WO2022202900A1

WO2022202900A1 - User interface device, and load receiving member

Info

Publication number: WO2022202900A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/013522
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陽平橋本; 将大和才
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: JP2022150597A

Abstract

A load receiving member (13) links a support member (11) and an operated member (12). The load receiving member (13) is provided with a first end portion (131) joined to the support member, and a second end portion joined to the operated member (12). A first intermediate portion (133), a third intermediate portion (135), and a fifth intermediate portion (137) each extend in a vertical direction between the first end portion (131) and the second end portion (132). A second intermediate portion (134) and a fourth intermediate portion (136) each extend in a left-right direction between the first end portion (131) and the second end portion (132). The second intermediate portion (134) and the fourth intermediate portion (136) flex and deform, and are displaced in the vertical direction, by means of a load in the vertical direction. The first intermediate portion (133), the third intermediate portion (135) and the fifth intermediate portion (137) flex and deform, and are displaced in the left-right direction, by means of a load in the left-right direction.

Description

USER INTERFACE DEVICE AND LOAD RECEIVING MEMBER

The present disclosure relates to a user interface device having an operated member that is pressed. The present disclosure also relates to a load bearing member for supporting the operated member.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-064725 discloses a user interface device having an operated member that receives a pressing operation by a user. The operated member is supported by a plurality of load receiving members. Each load receiving member has an intermediate portion that is flexibly deformable in the direction of the pressing operation due to the load associated with the pressing operation. This allows displacement of the operated member in the pressing operation direction.

There is a demand for improving the convenience of user interface devices while suppressing their size.

One aspect that may be provided by the present disclosure is a user interface device comprising:
a support member;
an operated member that receives an operation by a user;
a plurality of load receiving members connecting the supporting member and the operated member;
and
each of the plurality of load receiving members,
a first end coupled to the support member;
a second end coupled to the operated member;
a plurality of first flexible portions extending along a first direction between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of second flexible portions extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between the first end and the second end;
and
Each of the plurality of second flexible portions is flexurally deformed by the load along the first direction and displaced in the first direction, and each of the plurality of first flexible portions is deformed by the load along the second direction. It is configured to be flexurally deformed to be displaced in the second direction.

One aspect that can be provided by the present disclosure is a load receiving member used for connecting an operated member that receives an operation by a user and a supporting member in a user interface device,
a first end coupled to the support member;
a second end coupled to the operated member;
a plurality of first flexible portions extending along a first direction between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of second flexible portions extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between the first end and the second end;
and
each of the plurality of first flexible portions is configured to allow each of the plurality of second flexible portions to be displaced in the first direction by bending deformation;
Each of the plurality of second flexible portions is configured to allow each of the plurality of first flexible portions to be displaced in the second direction by bending deformation.

According to the configuration according to each of the above aspects, each load receiving member alone allows displacement of the operated member in two intersecting directions. It is possible to suppress an increase in size while enhancing convenience.

1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a user interface device according to an embodiment; 2 illustrates a configuration of the user interface device of FIG. 1 viewed from above. 2 illustrates the appearance of the load receiving member of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the load receiving member of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the load receiving member of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the load receiving member of FIG. 3; 4 shows another example of the arrangement of the load receiving members of FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the load receiving member of FIG. 7; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the user interface device of FIG. 1; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the user interface device of FIG. 1;

Examples of embodiments will be 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.

The expressions "upper and lower" and "left and right" in the following description are used only for convenience of explanation, and are not intended to limit the posture of the illustrated configuration during actual use.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a user interface device 10 according to one embodiment includes a support member 11 and an operated member 12. As shown in FIG. The support member 11 is made immovable by being fixed to a member (not shown). The operated member 12 has an operated surface 121 that receives an operation by the finger F of the user.

The user interface device 10 includes a plurality of load receiving members 13. A plurality of load receiving members 13 connect the supporting member 11 and the operated member 12 . In this example, four load receiving members 13 are arranged at the four corners of the operated member 12, as illustrated in FIG.

The plurality of load receiving members 13 allow vertical and horizontal displacement of the operated member 12 . The vertical direction is an example of the first direction. The horizontal direction is an example of the second direction. That is, the operated member 12 is allowed to be displaced in two intersecting directions.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each load receiving member 13 includes a first end portion 131, a second end portion 132, a first intermediate portion 133, a second intermediate portion 134, and a third intermediate portion 135. , a fourth intermediate portion 136 and a fifth intermediate portion 137 . First intermediate section 133 , second intermediate section 134 , third intermediate section 135 , fourth intermediate section 136 , and fifth intermediate section 137 are positioned between first end 131 and second end 132 . .

The first end 131 is configured to be coupled to the support member 11 . The second end portion 132 is configured to be coupled to the operated member 12 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first end 131 may be fastened to a portion of the support member 11 by bolts and nuts. Similarly, the second end 132 can be fastened to a portion of the operated member 12 with a bolt and nut.

The first intermediate portion 133 is formed so as to be continuous with the first end portion 131 and extends along the vertical direction. The first intermediate portion 133 has flexibility.

The second intermediate portion 134 is formed so as to be continuous with the first intermediate portion 133 and extends along the left-right direction. The second intermediate portion 134 has flexibility.

The third intermediate portion 135 is formed so as to be continuous with the second intermediate portion 134 and extends along the vertical direction. The third intermediate portion 135 has flexibility.

The fourth intermediate portion 136 is formed so as to be continuous with the third intermediate portion 135 and extends along the left-right direction. The fourth intermediate portion 136 has flexibility.

The fifth intermediate portion 137 is formed so as to be continuous with the fourth intermediate portion 136 and the second end portion 132, and extends along the vertical direction. The fifth intermediate portion 137 has flexibility.

The expression "extending along the vertical direction" used in this specification means that it does not have to strictly extend in the vertical direction as long as it extends in a direction closer to the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. Similarly, the expression "extends along the left-right direction" used in this specification means that it may not strictly extend in the left-right direction as long as it extends in a direction closer to the left-right direction than the up-down direction. do.

FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a downward load is applied to the operated member 12 . Due to the load, the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 of each load receiving member 13 are flexurally deformed and displaced downward. At this time, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 do not undergo substantial bending deformation. This allows the downward displacement of the operated member 12 . When the load is released, the bending deformation of the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 is eliminated. As a result, the operated member 12 is displaced upward and returns to its original state.

FIG. 6 illustrates a case where a rightward load is applied to the operated member 12 . Due to the load, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 of each load receiving member 13 are flexurally deformed and displaced to the right. At this time, substantial bending deformation does not occur in the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 . This allows the operated member 12 to be displaced to the right. When the load is released, the bending deformation of the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 is eliminated. As a result, the operated member 12 is displaced leftward and returns to its original state.

Although not shown, when a leftward load is applied to the operated member 12, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 of each load receiving member 13 are flexurally deformed. and move to the left. As a result, leftward displacement of the operated member 12 is allowed.

That is, in this example, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 are examples of the plurality of first flexible portions. The second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 are examples of a plurality of second flexible portions.

The user interface device 10 can be configured as a switch, for example. When the amount of downward displacement of the operated member 12 due to the user's pressing operation reaches a predetermined value, a signal is output to cause the controlled device to perform a function associated with the pressing operation. Downward displacement reaching a predetermined value can be detected through known techniques such as mechanical contacts, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, and the like.

Further, since the operated member 12 is allowed to be displaced in the left-right direction, the operation of displacing the operated member 12 in the left-right direction can be associated with a function different from the pressing operation. For example, when the amount of lateral displacement of the operated member 12 reaches a predetermined value due to a user's slide operation, a signal is output to cause the controlled device to execute another function associated with the slide operation. sell. Left-right displacement reaching a predetermined value can be detected through known techniques such as mechanical contacts, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, and the like.

According to the above-described configuration, each load receiving member 13 alone allows displacement of the operated member 12 in two intersecting directions. While improving the convenience of 10, it is possible to suppress the enlargement.

The posture of each load receiving member 13 connecting the supporting member 11 and the operated member 12 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. Depending on the specifications of the supporting member 11 and the operated member 12 that are coupled together, the posture as illustrated in FIG. 7 can also be taken.

In this example, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 extend along the horizontal direction, and the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 extend along the vertical direction. A load receiving member 13 is arranged in the .

Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when a downward load is applied to the operated member 12, the first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 are flexurally deformed to move downward. and allows the downward displacement of the operated member 12 . On the other hand, when a leftward load is applied to the operated member 12, the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 are flexurally deformed and displaced leftward, thereby displacing the operated member 12 to the left. allow.

That is, in this example, the second intermediate portion 134 and the fourth intermediate portion 136 are examples of a plurality of first flexible portions. The first intermediate portion 133, the third intermediate portion 135, and the fifth intermediate portion 137 are examples of the plurality of second flexible portions.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the configuration of the user interface device 10. FIG. In this example, the user interface device 10 comprises a first detector 14 , a vibration source 15 and a controller 16 .

The first detection unit 14 is configured to detect downward displacement of the operated member 12 and output a first detection signal DS1. The displacement can be detected using well-known techniques such as mechanical contacts, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, and the like.

The vibration source 15 is configured to apply vibration to the operated member 12 at least in the lateral direction. The vibration source 15 can be implemented by a solenoid, piezoelectric element, voice coil, eccentric motor, or the like. If desired, a member may be provided to transmit the vibration generated by the vibration source 15 to the operated member 12 .

The control unit 16 is configured to output a control signal CS that causes the vibration source 15 to vibrate when the first detection signal DS1 output from the first detection unit 14 is received. The control unit 16 can be realized by an element such as a microcontroller having a processor that executes the processing.

According to the configuration according to this example, when the user presses down the operated member 12 with the finger F, the operated member 12 vibrates in the horizontal direction due to the vibration generated by the vibration source 15, giving the user a tactile sensation. can provide feedback. Since each load receiving member 13 allows the displacement of the operated member 12 in two intersecting directions for realizing such high functionality, the convenience of the user interface device 10 is improved and the size of the user interface device 10 is increased. can suppress erosion.

In addition to or instead of the first detector 14, the user interface device 10 may comprise a second detector 17, as illustrated in FIG. The second detection unit 17 is configured to detect contact of the user's finger F with the operated surface 121 of the operated member 12 .

For example, the second detection unit 17 can be configured as a device that electrostatically detects that the finger F approaches the operated surface 121 . In this case, the second detection section 17 has a plurality of electrodes and a charging/discharging circuit. The plurality of electrodes are arranged so as to face the operated surface 121 . Each of the multiple electrodes is associated with a specific position on the operated surface 121 . The charging/discharging circuit can perform charging and discharging operations. The charging/discharging circuit during the charging operation supplies each electrode with a current supplied from a power source (not shown). The charge/discharge circuit during the discharge operation releases current from each electrode.

An electric field is generated around the operated surface 121 by the current supplied to each electrode. When a finger F approaches this electric field, a pseudo-capacitor is formed with a specific electrode. This increases the capacitance between the specific electrode and the operated surface 121 . As the capacitance increases, the current emitted from that particular electrode increases during a discharge operation. By monitoring the amount of increase in this current, it is possible to detect that the finger F touches the operated surface 121 .

That is, the second detection unit 17 can detect which part of the operated surface 121 the finger F has touched by specifying the electrode in which the prescribed change in capacitance has occurred. The second detection unit 17 outputs a second detection signal DS2 indicating which part of the operated surface 121 the finger F touches. A finger F is an example of an object to be detected.

If contact with the operated surface 121 can be detected when operating the operated member 12, a part of the user's body other than the finger F and a tool used for operation are also examples of objects to be detected. sell.

In this case, the control unit 16 is configured to output a control signal CS that causes the vibration source 15 to vibrate when the second detection signal DS2 output from the second detection unit 17 is received. Different vibrations may be generated in the vibration source 15 according to the second detection signal DS2, which may differ according to the position of the finger F.

According to the configuration according to this example, when the user touches the operated member 12 with the finger F, the operated member 12 vibrates in the horizontal direction due to the vibration generated by the vibration source 15, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user. can. Since each load receiving member 13 allows the displacement of the operated member 12 in two intersecting directions for realizing such high functionality, the convenience of the user interface device 10 is improved and the size of the user interface device 10 is increased. can suppress erosion.

The detection of contact of the finger F with the operated surface 121 by the second detection unit 17 may be realized by a pressure sensor or an optical sensor.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operated member 12 can include a display section 122 that displays an image. Although not shown, the operated member 12 exemplified in FIG. 1 can also include a display section 122 .

According to such a configuration, by changing the image displayed on the display unit 122, the same operated member 12 can be given a plurality of different functions, or the operated surface 121 can function as a detection surface of the touch panel. can do.

Each of the above embodiments is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. The configuration according to each of the embodiments described above can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, four load receiving members 13 are arranged to support the four corners of the operated member 12, as illustrated in FIG. However, as long as the displacement of the operated member 12 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be permitted, the number and position of the plurality of load receiving members 13 can be appropriately determined according to the specifications such as the size and weight of the operated member 12. can be determined.

A plurality of vertically extending flexible portions between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 of each load receiving member 13 can be arranged if the displacement of the operated member 12 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be permitted. The number and the number of the plurality of flexible portions extending in the left-right direction can be determined as appropriate.

The contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-053267 filed on March 26, 2021 are incorporated as part of the present disclosure.

Claims

a support member;
an operated member that receives an operation by a user;
a plurality of load receiving members connecting the supporting member and the operated member;
and
each of the plurality of load receiving members,
a first end coupled to the support member;
a second end coupled to the operated member;
a plurality of first flexible portions extending along a first direction between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of second flexible portions extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between the first end and the second end;
and
Each of the plurality of second flexible portions is flexurally deformed by the load along the first direction and displaced in the first direction, and each of the plurality of first flexible portions is deformed by the load along the second direction. configured to be flexurally deformed and displaced in the second direction,
User interface device.
a first detection unit that detects displacement of the operated member in the first direction;
a vibration source that applies vibration to the operated member in the second direction;
a control unit that applies the vibration to the vibration source when the displacement of the operated member is detected by the first detection unit;
is equipped with
A user interface device according to claim 1.
a second detection unit that detects contact of an object to be detected with the operated member;
a vibration source that applies vibration to the operated member in the second direction;
a control unit that applies the vibration to the vibration source when the second detection unit detects the contact of the object to be detected;
is equipped with
A user interface device according to claim 1 or 2.
The operated member includes a display unit that displays an image,
A user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A load receiving member used for connecting an operated member that receives an operation by a user and a supporting member in a user interface device,
a first end coupled to the support member;
a second end coupled to the operated member;
a plurality of first flexible portions extending along a first direction between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of second flexible portions extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between the first end and the second end;
and
each of the plurality of first flexible portions is configured to allow each of the plurality of second flexible portions to be displaced in the first direction by bending deformation;
each of the plurality of second flexible portions is configured to allow displacement of each of the plurality of first flexible portions in the second direction by bending deformation;
load bearing member.