JP3920599B2 - Manual input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used, for example, for operation of an electric device mounted on an automobile, and gives an operation feeling to an operator who operates the operation member according to the rotation amount and rotation direction of the operation member manually operated such as a knob. It relates to a manual input device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, automobiles are equipped with electric devices such as an air conditioner, a radio, a television, and an audio. If these electric devices are operated by different operation means, the driving of the automobile may be hindered. Therefore, for example, the temperature of an air conditioner, the adjustment of a radio tuner, the adjustment of the volume and sound quality of a television, radio and audio can be adjusted with one manual input device so as not to hinder driving. In this type of manual input device, a predetermined operation feeling is given to an operation member to be manually operated, for example, a knob gripped by an operator according to the rotation amount or rotation direction of the knob, thereby improving the operability of the knob. There is something that is.
[0003]
A conventional manual input device will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0004]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional manual input device.
[0005]
A conventional manual input device includes a knob 80 that is manually operated, a motor 10 that gives a predetermined operational feeling in accordance with the direction and amount of rotation of the knob 80, detection means that detects the amount of rotation of the knob 80, Control means for controlling the motor 10 in accordance with the detection result of the detection means.
[0006]
The detection means includes a large pulley 200 fixed to the output shaft 11 of the motor 10, a small pulley 201, a belt 202 wound around the large pulley 200 and the small pulley 201, and an encoder 30.
[0007]
The encoder 30 is provided with a plurality of slits (not shown) along the circumference, and includes a code plate 31 that rotates integrally with the small pulley 201, and a light emitting unit 35 and a light receiving unit 36 that are opposed to each other with the code plate 31 interposed therebetween. I have. The light receiving unit 36 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the knob 80 to the control device 100 which is a control unit of the motor 10.
[0008]
The control device 100 includes an input unit 101 to which a detection signal from the light receiving unit 36 is input, a storage unit 103 that stores in advance a control signal of the motor 10 corresponding to the detection signal in the form of a table, and a detection signal. Accordingly, a calculation unit 102 that reads out a control signal stored in the storage unit 103 and an output unit 104 that outputs the control signal read out by the calculation unit 102 to the motor 10 are provided.
[0009]
In the conventional manual input device configured as described above, when the knob 80 is rotated, the code plate 31 is rotated via the large pulley 200 and the small pulley 201. The light receiving unit 36 receives light from the light emitting unit 35 that has passed through the slit and outputs a detection signal to the input unit 101 of the control device 100. In the calculation unit 102, a control signal is read from the storage unit 103 in accordance with the detection signal. This control signal is output from the output unit 104 to the motor 10. Thereby, the motor 10 transmits the rotational force to the knob 80 via the output shaft 11 in accordance with the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the knob 80.
[0010]
In the knob 80 to which the rotational force is applied in this manner, for example, when the radio volume is adjusted, when the operator rotates the knob 80 in the direction of increasing the volume, the rotational force in the direction opposite to the rotational direction is applied. The knob 10 is given to the knob 80 by the motor 10, thereby giving a sense of resistance to the operator. On the other hand, when the operator rotates the knob 80 in the direction in which the volume decreases, the rotational force in the same direction as the rotation direction is applied to the knob 80 by the motor 10, thereby giving the operator a feeling of acceleration.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional manual input device, when the size and weight are reduced, the large pulley 200 and the small pulley 201 are arranged in parallel. Therefore, it is conceivable to make the large pulley 200 and the small pulley 201 small. However, if the small pulley 201 is made too small, the contact area with the belt 202 becomes small, and the transmission efficiency of rotation from the large pulley 200 decreases. Therefore, there is a limit to making the small pulley 201 small. When the rotation of the knob 80 is detected with a certain degree of resolution, the resolution is determined by the ratio between the diameter of the small pulley 201 and the diameter of the large pulley 200. Therefore, the small pulley 201 cannot be made small. Accordingly, the large pulley 200 tends to be large.
[0012]
Further, if the knob 80 is made somewhat large so as to be easily picked, the motor 10 directly connected to the knob 80 must be able to output a torque corresponding to the size of the knob 80. For this reason, the motor 10 tends to be large.
[0013]
For these reasons, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the conventional manual input device. Therefore, it is not suitable for providing in a limited space such as in an automobile.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned deficiencies, and an object thereof is to provide a manual input device that can be reduced in size and weight.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a manual input device of the present invention is manually operated, and an operation member that sends a signal according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount by the manual operation, and the operation member by the manual operation. A planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, a carrier and a carrier shaft, and a ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism. A fixing member for fixing, a detecting means for detecting the rotation of the output shaft of the motor, and a control means for controlling the rotation of the motor according to a detection result by the detecting means, wherein the output shaft of the motor is connected to the sun gear. integrally provided, provided the operating member integrally on the carrier shaft of the planetary gear mechanism, the plurality of planet gears, said Sun By A is disposed between the carrier and the regulating member that binds to said carrier has an insertion hole to be inserted, are a configuration that is restricted from moving in the own axial direction.
[0016]
In the manual input device configured as described above, when the operation member is rotated, for example, clockwise, the carrier shaft integrated with the operation member, that is, the carrier rotates clockwise. At this time, since the ring gear is always fixed by the fixing member, the planet gears revolve clockwise around the sun gear while rotating counterclockwise. Then, the rotation of the planet gear is transmitted to the sun gear, and the sun gear rotates clockwise.
[0017]
At this time, the rotation of the sun gear is increased with respect to the rotation of the operation member in accordance with the gear ratio between the sun gear and the ring gear. Thereby, the resolution of the rotation amount of the operation member is increased. The detecting means detects the rotation of the sun gear rotating in this way, that is, the rotation of the output shaft of the motor to which the sun gear is fixed.
[0018]
And a control means makes a motor output rotational force according to the detection result by a detection means. The rotational force output from the motor, for example, the counterclockwise rotational force is transmitted from the sun gear to the planet gear. At this time, since the ring gear is always fixed by the fixing member, each planet gear is rotated in the clockwise direction while being rotated in the counterclockwise direction around the sun gear. Accordingly, a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the carrier, that is, the carrier shaft.
[0019]
The rotational force of the carrier shaft is increased with respect to the rotational force of the sun gear, that is, the rotational force of the output shaft of the motor that rotates integrally with the sun gear, in accordance with the gear ratio of the sun gear and the ring gear. . This increased counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the operating member. Thereby, the operator can obtain a resistance feeling as an operation feeling when the operation member is rotated clockwise. At this time, if the motor is rotated clockwise, a rotational force is applied to the operation member in the same direction as the rotation direction, and the operator can obtain an acceleration feeling as an operation feeling.
[0020]
In the present invention, it is possible to give a predetermined operational feeling to the operator as described above, and therefore, it has excellent operability similar to the conventional one. In addition, since the motor, the planetary gear mechanism, the detection means, and the operation member can be arranged on the same axis, the entire manual input device can be made compact. Therefore, size reduction and weight reduction are possible.
[0021]
In the present invention, when detecting the rotation of the operation member, the planetary gear mechanism can increase the resolution of the rotation amount of the operation member. Further, when a rotational force is applied to the operation member, the torque output from the motor by the planetary gear mechanism can be increased to apply the rotational force to the operation member. That is, by using the planetary gear mechanism, it is possible to increase the torque output from the motor and increase the resolution of the rotation amount of the operation member with a compact structure. Therefore, also in this respect, it is possible to reduce the size and weight.
[0022]
In the configuration of the manual input device described above, the restriction member and the carrier may be snap-coupled in a state where relative movement in the axial direction is restricted .
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a manual input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
1 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along II-II in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, similarly to the above-described prior art, for example, if an electric device such as an air conditioner, a radio, a television, and an audio mounted on a car is operated by different operating means, the driving of the car may be hindered. Therefore, in order not to interfere with driving, for example, manual input that enables air conditioner temperature adjustment, radio tuner adjustment, television, radio and audio volume and sound quality adjustment, etc., to be performed with one manual input device. Device.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation member that is manually operated and sends a signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount by the manual operation, for example, the knob 80, and the knob 80 is rotated by the manual operation. And a motor 10 that gives a predetermined operation feeling according to the amount of rotation. Further, the planetary gear mechanism having the sun gear 32, the planet gear 52, the ring gear 62, the carrier 50 and the carrier shaft 51, detection means for detecting the rotation of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10, that is, the encoder 30, and the encoder 30 Control means for controlling the rotation of the motor 10 according to the detection result, that is, the control device 100 is provided. The sun gear 32 of the planetary gear mechanism is provided integrally with the output shaft 11 of the motor 10, and the knob 80 is provided integrally with the carrier shaft 51 of the planetary gear mechanism.
[0029]
The control device 100 is the same as that provided in the above-described prior art. The control device 100 will be described again though it is redundant.
[0030]
The control device 100 includes an input unit 101 to which a detection signal output from the light receiving unit 36 is input, a storage unit 103 that stores in advance a control signal corresponding to the detection signal in the form of a table, and a response to the detection signal. The calculation unit 102 that reads out the control signal stored in the storage unit 103 and the output unit 104 that outputs the control signal read out by the calculation unit 102 to the motor 10 are provided.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the encoder 30 includes a code plate 31, a light emitting unit 35, a light receiving unit 36, and a connector 37 connected to the control device 100, and the light emitting unit 35, the light receiving unit 36 and the connector 37. And a substrate 34 provided with a substrate. The code plate 31 is provided with a plurality of slits 33 along the circumference. The light receiving unit 36 receives the light having passed through the slit 33 from the light emitting unit 35 and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the knob 80.
[0032]
The planetary gear mechanism includes the sun gear 32, the planet gear 52, the ring gear 62, the carrier 50, and the carrier shaft 51, as shown in FIGS. The gear ratio between the sun gear 32 and the ring gear 62 is set to 1: 5, for example.
[0033]
The sun gear 32 is provided integrally with the above-described code plate 31 on the same axis. Three planet gears 52 are arranged between the regulating member 40 and the carrier 50. The carrier 50 is provided with three planet gear shafts 53 that rotatably support each planet gear 52, a carrier shaft 51, and a coupling portion 54 for coupling with the regulating member 40. The regulating member 40 includes a disk-shaped member, an insertion hole 41 through which the sun gear 32 is inserted, a support hole 43 that supports each planet gear shaft 53, and a coupling portion 42 that corresponds to each coupling portion 54 of the carrier 50, The movement of the planet gear 52 in the axial direction is restricted in a state where it is coupled to the carrier 50.
[0034]
An engaging hole 45 is provided in the coupling portion 42 of the restricting member 40, and a fitting hole 44 is provided in the lower portion of the coupling portion 42. The engaging portion 54 of the carrier 50 is provided with a claw 55 that engages with the engaging hole 45 and a fitting protrusion 56 that fits with the fitting hole 44. That is, the regulating member 40 and the carrier 50 are snap-coupled in a state where relative movement in the axial direction is regulated.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ring gear 62 is provided in a fixing member that always fixes the ring gear 62, that is, in a cylindrical ring gear case 60. That is, the ring gear 62 is integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear case 60. In the ring gear case 60, the restriction member 40, the planet gear 52, and the carrier 50 described above are accommodated. The ring gear case 60 is provided with a carrier shaft insertion portion 61 through which the carrier shaft 51 is inserted.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the main body case 70 includes a screw insertion portion 72 that inserts a screw (not shown) into the outer peripheral portion of a cylindrical member, and a carrier that passes the carrier shaft 51 together with the carrier shaft insertion portion 61 described above. The shaft insertion part 71 and the board | substrate storage part 73 which accommodates the above-mentioned board | substrate 34 are provided. Further, a protrusion 74 is provided in the vicinity of each screw insertion portion 72 at the peripheral edge forming the opening of the main body case 70.
[0037]
The knob 80 is provided integrally with the carrier shaft 51 that is inserted into the carrier shaft insertion portion 72 of the main body case 70.
[0038]
2 to 4, the motor 10 is fixed to the main body case 70 via the bracket 20 with the output shaft 11 fixed to the sun gear 32 described above. The bracket 20 is provided with a fastening portion 22 corresponding to each screw insertion portion 72 of the main body case 70, and the fastening portion 22 has a screw insertion hole 23 and a small hole 24 into which each projection portion 74 described above is inserted. It is provided. The bracket 20 is provided with mounting portions 25 and 26 for mounting the above-described substrate 34 .
[0039]
2 to 4, the present embodiment includes a guide means for supporting the knob 80 so as to be movable in the axial direction, a biasing means for biasing the knob 80 in the axial direction, A switch operation unit 94 that operates a predetermined switch, that is, a push switch 90 in response to movement against the urging means is provided.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the push switch 90 is provided on the knob 80 side of the substrate 34 described above.
[0041]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide means includes slide convex portions 92 provided along the axial direction at four locations on the outer peripheral surface of the ring gear case 60, and each slide convex portion 92 on the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 70. And a slide concave portion 93 provided at a position corresponding to.
[0042]
2 and 4, the biasing means includes a return spring 91 that is disposed between the carrier 50 and the sun gear 32 and biases the knob 80 via the carrier 50.
[0043]
The switch operation unit 94 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ring gear case 60, and includes a plate-like portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface.
[0044]
2, the carrier shaft 51 is inserted into the carrier shaft insertion portion 61 of the ring gear case 60, and the carrier shaft 51 and the carrier shaft insertion portion 61 are inserted into the carrier shaft insertion portion 71 of the case body 70. In this state, a ring pin 95 is attached to the groove 96 of the carrier shaft 51, thereby restricting movement of the carrier shaft 51 in the axial direction.
[0045]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, in FIG. 2, when the knob 80 is rotated clockwise, for example, in the direction A, the carrier shaft 51 that rotates integrally with the knob 80, that is, the carrier 50, is rotated. Rotate clockwise. At this time, since the ring gear 62 is always fixed to the ring gear case 60, each planet gear 52 revolves clockwise around the sun gear 32 while rotating counterclockwise. Then, the rotation of the planet gear 52 is transmitted to the sun gear 32, and the sun gear 32 rotates clockwise. If the knob 80 rotates counterclockwise, that is, in the B direction, the sun gear 32 rotates counterclockwise.
[0046]
At this time, the rotation of the sun gear 32 is accelerated relative to the rotation of the carrier shaft 51, that is, the knob 80 that rotates integrally with the carrier shaft 51, according to the gear ratio between the sun gear 32 and the ring gear 62. It becomes. Thereby, the resolution of the rotation amount of the knob 80 is enhanced. In the encoder 30, the light receiving unit 36 receives the light from the light emitting unit 35 that has passed through the slit 33, and the rotation of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 is detected based on the rotation of the code plate 31 integrated with the sun gear 32. In the present embodiment, since the gear ratio between the sun gear 32 and the ring gear 62 is set to 1: 5, the resolution of the rotation amount of the knob 80 is increased five times.
[0047]
Then, the light receiving unit 36 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount detected as described above, and this detection signal is input to the input unit 101 of the control device 100. In the calculation unit 102, a control signal corresponding to the detection signal is read from the storage unit 103. This control signal is output from the output unit 104 to the motor 10, and thereby a rotational force is output from the output shaft 11 of the motor 10.
[0048]
For example, the counterclockwise rotational force output from the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 is transmitted from the sun gear 32 to the planet gear 52. At this time, since the ring gear 62 is always fixed to the ring gear case 60, each planet gear 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction while rotating in the counterclockwise direction around the sun gear 32. . Accordingly, a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the carrier 50, that is, the carrier shaft 51.
[0049]
The rotational force of the carrier shaft 51 depends on the rotational force of the sun gear 32, that is, the rotational force of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 that rotates integrally with the sun gear 32 according to the gear ratio of the sun gear 32 and the ring gear 62. Will be increased. The knob 80 is given a counterclockwise rotational force increased in this way. If the rotational force of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 is clockwise, the knob 80 is given a clockwise rotational force.
[0050]
In the knob 80 to which the rotational force is applied in this way, for example, when the radio volume is adjusted, when the operator rotates the knob 80 in the A direction in which the volume increases, the knob 80 is directed in the direction opposite to the A direction. Is given by the motor 10, thereby giving a sense of resistance to the operator. On the contrary, when the knob 80 is rotated in the B direction in which the volume is decreased, a rotational force in the same direction as the B direction is applied to the knob 80 by the motor 10, thereby giving the operator a feeling of acceleration. Therefore, the operator can obtain an operation feeling corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the knob 80.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, the carrier 50 is always biased toward the knob 80 by the spring force of the return spring 91 disposed between the sun gear 32 and the carrier 50. In the carrier 50, the boundary portion between the carrier 50 and the carrier shaft 51 is pressed against the ring gear case 60, and the ring gear case 60 is pressed against the inner wall surface of the main body case 70 on the knob 80 side. Thereby, the knob 80 is always urged in the C direction.
[0052]
When the knob 80 is pushed in the D direction, to move the carrier 50 anti to the return spring 91. At this time, the ring pin 95 attached to the carrier shaft 51 presses the end of the carrier shaft insertion portion 61 of the ring gear case 60, whereby the ring gear case 60 is guided to the slide convex portion 92 and the slide concave portion 93. However, it moves integrally with the carrier 50. When the ring gear case 60 moves in this way, the switch operation unit 94 integrated with the ring gear case 60 moves, whereby the push switch 90 is pressed by the switch operation unit 94 and the switch operates.
[0053]
When the knob 80 is released from the pressure, the carrier 50 is pushed by the return spring 91 and returns to the original position together with the ring gear case 60. At this time, the switch operation unit 94 is separated from the push switch 90, and the switch does not operate.
[0054]
As described above, in this embodiment, the rotational force is transmitted from the motor 10 in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the knob 80 in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the knob 80, so that the operator feels resistance and acceleration. A predetermined operation feeling can be given, and when the eyes cannot be taken away during driving of an automobile or the like, it is possible to grasp what operation is being performed with the knob 80 without visual observation. Therefore, excellent operability can be obtained.
[0055]
In the present embodiment, since the motor 10, the planetary gear mechanism, the encoder 30 and the knob 80 can be arranged on the same axis, the entire manual input device can be made compact. Thereby, size reduction and weight reduction are possible. In particular, since it can be reduced in size, it is suitable for being provided in a limited space such as in an automobile.
[0056]
Further, when the rotation of the knob 80 is transmitted to the output shaft 11 of the motor 10, the resolution of the rotation amount of the knob 80 can be increased by the planetary gear mechanism. Further, when the knob 80 is driven, the torque output from the motor 10 is increased by the planetary gear mechanism to give the knob 80 a rotational force. That is, by using the planetary gear mechanism, it is possible to increase the torque output from the motor 10 and increase the resolution of the rotation amount of the knob 80 with a compact structure. Therefore, also in this respect, it is possible to reduce the size and weight.
[0057]
The inventor has been able to reduce the rotational force of the motor 10 to ½ or less of the above-described prior art as the rotational force of the motor 10 is increased and transmitted to the knob 80 via the planetary gear mechanism. Has confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a motor that is smaller than the aforementioned prior art.
[0058]
With such a reduction in size and weight, the present inventors have found that the volume can be reduced to ½ or less and the weight to ¼ or less compared to the above-described conventional technology. I have confirmed. Therefore, it is suitable for providing in a limited space such as in an automobile.
[0059]
In this embodiment, since the push switch 90 is operated by pressing the knob 80, the knob 80 can be used as a push button switch, thereby increasing the number of devices that can be handled by one manual input device. .
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the operation member is the knob 80, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be a lever or the like.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, excellent operability can be obtained by giving a predetermined operational feeling to the operator, and the motor, the planetary gear mechanism, the detection means, and the operation member can be coaxially arranged. Can be summarized in a compact. Therefore, size reduction and weight reduction are possible. In particular, since it can be reduced in size, it is suitable for providing in a limited space.
[0062]
Further, when detecting the rotation of the operation member, the resolution of the rotation amount of the operation member can be increased by the planetary gear mechanism. Further, when the operating member is driven, the torque output from the motor by the planetary gear mechanism can be increased to apply a rotational force to the operating member. That is, by using the planetary gear mechanism, it is possible to increase the torque output from the motor and increase the resolution of the rotation amount of the operation member with a compact structure. Can be made lighter and lighter.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of a manual input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the present embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.
4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional manual input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Motor 11 Output shaft 30 Encoder (detection means)
32 Sun gear 50 Carrier 51 Carrier shaft 52 Planet gear 60 Ring gear case (fixing member)
62 Ring gear 80 Knob (operation member)
90 Push switch
91 Return spring (biasing means)
92 Slide convex part (guide means)
93 Slide recess (guide means)
94 Switch operation unit 100 Control device (control means)

Claims (2)

An operation member that is manually operated and sends a signal corresponding to the rotation direction and rotation amount by the manual operation;
The operation member is provided with a motor that gives a predetermined operation feeling according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount by the manual operation,
A planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, a carrier and a carrier shaft;
A fixing member for fixing the ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism;
Detecting means for detecting rotation of the output shaft of the motor;
Control means for controlling the rotation of the motor according to the detection result by the detection means,
An output shaft of the motor is provided integrally with the sun gear,
The operation member is integrally provided on the carrier shaft of the planetary gear mechanism,
The plurality of planet gears are restricted between movement in the axial direction of the planet gears by being disposed between the carrier and a regulating member having an insertion hole through which the sun gear is inserted and coupled to the carrier. A manual input device characterized by. The manual input device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member and the carrier are snap-coupled in a state in which relative movement in the axial direction is regulated .

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