Roller wheel module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021200336-A1
Application number	US-202016924217-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 9, 2020
Priority date	Dec 29, 2019
Publication date	Jul 1, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A roller wheel module includes a roller wheel, an elastic member, and an adjustment assembly. The roller wheel includes a ratchet structure and has a configuration surface. The configuration surface is divided into a blank region and a ratchet region. The ratchet structure is disposed on the configuration surface and is located in the ratchet region. The elastic member is disposed next to the roller wheel and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end of the elastic member is connected to the adjustment assembly, and the adjustment assembly drives the second end of the elastic member to move between the blank region and the ratchet region. The roller wheel module allows the user to switch between a ratchet rotating mode and a smooth rolling mode according to requirements, and allows the user to quickly scrolling and have a better touch feel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A roller wheel module, comprising:
a roller wheel, comprising a ratchet structure and having a configuration surface, wherein the configuration surface is divided into a blank region and a ratchet region, and the ratchet structure is disposed on the configuration surface and is located in the ratchet region; an elastic member, disposed next to the roller wheel, having a first end and a second end opposite to each other; and an adjustment assembly, wherein the first end of the elastic member is connected to the adjustment assembly, and the adjustment assembly drives the second end of the elastic member to move between the blank region and the ratchet region, wherein the second end of the elastic member leans against the ratchet structure so that the roller wheel is in a ratchet rotating mode when the adjustment assembly drives the elastic member to be located in the ratchet region, and the second end of the elastic member leans against the configuration surface of the roller wheel so that the roller wheel is in a smooth rolling mode when the adjustment assembly drives the elastic member to be located in the blank region.

2 . The roller wheel module according to claim 1 , wherein the roller wheel comprises:
a plastic housing, having the configuration surface and a peripheral surface connected to the configuration surface, wherein the peripheral surface and the configuration surface define an accommodating cavity; a weight block, disposed in the accommodating cavity; and a plastic cover, disposed on the plastic housing to fix the weight block in the accommodating cavity.

3 . The roller wheel module according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a rubber ring, sleeved on the peripheral surface of the plastic housing.

4 . The roller wheel module according to claim 2 , wherein the ratchet structure further extends and is disposed on the peripheral surface of the plastic housing, and the plastic housing and the ratchet structure are integrally formed.

5 . The roller wheel module according to claim 2 , wherein a material of the weight block comprises metal or stainless steel.

6 . The roller wheel module according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member comprises a spring or a torsion spring.

7 . The roller wheel module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a carrier, comprising a pivot portion, wherein the roller wheel is disposed on the carrier, and the adjustment assembly is pivotally connected to the pivot portion.

8 . The roller wheel module according to claim 7 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises:
a sliding member, comprising a sliding block and a sleeve shaft connected to each other, wherein the sleeve shaft is pivotally connected to the pivot portion of the carrier, and the sliding block has an opening; and a scrolling post, disposed in the opening of the sliding block, adapted to push the sliding member to move.

9 . The roller wheel module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an encoder, disposed next to the roller wheel, wherein an axle core of the roller wheel penetrates through the encoder.

10 . The roller wheel module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one switch, disposed on at least one side of the roller wheel.

11 . A roller wheel module, comprising:
a carrier, comprising an accommodation opening and a pivot portion; a roller wheel, disposed in the accommodation opening of the carrier, comprising a ratchet structure and having a configuration surface, wherein the configuration surface is divided into a blank region and a ratchet region, and the ratchet structure is disposed on the configuration surface and is located in the ratchet region; an elastic member, disposed next to the roller wheel, having a first end and a second end opposite to each other; a sliding member, pivotally connected to the pivot portion of the carrier, comprising an opening, wherein the first end of the elastic member is connected to the sliding member; and a scrolling post, disposed in the opening of the sliding member, adapted to push the sliding member to move to drive the second end of the elastic member to move between the blank region and the ratchet region, wherein the second end of the elastic member leans against the ratchet structure so that the roller wheel is in a ratchet rotating mode when the sliding member drives the elastic member to be located in the ratchet region, and the second end of the elastic member leans against the configuration surface of the roller wheel so that the roller wheel is in a smooth rolling mode when the sliding member drives the elastic member to be located in the blank region.

12 . The roller wheel module according to claim 11 , wherein the roller wheel comprises:
a plastic housing, having the configuration surface and a peripheral surface connected to the configuration surface, wherein the peripheral surface and the configuration surface define an accommodating cavity; a weight block, disposed in the accommodating cavity; and a plastic cover, disposed on the plastic housing to fix the weight block in the accommodating cavity.

13 . The roller wheel module according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a rubber ring, sleeved on the peripheral surface of the plastic housing.

14 . The roller wheel module according to claim 12 , wherein the ratchet structure further extends and is disposed on the peripheral surface of the plastic housing, and the plastic housing and the ratchet structure are integrally formed.

15 . The roller wheel module according to claim 12 , wherein a material of the weight block comprises metal or stainless steel.

16 . The roller wheel module according to claim 11 , wherein the elastic member comprises a spring or a torsion spring.

17 . The roller wheel module according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a base, wherein the scrolling post is disposed on the base; and a circuit board, disposed on the base, comprising a sliding slot, wherein the scrolling post penetrates through the sliding slot and is adapted to move in the sliding slot.

18 . The roller wheel module according to claim 17 , further comprising:
at least one switch, disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board.

19 . The roller wheel module according to claim 17 , further comprising:
an encoder, disposed next to the roller wheel, wherein an axle core of the roller wheel penetrates through the encoder, wherein the encoder is electrically connected to the circuit board through a plurality of electrical wires.

20 . The roller wheel module according to claim 17 , further comprising:
a plurality of screwing members, penetrating through the circuit board and fixing the circuit board onto the base.

Assignees

• Lite On Electronics Guangzhou
• Lite On Technology Corp

Inventors

• Chiang Hsiao-Lung
• Tsai Chen-Yu
• Yen Hong-Che

Classifications

• G06F3/0362 Primary

  with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts · CPC title

• G06F3/03543 Primary

  Mice or pucks (G06F3/03541 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/03541

  Mouse/trackball convertible devices, in which the same ball is used to track the 2D relative movement · CPC title

• G06F3/0213

  Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick (for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033) · CPC title