JP2022170291A - input device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve operability of an input device mounted on an operation controller whose grip part is not a ring shape.SOLUTION: An input device 10 is mounted on a steering device 20. The steering device 20 comprises a right grip part 22 and a shaft part 23. The shaft part 23 is allowed to rotate centered on a central axis C, and the rotation is associated with a first operation to be controlled. The right grip part 22 can revolve along a revolving route P centered on the central axis C and has a shape that can be gripped by a driver's right hand 42 and allows a motion of the right hand 42 crossing the revolving route P. The shaft part 23 can rotate centered on the central axis C according to the revolution of the right grip part 22, and its rotation direction is associated with the first operation to be controlled. A first input receiving part 11 receives driver's handling input for executing a second operation to be controlled different from the first operation to be controlled. A second input receiving part 12 receives the driver's handling input for switching between a state in which the relative positions of the first input receiving part 11 and the right grip part 22 are variable and a state in which the relative positions are constant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an input device mounted on a motion control device having a shaft and a grip. The shaft is rotatable about the axis, and the rotation is associated with the controlled motion. The grasping part is turnable along the turning path around the axis and has a shape that can be grasped by a user's hand.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a steering device that changes the traveling direction of a vehicle as a controlled action. The steering device includes a shaft portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis, and a grip portion that can be gripped by a driver's hand and has an annular shape about the rotation axis. The steering system is equipped with an input device that receives an operation input from the driver for realizing a controlled operation other than steering in the vehicle.

Steering devices are also known in which the shape of the grip is not ring-shaped about the axis of rotation of the shaft, as described in US Pat.

JP 2012-206692 A JP 2005-161922 A JP 2005-246987 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the operability of an input device mounted on a motion control device having a non-ring-shaped grip.

One aspect for achieving the above object is to provide a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis, the rotation being associated with a first controlled motion, and a and a grip part that can be turned along a turning path, is grippable by a user's hand, and has a shape that allows movement of the hand across the turning path. an input device that
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action;
a second input reception unit that receives an operation input from the user for switching between a state in which the relative position of the first input reception unit and the grip unit is variable and a state in which the relative position is unchanged;
It has

When the grip has a shape that allows the user's hand to move across the turning path, the posture of the hand relative to the first input receiving part tends to change as the grip moves. According to the configuration as described above, the relative position between the first input receiving portion and the grip portion can be adjusted so that the operation input to the first input receiving portion by hand can be easily performed regardless of the turning angle of the grip portion. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the input device mounted on the steering device in which the grip portion is not ring-shaped.

1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an input device according to an embodiment; A vehicle on which the input device of FIG. 1 is mounted is illustrated. 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 6 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 5; 6 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 5; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 9 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 8; 9 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 8; 9 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 8; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1;

Exemplary embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed to make each member recognizable.

FIG. 1 illustrates an input device 10 according to one embodiment. The input device 10 is mounted on the steering device 20 . The steering device 20 is a device mounted on a vehicle 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 to change the direction of travel of the vehicle 30 . The steering device 20 is an example of an operation control device. Vehicle 30 is an example of a mobile object. The action of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 is an example of the first controlled action.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the steering device 20 has a left grip portion 21 and a right grip portion 22 . As exemplified by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the left gripping part 21 and the right gripping part 22 can turn around the central axis C along the turning path P. As shown in FIG. The turning path P seen from the direction along the central axis C is circular.

The left grip portion 21 has a shape that can be gripped by the driver's left hand 41 and that allows movement of the left hand 41 across the turning path P. As shown in FIG. The right grip portion 22 has a shape that can be gripped by the driver's right hand 42 and that allows movement of the right hand 42 across the turning path P. As shown in FIG. In this example, each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 has a spherical shape. That is, the steering device 20 has a non-annular grip portion. A driver is an example of a user.

The steering device 20 has a shaft portion 23 , a left arm portion 24 and a right arm portion 25 . The left arm portion 24 connects the left grip portion 21 and the shaft portion 23 . The right arm portion 25 connects the right grip portion 22 and the shaft portion 23 . The shaft portion 23 is rotatable about the central axis C according to the turning of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 . The counterclockwise rotation of the shaft portion 23 about the central axis C is associated with the operation of changing the course of the vehicle 30 to the left. The clockwise rotation of the shaft portion 23 about the central axis C is associated with the operation of changing the course of the vehicle 30 to the right.

The input device 10 includes a first input reception section 11 . The first input receiving section 11 is arranged on the right arm section 25 of the steering device 20 . The first input reception unit 11 is configured as a switch that receives a driver's operation input for switching the operation mode of the lighting device mounted on the vehicle 30 . The switch may be a mechanical switch that is pressed by the driver's finger, or an electrostatic switch that detects the contact or approach of the driver's finger as an operation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, each time the first input receiving unit 11 receives an operation input by the driver's right hand 42, the operation mode switches in the order of turning off, automatic lighting mode, small lamp lighting mode, and headlamp lighting mode. . In the automatic lighting mode, various lamps are automatically turned on according to the brightness around the vehicle 30 . In the small lamp lighting mode, only the width lamps and tail lamps are lit. In the headlamp lighting mode, the headlamps are turned on in addition to the width lamps and the tail lamps. Switching the operating mode of the lighting device is an example of a second controlled action.

The input device 10 includes a second input reception section 12 . The second input reception section 12 is also arranged on the right arm section 25 of the steering device 20 . The second input reception unit 12 is configured as a switch that receives a driver's operation input for switching between the adjustment mode and the fixed mode. The switch can be a mechanical switch with a driver-operated displacement. As the mechanical switch, not only the push switch shown in the drawing, but also a slide switch, a lever switch, a dial switch, and the like can be employed. Alternatively, the switch may be an electrostatic switch that detects contact or proximity of the driver's finger as an operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each time the second input reception unit 12 receives an operation input by the driver, the adjustment mode and the fixed mode are switched. In the adjustment mode, the relative positions of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 are variable. In the fixed mode, the relative positions of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 remain unchanged.

Specifically, the input device 10 includes a stationary portion 13 and a movable portion 14 . The stationary portion 13 and the movable portion 14 form part of the right arm portion 25 of the steering device 20 . The immovable portion 13 is fixed to the shaft portion 23 . The movable portion 14 is connected to the right grip portion 22 . The first input reception section 11 and the second input reception section 12 are arranged in the immovable section 13 . The immovable portion 13 has a sleeve structure, and the movable portion 14 can be displaced along the radial direction of the turning path P inside the immovable portion 13 . In the fixed mode, the movable portion 14 is locked to the stationary portion 13 via an appropriate locking mechanism. In the adjustment mode, the locking of the movable portion 14 with respect to the stationary portion 13 is released. Switching between locking and unlocking by the locking mechanism may be performed mechanically or electrically in accordance with an operation input to the second input receiving section 12 .

When the right grip 22 has a shape that allows the right hand 42 of the driver to move across the turning path P, the posture of the right hand 42 with respect to the first input receiving unit 11 changes as the right grip 22 turns. subject to change. According to the configuration as described above, the right grip portion 22 is positioned relative to the first input reception portion 11 so that the operation input to the first input reception portion 11 with the right hand 42 can be easily performed regardless of the turning angle of the right grip portion 22. You can adjust the position. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the input device 10 mounted on the steering device 20 having a non-ring-shaped grip.

In this example, the position of the right grip part 22 is variable in the radial direction of the turning path P. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the radius of the turning path P of the right grip portion 22 changes as the position is adjusted. In this case, it is preferable that the left arm 24 of the steering device 20 of the input device 10 also include a stationary portion and a movable portion. Specifically, when the position of the right grip portion 22 is adjusted, the left grip portion 21 is automatically changed to a position symmetrical to the right grip portion 22 with respect to the central axis C when viewed from the direction along the central axis C. , the movable portion on the left arm portion 24 side is configured. Such a change may be made mechanically through an appropriate interlocking mechanism, or may be made electrically through signal transmission to an actuator for driving the movable portion on the left arm 24 side.

According to such a configuration, the turning radius of the left grip portion 21 and the turning radius of the right grip portion 22 are always the same.

In addition to or instead of the movable portion 14 described above, the input device 10 may include a universal joint 15, as illustrated in FIG. In this case, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the position of the right grip portion 22 can be changed in a direction intersecting with the radial direction of the turning path P. FIG.

FIG. 8 shows another example of the configuration of the input device 10. As shown in FIG. Elements that are substantially the same as those in the example described with reference to FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In this example, the input device 10 includes a stationary portion 16 and a movable portion 17 . The stationary portion 16 and the movable portion 17 form part of the right arm portion 25 of the steering device 20 . The immovable portion 16 connects the right grip portion 22 and the shaft portion 23 . That is, the immovable portion 16 is fixed to the shaft portion 23 . The movable portion 17 has a sleeve structure, and is displaceable along the radial direction of the turning path P on the outside of the stationary portion 16 . The first input reception section 11 and the second input reception section 12 are arranged on the movable section 17 .

As illustrated in FIG. 9, each time the second input reception unit 12 receives an operation input by the driver, the adjustment mode and the fixed mode are switched. In the fixed mode, the movable portion 17 is locked to the stationary portion 16 via an appropriate locking mechanism. As a result, the relative positions of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 remain unchanged. In the adjustment mode, the movable portion 17 is unlocked from the stationary portion 16 . Thereby, the relative positions of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 are made variable. Switching between locking and unlocking by the locking mechanism may be performed mechanically or electrically in accordance with an operation input to the second input receiving section 12 .

According to such a configuration, the relative position between the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 can be adjusted without changing the turning radius of the right grip portion 22 . As a result, there is no need to change the turning radius of the left grip portion 21, so the complication of the configuration of the input device 10 can be suppressed.

The direction in which the movable portion 17 can be displaced is not limited to the radial direction of the turning path P. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the movable portion 17 supporting the first input receiving portion 11 rotates the rotation axis T extending along the radial direction of the turning path P in addition to or instead of the radial direction. It may be rotatable about the center. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the movable portion 17 supporting the first input receiving portion 11 can slide in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the turning path P when viewed from the direction along the central axis C. can be

In each example described so far, both the first input reception section 11 and the second input reception section 12 are arranged between the right grip section 22 and the shaft section 23 of the steering device 20 . However, at least one of the first input receiving portion 11 and the second input receiving portion 12 need not be arranged between the right grip portion 22 and the shaft portion 23 .

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , the first input reception section 11 can be implemented as a touch pad device supported by a support section 18 extending from the right arm section 25 of the steering device 20 . Such a touchpad device can receive a driver's operation input for controlling controlled operations of an audiovisual device, a navigation device, an air conditioner, and the like mounted on the vehicle 30 . The controlled action is an example of a second controlled action.

Although the touch pad device is not positioned between the right grip portion 22 and the shaft portion 23, the driver can perform operation input to the first input reception portion 11 while gripping the right grip portion 22 with the right hand 42. are placed in a good position. In this example, the position of the right grip portion 22 with respect to the first input reception portion 11 is adjustable, as in the examples described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 13, the support portion 18 is made movable in the direction along the turning path P of the right grip portion 22, thereby adjusting the relative positions of the first input reception portion 11 and the right grip portion 22. may be made possible.

Although not shown, the second input reception unit 12 may be arranged on the shaft portion 23 of the steering device 20, or may be attached to the left arm portion 24 or the right arm portion 25 of the steering device 20 by a configuration such as the support portion 18 described above. may be supported by

The configuration of each embodiment described so far is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention. The configuration according to this embodiment can be modified and improved as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In each of the embodiments described above, either one of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 of the steering device 20 is immobile with respect to the shaft portion 23 of the steering device 20 . However, by appropriately combining the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 and the configuration described with reference to FIGS. The relative positions of the first input receiving portion 11 and the right grip portion 22 can be adjusted while being movable with respect to the portion 23 .

In each of the embodiments described above, the first input receiving section 11 is arranged at a position capable of receiving an operation with the right hand 42 of the driver holding the right grip section 22 of the steering device 20 . However, the first input receiving portion 11 may be arranged at a position capable of receiving an operation by the left hand 41 of the driver holding the left grip portion 21 of the steering device 20 . Alternatively, in addition to the first input reception unit 11 described above, another input reception unit that receives an operation input for executing another controlled action may receive an operation with the left hand 41 of the driver holding the left grip 21. It may be placed in an acceptable position. An operation input for adjusting the relative position between the other input receiving portion and the left grip portion 21 may be received by the second input receiving portion 12 described above, or may be received by a dedicated It may be received by an input receiving unit.

In each of the embodiments described above, each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 has a spherical shape. However, if the driver's hand has a shape that traverses the turning path P, the shape of each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 can be changed as appropriate. Unless the driver's hand presents an annulus that cannot traverse the turning path P, a single grip having a portion gripped by the driver's left hand 41 and a portion gripped by the driver's right hand 42 may be used. may be provided.

The input device 10 can also be mounted on a steering device for changing the course of a moving body other than the vehicle 30 . Examples of such moving bodies include railroads, ships, and aircraft.

The input device 10 does not need to be mounted on a steering device of a mobile body. For example, the input device 10 can be mounted on a controller for controlling the movement of an object displayed on the display of a shooting game device in an amusement facility. The first input reception unit 11 can be used as a switch for causing the object to shoot a weapon. In this case, the controller is an example of an operation control device. Movement of the object is an example of a first controlled action. An action of firing a weapon at the object is an example of a second controlled action.

10: Input device, 11: First input receiving unit, 12: Second input receiving unit, 13: Immovable part, 14: Movable part, 16: Immovable part, 17: Movable part, 20: Steering device, 21: Left grip Part 22: Right Grip Part 23: Shaft Part 30: Vehicle 41: Left Hand 42: Right Hand C: Central Axis P: Turning Path

Claims (5)

is configured to be rotatable about an axis, and is rotatable along a shaft part whose rotation is associated with the first controlled motion and a turning path about the axis; an input device mounted on a motion control device comprising a grip that can be gripped by a user's hand and has a shape that allows movement of the hand across the turning path,
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action;
a second input reception unit that receives an operation input from the user for switching between a state in which the relative position of the first input reception unit and the grip unit is variable and a state in which the relative position is unchanged;
is equipped with
input device. a stationary portion fixed to the shaft portion and supporting the first input receiving portion;
a movable portion connected to the grip portion and displaceable with respect to the immovable portion when the second input receiving portion receives an operation input from the user;
is equipped with
The input device according to claim 1. The grip includes a left grip that can be gripped by the user's left hand and a right grip that can be gripped by the user's right hand,
The movable part is displaceable in the radial direction of the turning path so that the left gripping part and the right gripping part are arranged symmetrically about the axis when viewed from the direction along the axis.
The input device according to claim 2. a stationary portion connecting the shaft portion and the grip portion;
a movable portion that supports the first input receiving portion and is displaceable with respect to the immovable portion when the second input receiving portion receives an operation input from the user;
is equipped with
The input device according to claim 1. The first controlled action is an action of changing the traveling direction of the moving body,
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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