INPUT DEVICE WITH TILTABLE SCROLL WHEEL MODULE

Abstract

A tiltable scroll wheel module for use in an input device is provided. Two confining members with complementary shapes are arranged inside the tiltable scroll wheel module. When the scroll wheel is pressed down, these two confining members are engaged with each other. Under this circumstance, the carrier member is confined in position without largely swinging the carrier member toward the left or right side thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic outside view of a mouse having a tiltable scroll wheel module according to prior art;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the tiltable scroll wheel module of the mouse in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 1B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV1, wherein the tiltable scroll wheel module has not been enabled;

FIG. 1D is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module of FIG. 1B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV1, wherein a switch unit is triggered when the scroll wheel is pressed down;

FIG. 1E is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module of FIG. 1B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV1, wherein two switch unit are simultaneously triggered when the scroll wheel is pressed down;

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a tiltable scroll wheel module of a mouse according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of the tiltable scroll wheel module of FIG. 2A taken from another viewpoint;

FIG. 2C is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 2B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV2, wherein the tiltable scroll wheel module has not been enabled;

FIG. 2D is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 2B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV2, wherein a switch unit is triggered when the scroll wheel is tilted toward the left side;

FIG. 2E is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 2B taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV2, wherein another switch unit is triggered when the scroll wheel is pressed down;

FIGS. 2F-2K are schematic side views illustrating some variants of two confining members of the tiltable scroll wheel module according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a tiltable scroll wheel module of a mouse according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 3A taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV3, wherein the tiltable scroll wheel module has not been enabled;

FIG. 3C is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 3A taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV3, wherein a switch unit is triggered when the scroll wheel is tilted toward the left side;

FIG. 3D is a schematic side view of the tiltable scroll wheel module shown in FIG. 3A taken from a viewpoint in the direction RV3, wherein another switch unit is triggered when the scroll wheel is pressed down; and

FIGS. 3E-3I are schematic side views illustrating some variants of two confining members of the tiltable scroll wheel module according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An input device comprising: a main body having an opening in an outer surface thereof;a scroll wheel disposed within said main body and partially protruded from said opening;a carrier member for supporting said scroll wheel and permitting rotation of said scroll wheel thereon, wherein said carrier member includes a first confining member having a convex confining part;a second confining member having a concave confining part below said convex confining part of said first confining member; anda switch unit disposed below said carrier member, wherein said switch unit is triggered by said carrier member and said convex confining part of said first confining member is engaged with said concave confining part of said second confining member when said scroll wheel is pressed down, so that said carrier member is confined in position without largely swinging said carrier member toward the left or right side thereof.

2. The input device according to claim 1 wherein said second confining member further comprises a top cover arranged above said first confining member.

3. The input device according to claim 1 further comprising a spring sustained against said carrier member and said switch unit.

4. The input device according to claim 3 wherein said second confining member further comprises a top cover arranged above said first confining member.

5. The input device according to claim 1 wherein said convex confining part of said first confining member and said concave confining part of said second confining member have complementary shapes.

6. The input device according to claim 1 wherein said input device is a mouse.

7. An input device comprising: a main body having an opening in an outer surface thereof;a scroll wheel disposed within said main body and partially protruded from said opening;a carrier member for supporting said scroll wheel and permitting rotation of said scroll wheel thereon, wherein said carrier member includes a first confining member having a concave confining part;a second confining member having a convex confining part below said concave confining part of said first confining member; anda switch unit disposed below said carrier member, wherein said switch unit is triggered by said carrier member and said concave confining part of said first confining member is engaged with said convex confining part of said second confining member when said scroll wheel is pressed down, so that said carrier member is confined in position without largely swinging said carrier member toward the left or right side thereof.

8. The input device according to claim 7 wherein said second confining member further comprises a top cover arranged above said first confining member.

9. The input device according to claim 7 further comprising a spring sustained against said carrier member and said switch unit.

10. The input device according to claim 9 wherein said second confining member further comprises a top cover arranged above said first confining member.

11. The input device according to claim 7 wherein said concave confining part of said first confining member and said convex confining part of said second confining member have complementary shapes.

12. The input device according to claim 7 wherein said input device is a mouse.