Rotary input apparatus

Abstract

A rotary input apparatus is disclosed. The rotary input apparatus comprising a rotatable wheel, a multi-pole ring-type magnet secured to the bottom of the wheel to rotate together with the wheel, a printed circuit board on which one or more detection elements are mounted that are capable of detecting the rotation of the magnet and in which one or more receiving holes are formed in correspondence with the detection elements, with at least a portion of the detection elements inserted in the receiving holes, and a base rotatably supporting the wheel on which the printed circuit board is positioned, can reduce the thickness of input apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary input apparatus of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a rotary input apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating sensors inserted into the base and printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A rotary input apparatus, comprising: a rotatable wheel;a multi-pole ring-type magnet secured to the bottom of the wheel to rotate together with the wheel;a printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted thereon and having one or more receiving holes formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements, wherein the detection elements are capable of detecting rotation of the magnet, and at least a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the receiving holes; anda base rotatably supporting the wheel and having the printed circuit board positioned thereon.

2. The rotary 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.

3. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection element is a Hall sensor or an MR sensor.

4. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a holder, secured to the base, for rotatably supporting the wheel.

5. The rotary input apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base has one or more fastening holes,and the holder has one or more fastening portions inserted into the fastening holes.

6. The rotary input apparatus of claim 5, wherein the holder has a plurality of push protrusions protruding downwards,and the printed circuit board has one or more dome buttons pressed by the push protrusions.

7. The rotary input apparatus of claim 6, wherein the holder has a center hole and one or more ledges formed adjacent to the center 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.

8. The rotary input apparatus of claim 4, wherein the holder has one or more holder holes, formed in positions corresponding to the detection elements, in which at least portions of the detection elements are positioned.

9. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel has a center key formed at the center thereof,and the printed circuit board has dome buttons to be pressed by the center key.