Lightweight flywheel encoder having switchable tactile feel

Abstract

A lightweight flywheel encoder having switchable tactile feel, comprising a bracket (1) and an encoder module provided on the bracket (1), and also comprising a scroll wheel (2) for triggering the encoder module to generate a signal, wherein a tactile feel member (21) is fixed at the axial center of the scroll wheel (2); the tactile feel member (21) is provided with a trigger element (3) for triggering the encoder module to generate an electrical signal; the bracket (1) is provided with a button switch (4) and a tactile feel switching member (5); when the button switch (4) is pressed, the magnitude of damping applied by the tactile feel switching member (5) to the tactile feel member (21) can be adjusted. Instant switching of tactile feel can be realized, different user requirements are satisfied, the structure is lightweight, the operation is simple, and the user experience and the flexibility and applicability of a device are improved.

Description

A lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of encoders, specifically to a lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of encoder technology, especially for flywheel encoders used in input devices such as game controllers, mice, and keyboards, users are increasingly demanding higher levels of tactile feedback. Different users may prefer different damping feel, rotational force, and feedback effects to meet different usage scenarios and personal preferences.

[0003] However, with the widespread use of portable electronic devices, lightweight design has become a crucial consideration. Most existing tactile flywheel encoders feature tactile protrusions on the inner wall of the roller, such as the utility model patent CN202220497492.X entitled "A Roller Switching Device with Self-Locking Function." This device uses the up-and-down movement of a pressure rod to change the position of the connecting end, causing the swing arm to tilt away from or fall close to the inner ring wall of the roller. However, this structure is still somewhat complex, and the encoder module requires an additional mounting bracket, increasing production costs. Therefore, a lighter flywheel encoder is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model aims to provide a lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel that is easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0005] To achieve this technical objective, the present invention provides a lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable tactile feedback, comprising a bracket and an encoder module mounted on the bracket, and a roller for triggering the encoder module to generate signals. A tactile feedback element is fixed at the axis of the roller, and the tactile feedback element is further provided with a triggering element for triggering the encoder module to generate electrical signals. The bracket is also provided with a button switch and a tactile feedback switching element; pressing the button switch can adjust the damping magnitude of the tactile feedback switching element acting on the tactile feedback element.

[0006] Preferably, the tactile component has a ring structure, and a bearing mounting seat is integrally formed in the center of the tactile component. The bearing mounting seat is connected to the inner ring wall of the roller through reinforcing ribs. The bearing mounting seat contains a rotating shaft and a bearing. The bearing is embedded in the bearing mounting seat. The rotating shaft and the bearing are tightly fitted together, and both ends of the rotating shaft are pivotally connected to the bracket.

[0007] Preferably, the outer ring wall of the tactile component has a toothed or wavy tactile protrusion.

[0008] Preferably, the button switch is a self-locking switch, a return spring is installed inside the bracket, and the tactile switching component is a rigid frame with a connecting beam and a tactile end and a rocker end located at both ends of the connecting beam. The rocker end of the tactile component abuts against the return spring, and a pressure rod extends from one side of the self-locking switch to abut against the rocker end. When the self-locking switch is pressed, the pressure rod moves downward to press the rocker end, causing the tactile end to move away from the tactile component, thus realizing the flywheel mode.

[0009] Preferably, the encoder module includes a flexible circuit board and a Hall sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board. The trigger element is a magnetic ring, which is nested between the tactile element and the bearing mounting base. The Hall sensor is disposed corresponding to the magnetic ring.

[0010] Preferably, a toothed magnetic conductive sheet is mounted on the side of the tactile component. The toothed magnetic conductive sheet has a ring structure, and a plurality of claws facing the Hall sensor are uniformly arranged on the outer periphery of the ring structure of the toothed magnetic conductive sheet.

[0011] Preferably, the encoder module includes a flexible circuit board and a phototransistor assembly disposed on the flexible circuit board. The phototransistor assembly consists of a light-emitting element and a photosensitive element. The triggering element is a grating disk, which is disposed at the end of the tactile component facing the phototransistor assembly. The light-emitting element and the photosensitive element are disposed on the inner and outer sides of the grating disk.

[0012] Preferably, the side of the bracket is provided with a pivot post, and the middle part of the tactile switching component is provided with a pivot hole corresponding to the pivot post. The tactile switching component is pivotally connected to the pivot post on the side of the bracket through the pivot hole.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: the damping of the tactile switching component to the tactile component can be easily adjusted by the button switch, so as to realize the instant switching of the tactile feel and meet the needs of different users. At the same time, the structure is lightweight, the operation is simple, and the user experience and the flexibility and applicability of the equipment are improved. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded view of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the toothed magnetic sheet in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the optical pair assembly in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the bearing and shaft in this utility model.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Bracket; 11. Spring groove; 12. Pivot column; 2. Roller; 21. Tactile sensor; 22. Bearing mount; 23. Reinforcing rib; 24. Shaft; 25. Bearing; 26. Toothed magnetic sheet; 3. Magnetic ring; 4. Self-locking switch; 41. Pressure rod; 5. Tactile sensor switching component; 51. Connecting beam; 52. Tactile end; 53. Rocker end; 54. Pivot hole; 6. Return spring; 7. Hall sensor; 8. Flexible circuit board; 9. Grating disk; 10. Optical pair assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. To provide a clear and complete description of the technical solution, the following embodiments are selected for illustration; these embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention; other embodiments obtained based on this application without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the following embodiments, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "top / bottom," etc., are all based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the purpose of clearly describing this embodiment. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. At the same time, the terms "first" and "second" in the embodiments are only used for descriptive purposes and do not represent an indication or implication of relative importance.

[0022] This invention provides a lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel, designed to achieve flexible switching of feel through a simple structural design while maintaining the lightweight characteristics of the device. The following is a detailed description of the specific embodiments of this invention.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1-2, Example 1: Lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel based on Hall sensor 7.

[0024] The flywheel encoder in this embodiment mainly consists of a bracket 1, an encoder module (including a Hall sensor 7), a roller 2, a tactile element 21, a magnetic ring 3 (trigger element), a button switch, and a tactile switching element 5. The tactile element 21 is an object that provides tactile feedback when the roller 2 is turned.

[0025] A tactile feedback element 21 is fixedly connected to the central axis of roller 2. The tactile feedback element 21 has a ring structure and a bearing mounting seat 22 at its center. The bearing mounting seat 22 is connected to the inner ring wall of roller 2 by reinforcing ribs 23, which are distributed radially. Two high-precision bearings 25 are embedded inside the bearing mounting seat 22. These bearings 25 are made of precision copper and have the characteristics of low friction and high speed, which can ensure that roller 2 remains stable and smooth during rotation, as shown in Figure 5. The rotating shaft 24 is tightly fitted with the bearings 25 and is pivotally connected to the bracket 1. The rotating shaft 24 is preferably made of stainless steel. Both the bearings 25 and the rotating shaft 24 are of the type commonly used in micro motors.

[0026] In this embodiment, the outer ring wall of the tactile component 21 is designed with toothed or wavy tactile protrusions to improve the operating feel. The bracket 1 is equipped with a button switch (self-locking switch 4) and a tactile switching component 5. The self-locking switch 4 is positioned adjacent to the tactile switching component 5 and is installed in the mounting groove of the bracket 1. The side wall of the bracket 1 is designed with a pivot post 12, and the middle of the tactile switching component 5 is designed with a pivot hole 54 corresponding to the pivot post 12. The pivot hole 54 cooperates with the pivot post 12 to ensure the stability of the tactile switching component 5 during rotation.

[0027] The tactile switching component 5 is a rigid frame with a connecting beam 51, a tactile end 52, and a rocker end 53. The rocker end 53 abuts against the return spring 6 inside the bracket 1. The bracket 1 is provided with a spring groove 11 for installing the return spring 6. The pressure rod 41 of the self-locking switch 4 can abut against the rocker end 53. When the self-locking switch 4 is pressed, the pressure rod 41 presses down on the rocker end 53, and the tactile end 52 moves away from the tactile component 21, changing the rotational damping of the roller 2, thereby realizing the tactile switching.

[0028] The encoder module includes a flexible circuit board 8 and a Hall sensor 7. A magnetic ring 3, acting as a trigger element, is nested between the tactile feedback element 21 and the bearing mounting base 22. The Hall sensor 7 is positioned corresponding to the magnetic ring 3. After the user adjusts the tactile feedback via a self-locking switch, rotating the roller 2 causes the magnetic ring 3 to move, changing the magnetic field of the magnetic ring 3 and triggering the Hall sensor 7 to generate an electrical signal. As shown in Figure 3 (the outer wall protrusion of the tactile feedback element is not shown), a toothed magnetic guide plate 26 is mounted on the side of the tactile feedback element 21. The toothed magnetic guide plate 26 has a ring structure, and a plurality of claws facing the Hall sensor 7 are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the ring structure of the toothed magnetic guide plate 26 to guide or change the distribution of the magnetic field of the magnetic ring 3 to enhance the effect.

[0029] Example 2: Lightweight flywheel encoder with switchable feel based on phototransistor assembly 10.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the main difference between the flywheel encoder of this embodiment and that of Embodiment 1 lies in the encoder module and the triggering element. The encoder module of this embodiment includes a flexible circuit board 8 and a photodiode assembly 10 disposed on the flexible circuit board 8. The triggering element is a grating disk 9. The grating disk 9 is disposed at the end of the tactile sensor 21 facing the photodiode assembly 10, and the grating disk 9 and the tactile sensor 21 can be integrally formed. The grating disk 9 has multiple light-transmitting holes and opaque areas. When the roller 2 rotates, the grating disk 9 blocks or transmits light, thereby triggering the photodiode assembly 10 to generate an electrical signal.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any minor modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flywheel encoder with light weight and switchable feel, comprising a bracket and an encoder module arranged on the bracket, further comprising a roller triggering the encoder module to generate a signal, characterized in that: A tactile element is fixed at the axis of the roller, and the tactile element is also provided with a trigger element for triggering the encoder module to generate an electrical signal. The bracket is also provided with a button switch and a tactile switching element; pressing the button switch can adjust the damping of the tactile switching element acting on the tactile element.

2. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 1, wherein: The tactile component has a ring structure, and a bearing mounting seat is integrally formed in the center of the tactile component. The bearing mounting seat is connected to the inner ring wall of the roller through reinforcing ribs. The bearing mounting seat contains a rotating shaft and a bearing. The bearing is embedded in the bearing mounting seat. The rotating shaft and the bearing are tightly fitted together, and both ends of the rotating shaft are pivotally connected to the bracket.

3. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 2, wherein: The outer ring wall of the tactile component has a toothed or wavy tactile protrusion.

4. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 2, wherein: The button switch is a self-locking switch. A return spring is installed inside the bracket. The tactile switching component is a rigid frame with a connecting beam and a tactile end and a rocker end located at both ends of the connecting beam. The rocker end of the tactile component abuts against the return spring. A pressure rod extends from one side of the self-locking switch to abut against the rocker end. When the self-locking switch is pressed, the pressure rod moves downward to press the rocker end, causing the tactile end to move away from the tactile component, thus realizing the flywheel mode.

5. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 2, wherein: The encoder module includes a flexible circuit board and a Hall sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board. The trigger element is a magnetic ring, which is nested between the tactile element and the bearing mounting base. The Hall sensor is disposed corresponding to the magnetic ring.

6. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 5, wherein: The tactile component has a toothed magnetic sheet mounted on its side. The toothed magnetic sheet has a ring structure, and a plurality of claws facing the Hall sensor are evenly arranged on the outer periphery of the ring structure of the toothed magnetic sheet.

7. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 2, wherein: The encoder module includes a flexible circuit board and a phototransistor assembly disposed on the flexible circuit board. The phototransistor assembly consists of a light-emitting element and a photosensitive element. The trigger element is a grating disk, which is disposed at the end of the tactile component facing the phototransistor assembly. The light-emitting element and the photosensitive element are disposed on the inner and outer sides of the grating disk.

8. The lightweight switchable hand feel flywheel encoder of claim 2, wherein: The bracket has a pivot post on its side, and the tactile switching component has a pivot hole in the middle corresponding to the pivot post. The tactile switching component is pivotally connected to the pivot post on the side of the bracket through the pivot hole.

Images