Rotary input apparatus

Abstract

A rotary input apparatus is disclosed. The rotary input apparatus comprising a rotatable wheel, a first magnet joined to a side of the wheel for cooperation with the wheel and magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles, a detection element positioned to face the first magnet for detecting changes in magnetism of the first magnet, a second magnet positioned to face the first magnet and magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles in correspondence with the first magnet, a printed circuit board on which are mounted the detection element and the second magnet, a base to which the printed circuit board is secured, and a holder joined to the base and interposed between the wheel and the base to rotatably support the wheel, allows the user to decide whether or not to create click sensations and to regulate the magnitude of the click sensations, where the rotary input apparatus has a simple composition and yet has excellent durability.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary input apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the printed circuit board of a rotary input apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view across line I-I′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view across line II-II′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electromagnet facing an N-pole in a rotary input apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6 a and 6b are schematic diagrams illustrating electromagnets and a magnet facing each other in a rotary input apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 a is a schematic diagram illustrating electromagnets and a magnet facing each other in a rotary input apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 b is a schematic diagram illustrating the rotary input apparatus of FIG. 7a after the magnet has been rotated.

Claims

1. A rotary input apparatus, comprising: a rotatable wheel;a first magnet joined to a side of the wheel for cooperation with the wheel and magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles;a detection element, positioned to face the first magnet, for detecting changes in magnetism of the first magnet;a second magnet positioned to face the first magnet and magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles in correspondence with the first magnet;a printed circuit board having the detection element and the second magnet mounted thereon;a base having the printed circuit board secured thereto; anda holder joined to the base and interposed between the wheel and the base to rotatably support the wheel.

2. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second magnet is an electromagnet operated by receiving an electrical current from a circuit formed on the printed circuit board.

3. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has a circuit formed thereon for regulating the amount of the electrical current delivered to the second magnet.

4. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has a circuit formed thereon for modifying the direction of the electrical current delivered to the second magnet.

5. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is joined in a circumferential shape along a perimeter portion of a side of the wheel, and the second magnet is mounted in a plurality on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the first magnet.

6. The rotary input apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of second magnets are arranged in constant intervals.

7. The rotary input apparatus of claim 5, wherein the number of N-poles or the number of S-poles on the first magnet is an integer multiple of the number of the second magnets.

8. The rotary input apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second magnet is positioned to face an N-pole or an S-pole of the first magnet.

9. The rotary input apparatus of claim 5, wherein some of the plurality of second magnets are positioned to face N- or S-poles of the first magnet, and some of the plurality of second magnets are positioned to face boundaries between N- and S-poles of the first magnet.

10. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a body portion positioned in contact with the wheel, an inclination portion extending in a predetermined angle from the body portion, and a securing portion extending from the inclination portion and joined to the base.

11. The rotary input apparatus of claim 10, wherein the inclination portion comprises a support hole for holding at least a portion of the detection element or the second magnet.

12. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of push protrusions protruding in the direction of the printed circuit board are formed on a side of the holder,and dome buttons are joined to the printed circuit board to be pressed by the push protrusions.