JP2008153121A - Rotary switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary switch capable of providing a clear click feel, while varying the clicking generation interval. <P>SOLUTION: This rotary switch 11 is provided with a cylindrical click body 12 having a click surface 12a comprising a plurality of clicking ridges 13 on the inside surface; and a clicking piece 24 connected integrally rotatably to an output shaft 21 of a motor 20 in a state housed in the click body 12, and is energized towards the click surface 12a. The rotary switch 11 is equipped with a knob 15 connected to the click body 12; the clicking piece 24 operatively connected to the output shaft 21 of the motor 20; and a rotary encoder 16 outputting rotational position information of the knob 15. The rotary switch 11 is further provided with a control device that obtains the rotating speed of the knob 15, based on the rotational position information of the knob 15 obtained through the rotary encoder 16, and controlling the motor that varies the click generation interval by a relative rotation number difference between the clicking body 12 and the clicking piece 24, based on the rotating speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary switch that sets a control amount of a device through a rotation operation.

  Conventionally, a rotary switch that switches a control amount or the like of a device to be operated by a rotation operation is known. In such a rotary switch, a moderation mechanism is generally provided in order to obtain reliable switching and a comfortable operation feeling. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the moderation mechanism includes a moderation surface in which a plurality of moderation mountains are formed on one of the fixed body and the rotary body constituting the rotary switch, and the moderation mode on the other side. A moderation piece that is biased toward the surface is provided. According to this configuration, when the rotating body is rotated, the moderation piece slides relatively with respect to the moderation surface of the moderation body, thereby providing a moderation feeling.

  Such a rotary switch measures information such as the current position and traveling direction of a running vehicle using an artificial satellite, a geomagnetic meter, an odometer, and the like on a screen of a display device provided in the vehicle interior. It is also widely used as an input device such as a navigation system that displays and informs the user. A user selects one function item from a plurality of function items displayed on the screen of the display device by rotating the rotary switch, and switches to a desired screen or activates a vehicle accessory. The screen displayed on the display device is diverse, for example, an address input screen for inputting an address of a destination, and a genre input screen for selecting a genre such as a sightseeing spot and a narrow facility. In addition, the number of function items displayed on various input screens and their arrangement intervals are different for each input screen. And the input operation to these multiple input screens is often shared by a single rotary switch from the viewpoint of saving installation space and ensuring operability.

In this case, as described above, since the number of function items and their arrangement interval differ for each input screen, it is required to change the moderation occurrence interval of the rotary switch according to the input screen from the viewpoint of operability. However, with the mechanical moderation mechanism as shown in Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to change the moderation of the rotary switch according to a plurality of types of input screens. This is because, in a mechanical moderation mechanism, the moderation generation interval of the rotary switch is determined by the number of moderation peaks on the moderation surface and their arrangement interval. Therefore, in response to such a request for changing the moderation generation interval, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a so-called electric moderation mechanism in which the moderation generation interval of the rotary switch is variably controlled by a motor in accordance with the number of function items and their arrangement interval. Is disclosed. According to this moderation mechanism, the moderation generation interval of the rotary switch is set through control of the amount of current supplied to the motor. Various reaction forces corresponding to the screen are applied to the rotary switch.
JP 2004-22301 A JP 2003-150261 A

  According to the electric moderation mechanism as shown in Patent Document 2 described above, an arbitrary tactile sensation is obtained because the moderation occurrence interval of the rotary switch is changed according to the screen displayed on the display device through the control of the motor. It is done. However, in the electric moderation mechanism, the driving force of the motor is applied to the switch as a reaction force according to the operation speed of the rotary switch. In comparison, there was a problem that it was difficult to obtain a clear sense of moderation.

  Thus, the mechanical moderation mechanism and the electrical moderation mechanism have conflicting advantages and disadvantages, respectively. That is, according to the mechanical moderation mechanism, a clear moderation can be obtained, but variations in the moderation occurrence interval are limited. On the other hand, according to the electric moderation mechanism, although the moderation occurrence interval can be varied, it is difficult to obtain a clear moderation feeling. Therefore, a rotary switch that has both the advantage of the mechanical moderation mechanism that can obtain a clear moderation and the advantage of the electric moderation mechanism that can arbitrarily change the moderation occurrence interval has not been realized yet. From such an actual situation, there is a demand for a rotary switch that can provide a clear sense of moderation and can ensure variations in the moderation occurrence interval.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary switch that can provide a clear sense of moderation while making the moderation occurrence interval variable.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a cylindrical moderation body in which a plurality of moderation mountains are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface, and the moderation mode is accommodated in the piece holder. A moderation piece that is biased toward the inner or outer peripheral surface of the body, and the moderation piece rotates and slides relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in accordance with the rotation operation of the knob. In the rotary switch designed to obtain a feeling of moderation, either the moderation body or the piece holder is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable, and the other is also connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable. A rotation sensor that converts the mechanical rotational displacement into an electrical signal and outputs the rotation position information of the knob, and obtains the rotation speed of the knob based on the rotation position information of the knob acquired through the rotation position sensor. A control device for controlling the motor so as to change the detent generation interval by the relative rotational speed difference between the calculated was based on the rotation speed detent member and the detent piece, to become further comprising a as its gist the.

  According to the present invention, when the knob is rotated with the motor stopped, a moderation of an interval based on the number of moderation ridges and their arrangement interval can be obtained. When changing the moderation generation interval, the motor is driven. In this case, the rotation speed of the knob is obtained based on the rotational position information of the knob acquired through the rotation sensor, and the moderation occurrence interval based on the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body and the moderation piece based on the obtained rotation speed. The motor is controlled to change the value. When the motor is driven in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the knob, the difference in relative rotational speed between the moderation body and the moderation piece becomes larger than when the motor is stopped as described above. Conversely, when the motor is driven in the same direction as the rotation direction of the knob, the relative rotational speed difference between the moderating body and the moderating piece is smaller than when the motor is stopped as described above. Become. Thus, since the moderation generation interval is changed based on the relative rotational speed difference between the moderating body and the moderating piece, by controlling the rotational direction and rotational speed of the motor according to the rotational direction and rotational speed of the knob, Arbitrary moderation intervals can be generated. In addition, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in which a plurality of moderation peaks are formed, so that a clear sense of moderation is obtained. It is done.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to the first aspect, the moderation body includes a moderation mountain formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof and is coupled to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable. The gist of the invention is that it is connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable in a state of being housed inside the motor. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to Claim 1 is acquired.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to the first aspect, the piece holder is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable, and is open to an inner peripheral surface of the piece holder. A moderation piece is accommodated in the formed accommodating portion, and the moderation body is coupled to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable with a moderation mountain formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof and accommodated inside the piece holder. It becomes the gist. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to Claim 1 is acquired.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to the first aspect, the moderation body has a moderation mountain formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof and is connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable, and the moderation piece is The gist of the invention is that the knob is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable while being accommodated in the moderation body. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to Claim 1 is acquired.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a cylindrical moderation body in which a plurality of moderation mountains are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface, and the moderation rate is accommodated in the piece holder. A moderation piece that is biased toward the inner or outer peripheral surface of the body, and the moderation piece rotates and slides relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in accordance with the rotation operation of the knob. In the rotary switch designed to obtain a sense of moderation, the knob is connected via a planetary gear mechanism in which a planetary gear that mediates transmission of rotational force between the sun gear and the internal gear is rotatably held by the carrier. The joint gear is operatively connected to the moderator, and the inner gear constituting the planetary gear mechanism has the moderator, the sun gear or carrier has the motor output shaft, and the carrier or sun gear has the knob rotated through the operation shaft. Concatenated A rotation sensor that converts the mechanical rotational displacement into an electrical signal and outputs the rotation position information of the knob, and calculates the rotation speed of the knob based on the rotation position information of the knob acquired through the rotation position sensor. The gist of the invention is that it further includes a control device that controls the motor to change the moderation generation interval due to the relative rotational speed difference between the knob and the motor output shaft based on the rotational speed.

  According to the present invention, when the knob is rotated while the motor is stopped, the rotational force of the knob is transmitted to the internal gear via the carrier or the sun gear and the planetary gear. Here, since the moderation body is connected to the internal gear so as to be integrally rotatable, it rotates at a rotational speed corresponding to the gear ratio between the sun gear and the internal gear as the rotary switch rotates. As a result, a moderation occurrence interval based on the number of moderation peaks and their arrangement interval is obtained. When changing the moderation generation interval, the motor is driven. In this case, the rotational speed of the knob is obtained based on the rotational position information of the knob acquired through the rotation sensor, and moderation occurs due to the relative rotational speed difference between the knob and the motor output shaft based on the obtained rotational speed. The motor is controlled to change the spacing.

  That is, the rotational force of the knob is transmitted to the planetary gear via the carrier or the sun gear, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the planetary gear via the sun gear or the carrier. As a result, the planetary gear performs a motion in which two rotations of the carrier or sun gear and the sun gear or carrier are combined. The rotational force of the planetary gear is transmitted to the internal gear, and the internal gear rotates integrally with the moderator. Here, as the rotational speed of the motor is increased, the reduction ratio between the knob and the internal gear is increased, so that the moderation occurrence interval is increased and the operation feeling of the knob is increased. On the contrary, the reduction ratio of the knob and the internal gear becomes smaller as the rotation speed of the motor is made smaller, so that the moderation occurrence interval becomes smaller and the operation feeling of the knob becomes lighter. As described above, it is possible to arbitrarily set the moderation occurrence interval by controlling the number of rotations of the motor, and it is possible to suitably obtain an operation feeling corresponding to the width of the moderation occurrence interval. In addition, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in which a plurality of moderation peaks are formed, so that a clear sense of moderation is obtained. It is done.

  The gist of the invention described in claim 6 is that, in the rotary switch according to claim 5, the sun gear is connected to the output shaft of the motor and the carrier is connected to the knob through the operation shaft.

  According to the present invention, the rotational force of the knob is transmitted to the planetary gear via the carrier, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the planetary gear via the sun gear. As a result, the planetary gear moves by combining the two rotations of the carrier and the sun gear. The rotational force of the planetary gear is transmitted to the internal gear, and the internal gear rotates integrally with the moderator. Therefore, even if it is comprised like this invention, the effect similar to Claim 5 is acquired.

  The gist of the invention according to claim 7 is that, in the rotary switch according to claim 5, the sun gear is connected to the knob through the operation shaft and the carrier is connected to the output shaft of the motor.

  According to the present invention, the rotational force of the knob is transmitted to the planetary gear via the sun gear, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the planetary gear via the carrier. As a result, the planetary gear moves by combining the two rotations of the sun gear and the carrier. The rotational force of the planetary gear is transmitted to the internal gear, and the internal gear rotates integrally with the moderator. Therefore, even if it is comprised like this invention, the effect similar to Claim 5 is acquired.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to the fifth aspect, a tooth shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the carrier over the entire circumference and the output shaft of the motor is engaged with the tooth shape, while the sun gear is engaged. The gist is that a knob is connected through an operation shaft.

  According to the present invention, the rotational force of the knob is transmitted to the planetary gear via the sun gear, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the planetary gear via the carrier. As a result, the planetary gear moves by combining the two rotations of the sun gear and the carrier. The rotational force of the planetary gear is transmitted to the internal gear, and the internal gear rotates integrally with the moderator. Therefore, even if it is comprised like this invention, the effect similar to Claim 5 is acquired.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to the sixth aspect, the motor has an output shaft formed with an axially extending through hole through which an operation shaft for connecting the knob and the carrier can be inserted. And the knob is connected to the carrier through an operating shaft inserted through the through hole of the hollow motor. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to Claim 6 is acquired. In addition, by adopting a hollow motor that can be inserted through the operation shaft, the knob and the hollow motor can be coaxially arranged on the same side with the moderator as a reference.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary switch according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the control device includes a screen on which a plurality of function items indicating operation contents of the device are displayed. The display device can be selected from among a plurality of function items displayed on the screen of the display device according to the amount of knob rotation, and the display mode of the display device is the number of function items. When the display mode is changed to another display mode, the gist is to control the motor so as to obtain a moderation feeling according to the number of function items displayed on the screen in the other display mode.

  According to the present invention, even when the display mode of the display device is switched to another display mode having a different number of function items, the number of function items displayed on the screen in the other display mode through the motor rotation speed control. The moderation feeling according to the is suitably obtained.

  According to the present invention, a clear sense of moderation can be obtained while changing the moderation occurrence interval in the rotary switch.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the present invention provides a navigation system that measures information such as the current position and traveling direction of a traveling vehicle using an artificial satellite, a geomagnetic meter, an odometer, etc., and displays the information on a screen in a passenger compartment to inform a user. A first embodiment embodied in a rotary switch that functions as an input device of a system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A display device of the navigation system is provided in a center cluster of a vehicle (not shown). The user selects one function item from a plurality of function items displayed on the screen by rotating the rotary switch while visually observing the screen of the display device, and switches to a desired screen or attaches the vehicle's incidental equipment. To make it work. There are a wide variety of screens displayed on the display device, and the number of function items displayed on various screens and their arrangement intervals differ from screen to screen. Input operations based on these plural types of screens are shared by a single rotary switch from the viewpoint of saving installation space and ensuring operability.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary switch 11 includes a moderation body 12 that is rotatably supported inside a case (not shown) fixed to the vehicle side. The moderation body 12 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one side opened. The inner peripheral surface of the moderation body 12 is a moderation surface 12a in which a plurality of (in the present embodiment, 24) moderation ridges 13 are formed continuously and smoothly at predetermined intervals over the entire circumference. . As shown in FIG. 2, the moderation mountain 13 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape when the moderation body 12 is cut along a plane orthogonal to the axis thereof is a triangular shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the operation shaft 14 is fixed to the center of the side surface opposite to the opening of the moderation body 12, and a columnar knob 15 that is rotated by the user is also provided to the other end. It is fixed. The knob 15 is provided so as to partially protrude from the surface of the center cluster, for example, in order to ensure user operability. When the knob 15 is rotated by the user, the rotational force of the knob 15 is transmitted to the moderation body 12 through the operation shaft 14. That is, the knob 15, the operation shaft 14, and the moderating body 12 rotate integrally on the same axis.

  Inside the case, an optical rotary encoder 16 is provided in the middle of the operation shaft 14 as a rotation sensor that converts the mechanical rotational displacement of the knob 15 into an electrical signal and outputs it as rotational position information of the knob 15. Is provided. The rotary encoder 16 includes a disc 17 attached to the operation shaft 14 so as to be integrally rotatable, and a plurality of sets (for example, two sets) of light emitting elements 18 and light receiving elements 19 disposed so as to sandwich the disc 17 therebetween. Prepare. For example, a light emitting diode can be used as the light emitting element 18, and a phototransistor can be used as the light receiving element 19, for example. In FIG. 1, only one set of the light emitting element 18 and the light receiving element 19 is shown for convenience.

  In the disc 17, a plurality of slits 17a extending in the radial direction are formed at equal intervals in the rotation direction. The two sets of the light emitting element 18 and the light receiving element 19 are arranged so as to sandwich the two slits 17a. The light emitted from the light emitting element 18 is blocked by the operation shaft 14 through the rotation operation of the knob 15 so that the optical path is interrupted for each pitch of the slit, and light transmission and interruption are repeated in proportion to the rotation amount. The two light receiving elements 19 respectively extract the light that has passed through the corresponding slits 17 a as two electric signals having different phases and output the information as rotational position information of the knob 15.

  On the other hand, a motor 20 is disposed on the opening side of the moderation body 12. An output shaft 21 of the motor 20 is disposed coaxially with the moderation body 12, and a rectangular parallelepiped piece holder 22 is fixed to the tip of the output shaft 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the piece holder 22 is fixed to the output shaft 21 in a state of being offset toward one end so as to extend in the radial direction inside the moderation body 12. A receiving hole 22 a extending in a direction along the axis of the piece holder 22 is formed on a side surface (upper surface in FIG. 2) of the piece holder 22 that faces the inner peripheral surface of the moderating body 12. A spherical moderation piece 24 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 22a through the coil spring 23 in a partially exposed state. The moderation piece 24 is accommodated so as to be movable in the accommodation hole 22 a and is always urged toward the moderation surface 12 a by the elastic force of the coil spring 23. The outward movement of the moderation piece 24 is regulated by the moderation piece 24 coming into contact with the moderation surface 12a.

Next, the electrical configuration of the rotary switch will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary switch 11 includes a control device 31 that controls the motor 20 in accordance with the rotation operation of the knob 15. In addition to the light emitting element 18, the light receiving element 19, and the motor 20 described above, the display device 32 of the vehicle navigation system is connected to the control device 31. The display device 32 includes a screen on which a plurality of function items indicating the operation contents of the device are displayed. When a switch (not shown) is operated to switch the function of the navigation system, the screen of the display device 32 is switched to another screen having a different number of function items.

  The control device 31 controls the motor 20 and the display device 32 based on various control programs such as a motor control program and a display control program stored in a storage device (not shown) such as an EEPROM. Specifically, the control device 31 obtains the rotational speed of the knob 15 based on the rotational position information of the knob 15 acquired through the rotary encoder 16, and determines the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 based on the obtained rotational speed. The motor 20 is controlled to change the moderation interval due to the relative rotational speed difference. The control device 31 controls the rotation speed of the motor 20 so as to give the knob 15 a moderation according to the number of function items on the screen of the display device 32 and their arrangement interval. Further, the control device 31 obtains the rotation direction of the knob 15 based on the rotation position information of the knob 15 acquired through the rotary encoder 16, and controls the rotation direction of the motor 20 based on the obtained rotation direction. Further, the control device 31 selects any one of a plurality of function items displayed on the screen of the display device 32 according to the amount of rotation operation of the knob 15. For example, a desired function item is selected through a visible or invisible cursor that moves on the screen of the display device 32 in accordance with the rotation operation amount of the knob 15.

Next, the operation of the rotary switch configured as described above will be described.
When the knob 15 is rotated while the motor 20 is stopped, the moderation piece 24 slides relative to the moderation surface 12a while being pressed against the moderation surface 12a by the elastic force of the coil spring 23. . As a result, the moderation of the generation interval according to the number of moderation peaks 13 and their arrangement interval is obtained. When the motor 20 is kept in a stopped state, the same moderation feeling can be obtained when the knob 15 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction.

  On the other hand, when changing the moderation occurrence interval, the motor 20 is driven. In this case, as described above, the rotational speed and direction of the knob 15 are obtained based on the rotational position information of the knob 15 acquired through the rotary encoder 16. Then, the motor is controlled to change the moderation generation interval due to the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 based on the calculated rotation speed and direction of the knob 15. For example, when the motor 20 is driven in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the knob 15, the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 becomes larger than when the motor 20 is stopped. The moderation interval is reduced. Conversely, when the motor 20 is driven in the same direction as the rotation direction of the knob 15, the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 is smaller than when the motor 20 is stopped. , Moderation occurrence interval becomes wide. As described above, the knob 15 is given a moderation according to the relative rotational speed difference between the knob 15 and the motor 20, that is, the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 that rotate integrally therewith.

  Next, the relationship between the rotational speed of the knob 15 and the rotational speed of the motor 20 will be specifically described with reference to Table 2 shown below. In Table 2, for the sake of convenience, the rotational speed of the knob 15 is “1”, while the moderation speed when the rotational speed of the motor 20 is “1”, “0.5”, “0”, “−1”. Indicates a number. In addition, when the rotation direction of the motor 20 is the same direction, it is “positive”, and when it is the reverse direction, it is “negative”. Here, a negative sign (−) is attached only when the rotation direction of the motor 20 is opposite to the rotation direction of the knob 15, and the positive direction when the rotation direction of the motor 20 is the same direction as the rotation direction of the knob 15. The sign (+) is omitted.

  As shown in Table 2, when the rotation speed of the knob 15 is “1” and the rotation speed of the motor 20 is “1”, the moderation degree when the knob 15 is rotated once is “0”. This is because the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 rotate in the same direction and at the same speed, and the relative rotational speed difference therebetween becomes zero. That is, the moderation body 12 does not rotate relative to the moderation piece 24. For this reason, moderation does not occur.

  Next, when the rotation speed of the knob 15 is “1” and the rotation speed of the motor 20 is “0.5”, the moderation frequency when the knob 15 is rotated once is half the actual moderation mountain number, That is, “12”. This is because the moderation piece 24 rotates in the same direction as the moderation body 12 and at half the speed of the moderation body 12, and the relative rotational speed difference therebetween becomes 1/2 times that when the motor is stopped. That is, the moderation body 12 is rotating relative to the moderation piece 24 at a rotational speed that is half the actual rotational speed. Therefore, the moderation number is “12”, which is half the actual number of moderation peaks.

  Next, when the rotation speed of the knob 15 is “1” and the rotation speed of the motor 20 is “0”, the moderation frequency when the knob 15 is rotated once is “24”, which is the same as the actual moderation mountain number. Become. This is because the moderation piece 24 is kept in a stopped state, and the rotational speed of the moderation body 12 becomes the relative rotational speed difference from the moderation piece 24 as it is. In other words, the moderator 12 rotates relative to the moderation piece 24 at the same rotational speed as the actual rotational speed. For this reason, the moderation number becomes “24” which is the actual value of the moderation peak number.

  Finally, when the rotation speed of the knob 15 is “1” and the rotation speed of the motor 20 is “−1”, the moderation frequency when the knob 15 is rotated once is twice the actual moderation mountain number, That is, “48”. This is because the moderation piece 24 rotates in the opposite direction to the moderation body 12 and at the same speed as the moderation body 12, and the relative rotational speed difference therebetween becomes twice that when the motor is stopped. That is, the moderation body 12 is rotating relative to the moderation piece 24 at a rotational speed that is twice the actual rotational speed. Therefore, the moderation number is “48”, which is twice the actual moderation peak number.

なお、実際には、表示装置３２の画面に応じて好適な節度数、すなわち節度発生間隔が得られるように、ノブ１５の回転速度及び回転方向並びに表示装置３２の画面の種類を加味した上でモータ２０の回転数及び回転方向が制御される。

In practice, the rotational speed and rotational direction of the knob 15 and the type of screen of the display device 32 are taken into account so that a suitable moderation number, that is, a moderation generation interval, can be obtained according to the screen of the display device 32. The rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor 20 are controlled.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the moderation generation interval is changed based on the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation mountain 13 and the moderation piece 24, the rotation of the motor 20 according to the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the knob 15. By controlling the direction and the number of rotations, an arbitrary moderation interval can be generated. Thus, even when the screen of the display device 32 is switched to another screen having a different number of function items, the moderation feeling corresponding to the number of function items displayed on the other screen is controlled through the rotation speed control of the motor 20. Is preferably obtained. And it becomes possible to respond suitably to various screens of the display device 32 with different required moderation occurrence intervals. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a, so that a clear moderation feeling can be obtained. Thereby, the operativity and operation feeling of the knob 15 are ensured. When the knob 15 is rotated, as described above, the required rotational operation force is the same, such as heavy and light, even if the moderation frequency (moderation occurrence interval) changes.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment includes an operation shaft 14, a knob 15, a rotary encoder 16, and a motor 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary switch 41 includes a bottomed cylindrical piece holder 42 whose one side surface is open. A knob 15 (not shown in FIG. 4) is coupled to the center of the side surface opposite to the opening of the piece holder 42 through an operation shaft 14 (not shown in FIG. 4) so as to be integrally rotatable. A receiving hole 42 a extending in the radial direction is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the piece holder 42, and a spherical moderation piece 44 is partially exposed to the receiving hole 42 a through a coil spring 43. Contained. The moderation piece 44 is movably accommodated in the accommodation hole 42 a and is always urged toward the center of the piece holder 42 by the elastic force of the coil spring 43.

  The motor 20 is disposed on the opening side of the piece holder 42, and a columnar moderator 45 is fixed to the tip of the output shaft 21 of the motor 20. The outer peripheral surface of the moderation body 45 is a moderation surface 45a in which a plurality of moderation peaks 46 are formed smoothly and continuously at predetermined intervals over the entire circumference. The moderation mountain 46 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape when the moderation body 45 is cut along a plane orthogonal to the axis thereof is a triangular shape. The moderation body 45 is held in a state of being accommodated inside the piece holder 42. The moderation piece 44 is always pressed against the moderation surface 45 a of the moderation body 45 by the elastic force of the coil spring 43.

  When the knob 15 or the motor 20 or both of them are rotated, the moderation piece 24 slides relative to the moderation surface 12a while being pressed against the moderation surface 12a by the elastic force of the coil spring 23. Then, the rotation direction and rotation speed of the motor 20 are controlled according to the rotation direction and rotation speed of the knob 15, that is, the rotation direction and rotation direction of the piece holder 42. A moderation generation interval corresponding to the relative rotational speed difference with the moderation body 45 connected to the output shaft 21 of the motor 20 is obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 44 relative to the moderation surface 45a of the moderation body 45, so that a clear sense of moderation is obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a clear sense of moderation can be obtained while changing the moderation occurrence interval.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the arrangement of the moderating body 12 and the moderation piece 24, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the moderation body 12 of the rotary switch 51 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one side opening, and a plurality of moderation mountains 13 are predetermined on the inner circumferential surface in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis. It is provided at every interval. An output shaft 21 of the motor 20 is connected to the center of the side surface opposite to the opening of the moderator 12 so as to be integrally rotatable. Further, the piece holder 22 is connected to the knob 15 via the operation shaft 14 while being housed inside the moderation body 12. Even in such a configuration, the moderation based on the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body 12 and the moderation piece 24 is controlled by controlling the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the motor 20 according to the operation direction and operation speed of the knob 15. An occurrence interval is obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a of the moderation body 12, and thus a clear sense of moderation is obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a clear sense of moderation can be obtained while changing the moderation occurrence interval.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary switch 61 includes a coil spring 23 in the receiving hole 22 a of the operation shaft 14, knob 15, rotary encoder 16, moderation body 12, piece holder 22, as in the first embodiment. The moderation piece 24 accommodated via the control unit 31 and a control device 31 (not shown in FIG. 6) are provided. The piece holder 22 is fixed to a case (not shown) via a fixing member 62 while being housed inside the moderation body 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the moderation piece 24 is always pressed against the moderation surface 12 a of the moderation body 12 by the elastic force of the coil spring 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the other end of the operating shaft 14 having the knob 15 connected to one end is operatively connected to the moderation body 12 via a planetary gear mechanism 63. In the operation shaft 14, a hollow motor 64 is inserted between the rotary encoder 16 and the planetary gear mechanism 63. More specifically, the hollow motor 64 has an output shaft 65 in which a through hole 65a extending in the axial direction through which the operation shaft 14 can be inserted is formed, and the operation shaft 14 can rotate in a non-contact state in the through hole 65a. Is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the planetary gear mechanism 63 includes an annular sun gear 71 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 65, an internal gear 72 in which the sun gear 71 is disposed on the inner diameter portion, and the sun gear 71. 4 planetary gears 73 that mediate transmission of rotational force between the internal gear 72 and a disk-like carrier 74 that rotatably supports the four planetary gears 73 at the inner diameter portion of the internal gear 72. . The four planetary gears 73 are supported by the carrier 74 so as to rotate (revolve) integrally around the axis of the sun gear 71 while rotating (spinning) around the axis of the planetary gear 73.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the internal gear 72 is connected to the side surface opposite to the opening of the moderator 12 so as to be integrally rotatable. Further, the end of the operation shaft 14 opposite to the knob 15 is inserted into the center of the carrier 74 so as to be integrally rotatable. The moderation body 12, the operation shaft 14, the sun gear 71, the internal gear 72, and the carrier 74 are arranged coaxially.

Next, the operation of the rotary switch configured as described above will be described.
When the knob 15 is rotated with the hollow motor 64 stopped, the rotational force of the knob 15 is transmitted to the internal gear 72 via the carrier 74 and the planetary gear 73. Here, since the moderator 12 is coupled to the internal gear 72 so as to be integrally rotatable, the moderator 12 rotates at a rotational speed corresponding to the gear ratio between the sun gear 71 and the internal gear 72 as the knob 15 is rotated. As a result, a moderation occurrence interval based on the number of moderation peaks 13 and their arrangement interval is obtained.

  On the other hand, when changing the moderation generation interval, the hollow motor 64 is driven. In this case, the control device 31 obtains the rotational speed of the knob 15 based on the rotational position information of the knob 15 acquired through the rotary encoder 16 and outputs the knob 15 and the output shaft of the hollow motor 64 based on the obtained rotational speed. The hollow motor 64 is controlled so as to change the moderation occurrence interval due to the relative rotational speed difference from 65. That is, the rotational force of the knob 15 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the carrier 74, and the rotational force of the hollow motor 64 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the sun gear 71. As a result, the planetary gear 73 performs a motion in which two rotations of the sun gear 71 and the carrier 74 are combined. The rotational force of the planetary gear 73 is transmitted to the internal gear 72, and the internal gear 72 rotates integrally with the moderator 12.

  Here, as the rotational speed of the hollow motor 64 is increased, the reduction ratio between the knob 15 and the internal gear 72 is increased, so that the moderation generation interval is increased and the operation feeling of the knob 15 is increased. On the contrary, the reduction ratio between the knob 15 and the internal gear 72 is reduced as the rotational speed of the hollow motor 64 is reduced, so that the moderation generation interval is reduced and the operation feeling of the knob 15 is lightened. Thus, by controlling the rotation speed of the hollow motor 64, it is possible to arbitrarily set the moderation occurrence interval, and an operation feeling corresponding to the width of the moderation occurrence interval can be suitably obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a, so that a clear moderation feeling can be obtained.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a clear sense of moderation can be obtained while changing the moderation occurrence interval. Further, by adopting the hollow motor 64 through which the operation shaft 14 can be inserted, the knob 15 and the hollow motor 64 can be coaxially arranged on the same side with the moderator 12 as a reference. Further, when the rotational speed of the hollow motor 64 is extremely increased, the reduction ratio between the knob 15 and the internal gear 72 is extremely increased accordingly. Using this fact, it is also possible to regulate the amount of rotation operation of the knob 15. For example, when the rotation operation range of the knob 15 is set to 0 ° to 90 °, the control device 31 rotates the knob 15 by 90 ° based on the rotation position information of the knob 15 acquired from the rotary encoder 16. The rotational speed of the hollow motor 64 is rapidly increased at the timing. As a result, the required rotational operation force is remarkably increased, and the rotational operation of the knob 15 exceeding 90 ° becomes difficult. Thus, the amount of rotation operation of the knob 15 can be arbitrarily set through the control of the number of rotations of the hollow motor 64.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in the arrangement of the motor and the carrier.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the rotary switch 81 includes the operating shaft 14, the knob 15, the rotary encoder 16, the planetary gear mechanism 63, the moderator 12, and the accommodation hole 22 a of the piece holder 22, as in the fourth embodiment. Are provided with a moderation piece 24 accommodated via a coil spring 23 and a control device 31 (not shown in FIG. 9). The carrier 74 of the planetary gear mechanism 63 is disposed outside the knob 15 side of the internal gear 72, and the end of the operation shaft 14 opposite to the knob 15 is connected to the center of the carrier 74 so as to be integrally rotatable. Has been. On the other hand, a motor 82 is disposed on the moderator 12 on the side opposite to the knob 15. An output shaft 82 a of the motor 82 is loosely inserted into insertion holes 83 a and 83 b formed at the centers of the moderator 12 and the internal gear 72, and is connected to the center of the sun gear 71 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily set the moderation occurrence interval by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 82, and the moderation occurrence interval can be set. An operation feeling corresponding to the width can be suitably obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a, so that a clear moderation feeling can be obtained. Therefore, a clear sense of moderation can be obtained while changing the moderation occurrence interval.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in terms of the connection destination of the motor and the operating shaft.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the rotary switch 91 has a coil spring 23 in the receiving hole 22a of the operating shaft 14, knob 15, rotary encoder 16, moderator 12 and piece holder 22, as in the fifth embodiment. A moderation piece 24, a planetary gear mechanism 63, and a control device 31 (not shown in FIG. 10) are provided. The moderation body 12 is disposed so as to open to the knob 15 side. The end of the operating shaft 14 opposite to the knob 15 is loosely inserted into insertion holes 83a and 83b formed in the centers of the moderation body 12 and the internal gear 72, and is connected to the center of the sun gear 71 so as to be integrally rotatable. Has been. The carrier 74 is disposed outside the inner gear 72 opposite to the knob 15, and an output shaft 82 a of the motor 82 is coupled to the center of the carrier 74 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  Therefore, the rotational force of the knob 15 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the sun gear 71, and the rotational force of the motor 82 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the carrier 74. As a result, the planetary gear 73 performs a motion in which two rotations of the sun gear 71 and the carrier 74 are combined. The rotational force of the planetary gear 73 is transmitted to the internal gear 72, and the internal gear 72 rotates integrally with the moderator 12. As in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily set the moderation occurrence interval by controlling the number of rotations of the motor 82, and the operation feeling according to the width of the moderation occurrence interval is suitable. Is obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a, so that a clear moderation feeling can be obtained. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a clear sense of moderation while changing the moderation occurrence interval.

<Seventh embodiment>
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in the point of connection of the operation shafts of the motor and knob.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the rotary switch 101 includes the operating shaft 14, the knob 15, the rotary encoder 16, the planetary gear mechanism 63, the moderation body 12, and the accommodation hole 22 a of the piece holder 22, as in the fifth embodiment. A moderation piece 24 accommodated via a coil spring 23 and a control device 31 (not shown in FIG. 11). The insertion hole 83a of the moderator 12 and the insertion hole 83b of the internal gear 72 are not formed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an insertion hole 102 is formed at the center of the carrier 74, and a tooth profile 74 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the carrier 74 over the entire circumference. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, a gear 103 is coupled to the tip of the output shaft 82 a of the motor 82 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the gear 103 is meshed with a tooth profile 74 a of the carrier 74. As shown in FIG. 11, the operation shaft 14 inserted through the insertion hole 102 of the carrier 74 is connected to the center of the sun gear 71 constituting the planetary gear mechanism 63 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  Accordingly, the rotational force of the knob 15 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the sun gear 71, and the rotational force of the motor 82 is transmitted to the planetary gear 73 via the gear 103 and the carrier 74. As a result, the planetary gear 73 performs a motion in which two rotations of the sun gear 71 and the carrier 74 are combined. The rotational force of the planetary gear 73 is transmitted to the internal gear 72, and the internal gear 72 rotates integrally with the moderator 12. As in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily set the moderation occurrence interval by controlling the number of rotations of the motor 82, and the operation feeling according to the width of the moderation occurrence interval is suitable. Is obtained. Further, the moderation itself is obtained by sliding the moderation piece 24 relative to the moderation surface 12a, so that a clear moderation feeling can be obtained. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a clear sense of moderation while changing the moderation occurrence interval.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, you may implement this Embodiment as follows.
In the first to seventh embodiments, the rotary encoder 16 is adopted as the rotation sensor. However, the MRE sensor using the magnetoresistive element, the Hall sensor using the Hall element (Hall IC), and the giant magnetism It is also possible to employ a magnetic sensor such as a GMR sensor using a resistance element. In this case, a cylindrical magnet having both ends opened by alternately magnetizing N and S poles around the axis is mounted on the operation shaft 14 and the above-described axis sensor is placed in the magnetic field of the magnet. Arrange. The magnetic sensor outputs the change in the magnetic field accompanying the rotation of the magnet as the rotational position information of the knob 15.

In the first to seventh embodiments, the moderation body 12 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one side opened, but can also be formed in a cylindrical shape with both side opened.
In the second embodiment, the operation shaft 14 may be connected to the moderator 45 and the output shaft 21 may be connected to the piece holder 42.

In the fourth to seventh embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the moderation body 12 may be the moderation surface 12a, and the moderation piece 24 may be pressed from the outside of the moderation surface 12a.
In the fourth to seventh embodiments, the internal gear 72 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one side opened, but it may be formed in a cylindrical shape with both side surfaces opened.

  In the fourth to seventh embodiments, the moderation body 12 and the internal gear 72 are separate members, but they can be integrally formed. In this way, the rotational force of the internal gear 72 is reliably transmitted to the moderation body 12, so that a moderation according to the rotation operation of the knob 15 can be suitably obtained. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the first to seventh embodiments, the rotary switch is embodied as an input means of a vehicle navigation system. However, an air conditioner (adjustment of temperature, air volume, etc.) or audio (adjustment of volume, music selection, etc.) It is also possible to embody as the input means. Further, the application target of the rotary switch is not limited to a vehicle device. For example, it may be embodied as an input means such as a home electric appliance.

<Other technical ideas>
Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described below.
In the rotary switch according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
A rotary switch in which the moderation body and the internal gear are integrally formed. According to this configuration, since the rotational force of the internal gear is reliably transmitted to the moderation body, the moderation according to the knob rotation operation can be suitably obtained.

The schematic perspective view of the rotary switch of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the rotary switch of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. The schematic perspective view of the rotary switch of 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the rotary switch of 4th Embodiment. 2-2 sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 6. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the rotary switch of 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the rotary switch of 6th Embodiment. The principal part sectional drawing of the rotary switch of 7th Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  11, 41, 51, 61, 81, 91, 101 ... rotary switch, 12, 45 ... moderator, 12a, 45a ... moderation surface, 13, 46 ... moderation mountain, 14 ... operating shaft, 15 ... knob, 16 ... rotary Encoder (rotation sensor), 20, 82 ... motor, 21, 65, 82a ... output shaft, 22, 42 ... piece holder, 24, 44 ... moderation piece, 31 ... control device, 32 ... display device, 42a ... housing part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 63 ... Planetary gear mechanism, 64 ... Hollow motor, 65a ... Through-hole, 71 ... Sun gear, 72 ... Internal gear, 73 ... Planetary gear, 74 ... Carrier, 74a ... Tooth profile, 103 ... Gear

Claims (10)

A cylindrical moderation body in which a plurality of moderation mountains are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis on the inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface, and the inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body while being accommodated in a piece holder The moderation piece is biased toward the surface, and the moderation piece is rotated and slid relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in accordance with the rotation operation of the knob so as to obtain a feeling of moderation. In the rotary switch,
One of the moderator and the piece holder is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable, and the other is also connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable.
A rotation sensor that converts the mechanical rotational displacement of the knob into an electrical signal and outputs it as the rotational position information of the knob, and obtains the rotational speed of the knob based on the rotational position information of the knob acquired through the rotational position sensor. And a controller for controlling the motor to change the moderation generation interval based on the relative rotational speed difference between the moderation body and the moderation piece based on the rotation speed. The rotary switch according to claim 1, wherein
The moderation body has a moderation mountain formed on its inner peripheral surface and is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable.
The piece holder is a rotary switch that is connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable while being housed inside the moderation body. The rotary switch according to claim 1, wherein
The piece holder is formed in a cylindrical shape and is coupled to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable, and the moderation piece is accommodated in an accommodation portion formed by opening on the inner peripheral surface of the piece holder,
The moderation body is a rotary switch that is formed such that a moderation mountain is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof and is connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable in a state of being housed inside the piece holder. The rotary switch according to claim 1, wherein
The moderation body has a moderation mountain formed on its inner peripheral surface and is connected to the output shaft of the motor so as to be integrally rotatable,
The moderation piece is a rotary switch that is connected to the knob so as to be integrally rotatable while being accommodated in the moderation body. A cylindrical moderation body in which a plurality of moderation mountains are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis on the inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface, and the inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body while being accommodated in a piece holder The moderation piece is biased toward the surface, and the moderation piece is rotated and slid relative to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the moderation body in accordance with the rotation operation of the knob so as to obtain a feeling of moderation. In the rotary switch,
The knob is operatively connected to the moderation body via a planetary gear mechanism in which a planetary gear that mediates transmission of rotational force between the sun gear and the internal gear is rotatably held by the carrier,
A moderator is connected to the internal gear constituting the planetary gear mechanism, an output shaft of the motor is connected to the sun gear or the carrier, and a knob is connected to the carrier or the sun gear through the operation shaft so as to be integrally rotatable.
A rotation sensor that converts the mechanical rotational displacement of the knob into an electrical signal and outputs it as the rotational position information of the knob, and obtains the rotational speed of the knob based on the rotational position information of the knob acquired through the rotational position sensor. And a controller for controlling the motor to change a moderation generation interval due to a relative rotational speed difference between the knob and the output shaft of the motor based on the rotation speed. The rotary switch according to claim 5,
A rotary switch with a sun gear connected to the output shaft of a motor and a carrier connected to a knob through an operating shaft. The rotary switch according to claim 5,
A rotary switch in which a sun gear is connected to a knob through an operating shaft and a carrier is connected to an output shaft of a motor. The rotary switch according to claim 5,
A rotary switch in which a tooth shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the carrier, and a motor output shaft is engaged with the tooth shape, and a knob is connected to the sun gear through an operation shaft. The rotary switch according to claim 6, wherein
The motor employs a hollow motor having an output shaft formed with an axially extending through hole through which an operation shaft connecting the knob and the carrier can be inserted, and the knob is inserted into the through hole of the hollow motor. Rotary switch connected to the carrier through the operating shaft. In the rotary switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The control device is connected to a display device having a screen on which a plurality of function items indicating the operation contents of the device are displayed, and a plurality of functions displayed on the screen of the display device in accordance with the amount of knob rotation operation. When any one of the items can be selected and the display mode of the display device is switched to another display mode having a different number of function items, the number of function items displayed on the screen in the other display mode is set. A rotary switch that controls the motor in order to obtain a sense of moderation.

Images