WO2022230527A1

WO2022230527A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2022230527A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/014930
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭司野村; 敏仁 ▲高▼井; 直樹野畑; 仁紀兵藤; 寿治片桐; 晋妻鹿; 眞貴野津
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-03-28
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: JP2022170286A

Abstract

A shaft part (23) is capable of rotating around a first axis A1 according to movement along a movement path M of a right grip part (22). A first input-receiving part (11) receives a driver operation input for executing a second controlled operation which differs from a first controlled operation, which corresponds to the rotation of the shaft part (23). A rotation member (12) is provided at least to the right grip part (22) and moves in a direction which is not parallel to the first axis A1 when seen from a direction along the first axis (A1). The rotation member (12) moves between a first position in which the first input-receiving part (11) is visible and a second position in which the first input-receiving part (11) is not visible.

Description

input device

The present disclosure relates to an input device mounted on a motion control device that includes a shaft portion and a grip portion. The shaft is rotatable about the axis, and the rotation is associated with the controlled motion. The gripping portion is configured to rotate the shaft portion by moving along the movement path, and has a shape that can be gripped by the user's hand.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-206692 discloses a steering device that changes the traveling direction of a vehicle as a controlled operation. The steering device includes a shaft portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis, and a grip portion that can be gripped by a driver's hand and has an annular shape about the rotation axis. The steering system is equipped with an input device that receives an operation input from the driver for realizing a controlled operation other than steering in the vehicle.

As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-161922 or Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-246987, there is also a steering device in which the shape of the grip portion is not a ring shape centered on the rotation axis of the shaft portion. Are known.

There is a demand to improve the convenience of the input device mounted on the motion control device having a non-annular grip.

A first aspect according to the present disclosure that can be provided to meet the above requirements is a shaft configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and a shaft that moves along a movement path to move the shaft. a grip configured to rotate about the first axis, grippable by a user's hand and having a shape that permits movement of the hand across the movement path; An input device mounted on a motion control device,
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action corresponding to the rotation of the shaft;
a movable member that is provided at least in the gripping portion and moves along a direction non-parallel to the first axis when viewed along the first axis;
The movable member moves between a first position that makes the first input reception section visible and a second position that makes the first input reception section invisible.

According to the configuration according to the above aspect, for example, by moving the movable member along with the movement of the gripping portion along the movement path, the first input receiving portion is switched from the visible state to the invisible state. , it is possible to prevent unintended operation of the first input reception unit by the user's hand. Alternatively, for example, by moving the movable member along with the movement of the grip portion along the movement path, the first input reception portion is switched from the invisible state to the visible state, so that the When moving, the user can easily recognize the operable first input reception unit. Therefore, the convenience of the input device mounted on the motion control device can be enhanced.

A second aspect according to the present disclosure that can be provided to meet the above demands is a shaft configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and a shaft that moves along a movement path to rotate the shaft. a grip configured to rotate about the first axis, grippable by a user's hand and having a shape that permits movement of the hand across the movement path; An input device mounted on a motion control device,
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action corresponding to the rotation of the shaft;
a detection reception unit that receives a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the gripping unit along the movement path;
a processing unit that switches the first input receiving unit between a visible state and an invisible state based on the detection signal.

According to the configuration according to the above aspect, for example, the first input receiving unit is switched from the visible state to the invisible state as the gripping unit moves along the movement path. 1. Prevents operation of the input reception unit. Alternatively, since the first input reception unit is switched from the invisible state to the visible state as the grip moves along the movement route, the user can operate the grip while moving along the movement route. The first input reception section can be easily recognized. Therefore, the convenience of the input device mounted on the motion control device can be enhanced.

1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an input device according to a first embodiment; A vehicle on which the input device of FIG. 1 is mounted is illustrated. 2 illustrates the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 1; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 9 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 8; 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1; 11 shows the configuration of the input device of FIG. 10; 11 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 10; 11 illustrates the operation of the input device of FIG. 10; 1 shows an example of the configuration of an input device according to a second embodiment; 15 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 14;

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.

FIG. 1 illustrates an input device 10 according to one embodiment. The input device 10 is mounted on the steering device 20 . The steering device 20 is a device mounted on a vehicle 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 to change the direction of travel of the vehicle 30 . The steering device 20 is an example of an operation control device. Vehicle 30 is an example of a mobile object. The action of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 is an example of the first controlled action.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering device 20 includes a left grip portion 21 and a right grip portion 22. As shown in FIGS. The left gripping part 21 and the right gripping part 22 are movable along a movement path M, as exemplified by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 . A movement path M viewed from a direction along the first axis A1 has a circular shape centered on the first axis A1.

The left grip part 21 has a shape that can be gripped by the driver's left hand 41 and that allows movement of the left hand 41 across the movement path M. The right grip part 22 has a shape that can be gripped by the driver's right hand 42 and allows movement of the right hand 42 across the movement path M. As shown in FIG. In this example, each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 has a spherical shape. That is, the steering device 20 has a non-annular grip portion. A driver is an example of a user.

The steering device 20 has a shaft portion 23 , a left arm portion 24 and a right arm portion 25 . The left arm portion 24 connects the left grip portion 21 and the shaft portion 23 . The right arm portion 25 connects the right grip portion 22 and the shaft portion 23 . The shaft portion 23 is rotatable about the first axis A1 according to the movement of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 along the movement path M. As shown in FIG. The counterclockwise rotation of the shaft portion 23 about the first axis A1 is associated with the operation of changing the course of the vehicle 30 to the left. The clockwise rotation of the shaft portion 23 about the first axis A1 is associated with the operation of changing the course of the vehicle 30 to the right.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the input device 10 includes a first input reception section 11. As shown in FIG. The first input receiving portion 11 is arranged on the right grip portion 22 of the steering device 20 . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the right grip 22 includes a support 221 fixed to the right arm 25 . The first input reception section 11 is supported by the support section 221 . The first input reception unit 11 is configured as a switch that receives a driver's operation input for switching the operation mode of the lighting device mounted on the vehicle 30 . The switch is a mechanical switch that is pressed by the driver's fingers.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, each time the first input receiving unit 11 receives an operation input by the driver's right hand 42, the operation mode switches in the order of turning off, automatic lighting mode, small lamp lighting mode, and headlamp lighting mode. . In the automatic lighting mode, various lamps are automatically turned on according to the brightness around the vehicle 30 . In the small lamp lighting mode, only the width lamps and tail lamps are lit. In the headlamp lighting mode, the headlamps are turned on in addition to the width lamps and the tail lamps. Switching the operating mode of the lighting device is an example of a second controlled action.

The input device 10 has a movable member 12 . The movable member 12 is provided on the right grip portion 22 of the steering device 20 . As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the movable member 12 is provided so as to cover the support portion 221 of the right grip portion 22 . That is, the movable member 12 forms part of the right grip portion 22 . The movable member 12 is configured to be rotatable about a second axis A2 extending in a direction intersecting the first axis A1 when viewed along the first axis A1. A direction intersecting the first axis A1 is an example of a direction non-parallel to the first axis A1. Rotation about the second axis A2 is an example of movement along a direction non-parallel to the first axis A1. For example, the movable member 12 is rotated while being gripped by the driver's right hand 42 as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M.

The movable member 12 is configured to rotate between an exposing position where the first input reception section 11 is exposed and a covering position where the first input reception section 11 is covered. In this example, the movable member 12 has an opening 121 that exposes the first input reception section 11 arranged on the right grip section 22 . The first input reception unit 11 is switched between a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12 and a state covered by the movable member 12 as the movable member 12 rotates. The exposed position where the first input reception section 11 is exposed is an example of the first position where the first input reception section 11 is made visible. The covering position that covers the first input reception unit 11 is an example of a second position that makes the first input reception unit 11 invisible.

For example, when the driver's right hand 42 rotates the movable member 12 clockwise about the second axis A2 by a predetermined angle when viewed from the right from the exposed position illustrated in FIG. One input reception unit 11 is switched to a state covered by a movable member 12 as illustrated in FIG.

According to the configuration described above, for example, when the movable member 12 is rotated as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M, the first input reception portion 11 is covered with the movable member 12. Unintentional operation of the first input reception unit 11 by the driver's right hand 42 can be prevented when the grip unit 22 is moved along the movement path M. Therefore, the convenience of the input device 10 mounted on the steering device 20 can be enhanced.

In this embodiment, as the movable member 12 rotates, the first input reception section 11 is switched from a state exposed through the opening 121 to a state covered by the movable member 12 . However, when the driver's right hand 42 rotates the movable member 12 clockwise about the second axis A2 by a predetermined angle as seen from the right from the covered position illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the first input reception section 11 may be switched to a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12 .

According to such a configuration, for example, when the movable member 12 is rotated as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M, the first input reception portion 11 is exposed by the movable member 12. When the grip portion 22 moves along the moving route M, the driver can easily recognize the operable first input receiving portion 11 .

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the input device 10 can include a second input reception unit 13. The second input receiving portion 13 is also arranged on the right grip portion 22 of the steering device 20 . The second input receiving unit 13 is configured as a switch for receiving a driver's operation input for switching the operation mode of the headlamps mounted on the vehicle 30 . The switch is a mechanical switch that is pressed by the driver's fingers.

For example, each time the second input reception unit 13 receives an operation input by the driver's right hand 42, the operation mode switches in the order of high beam lighting mode and low beam lighting mode. Switching the operating mode of the headlamp is an example of a third controlled action.

The movable member 12 is configured to expose the second input reception section 13 at the covering position covering the first input reception section 11 . For example, in a state where the first input reception section 11 is exposed from the opening 121 as shown in FIG. 8 , the second input reception section 13 is covered with the movable member 12 . When the driver's right hand 42 rotates the movable member 12 clockwise about the second axis A2 by a predetermined angle as viewed from the right from the position illustrated in FIG. , the first input reception unit 11 is switched to a state covered by the movable member 12, and the second input reception unit 13 is switched to a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12. As shown in FIG. A covering position that covers the first input receiving portion 11 and exposes the second input receiving portion 13 is an example of a second position that makes the second force receiving portion 13 visible.

According to such a configuration, for example, when the movable member 12 is rotated as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M, the second input reception portion 13 is exposed from the movable member 12. The driver can easily recognize the operable second input receiving section 13 when the grip section 22 moves along the moving route M. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the configuration of the input device 10. FIG. Elements that are substantially the same as those in the example described with reference to FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

In this example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first input receiving section 11 is arranged on the right arm section 25 of the steering device 20 . The movable member 12 extends to the right arm portion 25 and is formed to partially cover the right arm portion 25 . The first input reception unit 11 is switched between a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12 and a state covered by the movable member 12 as the movable member 12 rotates.

For example, when the driver's right hand 42 rotates the movable member 12 clockwise about the second axis A2 from the exposed position illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in 13 , the first input reception unit 11 is switched to a state covered by the movable member 12 .

Even in such a configuration, for example, when the movable member 12 is rotated as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M, the first input reception portion 11 is covered with the movable member 12. Unintentional operation of the first input reception unit 11 by the right hand 42 can be prevented. Therefore, the convenience of the input device 10 mounted on the steering device 20 can be enhanced.

In this example, the first input reception unit 11 is switched from a state exposed through the opening 121 to a state covered by the movable member 12 as the movable member 12 rotates. However, when the driver's right hand 42 rotates the movable member 12 clockwise about the second axis A2 by a predetermined angle as seen from the right side from the covering position, the first input receiving section 11 It may be switched to a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12 .

The input device 10 can also include a second input reception unit 13 that receives an operation input for executing a controlled action different from the first input reception unit 11 as shown in FIG. The second input receiving portion 13 may be arranged on the right grip portion 22 of the steering device 20 or may be arranged on the right arm portion 25 . The movable member 12 is configured to expose the second input reception section 13 at the covering position covering the first input reception section 11 .

Next, the configuration of the input device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Elements that are substantially the same as those in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

In this embodiment, the first input reception section 11 is arranged on the right arm section 25 of the steering device 20 . The movable member 12 is provided so as to cover the right arm portion 25 of the steering device 20 .

The movable member 12 is configured to be rotatable about a second axis A2 extending in a direction intersecting the first axis A1 when viewed from the direction along the first axis A1. A direction intersecting the first axis A1 is an example of a direction non-parallel to the first axis A1. Rotation about the second axis A2 is an example of movement along a direction non-parallel to the first axis A1.

The movable member 12 is configured to rotate between an exposing position where the first input reception section 11 is exposed and a covering position where the first input reception section 11 is covered. The first input reception unit 11 is switched between a state exposed from the movable member 12 and a state covered with the movable member 12 as the movable member 12 rotates. In this example, the first input receiving section 11 is exposed from the movable member 12 through the opening 121 . A state in which the first input reception unit 11 is exposed from the movable member 12 is an example of a state in which the first input reception unit 11 is visible. A state in which the first input reception unit 11 is covered with the movable member 12 is an example of a state in which the first input reception unit 11 is invisible.

The input device 10 has a control device 14 . The control device 14 includes a detection reception unit 141 , a processing unit 142 and an output unit 143 .

The detection reception unit 141 is configured as an interface that receives the detection signal S1 corresponding to the movement of the right grip unit 22 along the movement route M. When the detection signal S1 is an analog signal, the detection reception unit 141 has an appropriate conversion circuit including an A/D converter.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a movement angle detection section 31 is attached to the shaft section 23 . The movement angle detector 31 outputs a detection signal S1 corresponding to the angle θ about the first axis A1 when the right grip 22 moves from the reference position P0 indicated by the dashed line to the position P1. Detection reception unit 141 receives detection signal S<b>1 output from movement angle detection unit 31 . Examples of the movement angle detection unit 31 include a steering angle detector equipped with an optical, mechanical, or magnetic rotary encoder.

The processing unit 142 is configured to switch the first input receiving unit 11 between a state in which it is exposed from the movable member 12 and a state in which it is covered with the movable member 12 based on the detection signal S1. Specifically, the processing unit 142 determines the exposure position where the first input reception unit 11 is exposed and the position where the first input reception unit 11 is exposed based on the angle θ associated with the movement of the right grip unit 22 along the movement path M. A control signal S2 is output for rotating the movable member 12 between the covered position and the covering position.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the right grip portion 22 is moved from the reference position P0 to the position P1 along the movement path M, the movable member 12 moves along the movement path M in the radial direction based on the angle θ. It is moved counterclockwise when viewed from the direction. As a result, the first input reception unit 11 is switched from being exposed through the opening 121 of the movable member 12 to being covered by the movable member 12 .

According to the configuration described above, for example, the first input receiving portion 11 is covered with the movable member 12 as the right grip portion 22 moves along the movement path M, so that the driver's right hand 42 unintentionally moves the first input receiving portion 11 . Operation of the input reception unit 11 can be prevented. Therefore, the convenience of the input device 10 mounted on the steering device 20 can be enhanced.

In this embodiment, the processing section 142 rotates the movable member 12 between the position where the first input reception section 11 is exposed and the position where the first input reception section 11 is covered. Thereby, it is possible to switch between the exposed state and the covered state of the first input reception unit 11 with a simple configuration.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the first input reception section 11 is switched from a state exposed through the opening 121 to a state covered by the movable member 12 as the movable member 12 rotates. However, when the movable member 12 is rotated from the covering position covering the first input receiving portion 11 , the first input receiving portion 11 may be switched to a state exposed from the opening 121 of the movable member 12 .

The input device 10 can also include a second input reception unit 13 that receives an operation input for executing a controlled action different from the first input reception unit 11 as shown in FIG. The second input reception section 13 is arranged on the right arm section 25 . The movable member 12 is configured to expose the second input reception section 13 at the covering position covering the first input reception section 11 .

Also, the detection reception unit 141 receives the detection signal S1 output from the movement angle detection unit 31 . However, the detection reception unit 141 can be configured to receive a detection signal S1 including image data in which the position of the right grip part 22 on the movement path M is output from a camera arranged in the interior of the vehicle 30. . The processing unit 142 outputs the control signal S2 for changing the position of the first input receiving unit 11 from the output unit 143 based on the moving distance of the right grip unit 22 on the moving path M from the reference position P0. can be configured.

Also, the first input reception unit 11 is configured as a mechanical switch that is pressed by the driver's fingers. However, the first input reception unit 11 can be configured as an electrostatic switch that detects contact or approach of the driver's finger as an operation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first input reception unit 11 can be configured as a touch sensor capable of detecting contact or approach of the driver's right hand 42 as an operation input. In this case, the input device 10 can adopt a configuration without the movable member 12 .

The processing unit 142 is configured to switch between a state in which the touch sensor is displayed and a state in which the touch sensor is not displayed based on the detection signal S3. Specifically, the processing unit 142 generates a control signal for switching between the display state and the non-display state of the first input reception unit 11 based on the angle θ associated with the movement of the right grip unit 22 along the movement route M. Output S4. The touch sensor is configured to be able to detect the driver's operation input in the display state and to be unable to detect the driver's operation input in the non-display state. The display state of the touch sensor is an example of a state in which the first input reception unit 11 can be visually recognized. The non-display state of the touch sensor is an example of a state in which the first input reception unit 11 is invisible.

The processing unit 142 having each function described so far can be realized by a general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with a general-purpose memory. A CPU, MPU, and GPU can be exemplified as a general-purpose microprocessor. Examples of general-purpose memory include ROM and RAM. In this case, the ROM may store a computer program for executing the above-described process. ROM is an example of a storage medium that stores computer programs. The processor designates at least part of the computer program stored in the ROM, develops it on the RAM, and cooperates with the RAM to execute the above-described processing. The above computer program may be pre-installed in a general-purpose memory, or may be downloaded from an external server device via a wireless communication network and installed in a general-purpose memory. In this case, the external server device is an example of a storage medium storing computer programs.

The processing unit 142 may be implemented by a dedicated integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, or FPGA that can execute the above computer programs. In this case, the computer program is pre-installed in a storage element included in the dedicated integrated circuit. The storage element is an example of a storage medium storing a computer program. Processing unit 142 may also be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a dedicated integrated circuit.

The configuration of each embodiment described so far is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. The configuration according to this embodiment can be modified and improved as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the first input reception section 11 is arranged at a position where it can receive an operation with the right hand 42 of the driver holding the right grip section 22 of the steering device 20 . However, the first input receiving portion 11 may be arranged at a position capable of receiving an operation by the left hand 41 of the driver holding the left grip portion 21 of the steering device 20 . Alternatively, in addition to the first input reception unit 11 described above, another input reception unit that receives an operation input for executing another controlled action may receive an operation with the left hand 41 of the driver holding the left grip 21. It may be placed in an acceptable location. The movable member 12 is arranged at a position covering the first input receiving portion 11 or another input receiving portion.

In each of the embodiments described above, the movable member 12 has an opening 121 that exposes the first input reception section 11 or the second input reception section 13 . However, the movable member 12 may have a transparent portion that allows the first input reception portion 11 or the second input reception portion 13 to be visible. That is, as the movable member 12 rotates, the first input reception unit 11 or the second input reception unit 13 is visible through the transparent portion of the movable member 12 and invisible due to the opaque portion of the movable member 12. state. For example, the portion of the movable member 12 corresponding to the opening 121 can be made of a transparent material. Even in this case, by forming the transparent portion with an elastic member such as rubber, the first input reception portion 11 and the second input reception portion 13 can be pressed by deforming the transparent portion.

In each of the above embodiments, each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 has a spherical shape. However, if the driver's hand has a shape that traverses the movement path M, the shape of each of the left grip portion 21 and the right grip portion 22 can be changed as appropriate. Unless the driver's hand presents an annulus that cannot traverse the path of travel M, a single grip having a portion gripped by the driver's left hand 41 and a portion gripped by the driver's right hand 42 may be provided. may be provided.

In each of the above embodiments, the movement path M has a circular shape centered on the first axis A1. However, the shape of the moving path M is not limited to a circular shape and can be determined as appropriate.

The input device 10 can also be mounted on a steering device for changing the course of a moving object other than the vehicle 30. Examples of such moving bodies include railroads, ships, and aircraft.

The input device 10 does not need to be mounted on the steering device of the mobile body. For example, the input device 10 can be mounted on a controller for controlling the movement of an object displayed on the display of a shooting game device in an amusement facility. The first input reception unit 11 can be used as a switch for causing the object to shoot a weapon. In this case, the controller is an example of an operation control device. Movement of the object is an example of a first controlled action. An action of firing a weapon at the object is an example of a second controlled action.

As a part of the present disclosure, the contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-076330 filed on April 28, 2021 are incorporated.

Claims

A shaft portion configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and a movement path configured to rotate the shaft portion about the first axis by moving along a movement path. an input device mounted on a motion control device, comprising:
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action corresponding to the rotation of the shaft;
a movable member that is provided at least in the gripping portion and moves along a direction non-parallel to the first axis when viewed along the first axis;
The input device, wherein the movable member moves between a first position that makes the first input reception section visible and a second position that makes the first input reception section invisible.
a second input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a third controlled action different from the first controlled action and the second controlled action,
2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said movable member makes said second input reception section visible at said second position.
A shaft portion configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and a movement path configured to rotate the shaft portion about the first axis by moving along a movement path. an input device mounted on a motion control device, comprising:
a first input receiving unit that receives an operation input from the user for executing a second controlled action different from the first controlled action corresponding to the rotation of the shaft;
a detection reception unit that receives a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the gripping unit along the movement path;
and a processing unit that switches the first input reception unit between a visible state and an invisible state based on the detection signal.
A movable member that moves along a direction non-parallel to the first axis when viewed along the first axis,
The processing unit moves the movable member between a first position that makes the first input reception unit visible and a second position that makes the first input reception unit invisible based on the detection signal. 4. The input device according to claim 3, which allows