to the extension direction of the second rotating shaft 22. The second rotating shaft 22 is provided on the surface 31 side of the substrate 30. The second rotating shaft 22 is parallel to the surface 31 of the substrate 30. When viewed in the up-down direction, the extension direction of the second rotating shaft 22 may be perpendicular to the extension direction of the first rotating shaft 12.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment has a second contact 4. The second contact 4 is provided on the surface 31 of the substrate 30. The second contact 4 is, for example, a tactile switch. The second contact 4 may be provided in an area facing the end of the first rotating shaft 12. From another perspective, the second contact 4 is provided below the end of the first rotating shaft 12. The stick 1 may be capable of being pushed and moved in a direction from the surface 31 toward the back surface 32. From another perspective, the stick 1 may be capable of moving in the third direction 103. As the stick 1 is pushed and moved, the first rotating shaft 12 of the first member 10 moves toward the surface 31 of the substrate 30. As a result, the end of the first rotating shaft 12 comes into contact with the second contact 4. When the user releases the stick 1, the first member 10 moves upward due to the restoring force of the button and / or the restoring force of the coil spring 9, and the first rotating shaft 12 moves away from the second contact 4.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the restricting portion 5 may be annular. When viewed in the up-down direction, the restricting portion 5 may surround each of the through-hole 33, the first member 10, the second member 20, the central shaft 42, and the second contact 4. Similarly, the flexible printed circuit 6 may be annular. When viewed in the up-down direction, the flexible printed circuit 6 may surround each of the through-hole 33, the first member 10, the second member 20, the central shaft 42, and the second contact 4. The cushion material 7 may be annular. When viewed in the up-down direction, the cushion material 7 may surround each of the through-hole 33, the first member 10, the second member 20, the central shaft 42, and the second contact 4.

[0047] The skirt 43 is disposed above the restriction portion 5. When the user swings the stick 1, the skirt 43 tilts and comes into contact with the restriction portion 5. When the skirt 43 comes into contact with the restriction portion 5, a load is applied to the restriction portion 5. [B. How to operate the stick] Next, a method for operating the stick 1 will be described.

[0048] The user can operate the stick 1, for example, along a first direction 101 (see FIG. 1). The stick 1 is tilted, for example, to the right or left along the first direction 101. In this case, the stick 1 swings along a first swing direction S1 (see FIG. 2). Similarly, the user can operate the stick 1, for example, along a second direction 102 (see FIG. 1). The stick 1 is tilted, for example, to the front or rear along the second direction 102. In this case, the stick 1 swings along a second swing direction S2 (see FIG. 3). The user can also operate the stick 1 along a direction inclined with respect to each of the first direction 101 and the second direction 102. When the user releases the stick 1, the stick 1 returns to the center position due to the restoring force of the coil spring 9.

[0049] The swing center of the stick 1 is located at the intersection of the virtually extended first rotation shaft 12 and second rotation shaft 22, for example, at the retaining portion 86. The stick operated portion 41, the central shaft 42, and the skirt 43 move as one unit. When the stick 1 swings along the first swing direction S1, the second member 20 is moved by the central shaft 42 of the stick 1. Specifically, the second member 20 rotates around the second rotation shaft 22 as the stick 1 swings. Similarly, when the stick 1 swings along the second swing direction S2, the first member 10 is moved by the central shaft 42 of the stick 1. Specifically, the first member 10 rotates around the first rotation shaft 12 as the stick 1 swings. In this specification, "rotation" means moving along a part of a circle (i.e., an arc) centered on the rotation center. The rotation angle may be less than 180°.

[0050] A regulating portion 5 is provided on the surface 31 side of the substrate 30 of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. When the stick 1 swings, the lower end of the skirt 43 comes into contact with the regulating portion 5. This stops the swing of the stick 1. In other words, the swing of the skirt 43 is regulated by the regulating portion 5. Note that the regulating portion 5 does not necessarily have to be provided on the surface 31 of the substrate 30. In this case, the swing of the skirt 43 is regulated by the surface 31 of the substrate 30. [C. Substrate] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematic diagram showing the configuration of the back surface 32 of the substrate 30 of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 30 has an inner surface 70 and an outer peripheral side surface 76. The through portion 33 is formed by the inner surface 70. The inner surface 70 is continuous with each of the front surface 31 and the back surface 32. The inner surface 70 has a first side surface portion 71, a second side surface portion 72, an arc-shaped portion 73, and a pair of third side surface portions 74. The first side surface portion 71 extends along the second direction 102. The second side surface portion 72 extends along the first direction 101. The arc-shaped portion 73 is located between the first side surface portion 71 and the second side surface portion 72. Each of the pair of third side surface portions 74 is, for example, arc-shaped. A straight line intersecting each of the pair of third side surface portions 74 is inclined with respect to each of the first direction 101 and the second direction 102.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the first sensor 60 has a first region 61, a second region 62, and a third region 63. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface 32, the shape of the first region 61 may be, for example, an L-shape. The shapes of the second region 62 and the third region 63 are, for example, rectangular. The longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the second region 62 may be the second direction 102 and the first direction 101, respectively. The longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the third region 63 may be the first direction 101 and the second direction 102, respectively. The first side portion 71 may be located between the first region 61 and the second region 62. The second side portion 72 may be located between the first region 61 and the third region 63.

[0052] Although the configuration in which the inner side surface 70 is spaced from the outer peripheral side surface 76 has been described above, the controller 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, the inner side surface 70 may be continuous with the outer peripheral side surface 76. In this case, the through portion 33 is a notch.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a first perspective schematic diagram showing a configuration of the rear surface 32 side of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the substrate 30, the first sensor 60, the first arm 11, the second arm 21, and the fixing portion 75 are shown, and other members are omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing portion 75 is disposed in a hole formed by the third side surface portion 74. The fixing portion 75 may fix the first housing 45 to the substrate 30, for example. The first arm 11 is disposed at a position facing the first side surface portion 71. The first arm 11 is movable along the first side surface portion 71, for example. The first arm 11 may be cylindrical, for example. Similarly, the second arm 21 is disposed at a position facing the second side surface portion 72. The second arm 21 is movable along a direction parallel to the second side surface portion 72, for example. The second arm 21 may be cylindrical, for example. [D.Arm movement] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the first arm 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the first arm 11 is disposed in a through-hole 33 formed by an inner surface 70. In Fig. 7, a dashed line indicates a state in which the user is not operating the stick 1, and a solid line indicates a state in which the first arm 11 has moved as a result of the user operating the stick 1.

[0054] 7, when the user operates the stick 1, the first member 10 rotates about a first rotation shaft 12 in association with the swinging of the stick 1. The first arm 11 moves in association with the rotation of the first rotation shaft 12. Specifically, the first arm 11 rotates about the first rotation shaft 12. The rotation direction of the first arm 11 is a first rotation direction A1.

[0055] The first arm 11 has a first front end 16 and a first back end 15. The first front end 16 is connected to the first rotating shaft 12. The first back end 15 is opposite to the first front end 16. In the vertical direction, the front 31 of the substrate 30 is located between the first front end 16 and the back 32. Similarly, in the vertical direction, the back 32 of the substrate 30 is located between the first back end 15 and the front 31. The first back end 15 rotates around the first rotating shaft 12 as the first rotating shaft 12 rotates. The direction in which the first rotation direction A1 is projected onto the back 32 is the first moving direction B1.

[0056] 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the movement of the second arm 21. The movement of the second arm 21 is substantially similar to the movement of the first arm 11, and therefore the explanation is omitted. The rotation direction of the second arm 21 is the second rotation direction A2. The direction in which the second rotation direction A2 is projected onto the rear surface 32 is the second movement direction B2. The second rotation direction A2 is different from the first rotation direction A1. When viewed in the up-down direction, the second rotation direction A2 and the first rotation direction A1 may be perpendicular to each other. [E. Movement of moving parts] 9 is a second perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration on the back surface 32 side of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, a first movable part 91 and a second movable part 92 are further shown. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the first movable part 91 and the second movable part 92 is provided on the back surface 32 side of the substrate 30. In other words, each of the first movable part 91 and the second movable part 92 is provided at a position facing the back surface 32 of the substrate 30.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the first movable part 91 is provided with a first engagement part 93. The first engagement part 93 is, for example, a recess. The first arm 11 engages with the first engagement part 93. The first arm 11 moves the movable part 91 in association with the rotation of the first rotating shaft 12. Specifically, when the first arm 11 moves in association with the rotation of the first rotating shaft 12, the first movable part 91 is moved in association with the movement of the first arm 11. The first movable part 91 is movable in a direction parallel to the substrate 30. Specifically, the first movable part 91 moves in a first moving direction B1. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface 32 of the substrate 30, the moving direction of the first movable part 91 is the same as the moving direction of the first arm 11.

[0058] The first movable part 91 has a first slide member 91a, a second slide member 91b, and a first main body member 91c. Each of the first slide member 91a and the second slide member 91b is connected to the first main body member 91c. The first main body member 91c has a first conductive member made of metal (not shown). The first arm 11 is located between the first slide member 91a and the second slide member 91b.

[0059] One end of the first conductive member is in contact with, for example, the second region 62. The other end of the first conductive member is in contact with, for example, the first region 61. When the first movable part 91 moves, the electrical resistance between the second region 62 and the first region 61 may change. This allows the first sensor 60 to detect the movement of the first movable part 91. In this case, the first sensor 60 uses the movement of the first movable part 91 to indirectly detect the movement of the first arm 11. Based on the position of the first movable part 91, the movement direction and movement distance of the stick 1 may be estimated.

[0060] Alternatively, the first arm 11 may not be engaged with the first movable part 91. For example, the rotational motion of the first arm 11 may be converted into the linear motion of the first movable part 91 via a link member (not shown) connecting the first arm 11 and the first movable part 91. As a result, the first movable part may be configured to move in response to the movement of the first arm 11. Alternatively, the controller 100 may not have the first movable part 91. In this case, the first sensor 60 may directly detect the movement of the first arm 11. The first sensor 60 may be, for example, a variable resistor directly engaged with the first arm 11. The resistance of the variable resistor may change as the first arm 11 moves. As described above, the first sensor 60 can directly or indirectly detect the movement of the first arm 11.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 9, the second movable part 92 is provided with a second engagement part 94. The second movable part 92 has a third slide member 92a, a fourth slide member 92b, and a second main body member 92c. The second arm 21 moves the second movable part 92 in accordance with the rotation of the second rotating shaft 22. The second movable part 92 moves in a second moving direction B2. The second moving direction B2 may be perpendicular to the first moving direction B1. The movement of the second movable part 92 is substantially similar to the movement of the first movable part, and therefore will not be described. [F. Second Sensor] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second sensor 80. As shown in Fig. 10, the second sensor 80 may be composed of a first electrode 81, a cushion material 7, and a second electrode 82. The cushion material 7 is sandwiched between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82. The second sensor 80 is, for example, a capacitance sensor. The second sensor 80 is provided, for example, between the restricting portion 5 and the surface 31 of the substrate 30. The second sensor 80 may be provided in the restricting portion 5.

[0062] When the skirt 43 comes into contact with the regulating portion 5 by the user operating the stick 1, a load is applied to the second sensor 80. This causes the cushioning material 7 to deform. As a result, the distance between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 changes. As a result, the capacitance of the second sensor 80 changes. That is, the second sensor 80 detects the capacitance that changes due to the contact of the skirt 43. The load may be calculated based on the capacitance or the change in capacitance between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82. The controller 100 may have a computer (not shown). The computer may calculate the load based on the change in the capacitance or the capacitance. The computer may calculate the tilt amount of the stick 1 based on the electric resistance value or the change in the electric resistance value detected by the first sensor 60.

[0063] The computer may execute a certain control linearly or stepwise according to the detected capacitance or the calculated load. The computer may execute a certain control in response to the load exceeding a certain threshold. In the above, the second sensor 80 is described as a capacitance sensor, but the second sensor 80 is not limited to a capacitance sensor. The second sensor 80 may be, for example, a strain gauge, a magnetic sensor, or a pressure sensor. Second embodiment Next, the configuration of the controller 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. The controller 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the controller 100 according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration in which the substrate 30 is located below the central shaft 42, but other configurations are similar to those of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment. Below, the configurations different from the controller 100 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the configuration of a controller 100 according to the second embodiment. The cross section shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the cross section shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 11, a through-hole 33 is provided in the substrate 30. The first arm 11 is disposed in the through-hole 33. The through-hole 33 is not provided below the central shaft 42. From another perspective, the substrate 30 is located below the central shaft 42. The substrate 30 faces the central shaft 42.

[0065] In the first direction 101, the width of the retaining portion 86 is greater than the width of the main body portion 85. The retaining portion 86 is in contact with the lower end surface of the second member 20. This prevents the stick 1 from slipping out upward. A spring arrangement hole 47 is provided in the central shaft 42. The spring arrangement hole 47 passes through the retaining portion 86 and reaches the main body portion 85. A coil spring 9 is arranged in the spring arrangement hole 47. The upper end of the coil spring 9 is in contact with the bottom of the spring arrangement hole 47. Each part constituting the stick 1 may be formed integrally. For example, the stick operated portion 41 constituting the stick 1 may be integral with the main body portion 85 and the retaining portion 86.

[0066] The controller 100 according to the second embodiment has a spring support portion 49. The spring support portion 49 is disposed on the surface 31 of the substrate 30. The spring support portion 49 has a base portion 87 and a protruding portion 88. The protruding portion 88 is provided on the base portion 87. The base portion 87 is located between the surface 31 of the substrate 30 and the protruding portion 88. The coil spring 9 is disposed around the protruding portion 88. A part of the protruding portion 88 is inserted into the spring arrangement hole 47. In the spring arrangement hole 47, the coil spring 9 may be located outside the protruding portion 88 and inside the inner wall surface constituting the spring arrangement hole 47. The lower end of the coil spring 9 may be in contact with the base portion 87.

[0067] The controller 100 according to the second embodiment has the substrate 30 in an area facing the central axis 42. Therefore, the controller 100 according to the second embodiment can have a higher strength than the controller 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0068] (Modification) The first member 10 may swing in a first swing direction in association with the swing of the stick 1. The second member 20 may swing in a second swing direction in association with the swing of the stick 1. The second swing direction is different from the first swing direction. When viewed in the up-down direction, the second swing direction and the first swing direction may be perpendicular to each other. The first arm 11 may move in association with the swing of the first member 10. The second arm 21 may move in association with the swing of the second member 20.

[0069] Each of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may not have a physical axis of rotation and may oscillate so as to rotate about a certain virtual center. Each of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may oscillate, for example, along a guide. In another embodiment, each of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may not have a virtual center. Each of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may oscillate while tracing a predetermined curve. Each of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may oscillate, for example, along an elliptical arc.

[0070] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 stick, 2 functional part, 3 housing, 4 second contact, 5 restricting portion, 6 flexible printed circuit, 7 cushioning material, 8 connector, 9 coil spring, 10 first member, 11 first arm (arm), 12 first rotating shaft, 13 first main body portion, 14 first insertion hole, 15 first back side end (back side end), 16 first front side end, 20 second member, 21 second arm, 22 second rotating shaft, 23 second main body portion, 24 second insertion hole, 30 board, 31 front side, 32 back side, 33 through portion, 41 stick operated portion, 42 central shaft, 43 skirt, 45 first housing, 46 second housing, 47 spring arrangement hole, 49 spring support portion, 51 button operated portion, 52 first contact, 53 circuit, 60 first sensor, 61 first area, 62 second area, 63 Third region, 65 first through hole, 66 second through hole, 70 inner surface, 71 first side surface portion, 72 second side surface portion, 73 arcuate portion, 74 third side surface portion, 75 fixing portion, 76 outer peripheral side surface, 80 second sensor, 81 first electrode, 82 second electrode, 85 main body portion, 86 retaining portion, 87 base portion, 88 protruding portion, 91 first movable part (movable part), 91a first slide member, 91b second slide member, 91c first main body member, 92 second movable part, 92a third slide member, 92b fourth slide member, 92c second main body member, 93 first engagement portion, 94 second engagement portion, 95 support plate, 100 controller, 101 first direction, 102 second direction, 103 third direction, A1 first rotation direction, A2 second rotation direction, B1 first movement direction, B2 Second movement direction, S1 first oscillation direction, S2 second oscillation direction.

Claims

1. A substrate; A stick operated by a user; A controller having a controller function and a functional part different from the stick, The substrate has a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface; the stick includes an arm that moves as the stick is operated and extends from the front side to the back side, The substrate includes a circuit provided on the front surface and electrically connected to the functional component, and a first sensor provided on the back surface and configured to directly or indirectly detect the movement of the arm.

2. the stick includes a first member that rotates in a first rotation direction in response to a swing of the stick, and a second member that rotates in a second rotation direction different from the first rotation direction in response to a swing of the stick, the first member includes a first rotation axis that is parallel to the substrate and is provided on the front surface side, The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the arm moves in association with rotation of the first rotation axis.

3. the controller further includes a movable part provided on the rear surface side and movable in a direction parallel to the substrate; The arm moves the movable part in accordance with the rotation of the first rotation shaft, The controller of claim 2 , wherein the first sensor detects movement of the moving part.

4. The arm is connected to the first rotation shaft, The controller according to claim 3 , wherein the rear end of the arm rotates about the first rotation shaft in association with the rotation of the first rotation shaft.

5. The substrate is provided with a through-hole, The controller according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the stick, the first member, and the second member is located in the through-hole.

6. the stick includes a first member that swings in a first swing direction in response to swinging of the stick, and a second member that swings in a second swing direction different from the first swing direction in response to swinging of the stick, The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the arm moves in association with the swinging of the first member.

7. The stick comprises a skirt; The swing of the skirt accompanying the swing of the stick is regulated by the surface or a regulating portion provided on the surface, The controller according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the movable part or the first sensor is provided on an opposite side of the skirt with respect to the substrate.

8. The controller further comprises a second sensor. The controller according to claim 7 , wherein the second sensor is provided on the restriction portion or between the restriction portion and the surface.

9. the second sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; The second sensor detects a capacitance that changes due to contact of the skirt, the controller further comprises a flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the first electrode; The controller of claim 8 , wherein the second electrode is disposed on the substrate.

10. the functional part is a button, the button includes a button operated portion that is pressed by a user and a first contact that is capable of coming into contact with the button operated portion, the controller includes a housing that accommodates the first contact; the first contact is on the substrate; The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the button operated portion is exposed from the housing in the same direction as a stick operated portion of the stick operated by a user.

11. The stick can be pushed and moved in a direction from the front surface to the back surface, the controller further includes a second contact point that comes into contact with the first rotation axis as the stick is pushed in and moved; The controller according to claim 2 , wherein the second contact point is provided on the surface in a region facing an end of the first rotation shaft.

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