Control input device comprising at least one control trigger with end-of-travel sensor

Abstract

The control input device, notably a game controller or joystick (1), comprises at least one control trigger (6), which is preferably rotatable, and at least one blocking stop (70) adapted to be able to be positioned in at least one blocking position in which it blocks the control trigger (6) brought into abutment against the blocking stop (70), so as to reduce the travel of the control trigger (6). The control trigger (6) comprises an end-of-travel sensor (65), which is adapted to detect the position of the control trigger (6) in abutment against the blocking stop (70) positioned in said blocking position.

Description

[0001] CONTROL INPUT DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE CONTROL TRIGGER WITH LIMIT SWITCH SENSOR

[0002] technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to control input devices, particularly game controllers, and more particularly game controllers, comprising at least one movable control trigger that can be operated by a user, preferably by pressing with a finger.

[0004] Previous art

[0005] In this text, the term "command input device" generally refers to any device that allows at least one user to manually enter commands into an electronic and / or computer system.

[0006] Communication between the "control input device" and the electronic and / or computer system can be either wired or wireless.

[0007] Game controllers, and more specifically gamepads, are special input control devices which, among other things, are used to allow a user to interact with a video game, in particular to control a virtual character in a game or to interact with a virtual environment.

[0008] Control input devices can also be used, for example, to allow a user to select audio and / or video content or to control different types of electronic devices, such as a television, computer, etc.

[0009] More specifically, some command input devices include one or more movable triggers, most often rotary, which are activated by a user to enter a command and which can generally be depressed to varying degrees by pressure applied by the user. When the command input device is ergonomically designed for one- or two-handed use, these triggers are preferably digital, meaning they are activated by pressure applied with a finger, most often the user's index finger. In particular, when the command input device is a game controller ergonomically designed for two-handed use, it most often includes two triggers, one for the left and one for the right.

[0010] International patent application WO 2022 / 148976 discloses a game controller in which each rotary trigger is equipped with a trigger travel adjustment mechanism comprising a rotary cam mounted within the trigger. This rotary cam is actuated by a game controller user, by means of a lever accessible beneath the trigger, between several trigger travel adjustment positions, including a first position in which the trigger travel is reduced and a second position in which the trigger travel is maximized.

[0011] In this international patent application WO 2022 / 148976, the game controller is further equipped with two different sensors that allow the control trigger to be detected.

[0012] One of the two sensors can be a contactless sensor, such as a Hall effect magnetic sensor, commonly used in game controllers. This contactless sensor detects the rotational position of the trigger and outputs an analog signal that encodes the trigger's rotational position (or angle of rotation). This analog signal is processed by an electronic control unit mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) housed inside the controller's casing.

[0013] More specifically, this Hall effect sensor is housed inside the controller's casing and soldered onto the printed circuit board (PCB). This Hall effect sensor detects a magnet attached to the trigger.

[0014] The other sensor may be a contact sensor housed inside the controller's casing and soldered onto the printed circuit board (PCB). This contact sensor is positioned within the controller's casing relative to the trigger, so that it is activated by contact with the trigger's rotating cam only when the cam is in the first position mentioned above (reduced trigger travel). This contact sensor generates a detection signal, which is processed by the electronic control unit.

[0015] More specifically, when the rotating cam is in the first position described above (reduced trigger travel), the gamepad's electronic control unit only considers the detection signal from the contact sensor and outputs a control signal derived from this detection signal to the game console or equivalent. This gamepad operating mode, more commonly known as "Hair trigger," allows a user to input commands with greater responsiveness.

[0016] When the rotating cam is in the second position mentioned above (maximum control trigger rotation), the control unit only takes into account the analog detection signal from the contactless sensor and delivers an output to the game console or equivalent a control signal that encodes the instantaneous position of the control trigger.

[0017] The solution described in this international patent application WO 2022 / 148976 complicates the structure of the control trigger. Furthermore, the second contact sensor is difficult to access and replace in case of malfunction, making it difficult to replace with a new contact sensor.

[0018] In addition, international patent application WO 2023 / 214929 proposed a game controller which, like the game controller described in international patent application WO 2022 / 148976, includes a non-contact sensor, of the magnetic Hall effect type, and a contact sensor of the mechanical switch type for on / off control in a "Hair trigger" operating mode (reduced rotational travel of the control trigger).

[0019] In this technical solution, the control stick includes an intercepting element, which can be moved by a user of the stick between an intercepting position, in which the intercepting element is located in the path of the control trigger and reduces the travel of the control trigger, and a retracted position in which the intercepting element is located outside the path of the control trigger, so that the travel of the trigger is full and maximum.

[0020] When the intercepting element is located in the path of the control trigger, the control trigger can be actuated until it comes into contact with the intercepting element and repels it, notably by deforming it so as to bring the intercepting element into contact with the contact sensor positioned under the intercepting element (operating mode of the "Hair trigger" type).

[0021] In this technical solution, the trigger mechanism is simpler. However, this solution appears less mechanically robust, and in "hair trigger" mode, the controller's responsiveness for activating the contact sensor is lower because the sensor is activated by an intercepting element that must be moved by the trigger. Furthermore, as described in international patent application WO 2022 / 148976, the contact sensor is difficult to access and replace in case of malfunction.

[0022] Objective of the invention The invention proposes a new technical solution for detecting a control trigger whose stroke is adjustable in a control input device, in particular a game controller or a gamepad.

[0023] Summary of the invention

[0024] The invention thus relates to a control input device, in particular a game controller or a gamepad, comprising the following technical characteristics. The control input device comprises at least one movable control trigger actuable by a user, and a mechanism for adjusting the travel of said control trigger; the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking stop adapted to be positioned in at least one locking position in which it blocks the control trigger against the locking stop, so as to reduce the travel of the control trigger; the control trigger comprises a limit switch, which is adapted to detect the position of the control trigger against the locking stop positioned in said locking position.

[0025] Different technologies can be used for the limit switch sensor.

[0026] Preferably, the limit switch sensor is a contact sensor, that is to say a sensor generally adapted to detect contact between the sensor and the locking stop.

[0027] Even more preferably, the limit switch can be chosen from the following list: mechanical contact sensor, optomechanical contact sensor, contact sensor including a mechanical switch or a mechanical switch, piezoelectric contact sensor.

[0028] The limit switch can also be a proximity sensor, specifically a capacitive, magnetic, inductive, or optical proximity sensor. Regardless of the technology used, the limit switch is preferably an on / off sensor.

[0029] More specifically, the control input device of the invention may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of the device:

[0030] - the control trigger is preferably rotary.

[0031] - The control trigger consists of a trigger body and the limit switch sensor is fixed or integrated into the trigger body.

[0032] - The trigger body is a hollow body in which the end-of-travel sensor is positioned, preferably entirely.

[0033] - The control trigger has a closing cover which closes the trigger body, which is removable so that it can be taken off and which has a through opening allowing the limit switch to detect the position of the control trigger against the locking stop positioned in said locking position, and preferably allowing contact between the limit switch and the locking stop.

[0034] - The limit switch sensor is positioned entirely inside the trigger body and the locking stop passes through the through opening of the control trigger cover when the locking stop is in the locked position and the control trigger is butted against the locking stop.

[0035] - The locking stop is designed to be positioned in a retracted position in which the locking stop does not obstruct the control trigger, and the trigger travel is greater than that obtained with said locking position. - The limit switch is neither activatable nor functional when the locking stop is in said retracted position.

[0036] - The limit switch sensor is an on / off sensor.

[0037] - The limit switch sensor is configured to generate a two-state electrical detection signal, one state corresponding to a detection by the limit switch sensor of the position of the control trigger against the locking stop positioned in said locking position and the other state corresponding to an absence of contact between the control trigger and the locking stop.

[0038] - The limit switch is positioned so as to detect contact between the limit switch and the locking stop, when the control trigger is against the locking stop positioned in said locking position.

[0039] - In an alternative embodiment, the locking stop is mobile and guided in translation between its locking position and its retracted position.

[0040] - The control trigger is rotary and the axis of translation (A?o ) the locking stop is transverse, and more preferably perpendicular, to the axis of rotation 6a of the control trigger 6.

[0041] - In another embodiment, the locking stop is rotationally mobile between its locking position and its retracted position.

[0042] - Preferably, the control trigger is rotary and the axis of rotation of the locking stop is transverse and preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the control trigger.

[0043] - The control trigger is rotary and the translation axis (A70) of the adjustment stop is parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of the thrust exerted on the adjustment stop by the control trigger.

[0044] - The control trigger is adapted to be blocked at the end of its travel by the controller shell when the locking stop is in the retracted position.

[0045] - In a particular embodiment, the locking stop can only be positioned in two functional positions consisting of said locking position and said retracted position.

[0046] The locking stop is lockable in position at least in said locking position and preferably also in said retracted position.

[0047] - the limit switch sensor is configured to generate a two-state electrical detection signal, one state corresponding to a detection by the limit switch sensor of the position of the control trigger against the locking stop positioned in said locking position and the other state corresponding to an absence of contact between the control trigger and the locking stop.

[0048] - The device includes a non-contact position sensor, which is suitable for detecting the position of the control trigger, and more specifically for measuring the angle of rotation of the control trigger when it is rotating.

[0049] - The control trigger includes an element that can be detected remotely by the non-contact position sensor.

[0050] - The detectable element is a magnet.

[0051] - The non-contact position sensor is a magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall effect sensor.

[0052] - The device includes an electronic control unit, which is configured to select a first electrical detection signal generated by means of the limit switch when the locking stop is in its locking position, and to select a second electrical detection signal generated by means of the non-contact position sensor when the locking stop is not in its locking position, and preferably is in a retracted position in which the locking stop does not obstruct the control trigger, and in which the electronic control unit is configured to generate, a control signal obtained from the electrical detection signal which is selected.

[0053] The device includes a third sensor, positioned relative to the trigger control travel adjustment mechanism, so that it is activated by said adjustment mechanism when the locking stop is in its locked position and / or when the locking stop is in its retracted position. This third sensor thus detects the locked position of the locking stop and / or the retracted position of the locking stop.

[0054] - This third sensor is more specifically attached to or integrated into the controller's casing.

[0055] - The third sensor is configured to generate an electrical position detection signal with at least two states, one state corresponding to a detection of the retracted position of the locking stop and the other state corresponding to a detection of the locking position of the locking stop.

[0056] - The electronic control unit is configured to select the electrical detection signal from the first electrical detection signal and the second electrical detection signal, based on at least one electrical detection signal generated by the third sensor.

[0057] - The third sensor can be a contact sensor and more specifically a mechanical contact sensor.

[0058] - The third sensor may include a mechanical switch or a switch.

[0059] - The trigger control stroke adjustment mechanism can be operated manually.

[0060] - The device comprises a shell and the trigger control stroke adjustment mechanism includes an actuating element, at least part of which is positioned outside the shell, and which is mechanically linked to the locking stop and allows a user to move the locking stop between said locking position and a retracted position in which the locking stop does not obstruct the trigger control and the trigger control stroke is greater than that obtained with said locking position.

[0061] - The device includes a locking / unlocking mechanism which is adapted to manually lock the locking stop at least in its locked position and preferably in its retracted position and which is adapted to manually unlock the locking stop at least when it is in its locked position and preferably also when it is in its retracted position.

[0062] - The device comprises a shell; the locking / unlocking mechanism includes said actuating element; and said actuating element is movable between at least one unlocked configuration in which the actuating element is capable of being moved manually by carrying the locking stop between its locking position and its retracted position, and at least one locked configuration in which the actuating element cooperates with the shell so as to lock the locking stop at least in its locking position and preferably also in its retracted position.

[0063] - The locking / unlocking mechanism includes said actuating element; and said actuating element is movable between at least one unlocked configuration in which the actuating element is capable of being moved manually by driving the locking stop into its locking position and into its retracted position, and at least one locked configuration in which the actuating element cooperates with the shell so as to lock the locking stop at least in its locking position and preferably also in its retracted position.

[0064] - The actuating element is movable relative to the blocking stop between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration.

[0065] - The actuating element is associated with an elastic return element and is adapted to be brought and held in the unlocked configuration by manual pressure allowing the actuating element to be pushed into the shell and the elastic return element to be constrained; the elastic return element allows, in the absence of manual pressure on the actuating element, to elastically return said actuating element to its locked configuration.

[0066] - The actuating element is movable relative to the locking stop between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration and the elastic return element is positioned between the locking stop and the actuating element.

[0067] - The locking stop includes a housing in which the elastic return element and part of the actuation element are positioned.

[0068] - The elastic return element includes a spring, preferably a helical spring, or includes an elastically deformable stop.

[0069] - The device includes a shell; the locking stop is movable and guided in translation between its locking position and its retracted position and in the locked configuration, the actuating element cooperates with the shell to block the locking stop in translation relative to the shell at least in said locking position.

[0070] - The locking stop is movable and guided in translation between its locking position and its retracted position, and the actuating element is movable in translation between said locked configuration and said configuration transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to the axis of translation of the locking stop.

[0071] - The device includes a shell; the locking stop is rotatable around an axis of rotation between its locking position and its retracted position and in the locked configuration, the actuating element cooperates with the shell to lock the locking stop in rotation relative to the shell at least in said first adjustment position.

[0072] - The actuating element includes male or female type locking elements adapted to cooperate with complementary locking elements of the hull, in order to lock the locking stop against the hull when the actuating element is brought into the locked configuration.

[0073] - The locking elements of the actuating element and the complementary locking elements of the shell are provided to lock the actuating element relative to the shell in an indexed manner, in each of the adjustment positions of the locking stop, when the actuating element is brought into the locked configuration.

[0074] - The device constitutes a game controller which is adapted to be held in one or two hands by a user, and preferably in which the control trigger(s) (6) are digital.

[0075] The invention also relates to a control trigger for a control input device, in particular a game controller or a gamepad, which control trigger includes a limit switch sensor.

[0076] More specifically, the control trigger of the invention may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of the device:

[0077] - The control trigger consists of a trigger body and the limit switch sensor is fixed or integrated into the trigger body.

[0078] - The control trigger has a hollow trigger body in which the limit switch is positioned, preferably entirely. The control trigger has a closing cover that closes the trigger body, which is removable so that it can be taken off and which has a through opening, and the limit switch is positioned entirely inside the trigger body and opposite this through opening.

[0079] - The limit switch is an on / off sensor

[0080] - preferably, the limit switch sensor is a contact sensor.

[0081] - the limit switch sensor is chosen from the following list: mechanical contact sensor, optomechanical contact sensor, contact sensor including a mechanical switch or a mechanical switch, piezoelectric contact sensor.

[0082] - the control trigger may include an element that is detectable remotely, and which preferably is a magnet.

[0083] - The control trigger has a rotation axis.

[0084] Brief description of the drawings

[0085] The features and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description of several particular embodiments of the invention, which particular embodiments are described by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the invention, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0086] - Figure 1 is a top view of a particular variant of a game controller.

[0087] - Figure 2 is a bottom view of the game controller in Figure 1.

[0088] - Figure 3 is a partial view showing the inside of the joystick of Figure 1 when the lower half of the joystick shell has been removed, the control trigger being in the initial rest position, with no manual pressure being exerted by a user on the control trigger.

[0089] - Figure 4 is another partial view, from a different angle than figure 3, showing the inside of the handle in figure 1.

[0090] - Figure 5 is the same partial view of the inside of the control lever as Figure 3, but with the control trigger cover plate removed to view the inside of the control trigger and with the control trigger magnet removed which is detectable by a Hall effect position sensor.

[0091] - Figure 6 is a partial view of the inside of the controller, but with the control trigger cover plate removed to view the inside of the control trigger and with the control trigger magnet detectable by a Hall effect position sensor and the control trigger travel adjustment mechanism removed, so as to view the wire connections between the control trigger end-travel sensor and the controller's circuit board.

[0092] - Figure 7 is a partial view of the joystick showing the fixed stop of the joystick shell which allows the control trigger to be locked in rotation, when the joystick locking stop is in the retracted position and the control trigger is pushed into the joystick shell to the maximum of its rotational travel.

[0093] - Figure 8 is an exploded view showing the lever limit switch sensor, a lever stroke adjustment mechanism (locking stop; locking / unlocking stop actuation element; return spring), a position sensor capable of detecting the locking position and the retracted position of the locking stop, and a rotating actuation piece that is adaptable to an arm of the locking stop so as to be driven in rotation by the arm of the locking stop and to switch said position sensor.

[0094] Figure 9 is a view showing the assembly of the lever stroke adjustment mechanism (locking stop; locking / unlocking stop actuating and locking element; return spring) and the actuating part of Figure 8, and showing the positioning of the limit switch relative to the locking stop, and the positioning of the position sensor relative to said rotating actuating part.

[0095] Figure 10 is a partial view showing a control trigger of the joystick of Figure 1 in its initial rest position, with the control trigger travel adjustment mechanism actuation button locked in an adjustment position allowing reduced rotational travel of the control trigger (i.e., locking stop in the control trigger lock position).

[0096] - Figure 11 is a partial view showing a control trigger of the joystick of Figure 1 in its initial rest position, the trigger stroke adjustment mechanism actuation button being locked in an adjustment position allowing maximum rotational travel of the control trigger (i.e., locking stop in retracted position).

[0097] - Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking stop in its locked position and the control trigger against the locking stop.

[0098] - Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking stop in its retracted position.

[0099] - Figure 14 is a partial top view of the inside of the lever, with the locking stop in the trigger control lock position.

[0100] - Figure 15 is a partial top view of the inside of the lever, with the locking stop in the retracted position.

[0101] Detailed description

[0102] Figure 1 shows a particular example of a game controller 1 comprising an assembled shell 2, still commonly called "casing" and forming the body of the controller.

[0103] In this particular example, this shell 2 has a particularly ergonomic shape adapted to facilitate its two-handed grip by a user.

[0104] In another variant, the controller could be adapted to be held with one hand or to be manipulated by a user while placed on a support such as a table.

[0105] This shell 2 includes for example an upper half-shell 2a (also commonly referred to as "front casing"), which is assembled by any means, for example by means of screws or equivalent and / or by gluing and / or by welding, with a lower half-shell 2b (also commonly referred to as "back casing").

[0106] In the particular variant illustrated in Figure 2, the half-hull 2b consists of two separate pieces. It can also be made of a single piece.

[0107] Typically, this controller 1 has on its top face (Fig.1) several control elements that can be operated manually by a user, including two rotating joysticks 3 of the "thumbstick" type, a directional pad 4 and control buttons 5.

[0108] This controller 1 also includes (Fig.2) two digital control triggers 6 (commonly called "triggers"), which are positioned respectively on a front side of the controller, preferably symmetrically, in the left and right parts of the controller 1.

[0109] In another variant, the controller could have a single control trigger or more than two control triggers.

[0110] Each control trigger 6 is movable relative to the shell 2 and is preferably rotatable relative to the shell 2.

[0111] Typically, each control trigger 6 is also elastically returned to the rest position by means of at least one return spring.

[0112] These two control triggers 6 can be operated individually by a user, by being pushed more or less into the shell 2 by pressure exerted by a user, by means of a finger of each hand, usually his index finger, when the user holds the game controller 1 with two hands.

[0113] Each control trigger 6 is associated with a control trigger stroke adjustment mechanism 7.

[0114] This adjustment mechanism 7 has a locking stop 70 which is mounted inside the shell 2 of the controller.

[0115] This locking stop 70, which can be manually moved in translation in one direction or the other along the axis A70 (Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15), by a user of the joystick by means of an actuation element 710, preferably easily accessible under the joystick, between:

[0116] - a locking position (illustrated in particular in figures 12 and 14) in which the locking stop 70 allows the control trigger 6 to be locked in an intermediate position, called the stop position, which corresponds to a reduced stroke of the control trigger 6,

[0117] - and a retracted position (illustrated in particular in figures 13 and 15), in which the locking stop 70 is sufficiently far from the control trigger 6 so as to be outside the path of the control trigger 6 and cannot obstruct the movement of the control trigger 6.

[0118] When the locking stop 70 is in its retracted position, the rotational stroke of the control trigger 6 is at its maximum and the control trigger 6 is stopped by the shell 2 before reaching the locking stop 70 in the retracted position.

[0119] For example, and without limiting the invention, the angle of rotation of the control trigger 6 corresponding to the position of the control trigger 6 against the locking stop 70 in its locked position is equal to 50% of the full angle of rotation of the control trigger 6 corresponding to the maximum depressment of the control trigger 6 against the shell 2.

[0120] More specifically, each control trigger 6 has a hollow trigger body 60 having an open cavity 61 (Fig.5), which is closed by a closing cover 62 (Fig.3), in the form of, for example, a plate.

[0121] This closing cover 62 is removably attached to the trigger body 60, for example by being screwed to the hollow body 60, and can be easily removed to allow access to the cavity 61 of the trigger body 60.

[0122] Each control trigger 6 has a rotation axis 6a (Figs.6, 12 and 13) allowing the trigger body 60 to be mounted in a rotational manner relative to the shell 2 of the handle and a return spring 6b (Fig.6) mounted on the rotation axis 6a and allowing the trigger to be elastically returned to the rest position.

[0123] With reference to Figures 3 and 7, each control trigger 6 has a stop 63a which is fixed or integrated into the closing plate 62 and which is intended to come into contact with a stop 63b (Fig.7) fixed to the shell 2 of the lever, so as to block the control trigger 6 from rotating when it is pushed in to the maximum of its rotational travel, the aforementioned locking stop 70 being in the retracted position.

[0124] The stop 63b preferably includes a protective material which can be replaced, such as for example a deformable foam pad, and which generally reduces wear on the stop 63b and the trigger 6, and more particularly dampens shocks between the stop 63b and the control trigger 6.

[0125] The controller includes (Fig.3 and Fig.4) a main printed circuit board C, of ​​PCB type, which is housed and fixed inside the shell 2.

[0126] The controller also includes an electronic control unit, which includes a processor and is soldered onto this printed circuit board C. This control unit is configured to generate, on an output port of the controller, an electrical control signal to the game console or equivalent.

[0127] Referring to Figure 3, each control trigger 6 has a hollow, arm-shaped piece 64a, which is cantilevered inside the trigger body 60 and passes through an opening 62a in the closing cover 62, so as to protrude below the control trigger 6. This piece 64a contains a magnet 64b, which is detectable (Fig. 4) by a non-contact Hall-effect sensor 8. This sensor 8 is soldered onto the main printed circuit board c.

[0128] More specifically, but not necessarily, when the locking stop 70 is in the retracted position, the arm 64a can advantageously be used, in addition to the stops 63a and 63b, to lock the control trigger 6 at the end of its travel against the shell 2, in order to obtain better stability of the control trigger 6.

[0129] The non-contact sensor 8 generates an initial electrical detection signal, which is, for example, analog, and which encodes the rotation angle of the control trigger 6 throughout its entire rotational travel. This detection signal is processed by the aforementioned electronic control unit. Alternatively, this electrical detection signal for the position of the control trigger 6, generated by the non-contact sensor 8, can be digital and digitally encode the instantaneous rotation angle of the control trigger 6.

[0130] With reference to Figure 5, the control trigger 6 includes a limit switch 65, which is fixed to or integrated into the trigger body 60.

[0131] This sensor 65 is adapted to detect a stop of the control trigger 6 against the locking stop 70 positioned in said locking position.

[0132] This sensor 65 cannot be brought into contact with the locking stop 70 when the locking stop 70 is in its retracted position, and consequently cannot be activated by the locking stop 70 when the locking stop 70 is in its retracted position.

[0133] This end-of-travel sensor 65 is positioned at least partially inside the trigger body 60, and preferably, as illustrated in Figure 5, is positioned entirely inside the trigger body 60.

[0134] Preferably the limit switch 65 is a contact sensor, which allows detection of contact between the sensor and the contact face 700 of the locking stop 70 in the locked position (Fig.12) when the control trigger 6 is brought against the locking stop 70. More particularly, but without limiting the invention, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, when the control trigger 6 is brought against the locking stop 70, the locking stop 70 (contact face 700) is in contact only with the limit switch 65 of the control trigger 6.

[0135] More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 5, the limit switch 65 is preferably positioned entirely inside the trigger body 60 and therefore does not protrude outside the trigger body 60 relative to the closing cover 62 (Fig.3).

[0136] The closing cover 62 has a through opening 62b (Fig.3) allowing contact between the limit switch 65 and the contact face 700 of the locking stop 70, positioned in said locking position.

[0137] In particular, the limit switch 65 is positioned opposite the opening 62b in the closing cover 62. The locking stop 70 is positioned relative to this opening 62b, so as to be able to pass through this through opening 62b of the closing cover 62 and be in contact with the limit switch 65, when the locking stop 70 is in the locking position and the control trigger 6 is brought to a stop against the locking stop 70 (Fig.12).

[0138] The technology used for the limit switch sensor, and in particular the technology used to detect contact between the contact face 700 (Fig.5) of the locking stop 70 and the limit switch 65 when the latter is a contact sensor, is not limiting of the invention.

[0139] In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, the contact sensor 65 may be a mechanical contact sensor, and for example a microswitch comprising a mechanical switch 650 or mechanical switch 650 (Fig.5), which is activated by pressure on the contact face 700 of the locking stop 70 when the control trigger 6 is pressed against the locking stop 70 in its locking position.

[0140] The limit switch 65 can also be an optomechanical contact sensor, that is to say a contact sensor comprising a movable and / or deformable mechanical part which can be moved and / or deformed by the blocking stop 70, and which is associated with optical means for detecting this movement and / or deformation.

[0141] The limit switch 65 can also be a piezoelectric contact sensor.

[0142] The limit switch sensor is not necessarily a contact sensor, but can also be a proximity sensor capable of performing non-contact detection of the blocking stop, and in particular a capacitive, magnetic, inductive or optical proximity sensor.

[0143] With reference to Figure 6, the limit switch sensor 65 includes a secondary printed circuit board 651 which is housed and fixed inside the trigger body 60 and which is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board C by two electrical cables 652.

[0144] Regardless of the technology used, the limit switch 65 is preferably an on / off sensor and generates a second two-state electrical detection signal, depending on whether the limit switch 65 detects the locking stop 70 or not, and more specifically, depending on whether the sensor 65 detects contact with the locking stop 70 or not when the limit switch 65 is a contact sensor. This second detection signal is processed by the electronic control unit of the joystick.

[0145] The limit switch 65 is more easily accessible when it needs to be repaired or replaced with a new sensor in case of malfunction, for example, compared in particular to the technical solutions described in international patent applications WO 2022 / 148976 and WO 2023 / 214929.

[0146] The positioning of the limit switch 65 advantageously allows greater responsiveness and greater precision in the activation of the sensor and better mechanical robustness, compared in particular to the technical solution described in international patent application WO2023 / 214929.

[0147] The structure of the control trigger 6 remains simple, due to the absence of a moving part on the trigger 6, compared in particular to the technical solution described in international patent application WO 2022 / 148976.

[0148] Once the limit switch 65 is electrically disconnected from the main circuit board C, the control trigger 6 with the limit switch 65 can also be easily replaced with a new control trigger 6.

[0149] When sensor 65 can be removed from trigger body 6, it can also be easily replaced with a new end-of-travel sensor.

[0150] The limit switch 65 can advantageously be an add-on component that can be found commercially.

[0151] To configure the controller in an operating mode commonly referred to as "Hair Trigger," the controller user moves the locking stop 70 into its locked position, thus shortening the travel of the control trigger 6. In this operating mode, the controller's control unit delivers a two-state control signal to a game console or computer connected to an output port on the controller. This signal is derived from the second detection signal generated by the sensor 65, and can more specifically be the second detection signal generated by the sensor 65 itself. This operating mode allows for highly responsive control.

[0152] When the locking stop 70 is retracted, the travel of the trigger 6 is not reduced by the locking stop 70, but is instead at its maximum. In this operating mode (maximum trigger travel), the controller unit delivers a control signal, which can be analog or digital, to the aforementioned output port of the controller, intended for a game console or computer connected to this output port. This control signal encodes the instantaneous rotation angle of the trigger 6. This control signal is obtained after processing the first electrical detection signal generated by the contactless sensor 8, and may, more specifically, be directly the said electrical detection signal generated by the contactless sensor 8.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment variant, the controller 1 also includes a third sensor 9, which is soldered onto the main printed circuit board C.

[0154] With reference to figures 8, 9, 14 and 15, the locking stop 70 has an arm 703 which is coupled to an actuating piece 704 mounted rotatably (Fig.14 - Rotation axis A704) on the support 72, and which allows this actuating piece 704 to be driven in rotation in one direction or the other, when the locking stop 70 is moved in translation (axis A70) between its locking position (Fig.12 and Fig.14) and its retracted position (Fig.13 and Fig.15).

[0155] This rotating actuation part 704 has a finger 704a which is positioned so as to be detected by the sensor 9.

[0156] More specifically, the sensor 9 may include a mechanical switch 90, which is switched by the adjusting mechanism 7 when the locking stop 70 changes position, and in particular, which is switched by the finger 704 of the rotating actuating part 704. In particular, in this example, the mechanical switch 90 switches to a first position when the locking stop 70 is moved from its retracted position (Fig. 15) to its locking position (Fig. 14), and conversely, switches to a second position when the locking stop 70 is moved from its locking position (Fig. 14) to its retracted position (Fig. 15).

[0157] The sensor 9 is not necessarily a mechanical sensor, but can also be a non-contact sensor, such as, for example and without limitation, an optical sensor or an inductive sensor which is activated, for example, by the finger 704a of the adjustment mechanism 7.

[0158] The sensor 9 can also be replaced by a limit switch sensor detecting the locking stop 70 in the locked position and / or by a limit switch sensor detecting the locking stop 70 in the retracted position.

[0159] This sensor 9 allows the generation of a third electrical detection signal with at least two states, one of the states corresponding to the retracted position of the locking stop 70 and the other state corresponding to the locked position of the locking stop 70.

[0160] This third electrical detection signal is processed by the control unit of the joystick and informs the control unit of the position of the locking stop 70 (retracted position or locking position).

[0161] The controller control unit is configured to automatically select, based on this third electrical position detection signal, the appropriate detection signal corresponding to the position of the locking stop 70, between the first detection signal produced by the non-contact sensor 8 (retracted position of the locking stop) and the second detection signal produced by the contact sensor 65 (locking position of the locking stop), and to generate on the controller's output port, for a game console or computer connected to this output port, a control signal which is obtained from the first or second detection signal which has been selected.

[0162] Figures 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 attached hereto show a particular adjustment mechanism 7 which will now be described, it being specified however that the invention is not limited to this particular adjustment mechanism.

[0163] With reference to figure 8, the adjustment mechanism 7 includes, in addition to the aforementioned locking stop 70, a locking / unlocking mechanism 71.

[0164] The locking stop 70 is mounted to slide in rectilinear translation on a support 72 (Fig.3 and Fig.5), which is placed on and fixed to the main printed circuit C inside the shell 2 of the joystick and is guided in rectilinear translation in the direction of the translation axis A70 (Fig.12 to Fig.15), in one direction or the other, between the locking position and the retracted position which have been previously described.

[0165] More specifically, the translation axis A70 of the locking stop 70 is transverse, and in this case preferably perpendicular, to the rotation axis 6a of the control trigger 6.

[0166] This translation axis A70 is thus substantially parallel to the direction of the thrust exerted on the locking stop 70 by the control trigger 6 when a user exerts pressure on the control trigger 6 bringing it into contact with the locking stop 70.

[0167] In another embodiment, the translation axis A70 may have a different orientation, and may for example be parallel to the rotation axis of the control trigger 6.

[0168] In another variant, the translation of the locking stop 70 may not be rectilinear. Furthermore, the displacement of the locking stop 70 is not necessarily a translation, but could, for example, be a rotation.

[0169] The locking / unlocking mechanism 71 allows a user to manually lock the locking stop 70 in either of the two aforementioned locking stop positions (locked position and retracted position). It also allows a user to manually unlock the locking stop 70 in either of the two aforementioned positions (locked position and retracted position) and, when unlocked, to manually move the locking stop 70 into the desired position.

[0170] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locking / unlocking mechanism 71 comprises the actuating element 710 described above, which is mounted on the locking stop 70 and is movable relative to the locking stop 70 between:

[0171] - at least one locked configuration, in which the actuation element 710 cooperates with the shell 2 so as to be able to lock the locking stop 70 relative to the shell 2 of the lever 1, in each of the positions of the stop 70 [Figure 10- locking of the locking stop in the locked position / Figure 11 - locking of the locking stop in the retracted position]

[0172] - and at least one unlocked configuration, in which the actuating element 710 is capable of being moved and of driving the locking stop 70 in rectilinear translation in each of said adjustment positions (i.e. locking position and retracted position).

[0173] More particularly, in this particular embodiment the actuation element 710 is mobile in rectilinear translation relative to the locking stop 70, between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration, along a translation axis A71 (Fig.12) which is transverse, and preferably perpendicular, to the translation axis A70 of the locking stop.

[0174] More particularly, in the illustrated example, but not limiting the invention, the translation axis A71 is also transverse, and in this case perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the control trigger 6. In another variant, it may have a different orientation and for example may be parallel to the axis of rotation of the control trigger 6.

[0175] The actuation element 710 is, for example, a single part made of plastic. In another variant, it may consist of an assembly of several parts.

[0176] In particular, the actuating element 710 is mounted on the locking stop 70, preferably aligned (Figure 12) with the translation axis A70 of said locking stop 70, which allows for a more compact and robust construction.

[0177] The locking / unlocking mechanism 71 also includes (Fig.8 and Fig.9) an elastic return element 711, which generally allows the actuating element 710 to be elastically returned to its locked configuration.

[0178] When assembled with the locking stop 70, the actuating element 710 is able to be brought and held in the unlocked configuration by manual pressure, so as to push in the actuating element 710 and constrain, and in this particular case compress, the elastic return element 711.

[0179] In the absence of manual pressure on the actuating element 710, the elastic return element 711 allows the said actuating element 710 to be elastically returned to its locked configuration, thus avoiding additional handling by the user, since it is enough for them to release the pressure on the actuating element 710 for it to automatically return to its locked configuration.

[0180] This elastic return element 711 also facilitates the indexed adjustment of the positioning of the movable stop 70 and allows a user to more easily adjust the stroke of a control trigger 6 blindly without looking at the actuation button 710b.

[0181] Preferably the elastic return element 711 is pre-stressed so as to exert on the actuating element 710 a return force keeping it in locked configuration, in the absence of manual pressure exerted on this actuating element 710, which advantageously strengthens the locking and further reduces the risks of accidental unlocking.

[0182] In this particular embodiment, and without limiting the invention, the elastic return element 711 comprises a helical spring 711 a.

[0183] The invention is not limited to the implementation of a helical spring, but said helical spring can be replaced by any equivalent elastic return means allowing, in the absence of manual pressure on the actuating element 710, to elastically return said actuating element 710 to its locked configuration.

[0184] For example, in another embodiment, the elastic return element 711 may include an elastically deformable leaf spring.

[0185] Furthermore, in the specific example shown, the elastic return element 711 (spring 711a) is designed to work in compression. In another variant, the elastic return element 711 can be designed to work in tension.

[0186] More specifically, in this particular embodiment, the actuation element 710 comprises (Fig.8) a base 710a whose upper face is surmounted by an actuation button 710b. This actuation button 710b is intended to be positioned at least partially outside the shell 2 (Figures 10 and 11) so as to be able to be manipulated by the user of the joystick 1.

[0187] The actuation element 710 also includes, on either side of the actuation button 710b, male locking elements 710c, which protrude from the upper face of the base 710a. These male locking elements 710c are intended to fit into complementary locking recesses 21 (Figures 10 and 11) provided in the half-shell 2b to lock the actuation element 710 relative to the shell 2 (locked configuration of the mechanism 71) in an indexed manner in each of the adjustment positions (retracted position and locking position) of the locking stop 70.

[0188] In another embodiment, the locking elements 710c of the actuating element 710 can be of the female type and the locking housings 21 in the shell 2 can be replaced by male locking elements complementary to the female locking elements of the actuating element 710. For its mounting on the locking stop 70, the actuating element 710 also includes, under this base 710a, a central guide cylinder 71 Od (Fig.8) on which the spring 711 a can be threaded and includes two elastic lugs 710e positioned on either side of the guide cylinder 71 Od.

[0189] In this particular variant, the locking stop 70 has a cylindrical housing 701 (Fig.8), which opens into the upper face of the locking stop 70 and which is adapted to receive the guide cylinder 710d of the actuating element 710 and the spring 711 a threaded onto this guide cylinder 71 Od.

[0190] The locking stop 70 also has two through openings 702 (Fig.8), positioned on either side of the cylindrical housing 701, and through which the elastic locking lugs 710c can be inserted so as to secure the actuating element 710 with the locking stop 70.

[0191] When the actuating element 710, the elastic return element 711 (spring 711a) and the locking stop 70 are assembled and the two half-shells 2a, 2b are assembled, the actuating button 710b of the actuating element 710 protrudes outside the shell 2 by being positioned through an oblong through opening 22 (Figures 10 and 11) in the half-shell 2b, and is thus accessible and can be easily manipulated by a user of the joystick 1.

[0192] In the absence of pressure exerted by the user on the actuation button 710b, the male locking elements 710c of the actuation element 710 are fitted into the locking slots 21 provided in the shell 2, so that the locking stop 70 is locked in position (locked configuration) relative to the shell 2 of the handle in one of the above-mentioned adjustment positions (locked position or retracted position).

[0193] Preferably, in the locked configuration, the return spring 711a is pre-stressed, being in this particular example slightly compressed, so as to exert on the actuating element 710 a pressure which keeps the male type locking elements 710c in the locking housings 21, and thus maintain the locking while preventing unintentional unlocking when the handle 1 is manipulated.

[0194] To bring the locking stop into another adjustment position (locking position or retracted position), the user of the handle simply needs to unlock the locking stop 70 to bring it into the unlocked configuration by applying sufficient pressure to the actuation button 710b of the actuation element 710 to compress the elastic return element 711 (spring 711a) and push in the actuation element 710 sufficiently to completely disengage the male locking elements 710c from the locking housings 21 of the shell 2.

[0195] Then, in a second step, while holding the actuating element 710 down, the user moves the actuating element 710, which is attached to the locking stop 70, in a translational manner, so as to cause the locking stop 70 to move in a straight line in the direction of the translation axis A70, until the desired adjustment position is reached.

[0196] During this translational movement, the locking stop 70 slides relative to the support 72, being held and guided in translation on said support 72.

[0197] Thirdly, when the locking stop 70 is in the desired adjustment position, the user releases the pressure on the actuating element 710, which is pushed back by the elastic return element 711 (spring 711 a) so that the locking elements 710c of the actuating element 710 are positioned in the locking housings 21 in the shell 2, the locking stop 70 thus being locked robustly and stably in this adjustment position.

[0198] The actuating element 710 is not necessarily mounted on the locking stop 70 in alignment with the translation axis A70 of said locking stop 70. In another embodiment, the actuating element 710 can be mechanically connected to the locking stop 7, by being offset from the translation axis A70 of said locking stop.

[0199] The elastic return element 711 is not necessarily mounted and carried on the locking stop 70. In another variant, the elastic return element can be fixed inside the body 2 of the lever 1, the locking stop 70 and the actuating element being movable relative to the elastic return element for positioning the locking stop in each adjustment position.

[0200] In another variant, the actuating element 710 and the blocking stop 70 can be rigidly linked together, the actuating element 710 being fixed relative to the blocking stop 70.

[0201] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment illustrated in the attached figures and also extends, in a non-exhaustive manner, to the following variants.

[0202] The control input device of the invention is not limited to a locking stop having only two adjustment positions (locking position and retracted position), but the locking stop can be adapted to have three or more different adjustment positions, each defining a different stroke for the movement of the control trigger.

[0203] In the context of the invention, the locking stop 70 is not necessarily movable in translation relative to the shell 2, but in another variant can be movable in rotation relative to the shell 2 for its positioning in each adjustment position (retracted position and locking position).

[0204] Although rotational movement for the trigger 6 is the simplest to implement and the most frequently used for a game controller or joystick, in the context of this invention the trigger is not necessarily rotary, as the invention can be applied more generally to other types of trigger movement. For example, the trigger can be designed to be manually operated by being moved and guided in translation, in particular by being more or less deeply inserted into the casing 2.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Control input device, in particular game controller or gamepad (1), comprising at least one control trigger (6) which is movable and operable by a user, and a mechanism for adjusting the stroke of said control trigger (6), in which the adjustment mechanism (7) includes a locking stop (70) adapted to be positioned in at least one locking position in which it blocks the control trigger (6) brought against the locking stop (70), so as to reduce the stroke of the control trigger (6), and in which the control trigger (6) includes a limit switch (65), which is adapted to detect the position of the control trigger (6) against the locking stop (70) positioned in said locking position.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control trigger (6) is rotary.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control trigger (6) comprises a trigger body (60) and the limit switch sensor (65) is fixed or integrated into the trigger body (60).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control trigger (6) comprises a hollow trigger body (60) in which the limit switch (65) is positioned, preferably entirely.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the control trigger (6) has a closing cover (62) that closes the trigger body (60), which is removable so as to be able to be taken off and which has a through opening (62b) allowing the limit switch (65) to detect the position of the control trigger (6) against the locking stop (70) positioned in said locking position, and preferably allowing contact between the limit switch (65) and the locking stop (70).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the limit switch sensor is positioned entirely inside the trigger body and wherein the locking stop passes through the through opening (62b) of the closing cover (62) of the control trigger (6) when the locking stop (70) is in the locking position and the control trigger (6) is abutted against the locking stop.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking stop (70) is adapted to be able to be positioned in a retracted position in which the locking stop (70) does not obstruct the control trigger (6) and the stroke of the control trigger (6) is greater than that obtained with said locking position.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the limit switch sensor (65) is not activatable or is not functional when the locking stop is in said retracted position.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a lever shell and in which the control trigger is adapted to be blocked at the end of its travel by the lever shell when the locking stop is in the retracted position.

10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the locking stop (70) is movable and guided in translation between its locking position and its retracted position.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the control trigger (6) is rotatable and the translation axis (A70) of the locking stop is transverse to the rotation axis (6a) of the control trigger (6), and more preferably is perpendicular to the rotation axis (6a) of the control trigger (6).

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a non-contact position sensor (8), preferably a magnetic sensor, and more preferably a Hall effect sensor, which is suitable for detecting the position of the control trigger (6), and more particularly for measuring the angle of rotation of the control trigger (6) when it is rotating.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising an electronic control unit, which is configured to select a first electrical detection signal generated by means of the limit switch (65) when the locking stop (70) is in its locking position, and to select a second electrical detection signal generated by means of the non-contact position sensor (8), when the locking stop (70) is not in its locking position, and in which the electronic control unit is configured to generate a control signal obtained from the electrical detection signal which is selected.

14. Device according to claim 13, comprising a third sensor (9) which is positioned relative to the adjustment mechanism (7) of the control trigger stroke, so as to be activated by said adjustment mechanism (7) when the locking stop (70) is in its locking position and / or when the locking stop (70) is in its retracted position.

15. Device according to claim 14, in which the locking stop (70) comprises an arm (703) which is coupled to a rotating actuating part (704) (A704) and which enables the actuating part (704) to be rotated in one direction or the other when the locking stop (70) is moved in translation (A70) between its locking position and its retracted position and said rotating actuating part (704) comprises a finger (704a) which is detectable by the third sensor (9).

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to select the signal electrical detection among the first electrical detection signal and the second electrical detection signal, depending on at least one electrical detection signal generated by the third sensor (9).

17. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the third sensor (9) is configured to generate an electrical position detection signal in at least two states, one of the states corresponding to a detection of the retracted position of the locking stop and the other state corresponding to a detection of the locking position of the locking stop.

18. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the third sensor is a contact sensor and more particularly a mechanical contact sensor.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein the third sensor comprises a mechanical switch or a switch.

20. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the adjustment mechanism (7) of the control trigger stroke is manually actuable.

21. Device according to claim 20 wherein the device comprises a shell (2) and the control trigger stroke adjustment mechanism (7) comprises an actuating element (710), at least a part (710b) of which is positioned outside the shell (2), and which is mechanically linked to the locking stop (70) and allows a user to move the locking stop (70) between said locking position and a retracted position in which the locking stop does not obstruct the control trigger (6) and the stroke of the control trigger (6) is greater than that obtained with said locking position.

22. Device according to claim 21, comprising a locking / unlocking mechanism (71) adapted to manually lock the locking stop (70) at least in its locked position and preferably also in a position retracted in which the locking stop does not obstruct the control trigger (6) and the stroke of the control trigger (6) is greater than that obtained with said locking position, and which is adapted to manually unlock the locking stop (70) at least when it is in its locking position and preferably also when it is in its retracted position.

23. Device according to claim 22 comprising a shell (2) and in which said locking / unlocking mechanism comprises said actuating element (710) and said actuating element (710) is movable between at least one unlocked configuration in which the actuating element (710) is capable of being moved manually by carrying the locking stop (70) between its locking position and its retracted position, and at least one locked configuration in which the actuating element (710) cooperates with a shell (2) of the device so as to lock the locking stop (70) at least in its locking position and preferably also in its retracted position.

24. Device according to claim 23, wherein the actuating element (710) is movable relative to the locking stop between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration.

25. Device according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the actuating element is associated with an elastic return element (711) and is adapted to be brought and held in the unlocked configuration by manual pressure enabling the actuating element to be pushed into the shell and the elastic return element to be constrained, and wherein the elastic return element (711) enables, in the absence of manual pressure on the actuating element, the elastic return of said actuating element to be elastically returned to its locked configuration.

26. Device according to claim 25, wherein the elastic return element (711) comprises a spring, preferably a helical spring or comprises an elastically deformable stop.

27. Device according to any one of claims 25 or 26, wherein the actuating element (710) is movable relative to the locking stop between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration and the elastic return element (711) is positioned between the locking stop (70) and the actuating element (710).

28. Device according to claim 27, wherein the locking stop (70) has a housing (701) in which the elastic return element (711) and a part of the actuating element (70) are positioned.

29. Device according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the locking stop (70) is movable and guided in translation between its locking position and its retracted position and in the locked configuration, the actuating element (710) cooperates with the shell to block the locking stop in translation relative to the shell at least in said locking position.

30. Device according to claim 29, wherein the actuating element (710) is movable in translation, between said locked configuration and said unlocked configuration, transversely, to the translation axis (A70) of the locking stop, and preferably perpendicularly, to the translation axis (A70) of the locking stop.

31. Device according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the locking stop is rotatable about an axis of rotation between its locking position and its retracted position and in the locked configuration, the actuating element cooperates with the shell to lock the locking stop in rotation relative to the shell at least in said first adjustment position.

32. Device according to any one of claims 23 to 31, wherein the actuating element (710) comprises male or female locking elements (710c) adapted to cooperate with complementary locking elements (21) of the shell, in order to block the locking stop (71) relative to the shell (2) when the actuating element is brought into the locked configuration.

33. Device according to claim 32, wherein the locking elements (71 c) of the actuating element and the complementary locking elements (21 ) of the shell are provided to lock the actuating element (710) relative to the shell (2) in an indexed manner, in each of the adjustment positions of the locking stop (70), when the actuating element (710) is brought into the locked configuration.

34. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 33, constituting a game controller which is adapted to be held in one hand or two hands by a user, and preferably in which the control trigger(s) (6) are digital.

35. Control trigger (6) of a control input device, in particular of a game controller or gamepad (1), comprising a limit switch (65), and preferably a limit switch (65) which is a contact sensor.

36. Control trigger according to claim 35, comprising a trigger body (60) and in which the limit switch sensor (65) is fixed or integrated into the trigger body (60).

37. Control trigger according to claim 35 or 36, comprising a hollow trigger body (60) in which the limit switch sensor (65) is positioned, preferably entirely.

38. A trigger control according to claim 37, comprising a closing cover (62) that closes the trigger body (60), which is removable so as to be able to be taken off and which comprises a through opening (62b), and the end-of-stroke sensor (65) being positioned entirely inside the trigger body and opposite this through opening.

39. Control trigger according to any one of claims 35 to 38, comprising a magnet (64b).

40. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 34 or control trigger (6) according to any one of claims 35 to 39, the limit switch (65) being a contact sensor and / or limit switch (65) being an on / off sensor and / or the limit switch (65) being selected from the following list: mechanical contact sensor, optomechanical contact sensor, contact sensor comprising a mechanical switch or a mechanical switch, piezoelectric contact sensor.

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