Joystick module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023305643-A1
Application number	US-202318124613-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 22, 2023
Priority date	Mar 23, 2022
Publication date	Sep 28, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A joystick module includes a casing, a movable component, a circuit board, a base, a swing arm, a joystick and a sensor. The movable component is disposed inside or outside the casing. The base is disposed within the casing. The swing arm is disposed within the casing, pivotally connected to the base and connected to the movable component for driving the movable component to move. The joystick is connected to the swing arm for driving the swing arm to move. The sensor is disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the movable component, and configured to sense a plurality of received signals from the movable component. The received signals are different with the movement of the movable component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A joystick module, comprising:
a casing; a movable component disposed inside or outside the casing; a circuit board; a base disposed within the casing; a swing arm disposed within the casing, pivotally connected to the base and connected to the movable component for driving the movable component to move; a joystick connected to the swing arm for driving the swing arm to move; a sensor disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the movable component, and configured to sense a plurality of received signals from the movable component; wherein the received signals are different with the movement of the movable component.

2 . The joystick module according to claim 1 , wherein the movable component has a reflective surface facing the sensor, and the sensor is an optical sensor.

3 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the reflective surface is a curved surface or a plane.

4 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the reflective surface is a rough surface.

5 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the swing arm is configured to drive the movable component to rotate.

6 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the movable component comprises:
a rack having the reflective surface; and a gear engaged with the rack and configured to drive the rack to translate in a translational direction; wherein the swing arm is connected with the gear for driving the gear to rotate.

7 . The joystick module according to claim 6 , wherein the translational direction is substantially parallel to a signal emission direction of the sensor.

8 . The joystick module according to claim 6 , wherein the translational direction is substantially perpendicular to a signal emission direction of the sensor.

9 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the swing arm is configured to drive the movable component to translate.

10 . The joystick module according to claim 2 , wherein the swing arm is directly connected to the movable component for driving the movable component to rotate.

11 . The joystick module according to claim 10 , wherein the swing arm comprises:
a connecting end directly connected with the movable component, wherein the connecting end and the movable component are coaxially disposed.

12 . A joystick module, comprising:
a casing; a reflective component disposed inside or outside the casing; a circuit board; a base disposed within the casing; a swing arm disposed within the casing, pivotally connected to the base and connected to the reflective component for driving the reflective component to move; a joystick connected to the swing arm for driving the swing arm to move; a light-emitting unit disposed on the circuit board, disposed opposite to the reflective component and configured to output an emission signal to the reflective component; and a light-receiving unit disposed on the circuit board, disposed opposite to the reflective component and configured to receive a reflected signal of the transmitted signal which is reflected from the reflective component.

13 . The joystick module according to claim 12 , wherein the reflective component has a reflective surface facing the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

14 . The joystick module according to claim 13 , wherein the reflective surface is a curved surface or a plane.

15 . The joystick module according to claim 12 , wherein the swing arm is configured to drive the reflective component to rotate.

16 . The joystick module according to claim 12 , wherein the reflective component comprises:
a rack having the reflective surface; and a gear engaged with the rack and configured for driving the rack to translate in a translational direction; wherein the swing arm is connected with the gear for driving the gear to rotate.

17 . The joystick module according to claim 16 , wherein the translational direction is substantially parallel to a signal emission direction of the sensor.

18 . The joystick module according to claim 16 , wherein the translational direction is substantially perpendicular to a signal emission direction of the sensor.

19 . The joystick module according to claim 12 , wherein the swing arm is configured to drive the reflective component to translate.

20 . A joystick module, comprising:
a casing; a signal generator disposed outside the casing and configured to generate an emission signal; a base; a circuit board disposed on the base; a signal sensor disposed on the circuit board, disposed opposite to the signal generator and configured to sense the emission signal; a swing arm disposed within the casing and directly connected to the signal generator; and a joystick connected to the swing arm for driving the swing arm to move.

21 . The joystick module according to claim 20 , wherein the swing arm comprises:
a connecting end directly connected with the signal generator, wherein the connecting end and the signal generator are coaxially disposed.

Assignees

• Lite On Technology Corp

Inventors

• Hung Chun-Tseng
• Chen Hsin-Chang
• Chen yi-huan
• Chiu Yi-Wei
• Chuang Chih-Hsien
• Chen Chi-Feng
• Lee Ying-Jui

Classifications

• G06F3/0338 Primary

  with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks · CPC title

• G06F3/0383

  Signal control means within the pointing device · CPC title

• G01D5/30

  the beams of light being detected by photocells · CPC title

• G05G1/10 Primary

  Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles {(G05G1/085 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G05G9/047

  the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks {(for switches H01H25/04)} · CPC title