JP6923456B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an input device.

In an input device, there is known a technique of applying vibration to an operation area during operation by a user.

Special Table 2015-504211

However, with the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is difficult to realize a structure in which only the operating region of the operating member easily vibrates. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the rigidity relationship between the proximal suspension and the distal suspension of the control surface is optimized so that the tactile feedback is transmitted over the entire surface of the control device (operating member). On the other hand, when the operating area of the operating member is a part, it is desirable that only the operating area easily vibrates.

Therefore, on one aspect, it is an object of the present invention to realize a structure in which only the operating region of the operating member easily vibrates.

On one side,
Support members and
An operation member that is rotatably supported by the support member, has a first portion and a second portion with a rotation shaft interposed therebetween, and has an operation region in which the first portion is pressurized by a user.
A first elastic portion provided between the first portion and the support member and elastically deformed according to the displacement of the first portion due to rotation of the operating member.
A second elastic portion provided between the second portion and the support member and elastically deformed according to the displacement of the second portion due to the rotation of the operating member.
An input device is provided that includes a vibration applying unit that applies vibration to the operating region.

On one side, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a structure in which only the operating region of the operating member easily vibrates.

It is a figure which shows schematicly the steering wheel 1 to which the input device 10 according to one Example is assembled. It is a perspective view which shows the state of a single item of an input device 10. It is an exploded perspective view of the input device 10. It is sectional drawing in the XZ plane passing through the center of the input device 10. It is sectional drawing of FIG. 4 which shows the state at the time of pressurization.

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a steering wheel 1 to which an input device 10 according to an embodiment is assembled.

The steering wheel 1 includes a ring-shaped steering wheel portion 2 and spoke portions 3. The input device 10 is provided in the spoke portion 3 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one input device 10 is provided, but a plurality of input devices 10 may be provided for one steering wheel 1. As described below, the input device 10 has a tactile feedback function by applying vibration or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a single item state of the input device 10. In FIG. 2, three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z are defined. The Z direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the input device 10, and in the following description, the positive side in the Z direction is referred to as "upper side". The upper side corresponds to the driver side of the steering wheel 1.

The input device 10 includes a housing 11 (an example of a support member), an operation member 20, a first elastic portion 31, and a second elastic portion 32.

The housing 11 is made of, for example, a resin material. The housing 11 forms a space for accommodating internal parts described later. The housing 11 may be integrally formed as a part of the spoke portions 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 has a form in which a substantially rectangular space with an open upper side is formed inside. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 includes rotation support portions 110 extending upward on both sides in the Y direction.

The operation member 20 is a member operated by a user, and is formed of, for example, a resin material. The operating member 20 is rotatably supported by the housing 11. Specifically, the operation member 20 is rotatably supported by the rotation support portion 110 of the housing 11. In this case, for example, the operating member 20 has a pin-shaped protrusion 70 in the Y direction, and the protrusion 70 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 111 in the Y direction on the rotation support portion 110 side. In this case, the operating member 20 can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the Y direction. The protrusion 70 may be integrated with the operating member 20 or may be a separate body. Further, in the modified example, a through hole may be provided on the operation member 20 side, and a pin-shaped protrusion may be formed on the rotation support portion 110 side. Hereinafter, the rotation axis refers to the rotation axis formed by the protrusion 70.

The operating member 20 has a plate-like shape extending in the X direction, and has a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 with a rotation axis interposed therebetween. Therefore, the operating member 20 is supported with respect to the housing 11 in a form in which the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 rotate like a seesaw around the rotation axis.

An operation area (pressurization / response unit) 200 to be pressurized by the user is set in the first portion 21. The operation area 200 is a place where the user feels vibration when the pressure is applied with a finger. The operation area 200 is located at the end of the first portion 21 (the side far from the rotation axis). That is, the operation area 200 is provided at the end portion on the side closer to the handle portion 2. As a result, the user (driver or operator) can easily realize the required pressurization while substantially maintaining the state of the hand holding the steering wheel 1. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the operation area 200 may be provided with a visible feature (for example, surrounded by a line or the like) so that the range can be visually recognized by the user. Alternatively, the operation region 200 may be formed in a form continuous with the peripheral region via a step (that is, in the form of a concave portion or a convex portion). Further, the operation area 200 may be provided with a picture (design) schematically representing the function realized at the time of operation (that is, at the time of pressurization).

The first part 21 and the second part 22 may have the same length in the X direction, but preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the first part 21 is longer than the second part. As a result, the length of the first portion 21 in the X direction can be made relatively long while minimizing the dimension of the operating member 20 in the X direction. When the first part 21 is relatively long, the output (vibration device) is relatively small in the operation region 200 located at the end of the first part 21 (the end far from the rotation axis) as compared with the case where the first part 21 is relatively short. Vibration from 50) can generate vibration with a relatively large amplitude.

The first elastic portion 31 is formed of a damper material such as urethane. The first elastic portion 31 is provided between the first portion 21 and the housing 11. The first elastic portion 31 elastically deforms according to the displacement of the first portion 21 accompanying the rotation of the operating member 20. Specifically, when the operating member 20 rotates in the direction in which the first portion 21 is displaced downward (see arrow R1), the first elastic portion 31 is elastically deformed between the first portion 21 and the housing 11. ..

The characteristic of the first elastic portion 31 is preferably adjusted so that the first portion 21 is displaced by 1 mm or less when the operating region 200 is pressed by the user and when the pressing pressure is 4N. In this case, the commercial value can be improved by minimizing the amount of deformation (stroke) during pressurization.

The second elastic portion 32 is formed of a damper material such as urethane. The second elastic portion 32 is provided between the second portion 22 and the housing 11. The second elastic portion 32 elastically deforms according to the displacement of the second portion 22 accompanying the rotation of the operating member 20. Specifically, when the operating member 20 rotates in the direction in which the second portion 22 is displaced downward (see arrow R2), the second elastic portion 32 is elastically deformed between the second portion 22 and the housing 11. ..

Although the first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 are separated from each other in the X direction, they may be adjacent to each other. Further, the first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 may have a waterproof function. For example, the first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 may also have a function of preventing foreign matter such as water from entering the housing 11.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane passing through the center of the input device 10.

The input device 10 further includes a substrate 40, an IC (integrated circuit) 42 for a vibration device (an example of a control unit), a vibration device 50 (an example of a vibration imparting unit), an actuator 60, and a pressure sensitive sensor 62 (addition). An example of a pressure detection unit) and.

The substrate 40 is, for example, a printed circuit board. An IC 42 for a vibration device and a pressure sensor 62 are mounted on the substrate 40.

The vibration device IC 42 controls the vibration device 50. Specifically, the vibration device IC 42 generates vibration in the vibration device 50 based on the detection result by the pressure sensor 62. For example, the vibration device IC 42 causes the vibration device 50 to vibrate when the pressure sensor 62 detects a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (for example, a pressure corresponding to a pressing pressure of 4N by the user).

The vibration device 50 applies vertical vibration to the operation area 200. For example, the vibration device 50 applies vibration equivalent to an acceleration of 3-4G. The vibration device 50 is provided on the back side (lower side) of the operation area 200 in the operation member 20 so that the vibration can be directly transmitted to the operation area 200. In this embodiment, as an example, the vibration device 50 is provided in a region surrounded by the first elastic portion 31 having a U-shape when viewed from above.

The vibrating device 50 may be, for example, a vibrating device driven by an electromagnet. For example, the vibration device 50 vibrates a vibrator (not shown) supported by a spring (not shown) by a magnetic force (generated by energization). The vertical vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the operation area 200, so that the vertical vibration is applied to the operation area 200. The vibrating device 50 is electrically connected to the vibrating device IC 42 via a circuit (not shown) on the substrate 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the actuator 60 abuts on the back side (lower side) of the operating member 20, and the lower end abuts on the upper surface of the pressure sensitive sensor 62. The actuator 60 has a function of transmitting the pressure applied to the operating member 20 to the pressure sensor 62. Further, the pressure sensitive sensor 62 may be directly applied with pressure by providing the operating member 20 with a convex shape without using the actuator 60.

The pressure sensor 62 detects the pressure applied to the operating member 20 via the actuator 60. The pressure sensitive sensor 62 is electrically connected to the vibration device IC 42 via a circuit (not shown) on the substrate 40. When the vibration device IC 42 generates vibration, a function corresponding to the operation (pressurization) in the operation area 200 is realized. This function is optional, but may be related to, for example, an in-vehicle navigation device, an audio device, an air conditioner, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, as an example, the first elastic portion 31 has a U-shaped shape when viewed from above, and has an L-shaped cross section on the XZ plane. On the lower side, the upper end surface of the housing 11 is contacted and the side surface of the housing 11 is contacted. Similarly, the second elastic portion 32 has a U-shaped shape when viewed from above, has an L-shaped cross section on the XZ plane, and abuts on the upper end surface of the housing 11 on the lower side. It abuts on the side surface of the housing 11. The first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 may be connected in a manner of being fitted to the upper part of the housing 11 in order to improve waterproofness, for example. The first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 abut on the operating member 20 in the vertical direction on the upper side.

By the way, since the product exterior of the input device provided on the steering wheel generally forms an integrated box shape, the overall structural strength is high and there is little change with respect to vibration, which is sufficient. The vibration cannot be transmitted to the pressurization / response part. Further, when the vibrating device is vibrated in a horizontal plane, the entire product is likely to vibrate, and it is difficult to vibrate only in a specific range such as an operation area.

Therefore, in order to obtain acceleration (vibration) that satisfies the specifications with a limited size, the vibration amplitude of the vibrating device installed inside is transmitted to the operation area only while maintaining the structure of the product case. Is useful.

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, as will be described below with reference to FIG. 5, the amplitude of the vibrating device 50 mounted inside while maintaining the structure of the product case (that is, the structure of the housing 11). Can be transmitted only to the operation area to the maximum extent.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 showing a state at the time of pressurization. FIG. 5 schematically shows a picture of a user's finger.

As described above, for example, when the pressing force F1 by the user is 4N or more, the vibration device 50 vibrates. The vibration of the vibration device 50 is directly transmitted to the operation region 200. At this time, if the second portion 22 has a structure that easily vibrates, the vibration from the vibration device 50 is easily transmitted to the second portion 22 and diffused.

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the second elastic portion 32 is provided between the second portion 22 and the housing 11, the vibration from the vibrating device 50 is also transmitted and diffused to the second portion 22. Can be suppressed. That is, the structure in which the second portion 22 is unlikely to vibrate can be formed. As a result, only the operation region 200 in the operation member 20 is more likely to vibrate than in the case where the second elastic portion 32 is not provided. That is, according to this embodiment, the region in which the vibration from the vibration device 50 is transmitted can be localized to the region centered on the operation region 200.

Here, the second elastic portion 32 is preferably harder than the first elastic portion 31. That is, the first elastic portion 31 preferably has a lower elastic modulus than the second elastic portion 32. In this case, the second part 22 is less likely to vibrate, and the first part 21 is more likely to vibrate. As a result, only the operation region 200 in the operation member 20 can be easily vibrated as compared with the case where the first elastic portion 31 has a elastic modulus lower than that of the second elastic portion 32.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the operation member 20 is rotatably supported by the rotation support portion 110 and the elasticity of the first elastic portion 31 is relatively low, the operation region 200 is affected by the vibration of the vibration device 50. The vibration amplitude can be increased efficiently.

Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 exclude the side in the Y direction on the rotation axis side of the four sides of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, respectively. It is provided along the sides, but is not limited to this. The first elastic portion 31 and the second elastic portion 32 may be provided over the entire circumference of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, respectively, or may be provided only in a part of the other range.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure sensitive sensor 62 detects the pressurization and the vibrating device 50 generates vibration, but the optical sensor detects the displacement of the operating member 20 due to the pressurization and causes the vibrating device 50. Vibration may be generated. Alternatively, the electrostatic sensor may detect the contact of the user's hand with the operation area 200 to generate vibration by the vibration device 50.

1 Steering wheel 2 Handle part 3 Spoke part 10 Input device 11 Housing 20 Operating member 21 First part 22 Second part 31 First elastic part 32 Second elastic part 40 Board 50 Vibration device 60 Actuator 62 Pressure sensor 70 Protrusion 110 Rotation support 111 Through hole 200 Operating area

Claims (5)

Support members and
An operation member that is rotatably supported by the support member, has a first portion and a second portion with a rotation shaft interposed therebetween, and has an operation region in which the first portion is pressurized by a user.
A first elastic portion provided between the first portion and the support member and elastically deformed according to the displacement of the first portion due to rotation of the operating member.
A second elastic portion provided between the second portion and the support member and elastically deformed according to the displacement of the second portion due to the rotation of the operating member.
An input device including a vibration applying unit that applies vibration to the operating region. A pressure detection unit provided for the operation region and detecting pressure on the operation member,
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that generates the vibration in the vibration applying unit based on the detection result of the pressure detecting unit. The first part has a length from the rotation axis longer than that of the second part, and the operation area is located on the side of the first part far from the rotation axis, according to claim 1 or 2. Input device. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first elastic portion has a lower elastic modulus than the second elastic portion. The input device is provided on the spoke portion of the steering wheel having the handle portion and the spoke portion.
Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second portion is located on the side farther from the handle portion than the first portion, and the operation area is located on the side closer to the handle portion. The input device described in.

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