JP6498584B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device that detects the position of an operation unit that is operated to swing.

  In a vehicle shift device, it is required to multiplex detection of the shift direction of the shift lever in order to ensure safety. For example, in the shift device described in Patent Document 1, a change in the magnetic flux of a magnet that rotates integrally with a shaft is detected by an MRE element, and a change in the shift direction of the shift lever is detected by two photo interrupters and a projecting piece. Thus, redundancy in detection of the shift direction is achieved. Here, the projecting piece is formed on a substantially fan-shaped plate attached to the tip of a shaft that is rotatable in the shift direction, and rotates integrally with the shift lever. Since the photo interrupter is configured to be in a light receiving state or a light shielding state by a projecting piece that moves together with the shift lever, a change in the shift direction of the shift lever can be detected by an output signal from the photo interrupter. Magnetism and light are non-contact detection means, and can achieve a longer life than the contact type.

JP 2003-154868 A

  However, the shift device described in Patent Document 1 is a sensor unit that uses a photo interrupter. A shaft that swings integrally with a shift lever, a plate that rotates together with the shaft, and a protrusion that is formed on the plate. Two photo interrupters were used, and the mechanism was complicated and large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a multidirectional input device that is highly resistant to the environment and can detect the position of the operation unit with high accuracy with a small configuration.

The multi-directional input device of the present invention includes an operation unit disposed at any one of a plurality of positions by a swing operation, and an optical sensor unit and a magnetic sensor that respectively detect the positions of the operation units disposed by the swing operation. A unit, a detected part that is shared by the optical sensor unit and the magnetic sensor unit and has a unique posture at each position of the operation unit, and an optical position determination by the optical sensor unit. A determination unit that is used for both magnetic position determination by the magnetic sensor unit , and the detected unit is a magnet that generates a magnetic field according to a swing operation of the operation unit, and is irradiated with light. It includes an irradiated region which is, the optical sensor unit, before Symbol a light source for irradiating the light to the part to be detected, the test Has an imaging unit which the light parts are for imaging the irradiated region to be irradiated, wherein the magnetic sensor unit includes a magnetic sensor for detecting changes in the magnetic field which the part to be detected occurs, the In the optical position determination, the determination unit determines a position of the operation unit based on an image of the irradiated area in a captured image captured by the imaging unit. In the magnetic position determination, the determination unit determines the magnetic position. The position of the operation unit is determined based on the change in the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

According to this configuration, since the detected portion is used for both the optical position determination by the optical sensor unit and the magnetic position determination by the magnetic sensor unit, it is simple and has a small configuration with a small number of parts. The position can be determined by two different non-contact determination methods. Here, when magnetic noise occurs in the use environment, the determination by the optical sensor unit is not affected, and when unintentional external light occurs, the determination by the magnetic sensor unit is not affected. Therefore, it is possible to make a highly reliable determination that is resistant to environmental fluctuations.
Further, according to this mechanism, since both the optical sensor unit and the magnetic sensor unit detect the position of the operation unit in a non-contact manner, a long life can be realized.

  Preferably, the multi-directional input device of the present invention has a marker attached to the irradiated area of the detected part, and the determination part performs the operation based on the image of the marker in the captured image. Determine the position of the part.

  According to this configuration, since the marker is attached to the irradiated region of the detected portion, it is possible to improve the accuracy of position determination based on the captured image. For this reason, an image pickup unit having a relatively low accuracy can be used, and a reduction in size and price can be achieved.

Preferably, the marker of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention has a contrast with a region around the marker in the irradiated region.
According to this configuration, the marker image can be easily detected based on the contrast in the captured image, and the accuracy of the position determination can be improved.

Preferably, the operation portion of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is a shift lever, and has a shaft that swings around a bearing and has a shift knob at one end, and the detected portion is the shaft of the shaft. According to this configuration provided on the opposite side of the shift knob with respect to the bearing, the detected portion can be interlocked with the movement of the shift knob.

Preferably, the detected part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is located at an end of the shaft on the imaging part side.
According to this configuration, since the detected portion is positioned at the end portion of the shaft that moves relatively long distance according to the movement of the operation portion, the movement of the detected portion is performed in both the optical sensor unit and the magnetic sensor unit. Is easier to detect.

Preferably, the multidirectional input device of the present invention is a substrate on which the light source, the imaging unit, and the magnetic sensor are mounted.
According to this configuration, the light source, the imaging unit, and the magnetic sensor can be easily positioned, and highly accurate detection is possible.

Preferably, the determination unit of the multi-directional input device according to the present invention specifies the movement direction and the movement amount of the marker using the captured images before and after the detected part starts moving. The position of the operation unit is determined based on the result.
According to this configuration, the position of the operation unit can be determined with high accuracy based on the moving direction and moving amount of the marker.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device that is resistant to variation in ring resistance and that can detect the position of the operation unit with high accuracy with a small-scale configuration.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view as seen from the detected portion side shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the sensor system of the multidirectional input device of this embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the lens and the magnetic sensor as viewed from the upper side of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multidirectional input device shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multidirectional input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view seen from the detected portion 31 side shown in FIG.
3A is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the sensor system of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the lens 41 and the magnetic sensor 43 as viewed from the upper side of FIG. 3A. .
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multidirectional input device 1 shown in FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multidirectional input device 1 includes a shift lever (operation unit) 10 including, for example, a shift knob 11, a shaft 12, and a bearing 13.
A shaft 12 extends from a shift knob 11 held by a driver, and the shaft 12 is supported by a bearing 13 so as to be swingable in the Y1-Y2 direction and the X1-X2 direction. The bearing 13 fixes the shaft 12 and the shift knob 11 to the vehicle body in a swingable state.

When the driver operates the shift knob 11 to swing the shaft 12, the shift lever 10 is shifted to one of a plurality of positions. Here, when the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment is used as a vehicle shifter, N (neutral), D (drive), R (return), H (home), P ( A position such as parking) can be appropriately assigned.
The movement between the positions is performed, for example, by moving the shift knob 11 shown in FIG. 1 in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction.

Further, the multidirectional input device 1 can be applied to both a type in which the driver is held at the position after the operation even if the driver releases his hand from the shift knob 11 and a type in which the driver returns to the home position when the hand is released from the shift knob 11. . Furthermore, the number and arrangement of positions are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.
A detected portion 31 is provided on the opposite side of the shaft 12 from the shift knob 11, and the detected portion 31 has a unique posture corresponding to the position of the shift lever 10.

  The multidirectional input device 1 includes an optical sensor unit 21 and a magnetic sensor unit 41 that detect the position of the shift lever 10.

The optical sensor unit 21 includes, for example, a detection unit 31, a lens 33, a light source 35, an imaging unit 37, and a determination unit 39.
The detected part 31 has a posture unique to each position of the shift lever 10. The detected part 31 is provided at the lower end of the shaft 12 in the Z2 direction. The detected part 31 is composed of, for example, a magnet, and a marker 27 is provided on at least a part of the lower surface. The marker 27 has a contrast with the area around the marker 27 in the irradiated area 31a. As the marker 27, for example, a white circle or a fluorescent agent that glows red is used. The marker 27 may be adhered to the irradiated region 31a with a paint or the like, or may be adhered with an adhesive or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the light source 35, the imaging unit 37, and the magnetic sensor 43 are provided on the substrate 23.
A lens 33 is provided on the detection unit 31 side of the imaging unit 37.

The light source 35 irradiates the irradiated area 31 a of the detected part 31 with light.
The lens 33 condenses the reflected light from the irradiated region 31 a of the light emitted from the light source 35 on the imaging unit 37.
The imaging unit 37 forms an image of the reflected light from the irradiated region 31 a via the lens 33. That is, the imaging unit 37 images the irradiated region 31 a of the detected unit 31.
As the imaging unit 37, for example, a low resolution and inexpensive one such as several tens of pixels × several tens of pixels is used.

The determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 based on the image of the irradiated region 31a in the captured image that is the imaging result of the imaging unit 37 capturing the irradiated region 31a. Specifically, the determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 based on the image of the marker 27 in the captured image of the irradiated region 31a.
At this time, the determination unit 39 identifies the movement direction and the movement amount of the marker 27 based on the captured images before and after the movement of the detected unit 31, and based on the identified result, the shift lever Determine 10 positions.
In the present embodiment, the determination unit 39 detects a rough movement of the marker 27 in the irradiated area 31 a of the detected unit 31 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 37. Therefore, the determination unit 39 can be realized by a computer having a relatively low processing capability.

The magnetic sensor unit 41 includes a detected part 31 that is a magnet, a magnetic sensor 43, and a determination part 39.
The magnetic sensor 43 is provided in the vicinity of the lens 33 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The magnetic sensor 43 is, for example, a Hall element, a magnetoresistive effect element, or a giant magnetoresistive effect element, and detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the swinging operation of the shift lever 10. More specifically, the detected portion 31 is a multipolar magnetized magnet, and the detected portion 31 is displaced in accordance with the swing operation of the shift lever 10, so that the detected portion 31 has a lower surface. The generated magnetic field (magnetic field) changes as the direction and the distance between the lower surface and the magnetic sensor 43 change. The magnetic sensor 43 detects a magnetic field that changes due to the swinging operation of the shift lever 10 as a change in electrical resistance, and outputs the detection result to the determination unit 39.

The determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 based on the detection result from the magnetic sensor 43.
That is, the determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 by both the optical method in the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic method in the magnetic sensor unit 41.

Hereinafter, the operation of the multidirectional input device 1 will be described.
When the driver operates the shift knob 11 to swing the shaft 12, the shift lever 10 is shifted to one of a plurality of positions.
In the multidirectional input device 1, the position of the shift lever 10 is determined by both the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic sensor unit 41.

  In response to the swing of the shaft 12, the marker 27 provided in the irradiated region 31a of the detected portion 31 swings. The marker 27 is irradiated with light from a light source 35, and reflected light from the marker 27 is condensed by the lens 33 through the lens 33 and forms an image on the imaging unit 37.

Then, the determination unit 39 detects the movement direction and the movement amount of the marker 27 in the irradiated region 31a of the detection unit 31 based on the captured image of the imaging unit 37, and determines the position after the shift lever 10 has moved. judge. This is the determination by the optical sensor unit 21.
In the multidirectional input device 1, the following determination by the magnetic sensor unit 41 is performed simultaneously with the determination by the optical sensor unit 21 described above.

That is, in the multidirectional input device 1, the detected portion 31 is displaced in accordance with the swinging operation of the shift lever 10, and accordingly, the orientation of the lower surface of the detected portion 31 and the distance between the lower surface and the magnetic sensor 43. Changes the generated magnetic field (magnetic field). The magnetic sensor 43 detects a magnetic field that changes due to the swinging operation of the shift lever 10 as a change in electrical resistance, and outputs the detection result to the determination unit 39.
The determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 based on the detection result from the magnetic sensor 43.

If the determinations by the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic sensor unit 41 match, the determination unit 39 outputs it as the position of the shift lever 10.
Moreover, the determination part 39 outputs an error, when the determination by the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic sensor unit 41 is inconsistent.

As described above, according to the multidirectional input device 1, the detected portion 31 is used for both the optical position determination by the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic position determination by the magnetic sensor unit 41. The position can be determined by two different non-contact determination methods with a simple and small number of parts and a small configuration.
Here, in the environment where the multidirectional input device 1 is used, when magnetic noise occurs, the determination by the optical sensor unit 21 is not affected, and when unintended outside light occurs, the magnetic sensor unit 41 determines. Judgment is not affected. Therefore, it is possible to make a highly reliable determination that is resistant to environmental fluctuations.

  In the multidirectional input device 1, the determination unit 39 determines the position of the shift lever 10 based on the image of the marker 27 attached to the irradiated region 31 a of the detected unit 31 in the captured image. Therefore, the accuracy of position determination based on the captured image can be increased. As a result, a relatively low accuracy can be used as the imaging unit 37, and the multi-directional input device 1 can be reduced in size and price.

  In addition, the marker 27 of the multidirectional input device 1 has a contrast with the area around the marker 27 in the irradiated area 31 a of the detected part 31. Therefore, the image of the marker 27 can be easily detected based on the contrast in the captured image, and the accuracy of the position determination of the shift lever 10 can be improved.

  Moreover, in the multidirectional input device 1, since both the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic sensor unit 41 detect the position of the shift lever 10 in a non-contact manner, a long life can be realized.

  In the multidirectional input device 1, the detected part 31 is located at the end of the shaft 12 on the imaging part 37 side. According to this configuration, the detected portion 31 can be moved a relatively long distance in accordance with the movement of the shift lever 10, and the movement of the detected portion 31 can be controlled in both the optical sensor unit 21 and the magnetic sensor unit 41. It becomes easy to detect.

  In the multidirectional input device 1, the light source 35, the imaging unit 37, and the magnetic sensor 43 are provided on the substrate 23. Therefore, the light source 35, the imaging unit 37, and the magnetic sensor 43 can be easily positioned, the position detection accuracy can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and alternatives regarding the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or an equivalent scope thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the marker 27 has a circular shape illustrated in FIG. 2, but the marker 27 may have an ellipse, a rectangle, a triangle, or the like.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the detected portion 31 is provided at the end portion of the shaft 12 on the imaging portion 37 side is illustrated. However, the portion other than the end portion of the shaft 12 or other portions that are linked to the shaft 12 is exemplified. You may provide in a member.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where the multi-directional input device of the present invention is applied to a shift device is illustrated. However, the present invention is applied to devices other than the shift device as long as the position of the operation unit is detected. Also good.

  The present invention is applicable to the field of shift devices for vehicles and the like.

1 ... Multi-directional input device 10 ... Shift lever (operation unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Shift knob 12 ... Shaft 13 ... Bearing 27 ... Marker 31 ... Detected part 31a ... Irradiation area 33 ... Lens 35 ... Light source 37 ... Imaging part 39 ... Determination part

Claims (7)

An operation unit arranged at one of a plurality of positions by a swing operation;
An optical sensor unit and a magnetic sensor unit for detecting the position of the operation unit arranged by the swing operation;
A detected part that is shared by the optical sensor unit and the magnetic sensor unit and has a unique posture at each position of the operation unit;
A determination unit used for both the optical position determination by the optical sensor unit and the magnetic position determination by the magnetic sensor unit ;
Have
The detected portion is a magnet that generates a magnetic field according to the swinging operation of the operation portion, and includes an irradiated region that is irradiated with light.
The optical sensor unit is
A light source for irradiating the light before Symbol detected portion,
An imaging unit that images the irradiated region irradiated with the light of the detected unit;
Have
The magnetic sensor unit includes a magnetic sensor for detecting changes in the magnetic field detection target portion is generated,
The determination unit
In the optical position determination, the position of the operation unit is determined based on the image of the irradiated area in the captured image captured by the imaging unit,
A multidirectional input device for determining a position of the operation unit based on a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor in the magnetic position determination. Having a marker attached to the irradiated region of the detected portion;
The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a position of the operation unit based on an image of the marker in the captured image. The marker has a contrast with a region around the marker in the irradiated region.
The multidirectional input device according to claim 2 . The operation unit is a shift lever, swings around a bearing, and has a shaft provided with a shift knob at one end,
The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the detected portion is provided on the opposite side of the shift knob with respect to the bearing of the shaft. The multidirectional input device according to claim 4, wherein the detected part is located at an end of the shaft on the imaging part side. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate on which the light source, the imaging unit, and the magnetic sensor are mounted. The determination unit specifies a movement direction and a movement amount of the marker using the captured images before and after the detection target starts moving, and determines the position of the operation unit based on the specified result. Do
The multidirectional input device according to claim 2 or claim 3 .

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