WO2022230392A1

WO2022230392A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2022230392A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/010985
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭司野村; 寿治片桐; 晋妻鹿; 眞貴野津; 敏仁 ▲高▼井; 直樹野畑; 仁紀兵藤
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: JP2022169841A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism such that it is possible to improve a degree of freedom of operation. [Solution] An input device comprising a shaft part that is rotatable along a first axis, a support part, one end of which is connected to the shaft part, a holding part that is disposed on an other end side of the support part and that is rotatable along a second axis differing from the first axis, and an input part disposed at the support part, wherein the input part is disposed in a position whose distance from the holding part is not more than half of the length of the holding part in the second axis direction.

Description

input device

The present invention relates to an input device.

In recent years, various input devices that accept input from users have been developed. For example, regarding a steering device for controlling the steering angle of a vehicle, Patent Document 1 below discloses a steering device having a pair of grips instead of an annular steering wheel.

JP 2005-161922 A

However, the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1 above has a problem that it is difficult to manually perform operations other than gripping the grip to steer the vehicle.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of improving the degree of freedom of operation.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaft portion rotatable along a first axis, a support portion having one end connected to the shaft portion, and the other end of the support portion. and an input section disposed on the support section, the input section being rotatable along a second axis different from the first axis. is located at a position that is less than or equal to half the length of the grip in the direction of the second axis.

As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that can improve the degree of freedom of operation.

It is a figure showing an example of a schematic structure of input device 10 concerning this embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the input device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated counterclockwise along a first axis A1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an input unit 140 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment; FIG. 2 is a front view of the vicinity of an input unit 140 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment; FIG. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user grips a grip portion 130 of the input device 10 according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how a user operates an input unit 140 while holding a grip unit 130 of the input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

In addition, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by attaching different alphabets after the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished like

grips

130a and 130b as needed. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are used. For example, the

grips

130a and 130b are simply referred to as grips 130 when there is no particular need to distinguish between them.

<1. Schematic Configuration Example of Input Device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an input device 10 according to this embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 1 is a front view of the input device 10 in the standard state. The lower part of FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the input device 10 in the standard state. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the input device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated counterclockwise along the first axis A1. The reference state is a state in which the input device 10 is not rotated along the first axis A1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 10 includes a shaft portion 110, support portions 120 (120a and 120b), and grip portions 130 (130a and 130b).

The user operates the operation target by rotating the input device 10 clockwise (right) or counterclockwise (left) about the first axis A1 while holding the grip part 130 . An operation target is a target operated by a user.

The first action setting of the operation target is changed based on the amount of rotation of the shaft portion 110 . Here, the amount of rotation is the difference between the rotation angle of shaft portion 110 in the reference state and the rotation angle of shaft portion 110 during operation.

The first action setting may be the setting of the movement direction of the operation target. For example, the amount of change in the moving direction of the operation target is proportional to the amount of rotation of the shaft portion 110 .

In this specification, the operation target is assumed to be a vehicle. It is assumed that the input device 10 is a vehicle steering device. In that case, the first operating setting is the direction of travel of the vehicle (eg, steering angle). When the vehicle is moving, if the user rotates the input device 10 clockwise, the vehicle will turn right, and if the user rotates the input device 10 counterclockwise, the vehicle will turn left.

The input device 10 is installed in front of the driver's seat (that is, in the direction of travel). In this specification, with the input device 10 as a reference, the direction toward the driver's seat is defined as the front, and the direction of travel is defined as the back.

The shaft portion 110 is configured to be rotatable along the first axis A1. For example, shaft portion 110 is coupled to a steering shaft. A steering shaft is a member for transmitting rotation of the input device 10 to wheels. The first axis A1 is the rotation axis of the steering shaft. With such a configuration, it is possible to change the traveling direction of the vehicle by transmitting the rotation of the shaft portion 110 to the wheels.

One end of the support portion 120 is connected to the shaft portion 110 . The support portion 120 may be an elongated member. In that case, the support portion 120 is connected to the shaft portion 110 at one end in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the support portion 120 is a cylindrical member, and one end in the height direction is connected to the shaft portion 110 . Of course, the shape of the support part 120 is not limited to a cylinder, and may be any shape such as a quadrangular prism.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 1, the support part 120a and the support part 120b are arranged so as to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first axis A1. Further, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 1, the support portion 120a and the support portion 120b may be inclined toward the front.

The grip part 130 is a member that is gripped by the user. The grip portion 130a is gripped by the user's right hand, and the grip portion 130b is gripped by the user's left hand. For example, in the reference state shown in FIG. 1, the user places the thumb on the grip portion 130 and wraps the grip portion 130 from the back side to the front side via the sides with the other fingers and the palm. , and the grip portion 130 is gripped.

The grip part 130 is arranged on the other end side opposite to the one end connected to the shaft part 110 in the support part 120 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the gripping portion 130 is arranged on the side of the end portion not connected to the shaft portion 110 in the height direction of the columnar supporting portion 120 .

The grip part 130 is configured to be rotatable along a second axis A2 (second axis A2a or second axis A2b) different from the first axis A1. The grip portion 130a is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise along the second axis A2a. Similarly, gripper 130b is rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise along second axis A2b. According to such a configuration, when the input device 10 is rotated along the first axis A1, the gripping portion 130 can be rotated in conjunction with the movement of the hand gripping the gripping portion 130 . Therefore, when rotating the input device 10 along the first axis A1, it is possible to prevent the user's wrist from being unnaturally twisted, thereby facilitating the operation.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the input device 10 is rotated counterclockwise along the first axis A1, it is assumed that the

gripping portions

130a and 130b rotate counterclockwise. be done. At this time, the user holds the grip portion 130a with the thumb of the right hand positioned on the front side of the grip portion 130a, the other fingers positioned on the left side of the grip portion 130a, and the wrist positioned on the right side of the grip portion 130a. It can be held in the right hand. In addition, the user holds grip portion 130b with the left hand in a state in which the thumb of the left hand is positioned on the back side of grip portion 130b, the other fingers are positioned on the right side of grip portion 130b, and the wrist is positioned on the left side of grip portion 130a. can be grasped by Thus, the user can rotate the input device 10 while comfortably holding the grip portion 130 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 130 may be spherical. In this case, it becomes easier for the user to grip the grip portion 130, and it also becomes easier for the user to change the grip. This also facilitates the operation of the input unit 140, which will be described later. Of course, the shape of the grip portion 130 is not limited to a spherical shape, and may take any shape such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or an ellipsoid.

The second axis A2 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support portion 120. Alternatively, the second axis A2 may be orthogonal to the first axis A1. In any case, by making the angle between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 close to a right angle, it is possible to prevent unnatural twisting of the wrist when the input device 10 is rotated along the first axis A1. It becomes possible to

<2. Configuration of input section>
The input device 10 according to this embodiment further includes an input unit 140 . The input unit 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the input unit 140 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of the input unit 140 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user grips the grip portion 130 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the user operates the input unit 140 while holding the grip unit 130 of the input device 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the input section 140 (140A and 140B) is arranged on the support section 120. As shown in FIG. These figures show the input section 140 arranged on the support section 120a. However, the input device 10 may also or instead include an input section 140 arranged on the support section 120b. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the letter "a" at the end is omitted.

The input section 140 is arranged at a position where the distance D from the grip section 130 is half or less of the length L of the grip section 130 in the direction of the second axis A2. According to such a configuration, the input unit 140 is arranged at a position where a finger reaches when the user stretches the finger while gripping the grip unit 130 . Therefore, the user can easily operate the input unit 140 while holding the grip portion 130 and rotating the shaft portion 110 and the grip portion 130 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , when the user does not operate the input unit 140 , the user places the thumb on the grip 130 and moves the other fingers and palm from the back side of the grip 130 to the front via the side. The grip portion 130 is gripped so as to wrap up to the sides. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, when operating the input unit 140A, the user extends the thumb to the input unit 140A while rotating the wrist clockwise (direction R3) along the third axis A3. to operate. Similarly, when operating the input unit 140B, the user extends the thumb to the input unit 140B while rotating the wrist clockwise (direction R3) along the third axis A3.

Regardless of how shaft portion 110 and grip portion 130 are rotated, the user can rotate input portion 140 by simply extending the thumb while rotating the wrist clockwise (direction R3) along third axis A3. can be operated. Therefore, regardless of how the shaft portion 110 and the grip portion 130 are rotated, the input portion 140 can be operated with a high degree of freedom.

The third axis A3 is an axis different from the second axis A2. Since these axes are different, even if the grip portion 130 rotates while the user is gripping the grip portion 130 , the hand gripping the grip portion 130 is prevented from touching the input portion 140 . This is because the direction in which the hand moves when rotating the grip portion 130 (the R2 direction or the L2 direction) is different from the direction in which the hand moves to operate the input portion 140 (the R3 direction). Therefore, erroneous operation of the input unit 140 can be prevented.

The third axis A3 may be an axis orthogonal to the second axis A2. Furthermore, the third axis A3 may be an axis that passes through the center of the grip portion 130 . In this case, the direction in which the hand moves when rotating the grip portion 130 (R2 direction or L2 direction) is completely different from the direction in which the hand moves to operate the input portion 140 (R3 direction). Therefore, erroneous operation of the input unit 140 can be prevented more strongly.

The input unit 140 receives input based on a force applied in a direction of rotation along the third axis A3. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when operating the input unit 140, the user extends the thumb while rotating it clockwise (direction R3) along the third axis A3, and rotates it in the same direction as the rotation of the wrist. Push the input unit 140 with the thumb in (R3 direction). According to such a configuration, the user can easily operate the input unit 140 by extending the motion of rotating the wrist and extending the thumb toward the input unit 140 .

The input section 140 is slidable on the surface of the support section 120, and may receive the sliding of the input section 140 as an input. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the input section 140 slides on the surface of the support section 120 so as to rotate along the second axis A2. Specifically, the input section 140A slides on the surface of the support section 120 so as to rotate clockwise (R2 direction) along the second axis A2. Further, the input section 140B slides on the surface of the support section 120 so as to rotate counterclockwise (L2 direction) along the second axis A2. According to such a configuration, the direction in which the input unit 140 is pushed with the thumb (R3 direction) is aligned with the sliding direction of the input unit 140A (R2 direction) and the sliding direction of the input unit 140B (L2 direction). be able to. Therefore, the user can easily operate the input unit 140 .

A second operation setting different from the first operation setting of the vehicle is changed based on the input to the input unit 140 . According to such a configuration, it is possible to change a plurality of operation settings including the first operation setting and the second operation setting with one input device 10 .

The second operation setting is a setting related to the operation of equipment mounted on the vehicle. Examples of devices mounted on a vehicle include various lamps such as headlamps, winkers, wipers, and the like. For example, by operating the input unit 140, ON/OFF of these various devices are changed.

<3. Supplement>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the operation target is a vehicle has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the operation target may be an airplane, a ship, a robot arm, or the like. Moreover, the operation target is not limited to a physical object. For example, the operation target may be a virtual object such as a character in virtual space.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the input section 140 is configured to be slidable on the surface of the support section 120 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the input unit 140 may be configured to be pressable, and may accept pressing of the input unit 140 as an input. Specifically, the input unit 140 may be configured as a button and accept button depression as an input.

10: input device, 110: shaft, 120: support, 130: grip, 140: input

Claims

a shaft rotatable along a first axis;
a support part having one end connected to the shaft part;
a gripping portion disposed on the other end side of the support portion and rotatable along a second axis different from the first axis;
an input unit disposed on the support;
with
The input section is arranged at a position where the distance from the grip section is half or less of the length of the grip section in the direction of the second axis,
An input device comprising
the input unit receives an input based on a force applied in a direction of rotation along a third axis different from the second axis;
The input device according to claim 1.
the third axis is orthogonal to the second axis;
The input device according to claim 2.
The input section is slidable on the surface of the support section, and receives the slide of the input section as an input.
The input device according to claim 2 or 3.
The input unit is pressable, and accepts pressing of the input unit as an input;
The input device according to claim 2 or 3.
changing a first action setting of an operation target to be operated by a user based on the amount of rotation of the shaft;
A second action setting different from the first action setting of the operation target is changed based on the input to the input unit.
The input device according to any one of claims 1-5.
The first action setting is a setting of a moving direction of the operation target,
The input device according to claim 6.
The second operation setting is a setting related to the operation of a device mounted on the operation target.
The input device according to claim 6 or 7.
The grip part is formed in a spherical shape,
The input device according to any one of claims 1-8.