WO2022230394A1

WO2022230394A1 - Input assisting device

Info

Publication number: WO2022230394A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/010987
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭司野村; 寿治片桐; 晋妻鹿; 眞貴野津; 敏仁 ▲高▼井; 直樹野畑; 仁紀兵藤
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: JP2022169843A

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the degree of freedom of operation. [Solution] Provided is an input assisting device that is added to a steering device. The steering device comprises: a shaft part capable of rotating along a first axis; a support part with one end connected to the shaft part; a grip part that is disposed on another end side of the shaft part, and capable of rotating along a second axis different from the first axis; and an input part disposed on the support part. The input assisting device is mounted to cover at least a portion of the grip part, and to be slidable in at least two directions orthogonal to the second axis.

Description

input aid

The present invention relates to an input assisting device.

In recent years, various input devices that accept input from users have been developed. For example, regarding a steering device for controlling the steering angle of a vehicle, Patent Document 1 below discloses a steering device having a pair of grips instead of an annular steering wheel.

JP 2005-161922 A

However, with the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a situation may arise in which it is difficult to manually perform any operation other than gripping the grip to steer the vehicle.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the degree of freedom of operation.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input assisting device to be added to a steering device, wherein the steering device includes a shaft portion rotatable along a first axis and a a support connected to the shaft; a grip disposed on the other end side of the support and rotatable along a second axis different from the first axis; and an input unit, wherein the input auxiliary device covers at least a part of the grip and is provided slidably in at least two directions orthogonal to the second axis. be done.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of operation.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a steering system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the steering device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated counterclockwise along a first axis A1; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example and an operation example of the input assisting device 20 according to the same embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example and an operation example of the input assisting device 20 according to the same embodiment; FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

In addition, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by attaching different alphabets after the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished like

grips

130a and 130b as necessary. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are used. For example, the

grips

130a and 130b are simply referred to as grips 130 when there is no particular need to distinguish between them.

<1. embodiment>
<<1.1. Configuration Example of Steering Device 10 >>
First, a steering system to which an input assisting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is added will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a steering device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The upper part of FIG. 1 shows a front view of the steering device 10 in the standard state. The lower part of FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of the steering system 10 in the standard state.

Note that the above reference state is a state in which the steering device 10 is not rotated along the first axis A1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the steering device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated counterclockwise along the first axis A1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 10 includes a shaft portion 110, support portions 120 (120a and 120b), and grip portions 130 (130a and 130b).

The user operates the operation target by rotating the steering device 10 clockwise (right) or counterclockwise (left) about the first axis A1 while gripping the grip 130 . An operation target is a target operated by a user.

The first action setting of the operation target is changed based on the amount of rotation of the shaft portion 110 . Here, the amount of rotation is the difference between the rotation angle of shaft portion 110 in the reference state and the rotation angle of shaft portion 110 during operation.

The first action setting may be the setting of the movement direction of the operation target. For example, the amount of change in the moving direction of the operation target is proportional to the amount of rotation of the shaft portion 110 .

As an example, the operation target may be a vehicle. In this case, the first operating setting is the direction of travel of the vehicle (eg, steering angle). When the vehicle is traveling, if the user rotates the steering device 10 clockwise, the vehicle will turn right, and if the user rotates the steering device 10 counterclockwise, the vehicle will turn left.

The steering device 10 is installed in front of the driver's seat (that is, in the traveling direction). In the following description, with reference to the steering device 10, the direction toward the driver's seat may be referred to as the front, and the direction of travel may be referred to as the back.

The shaft portion 110 is rotatably provided along the first axis A1. For example, shaft portion 110 is coupled to a steering shaft. A steering shaft is a member for transmitting the rotation of the steering device 10 to the wheels. The first axis A1 is the rotation axis of the steering shaft.

With the configuration as described above, it is possible to change the traveling direction of the vehicle by transmitting the rotation of the shaft portion 110 to the wheels.

One end of the support portion 120 is connected to the shaft portion 110 . The support portion 120 may be an elongated member. In that case, the support portion 120 is connected to the shaft portion 110 at one end in the longitudinal direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the support part 120 is a cylindrical member, and one end in the height direction is connected to the shaft part 110 . Of course, the shape of the support part 120 is not limited to a cylinder, and may be any shape such as a quadrangular prism.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 1, the support part 120a and the support part 120b are arranged so as to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first axis A1. Further, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 1, the support portion 120a and the support portion 120b may be inclined toward the front.

The grip part 130 is a member that is gripped by the user. The grip portion 130a is gripped by the user's right hand, and the grip portion 130b is gripped by the user's left hand.

For example, in the reference state shown in FIG. 1, the user places the thumb on the grip portion 130 and wraps the grip portion 130 from the back side to the front side via the sides with the other fingers and the palm. , and the grip portion 130 is gripped.

The grip part 130 is arranged on the other end side opposite to the one end connected to the shaft part 110 in the support part 120 .

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 130 is arranged on the side of the end portion not connected to the shaft portion 110 in the height direction of the columnar support portion 120 .

In addition, the grip part 130 according to the present embodiment is rotatably provided along a second axis A2 (second axis A2a or second axis A2b) different from the first axis A1.

For example, the grip portion 130a may be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise along the second axis A2a. Similarly, gripper 130b may be rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise along second axis A2b.

According to the above configuration, when the steering device 10 is rotated along the first axis A1, the grip portion 130 can be rotated in conjunction with the movement of the hand gripping the grip portion 130. Therefore, when rotating the steering device 10 along the first axis A1, it is possible to prevent the user's wrist from being unnaturally twisted, thereby facilitating the operation.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the steering device 10 is rotated counterclockwise along the first axis A1, it is assumed that the

gripping portions

130a and 130b rotate counterclockwise. be done.

At this time, the user holds the grip portion 130a with the thumb of the right hand positioned on the front side of the grip portion 130a, the other fingers positioned on the left side of the grip portion 130a, and the wrist positioned on the right side of the grip portion 130a. It can be held in the right hand.

In addition, the user holds grip portion 130b with the left hand in a state in which the thumb of the left hand is positioned on the back side of grip portion 130b, the other fingers are positioned on the right side of grip portion 130b, and the wrist is positioned on the left side of grip portion 130a. can be grasped by

Thus, the user can rotate the steering device 10 while comfortably gripping the grip portion 130 .

It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 130 may be formed in a spherical shape.

In this case, it becomes easier for the user to grip the grip part 130 and to change the grip. This also facilitates the operation of the input unit 140, which will be described later.

Of course, the shape of the grip part 130 is not limited to a spherical shape, and can take any shape such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or an ellipsoid.

The second axis A2 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support portion 120. Alternatively, the second axis A2 may be orthogonal to the first axis A1. In any case, by making the angle between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 close to a right angle, it is possible to prevent unnatural twisting of the wrist when the steering device 10 is rotated along the first axis A1. It becomes possible to

<<1.2. Configuration Example of Input Auxiliary Device 20>>
Next, a configuration example of the input assisting device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

The input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment is a device that is added to the steering device 10 and assists the user's input operation to the input section 140 provided in the steering device.

In the following, it is assumed that the steering device 10 includes the input section 140 arranged on the support section 120 . The input unit 140 is configured to receive various input operations by the user. The input unit 140 may be, for example, various buttons, levers, slider switches, and the like.

For example, at least one input unit 140 according to the present embodiment may be arranged near the grip unit 130 on the support unit 120 .

As an example, when the input unit 140 is arranged near the grip portion 130a, the user changes the position of the right hand that grips the grip portion 130a (for example, slides the right hand on the grip portion 130a, grasps the grip portion 130a, and By doing so, it is possible to perform an input operation on the input unit 140 using fingers including the thumb.

On the other hand, if input operations on the input unit 140 are frequently performed, the operation of changing the position of the hand as described above may become complicated.

The input assisting device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention was conceived by paying attention to the above points, and improves the degree of freedom of input operations on the input unit 140.

A configuration example and an operation example of the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in the following description, since it is not necessary to distinguish between the

support portions

120a and 120b, and between the

grip portions

130a and 130b, alphabetical letters at the end are omitted.

First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the upper part of FIG. 3 , cross-sectional views of the support section 120 , the grip section 130 , the input section 140 a and the input section 140 b arranged on the support section 120 , and the input assisting device 20 are shown.

As illustrated, the input assisting device 20 according to this embodiment is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the grip portion 130 .

For example, if the grip part 130 is formed in a spherical shape, the input assisting device 20 may also be formed in a spherical shape.

Since the input assisting device 20 has the same shape as the grip part 130, even when the input assisting device 20 is added to the steering device 10, the user does not feel uncomfortable and the user's operation is not hindered. effect is obtained.

Also, one of the features of the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment is that it is provided slidably in at least two directions perpendicular to the above-described second axis A2.

The at least two directions perpendicular to the second axis A2 may be directions opposite to each other.

The direction in which the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment can slide may be set based on the direction in which the input unit 140 is arranged with respect to the second axis A2.

For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the input section 140a is arranged in the left direction in the drawing and the input section 140b is arranged in the right direction in the drawing with respect to the second axis A2 extending vertically in the drawing.

In this case, the input assisting device 20 according to this embodiment may be provided so as to be slidable at least in the horizontal direction in the figure.

Here, in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is assumed that the user extends his/her right hand from the front side of the drawing to grasp the input assisting device 20 and the grasping portion 130 .

In this case, the thumb of the user's right hand is positioned on the left side of the drawing with respect to the center of the grip portion 130, and the little finger of the user's right hand is positioned on the right side of the drawing with respect to the center.

In the situation described above, when performing an input operation on the input unit 140a, the user slides the input assisting device 20 to the right in the drawing, as shown in the lower part of FIG.

According to the slide operation as described above, the user can bring the thumb closer to the input unit 140a without changing the position of the user's right hand that grips the input assisting device 20 and the grip unit 130. Input operation can be easily performed.

On the other hand, when performing an input operation on the input unit 140b, the user slides the input assisting device 20 leftward in the figure, as shown in the lower part of FIG.

According to the sliding operation as described above, the little finger approaches the input unit 140b without changing the position of the user's right hand that grips the input assisting device 20 and the grip unit 130, and the user can use the little finger to move the input unit 140b. Input operation can be easily performed.

As described above, according to the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment, the user can easily perform an input operation on the input unit arranged on the support unit 120 without changing the position of the hand. It is possible to greatly improve the performance.

In order to further improve the operability of the input unit 140 when the input assisting device 20 is slid, the input unit 140 according to the present embodiment slides the input assisting device 20 in a direction orthogonal to the second axis A2. In this case, it may be arranged close to the grip portion 130 so that an input operation can be performed with either the input assisting device 20 or the fingers of the user gripping the grip portion 130 .

Also, in the above, the case where the user performs an input operation on the input unit 140 using the thumb or little finger is exemplified, but the finger performing the input operation is not limited to such an example.

The input unit 140 according to the present embodiment may be arranged at a position where it is easy to perform an input operation with each of the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger.

Also, the directions in which the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment can slide are not limited to the two directions orthogonal to the second axis A2.

For example, the input assisting device 20 according to the present embodiment may be provided slidably in any direction on a horizontal plane orthogonal to the second axis A2.

<2. Supplement>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the operation target is a vehicle has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the operation target may be an airplane, a ship, a robot arm, or the like. Moreover, the operation target is not limited to a physical object. For example, the operation target may be a virtual object such as a character in virtual space.

10: steering device, 110: shaft portion, 120: support portion, 130: grip portion, 140: input portion, 20: input auxiliary device

Claims

An input auxiliary device added to a steering device,
The steering device is
a shaft rotatable along a first axis;
a support part having one end connected to the shaft part;
a gripping portion disposed on the other end side of the support portion and rotatable along a second axis different from the first axis;
an input unit disposed on the support;
with
The input auxiliary device is
covering at least a portion of the gripping portion and provided slidably in at least two directions orthogonal to the second axis;
Input aid.
The direction in which the input assisting device can slide is set based on the direction in which the input unit is arranged with respect to the second axis.
The input assisting device according to claim 1.
The input unit is attached to the grip so that an input operation can be performed with any finger of a user gripping the grip when the input assisting device is slid in a direction perpendicular to the second axis. placed in close proximity to
The input assisting device according to claim 1 or 2.
The input assisting device and the grip are formed in a spherical shape,
The input assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.