JP2011192099A - Inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inputting device which timely gains sufficient frictional braking force, makes an operation member stable when braking is applied, and is excellent in operability and operational feeling. <P>SOLUTION: A friction member, which gives braking force to an operation member (14) consisting of a magnetic body, can move with an electromagnet (22) as one body. A supporting member (20), which supports the operation member (14), restricts the movement of the operation member (14) toward the electromagnet (22) when the electromagnet (22) generates magnetic force. A holder (26) supports the electromagnet (22) with its free back and forth movement possible in a direction toward the operation member (14), and allows the increase of a contact pressure between the friction member and the operation member (14) when the electromagnet (22) generates the magnetic force, and the electromagnet (22) is drawn to the operation member (14). When the electromagnet (22) is drawn to the operation member (14), the movement of the electromagnet (22) in the operating direction of the operation member (14) is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly, to an input device that gives a feeling of operation to an operator by applying a braking force to an operation member.

  For example, an input device applied to a car navigation system, a car air conditioner system, and the like has an operation member that slides, rotates, or tilts, and an input command is selected according to the position or posture of the operation member. . Some input devices give a braking force by a frictional force to an operation member, and give a feeling of operation to an operator.

  Specifically, the trackball device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a trackball as an operation member, and the trackball is rotatably supported by three points of the support member. An electromagnet is disposed near the trackball, and the trackball is attracted to the electromagnet. Due to this suction force, the frictional force between the trackball and the support member changes, and the rotational operation force of the trackball changes.

  On the other hand, in the operation feeling imparting type trackball device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the friction member is pressed against the trackball supported by the support member by the actuator. The drive of the actuator is controlled by the control unit, and the contact pressure between the actuator and the friction member is changed. Due to this change in contact pressure, a braking force is applied to the trackball, and the operator can obtain an operational feeling.

JP 2004-272300 A JP 2009-128963 A

In the trackball device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a braking force is applied to the operation member by the frictional force between the trackball and the three points of the support member, but the support member can essentially smoothly rotate the trackball. To support.
For this reason, in this trackball device, the friction braking force is small, and there is a possibility that the operation member cannot be accurately guided to a desired position or posture depending on the operation force of the operator. Also, from the viewpoint of giving the operator a sharp operational feeling, a sufficient friction braking force cannot be obtained.

  On the other hand, in the operation feeling imparting type trackball input device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a support member and a friction member are provided separately, and a sufficient friction braking force can be obtained by pressing the friction member against the trackball. .

However, in this operation feeling imparting type trackball, the actuator is fixed, and when the friction member is pressed, the trackball is slightly displaced in the pressing direction. When the displacement of the trackball is transmitted to the operator, the operator may feel uncomfortable, and it is desired to suppress the displacement.
Further, the displacement of the trackball causes a slight delay in the generation of the frictional force, and it is desired to suppress it from the viewpoint of increasing the operability of the operator by applying the braking force more timely. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an input device that can obtain a sufficient friction braking force in a timely manner and that the operation member is stable even during braking, and has excellent operability and operational feeling. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.

  Solution 1: According to one aspect of the present invention, an operation member that is operated by an operation of an operator, a support unit that operably supports the operation member, an electromagnet, and a friction member are included, and a braking force is applied to the operation member. An input device comprising: a braking means for imparting power; a holder for supporting the electromagnet; and a control means for performing drive control of the electromagnet, wherein the operation member is made of a magnetic material, and the friction member is integrated with the electromagnet. When the electromagnet generates magnetic force, the support means restricts the operation member from moving toward the electromagnet, and the holder moves in the direction toward the operation member. When the electromagnet is supported so as to freely move back and forth, and the electromagnet generates a magnetic force, the contact pressure between the friction member and the operation member increases as the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member. With allowing, when the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member, an input device, characterized by restricting the movement of the electromagnet in the direction of movement of the operating member.

According to the input device of the first solving means, a large frictional force can be obtained when the friction member separate from the support member contacts the operation member.
On the other hand, in this input device, the friction member is provided so as to be movable integrally with the electromagnet, and the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member by the magnetic force acting between the electromagnet and the operation member. The magnetic force is an attractive force between the electromagnet and the operation member, not a repulsive force.

  For this reason, when the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member, no force is generated to displace the operation member in a direction away from the electromagnet. Therefore, according to this input device, a sufficient braking force can be obtained in a timely manner, the operation member at the time of braking can be stabilized, and excellent operability and operational feeling can be realized.

Solution 2: Preferably, the electromagnet has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface extending in the advancing / retreating direction, and the holder defines an opening toward the operating member and is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet. Have
In the input device of the second solving means, the inner peripheral surface of the holder is in sliding contact with the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet, so that the electromagnet is supported smoothly and freely with a simple configuration.
Further, in this input device, the displacement of the electromagnet in the operation direction of the operation member is restricted by the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet and the inner peripheral surface of the holder. For this reason, the friction member always comes into contact with the operation member at a fixed position, and a stable braking force is given timely. As a result, this input device has further excellent operability.

Solution 3: Preferably, the operation member has a spherical shape, and the support means rotatably supports the operation member.
According to the input device of the third solving means, even when the operation member has a spherical shape and a smooth rotation operation is required for the operation member at the time of non-braking, a sufficient braking force can be obtained in a timely manner and at the time of braking. The operation member is stabilized, and excellent operability and operational feeling are realized.

Solution 4: Preferably, the braking means includes a plurality of sets of the electromagnet and the friction member.
According to the input device of the fourth solving means, the braking force is accurately given to the rotation of the operation member in all directions by generating the friction force by the plurality of friction members. For this reason, according to this input device, undesired rotation of the operating member is reliably suppressed during braking.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an input device that can obtain a sufficient frictional braking force in a timely manner, stabilize the operation member even during braking, and excel in operability and operational feeling.

It is a top view which shows roughly the input device of 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view in the vicinity of an electromagnet, taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view in the vicinity of one electromagnet along line VV in FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the input device 10 of the first embodiment. The input device 10 includes, for example, a substantially box-shaped housing 12 and a trackball 14 partially exposed at an opening provided in a part of the housing 12.

  The trackball 14 is a spherical operation member and is made of a magnetic material such as iron. The operator can input a command corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount (rotation speed) to the external device by rotating the trackball 14 with a fingertip or the like. For example, the input device 10 is applied to a car navigation system. In this case, the input device 10 is installed on a center console or an instrument panel in a vehicle interior, and is used for scrolling a map or moving a cursor on a display unit including a liquid crystal panel of a car navigation system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
A mounting member 16 is disposed in the housing 12 in order to properly arrange various members. The mount member 16 has a substantially hemispherical concave surface 18 that defines a recess for receiving the trackball 14. The concave surface 18 has, for example, three metal or resin-made support members for supporting the trackball 14. A spherical member 20 is attached. The spherical member 20 is disposed so as to be positioned at the apex of the equilateral triangle as viewed in a plane, and is in contact with the oblique lower side of the trackball 14.

  The mount member 16 is provided with a recess opening in the concave surface 18, and an optical sensor 21, for example, is disposed in the recess as detection means for detecting the rotation of the trackball 14. The sensor 21 irradiates light toward the trackball 14 to detect reflected light, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detection result.

Further, the mount member 16 is provided with a bottomed hole 24 to support the electromagnet 22. The bottomed hole 24 opens toward the center of the trackball 14, and this opening is defined by one end of a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 26. The axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 26 coincides with the radial direction passing through the center of the trackball 14.
A through-hole that penetrates the mount member 16 is opened at the bottom of the bottomed hole 24, and a power supply line 28 for supplying power to the electromagnet 22 extends in the through-hole so as to expand and contract.

The electromagnet 22 includes a core 30 made of a magnetic material, with reference to FIG. 2 as well as FIG. 3, and the core 30 includes a bottomed cylindrical outer wall portion 32, and a cylindrical portion 34 extending coaxially around the center of the outer wall portion 32. Have The outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 32 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface 26 of the bottomed hole 24, and the electromagnet 22 is supported by the inner peripheral surface 26 of the bottomed hole 24 so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the trackball 14. Yes. That is, the inner peripheral surface 26 and the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 24 function as a holder that supports the electromagnet 22 so as to be able to advance and retract.
A tubular electric wire is wound around the cylindrical portion 34 of the core 30, and the electric wire constitutes a solenoid 36. Both ends of the electric wire of the solenoid 36 are drawn out from the center of the bottom of the core 30 and connected to the power supply line 28.

  Here, the end surfaces of the outer wall portion 32 and the cylindrical portion 34 of the electromagnet 22 define a concave surface that matches the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the trackball 14. Therefore, the end surfaces of the outer wall portion 32 and the cylindrical portion 34 of the electromagnet 22 can be brought into close surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the trackball 14 when the electromagnet 22 is attracted to the trackball 14. That is, in the present embodiment, the outer wall portion 32 of the electromagnet 22 and the end surface of the cylindrical portion 34 constitute a friction member that is brought into sliding contact with the trackball 14.

In addition, the input device 10 includes a control unit 38 configured by, for example, an MCU (microprocessor unit).
The detection signal output from the sensor 21 is input to the control unit 38, and the control unit 38 detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the trackball 14 based on the detection signal. Then, the detected rotation direction and rotation amount of the trackball 14 are output to the main controller of the car navigation system.

On the other hand, the control unit 38 can excite the electromagnet 22 by supplying electric power to the solenoid 36 through the power supply line 28. Specifically, since the electric wire is wound around the cylindrical portion 34, the longitudinal ends of the cylindrical portion 34 are excited so as to become the S pole and the N pole. And the control part 38 can adjust the magnetic force of the electromagnet 22 by adjusting electric power, for example by duty ratio control.
The control unit 38 is provided with information related to the display content of the display unit from the main controller of the car navigation system. Thereby, the control part 38 can adjust the magnetic force of the electromagnet 22 according to the display content of a display part.

Hereinafter, the operation of the input device 10 described above will be described.
When the operator operates and rotates the trackball 14 with a fingertip or the like, the sensor 21 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation of the trackball 14. Then, the control unit 38 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the trackball 14 based on the detection signal, and outputs a command corresponding to the calculation result to the main controller of the car navigation system. The main controller executes a predetermined process based on the input command and displays the execution result on the display unit.

For example, when the trackball 14 is rotated while the map is displayed on the display unit, the main controller scrolls the map on the display unit according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount.
If the trackball 14 is rotated while the command input button and the cursor are displayed on the display unit, the main controller moves the cursor according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount.

And in this embodiment, the control part 38 performs drive control of the electromagnet 22, ie, start / stop of electric power supply, and adjustment of the electric power supplied according to the display content of the display part of a car navigation system.
For example, the control unit 38 does not supply power to the electromagnet 22 when scrolling the map on the display unit. For this reason, no resistance acts on the trackball 14 other than the sliding resistance with the spherical member 20, and the operator can freely rotate the trackball 14 by the rotation direction and the rotation amount desired by the operator. it can.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of command input buttons are displayed on the display unit, the control unit 38 supplies power to the electromagnet 22 so as to guide the cursor onto the command input buttons. Specifically, when the cursor attempts to pass over the command input button as the trackball 14 rotates, power supply to the electromagnet 22 is started just before the cursor passes, and when the cursor comes over the command input button. Supply maximum power.

  When electric power is supplied to the electromagnet 22, the electromagnet 22 is excited and magnetic force is generated. The magnetic force of the electromagnet 22 works as an attractive force between the trackball 14 made of a magnetic material and the electromagnet 22. Since the trackball 14 is supported by the spherical member 20, it cannot move toward the electromagnet 22, and the electromagnet 22 is attracted to the trackball 14 while being guided by the inner peripheral surface 26 of the bottomed hole 24. It is done.

  When the electromagnet 22 is attracted, the outer wall portion 32 of the core 22 that defines the end surface of the electromagnet 22 and the end surface of the cylindrical portion 34 abut against the trackball 14, and a braking force due to frictional resistance is applied to the trackball 14. Since the frictional resistance depends on the contact pressure of the end face of the electromagnet 22 with respect to the trackball 14, the braking force can be adjusted by the control unit 38 adjusting the supply power. The electromagnet 22 in contact with the trackball 14 is separated from the trackball 14 by its own weight by stopping the power supply.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the braking force is generated when the cursor attempts to pass the command input button on the display unit, and is maximized when the cursor is on the command input button.
For this reason, the operator can accurately move the cursor onto the command input button with the assistance of the braking force applied to the trackball 14 even in a situation where the trackball 14 cannot be rotated accurately. it can.

Thus, in the input device 10 according to the first embodiment described above, a large frictional force is obtained when the end face of the electromagnet 22 as a friction member provided separately from the spherical member 20 contacts the trackball 14.
On the other hand, in the input device 10, the friction member is provided so as to be movable integrally with the electromagnet 22, and the electromagnet 22 is attracted to the trackball 14 by the magnetic force acting between the electromagnet 22 and the trackball 14. The magnetic force is an attractive force between the electromagnet 22 and the trackball 14 and is not a repulsive force.

  For this reason, when the electromagnet 22 is attracted to the trackball 14, no force is generated to displace the trackball 14 in the direction away from the electromagnet 22. Therefore, according to the input device 10, a sufficient braking force can be obtained in a timely manner, the trackball 14 can be stabilized during braking, and excellent operability and operational feeling can be realized.

And in the input device 10 of 1st Embodiment mentioned above, when the inner peripheral surface 26 of the bottomed hole 24 as a holder which supports the electromagnet 22 is slidably contacted with the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet 22, it is easy. With the configuration, the electromagnet 22 is supported so as to be smoothly advanced and retracted.
Further, in the input device 10, the displacement of the electromagnet 22 in the rotational direction of the trackball 14 is restricted by the abutment of the outer circumferential surface of the electromagnet 22 and the inner circumferential surface 26 of the bottomed hole 24. For this reason, the end surface of the electromagnet 22 is always in contact with the trackball 14 at a fixed position, and a stable braking force is given timely. As a result, the input device 10 has further excellent operability.

  Furthermore, according to the input device 10 of the first embodiment described above, the operation member is the spherical trackball 14, and a sufficient braking force can be obtained even when the trackball 14 is required to rotate smoothly during non-braking. Can be obtained in a timely manner, and the trackball 14 can be stabilized at the time of braking, thereby realizing excellent operability and operational feeling.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the input device 50 of the second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the structure same or similar to the input device 10 of 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
The input device 50 includes two electromagnets 22 that can contact the trackball 14 at different positions. Accordingly, the mount member 16 is provided with two holders.

The core 30 of the electromagnet 22 has a flange portion 52 formed integrally with the end portion of the outer wall portion 32. When viewed in a plane, the outer shape of the flange portion 52 is not a circular shape, but is a substantially track shape or a substantially oval shape having a rotational symmetry of 180 degrees.
Corresponding to the flange portion 52, the hole 54 as a storage portion for the electromagnet 22 does not need to be a bottomed hole. The inner peripheral surface of the hole 54 is formed with a recess that allows the flange portion 52 to freely move back and forth and restricts the rotation of the flange portion 52, and the inner peripheral surface 56 has a stepped cylindrical shape. Therefore, in the input device 50, the stepped surface of the inner peripheral surface 56 defines the position of the electromagnet 22 when not excited, instead of the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 24.

In addition, the end surface of the electromagnet 22 on the trackball 14 side is defined by the flat end surfaces of the outer wall portion 32 and the cylindrical portion 34.
In the input device 50 according to the second embodiment described above, the frictional force is generated by the plurality of friction members defined by the end face of the electromagnet 22 so that the braking force is accurately applied to the rotation of the trackball 14 in all directions. Given. For this reason, according to this input device 50, undesired rotation of the trackball 14 is reliably suppressed during braking.
In the input device 50 of the second embodiment described above, the rotation of the electromagnet 22 in the hole 54 is prevented by the flange portion 52 coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface 56 of the hole 54.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, and is appropriately combined with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, or appropriately combined with the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Includes modified forms.
For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the operation member has a spherical shape and is supported so as to be able to rotate. However, the operation member may have a rod shape that slides or tilts. Alternatively, it may have a cylindrical shape that can be rotated around one axis.

In other words, the input device is not limited to the trackball device, and a support member for the operation member and a sensor for detecting the operation of the operation member are appropriately selected according to the type of the operation member.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the end surface of the core 30 of the electromagnet 22 has a function as a friction member. However, even if a separate friction member is fixed to the end surface of the core 30. Good.

In addition, the shapes and arrangements of the respective members described with reference to the drawings are all preferable examples, and these can be appropriately changed when implementing the present invention.
Finally, although the present invention is suitable for an input device of a car navigation system, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to other external devices such as a car audio system, a car air conditioner system, and a personal computer.

10, 50 Input device 12 Housing 14 Track ball (operation member)
16 Mount member 18 Recess 20 Spherical member (support member)
22 Electromagnet 24 Bottomed hole 26 Inner peripheral surface (holder)
28 Power supply line 30 Core 32 Outer wall part 34 Column part 36 Solenoid 38 Control part

Claims (4)

An operation member that is operated by an operator's operation;
Support means for operably supporting the operation member;
A braking means including an electromagnet and a friction member, and applying a braking force to the operation member;
A holder for supporting the electromagnet;
An input device comprising a control means for performing drive control of the electromagnet,
The operation member is made of a magnetic material,
The friction member is provided to be movable integrally with the electromagnet,
The support means restricts the operation member from moving toward the electromagnet when the electromagnet generates a magnetic force,
The holder supports the electromagnet so as to be movable back and forth in a direction toward the operation member, and when the electromagnet generates a magnetic force, the friction member and the operation are operated as the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member. An input device that allows an increase in contact pressure with a member and restricts movement of the electromagnet in an operation direction of the operation member when the electromagnet is attracted to the operation member. . The electromagnet has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface extending in the forward / backward direction,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the holder has an inner peripheral surface that defines an opening toward the operation member and is in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet. The operating member has a spherical shape,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the support unit rotatably supports the operation member.   The input device according to claim 3, wherein the braking unit includes a plurality of sets of the electromagnet and the friction member.

Images