JP2012109041A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which allows an operator to easily recognize the position of a switch.SOLUTION: An input device 2 comprises: a switch part 3 which enables operation input; a bezel 21 which is arranged adjacent to the switch part 3; leaf springs 23a to 23d each of which is formed to contain a magnetic body, and which are arranged between a center console 12 provided with at least one of the switch part 3 or the bezel 21 and the switch part 3 or the bezel 21 arranged on the center console 12; and electromagnets 24a to 24d which generate, by suction of the leaf springs 23a to 23d based on a first magnetic field, no steps between an operation surface 300 of the switch part 3 and a surface 214 of the bezel 21, and generate a step between the operation surface 300 of the switch part 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 by suction of the leaf springs 23a to 23d based on a second magnetic field different from the first magnetic field.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device.

  As a conventional technique, a vehicle operation device having an operation unit in a center console between a driver seat and a passenger seat of a vehicle is known (see Patent Document 1).

  The operation unit of the conventional vehicle operation device includes a plurality of operation switches, an operation panel provided above the plurality of operation switches, an image sensor provided below the operation switches, and images an operator's finger. , And is configured.

JP 2010-18111 A

  By the way, some of the above-described vehicle operation devices have excellent designs by eliminating a step between the surface of the member on which the operation panel is installed and the surface of the operation panel, for example. However, an operation unit having no step between the surface of the member on which the operation panel is installed and the surface of the operation panel has a problem that it is difficult for the operator to confirm the position of the switch of the operation unit by touch.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can easily recognize the position of a switch.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit capable of performing an operation input, an adjacent member provided adjacent to the input unit, and a base including at least one of the input unit and the adjacent member, which is formed including a magnetic body. A state in which a step between the surface of the input unit and the surface of the adjacent member is not caused by suction of the elastic member provided between the input unit or the adjacent member installed on the base and the elastic member based on the first magnetic field And an electromagnet configured to generate a step between the surface of the input unit and the surface of the adjacent member by suction of the elastic member based on the second magnetic field different from the first magnetic field.

  According to the present invention, the position of the switch can be easily recognized.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle on which the input device according to the embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the input device. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1B of the input device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to the input device according to the embodiment. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the input device when the vehicle according to the embodiment is traveling, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the input device when the vehicle is stopped. FIG. 5A is a side view of the input device according to the first modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the input device that generates the first magnetic field according to the second modification of the embodiment. (C) is a side view of the input device for generating the second magnetic field according to the second modification of the embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
An input device according to an embodiment is formed to include an input unit capable of operation input, an adjacent member provided adjacent to the input unit, and a magnetic body, and at least one of the input unit and the adjacent member is installed. A step between the surface of the input portion and the surface of the adjacent member is generated by the suction of the elastic member based on the first magnetic field and the elastic member provided between the base portion and the input portion or the adjacent member installed on the base portion And an electromagnet in a state in which a step is generated between the surface of the input portion and the surface of the adjacent member by suction of the elastic member based on the second magnetic field different from the first magnetic field.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of input device 2)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle on which the input device according to the embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the input device. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1B of the input device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to the input device according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the case where the first magnetic field is zero will be described.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the input device 2 is disposed on a center console 12 that extends between a driver seat 10 and a passenger seat 11 of the vehicle 1.

  The instrument panel 13 positioned in front of the occupant seated in the driver's seat 10 has, for example, a main monitor 14 for displaying a map, a setting menu, etc., and a meter panel on which instruments such as a speedometer are arranged. 15 are arranged. For example, a sub monitor 16 smaller than the main monitor 14 is disposed on the meter panel 15. On the sub-monitor 16, for example, an image imitating an area in which the switch unit 3 described later can be operated is displayed. By observing this image, the occupant can confirm the layout of the touch operable region of the switch unit 3 without moving the line of sight to the switch unit 3, and can easily operate the switch unit 3. Note that an image simulating an operable area is, for example, an image of an area in which an instruction to play or stop can be input when the switch unit 3 can be used as an input device of an audio device mounted on the vehicle 1. And an image of the input panel 30 viewed from above.

  The input device 2 mainly includes a switch unit 3 as an input unit, a bezel 21 as an adjacent member, plate springs 23a to 23d as elastic members, and electromagnets 24a to 24d. Has been. The input device 2 is accommodated in, for example, a recess 120 provided in the center console 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the input device 2 determines that the vehicle 1 is traveling based on the acquired vehicle speed information that is information on the speed of the vehicle 1, and generates a magnetic field (second magnetic field) described later. The control part 200 which produces | generates the control signal to generate | occur | produce and outputs the produced | generated control signal to the electromagnet 24a-the electromagnet 24d, and the communication part 26 are comprised roughly.

  Further, the input device 2 serves as a stopper for restricting the elastic force of the leaf springs 23a to 23d so as not to cause a step between the operation surface 300 as the surface of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21. A step portion is formed on each of the switch portion 3 and the bezel 21. The stepped portion 301 of the switch unit 3 and the stepped portion 212 of the bezel 21 will be described later.

  The center console 12 is formed using a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, for example. Moreover, the recessed part 120 of the center console 12 is formed with the recessed part 122 in the center of the bottom part, for example. In the recess 122, for example, a plurality of support members 33 that support the substrate 32 of the switch unit 3 are arranged. The support member 33 is formed using, for example, an elastic member. For example, the support members 33 are disposed at four corners of the substrate 32 having a rectangular shape in a top view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, leaf springs 23 a to 23 d are arranged on the bottom surface 121 of the concave portion 120 that faces the bottom surface of the bezel 21.

  The bezel 21 has, for example, a frame shape surrounding the switch portion 3 and is formed using a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin or a metal material. The bezel 21 has, for example, an opening 211 in which the switch unit 3 is accommodated. As shown in FIG. 2, a stepped portion 212 is formed in the opening 211. In the step portion 212, for example, the diameter of the circumference of the opening 211 above the paper surface of FIG. 2A is large and the diameter of the circumference of the opening 211 below is small. A step 212 is formed by the difference in diameter. When the upper surface of the small diameter portion of the stepped portion 212 is in contact with a stepped portion 301 described later of the switch unit 3, the input device 2 is configured such that the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 are It is configured to be flat.

Further, the bezel 21, when the electromagnet 24a~ electromagnet 24d is not energized, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance between the rear surface 213 of the bottom 121 and the bezel 21 of the recess 120 is _{W 1.} Distance _{W 1} of the present embodiment, as an example, a 5 to 6 mm. The bezel 21 is not limited to the configuration surrounding the switch unit 3, and may be provided along at least one side of the switch unit 3. For example, the bezel 21 is provided so as to be adjacent to the rear side of the vehicle 1 of the switch unit 3, so that the occupant can recognize the step between the bezel 21 and the switch unit 3.

  The plate springs 23 a to 23 d are formed by bending a plate-shaped magnetic metal material such as iron oxide or ferrite into a substantially Z shape, and are disposed below the four corners of the bezel 21. The leaf spring 23a to the leaf spring 23d are, for example, fixed to a member that contacts one end, and movably attached to a member that contacts the other end, or a member that contacts both ends. It is movably attached to. That is, for example, when the leaf spring 23a to the leaf spring 23d are fixed to the bottom surface 121 of the center console 12 and the back surface 213 of the bezel 21, which are members that come into contact with both ends, the leaf spring 23a to the leaf spring 23d are directed downward in FIG. When the bezel 21 moves, the center console 12 and the bezel 21 move relative to each other not only in the vertical direction of the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, the leaf spring 23a to the leaf spring 23d are, for example, attached to the center console 12 and the bezel 21 so that one or both ends thereof are movably attached toward the lower side of the page of FIG. When the bezel 21 moves, the leaf springs 23a to 23d move in the horizontal direction, so that the center console 12 and the bezel 21 can move relative to each other in the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG.

  In addition, the leaf | plate spring 23a-leaf | plate spring 23d are not limited to said shape, A plate-shaped material can be processed and used for various shapes according to a use. Moreover, the elastic member used for the input device 2 should just be a mechanical element which accumulate | stores elastic energy and can open | release, For example, various elastic members, such as a coiled spring, can be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the electromagnets 24 a to 24 d are provided in the concave portion 120 of the center console 12 corresponding to the plate springs 23 a to 23 d. The electromagnets 24a to 24d are each schematically configured to include, for example, a core made of a soft magnetic material and a coil that is formed by winding an electric wire around the core. Further, the electromagnets 24a to 24d attract the leaf springs 23a to 23d attached to the back surface 213 of the bezel 21 by a magnetic field generated by energization, thereby moving the bezel 21 below the paper surface of FIG.

  The electromagnet 24a generates a magnetic field according to the first control signal output from the control unit 200. The electromagnet 24b generates a magnetic field according to the second control signal output from the control unit 200. The electromagnet 24c generates a magnetic field according to the third control signal output from the control unit 200. The electromagnet 24d generates a magnetic field based on the fourth control signal output from the control unit 200.

  The switch unit 3 is schematically configured to include, for example, an input panel 30, a switch 31, a substrate 32, and a plurality of support members 33. The switch unit 3 has, for example, a square shape when viewed from above, and the operation surface 300 is substantially flat. The switch unit 3 has, for example, a convex portion 302 at the center of the back surface opposite to the operation surface 300 and is in contact with the button 310 of the switch 31.

  A step portion 301 corresponding to the step portion 212 of the bezel 21 is formed around the input panel 30 of the switch portion 3. The stepped portion 301 has, for example, a large diameter at the upper circumference of the paper surface of FIG. 2 and a smaller diameter at the lower circumference. Due to the difference in diameter, a stepped portion 301 is formed. In the switch unit 3, for example, an elastic member may be disposed between the substrate 32 and the input panel 30, and an elastic force above the paper surface of FIG. 2 may be applied to the input panel 30.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the switch unit 3 is a touch switch that outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the position of a finger that has touched the input panel 30. The input panel 30 is configured to output, as a signal, a change in capacitance caused by, for example, contact or approach of an occupant's finger, that is, an occupant's touch operation. Further, the switch unit 3 is turned on by the push-down operation (push operation), so that the button 310 of the switch 31 is turned on when the input panel 30 is moved below the paper surface of FIG. As shown, a push signal indicating an ON state is output. Note that the switch unit 3 may be configured to output an operation input signal when the amount of change in capacitance due to the approach of a finger is greater than a threshold value. In addition, the switch unit 3 according to the present embodiment is partially configured as a touch switch, but is not limited thereto, and may be a touch switch or a mechanical switch.

  The board 32 is, for example, a printed wiring board, and is provided with an electronic circuit that outputs an operation signal based on a touch operation on the input panel 30 and a push operation on the input panel 30 to the vehicle control unit 100.

  The support member 33 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and is formed using an elastic member such as rubber or a metal material. The plurality of support members 33 are, for example, disposed between the substrate 32 and the recess 122 and support the substrate 32.

  The control unit 200 of the input device 2 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The control unit 200 is connected to a vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) 4 of the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 26. The control unit 200 is configured to acquire vehicle speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle speed sensor 5 that measures the speed of the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 26 and the vehicle LAN 4. Based on the vehicle speed information, the control unit 200 outputs the first control signal to the fourth control signal when the vehicle 1 is stopped, and performs the first control when the vehicle 1 is traveling. The output of the signal to the fourth control signal is stopped.

  The vehicle 1 includes, for example, a vehicle LAN 4, a vehicle speed sensor 5, a communication unit 17, and a vehicle control unit 100.

  The vehicle LAN 4 is connected to, for example, an electronic device mounted on the vehicle 1 and is used for input / output of various signals. The communication unit 17 is connected to the vehicle LAN 4.

  The vehicle speed sensor 5 is configured to measure the speed of the vehicle 1 and output the measurement result as vehicle speed information.

  The vehicle control unit 100 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, for example. For example, the vehicle control unit 100 generates a display signal based on an operation signal acquired via the communication unit 17, the vehicle LAN 4, the communication unit 26, and the control unit 200, and outputs the display signal to at least one of the main monitor 14 and the sub monitor 16. To do. Below, operation | movement of the input device 2 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

(Operation)
4A is a cross-sectional view of the input device when the vehicle according to the embodiment is traveling, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the input device when the vehicle is stopped.

  When the occupant turns on the power of the vehicle 1, the vehicle speed sensor 5 measures the speed of the vehicle 1 and outputs vehicle speed information indicating the measured result to the vehicle LAN 4 via the communication unit 17 at a predetermined cycle.

  When the control unit 200 of the input device 2 acquires the vehicle speed information via the vehicle LAN 4 and the communication unit 26, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 is traveling. In addition, this determination determines that it is drive | working, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 1 which is not zero is detected.

(When driving)
For example, when it is determined that the vehicle 1 is traveling based on the vehicle speed information, the control unit 200 does not output the first control signal to the fourth control signal. Therefore, the electromagnet 24a to electromagnet 24d cannot attract the leaf spring 23a to leaf spring 23d to move the bezel 21, so that the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 are shown in FIG. ) As shown in FIG.

(When stopped)
For example, when it is determined that the vehicle 1 is stopped based on the vehicle speed information, the control unit 200 outputs the first control signal to the fourth control signal to the corresponding electromagnets 24a to 24d.

The electromagnets 24a to 24d to which the first control signal to the fourth control signal are input respectively generate a magnetic field 240 (second magnetic field) as shown in FIG. 4B. The plate spring 23a to plate spring 23d are attracted to each of the electromagnet 24a to electromagnet 24d by the magnetic field 240, and as shown in FIG. 4A, there is a step between the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21. W ₂ occurs. The step _{W 2} is, for example, a 2 to 3 mm.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the input device 2 according to the present embodiment, a step is generated between the bezel 21 and the switch unit 3, so that the position of the switch unit 3 can be easily recognized without moving the line of sight to the switch unit 3. That is, for example, if the occupant moves his / her finger in the direction of the switch unit 3 while making contact with the surface 214 of the bezel 21, the passenger can feel the step as a tactile sensation, and the line of sight is not moved to the switch unit 3. Can be confirmed to be operable, and the position of the switch unit 3 can be confirmed. Furthermore, when the occupant touches the input panel 30, an image simulating an area in which operation input can be performed by the switch unit 3 is displayed on at least one of the main monitor 14 and the sub monitor 16. It is possible to know what operation can be performed by the switch unit 3 without moving the line of sight to the switch unit 3.

  Furthermore, the input device 2 is excellent in design because the surface 214 of the bezel 21 and the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 are flat when the vehicle 1 is traveling. Moreover, since it is flat, the passenger | crew can recognize whether input operation by the input device 2 is permitted, without moving eyes | visual_axis to the switch part 3. FIG.

(Modification of the embodiment)
Below, the modification which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5A is a side view of the input device according to the first modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the input device that generates the first magnetic field according to the second modification of the embodiment. (C) is a side view of the input device for generating the second magnetic field according to the second modification of the embodiment. First, Modification 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

(Modification 1)
The first modification shown in FIG. 5A is, for example, in the state where the first control signal to the fourth control signal are input to the electromagnets 24a to 24d, that is, in the energized state, This is different from the above embodiment in that the surface 214 of the bezel 21 is flat.

  That is, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, the control unit 200 of the input device 2 according to this modification does not output the first control signal to the fourth control signal, and when the vehicle 1 is running, The first control signal to the fourth control signal are output. Therefore, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, the surface 214 of the bezel 21 is positioned above the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 above the paper surface of FIG. 5A due to the elastic force of the leaf springs 23a to 23d. Will be. Note that the stepped portion 301 of the switch portion 3 and the stepped portion 212 of the bezel 21 are configured not to contact in the flat state shown in FIG.

(Modification 2)
Next, in Modification 2 shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, for example, a switch is performed depending on the strength of the magnetic field generated in a state where the first control signal to the fourth control signal are input to the electromagnets 24a to 24d. The operation surface 300 of the part 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 are different from those of the above-described embodiment and modification 1 in that a flat surface or a step is generated.

  For example, the first control signal to the fourth control signal output during traveling causes the magnetic field generated in the electromagnet 24a to the electromagnet 24d to be the first magnetic field 240a, and the first control signal to the second control signal to be output while the vehicle is stopped. The magnetic field generated in the electromagnet 24a to the electromagnet 24d by the control signal 4 is set as the second magnetic field 240b. Note that the first magnetic field 240a is smaller than the second magnetic field 240b.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the input device 2 in the present modification example is configured so that the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 are flat when the first magnetic field 240a is generated. Configured. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5C, the input device 2 in this modification has a step between the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3 and the surface 214 of the bezel 21 when the second magnetic field 240 b is generated. It is configured to occur.

  In the second modification, the first magnetic field 240a is smaller than the second magnetic field 240b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first magnetic field 240a may be larger than the second magnetic field 240b. In this case, the surface 214 of the bezel 21 is a step located above the operation surface 300 of the switch unit 3.

(Modification 3)
The third modification is different from the above-described embodiment and each modification in that a sensor for detecting the proximity of an occupant's arm or finger is provided.

  In this modification, the proximity of an occupant's arm or finger to the input device 2 is detected by a sensor, and the control unit 200 of the input device 2 outputs a control signal to the electromagnets 24a to 24d based on the detection signal. Composed.

  In addition, in said embodiment and each modification, although the leaf | plate spring 23a-leaf | plate spring 23d were arrange | positioned under the bezel 21, it is not limited to this, You may be provided under the switch part 3, The number is not limited. In this case, the electromagnets 24a to 24d are arranged according to the positions of the leaf springs 23a to 23d arranged below the switch unit 3.

  In addition, although the input device 2 is provided on the center console 12, the input device 2 is not limited thereto, and may be used for an armrest or a palm rest of a seat on which an occupant is seated. Moreover, although said input device 2 was mounted in the vehicle, it is not limited to this, You may mount in an aircraft, a construction machine, etc.

  As mentioned above, although some embodiment and modification of this invention were demonstrated, these embodiment and modification are only examples, and do not limit the invention based on a claim. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Input device, 3 ... Switch part, 4 ... Vehicle LAN, 5 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 10 ... Driver's seat, 11 ... Passenger seat, 12 ... Center console, 13 ... Instrument panel, 14 ... Main monitor, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Meter panel, 16 ... Sub monitor, 17 ... Communication part, 21 ... Bezel, 23a-23d ... Leaf spring, 24a-24d ... Electromagnet, 26 ... Communication part, 30 ... Input panel, 31 ... Switch, 32 ... Substrate, 33 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Support member, 100 ... Vehicle control part, 120 ... Concave part, 121 ... Bottom, 200 ... Control part, 211 ... Opening, 212 ... Step part, 213 ... Back surface, 214 ... Front surface, 240 ... Magnetic field, 240a ... First Magnetic field 240b second magnetic field 300 operation surface 301 stepped portion 302 convex portion 310 button

Claims (3)

An input unit capable of operation input;
An adjacent member provided adjacent to the input unit;
An elastic member formed between a base portion on which at least one of the input portion and the adjacent member is installed and the input portion or the adjacent member installed on the base portion, including a magnetic body;
The elastic member based on the first magnetic field is brought into a state where no step is generated between the surface of the input unit and the surface of the adjacent member by suction of the elastic member, and the elastic member based on the second magnetic field different from the first magnetic field is used. An electromagnet configured to cause a step between the surface of the input unit and the surface of the adjacent member by suction;
An input device with. Based on the obtained vehicle speed information, which is information on the speed of the vehicle, it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, a control signal for generating the second magnetic field is generated, and the generated control signal is output to the electromagnet. A control unit;
The input device according to claim 1, comprising:   The stopper which controls the elastic force by the said elastic member so that it may be in the state which does not produce the level | step difference between the surface of the said input part and the surface of the said adjacent member was formed in each of the said input part and the said adjacent member. Or the input device of 2.

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