Joystick device with automatic centering function

Abstract

To provide a joy stick device having an automatic centering function.SOLUTION: A joy stick device can achieve automatic centering of a joy stick, by a magnet which acquires and outputs information on a rotation angle of a joy stick by a magnetic sensor and is fixed and connected to the joy stick, and a structure of a magnetic ring outside of the magnet. An outer layer magnet is added to a part on an outside surface surrounding the magnetic ring, of a fixed member which is installed below the joy stick and plays a roll of supporting the joy stick, and pressing detection and pressing centering to the joy stick can be achieved by co-operating with the added magnetic sensor. A reaction of the joy stick device can be easily adjusted by adjusting the size of the magnet fixed and connected to the joy stick and the size of the magnetic ring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of electrical signal input / output devices, and specifically relates to a joystick device with an automatic centering function. [Background technology]

[0002] Control joysticks are a very important type of input / output device, and are used in the control of electronic devices such as gamepads, control levers, drone controllers, etc. Currently, the control joysticks on the market for gamepads, drone controllers, etc. are generally based on carbon film potentiometers or Hall sensors.

[0003] A joystick based on a carbon film potentiometer realizes the discrimination of the joystick displacement by contacting the conductive film of the carbon film sensor with different resistance areas. When the joystick moves, the conductive film slides through the different resistance areas, causing a corresponding change in resistance. These resistance variations are converted into electrical signals to be used as control signals.

[0004] Hall sensor-based joysticks (hereafter referred to as Hall joysticks) are primarily based on the Hall effect (when a current flows through a conductor in a magnetic field, a voltage difference occurs across the conductor; this phenomenon is called the Hall voltage or Hall effect voltage). A Hall joystick typically includes a joystick body, a Hall element, a magnet, and a circuit board. The joystick body typically includes a rotating shaft with a Hall element and a magnet. When the rotating shaft rotates, the magnet also moves, causing a change in the strength of the magnetic field around the Hall element, resulting in a change in voltage across the Hall element. The voltage signal generated in the Hall element is converted into an electrical signal and output as a control signal.

[0005] Joysticks based on carbon film potentiometers have the advantages of simple structure and low cost, but suffer from the problems of a short lifespan, a tendency for unintended displacement, and reduced detection accuracy because the contact metal slides directly on the carbon film. Hall joysticks use an internal magnetic sensor to measure changes in the magnetic field to determine the joystick's movement, which has solved the problems of unintended displacement and reduced detection accuracy to some extent, but their internal structure is still a force feedback structure mainly consisting of a swivel and a spring, which is relatively complex and prone to metal fatigue in the spring, making it difficult to center the joystick accurately and significantly reducing its lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional joystick devices, improve the detection accuracy of the joystick device, extend the service life of the joystick device, and obtain a joystick device that can be accurately centered, the present invention provides a joystick device with a simple structure, high operational reliability, and automatic centering function.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A joystick device with an automatic centering function is provided, which includes an annular magnet with a circular hole, a fixing member, an inner-annular magnet body fixedly connected to the joystick, and a magnetic sensor chip.

[0008] the annular magnet is magnetized in the thickness direction, and the line connecting the N and S poles is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole; the fixing member is made of a non-magnetic material and is stacked on the annular magnet in the direction perpendicular to the circular cross section to fix the annular magnet;

[0009] the annular magnet body has completely symmetrical shapes of N and S poles, is supported by the fixing member, and is installed at the center of the circular hole of the annular magnet; when the joystick is in a rotation centering state, a line connecting the N and S poles of the annular magnet body is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole;

[0010] The magnetic sensor chip is configured to detect a rotation angle of the joystick and is located below the inner-annular magnet body in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the annular magnet body is a spherical magnet, or a cylindrical magnet or a rectangular parallelepiped magnet wrapped in a spherical non-magnetic material.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixed member includes a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member being fitted together by a hollow groove opened in a portion of the second member, the annular magnet being fixed to the first member, an outer layer magnet being added to the second member corresponding to the outer surface of the annular magnet, and as the joystick is pressed, the outer layer magnet is driven by the second member to slide downward relative to the first member, and when the joystick is not pressed, the north pole of the outer layer magnet and the south pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other, and the south pole of the outer layer magnet and the north pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other, and when the joystick is pressed, only one pair of the same poles of the outer layer magnet and the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other. When the joystick is pressed, the relative positions of the N and S poles of the outer layer magnet and the annular magnet change, generating a magnetic force between them, restoring their relative positions to the state they were in before the joystick was pressed. The joystick is then pushed by the transmission action of the fixed member, realizing automatic centering of the joystick when pressed.

[0013] Accordingly, the joystick device further includes a pressure sensor fixed to the first member outside the outer layer magnet, the pressure sensor being a magnetic sensor configured to detect the pressure state of the joystick by detecting the movement of the outer layer magnet.

[0014] Preferably, the magnetic sensor chip is realized by an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor, and the XMR includes TMR, AMR, GMR.

[0015] The joystick device of the present invention allows the user to easily adjust the feel of the joystick by adjusting the size of the magnet and the magnetic ring fixedly connected to the joystick. Compared with conventional joystick devices, the joystick device of the present invention has higher detection accuracy, a longer service life, does not require the use of springs or carbon film structures, is simpler in structure, and is less expensive. It also reliably achieves automatic joystick centering, pressure centering, and pressure detection, and is free from problems caused by metal fatigue.

[0016] In order to more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. The drawings described are only for illustrating some embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope. Those skilled in the art can obtain other related drawings based on these drawings without using inventive abilities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a joystick device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3a] FIG. 10 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a joystick device according to a third embodiment of the present invention before being pressed. [Figure 3b] FIG. 10 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a joystick device according to a third embodiment of the present invention after being pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the following examples. The described examples are only some of the examples of the present invention, and are not all of the examples. Based on the examples of the present invention, all other examples obtained by those skilled in the art without using their inventive abilities also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in a first embodiment, the joystick device with automatic centering function according to the present invention comprises an annular magnet 10 with a circular hole, a fixing member 11, an annular magnet body 13 fixedly connected to a joystick 12, and a magnetic sensor chip 14 installed on a PCB board 15.

[0020] The annular magnet 10 is magnetized in the thickness direction, with the line connecting the north and south poles perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole. The fixing member 11 is made of a non-magnetic material and is installed stacked on the annular magnet 10 in the direction perpendicular to the circular cross section. The first chamber surrounds the sides of the annular magnet 10 other than the inner surface of the ring, fixing the annular magnet 10 in place.

[0021] The annular magnet body 13 is fixedly connected to one end of the joystick 12 and is a spherical magnet with perfectly symmetrical north and south poles. It is supported by the fixed member 11 and is installed at the center of the circular hole in the annular magnet 10. When the joystick 12 is centered, the line connecting the north and south poles of the annular magnet body 13 is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole.

[0022] The magnetic sensor chip 14 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the joystick and is attached to a PCB board 15. The PCB board 15 is attached to a second chamber of a fixed member 11. The second chamber is located below the first chamber, and the first and second chambers are separated from each other. The magnetic sensor chip 14 is installed below the inner-annular magnet body 13 in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole of the annular magnet 10.

[0023] In the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the joystick device comprises an annular magnet 20 with a circular hole, a fixing member 21, an inner-annular magnet body 23 fixedly connected to a joystick 22, and a magnetic sensor chip 24 mounted on a PCB board 25. Unlike the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the inner-annular magnet body 23 in Fig. 2 is a cylindrical magnet surrounded by a spherical non-magnetic material.

[0024] In some other embodiments, the annular magnet body is a rectangular parallelepiped magnet surrounded by a spherical non-magnetic material.

[0025] The working principle of the automatic centering of the joystick device according to the present invention is as follows.

[0026] When an annular magnet (spherical, cylindrical, or rectangular) is placed inside an annular permanent magnet (all of which are magnetized in the thickness direction), the magnet is randomly attracted to the inner wall of the annular magnet, following the law that like poles repel each other and opposite poles attract each other. When the annular magnet is positioned at the center of the annular magnet, the magnetic field forces it receives are balanced, maintaining it in a stable state. To ensure a stable central state of the annular magnet, the annular magnet is supported by a fixing member below the annular magnet. When the annular magnet rotates in any direction and by any angle due to the joystick's movement, the magnetic sensor chip installed below the annular magnet detects changes in the magnetic field parallel to the circular cross section of the circular hole at its installation position (the normal direction to the circular cross section is the Z axis, and the magnetic sensor chip detects changes in the magnetic field in directions parallel to the X and Y axes), thereby detecting the joystick's rotation angle.

[0027] When the inner-ring magnet is rotated in any direction by any angle due to an external force (driven by the joystick), the same poles of the inner-ring magnet and the annular magnet repel each other, and the magnetic force returns the magnet to a stable state. In this way, the automatic centering function by rotating the joystick is basically realized. Obviously, the joystick device of the present invention does not require the use of a swivel shaft and springs used in conventional joysticks, and is free from metal fatigue.

[0028] Preferably, the magnetic sensor chip is realized by an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor, and the XMR includes TMR, AMR, GMR.

[0029] Furthermore, several outer layer magnets can be added to the outside of the annular magnet to realize automatic joystick pressure centering and pressure detection functions. As shown in Figure 3a, annular magnet 30 is fixed to a first member 311 of a fixed member, and an outer layer magnet 36 is added to a second member 312 of the fixed member corresponding to the outer surface of annular magnet 30. A hollow groove opened in a part of second member 312 allows the first member 311 and the second member 312 to fit together, so that when joystick 32 is pressed, second member 312 moves downward relative to first member 311. As joystick 32 is pressed, outer layer magnet 36 is driven to slide downward by second member 312 of the fixed member. When the joystick 32 is not pressed, the north pole of the outer layer magnet 36 and the south pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other, and the south pole of the outer layer magnet and the north pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other. As a result, the magnetic force between the annular magnet 30 and the outer layer magnet 36 and the transmission action to the inner-annular magnet body 33 by the second member 312 of the fixing member keep the joystick in a stable initial state (the same state as when it is rotationally centered and pressed and centered).

[0030] As shown in Figure 3b, when the joystick 32 is moved, the magnetic sensor chip 34 mounted on the PCB board 35 detects the displacement angle of the joystick 32. When the joystick 32 is pressed, the outer layer magnet 36 slides downward relative to the annular magnet 30 due to the drive of the second fixing member 312, changing the relative positions of the north and south poles of the outer layer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 30. At this time, only one pair of the same poles of the outer layer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 30 faces each other. As shown in Figure 3b, when the joystick 32 is pressed, the same poles of the outer layer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 30 are positioned in the same horizontal position, generating a repulsive force between the same poles and an attractive force between the opposite poles, resulting in an overall magnetic attractive force between the outer layer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 30. This magnetic attraction force restores the relative position of the two to the state before the joystick 32 was pressed (the position of the annular magnet 30 is fixed to the first member 311), and automatic centering of the joystick 32 is achieved by the transmission action of the fixed second member 312.

[0031] Accordingly, in order to detect pressure on the joystick 32, a pressure sensor 37 is fixedly installed outside the outer layer magnet 36, independently of the outer layer magnet 36. The pressure sensor 37 is a magnetic sensor, and is configured to detect whether the joystick 32 is pressed by detecting a change in the magnetic field caused by the movement of the outer layer magnet at its installation position.

[0032] By adjusting the size of the magnet fixedly connected to the joystick and the size of the magnetic ring, the feel of the joystick device according to the present invention when operated can be easily adjusted.

[0033] Compared with conventional joystick devices, the joystick device of the present invention has higher detection accuracy and a longer service life. It can detect and automatically center the joystick without using a spring or carbon film structure, and is free from problems caused by metal fatigue. Furthermore, the joystick device of the present invention uses non-contact magnetic transmission, which greatly simplifies the transmission structure of the joystick, reduces costs, and extends the service life of the joystick.

[0034] The above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art may have various modifications and variations to the present application. As long as they do not deviate from the essence and spirit of the present application, all modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc., fall within the scope of protection of the present application. The above is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any modifications or replacements made within the technical scope disclosed in the present application will also fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application is governed by the claims.

Claims

1. The joystick includes an annular magnet having a circular hole, a fixing member, an annular magnet body fixedly connected to the joystick, and a magnetic sensor chip; The annular magnet is magnetized in the thickness direction, and the line connecting the N-S poles is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole. the fixing member is made of a non-magnetic material and is configured to be stacked on the annular magnet in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross section to fix the annular magnet; the annular magnet body has completely symmetrical N-S pole shapes, is supported by the fixing member, and is installed at the center of the circular hole of the annular magnet; when the joystick is in a rotation centering state, the line connecting the N-S poles of the annular magnet body is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole; the magnetic sensor chip is configured to detect a rotation angle of the joystick, and is located below the annular magnet body in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular hole; The fixed member includes a first member and a second member, and the first member and the second member are fitted together by a hollow groove opened in a part of the second member. The annular magnet is fixed to the first member. An outer layer magnet is added to the second member corresponding to the outer surface of the annular magnet. As the joystick is pressed, the outer layer magnet is driven by the second member to slide downward relative to the first member. When the joystick is not pressed, the N pole of the outer layer magnet and the S pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other, and the S pole of the outer layer magnet and the N pole of the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other. When the joystick is pressed, only one pair of the same poles of the outer layer magnet and the annular magnet are positioned directly opposite each other. A joystick device having an automatic centering function.

2. The annular magnet body is a spherical magnet.

2. The joystick device according to claim 1.

3. The annular magnet body is a cylindrical magnet or a rectangular parallelepiped magnet surrounded by a spherical non-magnetic material.

2. The joystick device according to claim 1.

4. The joystick device further includes a pressure sensor fixed to the first member outside the outer layer magnet, independently of the outer layer magnet. The pressure sensor is a magnetic sensor and is configured to detect the pressure state of the joystick by detecting the movement of the outer layer magnet.

2. The joystick device according to claim 1.

5. The magnetic sensor chip is realized by an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor, and the XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR.

2. The joystick device according to claim 1.

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