JP2010282451A - Moderation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve power saving in a moderation apparatus including an electromagnet. <P>SOLUTION: The moderation apparatus is equipped with: a touch electrode 25 in which a part of an outer periphery of an operation dial is projected from the instrument panel 2 and which has portions 25s, 25t to be touched which are formed close to both sides of the projected portion of the operation dial 6 and shaped like circular arcs having almost the same shape as the circular arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6; and a touch detector for detecting touch of the touch electrode 25 with a user's finger. When the touch detector detects a touch by a finger, a current is supplied to the electromagnet 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moderation device using an electromagnet.

  Conventionally, the moderation device is used for an input device such as an instrument panel in an automobile. As a moderation device using an electromagnet, there is a moderation device disclosed in Patent Document 1. This moderation device has an operation dial, a moderation mechanism for moderation for obtaining moderation (low moderation feeling is weak), and a moderation mechanism for moderation for obtaining moderation (high moderation feeling), These moderation moderation mechanisms and moderation moderation modes can be selectively switched and used. The switching is performed by turning off and on the electromagnet. For example, when the moderation mechanism for large moderation is used, the electromagnet is energized. Then, a strong moderation feeling can be given when the user operates the operation dial.

JP 2008-198370 A

  By the way, in the conventional apparatus, for example, when using a moderation mechanism for large moderation, it is necessary to energize the electromagnet at all times. For this reason, there is a problem that even when the user does not operate the operation dial, power is consumed and power saving cannot be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a moderation device capable of saving power in a moderation device including an electromagnet.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a moderation device comprising a moderation mechanism that functions by energization of an electromagnet, and a circular operation dial that can be rotated to operate the moderation mechanism. A touch electrode having a part of the outer periphery projecting from the operation panel and having a contact portion having an arcuate shape substantially the same as the arcuate shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial provided near both sides of the projecting portion of the operation dial; A touch detection unit that detects that the user's finger has touched the touch electrode is provided, and when the touch of the finger is detected by the touch detection unit, the electromagnet is energized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user operates the operation dial, a part of the outer periphery of the operation dial protrudes from the operation panel. The operation is to rotate by pressing with the belly of the finger. At this time, a touch electrode contact portion having substantially the same shape as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial is provided adjacent to both sides of the protruding portion of the operation dial. The touched part is touched. The touch of the user's finger is detected by the touch detection means, and the electromagnet is energized based on this detection, so that the moderation mechanism functions. As a result, the electromagnet can be energized only when the user operates, and power consumption when the user does not operate the operation dial is eliminated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moderation device comprising a moderation mechanism that functions by controlling the switching of the electromagnet, and a circular operation dial that can be rotated to operate the moderation mechanism. A touch electrode having a part of the outer periphery projecting from the operation panel and having a contact portion having an arcuate shape substantially the same as the arcuate shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial provided near both sides of the projecting portion of the operation dial; Touch detection means for detecting that the user's finger touches the touch electrode is provided. When the touch detection means does not detect the touch of the finger, the electromagnet is turned off, and the touch detection means detects the touch of the finger. There is a characteristic in that the electromagnet switching control is sometimes permitted.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a user operates in a moderation device comprising a moderation mechanism that functions by turning on and off the electromagnet and a circular operation dial that can be rotated to operate the moderation mechanism. Only when the electromagnet is turned on or off, the power consumption can be reduced when the user does not operate the operation dial.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, power saving can be aimed at in the moderation apparatus provided with the electromagnet.

1 is a longitudinal side view of an entire moderation device showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view of the operation dial part protruding outside the operation panel Perspective view of the instrument panel part of the vehicle Electrical configuration block diagram Circuit diagram of touch detection device 5A is a waveform diagram at a point r1 in FIG. 5, FIG. 5B is a waveform diagram at a point r2, and FIG. 5C is a waveform diagram at a point r3 in FIG. FIG. 1 equivalent diagram for explaining the operation FIG. 1 equivalent diagram for explaining different actions FIG. 1 equivalent diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention Diagram for explaining power interruption control and moderation feeling for electromagnet (A)-(c) is sectional drawing which follows the TT line | wire of FIG. 9 for demonstrating the effect | action of a moderation mechanism, respectively. 4 equivalent figure FIG. 1 equivalent view showing a third embodiment of the present invention 2 equivalent diagram Perspective view of touch electrode

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 1, the moderation device 1 is provided on the back surface of the instrument panel 2 (see FIG. 3) of the vehicle. The instrument panel 2 corresponds to an operation panel. The moderation device 1 is used for an input device for selecting a selection item displayed on a display device 3 provided on the instrument panel 2 or for setting an audio volume. Applicable.

  A device case 4 as a device main body of the moderation device 1 constitutes a yoke, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape in which the left side surface in the figure is closed by a wall portion 4a and the right end surface is opened. A shaft 5 is rotatably disposed in the device case 4 in the axial direction, and a circular disk-like operation dial 6 is attached to the right end portion so as to rotate integrally. The thickness of the operation dial 6 is preferably smaller than the average finger thickness.

In the device case 4, the shaft magnetic body 7 is attached to the wall 4 a side so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 5.
Further, an electromagnet housing 8 is fixed to the device case 4 on the wall 4 a side in the device case 4. An electromagnet 9 having a coil 9a and a coil magnetic body 9b is fixedly provided in the electromagnet housing 8. The electromagnet housing 8 is formed with an insertion hole 8a that allows the shaft 5 to rotate.

Further, a moderator housing magnetic body 10 is disposed on the right side of the electromagnet housing 8, and an insertion hole 10 a that allows the shaft 5 to rotate is formed in the moderation housing magnetic body 10.
A moderation housing 11 that rotates integrally therewith is disposed on the right side of the magnetic material 10 for moderation housing, and this moderation housing 11 is relatively rotatable about the shaft 5. That is, a shaft fitting hole 11 a that slide-fits with the shaft 5 is formed at the center of the moderation housing 11.

On the right side of the moderation housing 11, a moderation mountain housing 12 is provided so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 5. Further, on the right side of the moderation mountain housing 12, a flat plate-like permanent magnet 13 is fixed and attached to the device case 4.
A rotary encoder 14 that detects the amount of rotational operation of the operation dial 6 is attached to an end of the shaft 5 that protrudes to the outside from the wall 4 a of the device case 4.

Here, the device case 4 is provided with a moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation (corresponding to a moderation mechanism that functions by energization of an electromagnet) and a moderation mechanism 16 for moderation.
The moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation will be described. The moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation includes a first accommodation recess 17 formed in the moderation housing 11, a first spring 18 and a first ball 19 accommodated and disposed in the first accommodation recess 17, The first moderation unevenness 20 is formed on the moderation mountain housing 12. The first moderation unevenness 20 has an uneven shape in which peaks and troughs are alternately arranged on the entire inner surface of the moderation mountain housing 12. The first ball 19 is pressed against the first moderation unevenness 20 by the first spring 18.

  The moderation mechanism 16 for moderation has a second accommodation recess 21 formed in the moderation housing 11, a second spring 22 and a second ball 23 accommodated and disposed in the second accommodation recess 21, A second moderation unevenness 24 is formed on the electromagnet housing 8. The second moderation unevenness 24 has an uneven shape in which crests and troughs are alternately continued on the entire inner circumference of the upper portion of the electromagnet housing 8. The second ball 23 is pressed against the second moderation unevenness 24 by the second spring 22. The unevenness height of the first moderation unevenness 20 is set to be larger than the unevenness height of the second moderation unevenness 24. In this case, the spring force of the first spring 18 is set to be stronger than the spring force of the second spring 22. Note that a magnetic circuit is formed by the permanent magnet 13 as indicated by reference numeral φ1 in FIG.

  A substantially rectangular hole 2 a is formed in the instrument panel 2, and a part of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6 protrudes from the hole 2 a of the instrument panel 2. Further, touch electrodes 25 made of a conductive material are provided on both sides of the operation dial 6. The touch electrode 25 includes a right side plate portion 25a facing the right side surface 6a of the operation dial 6 via a minute gap, a left side plate portion 25b opening from the left side surface 6b of the operation dial 6 via a minute gap, and these It is comprised from the connection part 25c which connects the side plate parts 25a and 25b, and the upper part of the side plate parts 25a and 25b is being fixed to the said instrument panel 2. As shown in FIG. The touch electrode 25 has contact portions 25s and 25t having arc shapes substantially the same as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6 in proximity to both sides of the protruding portion of the operation dial 6.

  A touch detection device 26 as a touch detection unit shown in FIG. 4 includes the touch electrode 25 and a touch detection circuit 27. The touch electrode 25 is connected to the input terminal 27a of the touch detection circuit 27 by a connection conductor 25d.

  The touch detection circuit 27 is a general capacitance circuit, and a resistor 28 and an AC oscillation unit 29 are connected in series between the input terminal 27a and GND, and the input terminal 27a and the resistor 28 are connected. A commutator 30, a low-pass filter 31, and a touch determination circuit 32 are connected between the common connection point 27b and the output terminal 27c. The touch determination circuit 32 includes a comparison circuit, and the output of the low-pass filter 31 (the waveform shown in FIG. 6B) is applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit. The threshold value k (see FIG. 6B) is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit.

  When the user touches the touch electrode 25 (see period Sa in FIG. 6A), a capacitor formed by a human body is formed between the touch electrode 25 and GND, and a voltage waveform (AC oscillation at a point r1 in FIG. 5). (The waveform of the portion) has a low amplitude as indicated by the period Sa in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, this voltage waveform at the point r2 becomes the threshold value k and becomes low level, and the output of the touch determination circuit 32 becomes high level. This high level signal becomes a touch detection signal. This touch detection signal is given to the control device 33 shown in FIG.

  The control device 33 includes a microcomputer or the like. For example, when an appropriate switch (not shown) of the (A) instrument panel 2 is turned on, the electromagnet 9 is operated regardless of whether the operation dial 6 is operated or operated. Is turned off and the mode is set to the mode of moderation. Further, (B) when another switch is turned on, when the user does not operate the operation dial 6 (strictly, when the user does not touch the touch electrode 25), the electromagnet 9 is turned off and operated (strictly). (When the user touches the touch electrode 25), the electromagnet 9 is energized in the reverse direction to enter the large mode. Further, (C) when the switch for locking the operation dial 6 is turned on, the electromagnet 9 is energized in the forward direction.

  The case (A) will be described. In the moderation mode in which the electromagnet 9 is turned off, when the user presses the finger against the outer peripheral surface 6c of the operation dial 6 and rotates, the operation dial 6 is rotated. Then, the shaft 5 and the moderation mountain housing 12 that are integrally rotated with the operation dial 6 are rotated. In this case, since the spring force of the first spring 18 is stronger than the spring force of the second spring 22, the meshing resistance between the first ball 19 and the first moderation unevenness 20 is the same as that of the second ball 23. It is stronger than the meshing resistance with the second moderation unevenness 24, the first ball 19 remains engaged with the first moderation unevenness 20, the moderation housing 11 rotates integrally, and the second ball 23 rotates. The second moderation unevenness 24 is overcome and falls, and a small moderation occurs each time. That is, the second moderation mechanism 16 functions. The rotation amount of the operation dial 6 is detected by the rotary encoder 14 and is set according to the rotation amount, for example.

  Next, the case (B) will be described. When the user does not operate the operation dial 6, the electromagnet 9 is disconnected. When the user operates the outer peripheral surface 6c of the operation dial 6 with a finger, the finger inevitably touches (touches) the contacted portions 25s and 25t of the touch electrode 25. The touch detection device 26 detects this touch, and the control device 33 energizes the electromagnet 9 in the reverse direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a magnetic circuit φg opposite to the magnetic circuit φ1 by the permanent magnet 13 is generated, and the moderate housing magnetic body 10 is attracted and fixed to the electromagnet 9, and the moderate housing magnetic body 10 and The moderation housing 11 in an integral relationship is fixed. In this case, since the moderation mountain housing 12 integrally connected with the operation dial 6 and the shaft 5 is rotated by the user, the first moderation unevenness 20 is rotated with respect to the first ball 19 in a non-rotatable state. Relatively, the first ball 19 gets over the first moderation unevenness 20 and falls, and a magnitude moderation occurs each time. That is, when the electromagnet 9 is energized, the moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation functions. In this case as well, the amount of rotation of the operation dial 6 is detected by the rotary encoder 14 and is set according to, for example, the amount of rotation.

  Next, in the case of the above (C), when the electromagnet 9 is energized in the forward direction, as shown in FIG. 8, a magnetic circuit φj is generated, and the magnetic strength of the entire magnetic circuit is increased. The magnetic material 7 is fixed by suction so that the operation dial 6 cannot be operated.

  According to the above embodiment, when the moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation is used, when the user operates the operation dial 6, a part of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6 protrudes from the instrument panel 2. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 6c of the portion protruding from the instrument panel 2 is pressed with the belly of the finger and rotated. At this time, the contact portions 25s and 25t having substantially the same shape as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the instrument panel 2 of the touch electrode 25 are provided near both sides of the protruding portion of the operation dial 6. The user's finger naturally touches the contacted portions 25s and 25t of the touch electrode 25. The touch of the user's finger is detected by the touch detection device 26, and the electromagnet 9 is energized based on this detection, so that the moderation mechanism 15 for large moderation functions. Thereby, the electromagnet 9 can be energized only when the user operates, and power consumption when the user does not operate the operation dial is eliminated.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a moderation device 41 having a moderation mechanism 50 that functions by cutting and controlling the electromagnet is shown. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
A shaft 43 is rotatably supported on the device case 42 of the moderation device 41. An operation dial 6 is attached to one end of the shaft 43 so as to rotate integrally. A part of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6 protrudes from the instrument panel 2. On both sides of the operation dial 6, similarly to the first embodiment, touch electrodes 25 made of a conductive material are provided.

  An electromagnet 9 is attached to an electromagnet housing 42 a in the device case 42. A cylindrical sleeve-shaped moderation mountain housing 44 is provided at the right side of the electromagnet 9 in the shaft 43 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 43, and is continuous with the inner surface of the moderation mountain housing 44. There is no moderation unevenness, and a substantially V-shaped concave surface portion 45 is formed as shown in FIG. The concave surface portion 45 is substantially V-shaped with the slope 45a and the slope 45b.

  In addition, an adsorbed member 46 is provided in a portion of the shaft 43 inside the moderation mountain housing 44 so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 43. The attracted member 46 is made of a magnetic material. A guide tube portion 47 is fixed to the attracted member 46, and a spring 48 formed of a steel wire coil spring and a pressing member 49 are accommodated in the guide tube portion 47. As shown in FIG. 11, the pressing member 49 is pressed and urged by the spring force of the spring 48 toward the valley center portion of the concave surface portion 45. A moderation mechanism 50 is configured by the concave surface portion 45, the spring 48, and the pressing member 49.

  When the user touches the contacted portions 25s and 25t of the touch electrode 25, the control device 51 shown in FIG. This power interruption control is performed by changing the rotational angle position of the operation dial 6 by the rotary encoder 14, thereby causing the moderation mechanism 50 to function.

  That is, the controller 51 energizes the electromagnet 9 when the operation dial 6 and hence the shaft 43 is located between the angle k1 and the angle k2 shown in FIG. 10 (energization angle region T), and the angle k3 or more to the angle k3. Control is performed to repeat the power interruption (power interruption angle region D) until it is less than that. Moderation is given by this power interruption control. That is, in the state of FIG. 11A, the attracted member 46 is attracted and fixed because the electromagnet 9 is energized. When the operation dial 6 is rotated in the arrow A direction from this state, the concave surface portion 45 presses the pressing member 49. As a result, moderation (resistance) is generated, and when the rotation operation is performed to the position of the angle k2, the electromagnet 9 is cut off, the fixation of the attracted member 46 is released, and the concave surface portion as shown in FIG. Slide down to 45 valleys. At this time, moderation is lost and a click feeling is generated. In this way, the moderation mechanism 50 functions by the on / off control of the electromagnet 9.

  Also in the second embodiment, when the user operates the operation dial 6, the user's finger naturally touches the contacted portions 25s and 25t of the touch electrode 25. The touch of the user's finger is detected by the touch detection device 26, and the electromagnet 9 is energized based on this detection, so that the moderation mechanism 50 functions. Thereby, the electromagnet 9 can be energized only when the user operates, and power consumption when the user does not operate the operation dial is eliminated.

  13 to 15 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration of the touch electrode 61 is different in the third embodiment. That is, the touch electrode 61 is attached to the edge of the hole 2 a of the instrument panel 2. The touch electrode 61 is adjacent to both sides of the protruding portion of the operation dial 6 and has arc-shaped contact portions 61s and 61t that are substantially the same as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial 6, and both contact portions 61s and 61t. It is the structure which has the frame part 61w which connects. According to the third embodiment, the material used for the touch electrode 61 can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

  In the drawings, 1 is a moderation device, 2 is an instrument panel (operation panel), 5 is a shaft, 6 is an operation dial, 9 is an electromagnet, 15 is a moderation mechanism for large moderation (moderation mechanism), 18 is a first spring, 19 is a first ball, 20 is a first moderation unevenness, 25 is a touch electrode, 25s and 25t are contacted parts, 26 is a touch detection device (touch detection means), 33 is a control device, 41 is a moderation device, 43 Is a shaft, 45 is a concave surface portion, 49 is a spring, 49 is a pressing member, 50 is a moderation mechanism, 51 is a control device, and 61 is a touch electrode.

Claims (2)

In a moderation device comprising a moderation mechanism that functions by energization of an electromagnet and a circular operation dial that can be rotated to operate the moderation mechanism,
A part of the outer periphery of the operation dial protrudes from the operation panel,
A touch electrode provided in proximity to both sides of the projecting portion of the operation dial and having an arc-shaped contacted portion that is substantially the same as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial;
A touch detection means for detecting that the user's finger has touched the touch electrode is provided,
A moderation device characterized in that when the touch of the finger is not detected by the touch detection means, the electromagnet is turned off, and when the touch of the finger is detected by the touch detection means, the electromagnet is energized. In a moderation device provided with a moderation mechanism that functions by controlling disconnection of an electromagnet, and a circular operation dial that can be rotated to operate the moderation mechanism,
A part of the outer periphery of the operation dial protrudes from the operation panel,
A touch electrode provided in proximity to both sides of the projecting portion of the operation dial and having an arc-shaped contacted portion that is substantially the same as the arc shape of the outer periphery of the operation dial;
A touch detection means for detecting that the user's finger has touched the touch electrode is provided,
When the touch detection unit detects no finger touch, the electromagnet is turned off. When the touch detection unit detects a finger touch, the electromagnet on / off control is permitted. Moderation device.

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