JP2009301097A - Moderation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arbitrarily set a position for giving moderation according to an operational object, to set a moderation angle easily, to set the strength, weakness, etc. of moderation feeling easily, and not to give feeling of moderation rapidly when power supply of an electromagnet is cut off. <P>SOLUTION: A moderation apparatus 1 includes a rotation resistance receiving portion 5 provided on a shaft 3 which is rotated by an operation dial 20, a resistance adding means 8, and an electromagnet 4. The resistance adding means 8 has a coil spring 10 and a pressing member 11, and presses the pressing member 11 to a concave surface portion 6 of the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 by spring force of the coil spring 10, and gives moderation at supplying power to the electromagnet 4. Moreover, the apparatus includes a circular arc surface portion 7 which makes a rotational center of the shaft 3 to be a center, and moderation feeling gradually decreasing means 13 for constantly pressing the circular arc surface portion 7 by the spring force by including a spring 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moderation device that gives moderation to the operation of a rotating member operated from the outside.

  Conventionally, a rotary switch device used for various controls of an automobile, for example, a moderation surface portion having alternating ridges and valleys formed on the inner surface of the case, like the switch device disclosed in Patent Document 1, It has a moderation mechanism comprising a coil spring provided on the rotor side in the case and a ball urged so as to abut on the moderation surface portion by the coil spring.

According to the moderation mechanism having such a configuration, when the user performs the switch operation by rotating the operation knob, the ball moves over the peak portion to the valley portion with the rotation of the rotor. Depressed. That is, the feedback force applied to the operation knob changes before and after the ball exceeds the mountain. Thereby, moderation is given to rotation of the operation knob.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-94922

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the rotation angle at which the moderation is given when the operation knob is rotated (hereinafter referred to as the moderation angle) is limited by the formation pitch (angle pitch) of the peak and valley portions of the moderation surface. There is a problem. Further, in this case, when used for a selection operation on the screen of the navigation device, there is a problem that the position on the navigation screen where the moderation is desired to be changed for each screen may not be adopted. As a solution to this problem, a moderation device having the configuration shown in FIG. 11 is considered.

  In FIG. 11, for example, a shaft 103 is rotatably supported on an apparatus base 102 attached to an appropriate part on the back side of the instrument panel 101. An operating member 104 is attached to one end of the shaft 103 that protrudes to the surface side of the instrument panel 101 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 103. Further, a disk 105 a of a rotary encoder 105 for detecting the rotation position of the operation member 104 is attached to the other end portion of the shaft 103 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 103.

  Further, the attracting portion 106 is provided at a position slightly on the left side of the shaft 103 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 103, and the attracting member 106 a made of a magnetic plate is attached to the right surface of the attracting member 106. ing. An electromagnet 107 is provided on the right side of the attracted body 106a so as to be rotatable independently of the shaft 103 and to be movable in the axial direction at a minute distance. Between the electromagnet 107 and the apparatus base 102, spring plates 108 and 108 made of synthetic resin are provided. One end of each of the spring plates 108 and 108 is attached to the apparatus base 102, and the other end is the It is attached to an electromagnet 107. The spring plates 108 and 108 provide resistance against the rotation of the shaft 103. An appropriate operation object is attached to or connected to the shaft 103.

  In the configuration of FIG. 11, the electromagnet 107 is normally disconnected, and when the operation member 104 is rotated by the user, the shaft 103, the disk 105a, and the attracted portion 106 rotate integrally. When the operation member 104 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the rotary encoder 105 detects the predetermined angle, and based on this, a control unit (not shown) energizes the electromagnet 107. Then, the electromagnet 107 and the object to be attracted 106a are attracted to each other, and the electromagnet 107, the object to be attracted 106a, the shaft 103, and the operation member 104 are integrated. Accordingly, when the user further rotates the operation member 104 from this state, the other end of the leaf springs 108 and 108 is elastically deformed in the rotation direction, thereby generating a spring force in the restoring direction, and the user rotates. When resistance is applied and the electromagnet is turned off, the rotational resistance disappears. Moderation is given by the difference in rotational resistance.

  However, in this configuration, since the spring plates 108 and 108 made of synthetic resin are used, it is difficult to set a shape for achieving a spring function, and it is also difficult to select a material for setting the spring force. There was a problem that was difficult. In addition, it is difficult to set subtle settings such as a smoothness degree of moderation or a sudden degree. Further, when the electromagnet 107 is turned off, the rotating member 103 is in a no-load state, and the user operating the rotating member 103 feels a sudden load reduction from the loaded state, that is, a rapid moderation. There was a problem that felt the feeling.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and can arbitrarily set a position for giving a moderation according to an operation target. Further, the moderation angle can be easily set, and the degree of moderation can be adjusted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a moderation device that can be easily set and can prevent a sudden sense of moderation when an electromagnet is turned off.

  The moderation device according to claim 1 is an apparatus main body, a rotation member provided in the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable and operated by an external operation force, and a rotation resistance receiving portion having a substantially V-shaped concave surface portion. A coil spring made of steel wire and a pressing member, and applying a resistance to press the pressing member against the concave surface portion of the rotation resistance receiving portion by the spring force of the coil spring. Means, an electromagnet provided in the apparatus main body, a rotation position detection means for detecting a rotation position of the rotation member, and a rotation position of the rotation member detected by the rotation position detection means. Accordingly, the control means for controlling the switching of the electromagnet and the rotation of the electromagnet are provided so as to be rotatable concentrically with the rotation center of the rotation member, and are attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized and fixed in the non-rotation state A responding member, and an arcuate surface portion centered on the rotation center of the rotation member; And a moderation gradual reduction means that constantly presses the arcuate surface portion with a spring force, and one of the turning resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the turning member. The other is provided in the response member, and one of the arcuate surface portion and the moderation sensation gradually decreasing means is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the rotation member, and the other is provided in the response member. It has the characteristics.

  In the first aspect of the invention, one of the rotation resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the rotation member, and the other is provided on the response member. The responding member and the rotating member are integrally connected by a pressing action of the coil spring of the resistance applying means, and the user rotates the rotating member (an external operation force is applied). When the electromagnet is disconnected, the responding member can rotate, so that the rotating member and the responding member rotate together via the rotation resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means. Note that the arcuate surface portion and the moderation sensation gradually reducing means also rotate together. Therefore, when the electromagnet is disconnected, both the rotation resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means are rotated in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotation member, and no feeling of moderation occurs.

  When the rotation member reaches a predetermined rotation position, the predetermined rotation position is detected by the rotation position detection means, and the electromagnet is energized by the control means. By this energization, the responding member is attracted to the electromagnet and fixed in a non-rotating state. Then, since the rotating member on which the operating force from the user acts is rotated, the pressing member of the resistance applying means slides the concave surface portion of the rotating resistance receiving portion against the spring force of the coil spring. As a result, the spring force of the coil spring increases and the resistance is increased. When the rotating member reaches a predetermined rotating position, the electromagnet is cut off, the resistance is lost, the responding member becomes free relative to the rotating member operated by the user, and the center of the concave portion The response member moves relative to the rotation member. As a result, a sense of moderation occurs due to a sudden change in resistance caused by the coil spring. In this case, the moderation sensation gradual reduction means always presses the circular arc surface portion with a spring force, that is, a force acting as a relative movement resistance acts between the rotating member and the responding member. The return speed of the responding member relative to the rotating member is alleviated, so that the moderation sensation gradually decreasing means can prevent a sudden sense of moderation.

  The moderation device of the present invention can arbitrarily set the position to give moderation according to the operation target, the moderation angle can be easily set, the moderation feeling can be easily set, and the electromagnet It can prevent sudden feeling of moderation when the power is cut off.

  A first embodiment in which the present invention is used in a moderation device for setting the temperature of a vehicle air conditioner, for example, will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal mode of the moderation device 1. In FIG. 1, the moderation device 1 is attached to the back side of an instrument panel 19 of an automobile, for example.

  The moderation device 1 includes a device case 2 as a device body. A shaft 3 as a rotating member is rotatably supported on the device case 2. One end of the shaft 3 protrudes from one end of the device case 2 and the instrument panel 19. An operation dial 20 as an operation member for temperature adjustment is attached to the protruding end portion so as to rotate integrally. In the instrument panel 19, a temperature display portion 19a is provided around the operation dial 20 as shown in FIG. The temperature display portion 19a is provided with scale portions m1 to m14 that indicate temperatures of 18 ° C to 31 ° C.

A substantially cylindrical electromagnet 4 is attached to the electromagnet holder 2 a in the apparatus case 2, and the shaft 3 is inserted through the hollow portion of the electromagnet 4.
In addition, a cylindrical sleeve-shaped rotation resistance receiving portion 5 is provided on the right side of the electromagnet 4 in the shaft 3 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 3, and on the inner surface of the rotation resistance receiving portion 5, As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially V-shaped concave surface portion 6 is formed. The concave surface portion 6 is substantially V-shaped with the slope 6a and the slope 6b.

In the rotation resistance receiving portion 5, an arcuate surface portion 7 centering on the rotation center of the shaft 3 is formed at a portion opposite to the concave surface portion 6.
Further, a resistance applying means 8 is provided in the shaft 3 portion inside the rotation resistance receiving portion 5. The resistance applying means 8 is provided on the response member 9. The responsive member 9 is made of a magnetic material, and is provided so as to be concentric with the shaft 3 in a form facing the electromagnet 4 in the axial direction. The resistance applying means 8 is configured by accommodating and arranging a steel wire coil spring 10 and a pressing member 11 in a guide tube portion 12 formed in a holder 8a. The coil spring 10 is accommodated in a compressed state. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 11 is pressed and urged by the spring force of the coil spring 10 toward the valley center portion of the concave surface portion 6.

  The response member 9 is provided with moderation gradual reduction means 13. The moderation sensation gradual reduction means 13 includes a guide cylinder part 14 formed on the holder 8a on the side opposite to the guide cylinder part 12, and a steel wire coil spring 15 serving as a spring means accommodated in the guide cylinder part 14, A pressing member 16 partially accommodated in the guide tube portion 14 is provided. The coil spring 15 is accommodated in a compressed state. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 16 is urged against the arcuate surface portion 7 by the spring force of the coil spring 15.

  The other end of the shaft 3 is provided with a position sensor 17 serving as a rotational position detecting means, which is composed of, for example, a potentiometer, detects the rotational position (angular position) of the shaft 3, and this rotational position. The detection signal is given to the control device 18 (see FIG. 4). The rotation position detection signal from the position sensor 17 is also used for temperature setting.

The control device 18 shown in FIG. 4 functions as a control means and includes a microcomputer.
The rotation of the shaft 3 from the rotation angle position k0 in the direction of arrow B is blocked by a stopper (not shown), and the rotation of the shaft 3 from the rotation angle position k27 in the direction of arrow A is also blocked by a stopper (not shown). ing.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described. Assume that the operation dial 20 is at the angular position k0, for example. In this state, the electromagnet 4 is in a state of being cut off, and the pressing member 11 of the resistance applying means 8 is pressed and urged to the center of the valley of the concave surface portion 6 of the rotation resistance receiving portion 5, so The member 9 is rotatable with respect to the shaft 3. Further, the pressing member 11 of the moderation sensation gradual reduction means 13 is always pressed and urged against the arcuate surface portion 7 by the spring force of the spring 15.

  If the user rotates the operation dial 20 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 from this state, the pressing member 11 is pressed against the center of the valley of the concave surface portion 6 of the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 as described above. Since the biasing member 9 can be rotated with respect to the shaft 3, the pressing member 11 also rotates integrally (see FIG. 6A). That is, when the electromagnet 4 is disconnected, both the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 and the resistance applying means 8 rotate (rotate integrally) as the shaft 3 rotates, and a sense of moderation occurs. No (angle range a1 ° in FIGS. 5 and 6A).

  When the angle range is a1 °, the electromagnet 4 is energized, and the electromagnet 4 attracts and fixes the responding member 9 by this energization. As a result, the pressing member 11 is fixed in a non-rotatable state, and the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 is continuously rotated in the direction of arrow A by receiving a rotation operation force by the user. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the slope 6a of the concave surface portion 6 of the rotational resistance receiving portion 5 comes into sliding contact with the pressing member 11, and the spring force of the coil spring 10 in the pressing direction increases, and the rotation The dynamic resistance receiving portion 5 makes the user feel a strong rotational resistance. As a result, the user feels resistance, that is, moderation (angle range a2 ° in FIG. 5). Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the electromagnet 4 is disconnected when the rotational resistance receiving portion 5 reaches the boundary position k2 in the arrow A direction within the angular range a2 ° (see FIG. 5). Then, the suction fixation or suction fixation is released, the moderation feeling is released, and a click feeling (moderation feeling) acts. In this case, since the user still holds and holds the operation dial 20, the shaft 3 can be regarded as being in a fixed state, so that the resistance applying means 8 moves from the state of FIG. 6C to the trough of the concave portion 6. It moves (in the direction of arrow A). At this time, the pressing member 16 of the moderation gradual decreasing means 13 moves in the direction of the arrow A along the arcuate surface portion 7. However, since the pressing member 16 is pressed and urged against the arcuate surface portion 7, a sliding frictional force is generated therebetween. Acts to gradually reduce the sense of moderation (see line Sa in FIG. 5). The line S ′ in this figure indicates the moderation feeling when the moderation gradual decrease means 13 is not provided.

  According to this embodiment, when the shaft 3 as a rotating member is operated to rotate, the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 rotates together with the shaft 3, and the resistance applying means 8 is connected to the electromagnet. 4 is rotated together with the shaft 3 when the power is cut off. Therefore, when the electromagnet 4 is disconnected, both the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 and the resistance applying means 8 are rotated in accordance with the rotation operation of the shaft 3, so that a feeling of moderation does not occur. When the shaft reaches a predetermined rotation position, the position sensor 17 detects the predetermined rotation position, and the electromagnet 4 is energized by the control device 13 serving as a control means. By this energization, the resistance applying means 8 is attracted to the electromagnet 4 and fixed in a non-rotating state. Then, the pressing member 11 of the resistance applying means 8 comes to slide relative to the concave surface portion 6 of the rotational resistance receiving portion 5 against the spring force of the coil spring 10, and the spring force of the coil spring 10 increases. And resistance becomes stronger. When the shaft 3 reaches a predetermined rotation position, the electromagnet 4 is disconnected and this resistance is reduced. As a result, a sense of moderation can be generated due to a change in resistance caused by the coil spring 10.

  In this case, the moderation sensation gradual reduction means 13 constantly presses the arcuate surface portion 7 with a spring force, that is, a force acting as a relative movement resistance acts between the shaft 3 and the responding member 9. Therefore, the moderation feeling is relieved, and the moderation feeling gradual decrease means 13 can prevent the sudden feeling of moderation.

  According to the present embodiment, the moderation angle can be easily changed by changing the energization start position and the energization stop position. Moreover, it has the rotation resistance receiving part 5 which has the substantially V-shaped concave-surface part 6, the coil spring 10 made from steel wire, and the press member 11, The rotation force of this coil spring 10 makes the said press member 11 turn resistance. The resistance applying means 8 for pressing the concave portion 6 of the receiving portion 5 to give rotational resistance provides a moderation. Therefore, the selection of the coil spring 10 and the inclination angle of the concave portion 6 are determined. Setting makes it easy to set a moderation interval and strength.

  7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the present invention is applied to a moderation device of a joystick device, for example. FIG. 9 shows a joystick device 21 provided in the vehicle. The joystick device 21 is provided to select one of a plurality of icons displayed on the display device 22. The joystick device 21 is provided below the console box 23 (a position that is easy for the driver to operate). The display device 22 is used as a display device such as a car navigation device or an audio, and is provided on an instrument panel 24 (a position easy to see from the driver) of the vehicle.

  The joystick device 21 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a state where the cover 21a of the joystick device 21 is removed. In FIG. 7, a joystick device 21 includes a joystick member 26, a first swing member 27, a second swing member 28, and a first moderation device 29 which is a moderation device according to the present invention. The second moderation device 30 as a moderation device according to the invention and a control device (not shown) as a control means are provided.

  The lower end portion of the joystick member 26 is supported by the joystick device base 21b so as to be tiltable in any direction, and has a knob 26a on the upper portion. The first oscillating member 27 is configured by a plate member formed in a curved shape, and one end of the first oscillating member 27 is pivoted by a shaft 3 described later of the first moderation device 29. The other end is pivotally supported by the sensor shaft 29b of the X-direction position sensor 29a, so that the first swing member 27 is swingably provided so as to be able to rotate in the X direction. . A slit 27 a is formed in the central portion of the first swing member 27 along the longitudinal direction.

  Similar to the first swing member 27, the second swing member 28 is composed of a plate member formed in a curved shape, and one end of the second swing member 28 has the second end. The other moderation device 30 is supported by a shaft 3 which will be described later, and the other end is supported by a sensor shaft 30b of the Y-direction position sensor 30a, so that the second swing member 28 rotates in the Y direction. It is provided so that it can swing. A slit 28 a is formed in the center of the second swing member 28 along the longitudinal direction.

  The joystick member 26 is inserted into the slit 27 a of the first swing member 27 and the slit 28 a of the second swing member 28. Accordingly, the first swing member 27 and the second swing member 28 swing according to the operation direction of the joystick member 26.

  Now, the first moderation device 29 and the second moderation device 30 have the same configuration, and these moderation devices 29 and 30 are basically the same as the moderation device 1 of the first embodiment. It is a configuration. Accordingly, the same components as those of the moderation device 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The moderation devices 29 and 30 are different from the moderation device 1 of the first embodiment in that the moderation devices 29 and 30 are an X-direction position sensor 29a and a Y-direction position sensor as rotation position detecting means. As described above, 30a is provided outside the apparatus case 2.

  In the second embodiment, moderation is given by the first moderation device 29 in the X direction of the swing component of the joystick member 26, and moderation is given by the second moderation device 30 in the Y direction. ing. In the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in the following points. In the first embodiment, the rotation resistance receiving portion 5 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the shaft 3 as a rotation member, and the resistance applying means 8 is provided in the response member 9. In the example, the resistance applying means 38 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the sleeve 3 a formed on the shaft 3, and the turning resistance receiving portion 39 is provided on the response member 9. Further, in this third embodiment, by forming a portion other than the concave surface portion 6 of the rotation resistance receiving portion 39 in an arc surface shape, the arc surface portion 40 is formed in the rotation resistance receiving portion 39, and the moderation degree A gradual reduction means 41 is provided on the sleeve 3 a of the shaft 3. In the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In short, one of the turning resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the turning member, and the other is provided on the responding member, and the arcuate surface portion and the moderation sensation gradually reducing means. And the other is provided on the responding member.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be modified as follows. The rotation position detecting means is not limited to a potentiometer, and may be a rotary encoder or a combination of a plurality of Hall ICs and magnetic poles. Further, the pressing member and the pressing member may be formed in a spherical shape, or a steel ball may be used. Moreover, the concave surface portion may be substantially V-shaped as a whole, and the shape of the central portion of the valley is not limited to the illustrated corner portion. For example, the central portion of the valley of the concave portion may be rounded. And it may be a narrow flat part.

Vertical side view showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a moderation device for setting the temperature of an air conditioner TT line sectional view of FIG. Front view of instrument panel Electrical configuration block diagram Diagram for explaining power interruption control and moderation feeling for electromagnet (A), (b), (c) is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining the operation. The perspective view which shows the 2nd Example which applied this invention to the moderation apparatus of a joystick apparatus. Longitudinal side view of moderation device A perspective view of the console box part of a vehicle incorporating a joystick device FIG. 2 equivalent view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. Longitudinal side view of a conventional moderation device

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a moderation device, 2 is a device case (device main body), 3 is a shaft (rotating member), 4 is an electromagnet, 5 is a rotation resistance receiving portion, 6 is a concave surface portion, 7 is an arc surface portion, and 8 is Resistance applying means, 9 is a response member, 10 is a coil spring, 11 is a pressing member, 13 is a moderation gradual reduction means, 17 is a position sensor (rotation position detection means), 18 is a control device (control means), and 20 is an operation. Reference numeral 21 denotes a joystick device, 26 denotes a joystick member, 29 denotes a first moderation device (moderation device), and 30 denotes a second moderation device (moderation device).

Claims (1)

The device body;
A rotation member provided in the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable and operated by an external operation force;
A rotational resistance receiving portion having a substantially V-shaped concave surface portion;
A resistance applying means having a steel wire coil spring and a pressing member, and pressing the pressing member against the concave surface portion of the rotation resistance receiving portion by the spring force of the coil spring to provide a rotation resistance; ,
An electromagnet provided in the apparatus body;
Rotation position detection means for detecting the rotation position of the rotation member;
Control means for controlling disconnection of the electromagnet according to the rotation position of the rotation member detected by the rotation position detection means;
A responding member provided so as to be rotatable in a concentric state with the rotation center of the rotating member, and being attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized and fixed in a non-rotating state;
A circular arc surface portion centered on the rotation center of the rotation member;
A moderation sensation gradual reduction means that comprises a spring means and constantly presses the arcuate surface portion by a spring force;
One of the rotation resistance receiving portion and the resistance applying means is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the rotation member, and the other is provided on the response member.
One of the arcuate surface portion and the moderation sensation gradually decreasing means is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the rotating member, and the other is provided on the responding member.

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