JP7318905B2 - direction indicator - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law Published on pages 338 and 339 of the 65th Spring Research Presentation Meeting of the Japan Institute of Design published on June 21, 2018 On August 30 and 31, 2018, Announced at Innovation Japan 2018 On February 14, 2019, announced at the “Completion Examination Presentation” hosted by Future University Hakodate

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a direction indicator that indicates a direction by tactile sensation.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as handrails used in buildings, underground passages, etc., handrails have been known that allow confirmation of the evacuation direction during evacuation by tactile sense without using sight. Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a tactile guide member is provided on the lower surface of a handrail. The haptic guide member has a plurality of continuous haptic guide blocks. The haptic guide block has an inclined surface and a raised surface. The inclined surface gives a smooth feeling when moving in the evacuation direction while touching the tactile guide member. On the other hand, the rising surface can make the user feel stuck when moving in the direction opposite to the evacuation direction, and guide the user in the evacuation direction.

JP 2014-173264 A

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to make it easier to understand the difference in tactile sensation between traveling in the evacuation direction and traveling in the opposite direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a direction indicator in which the difference in tactile sensation between the forward direction and the reverse direction is easier to understand.

In order to solve the above problems, a direction indicator according to one aspect of the present invention is arranged side by side in one direction on a base material and on the base material, and is arranged on the one direction side with respect to the normal direction of the base material. and a plurality of inclined plate-like members or a plurality of linear members.

Another aspect of the invention is also a turn indicator. The direction indicators are arranged side by side in one direction on the base material, and are arranged between a first position that is raised with respect to the base material and a second position that is tilted in the one direction. It comprises a plurality of swingable plate-shaped members, and a biasing member that biases each plate-shaped member from the second position toward the first position.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is also a directional indicator. This direction indicator includes a base material, a first inclined portion arranged in one direction on the base material and having a higher height from the base material in the one direction, and and a plurality of slanted members each having a second slanted portion with a reduced height from the base. The coefficient of friction of the surface of the second inclined portion is greater than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the first inclined portion.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is also a directional indicator. The direction indicator includes a substrate and a plurality of substrates that are arranged side by side in one direction on the substrate, are rotatable in a rotation direction corresponding to the one direction, and are not rotatable in a direction opposite to the rotation direction. and a rotating member.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a direction indicator that makes it easier to understand the difference in tactile sensation between the forward direction and the reverse direction.

1 is a perspective view of a direction indicator according to an embodiment; FIG. 2(a) is a top view of part of the direction indicator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of FIG. 2(a). It is a perspective view which shows another structural example of a direction indicator. 4 is a cross-sectional view along one direction of the direction indicator of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator; FIG. 6 is a perspective view enlarging a part of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along one direction near the plate-like member of the direction indicator of FIG. 5 ; FIG. 8(a) is a plan view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of FIG. 8(a). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator; 10(a) is a top view of part of the turn indicator of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view of the turn indicator of FIG. 10(a). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator; 12(a) is a top view of part of the direction indicator of FIG. 11, and FIG. 12(b) is a side view of the direction indicator of FIG. 12(a). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the turn indicator of Figure 13 with one rotating member removed; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along one direction of a portion of the turn indicator of Figure 13;

In the following, the dimensions of members in each drawing are shown enlarged or reduced as appropriate for easy understanding. Also, in each drawing, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a direction indicator 100 according to an embodiment. 2(a) is a top view of part of the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of FIG. 2(a).

The direction indicator 100 is attached continuously along an evacuation route, for example, to a side wall, handrail, or the like inside a building or tunnel. The user can tactilely recognize the evacuation direction by touching and sliding the surface of the direction indicator 100 with a finger or palm. Therefore, even if there is little visibility due to smoke generated by a fire or collapse accident, it is easy to evacuate in the right direction.

The direction indicator 100 includes a base material 10 and a plurality of plate-like members 12 . The base material 10 and the plurality of plate members 12 have elasticity. The substrate 10 and the plurality of plate-like members 12 may be integrally formed of a resin material such as silicone resin, rubber, or the like, or may be formed of the same or different materials and then joined together.

Base material 10 has, for example, a sheet shape. The plurality of plate members 12 are arranged side by side in one direction d1 (hereinafter also referred to as forward direction) on the substrate 10, and are inclined in one direction d1 with respect to the normal direction nd of the surface of the substrate 10. ing. The plate-like member 12 is elongated in a direction d2 perpendicular to the one direction d1 within the plane of the substrate 10 . In a plan view of the plate-like member 12, the edge on the side away from the substrate 10, that is, the edge of the tip portion 12a is chamfered. In other words, the plate-like member 12 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners in a plan view. The shape of the plate-like member 12 is not particularly limited, and may be a part of a circle, a part of an ellipse, or the like in plan view. The thickness of the plate-like member 12 can be appropriately determined according to experiments and the like so as to obtain desired elasticity, and the thickness may decrease as the distance from the substrate 10 increases, or may be uniform. A notch may be formed in the plate member 12 along one direction d1 so as to obtain desired elasticity.

With this configuration, the resistance to tracing the surface of the direction indicator 100 in one direction d1 is smaller than the resistance to tracing in the direction opposite to the one direction d1 (hereinafter also referred to as the opposite direction). When the user moves the hand in one direction d1, the user can move it smoothly while getting over the plate member 12 . Since the plate-like member 12 has elasticity, the plate-like member 12 is pushed by the finger at this time and bends. Flick your finger to return to the shape of Therefore, the finger can move smoothly without feeling any resistance in one direction d1. In addition, since rhythmic tactile stimulation can be obtained, comfort can also be felt.

On the other hand, when the user moves his or her hand in the opposite direction, the user's finger is caught on the tip 12a of the plate-like member 12, and the finger advances as if turning up the plate-like member 12, so that the user feels a strong resistance and an unpleasant tactile sensation. becomes.

Therefore, the difference in tactile sensation between the forward direction and the reverse direction is easier to understand, and the user can more easily grasp the forward direction and the reverse direction.

Further, since the edge of the tip portion 12a of the plate-like member 12 has no corners, when the finger is moved in the forward or reverse direction, the stimulation felt by the finger touching the edge of the tip portion 12a of the plate-like member 12 is eliminated. can be less. If such an effect is not required, the plate member 12 may be rectangular with corners.

Since the direction indicator 100 does not require a complicated mechanical mechanism such as a motor or actuator for transmitting mechanical vibration to the fingertip to indicate the direction, it can be manufactured at low cost, is less likely to break down, and requires regular maintenance. No need. In addition, since it does not use language and does not require knowledge that the user has learned in advance, it is possible to provide directions regardless of the race or age of the user.

Various other configuration examples of the direction indicator 100 will be described below. Unless otherwise specified, the description will focus on differences from the direction indicator 100 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the direction indicator 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along one direction d1 of a portion of the turn indicator 100 of FIG. A top view of the direction indicator 100 is the same as FIG. 2(a).

In this configuration example, a sheet member made of resin, metal, paper, or the like thinner than the substrate 10 of FIG. A plurality of plate-like members 12 are formed on the base material 10 by raising the base material 10 from the base material 10 . Therefore, the base material 10 has a plurality of openings 10a having substantially the same shape as the plate member 12 . The thickness of the sheet member is appropriately determined according to the material so that the plate member 12 has elasticity. This direction indicator 100 also provides the same effects as the direction indicator 100 of FIG.

When paper is used as the material, the strength may be such that when the finger is caught on the plate-like member 12 when the hand is moved in the opposite direction, the plate-like member 12 is broken. The broken plate-like member 12 allows the user to easily recognize the opposite direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view enlarging a part of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along one direction d1 near the plate member 12 of the direction indicator 100 of FIG.

The plurality of plate-like members 12 are made of, for example, resin or metal, and have hardness, but may have elasticity. Each of the plurality of plate-like members 12 is capable of swinging between a first position raised with respect to the base material 10 and a second position lying down in one direction d1. In FIG. 5, the plurality of plate-like members 12 are at the first position. In FIG. 6, one plate member 12X is at the second position. In FIG. 7, the plate member 12 at the first position is indicated by a solid line, and the plate member 12 at the second position is indicated by a dashed line. The plate member 12 is inclined in one direction d1 with respect to the normal direction nd of the surface of the substrate 10 at the first position. The plate-like member 12 is substantially parallel to the one direction d1 at the second position and fits into the opening 10a of the base material 10 .

A plurality of plate-like members 12 are attached to the base material 10 by biasing members 16, respectively. The biasing member 16 is, for example, a spring hinge, has a swing shaft 16a extending in the direction d2, and biases the plate member 12 from the second position toward the first position. The plate-like member 12 is swingable around a swing shaft 16a.

The plate member 12 is provided with a stopper 14 that abuts against the base material 10 at the first position. When the stopper 14 abuts against the base material 10, the plate-like member 12 biased by the biasing member 16 is positioned at the first position when no force is applied by a finger or the like.

When the user moves his/her hand in one direction d1, the plate-like member 12 at the first position is pushed by the finger and falls almost parallel to the one direction d1. The plate member 12 that has fallen to the second position fits into the opening 10a. Therefore, the user can move the finger more smoothly along the surface of the base material 10 without changing the position of the finger up and down.

At this time, when the finger passes the plate-like member 12, the plate-like member 12 biased by the biasing member 16 returns to the original first position, thereby flicking the finger. As a result, rhythmic tactile stimulation can be obtained, and comfort can be felt.

When the user moves his/her hand in the opposite direction, the finger touches the tip 12a of the plate-like member 12 as it advances, so the finger feels strong resistance and the tactile sensation is unpleasant.

If the plate-like member 12 has hardness and the height of the plate-like member 12 from the base material 10 is higher than the finger, the finger may get stuck between the base material 10 and the plate-like member 12 when moving the finger in the opposite direction. It is easy to understand the difference between the forward and reverse tactile sensations because the fingers cannot be moved.

Note that the plurality of plate-like members 12 may be substantially perpendicular to the substrate 10 at the first position. Further, the plate-like member 12 may be attached to the sheet-like base material 10 by the biasing member 16 without providing the opening 10 a in the base material 10 . In this case, the plate member 12 is substantially parallel to the base material 10 at the second position and overlaps the base material 10 . In these examples, the flexibility of the configuration of the direction indicator 100 can be improved.

FIG. 8(a) is a plan view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator 100, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of FIG. 8(a). The direction indicator 100 includes a plurality of linear members 20 in place of the plate member 12 of FIG. A plurality of linear members 20 are arranged side by side in one direction d1 and direction d2. Although the plurality of linear members 20 are arranged regularly in FIG. 8, they may be arranged irregularly or arranged side by side only in one direction d1.

The plurality of linear members 20 are inclined in one direction d1 with respect to the normal direction nd of the surface of the substrate 10 . The plurality of linear members 20 are made of a resin material such as silicone resin or an elastic material such as rubber. The cross-sectional shape of the linear member 20 can be appropriately determined according to experiments and the like so as to obtain desired elasticity, and may be substantially circular or substantially rectangular. The thickness of the linear member 20 can be appropriately determined according to an experiment or the like so as to obtain desired elasticity, and may be thinner as the distance from the substrate 10 increases, or may be uniform. The linear member 20 may be made of animal hair as long as it has enough elasticity to show forward and reverse directions.

Even with this configuration, the same effect as the configuration of FIG. 1 can be obtained. Moreover, the degree of freedom in the configuration of the direction indicator 100 can be improved.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator 100. As shown in FIG. 10(a) is a top view of part of the turn indicator 100 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view of the turn indicator 100 of FIG. 10(a).

In this configuration example, the direction indicator 100 includes a plurality of inclined members 30 instead of the plate-like member 12 of FIG. The plurality of inclined members 30 are made of, for example, a hard material such as resin or metal, and arranged side by side on the base material 10 in one direction d1. The inclined member 30 has a first inclined portion 32 whose height from the substrate 10 increases in the direction d1, and a second inclined portion 34 whose height from the substrate 10 decreases in the direction d1. , and a first parallel portion 36 between the first angled portion 32 and the second angled portion 34 .

The surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32 is a flat inclined surface. A surface 32 a of the first inclined portion 32 is continuous with an upper surface 36 a of the first parallel portion 36 . The upper surface 36 a of the first parallel portion 36 is substantially parallel to the surface of the base material 10 . A plurality of gaps 38 extending in one direction d1 and aligned in the direction d2 are formed in the surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32 and the upper surface 36a of the first parallel portion 36. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, voids 38 extend to the surface of substrate 10, but need not. The first slanted portion 32 is composed of four identically shaped third slanted portions 40 separated by gaps 38 . The first parallel portion 36 is composed of four identically shaped second parallel portions 42 separated by air gaps 38 .

A plurality of gaps 44 extending in the direction d2 and aligned in the direction d1 are formed in the second inclined portion 34 . In the illustrated example, voids 44 extend to the surface of substrate 10, but need not. The second ramp 34 consists of three steps 46 separated by air gaps 44 . The stepped portions 46 have different heights from the base material 10 . As a result, the height of the second inclined portion 34 decreases stepwise toward the one direction d1. It can be said that the surface 34a of the second inclined portion 34 has unevenness. The second inclined portion 34 may be configured stepwise without forming the gap 44 .

With this configuration, the coefficient of friction of the surface 34 a of the second sloped portion 34 is greater than the coefficient of friction of the surface 32 a of the first sloped portion 32 . Therefore, when moving the hand in the opposite direction, the finger moves while bumping against the surface 34a of the second inclined portion 34, which has a relatively large coefficient of friction, so the resistance is relatively strong.

When the hand is moved in one direction d1, the finger climbs on the surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32, which has a relatively small coefficient of friction, so the sense of resistance is relatively weak. When the hand is moved relatively quickly in one direction d1, it is difficult for the finger to touch the second inclined portion 34 due to the momentum of the finger climbing the surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32, so that the sense of resistance is reduced as a whole.

When the hand is moved relatively slowly in one direction d1, the finger touches the second inclined portion 34 after climbing the first inclined portion 32, but the second inclined portion 34 gradually lowers in the one direction d1. Since the contact pressure of the finger on the second inclined portion 34 tends to be low, the feeling of resistance when touching the second inclined portion 34 is weaker than in the case of the opposite direction. In addition, by slightly touching the second inclined portion 34 after the finger climbs the first inclined portion 32, the position of the finger is less likely to fall suddenly than when the second inclined portion 34 is not present. Therefore, the tactile sensation is less likely to deteriorate, and the user is less likely to feel discomfort.

In addition, compared to the case where there is no gap, the gap 38 of the first inclined portion 32 reduces the friction on the first inclined portion 32 when the hand is moved in one direction d1, so that the tactile sensation in the forward direction and the reverse direction is improved. Differences tend to be clearer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator 100. As shown in FIG. 12(a) is a top view of part of the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 12(b) is a side view of the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 12(a). In the following, differences from the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 9 will be mainly described.

An uneven portion 50 is provided on the surface 34 a of the second inclined portion 34 . The material of the uneven portion 50 is different from the material of the first inclined portion 32 . The first inclined portion 32 is made of a hard material such as resin or metal, and the uneven portion 50 is made of rubber or the like having a greater coefficient of friction than the material of the first inclined portion 32 . That is, the material of the surface 34 a of the second inclined portion 34 is different from the material of the surface 32 a of the first inclined portion 32 . The inclination angle of the surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32 is substantially equal to the inclination angle of the surface 34a of the second inclined portion 34 when viewed macroscopically.

In this configuration example, the friction coefficient of the surface 34a of the second inclined portion 34 becomes greater than the friction coefficient of the surface 32a of the first inclined portion 32 due to the uneven portion 50. The difference in coefficient of friction on the surface of the second inclined portion 34 can be made larger. Therefore, the difference between the tactile sensations in the forward direction and the reverse direction tends to become clearer.

The material of the uneven portion 50 may be the same as the material of the first inclined portion 32 . The surface 34a of the second inclined portion 34 may not be provided with the uneven portion 50, and only the materials of the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 34 may be different. As in the configuration example of FIG. 9, a gap extending in one direction d1 may be formed in the first inclined portion 32 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the direction indicator 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 13 with one rotating member 60 removed. 15 is a cross-sectional view of part of the direction indicator 100 of FIG. 13 along one direction d1.

The direction indicator 100 includes a base material 10 , a plurality of rotating members 60 and a plurality of click portions 62 . The base material 10 has a plurality of recesses 64 arranged in one direction d1. The recess 64 is elongated in the direction d2. A hole 66 is provided in the recess 64 .

A plurality of rotating members 60 are arranged side by side on the substrate 10 in one direction d1. The lower portion of the rotating member 60 is accommodated in the recesses 64 in one-to-one correspondence. The rotating member 60 has a columnar shape extending in the direction d2, that is, the rotating shaft direction, and has a substantially cross-shaped cross section perpendicular to the rotating shaft direction, and has a plurality of corners 60a. The rotary member 60 may have a prismatic shape such as a square prism, or may have a cylindrical shape. It is preferable that the coefficient of friction of the surface of the rotating member 60 is such that a finger or palm tracing the surface of the rotating member 60 does not slip.

The rotating member 60 is supported on the substrate 10 by a rotating shaft 68, is rotatable about the rotating shaft 68 in a rotating direction dr1 corresponding to the one direction d1, and is not rotatable in the direction opposite to the rotating direction dr1.

The click portions 62 are leaf springs, for example, and are arranged in the holes 66 of the base material 10 in one-to-one correspondence with the rotating members 60 . The click portion 62 produces a click feeling when the rotating member 60 rotates in the rotation direction dr1. The click portion 62 is biased by the corner portion 60a of the rotating member 60 when the rotating member 60 rotates in the rotation direction dr1. When the rotating member 60 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction dr1, the click portion 62 abuts on the corner portion 60a of the rotating member 60 to prevent rotation. The click part 62 is not limited to this example, and a well-known technique can be used as appropriate.

In this configuration example, when the user moves the hand in one direction d1, the rotation member 60 rotates in the rotation direction dr1 to push out the finger, thereby reducing resistance and allowing the user to move the hand more smoothly. .

Further, when the rotating member 60 rotates in the rotation direction dr1, the corner portion 60a biases the click portion 62, and when the rotating member 60 rotates further, the rotating member 60 stops contacting the click portion 62, and the click portion 62 returns to its original position. Therefore, a click feeling is generated. When the user moves his/her hand in one direction d1, a click feeling is generated rhythmically, so that comfort can be obtained.

When the hand is moved in the opposite direction, since the rotating member 60 does not rotate, a strong resistance is felt and the tactile sensation tends to be uncomfortable. Therefore, the difference in tactile sensation between the forward direction and the reverse direction is easier to understand.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each treatment process, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. be.

For example, although the plate member 12 has elasticity in the direction indicator 100 of FIGS. 1 and 3, it may have hardness. By making the height of the plate-like member 12 higher than the finger, when moving the finger in the opposite direction, the finger easily enters between the plate-like member 12 and the base material 10 as in the configuration example of FIG. The difference in tactile sensation between the direction and the opposite direction is easier to understand.

Alternatively, the direction indicator 100 may be attached to the wall of the room between the vicinity of the doorway and the lighting switch. As a result, even in a dark room, when the user touches the direction indicator 100 and moves his or her hand in the forward direction, the user is guided to the light switch.

Alternatively, the direction indicator 100 may be attached to a railing such as stairs or a station. For example, at a left-hand traffic location, the direction indicator 100 is provided so that the handrail positioned on the left side of the user when driving on the left-hand side is directed forward when driving on the left-hand side. This allows a user such as a visually handicapped person to recognize whether the vehicle is driving on the right side or the left side.

Furthermore, the direction indicator 100 may be attached to the side of the lid of a container such as a PET bottle. Thereby, the opening and closing direction of the lid can be tactilely indicated.

d1... One direction, dr1... Rotational direction, 10... Base material, 12, 12X... Plate-like member, 16... Biasing member, 20... Linear member, 30... Inclined member, 32... First inclined portion, 34... Second 2 inclined parts, 38... Gap, 44... Gap, 60... Rotating member, 62... Click part, 100... Direction indicator.

Claims (4)

a substrate;
A plurality of plate-like members arranged side by side in one direction on the base material and capable of swinging between a first position raised with respect to the base material and a second position lying down in the one direction. a plurality of plate-shaped members inclined in the one direction with respect to the normal direction of the base material at the first position;
a biasing member that biases each plate member from the second position toward the first position;
with
an end portion of the plate-like member is attached to the base material by the biasing member;
the biasing member has a swing axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the one direction within the plane of the base material;
The plate-shaped member is swingable around the swing shaft,
A direction indicator characterized by: 2. The direction indicator according to claim 1, wherein said plate member has elasticity. 3. The direction indicator according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of plate-like members are substantially parallel to said one direction at said second position. 4. The direction indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a plan view of said plate member, an edge on a side away from said base material is chamfered.

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