Design support method, design support system, analysis device, design support device, switch, analysis program, and design support program

Abstract

To provide a design support method, a design support system, an analysis device, a design support device, a switch, an analysis program and a design support program, which allow for reflecting an abstract request from an operator operating an operating device incorporating a switch on design of the switch.SOLUTION: A design support method is provided, comprising analyzing a relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information representing natural language that verbalizes operating sensations, associating the linguistic information after the relationship analysis with design elements associated with design of a switch 1, and transforming one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other according to the association between the linguistic information and the design elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support method and design support system for supporting the design of a switch, an analysis device and design support device used in such a design support system, a switch designed by such a design support system, and an analysis program and design support program for realizing such an analysis device and design support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Operating devices such as mice equipped with switches such as microswitches are widely used as input devices for electronic devices such as computers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Various operating feel is required for the switches of such operating devices depending on the characteristics of the operator, such as the strength of the operator's fingers, operating habits, and how the force is applied, as well as the intended use. When designing a switch, the operating feel desired by the operator is taken into consideration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-16807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the operator's requirements are expressed in abstract terms such as sharp, soft, heavy, and high-quality, it is not easy to reflect these in the design of the switch.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a design support method and a design support system that are capable of relating an operator's abstract requirements to a design.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an analysis device and a design support device for use in such a design support system.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a switch designed using such a design support system.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an analysis program and a design support program for realizing such an analysis device and a design support device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the design support method described in this application is a design support method that supports the design of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized by analyzing the relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information that indicate natural languages ​​that verbalize the operating feel, associating the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed with design elements related to the design of the switch, and converting one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the association between the linguistic information and the design elements.

[0010] Furthermore, the design support system described in the present application is a design support system that supports the design of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized in that it comprises an analysis device that analyzes linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operating feel, and a design support device that supports the design of the switch based on the linguistic information, wherein the analysis device comprises analysis means that analyzes the relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of the natural language, association means that associates the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed by the analysis means with design elements related to the design of the switch, and means that records the linguistic information and design elements associated by the association means in a conversion database, and the design support device comprises conversion means that converts one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the recorded contents of the conversion database.

[0011] In addition, in the design support system described in the present application, the analysis means includes a hierarchical means for hierarchically classifying linguistic information according to abstraction based on the meaning of natural language, and the association means includes a means for associating linguistic information with low abstraction among the linguistic information hierarchically classified by the hierarchical means with design elements related to the design of the switch.

[0012] In addition, in the design support system described in the present application, the analysis means includes a placement means for placing linguistic information on coordinates based on the directionality of the meaning of natural language, and the hierarchical organization means performs hierarchical organization based on the relationship indicated by the placement position by the placement means.

[0013] In the design support system described in the present application, the associating means includes means for associating at least one of linguistic information and design elements with feature quantities related to switch operation.

[0014] In the design support system described in the present application, the feature amount includes a dynamic feature amount relating to the behavior of the switch in response to a pressing operation.

[0015] In the design support system described in the present application, the feature amount includes a feature amount related to an operation sound generated by a pressing operation.

[0016] Furthermore, in the design support system described in the present application, the switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates to open or close a circuit in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, and the design elements include at least one length selected from the length of the support members, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member.

[0017] Furthermore, the analysis device described in the present application is an analysis device that analyzes linguistic information indicating natural language that verbalizes the operational feel of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized by comprising: a means for analyzing the relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of the natural language; a means for associating the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed with design elements related to the design of the switch; and a means for recording the linguistic information and design elements associated by the associating means in a conversion database.

[0018] Furthermore, the design support device described in the present application is a design support device that supports the design of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized by having means for accessing a conversion database in which multiple pieces of linguistic information, the mutual relationships of which have been analyzed based on the meanings of natural language that verbalize the switch's operating feel, and design elements related to the design of the switch are associated and recorded, and means for converting one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the recorded contents of the accessed conversion database.

[0019] Furthermore, the switch described in the present application is a switch that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, and is characterized by including a design target component that is designed based on the contents of the design elements converted by the design support system.

[0020] Furthermore, the analysis program described in the present application is an analysis program that causes a computer to analyze linguistic information indicating natural language that verbalizes the operational feel of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized in that it causes the computer to execute the steps of analyzing the relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of the natural language, associating the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed with design elements related to the design of the switch, and recording the linguistic information and design elements associated by the associating means in a conversion database.

[0021] Furthermore, the design support program described in the present application is a design support program that causes a computer to assist in the design of a switch that operates in response to pressure based on an operator's pressing operation, and is characterized by having the computer execute the steps of accessing a conversion database that associates and records multiple pieces of linguistic information, the mutual relationships of which have been analyzed based on the meaning of natural language that verbalizes the operating feel of the switch, and design elements related to the design of the switch, and converting one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the recorded contents of the accessed conversion database. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The design support method, design support system, analysis device, design support device, analysis program, and design support program described herein have excellent effects, such as being able to associate abstract requirements for the operational feel of a switch with the design, and being able to support the design of the switch described herein based on the association results. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a switch described herein. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a movable member included in a switch described in the present application. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a movable member included in a switch described in the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of an equivalent circuit of a switch described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of an equivalent circuit of a switch described herein. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing an example of a generalized mechanical characteristic associated with the operation of a switch described herein. [Figure 9] 1 is a graph illustrating an example of various characteristics of a switch described herein. [Figure 10A] 6 is a graph showing comparative examples of various characteristics of the switch described herein. [Figure 10B] 6 is a graph showing comparative examples of various characteristics of the switch described herein. [Figure 11A] 6 is a graph showing comparative examples of various characteristics of the switch described herein. [Figure 11B] 6 is a graph showing comparative examples of various characteristics of the switch described herein. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a questionnaire used in the design support method described in the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the results of principal component analysis applied to the design support method described in the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the results of a covariance structure analysis applied to the design support method described in the present application. [Figure 15] 1 is a graph showing an example of the general shape of the mechanical characteristics relating to the pressing operation of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 16] 10 is a graph showing an example of a change over time in the operating load when the switch described in the present application is pressed. [Figure 17] 10 is a graph showing an example of a change over time in the generation of an operating sound when a switch described in the present application is pressed. [Figure 18] 1 is a table showing an example of the relationship between feature amounts and language information of an operation device applied to the design support method described in the present application. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a design support system described in the present application. [Figure 21] 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an analysis device and a design support device included in a design support system described in the present application. [Figure 22] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an analysis process executed by the analysis device described in the present application. [Figure 23]3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a design support process executed by the design support device described in the present application. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image output from an output unit included in the design support device described in the present application. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image output from an output unit included in the design support device described in the present application. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image output from an output unit included in the design support device described in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] <Application example> The design support system described herein is configured using various devices, such as an analysis device and a design support device, using computers such as a server computer, a client computer, and an offline personal computer. The analysis device, the design support device, and other devices can share data online via a communication network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or offline via various recording media such as semiconductor memory. The design support system is used, for example, to support the design of switches, such as microswitches incorporated into operating devices such as mice for personal computers. Specifically, the system can be used to reflect abstract expressions, such as "sharp" or "soft," that describe the operating feel of an operator who operates the operating device in the design of a switch, or to predict the operating feel that an operator will experience from a designed switch. Below, a switch 1, an analysis device 2, and a design support device 3 illustrated in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] <switch> The switch 1 to be designed in the design support system described herein will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 1 described herein. In this specification, the directions of the switch 1 are expressed as follows: the left front side as viewed in FIG. 1 is the front, the right rear side is the rear, the left rear side is the left, the right front side is the right, the upper side is the top, and the lower side is the bottom; however, these directions are for the sake of convenience and do not limit the mounting direction of the switch 1. As described above, the switch 1 is housed as a microswitch inside an operating device such as a mouse, and receives a pressing operation received by a pressing operation unit such as an operating button or operating wheel of the operating device as an external pressure.

[0027] The switch 1 includes a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10 is formed by a lower base 10a and an upper cover 10b. A rectangular insertion hole 100, through which a pressing member 11 is inserted, is formed on the top surface of the housing 10, at a position slightly left of the center when viewed from the front. The pressing member 11 inserted into the insertion hole 100 is a member that moves up and down between a first position above and a second position below when pressed from outside the housing 10. The upper end of the pressing member 11 protrudes from the top surface of the housing 10. Furthermore, three connection terminals 12, which are metal pieces to which other electrical components can be connected, protrude from the bottom surface of the housing 10. The three connection terminals 12, from left to right, are used as a common terminal, a normally open (NO) terminal, and a normally closed (NC) terminal.

[0028] In switch 1 thus formed, an external pressing operation received by the operating device is transmitted to pressing member 11 as a pressure from outside housing 10. Pressing member 11 moves from an upper first position to a lower second position when pressed from the outside, and moves from the lower second position to the upper first position when the external pressure is released.

[0029] Next, the internal structure of the switch 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 1 described in the present application. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-section of the switch 1 described in the present application. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section cut along a vertical plane including line AB shown in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

[0030] An area is provided within the housing 10 of the switch 1 as a housing chamber 101 for accommodating a contact mechanism that opens and closes an electric circuit. An insertion hole 100 is formed in the top surface of the housing 101, penetrating from the outside of the housing 10, and a pressing member 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 100.

[0031] In addition to the aforementioned pressing member 11, various members such as a support member 13, a first contacted member 14, a second contacted member 15, and a movable member 16 are disposed within the housing 10 of the switch 1. The support member 13, the first contacted member 14, and the second contacted member 15 are formed from conductive metal plates. The movable member 16 is formed from a conductive thin metal plate.

[0032] The support member 13 is a member that movably supports the movable member 16 within the accommodation chamber 101 of the housing 10. A portion of the support member 13 is embedded in the base 10a at the bottom of the housing 10, and the upper end side of the support member 13 branches into a first support portion 130 located on the left side within the accommodation chamber 101 and a second support portion 131 located near the center. In addition, the support member 13 is integrally molded with a left-side connection terminal 12 (common terminal) that protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing 10, and is electrically connected to the common terminal.

[0033] The first contacted member 14 is a member that comes into contact with the movable member 16 when the pressing member 11 is not being pressed. A portion of the first contacted member 14 is embedded in the base 10a at the bottom of the housing 10, and the upper end side of the first contacted member 14 is located at the upper right side of the accommodation chamber 101 and is arranged so that the movable member 16 comes into contact with it from below. The first contacted member 14 is also integrally molded with a right-side connection terminal 12 (NC terminal) that protrudes from the bottom surface, and is electrically connected to the NC terminal.

[0034] The second contacted member 15 is a member that comes into contact with the movable member 16 when the pressing member 11 is pressed. A portion of the second contacted member 15 is embedded in the base 10a at the bottom of the housing 10, and the upper end side of the second contacted member 15 is located on the lower right side of the accommodation chamber 101, and is arranged so that the movable member 16 comes into contact with it from above. The second contacted member 15 is also integrally molded with a central connection terminal 12 (NO terminal) that protrudes from the bottom surface, and is electrically connected to the NO terminal.

[0035] The movable member 16 is disposed within the accommodation chamber 101 so as to extend in the left-right direction. FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic external views showing an example of the movable member 16 included in the switch 1 described herein. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view viewed from diagonally below. The movable member 16 is a flexible member formed from a thin metal plate having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The left end of the movable member 16 is a fixed end supported by the first support portion 130 of the support member 13 and functions as a pivot point. The right end of the movable member 16 is a free end whose movable range is between the first contacted member 14 and the second contacted member 15, and serves as a movable contact 161. The movable member 16 has a biasing portion 162 formed near its center, punched and bent into an arc, that functions as a return spring. The biasing portion 162 functions as a return spring and generates a reaction force that resists the pressing force of the pressing member 11. The tip of the biasing portion 162 is supported by the second support portion 131 of the support member 13 disposed near the center of the accommodation chamber 101, and the biasing portion 162 swings with the tip supported by the second support portion 131 as the swing axis, with the movable contact 161 side on the right side swinging. The movable member 16 of the switch 1 is one of the design target components designed by the design support system described in this application.

[0036] The operation of the switch 1 configured as above will now be described.

[0037] When pressing member 11 is not subjected to external pressure and is positioned upward, the lower end of pressing member 11 contacts a portion between the swing fulcrum at which the left end of movable member 16 is locked and the position at which locking portion 162a at the tip of biasing portion 162 of movable member 16 is locked. Movable member 16 is pushed upward by a reaction force that resists the pressure of pressing member 11, caused by biasing portion 162 located between the pressed portion that receives pressure from pressing member 11 and movable contact 161, so that the free end formed as movable contact 161 contacts first contacted member 14 disposed on the upper right side of accommodation chamber 101. When movable member 16 is in contact with first contacted member 14, electrical conduction is established between left connection terminal 12 (common terminal) connected to support member 13 and right connection terminal 12 (NC terminal) connected to first contacted member 14.

[0038] When the pressing member 11 moves downward due to an external pressure, the lower end of the pressing member 11 presses the movable member 16 downward. The entire movable member 16 is pressed by the pressing member 11 and attempts to move downward with the swing fulcrum as the swing axis. Then, the biasing portion 162 of the movable member 16 swings downward with the tip supported by the second support portion 131 as the swing axis, so that the entire movable member 16 swings in an inverted manner with the swing fulcrum as the swing axis. Therefore, the movable contact 161 of the movable member 16 comes into contact with the second contacted member 15 located on the lower right side within the accommodation chamber 101. As a result, the left connection terminal 12 (common terminal) connected to the support member 13 and the central connection terminal 12 (NO terminal) connected to the second contacted member 15 are brought into a conductive state.

[0039] In the switch 1 described herein, the movable member 16 swings while bending when pressed by the pressing member 11. The biasing portion 162 resists the force that attempts to swing the pressed movable member 16, causing the movable member 16 to bend significantly. Further pressure releases the movable member 16, causing it to swing with momentum that reverses, and the movable contact 161 of the movable member 16 strikes the second contacted member 15. The force of the biasing portion 162 acts as the movable member 16 attempts to bend and as it reverses after being released from the bending. The operator perceives the force generated by the biasing portion 162 resisting the bending as a tactile sensation that resists the pressing operation, and perceives the impact of the strike as a clicking sensation. The operator also perceives the sound generated when the movable member 16 strikes the second contacted member 15 as a clicking sound. Thus, the movable member 16 of the switch 1 described herein generates a tactile sensation and a clicking sound when operated.

[0040] 6 and 7 are schematic circuit diagrams showing an example of an equivalent circuit of the switch 1 described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 11 is not subjected to external pressure and is located at a first position, and the movable member 16 is in contact with the first contacted member 14. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 11 is subjected to external pressure and moved to a second position, and the movable member 16 is in contact with the second contacted member 15. As shown in FIG. 6, when the movable member 16 is in contact with the first contacted member 14, the common terminal and the NC terminal are in a conductive state. As shown in FIG. 7, when the movable member 16 is in contact with the second contacted member 15, the common terminal and the NO terminal are in a conductive state. Furthermore, a sound output unit SP, such as a speaker, is connected to the common terminal and the NO terminal. When the common terminal and the NO terminal are in a conductive state, a predetermined sound is output from the sound output unit SP. The sound output from the sound output unit SP is realized, for example, by outputting pre-recorded sound data. The sound output unit SP and the associated circuits required for output from the sound output unit SP may be installed inside the switch 1, or may be installed outside the switch 1, for example, in a circuit built into the operating device, and can be designed as appropriate.

[0041] <Analysis of operation feel> The following describes the operational feel, such as a click, that an operator feels when using the switch 1 configured as described above. FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the general shape of mechanical characteristics related to the operation of the switch 1 described herein. The mechanical characteristics illustrated in FIG. 8 represent the relationship between the force based on a pressing operation and the movement of the pressing member 11, and are called FS curves. The force based on a pressing operation is the force that the pressing member 11 receives when the operator presses the pressing operation unit of the operating device, and is expressed as an operation load in FIG. 8. The movement of the pressing member 11 is the distance that the pressing member 11 moves when subjected to the force based on the pressing operation, and is expressed as a depression amount in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents the depression amount and the vertical axis represents the operation load, and the mechanical relationship between the depression amount and the operation load is shown in a graph. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the switch 1 described herein has a characteristic in which the operation load increases with respect to the depression amount at a substantially constant slope, decreases when the movable member 16 reverses, and then increases again with respect to the depression amount at a substantially constant slope.

[0042] The inventors of the present application created an experimental model that mechanically reproduces the general shape of the FS curve and attempted to reproduce the operating feel, but found that simply reproducing the general shape of the FS curve resulted in a completely different operating feel.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of various characteristics of the switch 1 described herein. FIG. 9 illustrates the time-dependent changes in various characteristics when the switch 1 is pressed, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the operating load, NO-side conduction state, NC-side conduction state, and sound generation status. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the time-dependent changes over a short period of time before and after the movable member 16 is reversed during the pressing operation by the operator in FIG. 8. The time T1 at which the graph for the NC-side conduction state rises is the time at which the movable member 16 separates from the first contacted member 14, and the time T2 at which the graph for the NO-side conduction state begins to fall is the time at which the movable member 16 begins to contact the second contacted member 15. In FIG. 9, time T2 is shown as the reference time at which the conduction state is switched. Because movable member 16 is made of a flexible, thin metal plate, when it comes into contact with second contacted member 15, movable member 16 strikes second contacted member 15 with the momentum of its reversal, then vibrates and stops at the position where it comes into contact with second contacted member 15. For this reason, the graph of the NC side conduction state shown in Figure 9 oscillates between the ON state at the lower position and the OFF state at the upper position immediately after contact, and then stabilizes in the ON state. The operating load and operating sound generate large amplitude waves immediately after contact, and then the amplitude gradually decreases.

[0044] The inventors of the present application have found through various experiments that an operating feel such as a click is generated by combining the envelope component that forms the general relationship between the depression amount and operating load shown in Fig. 8 with the minute change in operating load and operating sound shown in Fig. 9. Below, we will explain the experimental results for Type A and Type B switches 1 prepared as sample switches.

[0045] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B are graphs showing comparative examples of various characteristics of the switch 1 described herein. FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs showing FS curves, with FIG. 10A showing an example of a Type A switch 1 and FIG. 10B showing an example of a Type B switch 1. FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs showing examples of changes over time in various characteristics when a switch is pressed. FIG. 11A shows an example of a Type A switch 1, and FIG. 11B shows an example of a Type B switch 1. Note that FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate changes over time in various characteristics, including operating load, NO-side conduction state, NC-side conduction state, and sound generation. Comparing FIGS. 10A and 10B reveals that there is no significant difference in the envelope components of the FS curves between Type A and Type B. However, comparing FIGS. 11A and 11B reveals significant differences in the changes over time in operating load and operating sound. Specifically, the amplitude of the operating load is small and short for Type A, while it is large and long for Type B, and there is a node where the amplitude temporarily decreases. Furthermore, the amplitude of the sound is short for Type A and long for Type B. It can also be confirmed from the change over time in the NO-side conduction state that the length of the amplitude after the movable member 16 strikes the second contacted member 15 differs between Type A and Type B. It was found that when these switches 1 are operated, the operator perceives a "sharp" operating feel for Type A switch 1, and a "sticky" operating feel for Type B switch 1. In other words, it was found that the operating feel is significantly different between Type A and Type B.

[0046] Minute changes in the operating load are caused by design elements of the various components of the switch 1. Design elements of the switch 1 that cause minute changes include, for example, the distance between the first support portion 130 and the second support portion 131 of the support member 13, the distance between the pressing member 11 and the base 10a of the housing 10, the distance between the second support portion 131 and the base 10a of the housing 10, the distance between the first contacted member 14 and the second contacted member 15, i.e., the movable range of the movable contact 161 of the movable member 16. The operating sound also includes a component caused by the amplitude generated when the movable member 16 strikes the second contacted member 15. In other words, the amplitude related to the strike of the movable member 16 is caused by the design elements of the switch 1.

[0047] Operators express their desires for the operational feel of an operating device incorporating switch 1 in natural language, verbalizing the operational feel, such as "sharp" or "soft." When reflecting the operator's desires in the design elements of switch 1, it is necessary to derive the relationship between the natural language that indicates the operational feel and the design elements of switch 1. The same is true when predicting the operational feel from the structure of switch 1. In order to derive the relationship between natural language and design elements, it is necessary to quantitatively analyze the natural language as linguistic information.

[0048] <Analysis of natural language and the relationship between natural language and design elements> The analysis of natural language by the inventors of the present application will now be described. First, natural language describing the operation feel is collected. The natural language is collected by extracting adjectives that are frequently used as natural language describing the operation feel from media such as the Internet, surveys, papers, and various other mass media. The extraction of adjectives describing the operation feel is carried out by appropriately combining processes and tasks such as automatic collection using language analysis, manual selection and aggregation, etc.

[0049] The collected natural language is classified into pairs of adjectives with opposite meanings using methods such as the Semantic Differential (SD) method. For example, the collected natural language is classified into pairs of opposite meanings such as "heavy" and "light," "sharp" and "dull," "light" and "sticky," and "hard" and "soft." Based on the classified natural language, a questionnaire is created to allow the operator to evaluate the operating feel.

[0050] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a questionnaire used in the design support method described herein. The questionnaire is created, for example, by classifying natural language words classified into pairs of adjectives with opposite meanings into several levels and asking participants to rate the degree of the operational feel. For example, a questionnaire is created that includes a question that asks participants to select the operational feel from the options of "very (light)," "slightly (light)," "neither," "slightly (heavy)," and "very (heavy)." The questionnaire contains multiple questions based on such pairs of natural language words. For the questionnaire, operating devices such as mice each incorporating a different sample switch are prepared, and a large number of operators serve as subjects. Each subject presses each operating device and answers each question about the operational feel associated with the pressing operation.

[0051] In the design support method described herein, responses obtained in the form of a questionnaire from multiple subjects are classified into five levels and considered as quantified linguistic information, the average value is calculated for each question, and the results are subjected to principal component analysis. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the results of principal component analysis applied to the design support method described herein. FIG. 13 shows an example of the results of principal component analysis on a two-dimensional coordinate system, using sample data consisting of responses from 21 subjects to 20 questions in the form of a questionnaire. In the results of the principal component analysis shown in FIG. 13, the operational feel is mapped (arranged) on a coordinate system indicated by a first axis indicating a position between "refreshing" and "solid" and a second axis indicating a position between "sharp" and "dull." In FIG. 13, the tendency of the operational feel indicated as linguistic information is mapped based on the directionality of the meaning in natural language, and is indicated by arrows as vectors relative to the first and second axes. In particular, eight operational feel directions, such as "sharp," "light," "light," "soft," "dull," "sticky," "heavy," and "hard," whose directions are clearly indicated by vectors, are clearly shown on the coordinate system illustrated in Figure 13. The black circles and arrows connected to the black circles in Figure 13 indicate the direction of linguistic information, such as "bouncy" and "lingering aftertaste," which are located between the eight operational feel directions with clear components. In addition, the positions of the operational feel of the operating devices (mouse 1 to 5) incorporating the sample switches are indicated by squares on the graph illustrated in Figure 13.

[0052] In the design support method described herein, covariance structure analysis is performed on all linguistic information representing natural languages ​​mapped onto two-dimensional coordinates as a result of principal component analysis, and the relationships between the linguistic information are examined and linked. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the results of covariance structure analysis applied to the design support method described herein. FIG. 14 shows a model in which the linguistic information linked by the covariance structure analysis on the linguistic information is hierarchically arranged according to abstraction and arranged in a pyramid shape. In FIG. 14, rectangles represent linguistic information such as "heavy" and "hard." Arrows indicate the relationships between the linguistic information, from a starting point with low abstraction to an end point with high abstraction. In the model illustrated in FIG. 14, the higher the linguistic information located, the more abstract it is, and the lower the linguistic information located, the more concrete it is. For example, abstract linguistic information representing impressions such as "luxurious," "refreshing," and "comfortable" is arranged in the upper layers. In the lower layers, linguistic information representing specific impressions such as "light," "shallow," "hard," and "smooth" is arranged. 14 shows the relationships between the layers, which are classified into three levels: upper level, middle level, and lower level. However, a hierarchical structure is also formed within each level. In the design support method described in this application, as in the model shown in FIG. 14, a covariance structure analysis is performed to classify linguistic information into layers according to the abstraction level based on the meaning of natural language.

[0053] Fig. 15 is a graph showing an example of the general shape of the mechanical characteristics related to the pressing operation of the switch 1 described herein. Fig. 16 is a graph showing an example of the change over time in the operating load when the switch 1 described herein is pressed. Fig. 17 is a graph showing an example of the change over time in the generation of operating sounds when the switch 1 described herein is pressed. The names or symbols of the slope S1, DF, Dtime, vibration amplitude, etc. shown in the graphs of Figs. 15 to 17 indicate physical feature quantities of the switch 1 that affect the operating feel.

[0054] In the design support method described in this application, for each of the multiple operating devices that were the subject of the questionnaire, various feature amounts exemplified in Figs. 15 to 17 and various feature amounts of the operating sound when clicked are associated with the results of the principal component analysis exemplified in Fig. 13. That is, for each sample switch incorporated in the operating device that was the subject of the questionnaire, the feature amount is associated with a position on a two-dimensional coordinate system for linguistic information that indicates the operating feel, and a regression equation that indicates the relationship between the feature amount and the coordinate system is derived. For the association, a method such as partial least squares regression analysis (hereinafter referred to as PLS analysis) is used.

[0055] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between feature quantities and linguistic information of an operating device applied to the design support method described herein. In the diagram illustrated in FIG. 18, items such as Language A, Language B, and Language C in the row direction (horizontal direction) represent linguistic information representing natural language that verbalizes the operation feel. The diagram illustrated in FIG. 18 is created based on the correlation between linguistic information at the lowest level of abstraction obtained by principal component analysis and various feature quantities. In the diagram illustrated in FIG. 18, symbols such as "○" and "●" are entered in cells indicating linguistic information items and feature quantity items with high absolute values ​​of correlation, indicating weights used as coefficients. For example, linguistic information such as "hard," "deep," and "bouncy" are shown as row items. The linguistic information in the row direction is linguistic information at the level determined to be the least abstract (most specific) in covariance structure analysis. In the diagram illustrated in FIG. 18, items such as Feature 1, Feature 2, and Feature 3 in the column direction (vertical direction) represent feature quantities related to the operation of Switch 1. The feature quantities related to the operation of the switch 1 are various feature quantities obtained from mechanical characteristics of the switch 1, such as the force required for the pressing operation, the time required for the pressing operation, the volume (amplitude) of the operating sound at the click, and the duration of the operating sound (vibration time), as well as physical characteristics such as the waveform of a physical quantity over time and the magnitude of a specific frequency. For example, physical feature quantities such as the slope S1, DF, Dtime, and vibration amplitude shown in the graphs of FIGS. 15 to 17 are shown as columnar items. In the diagram illustrated in FIG. 18, linguistic information and feature quantities that are correlated with each other, with a correlation coefficient r=|0.4 to 0.7|, are indicated by a "□" or "■" in the cells that intersect in the row and column directions. A "□" indicates a positive correlation, and a "■" indicates a negative correlation. Linguistic information and feature quantities that are strongly correlated with each other, with a correlation coefficient r≧|0.7|, are indicated by a "○" or "●" in the cells. A "○" indicates a positive correlation, and a "●" indicates a negative correlation. The top three with the strongest correlations are indicated by circled numbers.

[0056] In this way, the linguistic information that verbalizes the operational feel is associated with the physical feature amount related to the pressing operation of the switch 1.

[0057] Furthermore, physical features related to the depression operation of the switch 1 are associated with design elements related to the design of the switch 1. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch 1 described herein. In FIG. 19, examples of design elements associated with features are superimposed on the internal structure of the switch 1 described herein. The design elements of the switch 1 illustrated in FIG. 19 include, for example, the distance between the first support portion 130 and the second support portion 131 of the support member 13, the distance between the pressing member 11 and the base 10a of the housing 10, the distance between the second support portion 131 and the base 10a of the housing 10, the distance between the first contacted member 14 and the second contacted member 15, i.e., the movable range of the movable contact 161 of the movable member 16, etc. The design elements illustrated in FIG. 19 are associated with the features. The association of the features with the design elements is performed by measuring the features of multiple switches 1 with different design elements and deriving correlations using a method such as PLS.

[0058] In this way, the physical feature amounts relating to the pressing operation of the switch 1 are associated with the design elements of the switch 1. Furthermore, in combination with the above-mentioned analysis results, the linguistic information, feature amounts, and design elements are associated with each other.

[0059] <Design support system> A design support system that realizes the design support method described in the present application will now be described. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the design support system described in the present application. The design support system includes various devices, such as an analysis device 2 that analyzes linguistic information indicating natural language that verbalizes the operational feel of an operating device, and a design support device 3 that supports the design of a switch 1 based on the linguistic information. The analysis device 2 and the design support device 3 are connected via a communication network such as a LAN or WAN. The analysis device 2 and the design support device 3 can share data directly via the communication network or indirectly via a database server located on the communication network. Even if the analysis device 2 and the design support device 3 are not connected to a communication network, data can be shared via a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or USB (registered trademark) memory.

[0060] <Hardware configuration of various devices> In the design support system described herein, an analysis device 2 and a design support device 3 will be described. Fig. 21 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the hardware configuration of the analysis device 2 and the design support device 3 provided in the design support system described herein. The analysis device 2 is configured using a computer such as a server computer, a client computer, or a personal computer used offline, and includes various components such as a control unit 20, a recording unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0061] The control unit 20 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes processes for controlling the entire device, and includes various circuits such as an information processing circuit, a clock circuit, and a register circuit.

[0062] The recording unit 21 is a circuit configured using nonvolatile memories such as a hard disk, a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID), and a flash memory, and volatile memories such as various types of random access memories (RAM), and records various types of information. The recording unit 21 records programs such as a basic program (OS: Operating System) and application programs that run on the basic program. As application programs, various programs such as an analysis program 210 for realizing the analysis device 2 described in the present application are recorded.

[0063] Furthermore, a part of the recording area of ​​the recording unit 21 is used as various databases such as a conversion database 211. The conversion database 211 is a database that associates linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operational feel, physical feature amounts related to the switch 1, and design elements related to the design of the switch 1. Note that the conversion database 211 does not necessarily need to associate all three types of information, namely, linguistic information, feature amounts, and design elements, and a simplified version in which two types of information, namely, linguistic information and design elements, are associated and tabulated may be used as the conversion database 211.

[0064] The storage unit 22 is a circuit configured using volatile memory, and temporarily stores data generated when various programs are executed. For convenience, the recording unit 21 and the storage unit 22 are shown as separate circuits, but they may be configured as a single circuit, or their functions may complement each other. Furthermore, an auxiliary storage unit that accesses recording media such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or flash memory may also be used as an alternative configuration for the recording unit 21 or the storage unit 22.

[0065] The input unit 23 is a user interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel that accepts input of information from the outside.

[0066] The output unit 24 is a user interface such as a monitor, a speaker, a printer, etc. that outputs information to the outside.

[0067] The communication unit 25 is a communication circuit such as various connectors, a LAN adapter, an antenna, etc. that transmits and receives information to and from other devices. The communication unit 25 is an input / output interface that directly connects to other devices by wired or wireless communication, or communicates with other devices via a communication network such as a LAN, a WAN, a dedicated communication network, or the Internet.

[0068] A computer having the various configurations exemplified above operates as an analysis device 2 by reading various programs such as the analysis program 210 recorded in the recording unit 21 under the control of the control unit 20, storing various information in the memory unit 22 as appropriate, and executing various procedures defined as the analysis program 210.

[0069] The design support device 3 is configured using a computer such as a server computer, a client computer, or a personal computer used offline, and includes various components such as a control unit 30, a recording unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, an output unit 34, and a communication unit 35. The various components of the design support device 3 are substantially the same as the components of the same name that the analysis device 2 includes.

[0070] The recording unit 31 included in the design support device 3 stores various programs such as a design support program 310 for realizing the design support device 3 described in the present application. A part of the recording area of ​​the recording unit 31 is used as various databases such as a conversion database 311. The conversion database 311 included in the design support device 3 is the same as or a simplified version of the conversion database 211 created by the analysis device 2. Therefore, the design support device 3 can access the conversion database 211 included in the analysis device 2 and use the conversion database 211 included in the analysis device 2 as its own conversion database 311.

[0071] The computer illustrated above operates as a design support device 3 by reading various programs such as the design support program 310 recorded in the recording unit 31 under the control of the control unit 30, storing various information in the memory unit 22 as appropriate, and executing various procedures defined as the design support program 310.

[0072] <Processing by software of various devices> Next, various processes of the analysis device 2 and the design support device 3 included in the design support system described in the present application will be described. Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of analysis process executed by the analysis device 2 described in the present application. The analysis process executed by the analysis device 2 is a process of analyzing natural language, associating linguistic information, physical feature amounts of the switch 1, and design elements of the switch 1, and generating a conversion database 311.

[0073] The analysis device 2 executes an analysis process including the following various procedures under the control of the control unit 20 that executes the analysis program 210. The control unit 20 included in the analysis device 2 collects natural language that indicates the feel of operation (S101). The linguistic information collection process in step S101 is a process of collecting linguistic information to be analyzed by processes such as collecting linguistic information used on a communication network such as the Internet via the communication unit 25, reading information such as papers and questionnaires via the input unit 23, and accepting input of linguistic information via the input unit 23. The linguistic information to be analyzed is further narrowed down by an analyst operating the analysis device 2 making appropriate selections from the linguistic information collected by the analysis device 2.

[0074] The control unit 20 classifies the collected linguistic information into pairs of adjectives with opposite meanings using a method such as the SD method (S102), and outputs the classification results from the output unit 24. Based on the classification results of step S102, an analyst creates a questionnaire.

[0075] The control unit 20 receives, from the input unit 23, input of response information that associates linguistic information with the operational feel of the switch 1 (S103). The response information received in step S103 is responses from multiple subjects to the created questionnaire.

[0076] The control unit 20 classifies the input answer information into five levels and regards it as quantified linguistic information, calculates the average value for each question, and performs principal component analysis on the results (S104). By the principal component analysis in step S104, the linguistic information is mapped onto, for example, two-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG.

[0077] The control unit 20 performs covariance structure analysis on all linguistic information indicating natural languages ​​mapped onto two-dimensional coordinates as a result of the principal component analysis, analyzes the relationships between each piece of linguistic information (S105), and stratifies the linguistic information according to its level of abstraction (S106). In steps S105 to S106, the linguistic information is stratified according to its level of abstraction based on the meaning of the natural language, and a model such as that shown in Fig. 14 is formed. Note that, during the stratification process in step S105, an analyst may check the association status as appropriate and make corrections as necessary.

[0078] The control unit 20 associates the linguistic information based on the results of the principal component analysis with physical features related to the pressing operation of the switch 1 incorporated in the operating device (S107). In step S107, for each sample switch incorporated in the operating device that was the subject of the questionnaire, the features related to the pressing operation are associated with the position on a two-dimensional coordinate system of the linguistic information indicating the operating feel, and a regression equation showing the relationship between the features and the coordinates is derived. A method such as PLS analysis is used for the association. The physical features are, for example, various features obtained from mechanical characteristics of the switch 1, such as the force required for the pressing operation, the time required for the pressing operation, the volume (amplitude) of the operating sound when clicking, and the duration of the operating sound (vibration time), as well as physical characteristics such as the waveform of the physical quantity over time. The associated linguistic information is linguistic information that is low in abstraction and high in concreteness among the hierarchical linguistic information.

[0079] The control unit 20 associates the feature quantity related to the pressing operation with the design elements related to the design of the switch 1 (S108). The association of the feature quantity with the design elements in step S108 is performed by reading the results of association previously made through preliminary processing such as an experiment or simulation from the recording unit 21, reading them from an external device via the communication unit 25, receiving input from the input unit 23, etc.

[0080] Based on the results of the processes in steps S107 and S108, the control unit associates the linguistic information, features, and design elements so that they can be converted into one another (S109), and records the association results in the conversion database 211 (S110).

[0081] In this manner, the analysis process of the analysis device 2 is carried out.

[0082] 23 is a flowchart showing an example of design support processing executed by the design support device 3 described herein. The design support processing executed by the design support device 3 is processing for supporting the design of the switch 1 based on the relationships between the linguistic information, feature quantities, and design elements associated in the analysis processing.

[0083] The design support device 3 executes a design support process including the following various procedures under the control of the control unit 30 that executes the design support program 310. The control unit 30 included in the design support device 3 receives input related to linguistic information from the input unit 33 (S201). In step S201, for example, the design support device 3 presents options of linguistic information as selection candidates, and the designer inputs desired linguistic information from the multiple linguistic information presented as options. If the input linguistic information has a high level of abstraction, the design support device 3 converts the highly abstract linguistic information into specific linguistic information based on the hierarchical results of step S106 of the analysis process of the analysis device 2 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22. For highly abstract linguistic information, multiple pieces of more detailed linguistic information are associated with low-abstraction linguistic information. Therefore, the process of step S201 may convert one piece of highly abstract linguistic information into multiple pieces of weighted linguistic information, rather than converting one piece of highly abstract linguistic information into one piece of low-abstraction linguistic information.

[0084] The control unit 30, which has received the input of linguistic information, selects a mechanical feature associated with the input regarding the linguistic information based on the association between the linguistic information and the feature recorded in the conversion database 311 (S202). In step S202, the selection may be made automatically based on preset conditions, or the design support device 3 may present options of feature to be selected based on the conversion database 311, and the designer may select a feature from the presented options. The feature to be selected may be one or multiple.

[0085] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image output from the output unit 34 of the design support device 3 described herein. FIG. 24 illustrates an example in which a list of features related to the linguistic information “bouncy” is displayed in a table format along with feature influences displayed in two rows. The feature influences are information based on correlations. For example, among the features, a feature with a “○” in the upper row of the feature influences is a feature effective for realizing the linguistic information “bouncy.” Feature numbers “1,” “2,” and “3” in the upper row of the feature influences indicate the feature with the strongest, second strongest, and third strongest correlations with the linguistic information “bouncy.” In the lower row of the feature influences, “↑” indicates a positive influence, and “↓” indicates a negative influence. When a designer selects a feature to be converted, the designer refers to the displayed feature influences. Furthermore, if a condition for selecting feature influences with feature influences of “1” and “2” is set in advance, the design support device 3 automatically selects the feature.

[0086] 23, the control unit 30 of the design support device 3 selects design elements related to the selected feature quantities based on the associations between the feature quantities and design elements recorded in the conversion database 311 (S203). In step S203, the selection may be performed automatically based on preset conditions, or the design support device 3 may present design elements to be selected based on the conversion database 311, and the designer may select a feature quantity from the presented options. The design elements to be selected may be one or multiple.

[0087] FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image output from the output unit 34 of the design support device 3 described in the present application. FIG. 25 shows an example of a table displaying design elements and their design influences related to feature quantity 3 (slope S1) in a two-tiered list. The design influence indicates the change in the feature quantity when the design element is changed by a predetermined reference value, such as 0.01 mm. For example, design elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are presented as options that affect feature quantity 3, and the design influence of each design element is displayed as a percentage. When making a selection, the designer selects the design element to be converted based on the displayed design influence information. Furthermore, if a condition is set in advance to select the design element with the highest design influence, the design support device 3 automatically selects the design element.

[0088] 23, the control unit 30 of the design support device 3 selects the change amount of the selected design element (S204). In step S204, the selection may be made automatically based on preset conditions, or the design support device 3 may present the change amounts to be selected, and the designer may select the change amount from the presented options.

[0089] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image output from the output unit 34 included in the design support device 3 described in the present application. FIG. 26 shows the screen state when a change amount of 0.2 is selected from the options for design element 4 (arch shape). Based on the recorded contents of the conversion database 311, the design support device 3 calculates the feature amount influence and characteristic value for each feature amount when a design change is made to the selected design element by the selected change amount, and displays them as a list as shown in FIG. 26. The designer can check the characteristic value for each feature amount and determine whether the selected change amount is appropriate. Furthermore, if a change amount is set in advance for each design element, the design support device 3 automatically selects the change amount.

[0090] 23, the control unit 30 of the design support device 3 selects a feature value related to the operation sound associated with the input related to the linguistic information received in step S201 based on the association between the linguistic information and the feature value related to the operation sound recorded in the conversion database 311 (S205). In step S205, a feature value for realizing an operation sound that enhances the impression related to the linguistic information is selected by a process substantially similar to the process described in step S202. The selection of the feature value in step S205 may be performed automatically by the process of the design support device 3, or may be selected by the designer.

[0091] The control unit 30 selects the volume of the operation sound to be output based on the feature selected in step S205 (S206). The selection of the volume in step S206 may be performed automatically by the processing of the design support device 3, or may be selected by the designer.

[0092] Based on the selection results of the processes up to step S206, the control unit 30 determines the design elements to be changed from the reference design and the amount of change, as well as the feature values ​​and volume of the sound to be output as the operating sound, for the switch 1 to be designed (S207). Based on the determined contents, a simulation process is performed in which various images or sounds such as curves showing expected mechanical characteristics, curves showing operating sounds, shapes of components, and operating sounds are output from the design support device 3. The designer can make fine adjustments as needed based on the results of the simulation process.

[0093] As described above, the design support device 3 described in this application executes the design support process and converts the linguistic information indicating the input natural language into information indicating the design elements and operation sounds related to the switch 1.

[0094] Although the above design support process shows the process of converting linguistic information into design elements, it is also possible to convert design elements into linguistic information based on the conversion database 311. Furthermore, it is possible to convert any of the information from among design elements, linguistic information, and feature quantities into other information.

[0095] As described above, the design support method described in the present application analyzes the relationship between multiple pieces of linguistic information indicating natural languages ​​that verbalize operational feel, and associates the analyzed linguistic information with design elements related to the design of the switch 1. The linguistic information is then converted into design elements based on the association between the linguistic information and the design elements. This allows the design support method described in the present application to achieve excellent effects, such as being able to reflect the operator's abstract requirements in the design. Furthermore, the design elements are converted into linguistic information based on the association between the linguistic information and the design elements. This allows the design support method to achieve excellent effects, such as being able to estimate the operational feel of the switch 1 to be produced.

[0096] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be expanded into various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited in any way by the description. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

[0097] For example, in the above embodiment, a switch 1 of a type that is incorporated into an operating device such as a mouse is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to the design of various switches 1, such as switches 1 for keyboards, where the required operating feel differs depending on the application or individual. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 Switch 2 Analysis device 20 Control Unit 21 Recording Section 210 Analysis Program 211 Conversion Database 3 Design support equipment 30 Control Unit 31 Recording Section 310 Design Support Program 311 Conversion Database SP sound output section

Claims

1. A design support method for supporting the design of a switch that operates in response to a pressing operation by an operator, comprising: an analysis device that analyzes linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operation feel; A design support device that supports switch design based on language information Using The analysis device an analysis step of analyzing a relationship between a plurality of pieces of linguistic information representing natural languages ​​that verbalize the operation feel; an associating step of associating the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed with design elements relating to the design of the switch; a recording step of recording the associated language information and design elements in a conversion database; Run The analyzing step a hierarchical step of hierarchically classifying linguistic information according to abstraction based on the meaning of natural language; The associating step includes: the layering step includes a step of associating, among the layered linguistic information, linguistic information with low abstraction with design elements related to switch design, The design support device Executing a conversion step of converting one of the linguistic information and the design element into the other based on the recorded contents of the conversion database; The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. A design support method comprising:

2. A design support system that supports the design of a switch that operates in response to a pressing operation by an operator, an analysis device that analyzes linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operation feel; A design support device that supports switch design based on language information Equipped with The analysis device an analysis means for analyzing the relationship between a plurality of pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of natural language; an associating means for associating the linguistic information analyzed by the analyzing means with design elements related to the switch design; a means for recording the language information and design elements associated by the associating means in a conversion database; Equipped with The analysis means a hierarchical means for hierarchically classifying linguistic information according to abstraction based on the meaning of natural language, The associating means a means for associating, among the linguistic information layered by the layering means, linguistic information with low abstraction with design elements related to switch design, The design support device a conversion means for converting one of the linguistic information and the design element into the other based on the recorded contents of the conversion database; The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. A design support system characterized by:

3. A design support system according to claim 2, The analysis means a placement means for placing the language information on a coordinate system based on the directionality of the meaning of the natural language; The layering means The hierarchical structure is based on the relationship indicated by the placement position by the placement means. A design support system characterized by:

4. The design support system according to claim 2 or 3, The associating means The method includes a means for associating at least one of linguistic information and design elements with a feature quantity related to the operation of the switch. A design support system characterized by:

5. A design support system according to claim 4, The feature amount includes a dynamic feature amount relating to the behavior of the switch in response to a pressing operation. A design support system characterized by:

6. A design support system according to claim 4 or claim 5, The feature amount includes a feature amount related to an operation sound generated by a pressing operation. A design support system characterized by:

7. An analysis device that analyzes linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operational feel of a switch that operates in response to a pressing operation by an operator, an analysis means for analyzing the relationship between a plurality of pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of natural language; an associating means for associating the analyzed linguistic information with design elements related to the switch design; a means for recording the language information and design elements associated by the associating means in a conversion database; Equipped with The analysis means a hierarchical means for hierarchically classifying linguistic information according to abstraction based on the meaning of natural language, The associating means a means for associating, among the linguistic information layered by the layering means, linguistic information with low abstraction with design elements related to switch design, The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. An analytical device characterized by:

8. A design support device that supports the design of a switch that operates in response to a pressing operation by an operator, A means for accessing a conversion database in which multiple pieces of linguistic information, obtained by analyzing the interrelationships based on the meanings of natural languages ​​that verbalize the switch operation feel, and design elements related to the design of the switch are associated and recorded; means for converting one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the recorded contents of the accessed conversion database; Equipped with The conversion database includes: Based on the meaning of natural language, linguistic information is hierarchically organized according to abstraction. Among the layered linguistic information, linguistic information with low abstraction is associated with design elements related to the design of the switch, The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. A design support device characterized by:

9. An analysis program that causes a computer to analyze linguistic information indicating a natural language that verbalizes the operational feel of a switch that operates in response to a pressing operation by an operator, On the computer, an analysis step of analyzing the relationship between a plurality of pieces of linguistic information based on the meaning of natural language; an associating step of associating the linguistic information whose relationship has been analyzed with design elements relating to the design of the switch; a step of recording the language information and design elements associated in the associating step in a conversion database; It is designed to execute the analyzing step, a hierarchical step of hierarchically classifying linguistic information according to abstraction based on the meaning of natural language; The associating step includes: the layering step includes a step of associating, among the layered linguistic information, linguistic information with low abstraction with design elements related to switch design, The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. An analysis program characterized by:

10. A design support program that causes a computer to support the design of a switch that operates in response to a pressing force based on a pressing operation by an operator, On the computer, a step of accessing a conversion database in which a plurality of pieces of linguistic information obtained by analyzing the interrelationships based on the meanings of natural languages ​​that verbalize the operational feel of the switch and design elements related to the design of the switch are associated and recorded; converting one of the linguistic information and the design elements into the other based on the recorded contents of the accessed conversion database; It is designed to execute The conversion database includes: Based on the meaning of natural language, linguistic information is hierarchically organized according to abstraction. Among the layered linguistic information, linguistic information with low abstraction is associated with design elements related to the design of the switch, The switch to be designed is a switch in which a movable member supported by a plurality of support members operates in response to the operation of a pressing member that operates in response to pressure based on a pressing operation by an operator, thereby opening and closing a circuit, The design elements are: The length includes at least one of the length of the support member, the length between the support members, and the movable range of the movable member. A design support program characterized by:

Images