JP2010134728A - Input device providing sensation of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device providing sense of operation which can adopts an optimized design pertaining to sound generation, without having to provide a dedicated actuator for generating sounds. <P>SOLUTION: The input device 10 providing sensation of operation operates an electromagnetic brake 24 that is responsive to the rotational operation with respect to an operation member 12, and causes an armature 22 to be attracted to providing a resistance. Here, when a magnetic force generated by the operation of the electromagnetic brake 24, other than the armature 22, causes a hammer 34 to be attracted, an action of lever strikes a resonant plate 32 to generate an operational sound. In particular even though an exclusive actuator is not required, the use of the resonating plate 32 and the hammer 34 for the generation of sound allows the design to be optimized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as an input device such as various electronic devices and in-vehicle electrical components. At that time, an operation feeling imparting type capable of imparting a dynamic operation feeling to the operator and generating an operation sound. It relates to an input device.

  Conventionally, with regard to this type of operation feeling imparting type input device, a prior art is known in which the operation state of the operation member is notified by sound and vibration, and the operation state is fed back to the operator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . That is, in this prior art, a cone-shaped metal plate is attached to an operation shaft connected to an operation member, and the metal plate is hit by a solenoid driving rod to generate sound.

  According to the above prior art, since the vibration due to the impact can be transmitted to the operation member while generating the sound according to the operation state of the operation member, the generation of the notification sound and the transmission of the vibration are common members. The structure can be simplified accordingly.

In addition, as another prior art, by applying a continuous pulse signal to the coil of the electromagnetic brake while restricting the displacement of the operating body (operation member) with an electromagnetic brake and applying a frictional resistance force, There is one that generates a notification sound by causing an armature to periodically collide with a yoke (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to this prior art, sound can be generated using an electromagnetic brake for the purpose of imparting an operational feeling, so that the structure can be further simplified and the entire apparatus can be downsized.
JP 2006-39825 A JP 2004-355500 A

  Both of the two prior arts described above are advantageous in that the structure can be simplified by using one member not only for the generation of sound but also for another purpose.

  In addition, in the former prior art (Patent Document 1), since it is necessary to provide a dedicated actuator (solenoid) for generating sound and vibration, it is inevitable that the number of parts is increased accordingly. In this regard, although the latter prior art (Patent Document 2) does not require a dedicated actuator, since the sound generation principle is due to the collision between the armature and the yoke, the texture of the sound is further improved, I can't even hope to achieve an optimal design.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an operation feeling imparting type input device that can adopt an optimum design for sound generation without providing a dedicated actuator particularly for generating sound.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.

  Solution 1: An operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention includes, as its basic configuration, an operation member that is operated and displaced by an operator, and an electromagnetic brake having an armature that is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the operation member. ing. The electromagnetic brake generates a magnetic force that attracts the armature when energized to give a frictional resistance to the operation of the operation member.

  On the other hand, as a configuration for generating sound, the operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention includes a movable member and a sound generating member. Among these, the movable member is provided at a position where the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic brake is applied separately from the armature, and has a magnetism that is attracted by the magnetic force when the electromagnetic brake is energized. Further, when the movable member is attracted and displaced by the electromagnetic brake, the sound generating member is struck by the movable member along with the displacement and generates an operation sound.

  According to the operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention, while applying resistance to the operation of the operator by energizing the electromagnetic brake, the moving member is displaced by the magnetic force at that time, thereby moving the sound from the sound generating member. An operation sound can be generated. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated actuator only for generating sound. In addition, since the sound generation principle is based on the collision between the movable member and the sound generation member, the texture of the sound can be improved by arbitrarily selecting the shape, material, size, and combination of them. It is possible to easily realize an optimum design for sound generation.

  Solution 2: The operation feeling imparting type input device according to the present invention can detect operation of the operation member by detecting the position of the operation member and controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic brake based on the detection result by the detection unit. Control means for controlling the generation of an operation sound from the sound generating member together with the application of the resistance force may be further provided.

  If the configuration of the detection unit and the control unit is added to the configuration of the solution unit 1, when the position of the operation member changes arbitrarily according to the operation by the operator, the operation feeling by the electromagnetic brake at the position and timing intended for the control. The operation sound can be generated at an optimal timing according to this. As a result, it is possible to provide an operational feeling that appeals to the operator's sense of touch and hearing simultaneously.

  Solution 3: The operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention may further include a holding member. The holding member provides a holding force for holding the movable member at a predetermined initial position when the electromagnetic brake is not energized. On the other hand, when the movable member is attracted by the magnetic force when the electromagnetic brake is energized, the holding member resists the holding force. The movable member is allowed to be displaced, and when the electromagnetic brake changes from the energized state to the non-energized state, the movable member is returned to the initial position by the holding force.

  If a holding member is added to the configuration of the solving means 1 and 2, after the electromagnetic brake is de-energized, the movable member is kept in the initial position, and when energized, the movable member is displaced therefrom and the sound generating member is struck, The movable member can be returned to the initial position again. For this reason, an operation sound can be generated every time the electromagnetic brake is switched from the non-energized state to the energized state. In addition, since the holding member can be stably held at the same initial position when the electromagnetic brake is not energized, the holding member is not inadvertently displaced and no sound is generated.

  Solution 4: In the above solution 3, the electromagnetic brake can generate a magnetic force with a magnitude corresponding to the drive voltage applied during energization. Further, the holding member allows the movable member to be displaced to a position where it strikes the sound generating member when the driving voltage applied to the electromagnetic brake reaches the maximum value.

  According to the solution 4, while a driving voltage that does not reach the maximum value is applied to the electromagnetic brake, no operation sound is generated even in the energized state, and when the driving voltage reaches the maximum value, Operation sound will be generated. Therefore, if the driving voltage is controlled by the control means (solving means 2), the maximum resistance force is applied at the timing at which the driving voltage reaches the maximum value in the control, and the operation sound is generated in accordance with the timing. Can be generated.

  Solving means 5: In the solving means 2 to 4, the control means is a force curve in which the relationship between the position of the operating member that changes according to the operation of the operator and the magnitude of the drive voltage to be applied to the electromagnetic brake is predetermined. By controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic brake based on the above, it is possible to perform control to generate an operation sound from the sound generating member in accordance with the time when the drive voltage reaches the maximum value on the force curve.

  According to the solution 5, when the position of the operation member changes, a resistance force can be applied based on a pattern previously defined by a force curve. It is possible to generate a feeling of hitting a wall at a certain position (so-called wall feeling). In addition, by generating operation sounds in a timely manner at a position where these feelings are generated, it is possible to give an operation feeling (thing that appeals to the sense of touch and hearing) that does not feel uncomfortable to the operator.

  Solving means 6: In the solving means 5, the control means is preliminarily defined on the coordinate axis when the position of the operation member that changes according to the operation of the operator as the force curve is a position coordinate on the predetermined coordinate axis. Alternatively, a relationship may be defined in which the drive voltage has a maximum value at each of a plurality of maximum positions, and the drive voltage has a minimum value at each of the minimum positions spaced apart from each maximum position by a predetermined distance.

  In this case, while the position of the operation member is continuously changed, it is possible to generate an operation sound at each position while generating a click feeling at each of a plurality of maximum positions. Further, since the force curve is symmetric in the direction from the maximum position to both sides when viewed on the coordinate axis, the force curve can be commonly applied to the displacement of the operation member in both directions on the control.

  The operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention can generate an operation sound without providing a dedicated actuator or speaker, and can optimally design elements that cover the generation of the sound.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation feeling imparting type input device of the present invention is used as an input device (user interface) for in-vehicle electrical components such as car navigation devices as well as various electronic devices (computer devices, audio devices, video devices), for example. Can do.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an overall configuration of an operation feeling imparting type input device 10 according to an embodiment. First, the operation feeling imparting type input device 10 includes an operation member 12. The operation member 12 has, for example, a rotary knob shape (dial shape). The operator can rotate the operation member 12 while pinching the operation member 12. At this time, the operation member 12 rotates around a central axis CL indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The operation member 12 is connected to one end of the rotating shaft 14, for example. The rotary shaft 14 extends in one direction (downward in FIG. 1) from the operation member 12 along the central axis CL, and the rotary shaft 14 rotates around the central axis CL together with the operation member 12.

  An elastic member 16 is attached to the rotary shaft 14 at the end opposite to the operation member 12 in the axial direction. The elastic member 16 has, for example, a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis CL of the operation member 12, and the rotation shaft 14 is connected to one end (upper end in FIG. 1) viewed in the axial direction. Another rotating shaft 18 is connected to the other end (lower end).

  The rotation shaft 18 is also a shaft member centered on the central axis CL of the operation member 12, and the operation member 12, the rotation shaft 14, the elastic member 16, and the rotation shaft 18 are disposed on the same central axis CL. Since the elastic member 16 and the rotary shafts 14 and 18 are firmly joined at the respective joints, when the operating member 12 is rotated, the rotary shaft 14, the elastic member 16 and The rotating shaft 18 rotates around the central axis CL. For the elastic member 16, for example, rubber can be used as a material.

  A collar member 20 is attached to the rotary shaft 18 at the end opposite to the elastic member 16 in the axial direction. The collar member 20 has, for example, a stepped disk shape as a whole, and extends in the radial direction about the rotation shaft 18. When the operation member 12 is operated, the collar member 20 also rotates around the central axis CL together with the rotation shaft 14, the elastic member 16, and the rotation shaft 18.

[Electromagnetic brake]
The operation feeling imparting type input device 10 includes an electromagnetic brake 24, and the above-described collar member 20 has an armature 22 on an end surface (a lower end surface in FIG. 1) opposite to the rotation shaft 18 when viewed in the direction of the central axis CL. Are connected. The electromagnetic brake 24 attracts the armature 22 with a magnetic force generated when energized. Due to the friction at this time, the electromagnetic brake 24 can apply a resistance force to the operation of the operation member 12.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a leaf spring is provided between the armature 22 and the collar member 20, and the armature is actuated when the electromagnetic brake 24 is operated (energized) due to the elastic deformation of the leaf spring. 22 can move in the direction of the central axis CL (thrust direction) with respect to the collar member 20. The entire armature 22 is a magnetic metal (for example, iron).

[Position detection]
The operation feeling imparting type input device 10 includes an encoder 26 as an element for detecting the position (rotation angle) of the operation member 12. The encoder 26 includes a code plate 26a and a photo interrupter 26b. Of these, the code plate 26a is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 14, for example. The code plate 26a has a thin disk shape centered on the rotary shaft 14, and slits (not shown) are formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction.

  For example, the photo interrupter 26b is adjusted to a positional relationship in which two strips of detection light are transmitted through the slits of the code plate 26a at different positions. When the operation member 12 is rotated, the code plate 26a rotates together with the rotating shaft 14, and a two-phase rotation angle signal (encoder pulse) having a phase difference is output from the photo interrupter 26b.

[Function of elastic member]
Further, when the operating member 12 is operated in a state where the armature 22 is adsorbed by the electromagnetic brake 24 (a state where a resistance force is applied), the elastic member 16 generates a torsional deformation (elastic deformation) in its rotating direction. . However, since the elastic member 16 is made of a material having sufficient rigidity with respect to the torque at that time even when the operating member 12 is operated in a state where the applied resistance force is maximum, the elastic member 16 yields there. And will not break. Therefore, the elastic member 16 can transmit the operation with respect to the operation member 12 from the rotation shaft 14 to the next rotation shaft 18 and the collar member 20 while being deformed within a normal elastic range. Accordingly, when the operator applies a certain amount of operating force to the operating member 12, the operating member 12 can be continuously rotated while the armature 22 is slipped.

  On the other hand, when the operator releases the operating member 12 or loosens the operating force in a state where the elastic member 16 has been elastically deformed as described above, the elastic member 16 returns from the previously deformed state. With this return, the elastic member 16 slightly rotates the operation member 12 and the code plate 26a together with the rotating shaft 14 in the opposite direction. Accordingly, when the operation member 12 is not subjected to the operation force in a state where the resistance force by the electromagnetic brake 24 is applied, the position (rotation angle) of the operation member 12 is slightly in the direction opposite to the movement direction (rotation direction) so far. Change.

[Sound generator]
In addition, the operation feeling imparting type input device 10 includes a sound generation unit 30 as an element that generates an operation sound. The sound generation unit 30 mainly includes a resonance plate 32 and a striker 34. When the electromagnetic brake 24 is actuated, the sound generating unit 30 can generate a sound by striking the resonance plate 32 by adsorbing and displacing the striker 34 with its magnetic force.

(Movable member)
The support member 36 has a support pin 36a, and the striker 34 is supported by the support member 36 so as to be rotatable (so-called swinging) about the support pin 36a. One end of the striker 34 is configured as a suction portion 34a with the support pin 36a interposed therebetween, and a magnetic material is used for the suction portion 34a. The other end of the striker 34 is configured as a striker 34b, and the striker 34 can hit the resonance plate 32 with this striker 34b.

(Sound generating member)
The resonance plate 32 is formed of a disk made of, for example, metal, resin, or wood. The resonance plate 32 generates a sound (operation sound) when it is struck by the striker 34, and the conditions regarding the generation of the sound can be changed by arbitrarily changing the material, shape, size, thickness, and the like. (For example, sound quality, volume, scale, etc.) can be changed variously.

(Control part)
Furthermore, the operation feeling imparting type input device 10 includes a control unit 28 as a control element together with the encoder 26 described above. The control unit 28 is connected to the encoder 26 and the electromagnetic brake 24, and a detection signal (encoder pulse) is input to the control unit 28 from the encoder 26 (photo interrupter 26b). A drive signal (drive voltage) is output from the control unit 28 to the electromagnetic brake 24. Hereinafter, a configuration related to control will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control system of the operation feeling imparting type input device 10. The control unit 28 includes, for example, a microcomputer 28 having a calculation unit 28a using a processor (CPU), a storage unit 28b using a memory device such as a RAM and a ROM, an input unit 28c, and an output unit 28d. It is configured.

  The rotation angle signal output from the photo interrupter 26b is A / D converted by the input unit 28c and input to the calculation unit 28a. The calculation unit 28a calculates the rotation angle and the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 14 (operation member 12) based on this input signal. The calculation unit 28a outputs a control signal based on the calculation result of the rotation angle and the rotation direction, and controls the operation of the electromagnetic brake 24 (the magnitude of magnetic force generated, timing, etc.). The control signal at this time is converted into a drive voltage supplied to the electromagnetic brake 24 through the output unit 28d.

[Electromagnetic brake operation and sound generation]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mechanism related to the operation of the electromagnetic brake 24 and the generation of sound. In FIG. 3, the operation feeling imparting type input device 10 is shown with a cross section of its constituent elements except for the operation member 12 and a part of the rotating shaft 14. In FIG. 3, elements not shown in FIG. 1 are added. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the control unit 28 is simply shown as a block element. This will be specifically described below.

  In the structural example shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic brake 24 and the sound generator 30 are accommodated in one element housing 38. The element housing 38 is, for example, a cylindrical member, and the electromagnetic brake 24 is fixed so as to be fitted into the inside through an opening at one end (here, the upper end) of the element housing 38.

  The resonance plate 32 is fitted inside the element housing 38 so as to close the opening at the other end (here, the lower end). The support member 36 and the striker 34 are accommodated in the element housing 38 in a state of being disposed between the resonance plate 32 and the electromagnetic brake 24.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, other portions including the rotating shafts 14 and 18 are rotatably supported in a state of being accommodated in, for example, another housing.

[Structure of electromagnetic brake]
The electromagnetic brake 24 has a case-type core 24a whose longitudinal section has an E-shape, for example, in its main body portion. The electromagnetic brake 24 has a structure in which a hoop-like winding 24b is disposed inside the case-type core 24a. When the electromagnetic brake 24 is actuated (energized), a magnetic field is generated around the winding 24b. At this time, the magnetic lines of force pass through the inside of the case-type core 24a as indicated by arrows in FIG. Some of them pass outside the case-type core 24a (inside the element casing 38), and the range of the magnetic force extends to the periphery of the electromagnetic brake 24. The element housing 38 is molded from a nonmagnetic material (for example, a resin material).

  The armature 22 is provided in the vicinity of a position (magnetic pole) where magnetic lines of force concentrate when the electromagnetic brake 24 is operated (energized). For this reason, the electromagnetic brake 24 can adsorb the armature 22 efficiently during its operation. In FIG. 3, a leaf spring 23 for connecting the armature 22 to the collar member 20 is shown in cross section.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a contact 24c is provided at the upper end of the case type core 24a, and the contact 24c closes the upper end surface of the case type core 24a (the upper side of the winding 24b). The contact 24c is a portion that generates friction by contacting the armature 22 when the electromagnetic brake 24 is operated (energized).

  The striker 34 is provided on the opposite side of the armature 22 and in the vicinity of a position (magnetic pole) where magnetic lines of force concentrate when the electromagnetic brake 24 is operated. For this reason, the electromagnetic brake 24 can also adsorb | suck the striker 34 (adsorption part 34a) efficiently at the time of the action | operation.

[Holding member]
For example, a compression type coil spring 40 is provided on the upper surface of the resonance plate 32, and one end of the coil spring 40 is connected to the striker 34 (striking portion 34 b). When the electromagnetic brake 24 is not actuated (non-energized), the coil spring 40 pushes up the striking portion 34b with its repulsive force, so that the striking element 34 can be held at the initial position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. (Generation of holding force).

  On the other hand, the support member 36 is provided with a stopper pin 36b in addition to the support pin 36a. The stopper pin 36b comes into contact with the upper surface of the striking portion 34b pushed up by the coil spring 40 and stops the entire striking element 34 at the initial position.

  When the electromagnetic brake 24 is actuated to generate a magnetic force, the striker 34 (striking portion 34b) is attracted as described above, and the entire striker 34 is displaced as shown by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the electromagnetic brake 24 generates a magnetic force enough to attract the striker 34 against the repulsive force of the coil spring 40. In other words, when the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic brake 24 reaches a magnitude that overcomes the repulsive force of the coil spring 40, the striker 34 is displaced against the repulsive force of the coil spring 40 and is attracted to the electromagnetic brake 24. become.

  When the striker 34 is attracted and displaced by the electromagnetic brake 24 as described above, the striker 34 (striking part 34b) strikes the resonance plate 32 to generate an operation sound. At this time, the striker 34 strikes the resonance plate 32 by appropriately setting the ratio (lever ratio) between the length from the support pin 36a to the tip of the suction portion 34a and the length to the tip of the hitting portion 34b. The energy at the time can also be designed optimally.

  In the structural example shown in FIG. 3, a semicircular pad 34c is provided at the tip of the suction portion 34a. The pad 34c can be formed of, for example, a shock absorber (rubber or the like) made of a nonmagnetic material. By providing such a pad 34c, the impact caused by the contact between the electromagnetic brake 24 and the striker 34 can be reduced, Generation of sound from other than the resonance plate 32 can be prevented. The pad 34c is not an essential element and may be removed as appropriate.

[Control example]
Next, FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of control of the electromagnetic brake 24 by the control unit 28 as an example. Hereinafter, a control example will be described.

  In FIG. 4, (A): For example, it is assumed that the operator performs an operation of rotating the operation member 12 at a constant speed. In this case, the encoder pulse (only one phase is shown) output from the encoder 26 (photo interrupter 26b) has a waveform with a substantially constant period.

  At this time, the control unit 28 performs calculation processing by the calculation unit 28a based on the input encoder pulse, and calculates the current position (position coordinates) of the operation member 12. The position calculated here can be expressed as, for example, the current rotation angle coordinate of the operation member 12. Therefore, the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 4 represents the passage of time in the right direction and the change of the rotation angle coordinate (θ) of the operation member 12 accompanying the rotation operation.

[Output position (maximum position)]
In FIG. 4, (B): In the process of such a rotation operation, the calculation unit 28a determines the timing of generating the click feeling and the operation sound as the calculation result in accordance with the change in the position (rotation angle) of the operation member 12 ( Vertical ▼ mark in the figure). Here, as an example, it is assumed that a click feeling and an operation sound are generated at the timing when the position of the operation member 12 reaches the coordinates θ1, θ2, and θ3 on the horizontal axis.

  In FIG. 4, (C): At this time, the control unit 28 controls the drive voltage to be applied to the electromagnetic brake 24 based on a predetermined force curve. For example, when the coordinate θ1 on the horizontal axis is the next timing for generating the click feeling and the operation sound, the calculation unit 28a centers the coordinate θ1 on both sides on the horizontal axis (for example, one pulse). A left-right symmetrical force curve (uphill on the left side and downhill on the right side) is set that is sharply inclined from the coordinates a and b to the coordinate θ1. Note that the inclination of the force curve is arbitrary, and the inclination can be set somewhat moderately at other coordinates θ2 and θ3. The force curve can be stored in advance in the storage unit 28b.

  In this case, the electromagnetic brake 24 is inactive (non-energized) when the driving voltage is within the range of 0 V on the force curve (left side of the coordinate a), and no special resistance force is applied to the operating member 12 during this period. . Thereafter, when the rotation angle coordinate moves to the right side of the coordinate a (minimum position) in accordance with the change in the position of the operation member 12, the drive voltage increases according to the inclination of the force curve, and the drive voltage at the coordinate θ1 reaches the maximum value Vmax. To reach (maximum position). The resistance force applied at this time is the maximum value.

  Further, when the operation member 12 further rotates and the rotation angle coordinate moves to the right after passing the coordinate θ1, the drive voltage decreases rapidly, and the drive voltage becomes 0 V at the coordinate b (minimum position). As a result, the resistance force applied to the operation member 12 is reduced at a stroke, so that a click feeling can be provided to the operator due to the change in the resistance force during this time.

  In FIG. 4, (D): During this time, the coil spring 40 is displaced (elastically deformed) at a time when the drive voltage applied to the electromagnetic brake 24 reaches the maximum value Vmax. That is, until just before the position of the operation member 12 reaches the coordinate θ1, the coil spring 40 is hardly displaced even if a drive voltage less than the maximum value Vmax is applied to the electromagnetic brake 24.

  When the rotation angle coordinate of the operation member 12 moves to reach the coordinate θ1 and the drive voltage applied to the electromagnetic brake 24 reaches the maximum value Vmax, the striker 34 is drawn at a stretch with the maximum magnetic force generated at that time. As a result, the displacement of the coil spring 40 becomes the maximum value Xmax. At this time, an operation sound is generated by hitting the resonance plate 32 as described above.

  Thereafter, when the operation member 12 further rotates and passes the coordinate θ1 and the drive voltage becomes less than the maximum value Vmax, the coil spring 40 can be restored at once by the repulsive force, and the striker 34 can be returned to the initial position. . As a result, the striker 34 (striking portion 34b) is separated from the resonance plate 32 immediately after hitting the resonance plate 32, so that a sound with good texture can be generated without unnaturally inhibiting the vibration. .

  Here, a case is shown in which the coordinate moves rightward on the horizontal axis, but the force curve shown in FIG. 4C is symmetrical about the coordinates θ1, θ2, and θ3. It can be applied in common to movement in both directions.

  In addition, a force curve that gives a wall feel instead of a click feeling can be used. For example, the drive voltage may be set to 0 V on the left side of the coordinate θ1, and the drive voltage may be set to the maximum value Vmax on the right side of the coordinate θ1. In this case as well, the maximum resistance force can be applied at the timing when the position of the operation member 12 reaches the coordinate θ1, and an operation sound can be generated together.

  As described above, the operation feeling imparting type input device 10 of the present embodiment can generate an operation sound at a timing linked to the operating state of the electromagnetic brake 24 without providing a special actuator.

  On the other hand, since the dedicated resonance plate 32 and the striker 34 can be used for sound generation, by optimizing various conditions such as the material, mass, shape, size, arrangement, etc. Sound quality and tone can be achieved.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications. In the embodiment, the combination of the disk-shaped resonance plate 32 and the striker 34 is taken as an example, but the resonance plate 32 may be formed in a three-dimensional shape (for example, a cone shape or a cylindrical shape).

  Further, the operation sound may be generated by striking the electromagnetic brake 24 with the striking element 34 without using the resonance plate 32. Even in this case, a desired operation sound can be realized by setting the case type core 24a of the electromagnetic brake 24 to an optimum setting.

  In one embodiment, the coil spring 40 is used to hold the striker 34. However, for example, by installing a weight on the striker 34b instead of the coil spring 40, the striker 34 is naturally positioned using gravity. Can also be held or restored.

  In one embodiment, the operation member 12 has a knob shape, but the operation member 12 may have a drum shape, a stick shape, or a spherical shape. Further, the operation member 12 is not limited to rotating, but may be one that slides or swings like a lever, for example.

  The force curve of the electromagnetic brake 24 is not limited to the example (with a mountain shape or a wall pattern) given together with the drawing, and other patterns (for example, a rectangular shape or a trapezoidal shape) may be adopted.

  Further, the detection of the rotation state may be realized not only by the combination of the code plate 26a and the photo interrupter 26b but also by, for example, a combination of a reflecting plate and a photo switch.

  In addition, the shapes and arrangements of the various members shown together with the drawings are all preferable examples, and it goes without saying that these can be appropriately changed when implementing the present invention.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an overall configuration of an operation feeling imparting type input device according to an embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control system roughly. It is the figure which showed the mechanism regarding the action | operation of an electromagnetic brake, and generation | occurrence | production of a sound. It is a timing chart which shows the example of control of the electromagnetic brake by a control part as an example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation feeling provision type input device 12 Operation member 14 Rotating shaft 16 Elastic member 18 Rotating shaft 20 Collar member 22 Armature 24 Electromagnetic brake 28 Control part 28a Operation part 28d Output part 30 Sound generation part 32 Resonance board 34 Batter 40 Coil spring

Claims (6)

An operation member that is operated and displaced by an operator;
An electromagnetic brake that has an armature that displaces in accordance with the displacement of the operation member, generates a magnetic force that attracts the armature when energized, and applies a frictional resistance to the operation of the operation member;
Separately from the armature, provided at a position where the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic brake reaches, a movable member having magnetism that is attracted by the magnetic force when the electromagnetic brake is energized,
An operation feeling imparting type input device comprising: a sound generating member that generates an operation sound by being hit by the movable member when the movable member is attracted and displaced by the electromagnetic brake. The operation feeling imparting type input device according to claim 1,
Detecting means for detecting the position of the operating member;
Control means for controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic brake based on the detection result by the detection means, and controlling the generation of the operation sound from the sound generation member together with the application of the resistance force to the operation of the operation member. An operation feeling imparting type input device provided. In the operation feeling imparting type input device according to claim 1 or 2,
When holding the movable member at a predetermined initial position when the electromagnetic brake is not energized, the movable member is attracted by the magnetic force when the electromagnetic brake is energized against the holding force. An operation feeling imparting type input further comprising a holding member that allows the movable member to be displaced and that returns the movable member to the initial position by the holding force when the electromagnetic brake is changed from an energized state to a non-energized state. apparatus. In the operation feeling imparting type input device according to claim 3,
The electromagnetic brake is
Generate a magnetic force with a magnitude according to the drive voltage applied during energization,
The holding member is
An operation feeling imparting type input device that allows the movable member to be displaced to a position where the sound generating member is struck when a driving voltage applied to the electromagnetic brake reaches a maximum value. In the operation feeling imparting type input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The control means includes
Controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic brake based on a predetermined force curve for the relationship between the position of the operating member that changes according to the operation of the operator and the magnitude of the drive voltage to be applied to the electromagnetic brake Thus, an operation feeling imparting type input device is provided that performs control to generate an operation sound from the sound generating member in accordance with a time when the drive voltage reaches a maximum value on the force curve. The operation feeling imparting type input device according to claim 5,
The control means includes
As the force curve, when the position of the operation member that changes in accordance with the operation of the operator is a position coordinate on the predetermined coordinate axis, the drive voltage at each of a plurality of maximum positions defined in advance on the coordinate axis. An operation feeling imparting type input device having a maximum value and a relationship in which the drive voltage is a minimum value at each of the minimum positions at predetermined intervals on both sides from the maximum position. .

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