JP2003140810A - Haptic input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a haptic input device allowing the operating sensation of a knob to be precisely felt even in the strong vibration of a vehicle body. SOLUTION: This haptic input device is composed of a manual operating part 1, a monitor 2 and a control means 3. The manual operating part 1 is composed of a casing 11; an operating shaft 12; a knob 13 stuck to the upper end of the operating shaft 12; an elastic member 14 energizing the knob 13 always downward; a knob guide plate 15 with which the lower end of the operating shaft 12 comes in elastic contact; and a detecting means 16 for detecting the operating position of the knob 13. The guide plate 15 is formed with a cross groove 17 with a width allowing the insertion of the tip part of the opening shaft 12, and unevenness 18 is formed at the bottom face of the groove 17. The image of the groove 17 formed at the guide plate 15, the image of the unevenness 18 formed at the bottom face of the groove 17, and a circular mark 19 showing the present position of the knob 13, are stereoscopically displayed on the monitor 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a haptic input device having an operation feeling imparting function, and more particularly to a means for improving the operational feeling of a knob manually operated by an operator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many electric devices mounted on a vehicle,
For example, a haptic input device has been proposed in which the functions of an air conditioner, a radio, a television, a CD player, a car navigation system, etc. can be adjusted by operating one knob.

Further, as this kind of haptic input device, in order to surely operate the knob when selecting a desired electric device or adjusting the function of the selected electric device, the operation direction or the operation position of the knob is set. According to the related art, a knob which has a unique operation feeling has been proposed.

As a feeling imparting means for imparting a peculiar operation feeling to the knob depending on the operation direction or the operation position, the knob is elastically contacted with the tip end portion thereof depending on the movable range and the operation position of the knob. Based on the output signal of the detection means for detecting the operation position of the knob, the one using a guide plate having irregularities for controlling the pattern of the operation feeling to be applied, and the drive controlled by the control means. In addition, there is known an actuator that applies an external force that restricts a movable range and an external force that gives an operation feeling according to an operation position.

[0005]

However, since all the conventional haptic input devices have a structure in which the operation feeling of the knob is sensed only by the tactile sensation given to the knob, for example, when an automobile is traveling on a dirt road. When the vibration of the vehicle body is large as in the case, it is difficult to sense the operation feeling of the knob, and it becomes difficult to quickly and surely select a desired electric device or adjust the function of the selected electric device. There is inconvenience.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the deficiency of the prior art, and its problem is that the operation feeling of the knob can be accurately sensed even when the vibration of the vehicle body is large. Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a haptic input device capable of quickly and reliably selecting a desired electric device and adjusting the function of the selected electric device.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention firstly comprises a knob manually operated by an operator, and a feel imparting means for imparting an operation feeling to the knob. A monitor that three-dimensionally displays the movable range of the knob regulated by the feeling imparting means, the operation feeling pattern imparted by the feeling imparting means, and the movement of the knob, and the operating position of the knob is detected. The detection means and the control means for controlling the movement of the knob displayed on the monitor based on the output signal of the detection means are provided.

As described above, when the haptic input device is provided with the feeling imparting means for imparting the operation feeling to the knob and the monitor for displaying the movement of the knob, the operator is imparted to the knob by the feeling imparting means. It is possible to feel the knob operation feeling from both the tactile sense and the visual sense given by the monitor.Therefore, even if the tactile operation feeling is not sufficient due to the large vibration of the vehicle body, the knob operation feeling can be obtained. The feeling can be surely felt, and the required knob operation can be performed quickly and surely. Further, as the monitor, a monitor for three-dimensionally displaying the operation feeling pattern and the movement of the knob which are applied according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob regulated by the feeling giving means is used. The tactile sensation given to the knob and the visual sensation given by the monitor can be sensuously matched, and the operation feeling pattern given according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob regulated by the feeling giving means and The operability of the knob can be improved as compared with the case of using a two-dimensional display of the movement of the knob.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention, secondly, as the feeling imparting means, the movable range of the knob displayed on the monitor on the surface on which the tip of the knob is elastically contacted. Also, the guide plate is provided with a concavo-convex portion that regulates the operation feeling imparted to the knob.

When the feel imparting means is constituted by the guide plate with which the knob is elastically contacted, it is not necessary to provide an actuator for applying an external force to the knob.
It is possible to reduce the size of the haptic input device, save power, and reduce the cost.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention thirdly, as the feeling imparting means, the drive is controlled by the control means, and is displayed on the monitor based on the output signal of the detecting means. In addition, an actuator for applying an external force that restricts the movable range of the knob and the operation feeling given to the knob to the knob is used.

As described above, when the feel imparting means is constituted by the actuator for applying an external force to the knob, a wide variety of operation feelings can be applied to the knob, so that the haptic input device is enhanced in versatility and versatility. You can

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention fourthly configures the display screen of the monitor and the drive mode of the actuator to be switchable, and the control means displays the screen of the switched monitor. Accordingly, the drive mode of the actuator is switched, and an external force matching the display screen of the monitor is generated from the actuator.

As described above, the display screen of the monitor and the drive mode of the actuator are configured to be switchable, and the control means switches the drive mode of the actuator according to the switched screen of the monitor to match the display screen of the monitor. When an external force is generated from the actuator, a wide variety of operation feelings can be added to the knob according to the display screen of the monitor, so the knob can have a wide variety of functions and the multifunctionality of the haptic input device. And versatility can be improved.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first example of a haptic input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The haptic input device of this example is characterized by using a guide plate as a feeling imparting means. 1 is a configuration diagram of the haptic input device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a guide plate included in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a display screen of a monitor provided in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment, a manual operation part 1, a monitor 2 for visually displaying the manual operation part 1, and an output from the manual operation part 1. The manual operation unit 1 is mainly configured by a control unit 3 that controls driving of the monitor 2 based on a position signal, and the manual operation unit 1 is an operation that is penetratingly held by a housing 11 and a top plate 11a of the housing 1. The shaft 12, a knob 13 fixed to the upper end of the operation shaft 12 and arranged outside the housing 11, and stretched between the housing 11 and the knob 13,
Elastic member 14 that always urges the operating shaft 1 downward and the operating shaft 1
A guide plate 15 of the knob 13 to which the lower end of 2 is elastically contacted, and a detection means 16 installed in the housing 11 for detecting the operation position of the knob 13. Case 11
Is installed inside a panel 20 that constitutes a dashboard or console box of an automobile, and the knob 13 is arranged outside the panel 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cross-shaped groove 17 having a width that allows the tip of the operating shaft 12 to be inserted therein is formed on the upper surface of the guide plate 15. By inserting the knob 13 in the groove 17, the movable range of the knob 13 can be restricted within the range of the groove 17. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, unevenness 18 is formed on the bottom surface of the groove 17, so that the knob 13 can be provided with an operation feeling according to the pattern of the unevenness 18 via the operation shaft 12. It has become. In the guide plate 15 of this example, the unevenness 18a of the groove 17a formed on the upper side of the center position O of the groove 17, the unevenness 18b of the groove 17b formed on the lower side, and the unevenness 18b of the groove 17b formed on the left side are formed on the left side. Groove 1
The unevenness 7c of 7c and the unevenness 18d of the groove 17d formed on the right side are formed in different patterns,
By feeling the tactile sensation obtained when operating the knob 13, the operator can know whether or not the knob 13 was operated in the intended direction by blind touch.

As shown in FIG. 5, the monitor 2 shows an image of the groove 17 formed on the guide plate 15, an image of the unevenness 18 formed on the bottom surface of the groove 17, and the current position of the knob 13. The circular mark 19 and the three-dimensional display are three-dimensionally displayed.
Further, corresponding to the grooves 17a to 17d, the types 19a to 1 of the electric devices selected by operating the knob 13 are selected.
9d is displayed. In this example, the knob 13 is provided along the groove 17a formed on the upper side with the center position O as the center.
The air conditioner can be selected by operating the, the car navigation system can be selected by operating the knob 13 along the groove 17b formed on the lower side, and the knob 13 can be operated along the groove 17c formed on the left side. It is displayed that the audio device can be selected by doing so, and the telephone can be selected by operating the knob 13 along the groove 17d formed on the right side.

A circular mark 1 indicating the current position of the knob 13.
Reference numeral 9 captures the position signal a output from the detection means 16 for detecting the operation position of the knob 13 into the control means 3, and outputs the control signal b of the mark 19 corresponding to the position signal a to the control means 3.
By outputting more, it is moved to the position corresponding to the current position of the knob 13. Further, the mark 19 is displayed large when the operation position of the knob 13 reaches the portion corresponding to the crest of the groove 17, and is displayed small when the operation position of the knob 13 reaches the portion corresponding to the valley of the groove 17. As a result, it is possible to sensuously match the tactile sensation and the visual sense, which are particularly sensible when the knob 13 is operated. As the detecting means 16, for example, a position sensor such as an encoder or a variable resistor can be used.

The haptic input device according to this embodiment has a knob 13
Since the operator is provided with the guide plate 15 as a feeling imparting means for imparting an operation feeling and the monitor 2 for displaying the movement of the knob 13, the operator uses the knob 13 from the guide plate 15.
It is possible to feel the operation feeling of the knob 13 from both the tactile sensation given to the vehicle and the visual sense given by the monitor 2, and even if the vibration of the vehicle body is large, the tactile sensation cannot be obtained sufficiently. , Knob 13
The operation feeling can be surely sensed, and the required operation of the knob 13 can be performed quickly and surely. Further, since the monitor 2 uses a three-dimensional display of a pattern of the operation feeling imparted according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob 13 regulated by the guide plate 15 and the movement of the knob 13, the guide plate 15 is used. The tactile sensation given to the knob 13 and the visual sense given by the monitor 2 can be sensuously matched with each other, and an operation feeling imparted simply according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob 13 regulated by the guide plate 15. It is possible to improve the operability of the knob 13 as compared with the case of using a two-dimensional display of the pattern and the movement of the knob. Furthermore, as a feeling imparting means, the knob 1
Since the guide plate 15 to which 3 is elastically contacted is used, it is not necessary to provide an actuator or the like for applying an external force to the knob 13, and the haptic input device can be downsized, the power consumption can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Next, a second example of the haptic input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The haptic input device of this example is characterized by using an actuator as a feeling imparting means. FIG. 6 is the second
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a haptic input device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the knob and the external force applied to the knob by the actuator.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the haptic input device according to the second embodiment, the manual operation unit 1 is provided with a housing 11
And the operation shaft 1 penetratingly held by the top plate 11a of the housing 1.
2 and the casing 11 fixed to the upper end of the operation shaft 12
A knob 13 arranged outside the actuator, an actuator 21 connected to the lower end of the operation shaft 12 for applying an external force to the knob 13 via the operation shaft 12, and installed in the housing 11.
The detection means 16 detects the operating position of the knob 13, and the control means 3 controls the drive of the monitor 2 and the actuator 21 based on the position signal a output from the detection means 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, the actuator 21 controls the knob 13 so as to give the knob 13 an operation feeling representing a groove or unevenness on the screen according to the display screen of the monitor 2 illustrated in FIG. The external force f corresponding to the operation direction and the operation position s is output to give the knob 13 a predetermined operation feeling. Further, the actuator 21 is provided with the knob 13
When is operated outside the predetermined range,
An external force that prohibits this is output to regulate the movable range of the knob 13. A linear motor, a solenoid, or the like can be used as the actuator 21. Others are the same as those of the haptic input device according to the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

The haptic input device of this example has the same effects as the haptic input device according to the first embodiment, and also has an actuator 21 for applying an external force to the knob 13 as a feeling imparting means, so that there are various types. An operation feeling can be added to the knob 13, and the versatility and versatility of the haptic input device can be enhanced.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the knob 13 is operated in the four directions of up, down, left and right from the center position O has been described, but the operating direction of the knob 13 is not limited to this. , Can be set in any direction as required.

In FIG. 8A, the knob 13 is moved to the center position O.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the monitor 2 when it can be operated in up, down, left, right, and diagonal eight directions, and the display screen is a center position O and eight switching positions at which the knob 13 can be operated from the center position O. And a character 19a representing a broadcasting station selected by operating the knob 13 is displayed at each switching position, and when the knob 13 is operated at the center position O and each switching position. A stereoscopic image 19b visually showing a change in the external force applied to the knob 13 is displayed. This image 1
9b, as shown in FIG. 8B, the center position O
And the central portion of each switching position is the lowest and becomes higher toward the peripheral portion, and is composed of a combination of a quadrangular pyramid surface and a vertical surface erected on the outer peripheral portion of the display screen. In the state where the central portion or the central portion of each switching position is operated, the knob 13
Is stably held at that position, and when the knob 13 is operated from the center position O to each switching position or when the switching position of 1 is changed to another switching position, a click feeling is added and the knob 13 is displayed on the monitor 2. It is visually understood that a resistance feeling that prohibits the operation of the knob 13 is added when the switch 13 is operated outside the selected switching position. Further, in accordance with the operation of the knob 13, the ring-shaped image 19 showing the operation position of the knob 13 is moved from the position before the operation to the position after the operation.
As a result, the operator can visually know the operation position of the knob 13.

FIG. 9 shows the monitor 2 as shown in FIGS.
In the haptic input device in which the display screen of No. 13 is displayed, it is a graph showing the change of the external force applied to the knob 13 when the knob 13 is moved along the EE direction of the display screen. A click feeling is given to the operation of the knob 13 when switching from the central portion of the position O to the switching position indicated by the symbol DEF or the switching position indicated by the symbol FM2, and the switching position DEF or FM2 after the switching is stably held. In addition, the knob 13 has the switching position DEF or F.
When operated beyond M2, the knob 13 is given a resistance to prohibit further operation. The external force shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the guide plate 15 included in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment or the actuator 21 included in the haptic input device according to the second embodiment.
Can be given by.

As described above, even when the display screen of the monitor 2 is changed, the same effect as that of the haptic input device according to the first or second embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the display screen of the monitor 2 is one specific type has been described as an example, but the control means 3 such as the haptic input device according to the second embodiment is described. By actuator 2
In the haptic input device of the type that controls the drive of No. 1 and the external force applied to the knob 13, the display screen of the monitor 2 and the drive mode of the actuator 21 are configured to be switchable, and the control means 3 switches them. The actuator 21 may be configured to generate an external force according to the screen of the monitor 2 thus obtained.

In this way, the display screen of the monitor 2 and the drive mode of the actuator 21 are configured to be switchable, and when an external force corresponding to the switched screen of the monitor 2 is generated from the actuator 21, the display screen of the monitor 2 is displayed. Accordingly, since a wide variety of operation feelings can be added to the knob 13, the knob 13 can have a wide variety of functions, and the versatility and versatility of the haptic input device can be enhanced.

[0031]

As described above, since the haptic input device of the present invention is provided with the feeling imparting means for imparting the operation feeling to the knob and the monitor for displaying the movement of the knob, the operator can It is possible to feel the operation feeling of the knob from both the tactile sensation given to the knob by the ring applying means and the visual sense given by the monitor, and it is not possible to obtain a sufficient tactile operation feeling because the vibration of the vehicle body is large. Also in this case, the operation feeling of the knob can be surely sensed, and the required operation of the knob can be performed quickly and surely. Further, as the monitor, a monitor for three-dimensionally displaying the operation feeling pattern and the movement of the knob which are applied according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob regulated by the feeling giving means is used. The tactile sensation given to the knob and the visual sensation given by the monitor can be sensuously matched, and the operation feeling pattern given according to the movable range and the operation position of the knob regulated by the feeling giving means and Compared to the case of using a two-dimensional display of knob movement,
The operability of the knob can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a haptic input device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a guide plate included in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of a monitor included in the haptic input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a haptic input device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the knob and the external force applied to the knob by the actuator.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of a monitor included in the haptic input device according to another embodiment.

9 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the knob and the external force applied to the knob by the actuator in the haptic input device in which the display screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the monitor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Manual operation part 2 monitors 3 control means 13 knobs 15 Information board 16 Detection means 17 (17a to 17d) groove 18 (18a-18d) unevenness 21 Actuator

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H01H 25/04 H01H 25/04 A

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A knob manually operated by an operator, a feeling imparting means for imparting an operation feeling to the knob, a movable range of the knob regulated by the feeling imparting means, and the feeling imparting means. Monitor that three-dimensionally displays the operation feeling pattern and the movement of the knob given by the detection means, the detection means that detects the operation position of the knob, and the knob displayed on the monitor based on the output signal of the detection means. And a control means for controlling the movement of the haptic input device. 2. As the feel imparting means, a movable range of the knob displayed on the monitor and an operation feel imparted to the knob are regulated on a surface on which the tip end of the knob is elastically contacted. The haptic input device according to claim 1, wherein a guide plate having irregularities is used. 3. As the feeling imparting means, the drive is controlled by the control means, and the movable range of the knob displayed on the monitor and the operation imparted to the knob based on the output signal of the detecting means. The haptic input device according to claim 1, wherein an actuator that applies an external force that regulates feeling to the knob is used. 4. The display screen of the monitor and the drive mode of the actuator are configured to be switchable, and the control means switches the drive mode of the actuator according to the switched screen of the monitor to display the monitor. The haptic input device according to claim 3, wherein an external force matching the screen is generated from the actuator.