Encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement for an optical mouse with scrolling function

• US 6,344,643 B1
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dexin Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Cheng Hsiung
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Application Number:
  US09/421,565
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/231.13, 250/231.14, 250/231.15, 250/231.16, 345/123, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 345/168, 345/169, 345/184, 341/31, 341/34, 341/35
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement for an optical mouse with scrolling function, which includes a circuit board having a microswitch, a mount mounted on the circuit board, the mount having an integrally-formed bottom frame, an integrally-formed suspension arm spaced above the bottom frame, and an integrally-formed connecting portion connected between the bottom frame and the suspension arm at a rear side, the suspension arm having a front tongue suspending above the microswitch, an optical encoder wheel supported on the suspension arm, a transmitter mounted on the mount at one side and controlled by the circuit board to emit a light beam through radial slots at the optical encoder wheel, and an optical detector mounted on the mount at one side opposite to the transmitter and controlled by the circuit board to read the light beam transmitted by the transmitter, wherein the optical encoder wheel not only provides scrolling up and scrolling down functions when rotating the encoder wheel, but also provides third button functions when depressing the encoder wheel. Depressing the encoder wheel consequently forces the suspension arm and its front tongue down to activate the third button switch to perform special mouse operations.

Claims

1. An encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement for an optical mouse with scrolling function, comprising:

a circuit board having a microswitch known as a third button switch for special mouse operations;

a mount mounted on said circuit board adjacent to said microswitch, said mount comprising a bottom frame, a suspension arm spaced above said bottom frame, a connecting portion connected between said bottom frame and said suspension arm at a rear side remote from said microswitch, and a narrow, forwardly extended gap defined between said bottom frame and said suspension arm in front of said connecting portion, said suspension arm having a front tongue suspending above said microswitch for triggering said microswitch;

an optical encoder wheel supported on said suspension arm, said optical encoder wheel having a plurality of equiangularly spaced radial slots;

a transmitter mounted on said mount at one side and connected to said circuit board and controlled by said circuit board to emit a light beam through the radial slots at said optical encoder wheel; and

an optical detector mounted on said mount at one side opposite to said transmitter and connected to said circuit board and controlled by said circuit board to read the light beam transmitted by said transmitter;

wherein said mount is made in integrity, such that when said optical encoder wheel is depressed, said microswitch is triggered by the front tongue of said suspension arm to accomplish third button activation so as to perform the predefined function.

2. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said suspension arm comprises two upright support plates disposed at two opposite sides for supporting said optical encoder wheel, said upright support plates each comprising a top V-cut and a recessed portion in said top V-cut for supporting wheel axle means of said optical encoder wheel.

3. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said optical encoder wheel comprises at least one toothed disk portion at at least one of two opposite sides thereof, and said suspension arm of said mount comprises at least one spring plate respectively pressed on said at least one toothed disk portion at said optical encoder wheel to guide rotary motion of said optical encoder wheel step by step, said at least one spring plate each having a free end terminating in a flanged portion disposed on contact with one of said at least one toothed disk portion.

4. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said suspension arm of said mount comprises two wings at two opposite sides for supporting said transmitter and said optical detector, said wings each having a plurality of through holes through which respective contact pins of said transmitter or said optical detector are extended and connected to said circuit board.

5. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 4 wherein said suspension arm of said mount further comprises two upright locating plates disposed at two opposite sides corresponding to said wings for supporting said transmitter and said optical detector in position.

6. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said circuit board comprises two locating notches, and said mount comprises two downward hooks downwardly and bilaterally extended from a bottom side wall thereof and respectively hooked in the locating notches at said circuit board.

7. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 6 wherein said circuit board further comprises a locating hole for the positioning of said mount, and said mount further comprises a downward positioning rod downwardly extended from the bottom side wall thereof on the middle and plugged into the locating hole at said circuit board.

8. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said narrow, forwardly extended gap has an expanded portion at a rear end adjacent to said connecting portion between said bottom frame and said suspension arm.

9. The encoder wheel module and circuit board arrangement of claim 1 wherein said front tongue can be arranged anywhere on said suspension arm according to the location of said microswitch on the circuit board.