Multidirectional input device, control handle, and manipulation device

Abstract

This application provides a multi-directional input device, a control handle, and a control device, including a housing, an operating body, and a reset mechanism. The housing has a cavity with an opening communicating with the cavity. At least a portion of the operating body is rotatably disposed within the cavity. The operating body includes an operating main body and an abutment portion located around the periphery of the operating main body. The operating main body includes a first end extending out of the cavity from the opening. The abutment portion includes a bottom surface facing away from the first end, and the bottom surface includes at least two interconnected abutment edges. The reset mechanism is configured to selectively and elastically abut against one of the abutment edges when at least a portion of the operating body is rotatably disposed within the cavity. This allows the operator to experience a distinct tactile feedback while also feeling a consistent operating feel in different directions through changes in the direction of the reset mechanism's rebound force.

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device, improved in that it comprises: A housing, wherein the housing has a cavity inside, and the housing also has an opening communicating with the cavity; An operating body, at least a portion of which is swayably disposed within the cavity, the operating body comprising an operating main body and an abutment portion disposed around the periphery of the operating main body, the operating main body comprising a first end extending from the opening into the cavity, the abutment portion comprising a bottom surface opposite to the first end, the bottom surface comprising at least two interconnected abutment edges; and a reset mechanism disposed within the cavity and elastically abutting against the bottom surface, the reset mechanism being configured to selectively elastically abut against one of the abutment edges when at least a portion of the operating body is swayed within the cavity; the abutment edge comprising four interconnected abutment edges, the four abutment edges being parallel to each other and surrounding the bottom surface, the outer wall of the abutment portion being provided with a plurality of operating surfaces, the operating surfaces being perpendicular to or at an inclined angle to the bottom surface, the operating surfaces being connected to the bottom surface at the abutment edges. The multi-directional input device further includes a rocker arm element, which is rotatably disposed on the housing. The operating body is drivenly connected to the rocker arm element, and the rocker arm element is configured to rotate relative to the housing when the operating body is rocked. The rocker arm element includes a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm whose rotation axes are perpendicular to each other. The first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are rotatably connected to the housing and stacked. When the abutting edge abuts against the reset mechanism, the operating body is configured to drive the first rocker arm or the second rocker arm to rotate relative to the housing.

2. The multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein, The bottom surface extends away from the first end with a plurality of protrusions, and the abutting edge is formed between the outer periphery of two adjacent protrusions.

3. The multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein, At least one of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm includes a rocker arm body and rotating portions disposed at both ends of the rocker arm body. The housing is provided with a first groove, and the rotating portions are rotatably disposed within the first groove. The rocker arm body is provided with a sliding groove, at least a portion of which extends in the same direction as the axial direction. The first end passes through the sliding groove and is slidably disposed within the sliding groove. The first end is configured to drive the second rocker arm to rotate relative to the housing when it moves along the sliding groove of the first rocker arm. The first end is also configured to drive the first rocker arm to rotate relative to the housing when it moves along the sliding groove of the second rocker arm.

4. The multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein, The reset mechanism includes an elastic element and a pressure plate. The elastic element is disposed within the cavity, and the pressure plate is disposed at one end of the elastic element near the opening. The elastic element holds the pressure plate against the bottom surface, and the abutting edge is configured to abut against the surface of the pressure plate facing the opening.

5. The multi-directional input device as described in claim 4, wherein, The housing also has a stepped surface located on the side of the pressure plate facing the opening. The projections of the pressure plate and the stepped surface at least partially overlap, and the stepped surface is configured to abut against the pressure plate.

6. The multi-directional input device as described in claim 5, wherein, The operating body also includes a second end, which is disposed through the bottom surface. The pressure plate is provided with a through hole for the second end to pass through. The bottom wall of the housing is provided with a push switch. The second end is configured to trigger the push switch when the operating body is pressed.

7. A control handle, improved in that it includes a multidirectional input device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A control device, improved in that it includes a control handle as described in claim 7.

Images