JP2000029556A - Signal input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal input device in which the manipulation of a manipulating part can be exactly grasped, the number of parts is reduced and the structure is simplified. SOLUTION: The manipulating part (grip part) 2 is provided with plural vibrating means 7a-7d and corresponding to the position of the manipulating part (grip part) 2, the moving modes of vibrating points of the plural vibrating means 7a-7d are made different with time. In comparison with conventionally provided one, the number of parts is reduced and the structure is simplified so as to attain miniaturization, cost reduction and simplification in assembly work.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal input device mounted on a vehicle, for example, and more particularly to a joystick type signal input device capable of inputting a desired signal from a movable operation unit. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as this kind of signal input device, for example, one having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-81142). The vertical and horizontal sides of the grip 101 of the joystick 100
Individually, that is, a total of 16 retractable protrusions 102
Are provided close to each other.

Each of the projections 102 is, as shown in FIG.
The position corresponding to each part indicated by the reference numeral 104 when the grip part 101 is gripped by 3, that is, the fingertips of the four fingers from the index finger to the little finger of the hand 103, the abdomen part of the finger, and a little palm from the base part of the finger It is provided at a position corresponding to the closer part.
Although not shown, a vibration unit having a piezoelectric element is provided inside each projection 102, and each projection 102 is individually controlled in vibration.

[0004] When the joystick 100 is tilted in a desired direction by holding the grip portion 101 with the hand 103, the on-board equipment can be controlled by an output signal generated by the operation, and
The vibration means is driven based on this output signal, and vibration is transmitted to the projection 102. The hand 103 can tactilely know which position of the protrusion 102 is vibrating, and can determine what kind of in-vehicle equipment is currently being operated by the hand 1.
03 can be confirmed.

[0005] It is difficult to operate the on-vehicle equipment while driving the vehicle and to confirm the operation while watching the monitor display device during driving. In this regard, this proposal has a feature that the operation of the in-vehicle device can be confirmed by the tactile sense of the hand 103, so that it is not necessary to look at the monitor display device and the safe driving can be performed. Absent.

[0006]

That is, in the joystick 100, a large number of projections 102 and each projection 102
And a control means for individually driving and controlling a large number of vibrating means are required, which increases the number of parts, complicates the structure, increases the size, increases the cost, and complicates the assembly work. .

Further, since the size of the hand 103 for operating the joystick 100, that is, the position of the reference numeral 104 shown in FIG. 8 varies from person to person, it is necessary to tactilely sense which position of the projection 102 is vibrating. Has the drawback that the operation of the onboard equipment cannot be properly confirmed.

The present invention eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art, allows accurate grasp of the operation by the operation unit, has a small number of parts, has a simple structure, is compact, reduces costs, and simplifies assembly work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal input device capable of realizing the structure.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an operating section such as a grip section of an operating lever provided with a plurality of vibrating means such as a piezoelectric vibrator and moving the operating section. The moving mode of the oscillating point over time by the plurality of oscillating means is different depending on the position.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has the above-mentioned structure, and has a smaller number of parts, a simpler structure, a smaller size, a lower cost and a simplified assembling operation as compared with those conventionally proposed. Can be achieved.

Further, the arrangement of the vibration means does not correspond to the fingertip or the belly of the finger as in the conventionally proposed ones. Therefore, regardless of the size of the hand, the input of the vibration means depends on the movement state of the vibration point. Since the contents can be confirmed, the operation by the operation unit can be accurately grasped.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signal input device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the signal input device, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a neutral position and a tilted position of an operation lever in the signal input device, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views showing examples of a vibration point moving mode in the signal input device. is there.

The signal input device according to the present embodiment is of a joystick type for operating on-vehicle equipment such as a car audio system, a car air conditioner, and a navigation system. A grip portion 2 large enough to be gripped by the palm is provided at the head of the operation lever 1. The grip portion 2 has a substantially elliptical cross section as shown in FIG. Shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper case 3 is formed with four through holes 5 on a diagonal line.
6 d of vibrating ends 7 a to 7 d penetrate and slightly protrude from the surface of the grip portion 2. The vibrating elements 6a to 6d are small ones composed of, for example, a solenoid or a piezoelectric vibrator.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is held by the grip portion 2 (lower case 4) via a buffer member 8 made of sponge, foamed resin, felt or the like. By attaching each vibration element 6 via the buffer member 8 in this manner, the movement state of a vibration point described later can be clearly determined. An electric wire 8 extending from each of the vibration elements 6a to 6d passes through a hollow portion of the operation lever 1 having a tubular shape and is connected to a vehicle-mounted battery (not shown).

The operating lever 1 is supported on the vehicle body so as to be tiltable. FIG. 4 is a view showing the neutral position and the tilting position of the operating lever 1, and the neutral position and the tilting position of the operating lever 1 are predetermined. Is the neutral position of operation lever 1, ~
Are the tilting positions of the operation lever 1. For example, in order to move the operation lever 1 to the tilt position, the operation lever 1 at the neutral position is moved to a point via a point as shown by a solid line.

A moving position detecting means (not shown) comprising, for example, a membrane switch for detecting the tilt position (moving position) of the operating lever 1 is provided, and a position signal from the detecting means is used to control the driving of the vibrators 6a to 6d. Is input to a control unit (not shown) for performing the above-mentioned operations. In this embodiment, the mechanical position detecting means is provided, but an optical or magnetic position detecting means may be used instead.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the movement mode of the vibration point. As described above, the grip portion 2 has four vibration ends 7.
The black circles in the figure represent vibrating vibrating ends, and the white circles represent non-vibrating vibrating ends.

In the mode shown in FIG. 5A, the vibrating end 7a →
Vibrating end 7b → vibrating end 7c → vibrating end 7d → vibrating end 7a ...
In this mode, the vibration point moves in a clockwise direction. The mode of FIG. 5B is a mode in which the vibrating point 7a → the vibrating end 7d → the vibrating end 7c → the vibrating end 7b → the vibrating end 7a... is there. The mode of FIG.
a and the vibrating end 7c vibrate alternately, and the vibrating point moves in the vertical direction. The mode in FIG. 5D is the vibrating end 7b.
And the vibrating end 7d vibrate alternately, and the vibrating point moves in the left-right direction.

The mode shown in FIG. 6A is a mode in which the vibrating end 7c and the vibrating end 7d vibrate alternately, and the vibrating point moves in an obliquely upward left direction. The mode in FIG. 6B is the vibrating end 7b.
And the vibrating end 7c vibrate alternately, and the vibrating point moves in a diagonally upward right direction. In the mode shown in FIG. 6C, after the vibrating end 7a vibrates, the vibrating end 7b and the vibrating end 7d vibrate simultaneously, and then the vibrating end 7a vibrates again. The vibrating point is centered on the vibrating end 7a. In this mode, the light is spread downward. In the mode shown in FIG. 6D, an operation is repeated in which the vibrating end 7c and the vibrating end 7d vibrate simultaneously after the vibrating end 7c vibrates, and then the vibrating end 7c vibrates again. In this mode, the light is diffused upward.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing an example of the vibration point movement mode, and various combinations are possible. In the present embodiment, the vibration state (amplitude, vibration speed, etc.) of each transducer 6
Is constant, but the vibration state (amplitude, vibration speed, etc.) of each vibrator 6 may be different. As described above, the movement modes of the vibration points are different from each other, and the movement of the vibration points can be accurately transmitted as tactile sensation to the palm of the operator holding the grip portion 2, regardless of the size of the hand. .

Next, a specific example of the on-vehicle signal input device will be described. A panel group (not shown) provided in the vehicle is provided with a switch group for selecting an operation of an in-vehicle device such as an air conditioner, an audio system, a navigation system, a telephone, and a game.

As described above, the positions of the operation lever 1 are set at nine positions as shown in FIG. When the operation of the air conditioner is selected by the panel switch, the position of ... neutral position ... the position of the wind blowing position ... the position where the wind blowing direction is horizontal and downward ... the position of the air volume increase ... automatic The position of the air conditioner… the position of the differential (front)… the position of the air volume down… the position of the rear differential… The direction of the air blowing is predetermined to be horizontal and the vibration corresponding to each position as shown below Point movement mode is determined.

Position of no vibration Position of vibration point movement mode in FIG. 5A Position of vibration point movement mode in FIG. 5B Movement of vibration point in FIG. 5C Mode position ... Vibration point movement mode position in FIG. 5 (d) ... Vibration point movement mode position in FIG. 6 (a) ... Vibration point movement mode position in FIG. 6 (b) ... FIG. 6 ( 6) Vibration point movement mode position in FIG. 6 (d) Vibration point movement mode For example, when it is desired to increase the air volume of the air conditioner, the position of the operation lever 1 is shifted from the neutral position shown in FIG. When it is tilted (moved), the position of the movement is detected by the membrane switch, and the air volume of the air conditioner is adjusted based on the detection signal. At the same time, an increase in the air volume is displayed on the in-vehicle display device (not shown), and the vibrating end a and the vibrating end c vibrate alternately in the vibration point moving mode shown in FIG. To give an intuitive notification that the air volume increase operation has been performed.

In the case of audio operation, the relationship between the operation content, the position of the operation lever, and the vibration point movement mode is determined, for example, as follows.

(Operation Details) (Position of Operation Lever) (Vibration Point Movement Mode) Standby State Position No Vibration AM / FM Switching Position Movement Mode of FIG. 5A Position of Tuning 1 FIG. 5B The movement mode of the channel 2 The position of the channel in FIG. 5C The position of the channel 3 The position of the channel 4 in FIG. 5D The mode of the channel 4 The position of the channel 5 in FIG. 6A The position of the channel 5 FIG. b) Position of movement mode AM Position of movement mode FM in FIG. 6C Position of movement mode in FIG. 6D In this embodiment, the function (equipment) to be operated was selected by the panel switch. The functions (equipment) to be steered can be switched and set by switches provided on the operation unit (the operation lever 1 or the grip unit 2).

In the present embodiment, a lever-type tilting operation unit is used, but a mouse-type operation unit that can move in a predetermined direction on a horizontal plane may be used.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an on-vehicle signal input device, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other vehicles such as airplanes and ships, cranes, measuring instruments, precision instruments, etc. Applicable to the device.

[0028]

The present invention has the above-described configuration, and has a smaller number of parts than those conventionally proposed.
The structure is simple, and downsizing, cost reduction, and simplification of assembly work can be achieved.

The arrangement of the vibrating means does not correspond to the fingertip or the belly of the finger as in the conventionally proposed ones. Therefore, regardless of the size of the hand, the input of the vibration means depends on the moving state of the vibrating point. Since the contents can be checked, it has the features that the operation by the operation unit can be accurately grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signal input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the signal input device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a neutral position and a tilted position of an operation lever in the signal input device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a vibration point moving mode of the signal input device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a vibration point moving mode of the signal input device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventionally proposed signal input device.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a hand operating the signal input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operating lever 2 Handle part 3 Upper case 4 Lower case 5 Through-hole 6a-6d Vibrator 7a-7d Vibration end 8 Buffer member 9 Electric wire

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A signal input device, wherein a plurality of vibration means are provided on an operation unit, and a moving mode of a vibration point over time by the plurality of vibration means is changed according to a moving position of the operation unit. 2. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating means is built in a grip portion of an operation lever, and a vibrating end of each vibrating means is exposed from the grip portion. 3. A signal input device according to claim 1, wherein each of said vibration means is mounted via a buffer member. 4. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the operating section is provided to be tiltable, and a moving state of the vibration point by the plurality of vibrating means varies depending on a tilt position of the operating section. apparatus. 5. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of functions can be operated by the operation unit, the operation unit is provided with function switching means, and the operation amount of the function switched and set by the function switching means is controlled by the operation unit. A signal input device characterized in that the signal input device is configured to be able to be adjusted according to the movement position of the unit. 6. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a vehicle-mounted operation unit, and the vehicle-mounted device is operated by the operation unit.