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WO2018191984A1 - Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage - Google Patents

Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018191984A1
WO2018191984A1 PCT/CN2017/081534 CN2017081534W WO2018191984A1 WO 2018191984 A1 WO2018191984 A1 WO 2018191984A1 CN 2017081534 W CN2017081534 W CN 2017081534W WO 2018191984 A1 WO2018191984 A1 WO 2018191984A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheel
actuator
axis
rotary encoder
force sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CN2017/081534
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chunlai Zhang
Kelong Zhao
Dave LANE
Bin ZHAI
Ping Yang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Original Assignee
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC filed Critical Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Priority to PCT/CN2017/081534 priority Critical patent/WO2018191984A1/fr
Publication of WO2018191984A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018191984A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0362—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Definitions

  • a rotary encoder can be a module that can be rotated by a user and such a rotary movement can be encoded to be an electrical signal accordingly.
  • a scroll wheel is typically incorporated in a pointing device such as a mouse. When the user rotates the scroll wheel by his/her finger, the rotation of the scroll wheel can be encoded into a signal changing the displayed information on a screen, for example scroll a webpage up or down by a few lines.
  • a rotary encoder used in a pointing device detects the user input in a stepped manner, which is resulted by a mechanism directly in contact with the scroll wheel.
  • the direct contact usually results in a series of problems.
  • the scroll wheel and the associated mechanism can be worn over time, leading to a less accurate encoding and thus adversely affecting the life.
  • the rotation of the scroll wheel can generate an unwanted noise because of the stepped mechanism.
  • a rotary encoder is provided.
  • a rotary encoder that is usable in various user interface devices in order to improve the user experience in terms of smoothness and longevity.
  • the rotary encoder includes a wheel rotatable around a first axis; an actuator movable in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the actuator being magnetically attracted by the wheel in the second axis thereby generating an attraction force; a force sensor arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation, the wheel having a peripheral surface, a plurality of protrusions being periodically distributed on the peripheral surface to cause the variation of the attraction force in response to the wheel being rotated around the first axis.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a rotary encoder according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective section view of a rotary encoder according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the rotary encoder of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a wheel, a force sensor and an actuator used in the rotary encoder of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a mouse as an example of a pointing device including the rotary encoder according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of manufacturing the rotary encoder in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter described herein.
  • the term “includes” and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to. ”
  • the term “or” is to be read as “and/or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  • the term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on. ”
  • the term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment. ”
  • the term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment. ”
  • the terms ′′mounted, ′′ ′′connected, ′′ ′′supported, ′′ and ′′coupled′′ and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.
  • Rotary encoders are widely used in various electronic devices to convert input motions into digital signals that can be compiled by computers or digital processors.
  • a common rotary encoder can be found in a pointing device.
  • a pointing device is commonly available in the form of a mouse, which is widely used with a computer so it is referred to as a mouse as well in some occasions.
  • Most of mice provide a scroll wheel which can be rotated by the user. The rotational motion is encoded into a signal which is eventually used as a piece of command predefined in an operating system for example.
  • An intuitive use of the scroll wheel is to control a displayed page on a screen, so the rotation of the scroll wheel can move the page on the screen.
  • a conventional rotary encoder utilizes a direct contact mechanism to detect a stepped rotation or linear movement of a member, and converts each step into a pulse signal for example.
  • a direct contact may result in many undesirable effects such as audible noise, erroneous and inaccurate encoding due to the wear of the components, and relatively high cost.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a rotary encoder 100 according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein.
  • the rotary encoder 100 utilizes an indirect contact mechanism that is both cost effective and accurate, allowing the apparatus to be used in almost every instance that requires an encoding process.
  • the rotary encoder according to the present disclosure can be used in many scenarios such as a computer mouse, a joystick, an FM tuner, a control panel for an automobile and various electronic devices.
  • a wheel 110 is provided.
  • the wheel 110 is rotatable around a first axis (not denoted in FIG. 1) and it is shaped to be substantially circular as seen from the first axis.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perfect circle for the wheel 110, other shape can be used as well.
  • An actuator 120 is provided aside of the wheel 110 in FIG. 1, and it is movable in a second axis (not denoted in FIG. 1) that is perpendicular to the first axis.
  • Materials for the wheel 110 and the actuator 120 can be chosen so that the two components are magnetically attracted to each other.
  • the actuator 120 it is attracted by the wheel 110, and thus there is a force exerted on the actuator 120 as denoted by an arrow in FIG. 1 which pointing to the wheel 110 in the second axis.
  • the magnetic attraction between the wheel 110 and the actuator 120 can be resulted by nature, such as the attraction between a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, or by electromagnetic force.
  • a force sensor 130 is arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and thus generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation.
  • the force sensor 130 can be selected as long as a subtle change on the attraction is detectable. In a situation, the force sensor 130 can be arranged so that it prevents the actuator 120 from travelling toward the wheel 110, while sensing the attraction force exerted on the force sensor 130 by the actuator 120.
  • the attraction force between the wheel 110 and the actuator 120 varies periodically. This can be achieved by shaping the peripheral surface of the wheel 110, so that there are a number of protrusions (not shown in FIG. 1) periodically distributed on the peripheral surface. Because of the protrusions, when the wheel 110 is rotated, the distance between the actuator 120 and the outermost portion of the wheel 110 facing the actuator 120 will change over time. When such a distance is smaller, the attraction force is larger, and vice versa. As a result, the detected peak values of the attraction force may form the pulses of the generated encoding signal.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective section view of an example rotary encoder 100.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the rotary encoder 100.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a wheel 110, a force sensor 130 and an actuator 120 used in the rotary encoder 100.
  • the rotary encoder 100 is a detailed product reflecting the inventive concept explained with regard to FIG. 1. Some of the components shown in FIG. 2 are not necessary and some components can be arranged differently, which will be discussed in the following.
  • a shaft 112 defines the first axis A 1 , around which the wheel 110 is rotatable.
  • the wheel 110 has a recess 113 shaped on its inner surface.
  • the recess 113 can be engaged with the shaft 112 via an additional structure. It is to be understood that the recess 113 can be omitted in some other examples, because the shaft is mainly used for defining the first axis A 1 and support the wheel 110.
  • a number of protrusions 111 are provided on the peripheral surface, and they can be spaced apart uniformly along the perimeter of the wheel 110.
  • the protrusions 111 distributed on the peripheral surface of the wheel 110 can be regarded as if there are a number of notches indented on the peripheral surface, and the present disclosure does not intend to limit the form, quantity, profile, height (or depth) and the like of the protrusion.
  • An outer layer 114 can be covered over the peripheral surface of the wheel 110 for providing a surface to be touched by an end user.
  • the outer layer 114 can be made of various materials such as rubber, plastic and the like. It is to be understood that the outer layer 114 is not necessary although it typically improves the maneuverability of the wheel 110.
  • the protrusions 111 can be formed in various shapes.
  • FIG. 4 shows that, without any outer layer, the protrusions 111 are tooth-shaped extending in parallel with the first axis A 1 .
  • the protrusions 111 can be arranged to be inclined with the first axis A 1 as long as the protrusions 111 can be detected along the perimeter of the wheel 110.
  • the actuator 120 is accommodated within a housing 121.
  • the housing 121 has a feature such as a groove 122 so as to be fixed to an external structure.
  • the actuator 120 can be movable along a second axis A 2 perpendicular to the first axis A 1 .
  • the second axis A 2 intersects the first axis A 1 at the shaft 112.
  • the force sensor 130 can be disposed against the actuator 120 so that it prevents the actuator 120 from moving toward the wheel 110 while detecting the force exerted by the actuator 120 onto the force sensor 130.
  • the force sensor 130 may be disposed so that the actuator 120 is between the wheel 110 and the force sensor 130.
  • the actuator 120 can be coupled mechanically (rigidly or elastically) with the force sensor 130 to prevent further movement of the actuator 120 while detecting the force exerted by the actuator 120 onto the force sensor 130.
  • the force sensor 130 acts as not only a sensor to detect the force, but also a hurdle to trap the actuator 120 within a channel of the housing 121.
  • the above arrangements are advantageous because the wheel 110 can be rotated without being in contact with another component.
  • the direct contact in a conventional rotary encoder is no longer needed.
  • the rotation of the wheel 110 as felt by the end user will be smoother.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the same rotary encoder 100 as shown in FIG. 2, in which the force sensor 130 is disposed between the wheel 110 and the actuator 120.
  • the force sensor 130 is a strain sensor deformable in the first axis A 1 by the actuator 120.
  • Such a stain sensor is laminated in the form of a sheet that is easily bent when needed. Due to the attraction force, when there is a protrusion 111 approaching the actuator 120 in terms of distance, the actuator 120 in this case will deform the force sensor 130 more.
  • the attraction force is substantially proportional to the distance between the actuator 120 and the outermost surface of the wheel 110 facing the actuator 120.
  • the variation of the attraction force can be detected by the force sensor, because the extent that the force sensor 130 deforms will generate a signal (usually in the form of current) with different amplitude.
  • a signal can be conducted externally by two conductive pins of the force sensor 130, as shown in FIGs. 2 to 4.
  • the force sensor 130 can be a piezoelectric sensor as well because its output depends on the extent it is deformed. Other types of sensors are possible as long as the attraction force or its variation can be sensed precisely.
  • the actuator 120 is constructed by a group of magnets, and the wheel 110 is made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron so that is can be attracted by the magnet.
  • the wheel 110 can be a magnet that is machined to a shape shown in FIG. 4, in which case the actuator 120 can be either a magnet of an opposite polar or a ferromagnetic material that can be attracted by a magnet.
  • the actuator 120 can include a coil, so that the coil, when applied with a current, may attract the wheel 110 in an electromagnetic manner. Many solutions are available, as long as the wheel 110 and the actuator 120 can be attracted to each other.
  • the indirect force detection allowed by the rotary encoder 100 according to the embodiments of the subject matter described herein is advantageous in that the wear over time can be almost eliminated.
  • the precision of the force detection is greatly improved compared with the conventional stepped rotation in which the direct contact is inevitable.
  • the user experience will be greatly improved while the manufacturing cost can be saved because the components and mechanisms for sensing the stepped rotation are no longer in need.
  • FIG. 5 shows a pointing device 200 incorporating the rotary encoder 100 according to the embodiments of the subject matter described herein.
  • a pointing device is commonly available in the form of a mouse, which is widely used with a computer so it is referred to as a mouse as well in some occasions.
  • a user is able to navigate a cursor within a displayed area shown on a screen by moving a main body 210 of the pointing device 200.
  • a button 220 By pressing a button 220, he or she can click on a link at a particular position on the screen.
  • By rotating the rotary encoder 100 up and down a page or a document being displayed can be scrolled up and down correspondingly.
  • the rotary encoder 100 used in the pointing device 200 can be constructed and arranged in ways discussed above, and thus details will be omitted.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a method 600 of manufacturing the rotary encoder in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter described herein.
  • the method 600 is entered at block 601, where a wheel is provided that is rotatable around a first axis.
  • an actuator member is provided that is movable in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.
  • the actuator is magnetically attracted by the wheel in the second axis thereby generating an attraction force.
  • a force sensor is provided, and it is arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation.
  • the wheel has a peripheral surface, a plurality of protrusions being periodically distributed on the peripheral surface to cause the variation of the attraction force in response to the wheel being rotated around the first axis.
  • the rotary encoder has already been described above by reference to FIGs. 1 to 4, and thus detailed explanations to its configuration, structure or function are not to be repeated, because the rotary encoder can be constructed exactly the same as the rotary encoder 100 described above.
  • a rotary encoder comprises: a wheel rotatable around a first axis; an actuator movable in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the actuator being magnetically attracted by the wheel in the second axis thereby generating an attraction force; a force sensor arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation, the wheel having a peripheral surface, a plurality of protrusions being periodically distributed on the peripheral surface to cause the variation of the attraction force in response to the wheel being rotated around the first axis.
  • the plurality of protrusions are tooth-shaped extending in parallel with the first axis.
  • At least one of the wheel and the actuator is a magnet.
  • one of the wheel and the actuator is made of a ferromagnetic material.
  • the wheel is integrally made of iron.
  • the force sensor is arranged between the wheel and the actuator.
  • the actuator is arranged between the wheel and the force sensor, and the actuator is mechanically coupled with the force sensor.
  • the force sensor is a strain sensor deformable in the first axis by the actuator.
  • the force sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.
  • a pointing device comprising a rotary encoder.
  • the rotary encoder comprises: a wheel rotatable around a first axis; an actuator movable in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the actuator being magnetically attracted by the wheel in the second axis thereby generating an attraction force; a force sensor arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation, the wheel having a peripheral surface, a plurality of protrusions being periodically distributed on the peripheral surface to cause the variation of the attraction force in response to the wheel being rotated around the first axis.
  • At least one of the wheel and the actuator is a magnet.
  • one of the wheel and the actuator is made of a ferromagnetic material.
  • the wheel is integrally made of iron.
  • the force sensor is positioned between the wheel and the actuator.
  • the actuator is positioned between the wheel and the force sensor, and the actuator is mechanically coupled with the force sensor.
  • the pointing device is a computer mouse.
  • a method of manufacturing a rotary encoder comprises: providing a wheel rotatable around a first axis; providing an actuator movable in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the actuator being magnetically attracted by the wheel in the second axis thereby generating an attraction force; providing a force sensor arranged to detect a variation of the attraction force and generate an encoding signal based on the detected variation, the wheel having a peripheral surface, a plurality of protrusions being periodically distributed on the peripheral surface to cause the variation of the attraction force in response to the wheel being rotated around the first axis.
  • the method further comprises providing the wheel to be made of a ferromagnetic material and the actuator to be a magnet.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un codeur rotatif (100) qui comprend une roue (110) pouvant tourner autour d'un premier axe (A1); un actionneur (120) mobile dans un second axe (A2) qui est perpendiculaire au premier axe (A1), l'actionneur (120) étant attiré magnétiquement par la roue (110) dans le second axe (A2), générant ainsi une force d'attraction ; un capteur de force (130) agencé pour détecter une variation de la force d'attraction et générer un signal de codage sur la base de la variation détectée, la roue (110) ayant une surface périphérique, une pluralité de saillies (111) étant périodiquement distribuée sur la surface périphérique pour provoquer la variation de la force d'attraction en réponse à la rotation de la roue (110) autour du premier axe (A1). L'invention concerne également un dispositif de pointage comprenant le codeur rotatif (100) et un procédé de fabrication du codeur rotatif (100). Avec le codeur rotatif (100), l'expérience de l'utilisateur en termes de facilité et de longévité peut être améliorée.
PCT/CN2017/081534 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage Ceased WO2018191984A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2017/081534 WO2018191984A1 (fr) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2017/081534 WO2018191984A1 (fr) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018191984A1 true WO2018191984A1 (fr) 2018-10-25

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PCT/CN2017/081534 Ceased WO2018191984A1 (fr) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Codeur rotatif et dispositif de pointage

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WO (1) WO2018191984A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060114229A1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2006-06-01 Wen-Chin Lee Magnetic oscillation metric controller
US20120293167A1 (en) * 2011-05-16 2012-11-22 Denso Corporation Rotation sensor
CN204190654U (zh) * 2014-10-30 2015-03-04 赵艺 一种滚轮的驱动装置
CN106339112A (zh) * 2016-08-25 2017-01-18 苏州达方电子有限公司 鼠标滚轮装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060114229A1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2006-06-01 Wen-Chin Lee Magnetic oscillation metric controller
US20120293167A1 (en) * 2011-05-16 2012-11-22 Denso Corporation Rotation sensor
CN204190654U (zh) * 2014-10-30 2015-03-04 赵艺 一种滚轮的驱动装置
CN106339112A (zh) * 2016-08-25 2017-01-18 苏州达方电子有限公司 鼠标滚轮装置

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