Modular scroll wheel with integral detent-engaging spring tab

• US 7,362,308 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Koo, James Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro; Leonid
• Application Number:
  US10/876,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167
• US Class Current: 345/163
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A single-piece component rotatably supports a scroll wheel and includes an integral follower arm extending into a well within which the scroll wheel rotates. Formed on a circumferential surface of the scroll wheel are regularly spaced detents or other structures forming regularly spaced regions of alternating height. Located on an end of the follower arm is a follower which moves in and out of the detents as the scroll wheel rotates, with the arm biasing the follower against movement out of the detents. The carriage may also include pivots for relative movement of the carriage and scroll wheel assembly with respect to a housing, and a tab for actuating a switch.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a carriage of a scroll wheel assembly configured to hold a rotatable scroll wheel, the method comprising:

providing a scroll wheel with an axle and a circumferential surface;

forming a single-piece carriage as a component distinct from a housing of a mouse in which the single-piece carriage may be mounted, the single-piece carriage integrally having;

first and second sides defining a wheel well,

first and second axle guides integral to the single-piece carriage, respectively formed as part of the first and second sides of the carriage, configured to hold an axle of the scroll wheel, and

an integral follower arm on the first side of the carriage, the follower arm having a follower on an end of the follower arm and extending toward the wheel well from the first side of the carriage, the follower being configured such that when the scroll wheel is coupled to the single-piece carriage, the follower is in contact with the circumferential surface of the scroll wheel and biased to resist deflection as the scroll wheel rotates.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the scroll wheel has an axle, the forming step further comprising configuring the follower arm to face radially outward with respect to the axle when the scroll wheel is coupled to the single-piece carriage.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the circumferential surface faces radially inward with respect to the axle when the scroll wheel is coupled to the single-piece carriage.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the circumferential surface includes a series of peaks and troughs, and wherein the follower arm had substantially no preload when the scroll wheel is coupled to the single-piece carriage and it rotated to a position in which the follower is substantially centered within one of the troughs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming includes molding the single-piece carriage.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of molding includes molding the single-piece carriage into a single piece of plastic.

7. A method of manufacturing an apparatus, comprising:

providing a housing;

providing a scroll wheel;

forming a single-piece carriage as a component distinct from the housing, the single-piece carriage integrally having;

first and second sides defining a wheel well configured to partially contain the scroll wheel, and

an integral follower arm on the first side of the carriage, the follower arm having a follower on an end of the follower arm and extending toward the wheel well from the first side of the carriage, the follower being configured such that when the scroll wheel is coupled to the single-piece carriage, the follower is in contact with a circumferential surface of the scroll wheel and biased to resist deflection as the scroll wheel rotates;

coupling the scroll wheel to the single-piece carriage; and

disposing the scroll wheel and the single-piece carriage at least partially inside the housing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of forming the single-piece carriage further comprises creating first and second axle guides integral to the single-piece carriage, respectively formed as part of the first and second sides of the carriage, configured to hold an axle of the scroll wheel.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of forming the single-piece carriage includes molding the single-piece carriage.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of molding includes molding the single-piece carriage into a single-piece of plastic.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a mouse.