JP6544804B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device capable of giving an operator a feeling of operation when the operator operates.

  In recent years, when the operator operates the operation member, by applying an external force (force sense) such as resistance or thrust according to the operation amount or operation direction of the operation member, the operation feeling is improved and desired. There have been proposed various input devices with a force feedback function which can reliably perform the operation of the. In particular, when operating an on-vehicle control device such as an air conditioner, audio, or navigation, blind operation is often performed instead of visual recognition, and a force sense may be applied to the operation member (operation knob). Was also effective in terms of safety.

  A manual input device 800 for a car using such an input device is proposed in Patent Document 1 (Conventional Example 1). FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a manual input device 800 according to Conventional Example 1, and is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main part of its basic configuration.

  The manual input device 800 shown in FIG. 13 includes a planetary gear mechanism having a knob 880 (operation member) manually operated and rotated by a driver (operator), a carrier shaft 851 integrally provided with the knob 880, and a planet Rotation of output shaft 811 of motor 810 having motor 810 having cylindrical ring gear case 860 (fixing member) for always fixing ring gear 862 of gear mechanism, and output shaft 811 engaged with sun gear 832 of planetary gear mechanism And a control unit that controls the rotation of the motor 810 in accordance with the detection result of the encoder 830. Then, the manual input device 800 rotates the motor 810 at a predetermined timing, transmits this rotational force to the knob 880 via the planetary gear mechanism, and gives the operator a predetermined operation feeling.

  However, although this manual input device 800 can provide a good operation feel, it has been difficult to meet the demand for further miniaturization because the motor 810 is used. Therefore, a method of applying an external force (force sense) such as resistance or thrust according to the operation amount or operation direction of the operation member without using the motor 810 has been sought.

  Patent Document 2 (Conventional Example 2) proposes a cylindrical rotary control device 900 using a magnetorheological fluid (magneto-rheological fluid) whose viscosity changes under the influence of a magnetic field. FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a cylindrical rotary control device 900 according to Conventional Example 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration.

  A cylindrical rotary control device 900 shown in FIG. 14 is mounted and used in a housing wall 915, and has a rotation knob (actuating wheel 904) which is rotationally operated by the operator, an actuating wheel 904, and a gap 905. (Magneto-rheological fluid (Magneto-rheological fluid (magnetic The viscous fluid is filled in the gap 905. Further, the magnetic circuit is formed by combining a soft magnetic yoke ring 902 that encloses and accommodates the toroidal coil 901 and an outer soft magnetic ring 903 surrounded by the actuating wheel 904, and a shaft 906 that penetrates the center It is fixed to the substrate 907 (not rotated). Further, the angular position sensor means has a magnetic sensor wheel 913 held by a sealing holder 911 which rotates with the actuating wheel 904, and a hall sensor 914 mounted on a non-rotatable substrate 907.

  When the toroidal coil 901 is energized, a radial magnetic field is generated in the region between the inner magnetic pole piece of the soft magnetic yoke ring 902 and the outer soft magnetic ring 903. With the generation of the radial magnetic field, a gap is generated. The viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid filled in 905 changes. For this reason, shear stress is increased between the actuating wheel 904 (rotation knob) and the soft magnetic ring 903 to be fixed, and a braking action (rotational load) is generated on the actuating wheel 904. Thus, when the actuating wheel 904 is rotated by the operator, the cylindrical rotary control device 900 applies a sense of force to the actuating wheel 904 using the above-described action of the magnetorheological fluid. Be done. At the same time, the cylindrical rotary control device 900 can detect the rotation angle at which the actuating wheel 904 is rotated by the angular position sensor means.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-50639 JP 2002-108470 A

  However, the cylindrical rotary control device 900 uses a magnetic circuit to provide a sense of force, and uses the magnetic sensor wheel 913 and the hall sensor 914 to detect the rotation angle. There is a problem that the detection accuracy of the Hall sensor 914 is lowered due to the buffer of the magnetic field from the disposed magnetic body.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an input device in which a good operation feel is obtained by using a magnetorheological fluid and the detection accuracy of the rotational operation is improved.

  In order to solve this problem, an input device according to the present invention comprises an operating member having an operating body that is rotated by an operation of the operator, a support for rotatably supporting the operating body, and the operating body. Rotary input device comprising a rotational load applying mechanism for applying a rotational load and position detecting means for detecting an operating position of the operating body, the rotational body being capable of the rotational operation on the operating body A movable member having a rotation shaft, the rotation load applying mechanism engaging with the rotation shaft and performing the rotation operation, a magnetism generation mechanism opposed to the movable member across the gap, and at least a portion of the gap And a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field, and the magnetism generation mechanism includes a coil for generating a magnetic field by energization and a coil provided so as to surround the coil and one of the movable members A second side disposed on the side across the gap The magnetorheological fluid is filled in a first gap, which is the gap between the first yoke and the movable member, comprising: a yoke; and an operation control unit that controls the energization of the coil. The detection means includes a movable side electrode provided on the movable member, a fixed side electrode provided at a position facing the movable side electrode, and a detection control unit connected to the fixed side electrode. The detection control unit is characterized in that the position in the rotation direction of the operation body is detected from the capacitance between the movable side electrode and the fixed side electrode, which changes with the rotation operation of the movable member. And

  According to this, in the input device of the present invention, a magnetic field is generated by energization of the coil, and the magnetic path is formed to spread from the first yoke to the movable member side, and the magnetic particles in the magnetorheological fluid follow the magnetic flux It will be aligned. Therefore, a rotational load is applied by the magnetorheological fluid to the movable member rotating in a direction crossing the magnetic flux formed between the first yoke and the movable member and the movable member and the first yoke. By this, a rotational load is applied to the operating body via the movable member and the rotational shaft. In addition, the position detection means is not strongly affected by the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism, and detects the rotational movement (position in the rotational direction) of the movable member, for example, detects the presence or absence of the movement, the rotational direction, the rotational angle Can. This does not reduce the detection accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device in which a good operation feeling is obtained and the detection accuracy of the rotational movement is improved.

  The input device of the present invention is characterized in that the movable member is made of a soft magnetic material.

  According to this, the magnetic path is surely formed from the first yoke to the movable member from the movable member to the first yoke, and the magnetic particles in the magnetorheological fluid are aligned in the opposing surface direction facing each other. For this reason, a stronger rotational load is applied to the movable member movable in the direction crossing the facing surface direction in which the magnetic particles are aligned. As a result, a strong rotational load is applied to the operating body via the movable member and the rotational shaft, and a better operation feeling can be given to the operator.

  Further, in the input device according to the present invention, the magnetism generation mechanism has a second yoke disposed on the other side of the movable member so as to face the movable member, and the movable member and the second yoke The magnetorheological fluid is filled in the second gap, which is the gap.

  According to this, since the second yoke disposed opposite to the other side of the movable member is provided, the magnetic particles can be aligned in the direction perpendicular to the movable operation direction of the movable member, and a stronger rotation load can be achieved. It can be hung. Further, since the magnetorheological fluid is filled in the second gap between the second yoke and the movable member, a further rotational load can be applied to the movable member movable in the direction crossing the magnetic flux. This makes it possible to give the operator a greater feeling of operation even with the same magnetic field.

  The input device of the present invention is characterized in that the fixed electrode is provided on the second yoke side.

  According to this, compared with the case where it provides in the 1st yoke which surrounded a coil, a fixed side electrode can be easily formed in the side opposite to a movable member. By this, the pattern of the fixed side electrode can be made into a desired shape, and the detection accuracy of the rotation operation can be further improved.

  Further, according to the input device of the present invention, a plurality of movable sides disposed on the movable side electrode at equal intervals on the circumference of a virtual circle centering on the axis center of the rotation axis are provided. The fixed side electrode has a plurality of fixed side electrode lands arranged at equal intervals on the circumference, and the center of each of the movable side electrode lands adjacent to each other. The first central angle, which is the angle between the position and the axial center, is different from the second central angle, which is the angle between the central position of each of the adjacent fixed electrode lands and the axial center. And

  According to this, with the rotation of the movable member, the facing areas of the movable side electrode land and the fixed side electrode land are gradually shifted and gradually changed. As a result, the detection control unit can easily detect the change in capacitance, and the rotation operation of the movable member and hence the operation body can be easily grasped.

  Further, in the input device according to the present invention, the movable member is a conductor, and the movable member has a plurality of equidistant intervals along imaginary circles centered on the axial center of the rotation shaft. The movable side electrode is characterized by having a through hole, and the space between the adjacent through holes is used.

  According to this, the movable electrode can be easily manufactured.

  Further, in the input device according to the present invention, the position detection means has a storage unit for storing the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid according to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism, and the detection control unit The capacitance value of the detected capacitance is corrected using the current value supplied by the operation control unit and the dielectric constant stored in the storage unit.

  According to this, it is possible to reflect the change of the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid slightly changed according to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism at the time of actual use in the capacitance value of the capacitance. This makes it possible to calculate from the corrected capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance, and the detection accuracy of the rotational operation can be further improved.

  In the input device of the present invention, a magnetic field is generated by energization of the coil, and a magnetic path is formed spreading from the first yoke to the movable member side, and magnetic particles in the magnetorheological fluid are aligned along the magnetic flux. Therefore, a rotational load is applied by the magnetorheological fluid to the movable member rotating in a direction crossing the magnetic flux formed between the first yoke and the movable member and the movable member and the first yoke. By this, a rotational load is applied to the operating body via the movable member and the rotational shaft. In addition, the position detection means is not strongly affected by the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism, and can detect the rotational movement of the movable member, for example, detect the presence or absence of the movement, the rotational direction, and the rotational angle. This does not reduce the detection accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device in which a good operation feeling is obtained and the detection accuracy of the rotational movement is improved.

It is a top perspective view of the input device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the input device of 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: Fig.3 (a) is the top view seen from Z1 side shown in FIG. 1, FIG.3 (b) is shown in FIG. It is the front view seen from the Y2 side. It is a figure explaining the input device of 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing in the IV-IV line shown to Fig.3 (a). It is a figure explaining the rotation load provision mechanism of the input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view of Q part shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of the rotation load applying mechanism, and FIG. 6B is a view for explaining the rotation load applying mechanism of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view seen from the Y2 side shown to 6 (a). It is a figure explaining the rotation load provision mechanism of the input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is the lower perspective view which abbreviate | omitted the 2nd yoke and movable member which are shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram explaining the position detection means of the input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the position detection means of the input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: Fig.9 (a) is a top view of the movable member of a rotation load provision mechanism, FIG.9 (b) is It is a top view of the fixed side electrode of a position detection means. FIG. 10 (a) is a schematic view for explaining the magnetorheological fluid of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram of the magnetorheological fluid in the state where no magnetic field is applied; b) is a diagram of the magnetorheological fluid with a magnetic field applied. It is a figure explaining the rotational load provision mechanism of the input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the electric current sent through a magnetic generation mechanism, and the torque concerning an operation body. It is an expanded sectional view explaining the modification 2 of the input device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the manual input device of the prior art example 1, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the basic composition. It is a figure explaining the manual brake of the prior art example 2, Comprising: It is longitudinal direction sectional drawing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an input device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100. 3 (a) is a top view seen from the Z1 side shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (b) is a front view seen from the Y2 side shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG.

  The input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an appearance as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and as shown in FIG. 2, an operation member 1 having an operation body 11 which rotates by the operation of the operator. A supporting body 3 rotatably supporting the operating body 11, a rotational load applying mechanism F5 applying rotational load to the operating body 11, and a position detecting means P6 detecting an operating position of the operating body 11. It is mainly composed. In the input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a rotary input capable of operation in a rotational direction (rotational direction) about the rotational axis 11j (see FIG. 2) of the operating body 11 It is a device.

  Further, in the input device 100 according to the first embodiment, in addition to the above-described components, a side wall spacer S17 (see FIG. 2) constituting a part of the side wall of the main body and the rotational load applying mechanism F5 Slit spacer S57 (see FIG. 4). Then, in the rotary input device 100, the operation portion (the operation knob, the operation knob, etc.) of the operation member 1 (not shown) is engaged with one end of the operation body 11, and the operator holds the operation portion and operates it. The operating body 11 is designed to rotate in both directions.

  First, the operation member 1 of the input device 100 will be described. The operation member 1 includes an operation unit (not shown) gripped by an operator, and an operation body 11 engaged with the operation unit and rotated in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation unit.

  The operation portion of the operation member 1 is a member such as an operation knob or an operation knob which is gripped and operated by the operator, and is engaged with one end side of the operation body 11 and used. In addition, the shape thereof is arbitrarily determined by the product to be applied, considering the shape etc. which is easy to operate.

  The operating body 11 of the operating member 1 is made of a synthetic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT, poly butylene terephtalate), and as shown in FIG. 2, it rotates through the column 11c of a cylindrical shape and the center of the column 11c. It has an axis of rotation 11j centered on the central axis AC and a ring part 11r provided on the other end side of the operating body 11 and a size larger than the column part 11c, and integrally injection molded It is done. The operating body 11 is configured to rotate (rotate) around the axis center AC of the rotation shaft 11 j. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an O-ring R7 is inserted into the column portion 11c and disposed at a joint between the column portion 11c and the ring portion 11r. The O-ring R7 mounted here also has a function of closing the accommodation space in which the movable member 55 is accommodated. This prevents the magnetorheological fluid 75 filled in the storage space from leaking out of the storage space.

  Next, the support 3 of the input device 100 will be described. The support 3 is, as shown in FIG. 4, a bearing 3j to which the end of the rotary shaft 11j of the operating body 11 abuts, and a shaft through which the column 11c of the operating body 11 is inserted and which guides the column 11c. It mainly comprises a support 3s and a lid 3u for holding the shaft support 3s in a stable manner. The support 3 supports the operation body 11 (the operation member 1) so that the rotation of the operation body 11 is free.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the bearing 3 j of the support 3 has a concave shape on the side facing the rotary shaft 11 j of the operating body 11. When the input device 100 is assembled, the bearing 3j is supported by the end of the rotary shaft 11j being in contact with the concave portion of the bearing 3j, and the rotational movement of the operating body 11 is facilitated. It is allowed to be done.

  Further, the shaft support 3s of the support 3 has a ring shape having a through hole at the center (see FIG. 2), and as shown in FIG. It is accommodated in the recessed part (refer FIG. 6 (a) mentioned later) provided in the center upper part of 1st yoke 15 of 1st yoke 15 of mechanism FM5. Then, the column 11c of the operation body 11 is inserted into the through hole of the shaft support 3s, and the shaft support 3s rotatably supports the column 11c (the operation body 11).

  In addition, the cover 3u of the support 3 has a flat plate shape and a circular shape having a through hole at the central portion (see FIG. 2), and as shown in FIG. (The upper yoke 15A). Then, similarly to the shaft support 3s, the column 11c of the operation body 11 is inserted into the through hole of the lid 3u. The bearing 3j, the shaft support 3s, and the lid 3u are manufactured by injection molding using a synthetic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT) in the same manner as the operating body 11.

  Next, the rotation load applying mechanism F5 of the input device 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion Q shown in FIG. FIG. 6 (a) is a top perspective view of the rotational load applying mechanism F5, and FIG. 6 (b) is a front view as viewed from the Y2 side shown in FIG. 6 (a). FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view in which the second yoke 25 and the movable member 55 shown in FIG. 6 are omitted.

  The rotational load application mechanism F5 is opposed to one side of the movable member 55 which is engaged with the rotary shaft 11j and rotates as shown in FIG. 4 and the movable member 55 with the gap 5g as shown in FIG. And a magnetorheological fluid 75 present in the gap 5g. Furthermore, the magnetic generation mechanism FM5 of the rotational load application mechanism F5 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 6A, and as shown in FIG. 5, it encloses a coil 35 generating a magnetic field by energization and a coil 35 A second yoke 25 opposed to the other side across the gap 5g with the movable member 55, and an operation control unit 45 (not shown) for controlling energization of the coil 35; Is configured. Then, the rotational load applying mechanism F5 receives the rotational operation by the operator and applies a load from the rotational load applying mechanism F5 to the operating body 11, whereby the operating portion of the operating member 1 (operation knob or the It is configured to apply a rotational load to the operation knob or the like.

  First, the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 of the rotational load applying mechanism F5 will be described. The coil 35 of the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 is formed by winding a metal wire in an annular shape, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is disposed on one side (the Z1 side shown in FIG. 4) of the movable member 55. . Then, by energizing the coil 35, a magnetic field is generated around the coil 35. In addition, although the coil 35 becomes a shape which the metal wire was wound and bundled, in FIG. 2, it simplifies and shows the surface flatly.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the first yoke 15 of the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 is provided so as to surround the coil 35, and one side (Z1 side shown in FIG. 4) of the coil 35 and the inner side wall (annular shape of the coil 35) Of the coil 35 and a lateral yoke 15B covering a part of the outer side wall of the coil 35 and the other side (the Z2 side shown in FIG. 4) of the coil 35; And a lower yoke 15C covering a part of the other side. The first yoke 15 is disposed on one side of the movable member 55 as shown in FIG. 5, and a part of the horizontal yoke 15B and the lower yoke 15C are separated from the movable member 55 by a gap 5g (first gap 5ga, (See FIG. 5) facing each other. The magnetic flux generated from the coil 35 is confined by the first yoke 15, and the magnetic field efficiently acts on the movable member 55 side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the first yoke 15 has a slit 15s (yoke slit) formed by the horizontal yoke 15B and the lower yoke 15C on the side facing the movable member 55. The side facing the movable member 55 of the first yoke 15 is divided. Here, the portion of the horizontal yoke 15B facing the movable member 55 is referred to as a first facing portion TB5 of the first yoke 15, and the portion of the lower yoke 15C facing the movable member 55 is referred to as a second facing portion TC5. And

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the width of the slit 15s is narrower than the gap 5g (first gap 5ga) between the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55. As a result, a magnetic field is generated by energization of the coil 35, and for example, a magnetic path extends from the first facing portion TB5 of the first yoke 15 to the second facing portion TC5 so as to extend toward the movable member 55.

  Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a ring-shaped slit spacer S57 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated in the portion of the slit 15s of the first yoke 15. As shown in FIG. The slit spacer S57 is formed using a synthetic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), and the first opposing portion TB5 of the first yoke 15 (horizontal yoke 15B) and the first yoke 15 (lower yoke 15C) The second facing portion TC5 is divided also in the magnetic circuit. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the first yoke 15 is constituted by three components of the upper yoke 15A, the horizontal yoke 15B and the lower yoke 15C, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be composed of four or more parts. In addition, although the configuration in which the slits 15s are suitably used for the first yoke 15, a configuration without the slits 15s may be employed.

  Next, the second yoke 25 of the magnetic generation mechanism FM5 is formed in a disk shape as shown in FIG. 2, and as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6B, the other side of the movable member 55 The movable member 55 and the gap 5g (second gap 5gb, see FIG. 5) are interposed therebetween. As a result, the magnetic flux generated from the coil 35 reliably penetrates from the first facing portion TB5 of the first yoke 15 to the second yoke 25 and from the second yoke 25 to the second facing portion TC5 of the first yoke 15. . Therefore, in the direction (Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 6B), perpendicular to the direction in which the movable member 55 rotates (direction crossing the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 6A) The magnetic path is surely formed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the second yoke 25 has a through hole 25 which penetrates downward (in the Z2 direction shown in FIG. 2) in the central portion, a groove 25m which is one step lower in a substantially circular shape, and a groove A slit hole 25s penetrating from a part of 25 m to the lower side is formed. In the through hole 25, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotary shaft 11 j of the operating body 11 and the bearing portion 3 j of the support 3 are accommodated.

  Further, the groove 25m is formed in a size in which the outer shape of the film base 96 (fixed side electrode 26 of the position detection means P6) described later fits, and the film base 96 is accommodated in the groove 25m. Further, the takeout portion 96t (see FIG. 2) of the film substrate 96 is inserted into the slit hole 25s.

  Further, between the outer peripheral side of the first yoke 15 (horizontal yoke 15B) and the outer peripheral side of the second yoke 25, a side wall spacer S17 which constitutes a part of the side wall of the main body is provided. The sidewall spacer S17 is also formed using a synthetic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), and divides the first yoke 15 (horizontal yoke 15B) and the second yoke 25 in the magnetic circuit.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the first yoke 15, the second yoke 25 and the sidewall spacer S17 are orthogonal to the direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 4) along the rotation axis 11 j of the operation body 11 (X A narrow accommodation space is formed in the direction of -Y plane). The movable member 55 of the rotational load applying mechanism F5 is disposed in the narrow accommodation space.

  Next, the operation control unit 45 of the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 uses an integrated circuit (IC, integrated circuit), and controls the amount of energization of the coil 35, the timing of energization, and the like. Specifically, for example, when the rotation operation is performed by the operation of the operator, the operation control unit 45 receives the detection signal from the position detection unit P6 that detects the operation position of the operation body 11. A certain amount of current is supplied, or the amount of current is changed according to the operating position of the operating body 11.

  The operation control unit 45 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and electrically connected to the coil 35, and is connected to a position detection unit P6 (detection control unit 66 described later) (described later) See Figure 8). Then, the operation control unit 45 transmits the current value of the current supplied to the coil 35 to the position detection means P6. In addition, although the operation control part 45 and the circuit board are suitably arrange | positioned in the vicinity of magnetism generation mechanism FM5, it does not restrict to this. For example, the operation control unit 45 may be connected to the coil 35 and the detection control unit 66 by a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or the like, and may be mounted on a mother substrate of an applied product.

  Next, the movable member 55 of the rotational load applying mechanism F5 will be described. The movable member 55 is a conductor made of a soft magnetic material such as iron and having conductivity. The movable member 55 is, as shown in FIG. 2, a base 55d having a through hole centered on the axis center AC of the rotary shaft 11j, and a disk shape integrally formed with the base 55d and centered on the axis center AC. And (circular shape) disk portion 55e.

  The base 55d of the movable member 55 is engaged with the rotation shaft 11j of the operating body 11 on the lower side of the ring portion 11r of the operating body 11, as shown in FIG. As a result, with the rotational movement of the operation body 11 in both directions, the disk portion 55 e of the movable member 55 is rotationally moved in both directions.

  When the input device 100 is assembled, the disk portion 55e of the movable member 55 is accommodated in the above-described narrow accommodation space, as shown in FIG. As a result, the magnetic flux generated from the coil 35 is transferred from the first opposing portion TB5 of the first yoke 15 to the movable member 55, from the movable member 55 to the second yoke 25, from the second yoke 25 to the movable member 55. And the second facing portion TC5 of the first yoke 15 are securely penetrated. Therefore, the magnetic path is formed more reliably in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the movable member 55 rotates.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the disk portion 55e has a pair of arcs along a virtual circle centered on the axis center AC of the rotation shaft 11j, that is, along a circular shape of the disk portion 55e. Through holes 55h of a shape are provided at five places. The through holes 55h all have the same outer shape, and are disposed on the same circumference at equal intervals (see FIG. 8A described later). Further, although described later, the through hole 55h has a function for forming the movable side electrode 16 of the position detection means P6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an arc-shaped movable portion slit 55s in which a virtual ring shape centering on the axis center AC of the rotating shaft 11j is divided into four is formed in the disk portion 55e. The movable portion slit 55s is provided at a position opposed to the slit 15s provided in the first yoke 15, as shown in FIGS. As a result, the magnetic flux generated from the coil 35 is not confined by the movable member 55, and the second yoke 25 to the second yoke 25 via the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55, and the second yoke 25 to the second member It becomes possible to securely penetrate 1 yoke 15. As a result, the first yoke 15 is not guided from the second yoke 25 to the first yoke 15 so that only the upper magnetorheological fluid 75 and the movable member 55 pass and the shorting to the first yoke 15 (from the horizontal yoke 15B to the second yoke 25 The magnetic flux introduced to the lower yoke 15C without any interposition can be reduced.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, since the width of the movable portion slit 55s is smaller than the width of the slit 15s of the first yoke 15, the spread of the magnetic flux from the first yoke 15 can be captured by the movable member 55, The second yoke 25 can be guided. It is more preferable that the central position of the width of the movable portion slit 55s and the central position of the width of the slit 15s coincide with each other.

Next, the position detection means P6 of the input device 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining the position detection means P6. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the position detection means P6. FIG. 9 (a) is a top view of the movable member 55 of the rotational load applying mechanism F5, and FIG. 9 (b) is a view of the position detection means P6. FIG. 6 is a top view of a film substrate 96 on which a fixed electrode 26 is formed. In order to make the description easy to understand, in FIG. 9A, the fixed side electrode land 26r of the fixed side electrode 26 opposed to the movable side electrode 16 is shown by a two-dot chain line. Similarly, in FIG. 9B, the through hole 55h of the movable member 55 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.
(A)

  As shown in FIG. 8, the position detection means P6 is connected to the movable side electrode 16 provided on the movable member 55, the fixed side electrode 26 provided at a position facing the movable side electrode 16, and the fixed side electrode 26. And a storage unit 86 that stores the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid 75. The position detection means P6 utilizes the fact that the electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode 16 and the fixed electrode 26 changes with the rotation of the movable member 55, thereby rotating the movable member 55 (rotation It is possible to detect the position in the direction) and hence the position in the rotational direction of the operating body 11. Specifically, for example, the presence or absence of an operation, a rotation direction, a rotation angle, and the like can be detected. Therefore, the position detection means P6 can detect the operation position of the operation body 11 engaged with the movable member 55 and interlocked therewith. In this detection, since the magnetic sensor wheel 913 and the hall sensor 914 as in the conventional example are not used, the detection accuracy does not decrease because the magnetic generation mechanism FM5 is not strongly affected by the magnetic field. Play an effect.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the movable side electrode 16 of the position detection means P6 uses the fact that the movable member 55 is a conductor having conductivity, and between the through holes 55h of the adjacent movable members 55. Is used as an electrode for detection of capacitance. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the movable side electrode 16 is a portion facing the fixed side electrode 26 between the adjacent through holes 55h, and a plurality of portions divided by the through holes 55h (the present invention In the first embodiment, six movable electrode lands 16r are used. Thereby, fabrication of movable side electrode 16 can be performed easily.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the six movable side electrode lands 16r are disposed on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the axis center AC of the rotation shaft 11j, and They are arranged at equal intervals. That is, all the first central angles R1 which are the angles formed by the respective center positions (arrangement positions) of the adjacent movable side electrode lands 16r and the axis center AC are the same angle. In addition, although it was set as the structure which used six movable side electrode lands 16r in 1st Embodiment of this invention, it does not restrict to this and can be comprised arbitrarily.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the fixed side electrode 26 of the position detection means P6 uses a flexible printed circuit (FPC) on one side, and a film substrate 96 such as polyimide resin (PI, Polyimide) or the like. It is produced by patterning copper foil adhered to the surface of The flexible printed circuit (FPC) is placed in a groove 25m formed in the surface of the second yoke 25 facing the movable member 55 with the patterned surface directed upward (Z1 direction shown in FIG. 2). Place and paste it. As a result, the fixed electrode 26 of the patterned surface is provided on the side of the second yoke 25 facing the movable member 55. As described above, the fixed electrode 26 can be easily formed on the side facing the movable member 55 as compared with the case where the first yoke 15 surrounding the coil 35 is provided. By this, the pattern of the fixed side electrode 26 (in particular, the fixed side electrode land 26r) can be made into a desired shape, and the detection accuracy of the rotation operation can be further improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the fixed electrode 26 has a plurality of (five in the first embodiment of the present invention) fixed electrode lands 26r divided respectively. The five fixed side electrodes 26 are disposed on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the axis center AC of the rotating shaft 11j, as well as the movable side electrode land 16r, and are equally spaced, respectively. It is arranged as That is, the second central angles R2 which are the angles between the central positions (arrangement positions) of the fixed side electrode lands 26r and the axis center AC are all the same.

  The first central angle R1 of the movable electrode land 16r and the second central angle R2 of the fixed electrode land 26r are different from each other. As a result, with the rotation of the movable member 55, the facing areas of the movable electrode land 16r and the fixed electrode land 26r are gradually shifted and gradually changed. As a result, the detection control unit 66 can easily detect the change in capacitance, and the rotation operation of the movable member 55 and hence the operation body 11 can be easily grasped. In some cases, detailed rotation angles can also be obtained. Although the first central angle R1 is 60 ° and the second central angle R2 is 72 ° in FIG. 9, the present invention is not limited to this angle, and can be determined arbitrarily.

  The detection control unit 66 of the position detection means P6 uses an integrated circuit (IC, integrated circuit) and is electrically connected to the fixed side electrode 26 though not shown. Then, as described above, the detection control unit 66 detects a change in capacitance between the movable electrode land 16 r of the movable electrode 16 and the fixed electrode land 26 r of the fixed electrode 26. Although connection between the fixed side electrode 26 and the detection control unit 66 is not shown in detail, it is performed via the takeout portion 96 t of the film base 96 inserted in the slit hole 25 s in the second yoke 25. ing.

  Further, the detection control unit 66 corrects the detected capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance using the current value supplied by the operation control unit 45 and the dielectric constant stored in advance in the storage unit 86. The dielectric constant stored in the storage unit 86 is the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid 75 according to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic generation mechanism FM5. Thereby, the change of the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid 75 slightly changed according to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 at the time of actual use can be reflected on the capacitance value of the capacitance. This makes it possible to calculate from the corrected capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance, and the detection accuracy of the rotational operation can be further improved.

  The storage unit 86 of the position detection means P6 utilizes an internal memory incorporated in the detection control unit 66. Not only the internal memory but also an external memory may be used.

  Finally, the magnetorheological fluid 75 of the rotational load applying mechanism F5 will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining the magnetorheological fluid 75, and FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram of the magnetorheological fluid 75 in the state where the magnetic field is not applied, and FIG. It is a figure of the magnetorheological fluid 75 in the applied state. In FIG. 10B, the flow of the magnetic field (magnetic flux) is indicated by a two-dot chain line in order to make the description easy to understand.

  The magnetorheological fluid 75 is a substance in which fine magnetic particles JR having magnetism such as iron or ferrite are dispersed in a solute SV such as an organic solvent as shown in FIG. It is called MR fluid (Magneto Rheological Fluid). The magnetorheological fluid 75 has a property of changing its viscosity in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field, and is distinguished from similar magnetic fluid (Magnetic Fluid). The major difference between the two forms is the particle size of the powder, the MR fluid is about 1 μm to 1 mm, the magnetic fluid is about 10 nm to 1 μm, and the MR fluid has a particle size compared to the magnetic fluid. It is about 100 to 1000 times larger.

  Here, the fact that “the viscosity changes in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field” in the magnetorheological fluid 75 will be briefly described.

  First, when no magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid 75, as shown in FIG. 10A, the magnetic particles JR are dispersed irregularly in the solute SV. At this time, for example, when the movable member 55 rotates (rotation on a plane (X-Y plane) perpendicular to the Z direction shown in FIG. 10A), the movable member receives a relatively low resistance. 55 easily rotate.

  Next, when a current is caused to flow through the coil 35 of the magnetic generation mechanism FM5 to generate a magnetic field, as shown in FIG. 10B, along the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid 75 (FIG. 10B) Then, along the Z direction), the magnetic particles JR will be regularly aligned in a linear manner. The degree of regularity changes according to the strength of the magnetic field. That is, as the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid 75 becomes stronger, the degree of regularity becomes stronger. Then, a stronger shear force works in the direction of breaking the regularity of the linear magnetic particles JR, and as a result, the viscosity in this direction becomes stronger. In particular, the highest shear force acts in the direction orthogonal to the applied magnetic field (in the direction of the X-Y plane in FIG. 10B).

  Then, when the movable member 55 rotates in such an energized state (the state shown in FIG. 10B), a resistance is generated to the movable member 55, and the operating body 11 engaged with the movable member 55 This resistance (rotational load) is transmitted. Thus, the rotational load applying mechanism F5 can apply the rotational load of the rotational operation to the operator. At that time, since the operation control unit 45 controls the amount of energization of the coil 35, the timing of energization, and the like, an arbitrary rotational load can be freely given to the operator at any timing.

  The result of verifying that “the resistance (rotational load) becomes stronger according to the strength of the magnetic field” is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the current applied to the coil 35 of the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 and the torque applied to the operation body 11. The horizontal axis is current (A) and the vertical axis is torque (Nm). This torque corresponds to the resistance (rotational load) applied to the operating body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the current flowing through the coil 35 of the magnetic generation mechanism FM5 is increased, the magnetic field generated along with it becomes stronger, and the torque, that is, the resistance force applied to the operation body 11 along with the strength of the magnetic field ( Rotational load) will increase. In this manner, a variable load is applied to the operation body 11 (the operation member 1) by utilizing the fact that “the viscosity changes and the resistance increases in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field” in the magnetorheological fluid 75. It can be hung.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the magnetorheological fluid 75 having the above-mentioned characteristics is suitably used. The magnetorheological fluid 75 is disposed in a first gap 5ga (see FIG. 5) which is a gap 5g between the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55 as shown in FIG. Thus, the first gap 5ga between the first facing portion TB5 and the second facing portion TC5 of the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55 is filled. Thus, the movable member 55 rotates in the direction crossing the magnetic flux formed between the first yoke 15 (first opposing portion TB5), the movable member 55, the movable member 55, and the first yoke 15 (second opposing portion TC5). On the other hand, a rotational load is applied by the magnetorheological fluid 75. As a result, a rotational load is applied to the operation body 11 via the movable member 55 and the rotational shaft 11 j. Therefore, it is possible to provide the input device 100 that can obtain a good operation feel.

  Moreover, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the area of the first opposing surface 15r facing the magnetorheological fluid 75 in the first opposing portion TB5 shown in FIG. 7 and the second opposing surface facing the magnetorheological fluid 75 in the second opposing portion TC5. The area of the surface 15t is the same. As a result, the magnetic flux density becomes equal between the inlet and the outlet of the magnetic flux, and the magnetic flux generated from the coil 35 can be efficiently applied to the control of the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid 75. As a result, the rotational load can be evenly applied to the movable member 55, and a better operation feeling can be given to the operator.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the magnetorheological fluid 75 is also filled in the second gap 5gb which is the gap 5g between the movable member 55 and the second yoke 25. Also for the magnetorheological fluid 75 filled here, the first yoke 15 (first opposing portion TB5) from the second yoke 25 to the second yoke 25 via the movable member 55, and the first yoke to the second yoke 25 via the movable member 55. The magnetic flux formed over 15 (the second facing portion TC5) acts. Therefore, the magnetic particles JR can be aligned in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the movable member 55 rotates, and a stronger rotation load can be applied. As a result, it is possible to apply an additional rotational load, and to give the operator a greater feeling of operation even with the same magnetic field.

  The operating device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is a conventional method for applying an external force (force sense) such as resistance or thrust according to the operation amount or operation direction of the operation member 1. Since the motor 810 is not used as in Example 1, downsizing can be achieved and power consumption can be reduced. Moreover, no sound is generated when an external force (force sense) is applied.

  Lastly, the effects of the input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be collectively described below.

  The input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a movable member 55 that rotates with engagement with the rotation shaft 11 j of the operation body 11 and a coil of a magnetism generation mechanism FM5 disposed on one side of the movable member 55. The magnetorheological fluid 75 filled in the first gap 5ga which is the gap 5g between the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55 is provided. As a result, a magnetic field is generated by energization of the coil 35, and a magnetic path is formed spreading from the first yoke 15 to the movable member 55 side, and the magnetic particles JR in the magnetorheological fluid 75 are aligned along the magnetic flux. . Therefore, a rotational load is applied by the magnetorheological fluid 75 to the movable member 55 that rotates in the direction crossing the magnetic flux formed between the first yoke 15, the movable member 55 and the movable member 55 and the first yoke 15. Become. As a result, a rotational load is applied to the operation body 11 via the movable member 55 and the rotational shaft 11 j. In addition, the detection control unit 66 of the position detection means P6 changes with the rotation operation of the movable member 55, with the fixed side electrode 26 provided at the position facing the movable side electrode 16 provided on the movable member 55. Since the capacitance between the two is detected, it is possible to detect the rotational operation of the movable member 55 (the position in the rotational direction of the operation body 11), for example, to detect the presence or absence of the operation, the rotational direction, and the rotational angle. As a result, the position detection means P6 is not strongly affected by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic generation mechanism FM5, and the detection accuracy does not decrease. Therefore, it is possible to provide the input device 100 in which a good operation feeling is obtained and the detection accuracy of the rotation operation is improved.

  In addition, since the movable member 55 is made of a soft magnetic material, the magnetic path from the first yoke 15 (the first opposing portion TB5) to the movable member 55 and from the movable member 55 to the first yoke 15 (the second opposing portion TC5) is reliable The magnetic particles JR in the magnetorheological fluid 75 are aligned in the facing surface direction (the Z direction shown in FIG. 4) in which the first yoke 15 and the movable member 55 face each other. For this reason, a stronger rotational load is applied to the movable member 55 that rotates in the direction crossing the facing surface direction in which the magnetic particles JR are aligned. As a result, a strong rotational load is applied to the operation body 11 via the movable member 55 and the rotation shaft 11 j, and a better operation feeling can be given to the operator.

  In addition, since the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 has the second yoke 25 disposed to face the other side of the movable member 55, the second yoke 25 is connected to the first yoke 15 (the first opposing portion TB5). A magnetic path is reliably formed from the point 25 to the first yoke 15 (second opposing portion TC5). Therefore, the magnetic particles JR can be aligned in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the movable member 55 rotates, and a stronger rotation load can be applied. As a result, a stronger rotational load can be applied to the operating body 11 via the movable member 55 and the rotational shaft 11 j. Furthermore, since the magnetorheological fluid 75 is filled in the gap 5g (second gap 5gb) between the movable member 55 and the second yoke 25, further rotation is performed with respect to the movable member 55 rotating in the direction crossing the magnetic flux. It is possible to apply a load. This makes it possible to give the operator a greater feeling of operation even with the same magnetic field.

  Since the fixed side electrode 26 is provided on the second yoke 25, the fixed side electrode 26 is easily formed on the side facing the movable member 55 as compared to the case where the fixed side electrode 26 is provided on the first yoke 15 surrounding the coil 35. be able to. By this, the pattern of the fixed side electrode 26 can be made into a desired shape, and the detection accuracy of the rotation operation can be further improved.

  The arrangement positions (the first central angle R1 and the second central angle R2) of the plurality of movable side electrode lands 16r and the plurality of fixed side electrode lands 26r arranged at equal intervals respectively Since they are shifted differently, the facing areas of the movable electrode land 16r and the fixed electrode land 26r are gradually shifted and gradually changed as the movable member 55 rotates. As a result, the detection control unit 66 can easily detect the change in capacitance, and the rotation operation of the movable member 55 and hence the operation body 11 can be easily grasped.

  A plurality of through holes 55h are provided in the movable member 55, which is a conductor, along the imaginary circle centered on the axis center AC of the rotation shaft 11j, at equal intervals, and between the adjacent through holes 55h Since the movable side electrode 16 is used, the movable side electrode 16 can be easily manufactured.

  The detection control unit 66 corrects the detected capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance using the current value supplied by the operation control unit 45 and the dielectric constant stored in advance in the storage unit 86 of the position detection means P6. The change in the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid 75 slightly changed in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism FM5 during use can be reflected in the capacitance value of the capacitance. This makes it possible to calculate from the corrected capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance, and the detection accuracy of the rotational operation can be further improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented, for example, as follows, and these embodiments also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment, the magnetorheological fluid 75 is filled so as to fill the accommodation space (the accommodation space formed by the first yoke 15, the second yoke 25, and the sidewall spacer S17) in which the movable member 55 is accommodated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the magnetorheological fluid 75 exists in at least a part of the gap 5g.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining a modification 2 of the input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the fixed side electrode 26 of the position detection means P6 is configured using a flexible printed circuit (FPC), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the surface of the second yoke 25 facing the movable member 55 is processed into a concave shape, and the insulating layer CY6 and the conductive electrode pattern C6r are formed in the concave portion to fix them. The fixed electrode land C26r of the side electrode C26 may be used. At that time, it is preferable to provide the second yoke 25 having a higher degree of processing freedom on the surface than the first yoke 15 yoke surrounding the coil 35.

<Modification 3>
In the first embodiment, the fixed electrode 26 is provided on the second yoke 25 side, but may be provided on the first yoke 15 side.

<Modification 4>
In the first embodiment, the plurality of movable side electrode lands 16r of the movable side electrode 16 are suitably configured using the through holes 55h of the movable member 55. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Similarly to the above, the movable side electrode 16 may be formed using a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

<Modification 5>
In the first embodiment, the movable member 55 is preferably formed of a soft magnetic material. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a nonmagnetic material such as a synthetic resin may be used. In that case, the movable side electrode 16 needs to be separately provided.

<Modification 6>
In the first embodiment, the fixed side electrode land 26r has a rectangular shape (arc shape) obtained by dividing a virtual ring shape centered on the axis center AC of the rotation shaft 11j. Instead, it can be of any shape.

<Modification 7>
In the first embodiment, the first opposing portion TB5 and the second opposing portion TC5 are formed by the horizontal yoke 15B and the lower yoke 15C of the first yoke 15, but only the lower yoke 15C is opposed to the movable member 55 The first opposing portion TB5 and the second opposing portion TC5 may not be provided.

<Modification 8>
In the first embodiment, the movable portion slit 55s is provided in the movable member 55 made of a soft magnetic material, but the movable portion slit 55s may not be provided. At that time, the movable member 55 is preferably made of a nonmagnetic material.

<Modification 9>
In the first embodiment, the movable member 55 has a disk shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable member 55 may have a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape.

<Modification 10><Modification11>
In the said 1st Embodiment, although the movable member 55 was rotation-type input device 100 of the type which rotates, it does not restrict to this rotation. For example, it may be a slide-type input device in which the movable member slides in the direction intersecting with the extending direction of the support {Modification 10}. In addition, for example, it may be a press-type input device that performs a push operation in the extension direction of the support {Modification 11}. In the case of this pressing-type input device, the movable member and the first yoke (and the second yoke) are opposed in the direction (preferably orthogonal direction) intersecting the push operation direction, and the movable member and the first yoke If the gap with (and the second yoke) is configured to be filled with the magnetorheological fluid, a movable load can be appropriately applied.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 operation member 11 operation body 11j rotary shaft 3 support body F5 rotation load application mechanism FM5 magnetic generation mechanism 15 1st yoke 25 2nd yoke 35 coil 45 operation control part 55 movable member 75 magneto-rheological fluid 5g gap 5ga 1st gap 5gb 1st 2 gap P6 position detection means 16 movable side electrode 16r movable side electrode land 26, C26 fixed side electrode 26r, C26r fixed side electrode land 66 detection control unit 86 storage unit AC axis center R1 first central angle R2 second central angle 100 input apparatus

Claims (7)

An operating member having an operating body that is rotated by an operation of an operator;
A support rotatably supporting the operating body;
A rotational load applying mechanism that applies a rotational load to the operating body;
A rotary type input device comprising position detection means for detecting the operation position of the operation body,
The operating body has a rotation axis that enables the rotation operation,
The rotating load applying mechanism is a movable member that engages with the rotating shaft and performs the rotating operation;
A magnetism generation mechanism facing the movable member with a gap therebetween;
A magnetorheological fluid which exists in at least a part of the gap and whose viscosity changes in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field;
Equipped with
The magnetism generation mechanism is a coil that generates a magnetic field by energization.
It has a first yoke provided so as to surround the coil and disposed on one side of the movable member with the gap interposed therebetween, and an operation control unit that controls the energization of the coil.
The magnetorheological fluid is filled in a first gap, which is the gap between the first yoke and the movable member,
The position detection means includes a movable side electrode provided on the movable member, a stationary side electrode provided at a position facing the movable side electrode, and a detection control unit connected to the stationary side electrode. ,
The detection control unit is characterized in that the position in the rotation direction of the operating body is detected from the capacitance between the movable side electrode and the fixed side electrode, which changes with the rotation operation of the movable member. And an input device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is made of a soft magnetic material. The magnetism generation mechanism has a second yoke disposed opposite to the movable member on the other side of the movable member,
The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetorheological fluid is filled in a second gap, which is the gap between the movable member and the second yoke.   The input device according to claim 3, wherein the fixed side electrode is provided on the second yoke side. The movable side electrode has a plurality of movable side electrode lands arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the axis center of the rotation axis,
The fixed side electrode includes a plurality of fixed side electrode lands arranged at equal intervals on the circumference,
The first central angle which is the angle between the central position of each of the adjacent movable side electrode lands and the axis center, and the angle between the respective central position of the adjacent stationary side electrode lands and the axial center The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second central angle is different. The movable member is a conductor,
The movable member has a plurality of through holes at equal intervals along a virtual circle centered on the axis center of the rotation axis,
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable side electrode is provided between the adjacent through holes. The position detection means includes a storage unit for storing the dielectric constant of the magnetorheological fluid in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetism generation mechanism.
The said detection control part correct | amends the detected capacitance value of the said electrostatic capacitance using the electric current value supplied with electricity by the said operation control part, and the said dielectric constant memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.