JP2018127011A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device arranged in a vehicle allowing switching between a normal operation mode and an automatic operation mode which includes input parts use modes of which are different so that input operations according to operation load of an operator in each operation mode can be selected.SOLUTION: An input device 1 arranged at a spoke 21 of a steering wheel 20 comprises: a housing part 2 which is rotatable around an axial center X of the spoke 21; a first input part 3 capable of being operated by blind operation and a second input part 4 capable of being operated by intuitive operation arranged in the housing part 2; and a regulation part 10 which regulates turning position of the housing part 2 so that the first input part 3 is positioned in a front face 21a side of the spoke 21 when the drive mode is in a normal operation mode, and one of the first and second input parts 3, 4 is positioned in the front face 21a side of the spoke 21 in an automatic operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device provided in an automobile.

  Conventionally, as this type of input device, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, a grip portion provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle that can be set to various automatic driving modes and gripped by a driver, and a contact portion that is provided on the grip portion and can be operated by a finger of the driver. An input device for a vehicle including an operation unit having an operation surface is disclosed. The operation unit is a touch pad including a touch sensor using a capacitance sensor, and a signal corresponding to a contact operation by a driver's finger on the operation surface is output.

Japanese Patent No. 5572761

  By the way, it is expected that automobiles that have been automatically operated in the future will be widespread, and there is a tendency that the frequency with which a driver operates an in-vehicle device such as a display device provided in the automobile while driving is increasing. And in the input device of patent document 1, when the operation mode is an automatic operation mode, it is possible to perform intuitive operation with a touchpad type operation unit, and such an input device is automatically operated. It is beneficial for a car.

  On the other hand, when the operation mode is set to the normal operation mode, the operation unit capable of blind operation, such as a switch type, has no problem in driving operation than the touch pad type operation unit disclosed in Patent Document 1. An input operation can be performed reliably. However, in the input device of Patent Document 1, only the touch pad type operation unit is provided on the gripping portion of the steering wheel, and input operation of the operation unit is forced even in the automatic operation mode. Further, in the input device of Patent Document 1, there is only a space for disposing only the touch pad type operation unit on the gripping unit, and it has not been considered to separately provide a switch type operation unit on the steering wheel. As described above, in the input device of Patent Document 1, it is not planned to provide input units with different usage modes on the steering wheel, and the input operation is selectively used according to the driver's operation load in each operation mode. It was difficult to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide input units having different usage modes and to properly use input operations according to the operation load of the driver in each operation mode. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention automatically operates in a normal operation mode in which a driving mode is driven by a driver's driving operation and a driver's driving operation. It is provided in an automobile that can be switched to an automatic driving mode capable of traveling. The input device is provided on a spoke of a steering wheel of an automobile, and a casing portion that can be rotated around an axis centering on a length direction of the spoke, and a first input capable of blind operation provided in the casing portion The first input unit is located on the front side of the spoke when the operation mode is the normal operation mode, and the first and second input units when the operation mode is the automatic operation mode. And a restricting portion for restricting the rotational position of the housing portion so that one of the two is positioned on the front side of the spoke.

  According to the present invention, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation while blindly operating the first input unit in the normal operation mode. In the automatic operation mode, the driver can perform a reliable operation when the first input unit is selected, and has a high degree of freedom and an intuitive operation when the second input unit is selected. Is possible. Therefore, in the present invention, both the first and second input units having different usage modes can be disposed on the spokes, and the input operation according to the operation load of the driver in each operation mode is properly used. Can do.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the first operation control performed in the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the second operation control performed in the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the third operation control performed in the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the input prohibition control performed in the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view of the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a right side view of the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a left side view of the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a locked state and an unlocked state of the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the first holding control performed in the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the second holding control performed in the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the third holding control performed in the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the input prohibition control performed in the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 of an input device according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of each embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the entire input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The input device 1 is an automobile that can be switched to at least two types of driving modes, a normal driving mode that travels by a driver's driving operation, and an automatic driving mode that can automatically travel without depending on the driver's driving operation. It is provided for performing input operations on various in-vehicle devices of an automobile. Moreover, in this embodiment, the input device 1 is arrange | positioned at one spoke 21 of the steering wheel 20 in a motor vehicle.

  The input device 1 includes a housing unit 2. The housing | casing part 2 consists of a resin material or a metal material, for example, and comprises the casing of the input device 1. FIG. The housing portion 2 is formed in, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and is disposed on the spoke 21 of the steering wheel 20. Moreover, the housing | casing part 2 is comprised so that rotation around the shaft center X which makes the length direction of the spoke 21 an axis center is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 includes a first input unit 3 that can be operated blindly and a second input unit 4 that can be operated intuitively. The first input unit 3 includes a switch unit having a plurality of (in the illustrated example, three) buttons 3a, 3a,. The first input unit 3 is disposed in the housing unit 2 so as to face the front 21a side of the spoke 21, that is, the driver side seated on the seat when the operation mode is set to the normal operation mode. On the other hand, the 2nd input part 4 consists of a touchpad part which has a flat operation surface, and is comprised so that continuous contact operation with a driver | operator's finger | toe, ie, intuitive operation, is attained. The second input unit 4 is disposed in the casing unit 2 so as to be positioned on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is set to the normal operation mode.

  1 shows the input device 1 in a state where the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is the normal operation mode. On the other hand, the lower part of FIG. 1 shows the input device 1 in a state where the second input unit 4 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is the automatic operation mode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 1 includes an in-vehicle control unit 5 that is electrically connected to an in-vehicle device 22 such as a navigation system, an audio device, and an air conditioner provided in an automobile. The in-vehicle control unit 5 performs a predetermined process on the input signal from any one of the first and second input units 3 and 4 operated by the driver, and outputs a signal of the processing result to the in-vehicle device 22. Is configured to do.

  Next, the input device 1 includes a regulation unit 10 that regulates the rotation position of the housing unit 2. Specifically, the restriction unit 10 is configured such that the first input unit 3 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is the normal operation mode, and the first and the first selected when the operation mode is the automatic operation mode. The rotational position of the housing part 2 is regulated so that one of the two input parts 3 and 4 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the regulation unit 10 includes a motor unit 11 that rotates the housing unit 2, a motor control unit 12 that controls the motor unit 11, and a changeover switch unit 13 that is operated by a driver. Have. The motor control unit 12 is electrically connected to each of the motor unit 11, the changeover switch unit 13, and the in-vehicle control unit 5.

  The motor control unit 12 is electrically connected to each of a steering angle detection unit 23 and an operation mode determination unit 24 provided on the vehicle side. The steering angle detector 23 can detect the steering angle when the steering wheel 20 is steered by the driver. Specifically, the steering angle detection unit 23 detects the steering angle from the centering position where the steering wheel 20 is not steered to the rotational position where the steering wheel 20 is steered, and the steering angle and the time of the steering angle are detected. A signal relating to the displacement is configured to be output to the motor control unit 12. Further, the operation mode determination unit 24 is configured to determine the current operation mode setting state and output a signal related to the determination result to the motor control unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the motor unit 11 is disposed in a state of being connected to the inner side 2 a of the housing unit 2, for example. Then, when the motor shaft 11a of the motor unit 11 is driven in the forward rotation direction F, the casing unit 2 is rotated in the same direction, and the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 (FIG. 3). (Upper figure of FIG. 3) moves to a state (lower figure of FIG. 3) located on the back surface 21b side. On the other hand, when the motor shaft 11a of the motor unit 11 is driven in the reverse rotation direction R, the casing unit 2 is rotated in the same direction, and the second input unit 4 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 (in FIG. 3). It moves from the (lower figure) to the state (upper figure in FIG. 3) located on the back surface 21b side.

  Further, the motor unit 11 can detect the position of each of the first and second input units 3 and 4 with respect to the spoke 21 when the housing unit 2 is rotated by an encoder (not shown) incorporated therein. It has become. The motor control unit 12 performs a predetermined process on the input signals related to the positional information of the first and second input units 3 and 4 output from the motor unit 11, and outputs a signal of the processing result to the in-vehicle control unit 5. It is configured to output to.

  Next, operation | movement of the motor control part 12 is demonstrated using FIGS. 4 to 6 are repeatedly executed by a main routine (not shown) executed by the motor control unit 12.

  First, the motor control unit 12 drives the motor unit 11 so that the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. 2 is rotated (hereinafter referred to as “first operation control”). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the first operation control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first step S101, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines whether or not the current operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. That is, when the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode has been switched to the automatic operation mode and the determination result signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, the operation mode is not switched to the automatic operation mode, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is the normal operation mode, and a signal of the determination result is output to the motor control unit 12. If NO, the processing operation ends.

  After step S101, in step S102, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process is performed as it is. The operation ends. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is NO which is not located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S103, and the motor control unit 12 drives the motor shaft 11a of the motor unit 11 in the reverse rotation direction R.

  After step S103, in step S104, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 has moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the first input unit 3 has moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S105. The motor control unit 12 stops driving the motor unit 11. If the first input unit 3 has not moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21, the same steps S103 and S104 are repeated until YES. As described above, the first operation control is executed.

  Further, the motor control unit 12 receives an operation signal from the changeover switch unit 13 in the automatic operation mode so that one of the first and second input units 3 and 4 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. Next, the motor unit 11 is driven to rotate the casing unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as “second operation control”). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the second operation control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In first step S111, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines whether or not the current operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode. That is, when the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode and the determination result signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, the operation mode is not set to the automatic operation mode, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is the normal operation mode, and a signal of the determination result is output to the motor control unit 12. If NO, the processing operation ends.

  After step S111, in step S112, the motor control unit 12 determines whether or not the changeover switch unit 13 has been input by the driver. That is, when the signal by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, when the signal by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 is not input to the motor control unit 12, the processing operation ends.

  After step S112, in step S113, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S114, and the motor The control unit 12 drives the motor shaft 11 a of the motor unit 11 in the forward rotation direction F. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is NO which is not located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S114, and the motor control unit 12 drives the motor shaft 11a of the motor unit 11 in the reverse rotation direction R.

  After step S114, in step S115, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the second input unit 4 has moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the second input unit 4 has moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S118. The motor control unit 12 stops driving the motor unit 11. When the second input unit 4 has not moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21, the same steps S114 and S115 are repeated until YES.

  On the other hand, after step S113, in step S117, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 has moved to the position on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the first input unit 3 has moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S118. The motor control unit 12 stops driving the motor unit 11. If the first input unit 3 has not moved to the position on the front 21a side of the spoke 21, the same steps S116 and S117 are repeated until YES. As described above, the second operation control is executed.

  Further, the motor control unit 12 performs control so as to prohibit the driving of the motor unit 11 by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 when the steering wheel 20 is steered in the state of the automatic operation mode (hereinafter referred to as “No. 3 operation control). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the third operation control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In first step S121, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines whether or not the current operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode. That is, when the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode and the determination result signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S122. On the other hand, the operation mode is not set to the automatic operation mode, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is the normal operation mode, and a signal of the determination result is output to the motor control unit 12. If NO, the processing operation ends.

  After step S121, in step S122, the steering angle detector 23 detects whether or not the steering wheel 20 is being steered. That is, when the steering wheel 20 is being steered and a signal indicating that the steering angle detector 23 has a temporal displacement of the steering angle is output to the motor controller 12, the process proceeds to step S123. On the other hand, when the steering wheel 20 is not steered and a signal indicating that there is no temporal displacement of the steering angle by the steering angle detector 23 is output to the motor controller 12, the processing operation ends.

  After step S122, in step S123, the motor control unit 12 determines whether or not the changeover switch unit 13 has been input by the driver. That is, when the signal by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S <b> 124 and the motor control unit 12 prohibits the driving of the motor. On the other hand, when the signal by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 is not input to the motor control unit 12, the processing operation ends. As described above, the third operation control is executed.

  Next, the vehicle-mounted control unit 5 performs control so that the input operation is prohibited when each of the first and second input units 3 and 4 is located at a position corresponding to the rear surface 21b side of the spoke 21 (hereinafter, “ Input prohibition control ”). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the input prohibition control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first step S131, the motor unit 11 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21. That is, when the motor unit 11 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the motor control unit 12, the process proceeds to step S132, and the in-vehicle control The unit 5 prohibits the input operation of the first input unit 3. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is NO at the rear surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S133, and the in-vehicle control unit 5 prohibits the input operation of the second input unit 4.

  As described above, in the input prohibition control, when the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the in-vehicle control unit 5 prohibits the input operation of the first input unit 3 and the second input unit. 4 is controlled to accept only the input operation. Specifically, when the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the in-vehicle control unit 5 does not output an input operation signal for the first input unit 3 to the in-vehicle device 22, And it controls so that only the signal of the input operation with respect to the 2nd input part 4 located in the front 21a side of the spoke 21 may be output to the vehicle-mounted apparatus 22. FIG. Similarly, when the 2nd input part 4 is located in the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the vehicle-mounted control part 5 prohibits the input operation of the 2nd input part 4, and performs the input operation of the 1st input part 3. Control to accept.

(Operational effects of the first embodiment)
As described above, in the input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the restriction unit 10 has the first input unit 3 that can be blind-operated on the front 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is the normal operation mode. The rotation position of the housing | casing part 2 is controlled so that it may be located. For this reason, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation while blindly operating the first input unit 3 while holding the steering wheel 20 in the normal driving mode. And the control part 10 controls the rotation position of the housing | casing part 2 so that one of the 1st and 2nd input parts 3 and 4 may be located in the front 21a side of the spoke 21 when an operation mode is an automatic operation mode. doing. That is, when the first input unit 3 is selected in the automatic driving mode, the driver can reliably operate the first input unit 3 with the left hand released from the steering wheel 20, for example. Further, when the second input unit 4 that can be operated more intuitively than the first input unit 3 is selected when the driving load is low as in the automatic driving mode, the driver removes the left hand from the steering wheel 20, for example. In this state, it is possible to perform an intuitive operation with a high degree of freedom. Therefore, in the input device 1 according to the first embodiment, both the first and second input units 3 and 4 having different usage modes can be disposed on the spoke 21 and the driver's operation in each operation mode. The input operation can be properly used according to the load.

  Further, the motor control unit 12 of the regulating unit 10 drives the motor unit 11 so that the first input unit 3 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. The housing part 2 is rotated. For this reason, when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode, the first input unit 3 is automatically positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 regardless of the operation of the driver. Therefore, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation while blindly operating the first input unit 3 in the normal operation mode.

  In addition, the regulation unit 10 includes a changeover switch unit 13 that is operated by a driver, and the motor control unit 12 receives an operation signal from the changeover switch unit 13 in the automatic operation mode and receives the casing unit 2. The motor unit 11 is driven to rotate the housing unit 2 so that either one of the first and second input units 3 and 4 is positioned on the front surface 21 a side of the spoke 21. For this reason, the use of the first and second input units 3 and 4 can be easily switched by the changeover switch unit 13 at the driver's will in the automatic operation mode.

  Further, the motor control unit 12 performs control so as to prohibit the driving of the motor unit 11 by the input operation of the changeover switch unit 13 when the steering wheel 20 is steered in the automatic operation mode. For this reason, even in the automatic operation mode in which the driving load on the driver is low, the selection operation of the first and second input units 3 and 4 by the changeover switch unit 13 is limited, thereby reducing the driver's attention. Can be suppressed.

  The first input unit 3 includes a switch unit having at least one button 3a, and the second input unit 4 includes a touch pad unit that can be continuously contacted by a driver's finger. Thus, by clarifying usage modes of the first input unit 3 capable of blind operation and the second input unit 4 capable of intuitive operation, according to the operation load of the driver in each driving mode. Further, the operability by properly using the first and second input units 3 and 4 can be further enhanced.

  Further, each of the first and second input portions 3 and 4 is configured such that the input operation is prohibited when the first input portion 3 and the second input portion 4 are at positions corresponding to the back surface 21 b side of the spoke 21. That is, only the input operation of the input part located in the front 31a side of the spoke 21 visible from the driver is received. For this reason, the position of the input part which can perform input operation becomes clear, and it can suppress a driver | operator's attention fall at the time of driving operation. Moreover, since the input operation of the input part located in the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 is prohibited, the driver's fingers are not intended when the driver is operating by holding the steering wheel 20. Even if the input unit located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 is touched, such an erroneous operation of the input unit due to contact unintended by the driver can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
8-16 shows the input device 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, compared with the said 1st Embodiment, the drive format for rotating the housing | casing part 2 and its control aspect differ. The other configuration of the input device 1 according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part as FIGS. 1-7, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, the driver can rotate the casing 2 around the axis X by manual operation. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a rotation operation unit 40 that can be gripped to rotate the housing unit 2 with the fingers of the driver is provided on the outer side 2 b of the housing unit 2. . The rotation operation unit 40 is formed integrally with the outer side part 2b of the housing part 2, for example. In addition, uneven shapes are continuously formed on the outer periphery of the rotation operation unit 40 along the circumferential direction.

  The restricting portion 10 has an urging portion 30 as shown in FIG. The urging unit 30 urges the casing unit 2 so that the first input unit 3 is positioned on the front surface 21 a side of the spoke 21. Specifically, the urging portion 30 is formed of, for example, a compression-type torsion coil spring, and a substantially circular ring-shaped attachment portion 30 a is formed at each end of the urging portion 30.

  A cylindrical shaft portion 41 extending in the direction of the axis X is protruded from the inner portion 2 a of the housing portion 2 at a position that is the rotation center of the housing portion 2. The urging portion 30 is attached to the shaft portion 41 in an externally fitted state. Further, a cylindrical housing-side spring support portion 42 projects from the inner portion 2 a of the housing portion 2 near the periphery of the inner surface. One attachment portion 30a of the urging portion 30 is attached to the housing-side spring support portion 42 in an externally fitted state. Furthermore, a spoke-side spring support portion 44 having the same shape as the case-side spring support portion 42 is provided inside the spoke at a position facing the inner side portion 2 a of the case portion 2. The other attachment portion 30 a of the urging portion 30 is attached to the spoke-side spring support portion 44 in an externally fitted state. In FIG. 9, in order to emphasize only the spoke-side spring support portion 44, the end face is represented by dot hatching.

  The regulation part 10 has a holding part 31 as shown in FIG. The holding unit 31 is configured to hold the housing unit 2 in a state where the first input unit 3 is positioned on the back surface 21 b side of the spoke 21 against the urging force of the urging unit 30. Specifically, the outer portion 2b of the housing portion 2 is formed with an opening portion 43 that is opened in a substantially circular shape in the direction along the axis X, and the holding portion 31 extends from the opening portion 43 to the housing portion 2. It is formed in the shape of a claw that extends inward in the radial direction.

  The regulating unit 10 has a holding operation unit 32 as shown in FIG. The holding operation unit 32 is made of an actuator, for example. Specifically, the holding operation unit 32 includes a main body 32a, a rod 32b extending in a direction along the axis X of the housing 2, and the rod 32b along the axis X with respect to the main body 32a. And a drive unit (not shown) for expanding and contracting in the direction. The holding operation part 32 can maintain or release the holding state of the holding part 31 by the rod part 32b extending and contracting with respect to the main body part 32a by a holding control part 33 described later. The holding operation unit 32 is configured to be able to hold the holding unit 31 when the operation mode is the automatic operation mode, and to release the holding of the holding unit 31 when the operation mode is the normal operation mode.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the restricting unit 10 includes a holding control unit 33 that controls the holding operation unit 32. Specifically, the holding control unit 33 is electrically connected to the holding operation unit 32, and controls the holding operation unit 32 so that the rod portion 32b of the holding operation unit 32 expands and contracts with respect to the main body unit 32a. Yes.

  The holding control unit 33 is electrically connected to the in-vehicle control unit 5. The holding control unit 33 is configured to determine whether the input device 1 is in a locked state or an unlocked state, which will be described later, and to output a signal of the determination result to the in-vehicle control unit 5. Yes. Further, the holding control unit 33 detects the positions of the first and second input units 3 and 4 with respect to the spoke 21, performs predetermined processing on the input signal related to the position information, and outputs a signal of the processing result. It is comprised so that it may output to the vehicle-mounted control part 5. FIG. Further, the holding control unit 33 is also electrically connected to each of the steering angle detection unit 23 and the operation mode determination unit 24 provided on the vehicle side.

  Here, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 9, the biasing portion 30 of the housing portion 2 is set so as to be in an uncompressed state when the first input portion 3 is located on the front surface 21 a side of the spoke 21. Arranged in the inner part 2a. At this time, the holding part 31 is located on the lower side of the housing part 2 as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. On the other hand, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 11, the holding operation portion 32 is in a contracted state in which the rod portion 32b is housed in the main body portion 32a. As described above, the input device 1 is in a state where the rotation of the housing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 and the holding operation unit 32 is not restricted when the first input unit 3 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. (Hereinafter referred to as “unlocked state”). In this unlocked state, the driver can rotate the casing 2 about the axis X by manual operation.

  When the driver rotates the casing 2 so that the first input unit 3 is positioned on the rear surface 21b side of the spoke 21 in the unlocked state, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. The case-side spring support part 42 moves to the lower side of the case part 2 and the urging part 30 enters a compressed state. At this time, the holding part 31 moves to the upper side of the housing part 2 as shown in the lower part of FIG. Then, the holding control unit 33 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, and moves the holding operation unit 32 so that the rod portion 32b protrudes from the main body 32a. Control. As a result, the rod portion 32 b of the holding operation portion 32 is locked to the holding portion 31. In this locked state, the housing portion 2 is not returned to the original position (that is, the state where the first input portion 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21). Thus, in the input device 1, when the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21 b side of the spoke 21, the rotation of the housing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 and the holding operation unit 32 is restricted ( Hereinafter referred to as “locked state”). In this locked state, the driver cannot turn the casing 2 around the axis X by manual operation.

  Next, operation | movement of the holding | maintenance control part 33 is demonstrated using FIGS. 13 to 15 are repeatedly executed by a main routine (not shown) executed by the holding control unit 33.

  First, the holding control unit 33 operates the holding operation unit 32 to control the holding operation unit 32 so as to be in the locked state and the unlocked state (hereinafter referred to as “first holding control”). Hereinafter, the processing operation relating to the first holding control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first step S201, the holding control unit 33 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. That is, when the holding control unit 33 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the in-vehicle control unit 5, the process proceeds to step S202. Thus, the holding control unit 33 maintains the unlocked state by the holding operation unit 32 and ends the processing operation. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is NO at the front side 21a of the spoke 21 in step S201, the process proceeds to step S203.

  After step S201, in step S203, the holding control unit 33 detects whether or not the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21. That is, when the holding control unit 33 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the rear surface 21b side of the spoke 21 and the detection signal is output to the in-vehicle control unit 5, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is not located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, that is, when the first input unit 3 is not located on either the front surface 21a side or the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 The process proceeds to step S202 described above.

  After step S203, in step S204, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is maintained, the process proceeds to step S205, where the holding control unit 33 moves the holding operation unit 32. Maintain the locked state by. On the other hand, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is not maintained, the process proceeds to step S206, and the holding control unit 33 operates the holding operation unit 32 to enter the locked state. To do. As described above, the first holding control is executed.

  In addition, the holding control unit 33 controls the holding operation unit 32 so that the holding state of the housing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 is released when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode ( Hereinafter referred to as “second holding control”). Hereinafter, the processing operation relating to the second holding control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In first step S211, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines whether or not the automatic operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. That is, when the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is switched to the automatic operation mode and the determination result signal is output to the holding control unit 33, the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, when it is not switched to the automatic operation mode, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the current operation mode is the normal operation mode, and the signal of the determination result is NO output to the holding control unit 33 The processing operation ends.

  After step S211, in step S212, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is maintained, the process proceeds to step S213, where the holding control unit 33 performs the holding operation unit 32. Operate to release the locked state. On the other hand, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is not maintained (that is, maintained in the unlocked state), the process proceeds to step S214, and the holding control unit 33 proceeds. However, the unlocking state by the holding operation unit 32 is maintained. As described above, the second holding control is executed.

  Further, the holding control unit 33 controls the holding operation unit 32 so that the holding state of the casing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 is not released when the steering wheel 20 is being steered (hereinafter referred to as “third holding control”). "). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the third holding control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S221, the steering angle detector 23 detects whether or not the steering wheel 20 is being steered. That is, when the steering wheel 20 is being steered and a signal indicating that the steering angle detector 23 has a temporal displacement of the steering angle is output to the holding controller 33, the process proceeds to step S222. On the other hand, when the steering wheel 20 is not steered and a signal indicating that there is no temporal displacement of the steering angle by the steering angle detection unit 23 is output to the holding control unit 33, the processing operation ends.

  After step S221, in step S222, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is maintained (that is, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10, the second input unit 4 Is maintained in a state of being located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21), the process proceeds to step S223, and the holding control unit 33 maintains the locked state by the holding operation unit 32. On the other hand, when the holding control unit 33 determines that the locked state by the holding operation unit 32 is not maintained (that is, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 10, the first input unit 3 is the front surface 21a of the spoke 21). The processing operation ends. As described above, the third holding control is executed.

  Next, the vehicle-mounted control unit 5 performs control so that the input operation is prohibited when each of the first and second input units 3 and 4 is located at a position corresponding to the rear surface 21b side of the spoke 21 (hereinafter, “ Input prohibition control ”). Hereinafter, the processing operation related to the input prohibition control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first step S231, when the holding control unit 33 detects that the first input unit 3 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S232, and the in-vehicle control unit 5 performs the first input unit 3. Prohibits input operations. On the other hand, when the first input unit 3 is not located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S233.

  After step S231, in step S233, when the holding control unit 33 detects that the second input unit 4 is located on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, the process proceeds to step S234, where the in-vehicle control unit 5 The input operation of the input unit 4 is prohibited. On the other hand, when the 2nd input part 4 is not located in the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21, it progresses to step S235.

  In step S235, the state in the middle of the rotation operation part 40 of the housing | casing part 2 being rotated by the driver is included. At this time, in order to reduce an erroneous operation caused by the driver touching the first and second input units 3 and 4, the in-vehicle control unit 5 in step S <b> 235, the first and second input units 3 and 3. 4 is prohibited.

(Operational effect of the second embodiment)
As described above, in the input device 1 according to this embodiment, the regulation unit 10 causes the first input unit 3 to be positioned on the back surface 21b side of the spoke 21 by manually operating the housing unit 2 in the automatic operation mode. While rotating in the normal operation mode, it is unlocked in the normal operation mode, and the casing portion 2 is urged to rotate so that the first input portion 3 is located on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21. It is possible. For this reason, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation while blind-operating the first input unit 3 in the normal operation mode. Further, in the automatic driving mode, the driver can perform an intuitive operation with a high degree of freedom through the second input unit 4. Therefore, also in the input device 1 according to this embodiment, both the first and second input units 3 and 4 having different usage modes can be disposed on the spoke 21 and the operation load on the driver in each operation mode. The input operation can be properly used according to.

  Further, the holding control unit 33 controls the holding operation unit 32 so that the holding state of the housing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 is released when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. For this reason, when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode, the first input unit 3 is automatically positioned on the front 21a side of the spoke 21 in the normal operation mode regardless of the operation of the driver. become. Therefore, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation while blindly operating the first input unit 3 in the normal operation mode.

  The holding control unit 33 controls the holding operation unit 32 so that the holding state of the housing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 is not released when the steering wheel 20 is being steered. For this reason, even if it is an automatic driving mode with a low driving load on the driver, the steering wheel 20 is considered to be in a driving state when being steered, and the first and second input units are manually operated by the driver. The selection operation by switching between 3 and 4 is limited, and thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in driver's attention.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
FIG. 17 shows an input device 1 according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. This modification is different from the second embodiment in that a mechanism for releasing the locked state of the casing unit 2 is separately provided. In addition, the other structure of the input device 1 which concerns on this modification is the same as that of the input device 1 which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment. For this reason, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part as FIGS. 8-16, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the restricting unit 10 has an operation knob 45 that is manually operated by a driver. The operation knob 45 is provided on the front surface 21 a side of the spoke 21 and is disposed at a position adjacent to the outer side portion 2 b of the housing portion 2. The operation knob 45 is a release mechanism (not shown) that acts on the holding operation portion 32 so that the rod portion 32b of the holding operation portion 32 is accommodated in the main body portion 32a when manually operated by the driver. Is provided inside the spoke 21.

  As described above, in the input device 1 according to this modified example, when the operation knob 45 is manually operated by the driver, the holding operation unit 32 is the casing unit formed by the holding unit 31 unless the steering wheel 20 is steered. The lock state (holding state) 2 is released. For this reason, in the state where the second input unit 4 is positioned on the front surface 21a side of the spoke 21 in the automatic driving mode, the locked state of the casing unit 2 by the holding unit 31 is released at any time by the driver's intention during non-steering. It becomes possible. Therefore, in the input device 1 according to this modification, the first and second input units 3 and 4 can be selectively used according to the driver's intention in the automatic operation mode.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the input device 1 according to the first embodiment has been described as including the motor control unit 12 and the vehicle-mounted control unit 5, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In short, any control operation (the first to third operation controls and the input prohibition control) shown in the first embodiment may be realized. For example, the motor control unit 12 and the in-vehicle control unit 5 The form which provided the structure corresponding to the apparatus side of a motor vehicle may be sufficient. Alternatively, instead of the motor control unit 12 and the vehicle-mounted control unit 5, for example, a contact-type mechanical relay in which a contact is mechanically opened and closed may be separately provided. Similarly to this, the input device 1 according to the second embodiment has been described as having the holding control unit 33 and the in-vehicle control unit 5, but is not limited thereto. That is, the second embodiment may be any form that can realize the first to third holding controls and the input prohibition control.

  In the input device 1 according to the first embodiment, each of the first and second input units 3 and 4 with respect to the spoke 21 when the housing unit 2 is rotated by an encoder built in the motor unit 11. Although the embodiment has been shown in which the position can be detected, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the motor control unit 12 may be configured to detect the positions of the first and second input units 3 and 4.

  Moreover, in the input device 1 which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment, although the biasing part showed the form which consists of a compression type torsion coil spring, it is not restricted to this form. For example, the urging portion may be a tension type spring mechanism.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the form which has arrange | positioned the input device 1 only to one spoke 21 in the steering wheel 20 was shown, it is not restricted to this form. In other words, the input device 1 may be disposed on each of the left and right spokes 21.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment about this invention was described, this invention is not limited only to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible within the scope of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is an industrial input device provided in an automobile that can be switched between a normal driving mode that travels by a driver's driving operation and an automatic driving mode that can automatically travel without depending on the driver's driving operation. It can be used.

1: input device 2: casing unit 3: first input unit 4: second input unit 5: vehicle-mounted control unit 10: regulating unit 11: motor unit 12: motor control unit 13: changeover switch unit 20: steering wheel 21: Spoke 30: Energizing section 31: Holding section 32: Holding operation section 33: Holding control section 45: Operation knob

Claims (12)

An input device provided in an automobile capable of switching between a normal driving mode in which the driving mode is driven by a driving operation of the driver and an automatic driving mode in which the driving can be automatically performed without depending on the driving operation of the driver,
A casing that is provided on a spoke of a steering wheel of the automobile, and that can rotate about the axis about the longitudinal direction of the spoke;
A first input unit capable of blind operation and a second input unit capable of intuitive operation provided in the housing unit;
When the operation mode is the normal operation mode, the first input unit is located on the front side of the spoke, and when in the automatic operation mode, one of the first and second input units is on the front side of the spoke. An input device comprising: a restricting portion that restricts a rotational position of the housing portion so as to be positioned. The input device according to claim 1,
The regulation part is
A motor unit for rotating the housing unit;
A changeover switch unit operated by a driver,
When the changeover switch unit is operated when the operation mode is the automatic operation mode, the restriction unit is configured such that one of the first and second input units is positioned on the front side of the spoke. An input device that drives a motor unit to rotate the housing unit. The input device according to claim 2,
The restriction unit is an input device that prohibits driving of the motor unit by an input operation of the changeover switch unit when the steering wheel is being steered. The input device according to claim 1,
The regulation part is
A motor unit for rotating the housing unit;
A motor control unit for controlling the motor unit,
The motor control unit drives the motor unit so that the first input unit is positioned on the front side of the spoke when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. An input device that rotates the part. The input device according to claim 4,
The restriction part has a changeover switch part operated by a driver,
The motor control unit receives an operation signal from the changeover switch unit in the automatic operation mode, and one of the first and second input units in the housing unit is positioned on the front side of the spoke. An input device that drives the motor unit to rotate the housing unit. The input device according to claim 5, wherein
The input device controls the motor control unit to prohibit driving of the motor unit by an input operation of the changeover switch unit when the steering wheel is being steered in the state of the automatic driving mode. The input device according to claim 1,
The regulation part is
An urging portion that urges the casing portion to rotate so that the first input portion is located on the front side of the spoke; and
A holding part for holding the casing part in a state where the first input part is located on the back side of the spoke against the urging force of the urging part;
When the operation mode is the automatic operation mode, the holding unit is held so that it can be held, while the normal operation mode has a holding operation unit that can release the holding of the holding unit, Input device. The input device according to claim 7,
A holding control unit for controlling the holding operation unit;
The holding operation unit includes an actuator that receives a signal from the holding control unit and releases the holding state of the holding unit,
The holding control unit controls the holding operation unit so that the holding state of the housing unit by the holding unit is released when the operation mode is switched from the automatic operation mode to the normal operation mode. apparatus. The input device according to claim 8, wherein
The input device, wherein the holding control unit controls the holding operation unit so that the holding state of the housing unit by the holding unit is not released when the steering wheel is being steered. The input device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The restricting portion has an operation knob manually operated by a driver,
The input device is configured to release the holding state of the housing portion by the holding portion when the operation knob is manually operated. In the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The first input unit includes a switch unit having at least one button,
The second input unit is an input device including a touch pad unit that can be continuously contacted by a finger of a driver. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Each of the first input unit and the second input unit is configured to be prohibited from performing an input operation when the first input unit and the second input unit are at positions corresponding to the back side of the spoke.

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