U.S. patent application number 12/149746 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for rotary manipulation type input apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Eung-Cheon Kang.
Application Number | 20080211488 12/149746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38068093 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080211488 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kang; Eung-Cheon |
September 4, 2008 |
Rotary manipulation type input apparatus
Abstract
A rotary manipulation type input apparatus is disclosed. The
rotary manipulation type input apparatus including a rotatable
wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a printed
circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted
thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet;
a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and a
holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the
wheel is rotatable, where the holder includes a body portion, an
inclination portion extending in a particular angle from the body
portion, and a securing portion extending from an end of the
inclination portion and joined to the base, and the inclination
portion is made of metal, has a reduced thickness and has superior
endurance to external impact.
Inventors: |
Kang; Eung-Cheon;
(Hwaseong-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon
KR
|
Family ID: |
38068093 |
Appl. No.: |
12/149746 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11546875 |
Oct 13, 2006 |
|
|
|
12149746 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
324/207.2 ;
324/207.21; 324/207.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0362 20130101;
G01D 11/245 20130101; G01D 5/145 20130101; H05K 1/182 20130101;
H01H 2025/048 20130101; H01H 2025/043 20130101; H01H 25/041
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
324/207.2 ;
324/207.25; 324/207.21 |
International
Class: |
G01B 7/30 20060101
G01B007/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0022562 |
Claims
1. A rotary manipulation type input apparatus comprising: a
rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a
printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted
thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet;
a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and a
holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the
wheel is rotatable, wherein the holder comprises a body portion, an
inclination portion extending in a particular angle from the body
portion, and a securing portion extending from an end of the
inclination portion and joined to the base, and the inclination
portion is made of metal.
2. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the printed circuit board has one or more receiving holes formed
therein in correspondence with the detection elements, and at least
a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the receiving
holes.
3. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the body portion and the securing portion are made of metal.
4. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the base has one or more insertion holes in which at least a
portion of the detection elements is positioned in correspondence
with the receiving holes.
5. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the detection element is a Hall sensor or an MR sensor.
6. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the body portion has an insertion hole and one or more ledges
formed adjacent to the insertion hole, the wheel has securing
protrusions protruding downwards, and a washer having one or more
rotation holes of predetermined central angles formed therein is
inserted onto the ledges, the securing protrusions being inserted
into the rotation holes.
7. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the holder has one or more support portion holes, formed in
positions corresponding to the detection elements, in which at
least portions of the detection elements are positioned.
8. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising: a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and a
dome button on the printed circuit board such that enables the
center key to press the dome button.
9. A rotary manipulation type input apparatus comprising: a
rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a
printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted
thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet;
a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and an
elastic holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such
that the wheel is rotatable.
10. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9,
wherein at least a portion of the holder is made of metal.
11. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9,
wherein the printed circuit board has one or more receiving holes
formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements, and
at least a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the
receiving holes.
12. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9,
wherein the base has one or more insertion holes in which at least
a portion of the detection elements is positioned in correspondence
with the receiving holes.
13. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9,
further comprising: a center key formed at the center of the wheel;
and a dome button on the printed circuit board such that enables
the center key to press the dome button.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of co-pending
application Ser. No. 11/546,875 filed on Oct. 13, 2006 for which
priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Korean Patent
Application No. 2006-0022562 filed with the Korean Intellectual
Property Office on Mar. 10, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a rotary manipulation type
input apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a mobile terminal has the numbers 0-9 and the
symbols * and # on a keypad of 12 keys. In addition to the numbers,
there are also alphabet letters as well as consonants and vowels of
Korean letters marked on such a keypad, to enable the input of
information including numbers and letters. Recently, there are also
navigation keys formed above the keypad equipped with a variety of
functions such as phone number search, writing and managing text
messages, and connecting to the Internet, etc. There are various
forms of navigation keys, such as button types and rotary types,
etc., but the use of rotary manipulation type input apparatus is
currently increasing, as they enable various functions such as menu
browsing, etc.
[0006] As the latest mobile terminals are becoming more and more
slim in shape, so also is there a demand for these rotary
manipulation type input apparatus to be slim. In addition to being
slim, there is also a demand for endurance to withstand external
impact. However, since in conventional rotary manipulation type
input apparatus there are Hall sensors or MR sensors, etc., mounted
on the printed circuit board, etc., there is a limit to how much
the thickness can be decreased. Also, since the portion supporting
the rotary plate is generally joined to the base, etc., by means of
molded products, the input apparatus are vulnerable to external
impact.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention aims to provide a rotary manipulation
type input apparatus which has a reduced thickness, and which
outputs rotation speed, direction, and angle, etc., to allow
various types of input.
[0008] The invention also aims to provide a rotary manipulation
type input apparatus which has superior endurance to external
impact, etc.
[0009] One aspect of the invention provides a rotary manipulation
type input apparatus including a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined
to the bottom of the wheel; a printed circuit board having one or
more detection elements mounted thereon, the detection elements
detecting a rotation of the magnet; a base having the printed
circuit board joined thereto; and a holder joined to the base and
supporting the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable, wherein the
holder comprises a body portion, an inclination portion extending
in a particular angle from the body portion, and a securing portion
extending from an end of the inclination portion and joined to the
base, and the inclination portion is made of metal.
[0010] The printed circuit board may have one or more receiving
holes formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements,
and at least a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the
receiving holes.
[0011] The body portion and the securing portion may be made of
metal. The base may have one or more insertion holes in which at
least a portion of the detection elements is positioned in
correspondence with the receiving holes.
[0012] The detection element may be a Hall sensor or an MR
sensor.
[0013] The body portion may have an insertion hole and one or more
ledges formed adjacent to the insertion hole, the wheel may have
securing protrusions protruding downwards, and a washer having one
or more rotation holes of predetermined central angles formed
therein may be inserted onto the ledges, the securing protrusions
being inserted into the rotation holes. The holder may have one or
more support portion holes, formed in positions corresponding to
the detection elements, in which at least portions of the detection
elements are positioned. Meanwhile, the rotary manipulation type
input apparatus may further include a center key formed at the
center of the wheel; and a dome button on the printed circuit board
such that enables the center key to press the dome button.
[0014] Other aspect of the invention provides a rotary manipulation
type input apparatus including a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined
to the bottom of the wheel; a printed circuit board having one or
more detection elements mounted thereon, the detection elements
detecting a rotation of the magnet; a base having the printed
circuit board joined thereto; and an elastic holder joined to the
base and supporting the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable.
[0015] At least a portion of the holder may be made of metal.
[0016] The printed circuit board may have one or more receiving
holes formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements,
and at least a portion of the detection elements may be inserted in
the receiving holes.
[0017] The base may have one or more insertion holes in which at
least a portion of the detection elements is positioned in
correspondence with the receiving holes.
[0018] Meanwhile, the rotary manipulation type input apparatus may
further include a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and
a dome button on the printed circuit board such that enables the
center key to press the dome button.
[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention
will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in
part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary manipulation type
input apparatus in an unassembled state according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary manipulation
type input apparatus of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a rotary
manipulation type input apparatus according to an embodiment of the
invention illustrating the composition of the support portion and
illustrating sensors inserted into the base and printed circuit
board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Below, embodiments of the rotary manipulation type input
apparatus according to the invention will be described in more
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
description with reference to the accompanying drawings, those
components are rendered the same reference number that are the same
or are in correspondence regardless of the figure number, and
redundant explanations are omitted.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary manipulation type input
apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a
rotatably joined wheel 11, a washer 25 which secures the wheel 11
to a holder 15, a center key 29 joined at the center of the wheel
11, a ring-shaped magnet 13 joined to the bottom of the wheel 11
which rotates together with the wheel 11, the holder 15 joined to
the upper surface of a base 39 for rotatably supporting the wheel
11, a printed circuit board 31 joined to the upper surface of the
base 39, and Hall sensors 35 positioned in grooves of the printed
circuit board 31 which are detection elements for sensing the
rotation of the magnet 13.
[0025] As the holder 15 which rotatably supports the wheel 11 is
made of metal and is joined directly on the base 39 also made of
metal, the rotary manipulation type input apparatus according to
this embodiment has superior endurance to external impact. Also, it
is returned to its original position by means of the elasticity of
the metal holder 15 after an external force is removed, to provide
a better tactile feel.
[0026] On the printed circuit board 31 having the Hall sensors 35,
i.e. the detection elements, there are receiving holes 37 formed,
in which at least portions of the Hall sensors 35 can be
positioned, so that the thickness of the rotary manipulation type
input apparatus may be reduced by the thickness of a receiving hole
37. Also, by additionally forming insertion holes 43 on the base 39
in which may be positioned the Hall sensors 35, i.e. the detection
elements, the thickness of the rotary manipulation type input
apparatus may further be reduced by the thickness of an insertion
hole 43.
[0027] The wheel 11 is generally shaped as a circular plate, with
an insertion hole 14 formed in the center through which the center
key 29 may be inserted. The wheel 11 has a plurality of securing
protrusions 12 adjacent to the insertion hole 14 that protrude
downwards. As the securing protrusions 12 are inserted into the
rotation holes 27 of the washer 25, the wheel 11 is rotatably
joined to the holder 15. On the bottom surface of the wheel 11 is
joined the magnet 13, which is magnetized to have multiple poles.
The wheel 11 is rotated together with the magnet 13 by user
operation, whereby a variety of inputs are made as the Hall sensors
35 sense the rotation angle, direction, and speed, etc., of the
magnet 13. Also, a portion may be pressed by the user, so that a
push protrusion formed on the reverse side of the holder 15 presses
the upper surface of a dome button 33 to activate a separate
function.
[0028] The securing protrusions 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are
inserted through the center hole 21 of the holder 15 and the
rotation holes 27 of the washer 25, with the ends processed such
that they are not detached from the rotation holes 27. The washer
25 is inserted and joined onto the center of the holder 15, whereby
the wheel 11 is joined to the holder 15. The central angles of the
rotation holes 27 through which the securing protrusions 12 are
inserted define the angle by which the wheel 11 is able to
rotate.
[0029] The magnet 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the wheel
11 to be rotated together with the wheel 11, and such rotation of
the magnet 13 is sensed by the Hall sensors 35 for an input based
on the rotation angle. The magnet 13 has the shape of a ring
magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles, and the Hall sensors
35 are able to detect the rotation angle, direction, and speed of
the wheel 11 according to the changes in N- and S-poles above the
Hall sensors 35.
[0030] The holder 15 is joined to one side of the base 39 and
rotatably supports the wheel 11. The holder 15 may be made of
metal, such as stainless steel, etc., so that when the particular
force applied on the wheel 11 is removed, the wheel 11 is returned
to its original position due to the elasticity of the holder 15
itself. The holder 15 may be formed by press processing, etc. Of
course, the holder 15 may also be formed by plastics, etc., that
are high in elasticity.
[0031] The holder 15 includes a ring-shaped body portion 18, and a
support portion 16 protruding from the perimeter of the body
portion 18 and joined to a side of the base 39. The body portion 18
has a center hole 21 in the middle, and the support portion 16
protruding in four directions around the center hole 21 comprises
an inclination portion 17 protruding downwards in a particular
inclination, and a securing portion 19 extending horizontally from
the end of the inclination portion 17.
[0032] The inclination portion 17 protrudes outwards and connects
the body portion 18 and the securing portion 19. Since the
inclination portion 17 is formed by metal, etc., having elasticity,
when an external force applied on the holder 15 is removed, the
holder 15 is returned to its original position by means of the
elasticity of the inclination portion 17. Thus, even when a
particular portion of the wheel 11 is pressed so that the wheel 11
becomes tilted, this elasticity allows it to be restored to its
original position. The securing portion 19 extends from the end of
the inclination portion 17 and is joined to the upper surface of
the base 39 to secure the holder 15. The securing portion 19 may be
joined to the base 39 by means of adhesive or tape, etc.
[0033] Since the holder 15 is joined directly to a side of the base
39 by means of adhesive, etc., the rotary manipulation type input
apparatus according to this embodiment has superior endurance to
external impact. Also, the elasticity of the holder 15, which is
formed of metal, allows not only the holder 15 itself but also the
wheel 11 to be restored to their original positions, to provide a
better tactile feel.
[0034] In the support portion 16 are formed support portion holes
20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of the Hall sensor 35, i.e.
the sensing means, may be positioned in the support portion hole
20. Also, the body portion 18 has ledges 23 formed adjacent to the
center hole 21.
[0035] The support portion holes 20 in the support portion 16 are
formed to correspond with the Hall sensors 35 mounted on the
printed circuit board 31, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, hold
portions of the Hall sensors 35. The center hole 21 is formed in
the center of the holder 15. Also, the wheel 11 is rotatably
inserted onto a perimeter 22 forming the center hole 21, to prevent
the wheel 11 from becoming detached. The ledges 23, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, are formed adjacent to the center hole 21. The washer 25
is inserted and joined onto the ledges 23.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the washer 25 is generally shaped
as a donut, with a plurality of rotation holes 27 formed in certain
intervals along the ring. The washer 25 is inserted and joined onto
the ledges 23 to define the angle by which the wheel 11 is able to
rotate. While there are four arc-shaped rotation holes 27
illustrated in this embodiment, the invention is not thus limited,
and it is to be appreciated that the number and central angles of
the rotation holes 27 may be changed according to design
considerations. For example, one or two rotation holes 27 formed
along the ring of the washer 25 with a central angle of 180.degree.
or 360.degree. may be used for the rotation holes 27.
[0037] The center key 29 is inserted through the insertion hole 14
of the wheel 11 and supported by elastic rubber (not shown), etc.
The center key 29 is pressed by the user to perform a particular
function, examples of which include connecting to the Internet or
receiving DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), etc.
[0038] The printed circuit board 31 has the shape of a circular
plate in correspondence with the base 39, with a plurality of dome
buttons 33 formed on one side in correspondence with the push
protrusions formed on the reverse side of the holder 15. Also,
there are receiving holes 37 formed on the printed circuit board 31
in which at least portions of the Hall sensors 35 may be inserted.
The printed circuit board 31 is formed with a diameter somewhat
shorter than the diameter of the base 39, in order to allow a
sufficient area where the securing portion 19 of the holder 15 may
be joined.
[0039] The dome buttons 33 are pressed by push protrusions (not
shown) formed on the reverse side of the holder 15 to perform
separate functions. While in this embodiment the dome buttons 33
are illustrated as being pressed by means of the wheel 11, the
invention is not thus limited, and any composition may be used in
which certain pressing performs separate functions. For example,
pressure sensors or contact sensors may also be used instead of the
dome buttons 33.
[0040] The receiving holes 37 are formed on the printed circuit
board 31 in correspondence with the support portion holes 20 of the
holder 15, and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least portions
of the Hall sensors 35 are positioned in the receiving holes 37.
Thus, compared to the case of mounting Hall sensors 35 on the upper
surface of the printed circuit board 31, the thickness of the input
device in the present embodiment may be reduced by the by the
thickness of a receiving hole 37.
[0041] The detection element may be a Hall sensor (Hall effect
sensor), which is a silicon semiconductor using the effect of
electromotive forces being generated when electrons experience the
Lorentz force in a magnetic field and their direction is curved.
The Hall sensors generate electromotive forces that are
proportional to the rotation of the magnet 13 attached to the wheel
11, which are transferred via the printed circuit board 31 to an
outside control unit (not shown).
[0042] Of course, the detection element is not limited to Hall
sensors, and any element may be used which can detect the rotation
of the magnet 13. For example, MR (magneto-resistive) sensors or
GMR (giant magneto-resistive) sensors may be used for the detection
element. An MR sensor or a GMR sensor is an element of which the
resistance value is changed according to changes in the magnetic
field, and utilizes the property that electromagnetic forces curve
and elongate the carrier path in a solid to change the resistance.
Not only are MR sensors or GMR sensors small in size with high
signal levels, but also they have excellent sensitivity to allow
operation in low-level magnetic fields, and they are also superior
in terms of temperature stability.
[0043] When the detection element consists of Hall sensors 35, the
Hall sensors 35 are joined to the printed circuit board 31 by leads
36, where the leads 36 are inserted through the insertion holes 43
of the base 39 and joined to the reverse side of the printed
circuit board 31.
[0044] The base 39, as illustrated in FIG. 1, has the shape of a
circular plate, and rotatably supports the holder 15 and the wheel
11. The diameter of the base 39 is formed to be somewhat longer
than that of the printed circuit board 31. Also, insertion holes 43
are formed on the base 39 in correspondence with the receiving
holes 37 of the printed circuit board 31. As illustrated in FIG. 3,
portions of the Hall sensors 35 are positioned in the insertion
holes 43, whereby the thickness of the rotary manipulation type
input apparatus may further be reduced by the thickness of the
insertion holes 43.
[0045] Below, a description will be given of the operation of a
rotary manipulation type input apparatus according to the present
embodiment.
[0046] When a rotational force is applied by a user on an outer
side of the center key 29, the wheel 11 is rotated while inserted
onto the perimeter 22 of the holder 15, which causes the magnet 13
to rotate together with the wheel 11. As the magnet 13 has a
multiple number of alternately magnetized N- and S-poles, the Hall
sensors 35 can sense the changes in poles due to the rotation of
the magnet 13, to recognize the rotation direction, speed, and
angle of the wheel 11. The Hall sensors 35 generate output signals
corresponding to the rotation direction, rotation angle, and
rotation speed of the wheel 11, which are transmitted via the
printed circuit board 31 to an outside control unit, and the
control unit identifies the output signals to perform an input
corresponding to the rotation of the wheel 11.
[0047] Also, when an outer side of the center key 29 is pressed by
a user, the wheel 11 is tilted in one direction while elastically
supported by the holder 15, which causes the push protrusions (not
shown) formed on the reverse side of the holder 15 to press the
dome buttons 33. This allows each of the dome buttons 33 positioned
on the printed circuit board 31 to perform its own function. For
example, in the input apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, there
are four dome buttons 33 in equal intervals that can be pressed by
the push protrusions, where each dome button 33 may function as a
hot key for launching a text message function, searching phone
numbers, connecting to the Internet, or receiving satellite
broadcasts, etc. In addition, the center key 29 may also perform a
separate function when pressed by a user.
[0048] Such a rotary manipulation type input apparatus may be used
in a mobile terminal such as a laptop or PDA (personal digital
assistant), as well as in a mobile phone.
[0049] The present invention can thus provide a rotary manipulation
type input apparatus which has a reduced thickness, and which
outputs rotation speed, direction, and angle, etc., to allow
various types of input.
[0050] The invention can also provide a rotary manipulation type
input apparatus which has superior endurance to external impact,
etc.
[0051] While the above description has pointed out novel features
of the invention as applied to the embodiments disclosed above, it
is to be construed that various permutations and modifications are
included within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *