Controller

Abstract

A controller (1, 1') is provided with: a first operating button (4, 4') that includes a housing (2, 2') having an opening (271a, 271a'), a first bearing (11, 11') disposed in the interior of the housing, a first operating surface (411, 411') exposed through the opening, and a first shaft (45, 45', 45a) supported by the first bearing so as to be turnable in a first rotational direction around the axis and movable in a first linear direction; and a first switch (9, 9') that is pressed by the first operating button when the first operating button is turned in the first rotational direction due to turning of the first shaft and when the first operating button is moved in the first linear direction due to linear movement of the first shaft. The first shaft is disposed so as to be positioned further inward than both ends of the first operating surface. When the first shaft is to rotate in a second rotational direction from a natural state, the first shaft comes into contact with the first bearing, thereby restricting the first operating button from turning further than a prescribed angle in the second rotational direction.

Description

controller

[0001] The present invention relates to a controller.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known that in a controller, a switch provided in a housing is pressed by rotating an operation button (for example, JP-A 2007-525795).

[0003] In the controller described in JP-A-2007-525795, the rotation portion of the operation button is located inside both ends of the operation surface of the operation button, and the operation button can be rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0004] However, depending on the relative positions of the operation surface, the rotating portion, and the switch, there is a risk that the operability of the operation button may deteriorate when the operation button is rotated in a specific rotation direction.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to prevent deterioration in the operability of an operation button when the rotation portion of the operation button is positioned inside both ends of the operation surface of the operation button.

[0006] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0007] (1) A controller comprising: a housing having an opening; a first bearing provided inside the housing; a first operation surface exposed from the opening; a first operation button having a first shaft supported by the first bearing so as to be rotatable in a first rotational direction about an axis and movable in a first linear direction; and a first switch that is pressed by the first operation button when the first operation button is rotated in the first rotational direction by rotation of the first shaft and when the first operation button is moved in the first linear direction by linear movement of the first shaft, wherein, when the first operation button is viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft, the first shaft is positioned inside both ends of the first operation surface, and the first shaft is configured to abut against the first bearing when the first operation button attempts to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction from a natural state in which the first operation button is not operated, thereby restricting the first operation button from rotating in the second rotational direction by a predetermined angle.

[0008] (2) The controller described in claim 1, the controller described in (1) above, wherein the first bearing has two wall surfaces extending in a direction away from the first operating surface and facing each other, and when the first shaft and the first bearing are viewed from the axial direction, the straight-line distance connecting two specified points on the outer edge of the first shaft is longer than the distance between the two wall surfaces.

[0009] (3) A controller as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the first bearing has two wall surfaces extending in a direction away from the first operating surface and facing each other, and the first axis has a first straight portion extending parallel to one of the two wall surfaces in the natural state, and a second straight portion extending parallel to the other of the two wall surfaces in the natural state.

[0010] (4) The controller described in (3) above, wherein the first axis has a first curved portion extending from the first straight portion and a second curved portion extending from the second straight portion, the first curved portion extending in a direction including a direction approaching the second straight portion and a direction approaching the first operation surface when the first operation button and the first bearing are viewed from the axial direction, the second curved portion extending in a direction including a direction approaching the first straight portion and a direction away from the first operation surface when the first operation button and the first bearing are viewed from the axial direction, and a straight-line distance connecting a first point on the first curved portion and a second point on the second curved portion is equal to or less than the distance between the two wall surfaces.

[0011] (5) The controller according to (4) above, wherein the first curved portion and the second curved portion are arcs when viewed from the axial direction.

[0012] (6) A second operation button including a second bearing provided inside the housing, a second operation surface exposed from the opening, and a second shaft supported by the second bearing so as to be rotatable in the second rotational direction and movable in the first linear direction, and a second switch that is pressed by the second operation button when the second operation button is rotated in the second rotational direction by rotation of the second shaft and when the second operation button is moved in the first linear direction by linear movement of the second shaft, wherein when the second operation button is viewed from the axial direction of the second shaft, the second shaft is disposed to be located inside both ends of the second operation surface, and the second shaft is configured to abut against the second bearing when the second operation button attempts to rotate in the first rotational direction from a natural state in which the second operation button is not operated, thereby restricting the second operation button from rotating in the first rotational direction by a larger angle than the predetermined angle, and the housing is configured to be in a position where the second operation button is operated by a user. the first operation button is disposed in a region on the top surface closer to the left surface than the right surface, and in a region where the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand extends when the housing is held by the user; the second operation button is disposed in a region on the top surface closer to the right surface than the left surface, and in a region where the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand extends when the housing is held by the user; the first rotation direction is counterclockwise as viewed from the user in the state, and the second rotation direction is clockwise as viewed from the user in the state.

[0013] (7) The controller described in (6) above further comprises a third operation button located in an area on the top surface to the right of the first operation button, in an area where the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand extends when the housing is held by the user, and a fourth operation button located in an area on the top surface to the left of the second operation button, in an area where the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand extends when the housing is held by the user.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the operability of an operation button when the rotation portion of the operation button is disposed inside both ends of the operation surface of the operation button.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first shaft and first bearing in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a front view of a controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a top view of a controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller taken along line CC in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first shaft of the first operation button.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0017] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a front view of a controller 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a top view of the controller 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The controller 1 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and is held by a user. The user holds the controller 1 in the orientation shown in Fig. 1, which shows the side of the controller 1 facing the user. As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 1 includes a housing 2, a display 3, and operation members. In this embodiment, the controller 1 functions as a portable game console and is powered by, for example, an internal battery.

[0019] The housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and forms the outer surface of the controller 1. The housing 2 has a main surface 21, a back surface 22 located opposite the main surface 21, and a side surface connecting the main surface 21 and the back surface 22. The main surface 21 of the housing 2 is provided with the display 3 and a direction input unit 8 (described below), and the main surface 21 faces the user when the user is using the controller 1. In this specification, the orientation of the controller 1 is defined in a state in which the user is holding the housing 2 so that the main surface 21 faces the user (hereinafter referred to as the "held state").

[0020] The side surfaces of the housing 2 include a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, a left surface 25, and a right surface 26. The top surface 23 is located above the user when held, and the bottom surface 24 is located opposite the top surface 23 and below the user when held. The left surface 25 is located to the left when held, and the right surface 26 is located opposite the left surface 25 and to the right when held. In this embodiment, the length of the housing 2 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the housing 2 in the up-down direction, and the controller 1 has a horizontally elongated shape.

[0021] In this embodiment, the top surface 23 of the housing 2 has an upper left corner 231, an upper right corner 232, and a horizontal portion 233 between the upper left corner 231 and the upper right corner 232. The upper left corner 231 has a rounded R-shape and is connected to the left surface 25. The upper right corner 232 has a rounded R-shape and is connected to the right surface 26. The horizontal portion 233 is a flat surface and is smoothly connected to the upper left corner 231 and the upper right corner 232. Note that the upper left corner 231 and the upper right corner 232 may each have a chamfered shape.

[0022] In this specification, "up" refers to the direction from the bottom surface to the top surface, "down" refers to the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface, "left" refers to the direction from the right surface to the left surface, "right" refers to the direction from the left surface to the right surface, "front" refers to the direction from the back surface to the main surface, and "rear" refers to the direction from the main surface to the back surface. Therefore, for example, the terms "upper side," "lower side," "right side," "left side," "front side," and "rear side" can be interpreted as "upper surface side," "lower surface side," "right surface side," "left surface side," "main surface side," and "rear side," respectively. Furthermore, the terms "up-down direction," "left-right direction," and "front-rear direction" can be interpreted as "up-down direction" between the top surface and the bottom surface, "left-right direction" between the left surface and the right surface, and "front-rear direction" between the main surface and the back surface, respectively. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "downward," "forward," and "rearward" can be interpreted as "upper surface side direction," "lower surface side direction," "main surface side direction," and "rear side direction," respectively.

[0023] The housing 2 includes a first housing 27 and a second housing 28, and is formed by combining the first housing 27 and the second housing 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 27 is disposed on the front side of the controller 1, and the second housing 28 is disposed on the rear side of the controller 1. The first housing 27 and the second housing 28 define the internal space of the housing 2 when the first housing 27 and the second housing 28 are combined together. The first housing 27 and the second housing 28 are each made of resin, metal, etc., and are molded by injection molding, die casting, etc.

[0024] The display 3 is provided on the main surface 21 of the housing 2 so that its display surface is visible to the user, and displays visual information (text, images, etc.). In this embodiment, the display 3 is located in the left-right central region of the controller 1. The display 3 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, etc. The display 3 may also be a touch panel display.

[0025] In the controller 1, the operation members are provided so that at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the housing 2, and are operated by the user. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the controller 1 includes a first operation button 4, a second operation button 5, a third operation button 6, and a fourth operation button 7 as operation members provided on the top surface 23 of the housing 2. For example, the third operation button 6 is one of a plus button and a minus button, and the fourth operation button 7 is the other of the plus button and the minus button.

[0026] The first operation button 4 and the third operation button 6 are located in an area of ​​the top surface 23 closer to the left surface 25 than to the right surface 26, i.e., in an area to the left of the left-right center line CL of the controller 1. The left-right center line CL of the controller 1 refers to a line that divides the controller 1 in half in the left-right direction.

[0027] The first operation button 4 and the third operation button 6 are arranged next to each other in the left-right direction, and the third operation button 6 is arranged in an area to the right of the first operation button 4. In this embodiment, the first operation button 4 is arranged in the upper left corner 231 and horizontal portion 233 of the top surface 23, and the third operation button 6 is arranged on the horizontal portion 233 of the top surface 23. The first operation button 4 and the third operation button 6 are each arranged in an area where the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand extends when the housing 2 is held by the user (for example, when the user's left hand is placed on the left surface 25 of the housing 2), and are operated by the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand.

[0028] On the other hand, the second operation button 5 and the fourth operation button 7 are arranged in an area on the top surface 23 closer to the right surface 26 than to the left surface 25, i.e., in an area to the right of the left-right center line CL of the controller 1. The second operation button 5 and the fourth operation button 7 are arranged next to each other in the left-right direction, and the fourth operation button 7 is arranged in an area to the left of the second operation button 5. In this embodiment, the second operation button 5 is arranged in the upper right corner 232 and horizontal portion 233 of the top surface 23, and the fourth operation button 7 is arranged on the horizontal portion 233 of the top surface 23. The second operation button 5 and the fourth operation button 7 are arranged in an area where the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand extends when the user is holding the housing 2 (for example, when the user's right hand is placed on the right surface 26 of the housing 2), and are operated by the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 1 also includes a directional input unit 8 and a button group 30 as operation members provided on the main surface 21 of the housing 2. The directional input unit 8 is operated by the user when inputting a direction, and in this embodiment is an analog stick. The directional input unit 8 may also be a cross key or the like. The button group 30 includes, for example, four buttons: an A button, a B button, an X button, and a Y button. The directional input unit 8 is located in an area to the left of the center line CL of the controller 1, and the button group 30 is located in an area to the right of the center line CL of the controller 1. The operation members are made of resin, metal, or the like, and are molded by injection molding, die casting, or the like.

[0030] 1 and 2, the first housing 27 has openings 271a to 271d for passing operating members provided on the top surface 23 of the housing 2, and openings 271e to 271i for passing operating members provided on the main surface 21 of the housing 2. The openings 271a to 271d are open on the top surface 23 of the housing 2, and the openings 271e to 271i are open on the main surface 21 of the housing 2.

[0031] 1 and 2 are merely examples, and some of the operation members may be omitted or other operation members may be added. For example, the controller 1 may further include, as operation members provided on the main surface 21 of the housing 2, an additional stick member separate from the direction input unit 8, a capture button for capturing an image displayed on the display 3, a home button for displaying a home menu, etc. The display 3 may also be omitted.

[0032] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller 1 taken along line A-A in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the controller 1 includes, as internal components, a first switch 9 and a first spring 10. The first switch 9 and the first spring 10 are located in an area closer to the left side 25 than to the right side 26, and the first switch 9 is located to the left of the first spring 10. The first switch 9 is located directly below the first operation button 4 in the internal space of the housing 2 and is pressed by the first operation button 4. The first spring 10 is located directly below the first operation button 4 in the internal space of the housing 2 and urges the first operation button 4 upward.

[0033] 3, the first operation button 4 has a first key top portion 41, a first base portion 42, a first protrusion 43, a first shaft base portion 44, and a first shaft 45. The first key top portion 41, the first base portion 42, the first protrusion 43, the first shaft base portion 44, and the first shaft 45 are integrally molded by injection molding, die casting, or the like.

[0034] The first key top portion 41 is located at the top of the first operation button 4 and passes through the opening 271a of the housing 2 to be partially exposed from the housing 2. As shown in Fig. 3 , the first key top portion 41 has a first operation surface 411 exposed from the opening 271a of the housing 2. The first operation surface 411 is located outward from the top surface 23 and extends parallel to the top surface 23 (the horizontal portion 233 and the upper left corner portion 231). The first operation surface 411 is contacted by the user's finger (the index finger or middle finger of the left hand) when the user operates the first operation button 4.

[0035] The first base portion 42 is located below the first key top portion 41, and the first key top portion 41 protrudes outward from the upper surface of the first base portion 42. The first base portion 42 is larger than the opening 271a of the housing 2 and is disposed in the internal space of the housing 2. The left end portion of the first base portion 42 abuts against the housing 2 in a natural state where the first operation button 4 is not operated (hereinafter referred to as the "natural state of the first operation button 4").

[0036] The first protrusion 43 has a generally cylindrical shape and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first base portion 42. The first protrusion 43 faces the first switch 9 in the internal space of the housing 2. The first switch 9 has a first operation surface 411 and a first pressed portion 91 that extends in a direction approaching the first protrusion 43. The first protrusion 43 presses the first pressed portion 91 of the first switch 9 when the first operation button 4 is operated. Note that the first protrusion 43 may be omitted as long as the first operation button 4 is formed so that the first pressed portion 91 is pressed by the first base portion 42 or the like.

[0037] The first shaft base 44 is disposed to the right of the first protrusion 43 in the internal space of the housing 2, and protrudes downward from the underside of the first base 42. The first shaft 45 protrudes forward from the front surface of the first shaft base 44. The first shaft 45 is coupled to the first base 42 and the first key top 41 via the first shaft base 44.

[0038] The controller 1 includes a first bearing 11 provided inside the housing 2. The first bearing 11 is disposed in an area closer to the left surface 25 than to the right surface 26, and is disposed to the right of the first switch 9. In this embodiment, the first bearing 11 is formed in the first housing 27, and protrudes rearward from the rear surface (back surface) of the first housing 27.

[0039] In this specification, "providing a second element on a first element" includes an aspect in which the second element is formed on the first element, i.e., an aspect in which the second element is part of the first element, and an aspect in which the second element formed separately from the first element is attached to the first element. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first bearing 11 is formed on the back surface of the first housing 27, but the first bearing 11 may also be separate from the first housing 27 and attached to the back surface of the first housing 27 by a fastener (e.g., a screw), an adhesive member (e.g., an adhesive, an adhesive tape, etc.), etc.

[0040] The first spring 10 and the first shaft 45 of the first operation button 4 are housed in and supported by the first bearing 11. The first spring 10 is disposed directly below the first shaft 45 in the first bearing 11 and biases the first shaft 45 upward. One end (lower end) of the first spring 10 is supported by the first bearing 11, and the other end (upper end) of the first spring 10 abuts against the first shaft 45. The first bearing 11 restricts the left-right movement of the first spring 10 while allowing the first spring 10 to expand and contract. Note that the first spring 10 does not have to be disposed directly below the first shaft 45 as long as it is configured to bias the first operation button 4 upward. That is, the first spring 10 may be arranged on the right side of the first axis 45 (e.g., between the right end of the first operating surface 411 and the first axis 45) or on the left side of the first axis 45 (e.g., between the left end of the first operating surface 411 and the first axis 45).

[0041] When the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, the first shaft 45 abuts against the upper wall surface of the first bearing 11 due to the biasing force of the first spring 10. Therefore, the first shaft 45 is supported by the first bearing 11 via the first spring 10, and the first bearing 11 restricts the upward movement of the first shaft 45. On the other hand, when a downward force is applied to the first shaft 45 by operating the first operation button 4, the first shaft 45 moves downward against the biasing force of the first spring 10. As a result, the entire first operation button 4 sinks, and the first operation button 4 presses the first switch 9 via the first protrusion 43.

[0042] The first shaft 45 serves as the rotation center of the first operation button 4, and the first operation button 4 rotates around the first shaft 45 relative to the housing 2. In order to effectively generate a force that rotates the first shaft 45, it is desirable to press the first operation surface 411 at a position away from the first shaft 45. Therefore, in order to facilitate the rotation of the first shaft 45, it is conceivable to position the first shaft 45 to the right of the first operation surface 411. However, in this case, the length of the first operation button 4 in the left-right direction becomes longer, and the space for providing the first operation button 4 becomes larger.

[0043] For this reason, in this embodiment, when the first operation button 4 is viewed from the axial direction of the first axis 45, the first axis 45 is disposed so as to be located more inward than both ends of the first operation surface 411. This makes it possible to reduce the space required to provide the first operation button 4 compared to when the first axis 45 is disposed more outward than both ends of the first operation surface 411.

[0044] However, with this arrangement, it is possible to press the first operation surface 411 on both the left and right sides of the first shaft 45. Therefore, for example, if the first shaft 45 has a simple cylindrical shape, the first shaft 45 can be freely rotated in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3 , when the first switch 9 and the first operation button 4 are viewed along the axis of the first shaft 45, the first switch 9 is located inside both ends of the first operation surface 411 and to the left of the first shaft 45. In this case, when the first shaft 45 is rotated so that the right end of the first operation surface 411 sinks, i.e., when the first shaft 45 is rotated clockwise as seen from the user in the gripped state, the first operation button 4 is rotated clockwise around the position where the left end of the first base portion 42 abuts against the housing 2 as a fulcrum. As a result, the first protrusion 43 of the first operation button 4 moves in a direction approaching the first switch 9. However, because the distance between the fulcrum when the first operation button 4 rotates and the point of application where the first protrusion 43 presses the first switch 9 is short, the rotation of the first operation button 4 is unlikely to contribute to the downward movement of the first protrusion 43. Therefore, when the first operation button 4 is rotated clockwise until the first protrusion 43 presses the first switch 9, the right end of the first operation surface 411 operated with the fingertip sinks into the opening 271a of the housing 2, which may deteriorate the operability of the first operation button 4. To prevent this phenomenon, it is possible to increase the thickness of the first key top portion 41 to move the first operation surface 411 away from the top surface 23 of the housing 2. However, such a design change increases the vertical length of the controller 1, preventing the controller 1 from being made more compact.

[0046] On the other hand, when the first shaft 45 is rotated so that the left end of the first operation surface 411 sinks, that is, when the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise as seen from the user in the gripped state, the first operation button 4 is rotated counterclockwise around the position where the first shaft 45 abuts against the first bearing 11 as a fulcrum. As a result, the first protrusion 43 of the first operation button 4 moves in a direction approaching the first switch 9. As with the right end of the first operation surface 411, when the first operation button 4 is rotated counterclockwise until the first protrusion 43 presses the first switch 9, the left end of the first operation surface 411 sinks into the opening 271 a of the housing 2. However, unlike the right end of the first operation surface 411, which is operated with the fingertip, when the left end of the first operation surface 411, which is operated with the portion between the first joint and the third joint of the finger, sinks into the opening 271 a, the first operation button 4 does not feel uncomfortable to operate. Therefore, when the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise, the first switch 9 can be pressed by the first operation button 4 without deteriorating the operability of the first operation button 4 .

[0047] Therefore, the first shaft 45 is supported by the first bearing 11 so as to be rotatable in a first rotational direction about its axis and movable in a first linear direction, and is configured so that when the first shaft 45 attempts to rotate from the natural state of the first operation button 4 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the first shaft 45 abuts against the first bearing 11, thereby restricting the first operation button 4 from rotating more than a predetermined angle in the second rotational direction. The first switch 9 is pressed by the first operation button 4 when the first operation button 4 is rotated in the first rotational direction by the rotation of the first shaft 45 and when the first operation button 4 is moved in the first linear direction by the linear movement of the first shaft 45. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration in operability of the first operation button 4 even when the rotating portion of the first operation button 4 (the first shaft 45 in this embodiment) is located inside both ends of the first operation surface 411.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first rotation direction is a counterclockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, the second rotation direction is a clockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, and the first linear direction is a downward direction. Note that the first linear direction may also be a diagonally downward direction, etc. In this case, when the first operation button 4 is pressed so as to move linearly, the first axis 45 moves diagonally downward.

[0049] Below, an example of a specific shape of the first shaft 45 for restricting rotation of the first shaft 45 in one direction will be described. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the first shaft 45 and the first bearing 11 in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the first shaft 45 and the first bearing 11 as viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft 45. Note that the first spring 10 is omitted from Fig. 4.

[0050] 4 , the first bearing 11 has a left side wall surface 111, a right side wall surface 112, an upper side wall surface 113, and a lower side wall surface 114. The left side wall surface 111, the right side wall surface 112, the upper side wall surface 113, and the lower side wall surface 114 define an accommodation space that accommodates the first shaft 45 and the first spring 10.

[0051] The left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112 extend in a direction away from the top surface 23 and the first operation surface 411, and the upper side wall surface 113 and the lower side wall surface 114 extend parallel to the top surface 23 (horizontal portion 233). The left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112 face each other and extend parallel to each other. The extension direction of the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112 is the same as the first linear direction in which the first axis 45 moves linearly, which is the downward direction in this embodiment.

[0052] The upper wall surface 113 and the lower wall surface 114 face each other and extend parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the extending direction of the upper wall surface 113 and the lower wall surface 114 is the left-right direction. The upper wall surface 113 connects the upper end of the left side wall surface 111 to the upper end of the right side wall surface 112, and the lower wall surface 114 connects the lower end of the left side wall surface 111 to the lower end of the right side wall surface 112. The first shaft 45 is disposed between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112, and the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112 function as sliding surfaces for the first shaft 45 when the first shaft 45 moves in a first linear direction (a downward direction in this embodiment).

[0053] 4, the first shaft 45 has a first straight portion 451, a second straight portion 452, a third straight portion 453, a fourth straight portion 454, a first curved portion 455, and a second curved portion 456. The first straight portion 451, the second straight portion 452, the first curved portion 455, and the second curved portion 456 form the outer edge of the first shaft 45. Note that at least one of the third straight portion 453 and the fourth straight portion 454 may be omitted.

[0054] The first linear portion 451 faces the left side wall surface 111 and extends parallel to the left side wall surface 111 when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state. The second linear portion 452 faces the right side wall surface 112 and extends parallel to the right side wall surface 112 when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state. The first linear portion 451 and the second linear portion 452 guide the movement of the first shaft 45 in the first linear direction and can smooth the movement of the first shaft 45 in the first linear direction. Furthermore, the first linear portion 451 and the second linear portion 452 can suppress localized force from being applied to the first shaft 45 when the first shaft 45 slides on the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112 as the first shaft 45 moves in the first linear direction.

[0055] When the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, the third straight portion 453 abuts against the upper wall surface 113 due to the biasing force of the first spring 10 and extends parallel to the upper wall surface 113. The first spring 10 biases the first operation button 4 upward via the first shaft 45. At this time, the third straight portion 453 is in surface contact with the upper wall surface 113 and the left end of the first base portion 42 abuts against the housing 2, thereby preventing the first operation button 4 from shifting position when in its natural state. When the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, the fourth straight portion 454 faces the lower wall surface 114 and extends parallel to the lower wall surface 114.

[0056] The first curved portion 455 extends from the first straight portion 451 and connects the first straight portion 451 to the third straight portion 453. When the first operation button 4 and the first bearing 11 are viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft 45, the first curved portion 455 extends in a direction that includes a direction approaching the second straight portion 452 and a direction approaching the first operation surface 411. The second curved portion 456 extends from the second straight portion 452 and connects the second straight portion 452 to the fourth straight portion 454. When the first operation button 4 and the first bearing 11 are viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft 45, the second curved portion 456 extends in a direction that includes a direction approaching the first straight portion 451 and a direction away from the first operation surface 411.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first shaft 45 is configured so that, when the first shaft 45 and the first bearing 11 are viewed in the axial direction of the first shaft 45, the linear distance connecting two predetermined points on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 is longer than the distance between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112. This ensures that the first shaft 45 comes into contact with the first bearing 11 when rotated, thereby stopping the rotation of the first shaft 45.

[0058] 4 , of the linear distances connecting any two points on the outer edge of the first shaft 45, the linear distance L2 connecting the upper right point of the first shaft 45 and the lower left point of the first shaft 45 is the longest, and this distance L2 is longer than the distance L1 between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112. Therefore, the upper right point of the first shaft 45 abuts against the right side wall surface 112 and the lower left point of the first shaft 45 abuts against the left side wall surface 111, thereby restricting the rotation of the first shaft 45. Note that the linear distance connecting the lower end of the first linear portion 451 and the upper end of the second linear portion 452 may be longer than the distance L1 between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112.

[0059] When the user presses down on a portion of the first operation surface 411 to the right of the first shaft 45, the first shaft 45 attempts to rotate clockwise. When the first shaft 45 is rotated clockwise, the upper right point of the first shaft 45 is closest to the right side wall surface 112, and the lower left point of the first shaft 45 is closest to the left side wall surface 111. That is, a linear distance L2 connecting the point on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 that is closest to the left side wall surface 111 when the first shaft 45 is rotated clockwise and the point on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 that is closest to the right side wall surface 112 when the first shaft 45 is rotated clockwise is longer than the distance L1 between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4 , when the first shaft 45 is rotated clockwise, it abuts against the first bearing 11, restricting the clockwise rotation of the first shaft 45.

[0060] On the other hand, the linear distance connecting the first point on the first curved portion 455 and the second point on the second curved portion 456 (e.g., distance L3) is shorter than the distance L1 between the left side wall surface 111 and the right side wall surface 112. In the example of Fig. 4, the point on the first curved portion 455 that is closest to the left side wall surface 111 when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state is selected as the first point, and the point on the second curved portion 456 that is closest to the right side wall surface 112 when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state is selected as the second point.

[0061] When the user presses down a portion of the first operation surface 411 to the left of the first axis 45, the first axis 45 tends to rotate counterclockwise. Specifically, when the user presses down a portion of the first operation surface 411 to the left of the first switch 9, the first axis 45 rotates only counterclockwise, and when the user presses down a portion of the first operation surface 411 between the first switch 9 and the first axis 45, the first axis 45 moves in the first linear direction and rotates counterclockwise. When the first axis 45 rotates counterclockwise, the first curved portion 455 is closest to the left wall surface 111, and the second curved portion 456 is closest to the right wall surface 112. That is, a linear distance (e.g., distance L3) connecting a point on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 that is closest to the left wall surface 111 when the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise and a point on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 that is closest to the right wall surface 112 when the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise is shorter than the distance L1 between the left wall surface 111 and the right wall surface 112. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4 , the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise without contacting the first bearing 11. Note that distance L3 may be equal to distance L1. In this case, the first shaft 45 is rotated counterclockwise while the first curved portion 455 and the second curved portion 456 are in contact with the left wall surface 111 and the right wall surface 112, respectively.

[0062] 4, the first curved portion 455 and the second curved portion 456 are arcs when viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft 45. This makes it possible to prevent the first shaft 45 from getting caught on the wall surface of the first bearing 11, and makes it possible to more smoothly rotate the first shaft 45 counterclockwise.

[0063] In the example shown in FIG. 4 , a gap is provided between the first shaft 45 and the first bearing 11 to account for dimensional variations between the first shaft 45 and the first bearing 11. Specifically, when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, a gap is provided between the first linear portion 451 and the left side wall surface 111, and a gap is provided between the second linear portion 452 and the right side wall surface 112. Therefore, the first shaft 45 can rotate clockwise by the amount of this gap. However, the angle through which the first shaft 45 can rotate clockwise is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, which is smaller than the angle through which the first shaft 45 can rotate counterclockwise. Alternatively, the gaps may be eliminated, and when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, the first linear portion 451 may be in contact with the left side wall surface 111, and the second linear portion 452 may be in contact with the right side wall surface 112. In this case, the angle through which the first shaft 45 can rotate clockwise is zero.

[0064] Furthermore, when the first operation button 4 is in its natural state, the first base portion 42 of the first operation button 4 may abut against the housing 2, instead of the first shaft 45 abutting against the upper wall surface 113 of the first bearing 11. In this case, the upper wall surface 113 of the first bearing 11 may be omitted.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first shaft 45 is positioned inward relative to both ends of the first operation surface 411, allowing the third operation button 6 to be positioned adjacent to the first operation button 4 in the left-right direction. When the third operation button 6 is positioned to the right of the first operation button 4 as shown in FIG. 2 , a user tends to operate the right end of the first operation button 4, which is closer to the third operation button 6, on the first operation surface 411 of the first operation button 4 when performing consecutive button operations from the third operation button 6 to the first operation button 4. In contrast, in this embodiment, the clockwise rotation of the first shaft 45 is restricted when the right end of the first operation button 4 is pressed. This prevents deterioration in the operability of the first operation button 4 during such consecutive button operations, thereby facilitating the consecutive button operations from the third operation button 6 to the first operation button 4.

[0066] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller 1 taken along line B-B in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the controller 1 includes, as internal components, a second switch 12 and a second spring 13. The second switch 12 and the second spring 13 are located in an area closer to the right surface 26 than to the left surface 25, and the second switch 12 is located to the right of the second spring 13.

[0067] The second switch 12 is disposed directly below the second operation button 5 in the internal space of the housing 2 and is pressed by the second operation button 5. The first switch 9 and the second switch 12 have the same shape and are disposed symmetrically with respect to the left-right center line CL of the controller 1. The first switch 9 and the second switch 12 are mounted on, for example, a circuit board housed in the housing 2. The first switch 9 and the second switch 12 are, for example, tactile switches. Note that the first switch 9 and the second switch 12 may have different shapes.

[0068] The second spring 13 is disposed directly below the second operation button 5 in the internal space of the housing 2 and biases the second operation button 5 upward. The first spring 10 and the second spring 13 have the same shape and are disposed symmetrically about the left-right center line CL of the controller 1. The first spring 10 and the second spring 13 are, for example, compression coil springs. Note that the first spring 10 and the second spring 13 may have different shapes. Furthermore, the first operation button 4 and the second operation button 5 may be biased upward by other elastic bodies or other structures instead of or in addition to springs. For example, the first operation button 4 and the second operation button 5 may be biased upward by domes if the first switch 9 and the second switch 12 are tactile switches, or by key rubber if the first switch 9 and the second switch 12 are rubber switches.

[0069] The first operation button 4 and the second operation button 5 are disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the left-right center line CL of the controller 1, and have shapes symmetrical with respect to the left-right center line CL. That is, like the first operation button 4, the second operation button 5 has a second key top portion 51, a second base portion 52, a second protrusion 53, a second shaft base portion 54, and a second shaft 55. The second key top portion 51, the second base portion 52, the second protrusion 53, the second shaft base portion 54, and the second shaft 55 are integrally molded by injection molding, die casting, or the like. Like the first key top portion 41, the second key top portion 51 has a second operation surface 511 exposed from the opening 271b of the housing 2.

[0070] The controller 1 includes a second bearing 14 provided inside the housing 2. The second bearing 14 accommodates the second spring 13 and the second shaft 55. The second bearing 14 is located in an area closer to the right surface 26 than to the left surface 25, and is located to the left of the second switch 12. The first bearing 11 and the second bearing 14 have the same shape, and are located symmetrically with respect to the left-right center line CL of the controller 1.

[0071] The second switch 12, the second spring 13, the second bearing 14, and the second operation button 5 have the same characteristics as the first switch 9, the first spring 10, the first bearing 11, and the first operation button 4, respectively, and function in the same manner as the first switch 9, the first spring 10, the first bearing 11, and the first operation button 4. For example, when the second operation button 5 is viewed from the axial direction of the second shaft 55, the second shaft 55 is disposed so as to be located inside both ends of the second operation surface 511.

[0072] The second shaft 55 is supported by the second bearing 14 so as to be rotatable in the second rotational direction and movable in the first linear direction. When the second shaft 55 attempts to rotate in the first rotational direction opposite to the second rotational direction from a natural state in which the second operation button 5 is not operated, the second shaft 55 abuts against the second bearing 14, thereby restricting the second operation button 5 from rotating more than a predetermined angle in the first rotational direction. As described above, in this embodiment, the first rotational direction is the counterclockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, the second rotational direction is the clockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, and the first linear direction is the downward direction. The second switch 12 is pressed by the second operation button 5 when the second operation button 5 is rotated in the second rotational direction by the rotation of the second shaft 55 and when the second operation button 5 is moved in the first linear direction by the linear movement of the second shaft 55. Due to the above-described features, the second operation button 5 exhibits the same effect as the first operation button 4.

[0073] Second Embodiment A controller according to a second embodiment is basically the same as the controller according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the following description of the second embodiment of the present invention will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 6 is a front view of a controller 1' according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a top view of the controller 1' according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The controller 1' has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is held by a user. The user holds the controller 1' in the orientation shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 6 shows the side of the controller 1' facing the user.

[0075] As in the first embodiment, the housing 2' of the controller 1' has a main surface 21', a back surface 22', and side surfaces, and the side surfaces include a top surface 23', a bottom surface 24', a left surface 25', and a right surface 26'. The housing 2' includes a first housing 27' and a second housing 28', and is formed by combining the first housing 27' and the second housing 28'. In the second embodiment, the vertical length of the housing 2' is longer than the horizontal length of the housing 2', and the controller 1' has a vertically elongated shape.

[0076] In the second embodiment, the controller 1' includes a first operation button 4' as an operation member provided on the top surface 23' of the housing 2'. The first operation button 4' is located in the central region in the left-right direction of the controller 1'. For example, the controller 1' is held by one of the user's hands (left or right hand), and the first operation button 4' is operated by a finger (index finger or middle finger) of the user's hand.

[0077] The controller 1' also includes a directional input unit 8' as an operation member provided on the main surface 21' of the housing 2'. The directional input unit 8' is operated by the user when the user inputs a direction, and is, for example, an analog stick. The directional input unit 8' may also be a cross key or the like. The controller 1' may also include another operation member (for example, a group of buttons, another stick member, a home button, etc.) as an operation member provided on the main surface 21' of the housing 2' instead of or in addition to the directional input unit 8'.

[0078] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the controller 1' taken along line CC in Figure 7. The controller 1' includes, as internal components, a first switch 9' and a first spring 10'. The first switch 9' is disposed directly below the first operation button 4' in the internal space of the housing 2' and is pressed by the first operation button 4'. The first switch 9' is mounted on, for example, a board contained in the housing 2'. The first switch 9' is, for example, a tactile switch.

[0079] The first spring 10' is disposed directly below the first operation button 4' in the internal space of the housing 2' and biases the first operation button 4' upward. The first spring 10' is, for example, a compression coil spring. The first operation button 4' may be biased upward by another elastic body or other structure instead of or in addition to a spring. For example, the first operation button 4' may be biased upward by a dome portion if the first switch 9' is a tactile switch, or may be biased upward by a key rubber if the first switch 9' is a rubber switch.

[0080] 8, the first operation button 4′ has a first key top portion 41′, a first base portion 42′, a first protrusion 43′, a first shaft base portion 44′, and a first shaft 45′. The first key top portion 41′, the first base portion 42′, the first protrusion 43′, the first shaft base portion 44′, and the first shaft 45′ are integrally molded by injection molding, die casting, or the like.

[0081] The controller 1' includes a first bearing 11' provided inside the housing 2'. The first bearing 11' accommodates a first spring 10' and a first shaft 45'. In this embodiment, the controller 1' is intended to be held in the user's left hand. Therefore, the first bearing 11' is disposed to the right of the first switch 9' so that the first switch 9' is disposed to the left of the first shaft 45'.

[0082] The first switch 9', the first spring 10', and the first bearing 11' have the same characteristics as the first switch 9, the first spring 10, and the first bearing 11 in the first embodiment, respectively, and function in the same manner as the first switch 9, the first spring 10, and the first bearing 11. The first operation button 4' has the same characteristics as the first operation button 4 in the first embodiment, and functions in the same manner as the first operation button 4, except that the first key top portion 41' and the first base portion 42' do not have a curved portion along the curved upper surface portion. For example, when the first operation button 4' is viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft 45', the first shaft 45' is disposed so as to be located inside both ends of the first operation surface 411'.

[0083] The first shaft 45' is supported by the first bearing 11' so as to be rotatable in a first rotational direction and movable in a first linear direction. When the first shaft 45' attempts to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction from a natural state in which the first operation button 4' is not operated, the first shaft 45' abuts against the first bearing 11', thereby restricting the first operation button 4' from rotating more than a predetermined angle in the second rotational direction. In the controller 1', the first rotational direction is a counterclockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, the second rotational direction is a clockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, and the first linear direction is a downward direction. The first switch 9' is pressed by the first operation button 4' when the first operation button 4' is rotated in the first rotational direction by rotation of the first shaft 45' and when the first operation button 4' is moved in the first linear direction by linear movement of the first shaft 45'. Due to the above-described features, the first operation button 4' provides the same effects as the first operation button 4 in the first embodiment.

[0084] The housing 2′ may have a horizontally elongated shape. An operating member such as a direction input unit may be provided on the main surface 21′ of the housing 2′. The top surface 23′ of the housing 2′ may have an upper left corner and a horizontal portion, and the first operation button 4′ may have a shape similar to that of the first operation button 4 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, if the controller 1′ is intended to be held in the user's right hand, the first switch 9′ may be disposed on the right side of the first shaft 45′, and the first shaft 45′ may have a shape similar to that of the second shaft 55′ of the second operation button 5 in the first embodiment. That is, the first rotation direction in which the first shaft 45′ is permitted to rotate may be a clockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state, and the second rotation direction in which the rotation of the first shaft 45′ is restricted may be a counterclockwise direction as seen by the user in the gripped state.

[0085] Other Embodiments While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications and changes may be made. For example, the housings 2, 2' may include three or more members (e.g., a main surface member, a rear surface member, and a connecting member) and may be formed by combining these members.

[0086] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the top surface 23 of the housing 2 may have only a horizontal portion, and the first operation button 4 may have a shape similar to that of the first operation button 4'. In this case, the second operation button 5 may also be similarly changed to have a shape symmetrical to that of the first operation button 4. Furthermore, the third operation button 6 and the fourth operation button 7 may be omitted from the controller 1.

[0087] The first shaft 45 of the first operation button 4 may have any other shape as long as it is configured to restrict rotation of the first shaft 45 in one direction. For example, as shown in a modified example in FIG. 9 , the first straight portion 451 and the second straight portion 452 may be omitted from the first shaft 45a, the first curved portion 455 and the fourth straight portion 454 may be connected by a curved portion, and the second curved portion 456 and the third straight portion 453 may be connected by a curved portion. In this case, too, clockwise rotation of the first shaft 45a is restricted by the linear distance L2 connecting the upper right point of the first shaft 45a and the lower left point of the first shaft 45a. Alternatively, the first straight portion 451 and the second straight portion 452 may be omitted, and the first shaft 45 may have an elliptical shape in which the linear distance connecting two predetermined points on the outer edge of the first shaft 45 is longer than the distance between the left wall surface 111 and the right wall surface 112. The shapes of the second shaft 55 of the second operation button 5 and the first shaft 45' of the first operation button 4' can also be changed in the same way.

[0088] The first operation button 4 may be configured so that the axis of the first shaft 45 extends in a direction other than the front-to-rear direction. For example, the first operation button 4 may be configured so that the axis of the first shaft 45 extends in the left-to-right direction. The second operation button 5 and the first operation button 4' may also be modified in a similar manner.

[0089] 1, 1' Controller 2, 2' Housing 4, 4' First operation button 9, 9' First switch 11, 11' First bearing 45, 45', 45a First shaft 411, 411' First operation surface 271a, 271a' Opening

Claims

a first bearing provided inside the housing; a first operation button having a first operation surface exposed from the opening and a first shaft supported by the first bearing so as to be rotatable in a first rotational direction about an axis and movable in a first linear direction; and a first switch that is pressed by the first operation button when the first operation button is rotated in the first rotational direction by rotation of the first shaft and when the first operation button is moved in the first linear direction by linear movement of the first shaft, wherein when the first operation button is viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft, the first shaft is disposed so as to be located inside both ends of the first operation surface, and wherein the first shaft is configured to restrict the first operation button from rotating greater than a predetermined angle in the second rotational direction by abutting against the first bearing when the first operation button attempts to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction from a natural state in which the first operation button is not operated.

2. A controller as described in claim 1, wherein the first bearing has two wall surfaces extending in a direction away from the first operating surface and facing each other, and when the first shaft and the first bearing are viewed in the axial direction, a straight-line distance connecting two predetermined points on the outer edge of the first shaft is longer than the distance between the two wall surfaces.

3. A controller as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first bearing has two wall surfaces extending in a direction away from the first operating surface and facing each other, and the first axis has a first straight portion extending parallel to one of the two wall surfaces in the natural state, and a second straight portion extending parallel to the other of the two wall surfaces in the natural state.

4. The controller of claim 3, wherein the first axis has a first curved portion extending from the first straight portion and a second curved portion extending from the second straight portion, the first curved portion extends in a direction including a direction approaching the second straight portion and a direction approaching the first operation surface when the first operation button and the first bearing are viewed from the axial direction, and the second curved portion extends in a direction including a direction approaching the first straight portion and a direction away from the first operation surface when the first operation button and the first bearing are viewed from the axial direction, and a straight-line distance connecting a first point on the first curved portion and a second point on the second curved portion is equal to or less than the distance between the two wall surfaces.

5. The controller according to claim 4, wherein the first curved portion and the second curved portion are arcs when viewed from the axial direction.

6. A second bearing provided inside the housing; a second operation button having a second operation surface exposed from the opening and a second shaft supported by the second bearing so as to be rotatable in the second rotational direction and movable in the first linear direction; and a second switch pressed by the second operation button when the second operation button is rotated in the second rotational direction by rotation of the second shaft and when the second operation button is moved in the first linear direction by linear movement of the second shaft, wherein when the second operation button is viewed from the axial direction of the second shaft, the second shaft is disposed so as to be located inside both ends of the second operation surface, and the second shaft is configured to restrict the second operation button from rotating in the first rotational direction by a larger angle than the predetermined angle by abutting against the second bearing when the second operation button attempts to rotate in the first rotational direction from a natural state in which the second operation button is not operated, and the housing has: a main surface provided with a directional input unit operated by a user; 6. The controller of claim 1, having a top surface located upward as seen by a user when the housing is held by the user with the main surface facing the user, a left surface located to the left as seen by the user in the state, and a right surface located opposite the left surface, wherein the first operation button is located in an area on the top surface closer to the left surface than the right surface, and in an area where the user's left index finger or left middle finger extends when the housing is held by the user, and the second operation button is located in an area on the top surface closer to the right surface than the left surface, and in an area where the user's right index finger or right middle finger extends when the housing is held by the user, and the first rotation direction is a counterclockwise direction as seen by the user in the state, and the second rotation direction is a clockwise direction as seen by the user in the state.

7. The controller of claim 6, further comprising: a third operation button located on the top surface in an area to the right of the first operation button and in a region where the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand extends when the housing is held by the user; and a fourth operation button located on the top surface in an area to the left of the second operation button and in a region where the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand extends when the housing is held by the user.

Images