US 11,806,614 B2
Manipulation input device
Kenji Kawashima, Tokyo (JP); Ryo Fukikoshi, Saitama (JP); and Masaho Morita, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/895,145.
Application 17/895,145 is a continuation of application No. 16/960,212, granted, now 11,439,897, previously published as PCT/JP2019/001498, filed on Jan. 18, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2018-007635 (JP), filed on Jan. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0401828 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. A63F 13/24 (2014.01)
CPC A63F 13/24 (2014.09) 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A manipulation input device, comprising:
a manipulation button having a support rotatable about a rotation center line when a side of the manipulation button is pushed by a user in a push direction, and having a contact portion on an opposite side to the side pushed by the user;
an actuator having a support rotatable about the rotation center line, and having a post that engages the contact portion and applies a force to the manipulation button in an opposite direction to the push direction, where the actuator is a separate part from the manipulation button, such that the post of the actuator engages the contact portion but is not integral with the manipulation button;
a rack disposed on the actuator, which includes teeth located along an arc at a radial distance from the rotation center line, where the teeth and engaged by and receive controlled drive from a rotating drive gear, thereby controlling the rotation of the actuator about the rotation center line;
a guide mechanism disposed within the housing and providing support and assistance in permitting the rack to slide within the housing and travel along the arc in rotation about the rotation center line,
wherein the guide mechanism includes a first projection or first groove located on a surface of the housing facing a first side of the actuator, wherein the first projection or the first groove is elongate in an arc such that engagement of the actuator therewith provides the assistance in permitting the rack to slide within the housing and travel along the arc in rotation about the rotation center line.