JP2006178862A - Equipment operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain various kinds of operation functions by one operation part, and to certainly notify an operator that useless operation is operated to realize improvement of operability thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The operation part 13 of an operation unit 10 has a form having a hemispherical operation face 13a, and is stored inside a spherical holder part 12 in a state that the operation face 13a faces a circular opening part 12a. The operation part 13 can be rotatably operated in a 360-degree direction with a center C of a hemisphere related to the operation face 13a as a fulcrum. The inside of the holder 12 is provided with an operation position detector 15 outputting a position signal showing an operation position of the operation part 13, and an actuator 16 imparting reaction force of a direction different from an operation direction to the operation part 13 in an operation state. When the operation part 13 is rotatably operated to an operation ineffective area, a control unit 17 operates the actuator 16 to perform haptic control to impart the reaction force of the direction different from the operation direction to the operation part 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device operating device suitable for operating a device in which various functions are set.

  For example, in a vehicle, devices having various functions such as an audio device, a car navigation device, and an air conditioner are mounted. In order to selectively operate the functions of these devices, a large number of devices are installed. An operation switch is required. However, in order to provide a large number of operation switches, a large installation area is required, mounting costs increase, operability is deteriorated, and various problems that are extremely undesirable for vehicles occur. For example, it is considered to use an operation device of a centralized control system as found in Patent Document 1.

That is, this operation device has a form including a composite dial that detects both a rotation operation by a dial top having a predetermined rotation axis as a rotation center and a tilting operation in a plurality of directions of the rotation axis. A plurality of types of operation control is possible according to the rotation angle and tilt direction of the rotation shaft.
JP 2004-241143 A

  In the operation device having the above-described conventional configuration, since the operator cannot accurately determine whether the composite dial rotation operation or tilting operation is invalid, there is a possibility that the operability cannot be improved, such as the possibility of repeated useless operations. There was a point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a variety of operation functions with a single operation unit and to reliably notify an operator that a useless operation has been performed. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus operating device that can achieve an improvement in operability.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation portion having the hemispherical operation surface can be rotated in the direction of 360 degrees with the hemispherical center as a fulcrum, and the operation portion is positioned at the position of the operation portion. Since the operation position detection means for outputting the corresponding position signal is provided, for example, the operation functions of a plurality of devices are respectively assigned to a plurality of preset operation positions, and the operation positions are assigned from the operation position detection means. A configuration in which the position is specified by the position signal can be realized. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain various types of operation functions with a single operation unit. As a result, since it is not necessary to provide a large number of operation switches, a required installation area can be reduced, installation costs can be reduced, and operability can be improved. Further, when the operation unit is operated to the operation invalid region, the actuator is operated by the haptic control means, and the reaction force in the direction different from the operation direction is applied to the operation unit, that is, the operator's through the operation unit. Since the operation feeling (force sense) is in a stimulated state, it is possible to reliably notify the operator that a useless operation has been performed, and the operability can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the state where the operation portion is at the home position, the protrusion is positioned at the center of the hemispherical operation surface exposed from the circular opening of the holder portion. As a result, the operability of the operation unit is improved. In addition, since the protruding portion functions as a hook portion when the operating portion is operated, the operability is improved from this aspect as well.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the operation unit is pushed down, an enter signal related to the device operation is output, so that the operability of the device can be improved.

  According to the means described in claim 4, since an enter signal related to the operation of the device is output in accordance with the operation of the auxiliary switch, the operability of the device can be improved. Further, since the auxiliary switch is provided at the center of the hemispherical operation surface exposed from the circular opening of the holder portion when the operation portion is at the home position, the operation portion is operated to rotate from the home position. It can be easily operated even in the state where

  According to the means of the fifth aspect, the operator can perform the operation of the operation unit in a stable state in which the elbow and the wrist are fixed by the armrest, so that the operability is improved.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a single-seater small vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 schematically shows the shape of a single-seat small vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle). In FIG. 4, the vehicle 1 has four drive wheels 3 (only three are shown in the figure) attached to the lower side of a seat 2 on which a driver H (corresponding to an operator in the present invention) gets. In addition, a canopy 4 is mounted on the upper side of the seat 2 so as to be reciprocally rotatable in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 with a rotation shaft (not shown) as a fulcrum.

  The canopy 4 is made up of a part of a transparent member so as to function as a front window. The canopy 4 is driven when the driver H can get on and off (a position in the illustrated state) and when the vehicle 1 is in a traveling state. It can be held in the closed position that protects the face of the person H. The canopy 4 may be of a size that protects the entire body of the driver H. A left armrest operation panel 5 is provided at a position on the left side of the seat 2 as viewed from the driver H, and a right armrest operation panel 6 is provided at a position on the right side of the seat 2.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific configuration example of the left armrest operation panel 5, which will be described below. Since the armrest operation panels 5 and 6 have a symmetrical structure and basically have the same configuration, description of the configuration of the right armrest operation panel 6 is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the left armrest operation panel 5 includes a long armrest 7 on which an elbow and a wrist can be placed while the driver H is seated on the seat 2, and a main body 8 disposed outside the armrest 7. An operation unit 10 (corresponding to a device operating device in the present invention) supported by the main body 8 via an arm 9, and a switch port 11 configured by arranging a plurality of switch elements on the upper surface of the main body 8. It has.

1 to 3 show a specific configuration example of the operation unit 10 and an electrical configuration example related thereto, which will be described below.
In FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the planar shape of the entire operation unit 10 and the side shape of the upper part of the operation unit 10, the operation unit 10 includes a spherical holder portion 12 having a circular opening 12a at the top. The operation unit 13 is housed inside. The operation unit 13 has a hemispherical operation surface 13a, and is stored in the holder unit 12 with the operation surface 13a facing the opening 12a. Further, a hemispherical projection 13b is formed at the center of the operation surface 13a of the operation unit 13.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic cross-sectional structure of the operation unit 10, and an electrical configuration related to this is shown by a combination of functional blocks. In FIG. 1, the operation unit 13 accommodated in the holder unit 12 is provided so as to be rotatable in a 360-degree direction about a hemispherical center C related to the operation surface 13 a as a fulcrum. In the state (the state in which the rotation operation is not performed), the projection 13b is automatically returned to the home position positioned at the center of the opening 12a. The mechanism for the automatic return is not specifically shown, but can be easily realized by means using a spring. The operation unit 13 has a structure that can be pushed downward, and an enter switch 14 (corresponding to the signal generating means in the present invention) disposed in the holder unit 12 according to the push-down operation. Is turned on and an enter signal is output from the switch 14.

  An arm portion 13c extending downward is integrally formed on the lower surface of the operation portion 13, and the position of the distal end portion of the arm portion 13c (as a result, the operation position of the operation portion 13) is indicated in the holder portion 12. An operation position detector 15 (corresponding to operation position detection means) for outputting a position signal is provided. In the holder portion 12, an actuator 16 is provided for applying a reaction force in a direction different from the operation direction to the operation portion 13 in the operating state.

  A control unit 17 (corresponding to a haptic control means) connected to the operation unit 10 includes a control circuit 18 constituted by a microcomputer and a memory unit 19 that stores information necessary for realizing an operation function by the operation unit 10. It is mainly composed. The control circuit 18 includes an enter signal from the enter switch 14 in the operation unit 10, a position signal from the operation position detector 15, a function selection signal from the function selection switching unit 20, and a vehicle for switching to a travelable state. An ON signal from a main switch (not shown) and a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle are provided via an input interface 21. The function selection switching unit 20 is configured by using, for example, a switch element of the switch port 11 (see FIG. 5), and is mounted on a vehicle-mounted device (audio device, car navigation system) that is an operation target of the operation unit 10. A function selection signal for selecting a device, an air conditioner, etc.).

  The memory unit 19 includes a plurality of types of operation functions related to the on-vehicle equipment selected by the operation position of the operation unit 13 indicated by the position signal from the operation position detector 15 and the function selection signal from the function selection switching unit 20. In addition to the data indicating the relationship with the target position for each item, the actuator 16 according to the initial set value of the output by the actuator 16 and the change speed of the position signal from the operation position detector 15 (operation speed of the operation unit 13). Data indicating a correction value or the like related to the output is stored.

  The control circuit 18 includes a display device 22 based on input signals (enter signal, position signal, function selection signal, ON signal, vehicle speed signal) through the input interface 21, data stored in the memory unit 19, and a preset program. The display control and the operation control of the actuator 16 are performed through the corresponding output interface 23 and driver circuit 24, and control signals corresponding to the operation contents by the operation unit 10 (control the operation of the on-vehicle equipment to be operated). Signal). The display device 22 can be constituted by, for example, a head-up display that projects a virtual image on the canopy 4.

  When operating the operation unit 13 of the operation unit 10 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the driver H with his elbows and wrists placed on the armrest 7, with his palm, operates the operation unit 13. Is performed by rotating the.

In the following, an example of control by the control circuit 18 in the control unit 17 will be described.
That is, the control circuit 18 performs control to display a screen corresponding to the function selection signal from the function selection switching unit 20 on the display device 22. FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen by the display device 22. This display example shows a menu screen for a car navigation device having an intelligent function. Along with the characters “MENU”, the function setting of the car navigation device, the destination setting, and the selection of each function of mobile communication are selected. The upper and lower three icons a to c for performing the operation and the upper and lower three icons df for selecting a specific destination (car dealer, hospital, shop (convenience store, etc.)) In addition, the characters “Function”, “POI (Point Of Interest)”, “Phone”, “Dealer”, “Hospital”, and “Shop” are displayed in a row in association with the icons a to f. Each is displayed.

  In the initial state in which such a menu screen is first displayed, for example, the icon b is a selection item, and the icon b is highlighted. In this state, when the operation unit 13 is pushed down, the enter circuit 14 outputs an enter signal, thereby causing the control circuit 18 to function corresponding to the icon b (destination setting). Is activated, and control is performed to switch the display screen of the display device 22 to a screen corresponding to the function.

  Further, when the selection item is changed from the initial state, the operation unit 13 of the operation unit 10 is rotated. That is, when the operation unit 13 is rotated forward from the state of FIG. 7, the control circuit 18 moves the selection item upward as the position signal is output from the operation position detector 15 accordingly. To move to the icon a. In addition, when the operation unit 13 is turned to the near side from the state of FIG. 7, similarly, control for moving the selection item to the lower icon c is performed, and the operation unit 13 is moved to the right from the same state. In the case of the rotation operation, the control is performed such that the selection item is moved to the icon e on the right side. The selection item by the operation unit 10 is performed in accordance with the control as described above. Change operation can be performed. The function selected in this way is enabled in the same manner as described above according to the pressing operation of the operation unit 13, and the display screen of the display device 22 is switched to a screen corresponding to the function.

  Further, when the operation unit 13 is turned to the operation invalid region, the control circuit 18 applies a reaction force in a direction different from the operation direction to the operation unit 13 by operating the actuator 16. The haptic control is performed. In the present embodiment, the operation invalid area refers to an area where there is no selection item for the operation direction of the operation unit 13. For example, in the state where the icon a is highlighted as a selection item in FIG. The upper region and the left region of the icon a are pointed out. Therefore, when the operation unit 13 is further rotated forward or left from the state where the icon a is highlighted as a selection item as in this example, a reaction force acts on the operation unit 13. Thus, the operation feeling of the operation unit 13 becomes heavy.

An example of control by the control circuit 18 is schematically shown in the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is an example in the case where there are three types of vehicle-mounted devices to be selected by the function selection signal: an audio device, a car navigation device, and an air conditioner.
In FIG. 8, the control circuit 18 waits until a main switch (not shown) for switching the vehicle to a travelable state is turned on, that is, until an on signal is input from the main switch (step A1). When the main switch is turned on, an initial value setting process for the position signal from the operation position detector 15 of the operation unit 10 is performed (step A2), and the function selected by the function selection switching unit 20 is the audio device, the car It is determined whether the navigation device or the air conditioner.

  If the selected function is a car navigation device, it is determined based on a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) whether the traveling speed of the vehicle is equal to or less than a specified value (step A4). When the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the specified value, the operation unit 10 is displayed with an operation prohibition screen for notifying the display device 22 that the operation of the operation unit 10 is invalid. After sequentially executing step A6 for switching to the operation invalid state, the process returns to step A3.

  On the other hand, when the traveling speed of the vehicle is equal to or less than the specified value, the display unit 22 displays the menu screen for the car navigation device (see FIG. 7), and operates the operation unit 10. After step A8 for switching to the effective state is sequentially executed, the process proceeds to the operation response processing routine A9.

  In the operation response processing routine A9, the control related to the operation of the operation unit 10 as described above, that is, the movement control of the selection item on the menu screen according to the rotation operation of the operation unit 13, and the highlight display object associated therewith. The icon change control and the haptic control when the operation unit 13 is rotated to the operation invalid area are performed. In the execution state of this processing routine A9, it is determined whether or not an enter signal is input from the enter switch 14 (step A10), and if it is input, the selection item at that time is executed (step A11). Note that when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state before the input of the enter signal, an interrupt is generated and step A3 is executed. Processing is executed.

  After execution of the selection item, whether or not the main switch is turned off after executing other processing related to the selection item (for example, detailed function setting of the car navigation device, detailed setting processing of the destination, etc.) Is determined (step A12). When the main switch is turned off, the control operation is terminated after executing a predetermined initialization step A13. However, when the on state of the main switch is maintained, the process returns to step A3. Even when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state during the execution of the other processes, an interrupt is applied in the same manner as described above, and the process for the newly selected function is executed. Is.

  On the other hand, if the selected function is an audio device, step A14 of displaying a menu screen (not shown) for the audio device on the display device 22, and a step of switching the operation unit 10 to the operation enabled state. After sequentially executing A15, the process proceeds to the operation response processing routine A16 for performing the icon change control and the haptic control related to the operation of the operation unit 10 described above. In the execution state of the operation response processing routine A16, it is determined whether or not an enter signal is input from the enter switch 14 (step A17). If input, the selection item at that time is executed (step A18). Note that when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state before the input of the enter signal, an interrupt is generated and step A3 is executed. Processing is executed.

  After the selection item is executed, other processing (for example, sound source setting of the audio device, volume adjustment, music selection processing, etc.) related to the selection item is executed, and then the process proceeds to Step A12. Even when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state during the execution of the other processes, an interrupt is applied in the same manner as described above, and the process for the newly selected function is executed. Is.

  Further, if the selected function is an air conditioner, step A19 for displaying a menu screen (not shown) for the air conditioner on the display device 22, and step A20 for switching the operation unit 10 to the operation valid state. After the sequential execution, the process proceeds to the operation response processing routine A21 for performing the icon change control and the haptic control related to the operation of the operation unit 10 described above. In the execution state of the operation response processing routine A21, it is determined whether or not an enter signal is input from the enter switch 14 (step A22). If input, the selection item at that time is executed (step A23). Note that when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state before the input of the enter signal, an interrupt is generated and step A3 is executed. Processing is executed.

  After the selection item is executed, other processing (for example, air conditioner temperature setting, inside / outside air switching processing, etc.) related to the selection item is executed, and then the process proceeds to step A12. Even when the function selection switching unit 20 switches the function selection state during the execution of the other processes, an interrupt is applied in the same manner as described above, and the process for the newly selected function is executed. Is.

In short, according to the above-described embodiment, the following operations and effects can be achieved.
That is, the operation unit 13 having the hemispherical operation surface 13a can be rotated in a 360-degree direction with the hemispherical center C as a fulcrum, and a position signal corresponding to the position of the operation unit 13 Since the operation position detector 15 for outputting is provided, it is possible to obtain various types of operation functions by the single operation unit 13. As a result, since it is not necessary to provide a large number of operation switches, a required installation area can be reduced, installation costs can be reduced, and operability can be improved. Further, when the operation unit 13 is operated to the operation invalid region, the control unit 17 performs the haptic control to apply the reaction force in the direction different from the operation direction to the operation unit 13 by operating the actuator 16. It has a configuration. Therefore, when the operation unit 13 is operated to the operation invalid region, a reaction force in a direction different from the operation direction is applied to the operation unit 13, that is, to the driver H (operator) through the operation unit 13. Since the operation feeling (force feeling) is in a stimulated state, it is possible to reliably notify the driver H that a useless operation has been performed, and the operability can be improved.

  A hemispherical projection 13b is formed at the center of the operation surface 13a of the operation unit 13, and the operation unit 13 is in the non-operating state (a state where no rotation operation is performed). It is configured to automatically return to the home position where the portion 13b is positioned at the center of the opening 12a. That is, in the state where the operation unit 13 is at the home position, the projection 13b is positioned at the center of the hemispherical operation surface 13a exposed from the circular opening 12a of the holder unit 12, so that the home position is recognized. This is easy, and the operability of the operation unit 13 is improved in combination with the automatic return of the operation unit 13 to the home position. Further, since the protruding portion 13b functions as a hook portion when the operating portion 13 is operated, the operability is also improved from this aspect.

  In addition, when the operation unit 13 is pushed down, the enter switch 14 is turned on and an enter signal related to the device operation is output from the switch 14, so that the operability of the device can be improved. . Furthermore, since the driver H can perform the operation of the operation unit 13 in a stable state in which the elbow and the wrist are fixed by the armrest 7, the operability is improved.

(Second Embodiment)
9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention that exhibits the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, only portions different from the first embodiment will be described.
That is, in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the operation surface 13 a of the operation unit 13 has a circular hole 13 d in a portion located at the center of the opening 12 a of the holder unit 12 in a state where the operation unit 13 is at the home position. Is formed, and a ring-shaped protrusion 13e that surrounds the hole 13d is formed. An enter button 13g urged upward by a compression coil spring 13f is housed in the hole 13d so as to be capable of being pushed. Although not shown, an auxiliary switch that is turned on in response to a pressing operation of the enter button 13g and generates an enter signal is provided in the operation unit 13.

  According to this configuration, when the operation unit 13 is at the home position, the enter button 13g is provided at the center of the hemispherical operation surface 13a exposed from the circular opening 12a of the holder unit 12, and the enter button Since an auxiliary switch that is turned on in response to an operation of 13g to generate an enter signal is provided, it is possible to improve the operability of the device.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified or expanded as follows, for example.
Not only the configuration applied to the armrest operation panel of a single-seat small vehicle, but also the configuration applied to an armrest operation panel of, for example, other vehicles such as airplanes, amusement park vehicles, game machines operated by people, etc. There may be.

The figure which shows the typical cross-section of the operation unit which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, and the electrical structure relevant to this. Top view of the entire operation unit Side view of the upper part of the operation unit Perspective view schematically showing the exterior of a single-seater small vehicle Perspective view of main parts Plan view for explaining an operation example of the operation unit The figure which shows an example of the display screen by a display apparatus Flow chart showing an example of control by a control circuit in the control unit The top view of the whole operation unit which shows 2nd Example of this invention Side view showing part of the upper part of the operation unit

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a single-seat small vehicle, 5 is a left armrest operation panel, 6 is a right armrest operation panel, 7 is an armrest, 10 is an operation unit, 12 is a holder part, 12a is an opening, 13 is an operation part, 13a is an operation surface, 13b is a projection, 14 is an enter switch (signal generation means), 15 is an operation position detector (operation position detection means), 16 is an actuator, 17 is a control unit (haptic control means), 18 is a control circuit, and 22 is a display. Indicates the device.

Claims (5)

In the device operating device for operating various devices,
A holder part with a circular opening;
It has a hemispherical operation surface, and is stored in the holder portion with the operation surface facing the opening, and is rotated in a 360 degree direction with the center of the hemispheric shape as a fulcrum in the storage state. An operation unit configured to be possible;
Operation position detecting means for outputting a position signal corresponding to the operation position of the operation unit;
An actuator for applying a reaction force in a direction different from the operation direction to the operation unit when operated;
Haptic control means for performing control to operate the actuator when the operation unit is operated to the operation invalid area;
An apparatus operating device characterized by comprising:   The apparatus operating device according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on a portion of the operation surface of the operation unit that is located at a center of the opening when the operation unit is at a home position. The operation unit is configured to be capable of being pushed down,
The apparatus operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a signal generating unit that generates an enter signal related to an apparatus operation in response to a pressing operation of the operation unit. On the operation surface of the operation unit, an auxiliary switch is provided at a portion located at the center of the opening in a state where the operation unit is at the home position.
2. The device operating device according to claim 1, wherein an enter signal related to device operation is generated in response to an operation of the auxiliary switch. The said holder part is provided in the position which the said operator can operate the said operation part in the state which put the elbow and wrist of the operator on the armrest provided in the vehicle. The apparatus operating device described in 1.

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