Input device

Abstract

An input device is provided with: an operated member that is rotationally operated by an operator; a holding member that holds the operated member so as to be rotatable about an imaginary rotational axis; a vibration generating member that vibrates the holding member and transmits vibration to the operated member via the holding member; a rotation detection member that detects a rotation state of the operated member; and a control unit that controls the driving of the vibration generating member in accordance with the rotation state of the operated member, the vibration generating member being held by the holding member such that the longitudinal direction of the outer shape is parallel to the imaginary rotation axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 described below, an operating device is disclosed, which includes: an operable member that is rotationally operated by an operator; a holding member that holds the operable member rotatably; a vibration generating member that vibrates the holding member; a rotation detecting member that detects the rotation of the operable member; and a control member that controls the vibration generating member according to the rotation of the operable member.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: WO 2019 / 163241 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the operating device of Patent Document 1, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis, the holding member has a rectangular shape, and a vibration generating member is provided below the holding member at a position far from the operable member. Therefore, in order to transmit vibration to the operable member, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis, it is necessary to use a large and powerful vibration generating member that makes the holding member relatively large with respect to the operable member. Therefore, it is difficult to miniaturize the entire operating device.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] An input device according to one embodiment includes: an operable member that is rotationally operated by an operator; a holding member that holds the operable member rotatable about an imaginary rotation axis; a vibration generating member that vibrates the holding member and transmits vibration to the operable member via the holding member; a rotation detecting member that detects the rotation state of the operable member; and a control unit that controls the driving of the vibration generating member according to the rotation state of the operable member, wherein the vibration generating member is held by the holding member such that the long side direction of the outer shape is parallel to the imaginary rotation axis.

[0010] Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the input device of one embodiment, it is possible to miniaturize the entire input device. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 Is a cross-sectional view of an input device according to an embodiment, taken along the cutting plane A-A.

[0014] Figure 3 Is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 Is an exploded perspective view showing a structural example of a vibration generating member according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5A Is an explanatory view showing the driving direction of a vibrating body included in a vibration generating member according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5B Is an explanatory view showing the driving direction of a vibrating body included in a vibration generating member according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6A Is an explanatory view showing the vibration direction of a vibrating body included in a vibration generating member according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6B Is an explanatory view showing the vibration direction of a vibrating body included in a vibration generating member according to an embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, for convenience of explanation, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the drawing is set as the front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction in the drawing is set as the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction in the drawing is set as the up-down direction. Among them, the positive direction of the X-axis is set as the front direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis is set as the right direction, and the positive direction of the Z-axis is set as the up direction. They represent the relative positional relationship within the device and do not limit the installation direction and operation direction of the device. All embodiments having the same relative positional relationship within the device, regardless of different installation directions and operation directions, are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] (Outline of Input Device 100)

[0022] Figure 1 Is an external perspective view of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 The input device 100 shown is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and is rotated by an operator to input a command for electrically controlling various control target devices (such as an audio, a car navigation device, an air conditioner, an electronic shifter, etc.) provided in the vehicle.

[0023] As Figure 1As shown, the input device 100 has a generally cylindrical outer shape and includes an operable member 110 that is rotated by an operator. The operable member 110 includes a rotating member 111, a knob 112, and a cover member 113.

[0024] The rotating member 111 is a generally cylindrical member having a center on the imaginary rotation axis AX. The rotating member 111 has a generally cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 111A extending along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaginary rotation axis AX.

[0025] The knob 112 is a lid-shaped member having a circular shape when viewed from above in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaginary rotation axis AX. The knob 112 is fixedly mounted on the upper part of the rotating member 111 by a snap structure or the like (details not shown). Thus, the knob 112 rotates integrally with the rotating member 111. The knob 112 has a planar portion 112A that is circular when viewed from above; and an outer peripheral side surface portion 112B, which has an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the planar portion 112A and extends downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the outer peripheral edge of the planar portion 112A. The outer peripheral side surface portion 112B is held by the operator during the rotation operation.

[0026] The cover member 113 is a lid-shaped member having a circular opening 113A formed in the central portion when viewed from above in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaginary rotation axis AX. The cover member 113 is fixedly mounted on the lower part of the rotating member 111 by a snap structure or the like (details not shown). Thus, the cover member 113 partially closes the outer peripheral portion side of the opening on the lower side (negative Z-side) of the rotating member 111 and rotates integrally with the rotating member 111.

[0027] By rotating the operable member 110 by the operator, when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction), it can rotate around the imaginary rotation axis AX as the center of rotation, respectively, in the counterclockwise direction ( Figure 1 the direction of arrow D1 shown) and the clockwise direction ( Figure 2 the direction of arrow D2 shown).

[0028] When a command for control is input by rotating the operable member 110 by the operator while the outer peripheral side surface portion 112B of the knob 112 is held by the operator, the input device 100 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the operation direction and rotation angle of the rotation operation to the outside, thereby electrically controlling various controlled devices.

[0029] In addition, the input device 100 internally includes four vibration generating members 130 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3), when performing a rotation operation on the operated member 110, at least one of the four vibration generating members 130 generates vibration, thereby vibrating the operated member 110, and thus an operation touch feeling can be imparted to the rotation operation.

[0030] It should be noted that the input device 100 can also be mounted on devices other than vehicles (such as game consoles, airplanes, railway vehicles, remote controllers, etc.). In addition, the input device 100 actually has an electrical structure for outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation operation, but in this embodiment, the illustration and description of this electrical structure are omitted.

[0031] (Structure of the input device 100)

[0032] Use Figure 2 and Figure 3 , to further describe the structure of the input device 100 in detail. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 of an embodiment based on the A-A section line (refer to Figure 1 ). Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 of an embodiment.

[0033] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the input device 100 includes an operated member 110, a holding member 120, four vibration generating members 130, a support member 140, a fixing member 150, and an operation detection unit 170.

[0034] In addition to the above-mentioned rotating member 111, knob 112, and cover member 113, the operated member 110 further includes a magnet 115.

[0035] The magnet 115 is disposed on the upper surface of the rotating member 111 and below the circuit board 171. The magnet 115 has a ring shape along the circular opening 111B formed on the upper surface of the rotating member 111. The magnet 115 has a structure magnetized into multiple poles with N poles and S poles alternately arranged along the circumferential direction.

[0036] The holding member 120 is a member that holds the vibration generating member 130 described later inside, is fixed to a prescribed installation location of various controlled object devices in a non-rotating manner, and rotatably holds the operated member 110. The holding member 120 is a resin-made cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The holding member 120 has: a cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 121 that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction); a semi-cylindrical shaft portion 122 that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) inside the outer peripheral wall portion 121 and at the center (i.e., on the imaginary rotation axis AX) and protrudes upward and downward from the outer peripheral wall portion 121 to be formed; and a bottom plate portion 123 that closes the opening portion on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the outer peripheral wall portion 121.

[0037] The holding member 120 is fixedly disposed inside the rotating member 111 of the operated member 110, so as not to rotate integrally with the operated member 110 and hold the operated member 110 so as to be rotatable about the imaginary rotation axis. In addition, the holding member 120 has a substantially cylindrical bearing portion 124 that protrudes downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 123. The holding member 120 is supported by the support member 140 by fitting the bearing portion 124 with the shaft portion 141 of the support member 140 described later.

[0038] In addition, since the shaft portion 122 of the holding member 120 has a semi-cylindrical shape, the upper end portion of the shaft portion 122 penetrates the opening portion 111B formed on the upper surface of the rotating member 111 and is fitted to the bottom surface portion of the cage 172 of the operation detection unit 170. Thus, the upper end portion of the shaft portion 122 can function as an anti-rotation member, and thus the operation detection unit 170 is supported so as not to rotate.

[0039] In addition, a groove portion 121A is formed in a circular ring shape on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121. The groove portion 121A has a groove shape that is recessed toward the inside in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction. A circular ring-shaped elastic member 125 made of an elastic material (such as silicone rubber, etc.) is hooked on the groove portion 121A. The elastic member 125 contacts both the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121 of the holding member 120 and the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member 111 of the operated member 110, and is slightly flattened by both. Thereby, the elastic member 125 applies a rotational load when the operated member 110 is rotationally operated, and can easily transmit the vibration generated by the vibration generating member 130 held inside to the operated member 110. Therefore, in the radial direction, the thickness of the elastic member 125 is slightly larger than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121 and the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member 111.

[0040] Note that, in the present embodiment, three groove portions 121A are formed at different positions in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121. And the elastic member 125 is engaged only with the uppermost (positive Z-axis side) groove portion 121A.

[0041] However, it is not limited thereto. The elastic member 125 may be engaged with any one of the three groove portions 121A, or the elastic member 125 may be engaged with a plurality of the three groove portions 121A. Thereby, the rotational load during the rotational operation of the operated member 110 can be increased, and the vibration generated by the vibration generating member 130 can be more easily transmitted to the operated member 110. In addition, two or less or four or more groove portions 121A may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121.

[0042] The four vibration generating members 130 are respectively disposed inside the holding member 120 (specifically, in the space between the outer peripheral wall portion 121 and the shaft portion 122). Moreover, the four vibration generating members 130 are respectively fixed to the inner wall surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 121 by double-sided tapes, adhesives, etc.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the four vibration generating members 130 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 90° intervals) on the circumference of an imaginary circle centered on the imaginary rotation axis AX inside the holding member 120. In particular, in the present embodiment, the four vibration generating members 130 are respectively arranged on the front side (positive X-axis side), the rear side (negative X-axis side), the right side (positive Y-axis side), and the left side (negative Y-axis side) with respect to the imaginary rotation axis AX.

[0044] The four vibration generating members 130 respectively have an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. That is, the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 has a long side direction, a first short side direction orthogonal to the long side direction, and a second short side direction orthogonal to the long side direction and the first short side direction.

[0045] In addition, the four vibration generating members 130 are respectively configured to generate resonant vibrations in the first short side direction and the second short side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 by drive control based on two different frequencies from the control circuit 160 (see Figure 4 ). Thereby, the four vibration generating members 130 respectively vibrate the holding member 120, and the vibration can be transmitted to the operated member 110 via the holding member 120.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the four vibration generating members 130 are respectively arranged inside the holding member 120 such that the long side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 coincides with the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (i.e., in a manner parallel to the imaginary rotation axis AX). Further, the four vibration generating members 130 are respectively arranged inside the holding member 120 such that the first short side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 coincides with the X-axis direction and the second short side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 coincides with the Y-axis direction. Thus, the four vibration generating members 130 are each arranged to generate vibrations in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively.

[0047] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the input device 100 includes four vibration generating members 130, but is not limited thereto. The input device 100 may also include less than three or more than five vibration generating members 130.

[0048] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, as the four vibration generating members 130, members of the same specification having the same resonant frequency are used, but are not limited thereto. As the four vibration generating members 130, members having different resonant frequencies and different specifications may also be used.

[0049] Further, in the present embodiment, a structure that performs resonant vibration in two different directions by drive control based on two different resonant frequencies is used. However, it is not limited thereto, and a vibration generating unit (LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator)) having only one resonant frequency and performing resonant vibration in only one direction may also be used.

[0050] The support member 140 is a resin-made and substantially disk-shaped member provided on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the cover member 113 of the operated member 110. The support member 140 supports the holding member 120 by fixing the bottom surface portion of the holding member 120 in a state of being accommodated inside the rotating member 111. The support member 140 has a cylindrical shaft portion 141 protruding upward (positive Z-axis direction) at the central portion of the support member 140. The shaft portion 141 passes through the opening portion 113A of the cover member 113, and the upper end portion of the shaft portion 141 is fitted into the bearing portion 124, which is provided to protrude downward from the bottom plate portion 123 of the holding member 120 in a state of being accommodated inside the rotating member 111.

[0051] Moreover, in a state where the support member 140 is fitted to the bearing portion 124 of the holding member 120 at the upper end portion of the shaft portion 141, the support member 140 is screwed and fixed to the bottom surface of the holding member 120 by a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fixing screws 143 penetrating the support member 140 from below (negative Z-axis direction) to above (positive Z-axis direction). Thus, the support member 140 supports the holding member 120 in a state of being accommodated inside the rotating member 111 so as not to rotate.

[0052] In addition, an annular bearing 145 is mounted on the outer peripheral side surface of the shaft portion 122. The bearing 145 is fitted into an opening portion 113A of a cover member 113 provided in the operated member 110, thereby enabling smooth rotation of the operated member 110.

[0053] In addition, an annular elastic member 146 made of an elastic material (such as silicon, rubber, etc.) is hooked on the outer peripheral side surface of the support member 140. The elastic member 146 is interposed in a gap between the outer peripheral side surface of the support member 140 and the inner peripheral surface of an opening portion (i.e., an opening portion into which the support member 140 is fitted) provided at a prescribed installation location where the input device 100 is installed. Thereby, for example, vibrations generated by the input device 100 are absorbed, and it is difficult for the vibrations generated by the input device 100 to be transmitted to the prescribed installation location. Furthermore, when the operated member 110 is slid horizontally, the elastic member 146 allows for a slight movement of the operated member 110 and can restore the operated member 110 to its original position after the sliding operation.

[0054] The fixing member 150 is a metal and circular frame-shaped member provided for fixing the input device 100 to a prescribed installation location. The fixing member 150 is clamped between an annular outer peripheral portion 144 of the support member 140 and the bottom surface of a cover member 113 of the operated member 110, thereby being fixed to the input device 100. The fixing member 150 is provided with four fixing portions 151 protruding outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral edge portion of the fixing member 150 at 90-degree intervals. The fixing member 150 is screwed and fixed to the prescribed installation location by each of four fixing screws 152 penetrating the four fixing portions 151 from above (positive Z-axis direction) to below (negative Z-axis direction), thereby enabling the input device 100 to be fixed to the prescribed installation location.

[0055] The operation detection unit 170 has a substantially disk-shaped outer shape, and is disposed above the upper surface of the rotating member 111 and below the flat portion 112A of the knob 112 (within the space surrounded by the outer peripheral side surface portion 112B). The operation detection unit 170 includes a resin-made and disk-shaped circuit board 171 and a resin-made and tray-shaped holder 172 that holds the circuit board 171. The bottom surface portion of the holder 172 is fixed to the upper end portion of the shaft portion 122 of the holding member 120, so that the operation detection unit 170 is supported by the holding member 120 and cannot rotate. The operation detection unit 170 can detect the approach or contact operation (such as grasping, text input, etc.) of the operator on the knob 112 through a plurality of electrostatic detection electrodes mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 171.

[0056] On the lower surface of the circuit board 171 and above the magnet 115, a magnetic sensor 173 is mounted opposite to a part of the magnet 115. The magnetic sensor 173 is an example of a "rotation detection member" that detects the rotation state of the operated member 110. When the operated member 110 is rotated, the magnet 115 rotates together with the rotating member 111, causing a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 173 that is fixed in place and does not rotate. Thereby, the magnetic sensor 173 can detect the rotation state (rotation direction and rotation angle) of the operated member 110.

[0057] (Operation of the input device 100)

[0058] When the input device 100 is in a state where the operator holds the outer peripheral side surface portion 112B of the knob 112, if the operator rotates the operated member 110, the operated member 110 rotates counterclockwise ( Figure 1 in the direction of arrow D1 shown) or clockwise ( Figure 2 in the direction of arrow D2 shown).

[0059] At this time, the magnetic sensor 173 provided on the lower surface of the circuit board 171 that is fixed and does not rotate detects the change in the magnetic field generated by the magnet 115 that rotates together with the operated member 110, thereby detecting the rotation state (rotation direction and rotation angle) of the operated member 110. And the magnetic sensor 173 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected rotation state to the outside, whereby the input device 100 can electrically control various controlled devices.

[0060] In addition, the magnetic sensor 173 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected rotation state to the control circuit 160 (refer to Figure 4), the control circuit 160 controls at least any one of the four vibration generating members 130 according to the detected rotation state, and thereby vibrates the operated member 110 in a specified direction via the holding member 120, and can impart an operation feeling to the rotation operation of the operated member 110.

[0061] For example, when the detected rotation state is a specified first rotation state, the control circuit 160 can vibrate the operated member 110 in the X-axis direction via the holding member 120 and impart an operation feeling to the rotation operation of the operated member 110 by causing the four vibration generating members 130 to vibrate in the X-axis direction simultaneously.

[0062] In addition, for example, when the detected rotation state is a specified second rotation state, the control circuit 160 can vibrate the operated member 110 in the Y-axis direction via the holding member 120 and impart an operation feeling to the rotation operation of the operated member 110 by causing the four vibration generating members 130 to vibrate in the Y-axis direction simultaneously. It should be noted that even when the number of the vibration generating members 130 is set to less than three or more than five, all or a plurality of the vibration generating members 130 can be caused to generate vibrations in the same direction simultaneously.

[0063] Here, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, the vibration generating member 130 has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and is held by the holding member 120 such that the long side direction of the outer shape is parallel to the imaginary rotation axis AX.

[0064] Thus, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, for the holding member 120, it is only necessary to ensure a space of at least the minimum area of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 (that is, the cross-sectional area orthogonal to the long side direction) when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX. Therefore, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX, the enlargement of the holding member 120 can be suppressed, and thus, the miniaturization of the entire input device 100 can be achieved.

[0065] In particular, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX, the vibration generating member 130 overlaps with the operated member 110. That is, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX, the vibration generating member 130 is arranged to be accommodated inside the outer shape (circular shape in the present embodiment) of the operated member 110.

[0066] Thus, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, when viewed from above in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX, the enlargement of the holding member 120 can be suppressed, and thus, the miniaturization of the entire input device 100 can be achieved.

[0067] In addition, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the operated member 110 has an outer peripheral wall portion 111A extending axially along the imaginary rotation axis AX, and the vibration generating member 130 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion 111A of the operated member 110.

[0068] Accordingly, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can easily transmit the vibration generated by the vibration generating member 130 to the operated member 110.

[0069] In addition, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes a plurality of vibration generating members 130.

[0070] Accordingly, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can transmit stronger vibration to the operated member 110 by causing the plurality of vibration generating members 130 to generate vibration simultaneously. In addition, by causing the plurality of vibration generating members 130 to generate vibration in the same direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) simultaneously, stronger vibration can be transmitted.

[0071] In addition, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes an elastic member 125 that contacts both the holding member 120 and the operated member 110.

[0072] Accordingly, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can apply a rotational load when the operated member 110 is rotationally operated, and can easily transmit the vibration generated by the vibration generating member 130 to the operated member 110.

[0073] (An example of the structure of the vibration generating member 130)

[0074] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of the vibration generating member 130 according to one embodiment. As Figure 4 shown, the vibration generating member 130 includes a frame 135, a vibrating body 131, a pair of magnets 132, a holding portion 133, and a pair of elastic support portions 134.

[0075] Note that, in Figure 4 , the long side directions of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 are set as the C1 and C2 directions. In addition, in Figure 4 , the first short side directions (directions orthogonal to the long side directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 are set as the A1 and A2 directions. In addition, in Figure 4 , the second short side directions (directions orthogonal to the long side directions and the first short side directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 are set as the B1 and B2 directions.

[0076] The housing 135 is a metal box-shaped (substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped) member. The housing 135 houses each component part (vibrating body 131, pair of magnets 132, holding part 133, and pair of elastic support parts 134) inside. In Figure 4 In the example shown, the housing 135 is configured to have: a box-shaped (substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped) main body part 135A having an upper opening; and a flat plate-shaped lid part 135B that closes the upper opening of the main body part 135A.

[0077] The vibrating body 131 has a magnetic core 131A and a coil 131B. The magnetic core 131A is formed of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic core 131A is a prism-shaped member extending in a direction parallel to the long side direction of the vibration generating member 130 (i.e., the C1 and C2 directions). The coil 131B is a square tube-shaped member formed by winding a wire around the outer peripheral surface of the magnetic core 131A. The vibrating body 131 functions as an electromagnet that generates a magnetic field when an electric current flows through the coil 131B.

[0078] It should be noted that, as Figure 4 shown, the coil 131B is connected to the control circuit 160 provided in the input device 100 through an arbitrary wiring member 161 (such as an FPC, etc.). Thus, the current flowing through the coil 131B can be controlled by the control of the control circuit 160.

[0079] In the long side direction (C1 and C2 directions) of the vibration generating member 130, a pair of magnets 132 sandwich the vibrating body 131 and are provided on both outer sides of the vibrating body 131. That is, the pair of magnets 132 are respectively disposed opposite to both end portions in the long side direction (C1 and C2 directions) of the vibrating body 131.

[0080] The holding part 133 is a metal member that holds the vibrating body 131. In Figure 4 the example shown, the holding part 133 has a horizontal flat surface part, and the bottom surface of the vibrating body 131 is supported by this flat surface part.

[0081] In the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130, a pair of elastic support parts 134 sandwich the vibrating body 131 and are provided on both outer sides of the vibrating body 131. Each of the pair of elastic support parts 134 has a shape in which a plurality of metal plates are folded multiple times in the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130. Thus, each of the pair of elastic support parts 134 can be elastically deformed so as to flex in the first short side direction (A1 and A2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130, and can be elastically deformed so as to expand and contract in the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130.

[0082] Each of the pair of elastic support portions 134 has the above-described bent structure. Therefore, the elastic deformation of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 in the first short side direction (A1 and A2 directions) has a first elastic coefficient, and the elastic deformation of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 in the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) has a second elastic coefficient. However, the first elastic coefficient and the second elastic coefficient are different from each other. Thereby, the vibration generating member 130 has different resonance frequencies in different directions.

[0083] It should be noted that the outer ends of the vibration generating member 130 of each of the pair of elastic support portions 134 in the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) are fixed to the frame 135, and the inner ends of the vibration generating member 130 in the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) are fixed to the holding portion 133. In particular, in the present embodiment, the pair of elastic support portions 134 are integrally formed with the holding portion 133 provided between the pair of elastic support portions 134 by processing a single metal plate.

[0084] Thereby, inside the frame 135, the vibration generating member 130 can drive the vibrating body 131 held by the holding portion 133 to vibrate along the first short side direction (A1 and A2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 and the second short side direction (B1 and B2 directions) of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 by elastic deformation of the pair of elastic support portions 134 at different frequencies.

[0085] (An example of the operation of the vibration generating member 130)

[0086] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the driving direction of the magnetic drive portion provided in the vibration generating member 130 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the vibration direction of the vibrating body provided in the vibration generating member 130 according to an embodiment.

[0087] As described above, the vibration generating member 130 has a vibrating body 131 and a pair of magnets 132 disposed on the side of the frame 135. And, for the vibrating body 131, an alternating magnetic field is generated by an alternating current flowing through the coil 131B, and one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetic core 131A are magnetized.

[0088] In FIG. 5, as an example, one end portion of the magnetic core 131A and the magnet 132 opposed to the one end portion are shown. As shown in FIG. 5, on the surface of the magnet 132 opposed to one end portion of the magnetic core 131A, with the diagonal of the rectangular shape formed by the surface as a boundary, it has a first magnetization region 132A magnetized as an S pole and a second magnetization region 132B magnetized as an N pole.

[0089] Moreover, as Figure 5AAs shown, when one end of the magnetic core 131A is magnetized to the N pole, one end of the magnetic core 131A and the first magnetization region 132A of the magnet 132 facing this one end attract each other, and repel the second magnetization region 132B of the magnet 132 facing this one end. Although not shown in the figure, at the same time, the other end of the magnetic core 131A is magnetized to the S pole, and this other end attracts the first magnetization region 132A of the magnet 132 facing this other end, and repels the second magnetization region 132B of the magnet 132 facing this other end. Thus, as Figure 5A shown, the magnetic force acts towards Figure 5A the left direction (B1 direction) and the downward direction (A2 direction) in

[0090] In addition, as Figure 5B shown, when one end of the magnetic core 131A is magnetized to the S pole, one end of the magnetic core 131A and the second magnetization region 132B of the magnet 132 facing this one end attract each other, and repel the first magnetization region 132A of the magnet 132 facing this one end. Although not shown in the figure, at the same time, the other end of the magnetic core 131A is magnetized to the N pole, and this other end attracts the second magnetization region 132B of the magnet 132 facing this other end, and repels the first magnetization region 132A of the magnet 132 facing this other end. Thus, as Figure 5B shown, the magnetic force acts towards Figure 5B the right direction (B2 direction) and the upward direction (A1 direction) in

[0091] The control circuit 160 is an example of a "control unit" that controls the drive of the vibration generating member 130 according to the rotation state of the operated member 110. By passing an alternating current through the coil 131B, the control circuit 160 can alternately magnetize one end of the magnetic core 131A to the N pole and the S pole, and alternately magnetize the other end of the magnetic core 131A to the S pole and the N pole. As a result, Figure 5A the magnetic force shown in Figure 5B and the magnetic force shown in

[0092] act on the vibrating body 131 alternately. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the vibrating body 131 can vibrate in the vertical direction (A1 and A2 directions) and the horizontal direction (B1 and B2 directions) in FIG. 5 while elastically deforming a pair of elastic support portions 134 that support the vibrating body 131. Figure 6AAs shown, by causing the vibrating body 131 to generate an alternating magnetic field having the same frequency as the second natural vibration frequency, it is possible to cause the vibrating body 131 to resonate and vibrate greatly in the left-right direction (B1 and B2 directions) in FIG. 6.

[0093] On the other hand, the control circuit 160 causes an alternating current having the same frequency as the first natural vibration frequency of the vibrating body 131 to flow through the coil 131B. As Figure 6B shown, by causing the vibrating body 131 to generate an alternating magnetic field having the same frequency as the first natural vibration frequency, it is possible to cause the vibrating body 131 to resonate and vibrate greatly in the up-down direction (A1 and A2 directions) in FIG. 6. Therefore, the frequency of the alternating current can be used as the first natural vibration frequency or the first natural vibration, and the vibrating body 131 can be selectively vibrated in the A1 and A2 directions or the B1 and B2 directions.

[0094] It should be noted that the first natural vibration frequency of the vibrating body 131 is determined by the first elastic coefficient of the elastic support portion 134 and the mass of the vibrating body 131. In addition, the second natural vibration frequency of the vibrating body 131 is determined by the second elastic coefficient of the elastic support portion 134 and the mass of the vibrating body 131.

[0095] As described above, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, the vibration generating member 130 includes: a pair of magnets 132 disposed at both ends in the long side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130; a vibrating body 131 disposed between the pair of magnets 132 and having a coil 131B; and an elastic support portion 134 that supports the vibrating body 131 from a direction orthogonal to the long side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130. The vibration generating member 130 is an LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator) in which the vibrating body 131 can resonate and vibrate in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130.

[0096] Thus, the input device 100 of one embodiment can easily control the vibration intensity of the vibration generating member 130 by controlling the frequency of the current flowing from the control circuit 160 to the coil 131B and the like.

[0097] In particular, in the input device 100 of one embodiment, the vibration generating member 130 has two resonant frequencies, and is an LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator) in which the vibrating body 131 can resonate and vibrate in the first short side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 and the second short side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130, which are orthogonal to the long side direction of the outer shape of the vibration generating member 130 and orthogonal to each other.

[0098] Accordingly, the input device 100 of one embodiment can easily control the direction and intensity of the vibration of the vibration generating member 130 by controlling the frequency of the current flowing from the control circuit 160 to the coil 131B, etc., and can provide various vibrations.

[0099] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0100] For example, with respect to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the operated member 110 can be rotated, but it can also be configured such that the operated member 110 can be slid in directions orthogonal to the imaginary rotation axis AX (for example, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). In this case, the input device 100 can detect the sliding state of the operated member 110 by any sliding detection member, and the control circuit 160 can control the vibration generating member 130 to vibrate according to the detected sliding state of the operated member 110.

[0101] In addition, for example, in the input device 100 of the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, a structure in which a coil vibrates, that is, a so-called moving coil type LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator), is used as the vibration generating member 130, but it is not limited thereto, and a structure in which a magnet vibrates, that is, a so-called moving magnet type, can also be used.

[0102] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-017697 filed on February 8, 2023, and incorporates the entire content of this application into this international application.

[0103] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0104] 100 Input device

[0105] 110 Operated member

[0106] 111 Rotating member

[0107] 111A Outer peripheral wall portion

[0108] 111B Opening

[0109] 112 Knob

[0110] 112A Flat portion

[0111] 112B Outer peripheral side surface portion

[0112] 113 Cover member

[0113] 113A Opening

[0114] 115 Magnet

[0115] 116 Magnetic Sensor (Rotation Detection Member)

[0116] 120 Holding Member

[0117] 121 Outer Peripheral Wall Portion

[0118] 121A Groove Portion

[0119] 122 Shaft Portion

[0120] 123 Bottom Plate Portion

[0121] 124 Bearing Portion

[0122] 125 Elastic Member

[0123] 130 Vibration Generation Member

[0124] 131 Vibration Body

[0125] 131A Magnetic Core

[0126] 131B Coil

[0127] 132 Magnet

[0128] 133 Holding Portion

[0129] 134 Elastic Support Portion

[0130] 135 Housing

[0131] 135A Main Body Portion

[0132] 135B Cover Portion

[0133] 140 Support Member

[0134] 141 Shaft Portion

[0135] 143 Fixing Screw

[0136] 144 Outer Peripheral Portion

[0137] 145 Bearing

[0138] 146 Elastic Member

[0139] 150 Fixing Member

[0140] 151 Fixing Portion

[0141] 152 Fixing Screw

[0142] 160 Control Circuit

[0143] 161 Wiring Member

[0144] 170 Operation detection unit

[0145] 171 Circuit board

[0146] 172 Cage.

Claims

1. An input device comprising: An operated member, which is rotated by an operator; a holding member that holds the operated member so as to be rotatable about an imaginary rotation axis; a vibration generating member that causes the holding member to vibrate and transmits the vibration to the operated member via the holding member; a rotation detection member for detecting a rotation state of the operated member; as well as a control unit that controls the driving of the vibration generating member according to the rotation state of the operated member, The input device is characterized in that The vibration generating member is held by the holding member such that the longitudinal direction of the outer shape is parallel to the virtual rotation axis.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The vibration generating member overlaps the operated member in a plan view from the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The operated member has an outer peripheral wall portion extending in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis. The vibration generating member is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion.

4. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The input device includes a plurality of the vibration generating members.

5. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibration generating member comprises: vibrating body; and an elastic support portion that supports the vibrating body, The vibration generating member is a linear resonance actuator that enables the vibration body to vibrate.

6. The input device according to claim 5, characterized in that The vibration generating member comprises: a pair of magnets disposed at both ends of the vibration generating member in the longitudinal direction; The vibrator is disposed between the pair of magnets and has a coil; and The elastic support portion supports the vibrating body from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The vibration generating member is the linear resonance actuator in which the vibration body is capable of resonant vibration in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

7. The input device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The vibration generating component has at least two resonant frequencies, and is the linear resonant actuator in which the vibrating body can perform the resonant vibration in the first short side direction of the outer shape and the second short side direction of the outer shape respectively, and the first short side direction and the second short side direction are orthogonal to the long side direction and to each other.

8. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The input device includes an elastic member that contacts both the holding member and the operated member, applies a rotational load during the rotational operation of the operated member, and transmits the vibration generated by the vibration generating member to the operated member.

9. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operated member can be further slidably operated by the operator. The input device further includes a slide detection member for detecting a slide state of the operated member. The control unit also controls the driving of the vibration generating member according to the sliding state of the operated member.

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