Joystick device with automatic centering function

Abstract

A joystick device with an automatic centering function. The joystick device uses a magnetic sensor to acquire and output the information of a rotation angle of a joystick; and by means of the structural design of a magnet, which is fixedly connected to the joystick, and a peripheral magnetic ring, the automatic centering of the joystick is realized. In addition, a fixing member is arranged below the joystick to support the joystick; and an outer magnet is added to the part of the fixing member that wraps around an outer side face of the magnetic ring, and cooperates with an additionally provided magnetic sensor to realize the press detection and press centering of the joystick. Moreover, by means of adjusting the size of the magnet fixedly connected to the joystick and the size of the magnetic ring, the feel of the joystick device can be easily adjusted. The provided joystick device does not require a spring or a carbon film structure, thus avoiding metal fatigue and achieving a high reliability; moreover, the joystick device has a simple structure and low costs.

Description

A rocker device with automatic return to center function

[0001] Cross-references to related publications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202410354022.1 filed with the Chinese Patent Office on March 27, 2024, entitled “A rocker device with automatic return to center function,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical signal input and output devices, and in particular to a joystick device with an automatic return-to-center function. Background Art

[0004] Joysticks are a very important type of input and output device, widely used as control terminals for electronic devices such as game controllers, joysticks, and drone controllers. Currently, joysticks for game controllers and drone controllers on the market are typically based on carbon film potentiometers or Hall effect sensors.

[0005] A rocker based on a carbon film potentiometer detects its movement by contacting the conductive film on the carbon film sensor with different resistance areas. As the rocker moves, the conductive film slides across the different resistance areas, causing a corresponding change in resistance. These changes in resistance are then converted into electrical signals that serve as output control signals.

[0006] Hall effect sensor-based rockers (hereinafter referred to as Hall rockers) are primarily based on the Hall effect (when current passes through a conductor in a magnetic field, a voltage difference is generated in the conductor. This phenomenon is called Hall voltage or Hall effect voltage). The structure of a Hall effect rocker typically includes a rocker body, Hall element, magnet, and circuit board. The rocker body typically includes a rotating shaft with a Hall element and a magnet. When the rotating shaft rotates, the magnet also moves, thereby changing the magnetic field strength around the Hall element, causing the voltage generated by the Hall element to change. The voltage signal generated by the Hall element is converted into an electrical signal and output as a control signal.

[0007] While rockers based on carbon film potentiometers offer a simple structure and low cost, they also suffer from issues like short lifespan, drift, and loss of detection accuracy due to the frequent sliding of metal against the carbon film. Hall effect rockers use internal magnetic sensors to measure changes in the magnetic field to determine the rocker's motion state. While this addresses drift and loss of detection accuracy to some extent, its internal structure still relies on a force feedback mechanism centered around a universal joint and spring. This is not only relatively complex but also prone to spring metal fatigue, resulting in the rocker failing to accurately return to center and significantly reducing its lifespan.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing rocker device, while improving the detection accuracy and service life of the rocker device, the present invention provides a rocker device with a simple structure, reliable operation and automatic centering function.

[0010] The technical solution provided by the present disclosure is realized as follows: a rocker device with an automatic return to center function. The rocker device includes: a ring magnet with a circular aperture, a fixing member, a magnet in the ring fixedly connected to the rocker, and a magnetic sensor chip.

[0011] The annular magnet is thickness magnetized, and its N-S pole line is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular aperture. The fixing member is made of non-magnetic material, and is stacked with the annular magnet in the direction perpendicular to the circular cross section to fix the annular magnet.

[0012] The N-S poles of the ring magnet are completely symmetrical in shape, supported by the fixing member and arranged at the center of the circular aperture of the ring magnet; and when the rocker is in a rotated back-to-center state, the line connecting the N-S poles of the ring magnet is perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture.

[0013] The magnetic sensor chip is configured to detect the rotation angle of the rocker and is located below the magnet in the ring in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture.

[0014] Optionally, the magnet inside the ring is a spherical magnet, or a cylindrical magnet wrapped with a spherical non-magnetic material.

[0015] Optionally, the magnet inside the ring is a square magnet wrapped with spherical non-magnetic material.

[0016] Optionally, an outer magnet is added to the fixing part corresponding to the outer ring side of the annular magnet, and the outer magnet slides down as the rocker is pressed and driven by the fixing part; when the rocker is not pressed, the N pole of the outer magnet is opposite to the S pole of the annular magnet, and the S pole of the outer magnet is opposite to the N pole of the annular magnet.

[0017] Among them, when the rocker is pressed, the relative positions of the N and S poles of the outer magnet and the annular magnet change, and the repulsive force generated by the outer magnet and the annular magnet pushes the relative positions of the two to return to the state before the rocker is pressed, and then the rocker is pushed back to the center by the transmission action of the fixing part.

[0018] Optionally, the rocker device further includes a pressure sensor, which is fixedly arranged outside the outer magnet and independent of the outer magnet.

[0019] Optionally, the pressure sensor is a magnetic sensor configured to detect the pressing state of the joystick by detecting the movement of the outer magnet.

[0020] Optionally, the magnetic sensor chip is implemented based on an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor; wherein the XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR.

[0021] Optionally, a first cavity and a second cavity are formed on the fixing member, and the first cavity is arranged above the second cavity.

[0022] Optionally, the first cavity wraps around the other side surfaces of the annular magnet except the inner side surface of the ring so that the annular magnet is fixed;

[0023] The PCB board is arranged on the inner bottom side surface of the second cavity.

[0024] Optionally, a third cavity is further formed on the fixing member; the third cavity is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first cavity, and the third cavity is configured to install the outer magnet.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are:

[0026] The joystick device provided by the present disclosure can conveniently adjust the control feel by adjusting the size of the magnets and magnetic rings that secure the joystick. Compared to existing joystick devices, the joystick device provided by the present disclosure not only has higher detection accuracy and service life, but also adopts a simpler structure and lower cost, without the use of springs or carbon film structures. It reliably achieves automatic centering, push-to-center return, and push-to-detect functions, while also eliminating the problems caused by metal fatigue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0028] FIG1 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a rocker device provided in this embodiment;

[0029] FIG2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the rocker device provided in this embodiment;

[0030] FIG3 a is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the rocker device provided in this embodiment before being pressed;

[0031] FIG3 b is a front cross-sectional view of the rocker device provided in this embodiment after being pressed.

[0032] Icons: 10-ring magnet; 11-fixing part; 12-rocker; 13-magnet inside the ring; 23-magnet inside the ring; 14-magnetic sensor chip; 15-PCB board; 36-outer magnet; 37-press sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present disclosure in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1. In this embodiment, the rocker device with automatic return to center function provided by the present disclosure includes: a ring magnet 10 with a circular aperture, a fixing member 11, a magnet 13 inside the ring fixedly connected to the rocker 12, and a magnetic sensor chip 14 arranged on a PCB board 15.

[0035] In this embodiment, the annular magnet 10 is thickness-magnetized, with the line connecting its north and south poles perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture. The fixing member 11 is made of a non-magnetic material and is stacked with the annular magnet 10 in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross-section. The first cavity encases the annular magnet 10 on all sides except the inner side, securing the annular magnet 10.

[0036] The ring magnet 13 is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker 12 and is a spherical magnet with completely symmetrical north and south poles. It is supported by the fixing member 11 and positioned at the center of the circular aperture of the ring magnet 10. When the rocker 12 is centered, the line connecting the north and south poles of the ring magnet 13 is perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture.

[0037] The magnetic sensor chip 14 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the rocker 12 and is mounted on a PCB 15; the PCB 15 is mounted in the second cavity of the fixing member 11. The second cavity is located below the first cavity, and the first and second cavities are separated from each other. The magnetic sensor chip 14 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture of the ring magnet 10 and below the inner ring magnet 13.

[0038] In this embodiment, the fixing member 11 is a bracket structure for installing and fixing other components; wherein, a first cavity and a second cavity are formed on the fixing member 11, and the first cavity is arranged above the second cavity.

[0039] In this embodiment, annular magnets 10 are provided at the left and right ends of the first cavity, and the first cavity wraps around the other sides of the annular magnet 10 except the inner side of the ring to fix the annular magnet 10.

[0040] In this embodiment, a PCB board 15 is disposed on the inner bottom side of the second cavity.

[0041] 1 , in this embodiment, the ring inner magnet 13 is a spherical magnet with its N-S poles being completely symmetrical. Accordingly, the first cavity and the second cavity in the fixing member 11 are correspondingly arranged and are two rectangular cavities.

[0042] 2 , in an optional embodiment, the ring inner magnet 23 is a cylindrical magnet wrapped with a spherical non-magnetic material. Accordingly, the first cavity and the second cavity in the fixing member 11 are correspondingly arranged, and the first cavity is a stepped cavity.

[0043] Of course, in other embodiments, the magnet inside the ring may also be a square magnet wrapped with a spherical non-magnetic material.

[0044] Optionally, the magnetic sensor chip 14 is implemented based on an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor, wherein the XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR.

[0045] The working principle of the rocker device provided by the present disclosure to realize automatic return to center is as follows:

[0046] When an inner ring magnet 13 (spherical, cylindrical, or square) is placed inside an annular permanent magnet (all thickness-magnetized), the magnet will randomly adhere to the inner wall of the annular magnet 10 based on the principle that like charges repel and opposite charges attract. When the inner ring magnet 13 is located at the absolute center of the annular magnet 10, it maintains a steady state due to the equal attractive forces of the magnetic fields on both sides. At this point, the inner ring magnet 13 is supported by a fixed member 11 below the annular magnet 10 to ensure that the inner ring magnet 13 remains in a centrally stable state. When the inner ring magnet 13 is rotated in any direction or angle by the rocker 12, the magnetic sensor chip 14 placed below the inner ring magnet 13 detects the rotation angle of the rocker 12 by sensing changes in the magnetic field of the circular cross section at its location, which is parallel to the circular aperture (with the normal direction of the circular cross section as the Z axis, the magnetic sensor chip 14 detects changes in the magnetic field parallel to the X and Y axes).

[0047] When the ring magnet 13 is rotated in any direction or angle by an external force (driven by the rocker 12), the magnetic force will cause the ring magnet 13 and the ring magnet 10 to repel each other, returning them to a steady state. This essentially achieves the rocker 12's automatic return to center function. Clearly, the rocker device provided by this disclosure eliminates the need for the universal joints and springs used in traditional rockers, eliminating the risk of metal fatigue.

[0048] 3 a - 3 b , in an optional embodiment, a plurality of outer magnets 36 may be added outside the annular magnet 10 to realize the automatic pressing return and pressing detection functions of the rocker 12 .

[0049] Optionally, a first cavity, a second cavity and a third cavity are formed on the fixing member 11, the first cavity is arranged above the second cavity, and the first cavity and the second cavity are arranged correspondingly up and down; the third cavity is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first cavity, and the third cavity is configured to install the outer magnet 36.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3a, an outer magnet 36 is added to the portion of the fixing member 11 corresponding to the outer side of the annular magnet 10. As the rocker 12 is pressed, the outer magnet 36 is driven downward by the fixing member 11. When the rocker 12 is not pressed, the north pole of the outer magnet 36 faces the south pole of the annular magnet, and the south pole of the outer magnet 36 faces the north pole of the annular magnet 10. This allows the rocker 12 to maintain a stable initial state (the same state as when it has been rotated back to center and pressed back to center) through the magnetic force between the annular magnet 10 and the outer magnet 36, and the transmission effect of the fixing member 11 on the inner ring magnet 13.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3b, when the rocker 12 is pressed, the outer magnet 36, driven by the fixing member 11, slides downward relative to the annular magnet 10. Due to the change in the relative positions of the north and south poles between the outer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 10, the outer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 10 generate a repulsive force that pushes the relative position of the outer magnet 36 and the annular magnet 10 back to the state before the rocker 12 was pressed. The rocker 12 is then automatically pressed back to center via the transmission action of the fixing member 11.

[0052] Accordingly, a pressure sensor 37 is fixedly installed outside the outer magnet 36 and independently of the outer magnet 36 to detect whether the rocker 12 is pressed. The pressure sensor 37 is a magnetic sensor that detects changes in the magnetic field generated by the movement of the outer magnet 36 at its installation location, thereby detecting whether the rocker 12 is pressed.

[0053] Obviously, by adjusting the size of the magnet fixedly connected to the rocker 12 and the size of the magnetic ring, the control feel of the rocker device provided by the present disclosure can be conveniently adjusted.

[0054] Compared to existing rocker devices, the rocker device provided by the present disclosure not only has higher detection accuracy and service life, but also achieves detection and automatic return to center of the rocker 12 without the use of springs or carbon film structures, eliminating the problems caused by metal fatigue. Furthermore, the rocker device provided by the present disclosure utilizes non-contact magnetic transmission, significantly simplifying the transmission structure of the rocker 12, reducing costs, and extending the life of the rocker 12.

[0055] The above is only an optional embodiment of the present disclosure and is not configured to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may have various changes and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. The above is only a specific implementation method of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Any technical personnel familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be based on the protection scope of the claims. Industrial Applicability

[0056] The present disclosure provides a joystick device with an automatic return-to-center function. The device uses a magnetic sensor to collect and output information about the joystick's rotation angle. Automatic return to center is achieved through a magnet fixed to the joystick and a peripheral magnetic ring. The joystick device provided by the present disclosure eliminates the need for springs or carbon film structures, eliminates metal fatigue, and offers high reliability, a simple structure, and low cost.

Claims

1. A rocker device with an automatic return to center function, characterized in that: The rocker device comprises: a ring magnet with a circular aperture, a fixing member, a magnet inside the ring fixedly connected to the rocker, and a magnetic sensor chip; The annular magnet is thickness magnetized, and the N-S pole line is perpendicular to the circular cross section of the circular aperture; The fixing member is made of non-magnetic material, and is stacked with the annular magnet in the direction perpendicular to the circular cross section, and fixes the annular magnet; The N-S poles of the ring inner magnet are completely symmetrical in shape, supported by the fixing member and arranged at the center of the circular aperture of the ring magnet; and when the rocker is in the rotated back-to-center state, the line connecting the N-S poles of the ring inner magnet is perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture; The magnetic sensor chip is configured to detect the rotation angle of the rocker and is located below the magnet in the ring in a direction perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the circular aperture.

2. The rocker device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnet inside the ring is a spherical magnet.

3. The rocker device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnet inside the ring is a cylindrical magnet wrapped with a spherical non-magnetic material.

4. The rocker device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnet inside the ring is a square magnet wrapped with spherical non-magnetic material.

5. The rocker device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that An outer magnet is added to the fixing part corresponding to the outer ring side of the annular magnet. As the rocker is pressed, the outer magnet is driven by the fixing part to slide down; when the rocker is not pressed, the N pole of the outer magnet is opposite to the S pole of the annular magnet, and the S pole of the outer magnet is opposite to the N pole of the annular magnet.

6. The rocker device according to claim 5, wherein: The rocker device further includes a pressure sensor, which is fixedly arranged outside the outer magnet and is independent of the outer magnet.

7. The rocker device according to claim 6, wherein: The pressure sensor is a magnetic sensor configured to detect the pressing state of the rocker by detecting the movement of the outer magnet.

8. The rocker device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The magnetic sensor chip is implemented based on an XMR magnetoresistive unit or a Hall sensor; wherein the XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR.

9. The rocker device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A first cavity and a second cavity are formed on the fixing member, and the first cavity is arranged above the second cavity.

10. The rocker device according to claim 9, wherein: The first cavity wraps the other side surfaces of the annular magnet except the inner side surface of the ring so that the annular magnet is fixed; The PCB board is arranged on the inner bottom side surface of the second cavity.

11. The rocker device according to claim 10, wherein: A third cavity is also formed on the fixing member; the third cavity is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first cavity, and the third cavity is configured to install the outer magnet.

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