Patent ID: 6097370
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An X-Y direction input device comprising a rotated spherical body arranged in a rotatable manner, a first driven roller contacting said rotated spherical body to be rotatable by rotating force of said rotated spherical body, a second driven roller contacting said rotated spherical body to be rotated by rotating force of said rotated spherical body and having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said first driven roller, first rotational amount detecting means for detecting an amount of rotation of said first driven roller, second rotational amount detecting means for detecting an amount of rotation of said second driven roller, and frictional force applying means for resiliently urging said rotated spherical body toward said first driven roller and said second driven roller frictional forces between said rotated spherical body and both said driven rollers, said frictional force applying means comprising a rolling contact roller held in rolling contact with said rotated spherical body, a resilient member rotatably supporting said rolling contact roller, and a support member holding at least one end of said resilient member, wherein said resilient member is a coil spring, said coil spring being inserted in a through hole formed at the axial center of said rolling contact roller, both ends of said coil spring being attached to support members which are provided on the side nearer to said rotated spherical body than the axial center of said rolling contact roller.