Electronic device, push-type input device, and electronic shifter

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device, a push-type input device, and an electronic shifter, the electronic device being capable of acquiring a detected value of a sensor with stable accuracy while suppressing influence of fluctuations in a power source voltage.　An electronic device according to the present invention includes a sensor connected to a power source, a first load connected to the power source, a sensor control unit that controls the sensor, and a driving control unit that performs driving control of the first load, and the sensor control unit acquires a detected value from the sensor in synchronization with a driving cycle in which the driving control unit performs the driving control of the first load.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a push-type input device, and an electronic shifter. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a power supply voltage fluctuation suppression method for suppressing fluctuations in power supply voltage that occur when each load is turned on or off in a device equipped with multiple loads that require large power, when each load is controlled to be turned on / off at a predetermined cycle. The duty ratio, which represents the on time from the start to the end of drive for one cycle of each load, is determined based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor before the start of drive of each load, and the drive timing is set based on the determined duty ratio so that the drive start time and drive end time of each load do not coincide with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-066738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional voltage fluctuation suppression methods set the drive timing so that the start and end times of the on-time of each load, determined based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor, do not coincide in order to suppress fluctuations in power supply voltage that occur when the load is turned on or off. However, no ingenuity is disclosed for obtaining the detected value with stable accuracy under the assumption that the detected value of the temperature sensor fluctuates due to voltage fluctuations.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a push-type input device, and an electronic shifter that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in power supply voltage and acquire sensor detection values ​​with stable accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sensor connected to a power source, a first load connected to the power source, a sensor control unit that controls the sensor, and a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load, and the sensor control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit controls the drive of the first load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to provide an electronic device, a push-type input device, and an electronic shifter that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in power supply voltage and acquire sensor detection values ​​with stable accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a push-type shifter device according to one embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a push-type shifter device according to one embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a push-type shifter device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a partially enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of a push-type shifter device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the push-type shifter device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a slider included in the push-type input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotating body included in the push-type input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an engagement state between an upper sliding portion and a lower sliding portion of a slider and a cam portion of a rotating body in a push-type input device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an engagement state between an upper sliding portion and a lower sliding portion of a slider and a cam portion of a rotating body in a push-type input device according to one embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a magnetic sensor 107C. [Figure 10B] 10 is a diagram showing an example of waveforms of a +SIN signal 1 and a −SIN signal 1 output from a magnetic sensor 107C. FIG. [Figure 10C] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angular range AR. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a peripheral circuit of LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 of the push-type shifter device 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing an output voltage VREFH of a power supply 1, a PWM signal 1, and a PWM signal 2. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing table of a light emission control unit 121. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by a light emission control unit 121 and a sensor control unit 122 of a control device 120. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the electronic device, push-type input device, and electronic shifter of the present disclosure are applied will be described.

[0010] <Embodiment> (Outline of push-type shifter device 10) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a push-type shifter device 10 according to one embodiment. The push-type shifter device 10 is an example of a push-type input device and an example of an electronic shifter. In the following description, for convenience, the X-axis direction is the front-to-rear direction, the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is the up-to-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction is the forward direction, the positive Y-axis direction is the rightward direction, and the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction. These directions indicate relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation direction or operation direction of the device. Devices with the same relative positional relationships within the device, even if they have different installation directions or operation directions, are all within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] The push-type shifter device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile and receives an operation to select a shift position of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the push-type shifter device 10 includes four push-type input mechanisms 100 (100-1 to 100-4) and a case 101. The four push-type input mechanisms 100 are aligned in a line in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and integrated into the single case 101. Each of the four push-type input mechanisms 100 includes an operation knob 102 at the top, and an operator can select the shift position corresponding to the operation knob 102 by pushing the operation knob 102.

[0012] (Configuration of push-type input mechanism 100) Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push-type shifter device 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the push-type shifter device 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the push-type shifter device 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section along the XZ plane (a cross-section along the AA cross-section line shown in Fig. 1) of the push-type input mechanism 100-1 provided in the push-type shifter device 10. Fig. 4 shows a cross-section along the YZ plane (a cross-section along the BB cross-section line shown in Fig. 2) of the push-type input mechanism 100-1 (particularly, the rotating body 105) provided in the push-type shifter device 10.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the four push type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 includes an operation knob 102, a case 101, a slider 103, a light guide 104, a rotating body 105, a rubber sheet 106, a substrate 107, and a cover .

[0014] The operation knob 102 is a resin component that receives a push operation from an operator. The operation knob 102 is an example of a switch. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the operation knob 102 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper surface of the operation knob 102 is a generally horizontal and slightly concavely curved operation surface 102A for receiving a push operation. The entire portion of the operation knob 102 that corresponds to the lower surface forms a lower opening 102B. The operation knob 102 is fixedly attached to the upper portion of the slider 103 by fitting the upper portion of the slider 103 into the lower opening 102B from the bottom (the negative side of the Z axis). This allows the operation knob 102 to move vertically (in the Z axis direction) together with the slider 103. That is, when the operation knob 102 is pushed on the operation surface 102A, the slider 103 can be slid downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis).

[0015] Each operation knob 102 has a light-transmitting portion in the shape of a symbol indicating the shift position, and when the lower LED 107B emits light, the light guided by the light guide 104 passes through and illuminates the symbol.

[0016] The case 101 is a container-like resin component having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hollow structure. The case 101 accommodates a slider 103, a light guide 104, a rotating body 105, a rubber sheet 106, and a substrate 107. An upper opening 101A having a rectangular shape in a plan view is formed on the top surface of the case 101. The slider 103 is disposed in the upper opening 101A so as to be slidable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The entire portion of the case 101 corresponding to the lower surface forms a lower opening 101B. The lower opening 101B is closed by a cover 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 101 is provided with a cylindrical pivot support 101C hanging down from the ceiling surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the pivot support 101C is inserted into an upper opening 105b of the rotating body 105 to rotatably support the upper portion of the rotating body 105. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of support portions 101E are provided inside the case 101, facing each other with a bearing opening 101D sandwiched therebetween. As shown in FIG. 4, a flange 105E is provided at the lower end of the rotor 105, expanding radially from the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 105. The diameter of flange 105E is larger than the diameter of bearing opening 101D. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the rotor 105 is fitted into bearing opening 101D. At this time, flange 105E of the rotor 105 abuts against the upper surfaces of the pair of support portions 101E. This rotatably supports the lower portion of the rotor 105, i.e., restricts downward movement of the rotor 105.

[0017] Slider 103 is a resin component that is slidably disposed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (one example of a "predetermined sliding direction") in upper opening 101A of case 101. Slider 103 has a generally rectangular cylindrical tubular portion 103A whose cylindrical direction is the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0018] The light guide 104 is a resin, quadrangular prism-shaped component that is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 103A of the slider 103. The light guide 104 receives light that is emitted from an LED 107B mounted on the upper surface 107A of the substrate 107 and enters the light guide 104 from the bottom surface thereof and emits the light from the top surface of the light guide 104. In this way, the light guide 104 guides the light emitted from the LED 107B to the operation knob 102.

[0019] The rotor 105 is a generally cylindrical member with its cylindrical direction extending in the vertical direction. The rotor 105 is disposed to the side of the slider 103, rotatably about the axis of a rotation shaft, with the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) being the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The outer peripheral surface of the rotor 105 engages with the slider 103 so as to rotate as the slider 103 slides in the vertical direction (details of the engagement will be described later). As shown in FIG. 3, a magnet 105A is embedded in the lower opening 105a of the rotor 105. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a bearing portion 101C of the case 101 is inserted into the upper opening 105b of the rotor 105. As a result, the rotor 105 is rotatably supported by the case 101. An annular torsion spring 105B (an example of a "biasing means") is provided in the upper opening 105b of the rotor 105 around the bearing portion 101C of the case 101. One end of the torsion spring 105B is fixed to the pivot support 101C, and the other end of the torsion spring 105B is fixed to the rotating body 105. As a result, the rotating body 105 is constantly biased counterclockwise (in the return rotation direction) as viewed from above by the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 105B. The rotating body 105 rotates clockwise as viewed from above as the slider 103 slides downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) due to a push operation, and then, when the push operation is released, the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 105B allows the rotating body 105 to rotate counterclockwise (in the return rotation direction) as viewed from above. As a result, the rubber dome 106A of the rubber sheet 106 (described later) pushes the slider 103 upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis), and as the slider 103 returns to its initial position before the push operation, the rotating body 105 can rotate and return to its initial position.

[0020] Rubber sheet 106 is a sheet-like member that is provided over top surface 107A of substrate 107. Rubber sheet 106 is made of an elastic material (for example, silicone rubber, etc.). Rubber sheet 106 covers the entire top surface 107A of substrate 107, and thus can prevent top surface 107A of substrate 107 from becoming wet even if water enters inside case 101.

[0021] Two rubber domes 106A are integrally formed on the rubber sheet 106 at positions facing the bottom surface of each slider 103. Each rubber dome 106A is an example of a "click sensation imparting mechanism." Each rubber dome 106A is formed in a convex shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rubber sheet 106. When a push operation is performed, each rubber dome 106A is pressed by the bottom surface of the slider 103, causing the dome portion to elastically deform (invert and bend), thereby imparting a click sensation to the push operation. As described above, when the push operation is released, each rubber dome 106A generates an elastic force (a force that returns to its initial shape) to push the slider 103 upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis), thereby returning the slider 103 to its initial position before the push operation.

[0022] The substrate 107 is a flat-plate-shaped component. The substrate 107 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The substrate 107 is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the cover 108 inside the case 101 in a horizontal position relative to the XY plane. For example, a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) is used as the substrate 107. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) 107B and a magnetic sensor 107C are mounted on an upper surface 107A of the substrate 107.

[0023] The LED 107B is provided at a position directly below the light guide 104. The LED 107B can emit light under the control of an externally provided control device 120 (see FIG. 5). By emitting light, the LED 107B can irradiate light into the light guide 104. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the LED 107B has an LED element 107B1 that emits orange light and an LED element 107B2 that emits white light. The LED element 107B1 that emits orange light is an example of a first load, and the LED element 107B2 that emits white light is an example of a second load.

[0024] The driving of each LED 107B is controlled by a light emission control unit 121 of the control device 120, which will be described later, so that either the orange LED element 107B1 or the white LED element 107B2 is turned on to emit light, and the other is turned off to emit no light. Of the push type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, the LED 107B of one push type input mechanism 100 whose operation knob 102 has been pushed has the orange LED element 107B1 turned on, and the LED 107B of the remaining three push type input mechanisms 100 whose operation knob 102 has not been pushed has the white LED element 107B2 turned on.

[0025] In each push-type input mechanism 100, the orange LED element 107B1 is turned on when the operation knob 102 is pushed, and the white LED element 107B2 is turned on when the operation knob 102 is not pushed. In each push-type input mechanism 100, the orange LED element 107B1 and the white LED element 107B2 are not turned on at the same time, but one of them is turned on. This allows the operator to confirm which of the four operation knobs 102 has been pushed by the light emission color (illumination color). The light emission state of each push-type input mechanism 100 is maintained until the operator pushes another operation knob 102. Note that the orange and white colors of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are merely examples, and the light emission colors may be different from each other.

[0026] The magnetic sensor 107C is provided directly below the rotating body 105 and faces the magnet 105A provided on the lower end surface of the rotating body 105. The magnetic sensor 107C can detect the rotation angle of the rotating body 105 by detecting a change in the direction of magnetic flux accompanying the rotation of the magnet 105A. The magnetic sensor 107C can output a rotation angle signal indicating the detected rotation angle to an external control device 120 (see FIG. 5) via the connector 108A. Note that the push-type input mechanism 100 according to one embodiment uses the magnetic sensor 107C (GMR sensor) as an example of a "sensor" for detecting the rotation angle. However, the push-type input mechanism 100 is not limited to this. As another example of a "sensor" for detecting the rotation angle, the push-type input mechanism 100 may use a sensor of another type (e.g., optical, mechanical, electrostatic, resistive, etc.) or may use a switch that is turned on / off by a push operation as the sensor.

[0027] Magnetic sensor 107C has a plurality of GMR elements that detect the rotation angle of rotor 105. Magnetic sensor 107C is an example of a sensor. The configuration of magnetic sensor 107C will be described later with reference to FIG. 10A.

[0028] Cover 108 is a flat, resin-made part that closes lower opening 101B of case 101. Cover 108 is fixed to case 101 with four screws 109 that pass through cover 108. A rectangular cylindrical connector 108A is provided on the bottom surface of cover 108 and protrudes downward. A plurality of connector pins (not shown) are arranged inside connector 108A and hang down from the underside of substrate 107. An external connector (not shown) is fitted into connector 108A, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of connector pins to the external connector.

[0029] (Electrical configuration of the push-type shifter device 10) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the push-type shifter device 10 according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the push-type shifter device 10 includes four push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 and a control device 120. Each push-type input mechanism 100 includes an LED 107B and a magnetic sensor 107C. The electronic device according to the embodiment will be described later with reference to Fig. 11.

[0030] The control device 120 is connected to the LED 107B and magnetic sensor 107C provided in each push-type input mechanism 100 via a connector 108A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided in the push-type shifter device 10. The control device 120 includes a light emission control unit 121, a sensor control unit 122, and a switching determination unit 123. The light emission control unit 121 is an example of a drive control unit.

[0031] The control device 120 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an input / output interface, an internal bus, etc. The light emission control unit 121, the sensor control unit 122, and the switching determination unit 123 are functional blocks that represent the functions of the program executed by the control device 120.

[0032] Light emission control unit 121 controls the light emission of LED 107B provided in each push-type input mechanism 100. When the switching state determined by switching determination unit 123 indicates that a push operation has been performed, light emission control unit 121 turns on orange LED element 107B1 and turns off white LED element 107B2. When the switching state determined by switching determination unit 123 indicates that a push operation has not been performed, light emission control unit 121 turns on white LED element 107B2 and turns off orange LED element 107B1.

[0033] In this way, the light-emission control unit 121 switches on and off the orange LED element 107B1 and the white LED element 107B2 of the LED 107B of each push-type input mechanism 100, so that the operation knob 102 that has been pushed is illuminated in orange, and the three operation knobs 102 that have not been pushed are illuminated in white. The light-emission control unit 121 does not simultaneously turn on the orange LED element 107B1 and the white LED element 107B2 in each push-type input mechanism 100, but turns on one of them and turns off the other. If each push-type input device 100 falls into an abnormal state that is not considered during normal operation, the switching element 152 is controlled so that the orange LED element 107B1 is not erroneously turned on.

[0034] The switching determination unit 123 determines the switching state of the operation knob 102 (an example of a switch) caused by a push operation for each push-type input mechanism 100 based on a detection signal supplied from the magnetic sensor 107C included in each push-type input mechanism 100 (i.e., the detection result of the rotation angle by the magnetic sensor 107C). ​​The detection signal of the magnetic sensor 107C is acquired by the sensor control unit 122 at a predetermined timing and passed to the switching determination unit 123. As will be described in detail later, the magnetic sensor 107C outputs, for example, four measurement values ​​according to the operation position of the operation knob 102, and the switching determination unit 123 determines the switching state of the operation knob 102 based on a majority vote based on the measurement levels of the four measurement values. The switching state indicates whether a push operation has been performed or not.

[0035] (Upper sliding portion 103B and lower sliding portion 103C of slider 103) Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of slider 103 included in push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 shows the rear (X-axis negative) side of cylindrical portion 103A of slider 103 included in push-type input mechanism 100-1. As shown in Fig. 6, slider 103 included in push-type input mechanism 100-1 has upper sliding portion 103B and lower sliding portion 103C that protrude from the rear (X-axis negative) side of cylindrical portion 103A.

[0036] The upper sliding portion 103B is located slightly above (positive Z-axis direction) and slightly to the left (negative Y-axis direction) of the lower sliding portion 103C. A gap 103D is formed between the upper sliding portion 103B and the lower sliding portion 103C. The upper sliding portion 103B has an upper sliding surface 103Ba that is curved (convex toward the gap 103D) facing the gap 103D. The lower sliding portion 103C has a lower sliding surface 103Ca that is curved (convex toward the gap 103D) facing the gap 103D. The upper sliding portion 103B and the lower sliding portion 103C are located opposite each other with a cam portion 105D (described later) sandwiched between them (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0037] (Cam portion 105D of rotating body 105) FIG. 7 is a side view of the rotating body 105 included in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the outer peripheral surface 105C on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the rotating body 105 included in the push-type input mechanism 100-1. As shown in FIG. 7, the rotating body 105 included in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 has a spiral cam portion 105D protruding from the outer peripheral surface 105C on the front side (positive side of the X-axis). The cam portion 105D extends counterclockwise as viewed from above along the outer peripheral surface 105C from the upper end toward the lower end. The cam portion 105D is formed spirally so that its height gradually decreases from the upper end toward the lower end. The upper inclined surface of the cam portion 105D serves as an upper cam surface 105Da (an example of a "cam surface") against which the upper sliding surface 103Ba (see FIG. 6) of the slider 103 can slide. Upper cam surface 105Da converts the sliding force of slider 103 into the rotational force of rotating body 105. In addition, the inclined surface on the back side (lower side) of upper cam surface 105Da of cam portion 105D forms lower cam surface 105Db on which lower sliding surface 103Ca (see FIG. 6) of slider 103 can abut and slide.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper cam surface 105Da has a rotation start portion P1, a rotation intermediate portion P2, and a rotation end portion P3.

[0039] The rotation start portion P1 is a portion where the upper sliding portion 103B of the slider 103 slides until the stroke amount of the operation knob 102 reaches the stroke amount S1 (corresponding to "when the rotating body starts to rotate").

[0040] The rotation intermediate portion P2 is a portion where the upper sliding portion 103B of the slider 103 slides until the stroke amount of the operation knob 102 reaches the stroke amount S2 from the stroke amount S1 (corresponding to the "rotation intermediate portion of the rotating body").

[0041] The rotation end portion P3 is a portion where the upper sliding portion 103B of the slider 103 slides when the stroke amount of the operating knob 102 is equal to or greater than the stroke amount S2 (corresponding to "when the rotation of the rotating body ends").

[0042] (Engagement state between slider 103 and rotating body 105) 8 and 9 are views showing an engagement state between upper sliding portion 103B and lower sliding portion 103C of slider 103 and cam portion 105D of rotating body 105 in push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment. Note that FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of slider 103 and rotating body 105 as viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) and to the right (positive Y-axis direction). Also, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of slider 103 and rotating body 105 taken along the YZ plane as viewed from the front (positive X-axis direction), showing only slider 103 in cross section.

[0043] 8 and 9, cam portion 105D of rotating body 105 is disposed in gap 103D between upper sliding portion 103B and lower sliding portion 103C of slider 103. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, upper cam surface 105Da of cam portion 105D can abut and slide against upper sliding surface 103Ba of upper sliding portion 103B. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, lower cam surface 105Db of cam portion 105D can abut and slide against lower sliding surface 103Ca of lower sliding portion 103C.

[0044] As a result, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, when the slider 103 moves downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) in accordance with the push operation of the operation knob 102, the upper sliding surface 103Ba of the upper sliding portion 103B provided on the slider 103 slides the upper cam surface 105Da of the cam portion 105D provided on the rotating body 105 toward its lower end, thereby driving the rotating body 105 to rotate clockwise as viewed from above. As a result, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can drive the rotating body 105 to rotate clockwise as viewed from above in accordance with the push operation of the operation knob 102. Furthermore, due to the elastic force generated by torsion spring 105B, rotating body 105 is always biased counterclockwise (return rotation direction) when viewed from above, so upper cam surface 105Da of cam portion 105D is always in contact with upper sliding surface 103Ba of upper sliding portion 103B. Therefore, in push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, even if vibration or impact occurs, rotating body 105 will not separate from slider 103 and rotate, and the rotation angle of rotating body 105 accompanying a push operation can reliably be set to correspond to the amount of movement of slider 103 downward (negative direction of the Z axis).

[0045] Furthermore, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, when the push operation of the operation knob 102 is released, the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 105B provided in the upper opening 105b of the rotating body 105 causes the rotating body 105 to rotate counterclockwise as viewed from above. As a result, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, the upper cam surface 105Da of the cam portion 105D provided on the rotating body 105 always abuts and slides against the upper sliding surface 103Ba of the upper sliding portion 103B provided on the slider 103, and the rotating body 105 rotates following the upward movement (positive direction of the Z axis) of the slider 103 caused by the elastic force of the rubber dome 106A. As a result, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can use the rubber dome 106A to push the slider 103 upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis), returning the slider 103 to its initial position before the push operation and returning the rotating body 105 to its initial position.

[0046] Furthermore, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, the slider 103 has a lower sliding portion 103C. As a result, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, when the push operation of the operation knob 102 is released, even though the slider 103 moves upward due to the biasing force from the rubber dome 106A, a foreign object or the like gets caught on the rotating body 105, causing a malfunction in the rotation of the rotating body 105 in the return rotation direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) due to the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 105B, and the rotation of the rotating body 105 cannot follow the upward movement of the slider 103. In this case, in a normal return state, when the lower sliding portion 103C of the slider 103, which is separated from the lower cam surface 105Db of the cam portion 105D by a gap, is moved upward by the pushing-up force of the rubber dome 106A, it comes into contact with the lower cam surface 105Db of the cam portion 105D provided on the rotating body 105, which is stopped in place, and the lower cam surface 105Db slides toward its upper end, thereby driving the rotating body 105 to rotate in the return rotation direction (counterclockwise as viewed from above). As a result, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can forcibly rotate the rotating body 105 in the return rotation direction (counterclockwise as viewed from above) even when the rotating body 105 cannot be driven to rotate by the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 105B alone due to being caught by a foreign object or the like, and can reliably return the rotating body 105 to the initial rotation angle before the push operation.

[0047] Furthermore, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, even if the cam portion 105D or both the upper sliding portion 103B and the lower sliding portion 103C of the slider 103 are damaged and lost, the biasing force in the return rotation direction from the torsion spring 105B can return the rotating body 105 to the initial rotation angle.

[0048] In addition, a slight clearance is provided for the cam portion 105D in the gap 103D between the upper sliding portion 103B and the lower sliding portion 103C so that the cam portion 105D can slide smoothly within the gap 103D. This clearance may cause rattle of the cam portion 105D within the gap 103D.

[0049] However, as described above, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, the biasing force generated by the torsion spring 105B provided on the rotating body 105 biases the cam portion 105D to rotate counterclockwise as viewed from above. As a result, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can constantly bias the cam portion 105D in a direction that presses it against the upper sliding portion 103B. In other words, by biasing the cam portion 105D in one direction within the gap 103D, it is possible to suppress rattle. Therefore, even when subjected to impact or vibration, it is possible to suppress the rotation angle of the rotating body 105 from becoming unstable due to rattle of the cam portion 105D.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment constantly biases the cam portion 105D in a direction that causes it to come into contact with the upper sliding portion 103B, thereby preventing the rotating body 105 from prematurely rotating (over-rotating) in response to a sudden operation of the slider 103, and therefore allows the rotational movement of the rotating body 105 to reliably follow the sliding of the slider 103 in the up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0051] Furthermore, a slight clearance is provided between the rotating body 105 and the components that rotatably support the rotating body 105 (the pivot support portion 101C of the case 101 and the pair of support portions 101E (see FIG. 4)) to allow the rotating body 105 to rotate smoothly. This clearance may cause the rotating body 105 to wobble in the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, in the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment, the upper sliding surface 103Ba and the upper cam surface 105Da are each inclined at a predetermined inclination angle so that the height position gradually decreases toward the outside in the radial direction of the rotating body 105. Due to this inclination, the thickness of the cam portion 105D in the direction of the rotation axis (vertical direction) is set to be thinner from the inner portion to the outer portion in the radial direction. This inclination generates a reaction force on the rotating body 105 in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface of the upper cam surface 105Da when the upper cam surface 105Da is pressed against the upper sliding surface 103Ba by the biasing force of the torsion spring 105B. Components of this reaction force are downward (toward the support portion 101E) and horizontal (toward the rotation axis) reaction forces. The push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can bias the rotating body 105 downward (toward the support portion 101E) and horizontal (toward the rotation axis) within the clearance between the rotating body 105 and the components that rotatably support the rotating body 105, thereby biasing the rotating body 105 to one side. Therefore, the push-type input mechanism 100-1 according to one embodiment can suppress rattle of the rotating body 105 in the horizontal and vertical directions and rotate the rotating body 105 stably. Therefore, the rotational movement of the rotating body 105 can be reliably made to follow the sliding of the slider 103 in the up and down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0052] In this embodiment, the rubber dome 106A is used as an example of the "dome-shaped elastic body", but this is not limiting, and another example of the "dome-shaped elastic body" may be a reversible metal dome member or the like.

[0053] In the above, the “cam surface” is provided on the rotor 105 , but the “cam surface” is not limited to this and may be provided on the slider 103 .

[0054] <Switching Determination Performed by Switching Determination Unit 123> The switching determination unit 123 determines the switching state of the operation knob 102 according to a majority decision based on the four outputs (detection signals) of the magnetic sensor 107C. More specifically, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection signal of the magnetic sensor 107C at a predetermined timing and outputs it to the switching determination unit 123, and the switching determination unit 123 determines the switching state of the operation knob 102 according to a majority decision based on the four outputs (detection signals) of the magnetic sensor 107C. Here, the four outputs of the magnetic sensor 107C will be described.

[0055] <Configuration of magnetic sensor 107C> 10A is a diagram showing the configuration of the magnetic sensor 107C. The magnetic sensor 107C has four GMR sensor units 107C1 to 107C4. The GMR sensor units 107C1 to 107C4 are an example of a plurality of sensor units, and here, a configuration in which the magnetic sensor 107C has four GMR sensor units 107C1 to 107C4 will be described. Note that the number of GMR sensor units included in the magnetic sensor 107C may be three or more.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10A, each of the GMR sensor units 107C1 to 107C4 has two GMR elements connected in series between a power supply Vdd and ground (GND), and the GMR sensor units 107C1 and 107C2 are connected in parallel, and the GMR sensor units 107C3 and 107C4 are connected in parallel.

[0057] When the direction of the magnetic flux changes due to the rotation of the magnet 105A caused by the pushing operation of the operation knob 102, the resistance value of each GMR element of the GMR sensor units 107C1 to 107C4 changes, and a sine wave is output from the connection point of the two GMR elements connected in series. The polarities of the four GMR elements included in the GMR sensor units 107C1 and 107C2 are set so that the GMR sensor units 107C1 and 107C2 output +SIN signal 1 and -SIN signal 1 that are 180 degrees out of phase. Similarly, the polarities of the four GMR elements included in the GMR sensor units 107C3 and 107C4 are set so that the GMR sensor units 107C3 and 107C4 output +SIN signal 2 and -SIN signal 2 that are 180 degrees out of phase.

[0058] The push-type shifter device 10 can detect the rotation angle of the rotating body 105 based on +SIN signal 1, -SIN signal 1, +SIN signal 2, and -SIN signal 2. The rotation angle of the rotating body 105 corresponds to the amount of push operation by the push operation of the operation knob 102. The amount of push operation is the amount by which the operation knob 102 is pushed downward.

[0059] 10B is a diagram showing an example of the waveforms of +SIN signal 1 and -SIN signal 1 output by magnetic sensor 107C. In FIG. 10B, the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of magnet 105A, and the vertical axis represents the voltage values ​​of +SIN signal 1 and -SIN signal 1. The position (left end) where the rotation angle of magnet 105A is -30 degrees corresponds to a state where no push operation is performed on operation knob 102 and the push operation amount is zero. The position (right end) where the rotation angle of magnet 105A is +30 degrees corresponds to a state where a push operation is performed on operation knob 102 and operation knob 102 is pushed all the way down. The push operation amount in this state is the maximum value.

[0060] As the rotation angle of the magnet 105A changes due to the push operation, the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 change within a range of ±30 degrees as shown in FIG. 10B. At this time, within the angular range AR around the rotation angle of 0 degrees of the magnet 105A, the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 change linearly. The angular range AR is, for example, a range of ±30 degrees. Here, although the waveforms of the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 are described, the same applies to the +SIN signal 2 and the -SIN signal 2.

[0061] Note that the change of the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 within a range of ±30 degrees as the rotation angle of the magnet 105A changes due to the push operation is just one specific example and is not limited to ±30 degrees. As long as the range of change of the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 accompanying the change of the rotation angle of the magnet 105A due to the push operation is within the range where the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1 change linearly, any angle range is acceptable.

[0062] FIG. 10C is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the angular range AR. In FIG. 10C, the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of the magnet 105A, and the vertical axis represents the voltage values of the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1. FIG. 10C shows the waveforms of the +SIN signal 1 and the -SIN signal 1, and the same applies to the waveforms of the +SIN signal 2 and the -SIN signal 2.

[0063] The push-type shifter device 10 uses the angular range AR in which the +SIN signal 1, the -SIN1 signal, the +SIN signal 2, and the -SIN signal 2 output by the magnetic sensor 107C change linearly with respect to the rotation angle of the magnet 105A to perform on / off determination (switch-on / switch-off determination) by the push operation.

[0064] <Configuration of the peripheral circuits of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2> 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the peripheral circuitry of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 of the push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 of the push-type shifter device 10. The peripheral circuitry includes switching elements 151 to 153. The push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 have the same configuration, and each include one of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2, one of the switching elements 151 to 153, and one of the magnetic sensors 107C.

[0065] 11 shows the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 and switching elements 151 to 153 of the push type input mechanisms 100-1 and 100-4, and omits the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 and switching elements 151 to 153 of the push type input mechanisms 100-2 and 100-3. Also, in FIG. 11, the magnetic sensors 107C included in each of the push type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 are shown collectively.

[0066] Here, electronic device 50 of the embodiment includes LED elements 107B1, 107B2, switching elements 151 to 153, and magnetic sensor 107C of four push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, and control device 120. Electronic device 50 only needs to include control device 120 including at least light emission control unit 121 and sensor control unit 122, and does not necessarily need to include switching determination unit 123.

[0067] Control device 120, LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, and four magnetic sensors 107C of push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 are connected to power supply 1. The output voltage of power supply 1 is VREFH.

[0068] In the push type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, the connection relationships between the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2, the switching elements 151 to 153, the power source 1, and the control device 120 are the same. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the connection relationships and operations in the push type input mechanism 100-1 will be described here.

[0069] The LED element 107B1 is connected between the power supply 1 and the control device 120, and the LED element 107B2 is connected in parallel with the LED element 107B1 between the power supply 1 and the control device 120.

[0070] A switching element 151 is connected between the LED element 107B1 and the control device 120. The switching element 151 is an example of a first switching element. A switching element 152 is connected between the LED element 107B1 and the power supply 1. The switching element 152 is an example of a second switching element. Furthermore, a switching element 153 is connected between the LED element 107B2 and the control device 120. The switching element 153 is an example of a third switching element.

[0071] <Switching element 151 and PWM signal 1> To switch the LED element 107B1 on and off, the switching element 151 is driven by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal 1 output from the light emission control unit 121 and is switched on and off. The switching element 151 is, for example, a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor).

[0072] PWM signal 1 is an example of a first drive signal. The duty ratio of PWM signal 1 is determined by light emission control unit 121 according to the brightness (an example of the drive level) when LED element 107B1 is caused to emit light. By controlling the drive of LED element 107B1 through PWM control using PWM signal 1, it is possible to control the current flowing through LED element 107B1 to be constant current, thereby making it possible to maintain constant brightness. When LED element 107B1 is turned on by PWM signal 1, if switching element 151 is turned on while switching element 152 is turned on by a switching signal, LED element 107B1 is turned on.

[0073] <Switching element 152 and switching signal> The switching element 152 is switched on and off by a switching signal output from the light-emission control unit 121 to switch between supplying and cutting off power from the power source 1 to the LED element 107B1. The switching signal is not a PWM signal, but a switching signal that switches between supplying and cutting off power from the power source 1 to the LED element 107B1. The switching signal is an example of a second drive signal. The switching element 152 is, for example, a PNP-type transistor.

[0074] A switching signal for turning on switching element 152 is output from light emission control unit 121 to switching element 152 of push type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4. For push type input mechanisms 100 (any one of 100-1 to 100-4) for which switching determination unit 123 has determined that a push operation has been performed, the switching signal is switched to a level that turns on switching element 152 during the period from when the push operation is performed to when the push operation is no longer performed. For the remaining three push type input mechanisms 100 (the remaining three of 100-1 to 100-4), the switching signal is maintained at a level that turns off switching element 152.

[0075] As an example, the push-type shifter device 10 is a device in which one of the four operating knobs 102 of the four push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 is always selected by a push operation, so the switching signal for one of the four switching elements 152 is switched to a level that turns the switching element 152 on, and the remaining three switching elements 152 are maintained at a level that turns them off.

[0076] That is, when the LED element 107B1 of the push type input mechanism 100 (any one of 100-1 to 100-4) including the operation knob 102 that has been pushed is turned on by the PWM signal 1, the switching element 152 of that push type input mechanism 100 is turned on by the switching signal, and the switching elements 152 of the remaining three push type input mechanisms 100 (the remaining three of 100-1 to 100-4) are turned off by the switching signal. By driving the switching element 152 between the power source 1 and the LED 107B1 by the switching signal, control is performed so that the orange LED element 107B1 is not turned on erroneously if any of the push type input devices 100 falls into an abnormal state that would not occur in normal operation. Although an example has been described in which the switching element 152 is provided for each push-type input mechanism 100, the switching element 152 may be provided for any one of the four push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, and the output signal of the switching element 152 may be output to the LED elements 107B1 of the remaining three push-type input mechanisms.

[0077] <Switching element 153 and PWM signal 2> The switching element 153 is driven by a PWM signal 2 output from the light emission control unit 121 to switch the LED element 107B2 on and off, and is switched on and off. The switching element 153 is, for example, a MOSFET.

[0078] PWM signal 2 is an example of a third drive signal. The duty ratio of PWM signal 2 is determined by light emission control unit 121 according to the luminance (an example of the drive level) when LED element 107B2 is caused to emit light. When switching element 153 is turned on, LED element 107B2 is turned on. By controlling the drive of LED element 107B2 through PWM control using PWM signal 2, the current flowing through LED element 107B2 can be controlled to be a constant current, and the luminance can be kept constant.

[0079] <Operation of LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 in push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4 as a whole> For all of the push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, the orange LED element 107B1 of the push-type input mechanism (any one of 100-1 to 100-4) including the one operation knob 102 that has been pushed is turned on, and the white LED element 107B2 of the push-type input mechanisms (the remaining three of 100-1 to 100-4) including the three operation knobs 102 that have not been pushed is turned on. Therefore, light emission control unit 121 outputs PWM signal 1 that turns on switching element 151, a switching signal that turns on switching element 152, and PWM signal 2 that turns off switching element 153 to the push-type input mechanism (any one of 100-1 to 100-4) including the one operation knob 102 that has been pushed. Furthermore, to the push-type input mechanism including the three operation knobs 102 for which no push operation is being performed (the remaining three of 100-1 to 100-4), a PWM signal 1 that turns off switching element 151, a switching signal that turns off switching element 152, and a PWM signal 2 that turns on switching element 153 are output from light emission control unit 121.

[0080] That is, for the entire push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, one PWM signal 1 for turning on one orange LED element 107B1 and three PWM signals 2 for turning on three white LED elements 107B2 are output from the light emission control unit 121.

[0081] The reason why the switching element 152 is provided only between the orange LED element 107B1 and the power source 1 is that if each push-type input device 100 falls into an abnormal state that would not be expected in normal operation, the switching element 152 will cut off the power supply path to the orange LED element 107B1 so that the orange LED element 107B1 will not be turned on by mistake.

[0082] <Variations in the voltage VREFH of power supply 1> 12 is a diagram showing the output voltage VREFH of the power supply 1 and a portion of the drive cycle of the periodic PWM signals 1 and 2. In Fig. 12, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the voltage value of the output voltage VREFH and the signal levels (on and off) of the PWM signals 1 and 2. On is H (High) level, and off is L (Low) level.

[0083] Here, as an example, a case will be described where a push operation is performed on operation knob 102 of push-type input mechanism 100-1. PWM signal 1 shown in Fig. 12 is a PWM signal output by light-emission control unit 121 to turn on orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1. Furthermore, the three PWM signals 2 output by light-emission control unit 121 to turn on white LED elements 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 switch on at the same timing between on and off, and therefore Fig. 12 shows PWM signal 2 output by light-emission control unit 121 to push-type input mechanism 100-2, and omits PWM signals 2 output to push-type input mechanisms 100-3 and 100-4. Also, PWM signal 2 that drives white LED element 107B2 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 and PWM signal 1 that drives orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 are omitted.

[0084] 12 also shows the on-period (on-period Ton1) during which PWM signal 1 driving orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 is on and the off-period (off-period Toff1) during which it is off. Similarly, Fig. 12 shows the on-period (on-period Ton2) during which PWM signal 2 driving white LED element 107B2 of push-type input mechanism 100-2 is on and the off-period (off-period Toff2) during which it is off.

[0085] PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 have the same cycle (drive cycle), the same duty ratio, and different on and off timings for PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2. Figure 12 shows an example in which one cycle (on period and off period) of PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 is 5 ms. The duty ratio of PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 can be adjusted according to the required brightness, but is set to 85% here as an example.

[0086] As an example, output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 is supplied from a power source such as a vehicle battery after being converted to 5V (output voltage 5V) by a voltage converter or the like. Output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 is supplied to control device 120, LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, and sensor 107C of push-type input mechanisms 100-1 to 100-4, and therefore varies depending on whether LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are on or off.

[0087] 12, at time t0, PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 are both ON. That is, orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 and three white LED elements 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 are emitting light. In this state, output voltage VREFH is lower than 5V, for example, approximately 4.9V.

[0088] At time t1, when PWM signal 2 is switched from on to off, the three white LED elements 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 are turned off, i.e., the current load is reduced, and output voltage VREFH rises. Here, to suppress fluctuations in output voltage VREFH, the timings at which the three PWM signals 2 and PWM signal 1 are switched on and off are staggered. That is, the timings at which the three PWM signals 2 and PWM signal 1 are switched on and off are different from one another. However, the lag in the timing at which the three PWM signals 2 and PWM signal 1 are switched on and off is so short that it is imperceptible to the human eye.

[0089] At time t2, when PWM signal 1 is switched from on to off while PWM signal 2 is off, orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 turns off, causing output voltage VREFH to rise a little further and return to 5V.

[0090] At time t3, when PWM signal 2 is switched from OFF to ON, three white LED elements 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 are turned ON, causing output voltage VREFH to decrease.

[0091] At time t4, when PWM signal 1 is switched from OFF to ON while PWM signal 2 is ON, orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 turns ON, causing output voltage VREFH to drop a little further.

[0092] As described above, in a vehicle, power is supplied from a power source such as a battery, and the amount of power supply is limited, so that voltage fluctuations occur in the output voltage VREFH depending on whether the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are turned on or off. When voltage fluctuations occur in the output voltage VREFH, the voltage supplied to the magnetic sensor 107C fluctuates, and therefore the detection value acquired from the magnetic sensor 107C fluctuates.

[0093] <Study on a comparative push-type shifter device> Here, we consider a comparative push-type shifter device. The comparative push-type shifter device acquires (samples) detection values ​​from magnetic sensor 107C at a predetermined sampling period that is not associated with the drive period during which LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are turned on and off. If the drive period during which LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are turned on and off differs from the predetermined sampling period during which detection values ​​are acquired from magnetic sensor 107C, the timing at which the detection values ​​of magnetic sensor 107C are acquired shifts over time within the drive period. Therefore, the timing at which the detection values ​​of magnetic sensor 107C are acquired varies, such as when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are on, when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are off, or when only one of LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 is on. In this state, even if the pushing amount of the operation knob 102 is constant, there is a risk that the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C may vary each time the detection value is acquired at a predetermined sampling period. This is because the output voltage VREFH varies each time the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C is acquired due to voltage fluctuations in the output voltage VREFH.

[0094] The above-described variations in the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C in the comparative push-type shifter device may lead to erroneous determination of the switching state of the operation knob 102.

[0095] Therefore, in the push-type shifter device 10 of the embodiment, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C at the timing described below so that the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C can be acquired with stable accuracy even if voltage fluctuations occur in the output voltage VREFH. This prevents erroneous determination of the switching state of the operation knob 102.

[0096] <Timing at which the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C> The sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C at time t5, which is a predetermined time T1 after time t4, when the LED element 107B1 turns on later than the LED element 107B2, during the overlap period Tr of the on period Ton1 and the on period Ton2 shown in FIG. 12.

[0097] The detection value of magnetic sensor 107C is obtained during overlap period Tr because this is the period during which both LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are turned on and output voltage VREFH stabilizes. Furthermore, the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C is obtained at time t5, a predetermined time T1 after time t4, when LED element 107B1 turns on later than LED element 107B2, because output voltage VREFH fluctuates immediately after LED element 107B1 turns on. Therefore, the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C can be obtained with stable accuracy when output voltage VREFH stabilizes after a short time has passed. The predetermined time T1 may be any value that is longer than the time it takes for output voltage VREFH to stabilize after LED element 107B1 turns on, but shorter than the time it takes for LED element 107B2 to turn off. That is, the predetermined time T1 may be equal to or less than the time from time t4 when LED element 107B1 turns on later than LED element 107B2 to time t1 when PWM signal 2 is switched from on to off in the next drive cycle.

[0098] In addition, the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C is obtained during the overlap period Tr when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are both on, because the duty ratios of PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 are large and the on periods Ton1 and Ton2 are longer than the off periods Toff1 and Toff2 within one drive cycle, so the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C can be obtained more stably and reliably during the overlap period Tr of the longer on periods Ton1 and Ton2.

[0099] Note that, here, a form will be described in which the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C is acquired during the overlap period Tr when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are both on, but the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C may also be acquired at a timing when output voltage VREFH is stable based on the on / off duty of the PWM1 signal and the PWM2 signal. Also, the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C may be acquired during a period when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are both off. This is because the output voltage VREFH is stable even during a period when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are both off, and the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C can be acquired stably.

[0100] <Setting the timing to obtain detected values> In the push-type shifter device 10 of the embodiment, in order to obtain the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C at time t5, the processing table in which the light emission control unit 121 manages the processing of sequentially turning on the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 includes a processing for notifying the sensor control unit 122 of the timing to obtain the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C by interrupt processing.

[0101] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a processing table of the light emission control unit 121. The processing table of the light emission control unit 121 is data in a table format that stores processing (description) that the light emission control unit 121 executes in one drive cycle.

[0102] The processing table of the light emission control unit 121 includes, for example, five channels, and a process (Description) is registered in channel 0 to drive a switching element 151 with a PWM signal 1 for a push-type input mechanism (one of 100-1 to 100-4) including one operation knob 102 for which a push operation has been performed. Also, channels 1 to 3 are registered to drive a switching element 153 with three PWM signals 2-1 to 2-3 for push-type input mechanisms (the remaining three of 100-1 to 100-4) including three operation knobs 102 for which a push operation has not been performed. Here, for ease of explanation, the three PWM signals 2 are shown separately as PWM signals 2-1 to 2-3.

[0103] Furthermore, an interrupt process (Sensor Read) that notifies the sensor control unit 122 of the timing to obtain the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C is registered in channel 4. Such an interrupt process may be registered in an available channel in the process table of the light emission control unit 121. The interrupt process that notifies the sensor control unit 122 of the timing to obtain the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C may be set so that notification is performed at time t5 shown in FIG.

[0104] In this way, if an interrupt process that notifies the sensor control unit 122 of the timing to acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C is included in the processing table of the light emission control unit 121, the light emission control unit 121 will repeatedly execute the interrupt process of channel 4 for each drive cycle, and the sensor control unit 122 will be able to acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C at the timing corresponding to time t5 shown in Figure 12 for each drive cycle.

[0105] Note that the actual processing table of the light emission control unit 121 includes information other than the channel and the processing (description), but this information is omitted here.

[0106] <Flowchart> 14 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the light-emission control unit 121 and the sensor control unit 122 of the control device 120. Here, the processing executed by the light-emission control unit 121 and the sensor control unit 122 for each drive cycle will be described. Also, here, as an example, a case where a push operation is performed on the operation knob 102 of the push-type input mechanism 100-1 will be described.

[0107] When light emission control unit 121 starts processing, it drives three switching elements 153 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4 with three PWM signals 2-1 to 2-3 in accordance with the processing (Description) of channel 1-3 (step S1), thereby turning on three white LED elements 107B2 of push-type input mechanisms 100-2 to 100-4.

[0108] Light emission control unit 121 drives switching element 151 of push-type input mechanism 100-1 with PWM signal 1 in accordance with the processing (Description) of channel 0 (step S2), thereby turning on orange LED element 107B1 of push-type input mechanism 100-1.

[0109] The light emission control unit 121 executes an interrupt process to notify the sensor control unit 122 of the timing to acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C in accordance with the process (Description) of channel 4 (step S3).

[0110] The sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C at a timing corresponding to time t5 in the drive cycle shown in Fig. 12 (step S4). That is, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value from the magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle in which the light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2.

[0111] This completes the processing of steps S1 to S4 in one drive cycle (END). The light emission control section 121 and the sensor control section 122 of the control device 120 repeatedly execute the processing shown in Fig. 14 for each drive cycle.

[0112] <Effects> Electronic device 50 includes magnetic sensor 107C connected to power supply 1, LED element 107B1 connected to power supply 1, sensor control unit 122 that controls magnetic sensor 107C, and light emission control unit 121 that controls the drive of LED element 107B1. Sensor control unit 122 acquires a detection value from magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle in which light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of LED element 107B1.

[0113] Therefore, in each drive cycle, the detection value can be obtained from the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy while the output voltage VREFH of the power supply 1 is stable.

[0114] Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic device 50 that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH and acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy. Also, it is possible to provide a push-type shifter device 10 that includes an electronic device 50 that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH and acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy.

[0115] In addition, the electronic device 50 further includes a switching element 151 connected between the LED element 107B1 and the light-emission control unit 121, and the light-emission control unit 121 drives the switching element 151 with a PWM signal 1 to control the driving of the LED element 107B1.

[0116] Since the driving of LED element 107B1 can be controlled by PWM control using PWM signal 1, the current flowing through LED element 107B1 can be controlled to be a constant current, thereby making it possible to maintain constant brightness.

[0117] Furthermore, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value during an on-period Ton1 during which the LED element 107B1 is on during a drive cycle in which the light-emission control unit 121 controls the drive of the LED element 107B1. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic device 50 that can acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy by suppressing the influence of fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH while the power supply voltage VREFH is stable during the on-period Ton1 of the LED element 107B1.

[0118] Furthermore, during the on-period Ton1, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value at time t5, when a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the light-emission control unit 121 turned on the LED element 107B1. By waiting the predetermined time T1 after turning on the LED element 107B1, fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH become stable, and acquiring the detection value at a stable timing can reduce variations in the detection value.

[0119] The electronic device 50 further includes a switching element 152 connected between the LED element 107B1 and the power supply 1, and the light emission control unit 121 controls the driving of the LED element 107B1 by driving the switching element 151 with a PWM signal 1 and driving the switching element 152 with a switching signal.

[0120] The switching signal switches on and off the switching element 152 located between the power supply 1 and the LED element 107B1, thereby supplying current to the LED element 107B1 from the power supply 1. Therefore, if each push-type input device 100 falls into an abnormal state that would not occur during normal operation, the switching element 152 can cut off the power supply path to the orange LED element 107B1 to prevent the orange LED element 107B1 from being turned on by mistake.

[0121] The electronic device 50 further includes an LED element 107B2 connected to the power supply 1 and a switching element 153 connected between the LED element 107B2 and the light-emitting control unit 121, and the light-emitting control unit 121 controls the driving of the LED element 107B2 by driving the switching element 153 with a PWM signal 2.

[0122] Therefore, the light emission control unit 121 can simultaneously control the driving of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2, and the light emitted by the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 can provide a visual distinction to the operator.

[0123] Furthermore, the sensor control unit 122 acquires a detection value from the magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle in which the light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2.

[0124] Therefore, in synchronization with the drive cycle in which the drive control of LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 is performed for each drive cycle, the detection value from magnetic sensor 107C can be acquired with stable accuracy while the output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 is stable, making it possible to provide electronic device 50 capable of acquiring the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C with even more stable accuracy. Also, it is possible to provide push-type shifter device 10 including electronic device 50 capable of suppressing the influence of fluctuations in power supply voltage VREFH and acquiring the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy.

[0125] In addition, the sensor control unit 122 acquires a detection value from the magnetic sensor 107C during an overlap period Tr in which the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are turned on during a drive cycle in which the light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of the LED elements 107B1 and 107B2.

[0126] When the duties of PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 that drive LED element 107B1 and LED element 107B2 are large, the detection value can be stably acquired from magnetic sensor 107C during longer on periods Ton1 and Ton2.

[0127] Furthermore, PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 are pulse width modulation signals that control the drive levels of LED element 107B1 and LED element 107B2, respectively, and the switching signal is a switching signal that switches between supplying and cutting off power to LED element 107B1 from power supply 1. The current flowing through LED element 107B1 and LED element 107B2 can be controlled to a constant current, making it possible to maintain constant brightness.

[0128] Furthermore, because the timings at which PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 turn on LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are different from each other, fluctuations in the output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 can be suppressed, the output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 can be stabilized early, and the detection value can be acquired more stably from magnetic sensor 107C. In particular, when there are a large number of push-type input mechanisms 100, fluctuations in the output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 due to the on / off of LED element 107B2 become large, so it is very effective that PWM signal 1 and PWM signal 2 turn on LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 at different timings.

[0129] Because electronic device 50 includes multiple sets of LED element 107B1, switching element 151, switching element 152, LED element 107B2, and switching element 153, it can accommodate a configuration including multiple push-type input mechanisms 100. Furthermore, when there are a large number of push-type input mechanisms 100, fluctuations in output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 associated with turning on and off of LED element 107B2 become larger, which increases the effect of obtaining detection values ​​from magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle of LED element 107B1. Therefore, even when there are a large number of push-type input mechanisms 100 and fluctuations in output voltage VREFH of power supply 1 become larger, detection values ​​can be obtained from magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy for each drive cycle.

[0130] Push-type shifter device 10 includes operation knob 102 that is pushed by an operator, rubber dome 106A that provides a clicking sensation in response to the push operation, slider 103 that slides in a predetermined direction in response to the push operation, rotating body 105 that rotates in response to the sliding of slider 103, magnetic sensor 107C that is connected to power supply 1 and detects a measurement value corresponding to the rotation angle of rotating body 105, LED element 107B1 that is connected to power supply 1, sensor control unit 122 that controls magnetic sensor 107C, and light emission control unit 121 that controls the drive of LED element 107B1. Sensor control unit 122 acquires a detection value from magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle in which light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of LED element 107B1.

[0131] Therefore, in each drive cycle, the detection value can be obtained from the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy while the output voltage VREFH of the power supply 1 is stable.

[0132] Therefore, it is possible to provide a push-type shifter device 10 that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH and acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy.

[0133] Furthermore, the push-type shifter device 10 includes a plurality of sets of the operation knob 102, rubber dome 106A, slider 103, rotating body 105, magnetic sensor 107C, and LED element 107B1, and is therefore adaptable to a configuration including a plurality of operation knobs 102.

[0134] The push-type shifter device 10 includes an operating knob 102 for selecting a shift position of a vehicle, a magnetic sensor 107C connected to a power source 1 and detecting a measurement value corresponding to the operating position of the operating knob 102, an LED element 107B1 connected to the power source 1, a sensor control unit 122 for controlling the magnetic sensor 107C, and a light emission control unit 121 for controlling the drive of the LED element 107B1. The sensor control unit 122 acquires a detection value from the magnetic sensor 107C in synchronization with the drive cycle in which the light emission control unit 121 controls the drive of the LED element 107B1.

[0135] Therefore, in each drive cycle, the detection value can be obtained from the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy while the output voltage VREFH of the power supply 1 is stable.

[0136] Therefore, it is possible to provide a push-type shifter device 10 that can suppress the influence of fluctuations in the power supply voltage VREFH and acquire the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C with stable accuracy.

[0137] In addition, multiple operation knobs 102 are provided to select multiple shift positions of the vehicle, and multiple sets of magnetic sensors 107C and LED elements 107B1 are included corresponding to the multiple operation knobs 102, so it is possible to accommodate a configuration including multiple operation knobs 102.

[0138] <Modification> The electronic device 50 and the push-type shifter device 10 (an example of a push-type input device and an electronic shifter) according to the embodiment have been described above, but the following modifications may be made.

[0139] Instead of obtaining the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are on, the detection value of magnetic sensor 107C may be obtained when LED elements 107B1 and 107B2 are off and voltage VREFH has returned to 5V.

[0140] In the above, the first load and the second load are described as being LED elements 107B1 and 107B2, but at least one of the first load and the second load does not have to be an LED and may be, for example, a motor, an electromagnet, or the like.

[0141] Furthermore, in the above description, the sensor control unit 122 acquires the detection value of the magnetic sensor 107C, but instead of the magnetic sensor 107C, an electrostatic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a strain sensor, or the like may be used.

[0142] Furthermore, although the above description has been given of a configuration in which the push-type shifter device 10 has a plurality of shift positions and an operation knob 102 corresponding to each shift position, the push-type shifter device 10 may also be configured to include only one operation knob 102. For example, the push-type shifter device 10 may be configured so that two shift positions, a parking position and a drive position, can be operated by switching the single operation knob 102 on and off. As one example, the push-type shifter device 102 may be configured so that the parking position is selected when the operation knob 102 is not being pushed, and that the drive position is selected when the operation knob 102 is being pushed.

[0143] The above describes the electronic device, push-type input device, and electronic shifter according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0144] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-074591, filed on April 28, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 10 Push-type shifter device (an example of a push-type input device, an example of an electronic shifter) 50 Electronic equipment 100, 100-1 to 100-4 Push-type input mechanism 107B1 LED element (example of first load) 107B2 LED element (example of second load) 107C Magnetic sensor (example of a sensor) 120 Control device 121 Light emission control unit 122 Sensor control unit 123 Switching judgment section 151 switching element (an example of a first switching element) 152 switching element (an example of a second switching element) 153 Switching element (an example of a third switching element)

Claims

1. a sensor connected to a power source; a first load connected to the power supply; a sensor control unit that controls the sensor; a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load; Including, The sensor control unit The drive control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load; The drive control unit acquires the detection value during an ON period in which the first load is ON during a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load, The electronic device acquires the detection value when a predetermined time has passed since the drive control unit turned on the first load, the predetermined time being required for the output voltage of the power supply to stabilize.

2. further including a first switching element connected between the first load and the drive control unit; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive control unit controls the drive of the first load by driving the first switching element with a first drive signal.

3. A sensor connected to a power source; a first load connected to the power supply; a sensor control unit that controls the sensor; a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load; a first switching element connected between the first load and the drive control unit; a second switching element connected between the first load and the power supply; Including, the sensor control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load; The drive control unit a first driving signal for driving the first switching element to control the driving of the first load; an electronic device that drives the first switching element with the first drive signal and drives the second switching element with a second drive signal, thereby performing drive control of the first load;

4. a second load connected to the power supply; a third switching element connected between the second load and the drive control unit; further comprising The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the drive control unit controls the drive of the second load by driving the third switching element with a third drive signal.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor control unit acquires the detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load and the second load.

6. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor during an on period in which the first load and the second load are on during a drive cycle in which the drive control unit controls the drive of the first load and the second load.

7. the first drive signal and the third drive signal are pulse width modulation signals that control the drive degrees of the first load and the second load, respectively; The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the second drive signal is a switching signal that switches between supplying and cutting off power from the power source to the first load.

8. The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the first drive signal and the third drive signal turn on the first load and the second load at different times.

9. The electronic device according to claim 4 , comprising a plurality of sets of the first load, the first switching element, the second switching element, the second load, and the third switching element.

10. a switch that is pushed by an operator; a click feeling imparting mechanism that imparts a click feeling to the push operation; a slider that slides in a predetermined sliding direction in response to the push operation; a rotating body that rotates in association with the sliding of the slider; a sensor connected to a power source and detecting a measurement value corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotating body; a first load connected to the power supply; a sensor control unit that controls the sensor; a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load; Including, The sensor control unit acquires the detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load.

11. The push-type input device according to claim 10 , comprising a plurality of sets of the switch, the click feeling imparting mechanism, the slider, the rotating body, the sensor, and the first load.

12. An electronic shifter including a switch for selecting a shift position of a vehicle, a sensor connected to a power source and detecting a measurement value corresponding to an operation position of the switch; a first load connected to the power supply; a sensor control unit that controls the sensor; a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load; Including, The sensor control unit The drive control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load; The drive control unit acquires the detection value during an ON period in which the first load is ON during a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load, The drive control unit acquires the detection value when a predetermined time has passed since the drive control unit turned on the first load, which is a time required for the output voltage of the power supply to stabilize. Electronic shifter.

13. An electronic shifter including a switch for selecting a shift position of a vehicle, a sensor connected to a power source and detecting a measurement value corresponding to an operation position of the switch; a first load connected to the power supply; a sensor control unit that controls the sensor; a drive control unit that controls the drive of the first load; a first switching element connected between the first load and the drive control unit; a second switching element connected between the first load and the power supply; Including, the sensor control unit acquires a detection value from the sensor in synchronization with a drive cycle in which the drive control unit performs drive control of the first load; The drive control unit a first driving signal for driving the first switching element to control the driving of the first load; an electronic shifter that controls driving of the first load by driving the first switching element with the first drive signal and driving the second switching element with a second drive signal;

14. A plurality of the switches are provided to select a plurality of shift positions of the vehicle, 14. The electronic shifter according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of pairs of the sensor and the first load corresponding to a plurality of the switches.

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