JP2011224136A - Force sense presentation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clearly provide a force sense in a presentation direction to a user such as a visually impaired person.SOLUTION: The force sense presentation device 10 includes a rotating shaft 12, a motor 13 to rotate the rotating shaft 12, and a weight unit 14 disposed on an outer circumferential side part of the rotating shaft 12 to be eccentrically rotatable. The motor 13 rotates the rotating shaft 12 at first rotation speed when the weight unit 14 is present at a presentation side range, and rotate the rotating shaft 12 at second rotation speed that is lower than the first rotation speed when not the case. The weight unit 14 includes a weight 16 provided with a variable rotation radius, a fixed magnet 17 fixed and disposed on the rotating shaft 12, and a movable magnet 18 disposed to be integrally movable with the weight 16. The magnets 17 and 18 are provided to be relatively movable in accordance with balance between magnetic force between them and size of centrifugal force of the weight 16. When the rotating shaft 12 is running at the second rotation speed, the rotation radius of the weight 16 is smaller than that at the first rotation speed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a force sense presentation device that can clearly present a direction to a user through a force sense.

  When a visually handicapped person goes out, walking with a white cane is mainly used, but in order to reach the destination by such walking alone, training to learn directions by surrounding sounds is necessary. This contributes to reducing the number of people who are visually impaired. By the way, various navigation systems that guide a visually impaired person to a desired destination by voice guidance are known. However, visually impaired people pay particular attention to surrounding sounds when they go out, and to sense the distance to obstacles such as walls by the sound from the surroundings and the reflected sound of their shoe sounds, the route information is given by voice. Communicating may compromise the safety of visually impaired people when they go out. Therefore, the present inventors have already proposed a navigation system that presents a route to a destination through the sense of force of a visually impaired person (see Non-Patent Document 1). In this system, a force sense presentation device is provided in a grip portion of a white cane that is normally used by a visually impaired person. In this force sense presentation device, a weight is fixed to a part on the outer peripheral side of a rotating shaft that can be rotated by a motor, and the weight rotates around the rotating shaft by the rotation of the rotating shaft. Then, while the weight makes one revolution around the rotation axis, a speed difference is given to the rotation speed of the weight, and a force sense is given to the palm of the visually handicapped who holds the white cane by the difference in centrifugal force of the weight. It is supposed to be. That is, when the weight is in the vicinity of the presentation direction, the rotational speed of the weight is increased, while the rotational speed is decreased outside the presentation direction so that the direction in which the centrifugal force of the weight is large becomes the presentation direction. Giving a sense of power to

Masahiro Yamamoto and Masakatsu Fujie, “Development of Robot for Walking Out Using IC Tags”, Proceedings of the 3rd Congress of Society for Life Support Engineering, December 8, 2005, p. 55

  However, in the force sense presentation device, the centrifugal force is generated in the weight even when the weight is present in a direction other than the direction of presentation, so that a force sense in the direction of presentation is clearly given to the user. There was a problem that it was difficult.

  The present invention has been devised by paying attention to such a problem, and its purpose is to provide force sense presentation that can clearly give a force sense in the presentation direction to a user such as a visually impaired person. To provide an apparatus.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a force sense presentation device that is provided in an object that is in contact with a user and that allows the user to present a direction through force sense.
A rotating shaft that is rotatably supported in the object, a rotation driving means that rotates the rotating shaft, and a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotating shaft are arranged, and can be rotated around the rotating shaft. A weight unit provided,
The rotation driving unit rotates the rotation shaft at a first rotation speed when the weight unit is present in a rotation region on the presentation direction side, and is slower than the first rotation speed when the rotation unit is not. Rotating the rotary shaft at a second rotational speed;
The weight unit includes a weight disposed so as to be able to be separated and approached with respect to the rotation shaft so that a rotation radius about the rotation shaft is variable, and a first unit disposed so as not to move with respect to the rotation shaft. 1 magnetic body, and a second magnetic body arranged to be movable integrally with the weight,
The first and second magnetic bodies are provided so as to be relatively movable in accordance with a balance between a magnetic force acting between them and a magnitude of a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the weight, and the rotation shaft is provided in the second The rotation radius of the weight is set to be smaller at the rotation speed than that at the first rotation speed.

(2) Further, the weight unit includes a rail having one end fixed to the rotating shaft and extending radially toward the outside of the rotating shaft,
The rail supports these so that the weight and the second magnetic body can move along the extending direction thereof,
The first magnetic body is fixed to the other end side of the rail so that the weight and the second magnetic body are disposed between the first magnetic body and the rotating shaft,
The second magnetic body preferably has a configuration in which the second magnetic body is disposed so as to generate a repulsive force with respect to the first magnetic body.

  According to the present invention, when the weight unit is eccentrically rotated and the rotation area where the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the weight is large is on the presentation direction side, when the weight is not present in the rotation area on the presentation direction side, the rotation area Rotational speed is slower than when it is present, and the centrifugal force of the weight decreases. When the weight is not present in the rotation area on the presentation direction side, the weight is affected by the magnetic force of the first and second magnetic bodies, the weight approaches the rotation axis together with the second magnetic body, and the rotation radius of the weight is small. Become. Therefore, when the weight does not exist in the rotation area on the presentation direction side, the rotation speed of the weight decreases and the rotation radius of the weight decreases compared to when the weight exists in the rotation area on the presentation direction side. The centrifugal force of the weight can be made smaller than that of the structure. Thereby, it is possible to further enhance the sense of force received by the user between the direction of presentation and the direction other than the direction of presentation, and clearly give the user a sense of force in the direction of presentation.

The schematic sectional front view of the holding part of the white cane provided with the force sense presentation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional front view of the force sense presentation device. The schematic sectional drawing of the said force sense presentation apparatus which follows the AA line in FIG. The schematic sectional front view of the said force sense presentation apparatus which shows the state which the weight moved from the position of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a grip portion of a white cane provided with a force sense presentation device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the force sense presentation device. ing. In these figures, the force sense presentation device 10 is provided at two locations, upper and lower, in a space formed in the grip portion H of the white cane S used by a user who is visually impaired (not shown). These two force sense presentation devices 10 have the same structure, and are a round bar-shaped rotating shaft 12 extending in the axial direction of the white cane S and a rotating shaft 12 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the white cane S. And a weight unit 14 that is disposed on a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotary shaft 12 and that can rotate eccentrically with the rotation of the rotary shaft 12.

  The rotary shaft 12 has one end connected to the motor 13 and the other end rotatably supported by a support member P fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the white cane S.

  When the rotating shaft 12 is rotated, the motor 13 is rotationally controlled in two stages so that the rotating speed of the rotating shaft 12 differs every half rotation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation speed (hereinafter, referred to as “rotation speed”) of the rotary shaft 12 when the weight unit 14 is present in the half rotation area (hereinafter referred to as “presentation area”) on the presentation direction side. Rotation speed of the rotating shaft 12 when the weight unit 14 is present in a half rotation area (hereinafter referred to as “non-presentation side area”) opposite to the presentation side area. (Hereinafter, referred to as “second rotational speed”), the drive of the motor 13 is controlled so that a speed difference is generated. That is, the second rotation speed is slower than the first rotation speed. When the weight unit 14 is present in the non-presentation side area, the second rotation speed is slower than when the weight unit 14 is present in the presentation side area. The rotating shaft 12 rotates.

  In the present embodiment, the motor 13 is used as the rotation driving means for rotating the rotary shaft 12, but other actuators may be used as long as the same action as in the present embodiment is achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the weight unit 14 is fixed to the rotary shaft 12 at one end side and extends in the radial direction toward the outside of the rotary shaft 12, and a weight 16 attached to the rail 15. And a fixed magnet 17 as a first magnetic body fixed to a tip portion which is the other end side of the rail 15, and a second magnet which is disposed relative to the fixed magnet 17 and fixed to the weight 16 integrally. And a movable magnet 18 as a magnetic body.

  The weight 16 and the movable magnet 18 are supported by the rail 15 so as to be movable along the extending direction of the rail 15, and the rotation axis so that the rotation radius around the rotation axis 12 is variable. 12 is arranged so as to be spaced apart and approachable.

  The fixed magnet 17 and the movable magnet 18 generate a magnetic force having a predetermined magnitude therebetween. Specifically, the repulsive force between the fixed magnet 17 and the movable magnet 18, that is, the weight 16. Is generated to approach the rotary shaft 12 toward the rotary shaft 12. The repulsive force is smaller than the centrifugal force of the weight 16 generated when the rotating shaft 12 rotates at the first speed, and more than the centrifugal force generated at a second speed slower than the first speed. Is also getting bigger.

  Therefore, when the weight unit 14 is in the presentation side region, the centrifugal force generated by the weight 16 rotating together with the rotary shaft 12 becomes larger than the repulsive force generated between the fixed magnet 17 and the movable magnet 18, and the centrifugal force is increased. Due to the force, the weight 16 and the movable magnet 18 are separated from the rotary shaft 12 along the rail 15, and as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the weight unit 14 is in the non-presentation side region, the centrifugal force generated by the weight 16 becomes smaller than the repulsive force, and the repulsive force moves from the state shown in FIG. The magnet 18 moves along the rail 15 toward the rotary shaft 12 and is disposed at an inner position where the rotation radius of the weight 16 is minimized as shown in FIG.

  That is, when the weight unit 14 is in the presentation side region, the rotation speed of the weight 16 is increased and the rotation radius of the weight 16 is maximized as shown in FIG. In the region, the rotation speed of the weight 16 is slowed and the rotation radius of the weight 16 is minimized as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to make a difference in the magnitude of the centrifugal force between the case where the weight unit 14 is in the presentation side region and the case where the weight unit 14 is not so as compared to the conventional structure in which only the rotation speed is changed.

  In the present embodiment, the force sense presentation devices 10 are provided at two locations, upper and lower, and the weights 16 of the force sense presentation devices 10 are rotated in opposite directions, and the resultant force of centrifugal force generated from the weights 16 (FIG. 3). (See), the grip portion H of the white cane S swings in the presentation direction, and the user's palm gripping the grip portion H is caused to present a force sense in a desired direction. That is, when a force sense presentation direction to the user is commanded from an external communication means (not shown), the grip portion of the white cane S is rotated by the rotation of the weight units 14 and 14 of the two force sense presentation devices 10 and 10. This gives the user a sense of force that H is swung in the direction of presentation. At this time, when the weight units 14 and 14 are rotating in the non-presentation side area, they are slower than the rotation of the presentation side area, and the rotation radius of the weight 16 is small. The influence of centrifugal force due to can be reduced as compared with the conventional structure.

  Therefore, according to such an embodiment, the force sense presentation in a desired direction becomes clearer, and the user can improve the recognizability of the presentation direction from the force sense presentation device 10. obtain.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the two force sense presentation devices 10 and 10 are used is illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the force sense can be presented in a desired direction by the centrifugal force of the weight 16. One force sense presentation device 10 may be used, or three or more force sense presentation devices 10 may be used in combination. Here, when three or more force sense presentation devices 10 are combined, the rotational control of each motor 13 is mutually changed so that the centrifugal force from each force sense presentation device 10 can be adjusted or canceled, Further, it can be changed in multiple stages.

  In the present invention, when the rotating shaft 12 is at the second rotational speed using the magnetic force generated between the pair of magnetic bodies, the rotation radius of the weight 16 can be made smaller than that at the first rotational speed. However, various design changes can be made to the embodiment. For example, a configuration in which one of the magnetic bodies is movable with the weight 16 and the other is fixed so that the attractive force generated between the magnetic bodies can be used.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to any part of an object with which the user comes into contact, and the force sense may be presented not only to the user's palm but also to other body parts.

  In addition, the configuration of each part of the apparatus in the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configuration example, and various modifications are possible as long as substantially the same operation is achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Force sense presentation apparatus 12 Rotating shaft 13 Motor (Rotation drive means)
14 Weight unit 15 Rail 16 Weight 17 Fixed magnet (first magnetic body)
18 Movable magnet (second magnetic body)

Claims (2)

In a force sense presentation device that is provided in an object that is in contact with a user and that enables direction presentation through force sense to the user,
A rotating shaft that is rotatably supported in the object, a rotation driving means that rotates the rotating shaft, and a part of the outer peripheral side of the rotating shaft are arranged, and can be rotated around the rotating shaft. A weight unit provided,
The rotation driving unit rotates the rotation shaft at a first rotation speed when the weight unit is present in a rotation region on the presentation direction side, and is slower than the first rotation speed when the rotation unit is not. Rotating the rotary shaft at a second rotational speed;
The weight unit includes a weight disposed so as to be able to be separated and approached with respect to the rotation shaft so that a rotation radius about the rotation shaft is variable, and a first unit disposed so as not to move with respect to the rotation shaft. 1 magnetic body, and a second magnetic body arranged to be movable integrally with the weight,
The first and second magnetic bodies are provided so as to be relatively movable in accordance with a balance between a magnetic force acting between them and a magnitude of a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the weight, and the rotation shaft is provided in the second The force sense presentation device is characterized in that the rotation radius of the weight is made smaller at the rotational speed of the weight than at the first rotational speed. The weight unit includes a rail whose one end is fixed to the rotating shaft and extends radially toward the outside of the rotating shaft;
The rail supports these so that the weight and the second magnetic body can move along the extending direction thereof,
The first magnetic body is fixed to the other end side of the rail so that the weight and the second magnetic body are disposed between the first magnetic body and the rotating shaft,
The force sense presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the second magnetic body is disposed so as to generate a repulsive force with respect to the first magnetic body.

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