Multi-directional Input Device with Nested Actuator for Compact Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-directional input device for vehicles has a large dimension due to the pin being positioned distant from the sliding spherical surface, resulting in a larger cam surface and overall device size, which hinders the provision of a manipulation feeling while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The multi-directional input device incorporates an actuator and elastic member stored within the rotating body, with an integral cam part and support body, and a position detecting unit, to reduce the distance to the cam part and enhance manipulation feeling while minimizing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pin is positioned distant from the sliding spherical surface, then the manipulator can get a manipulation feeling, but the entire dimension becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is stored within the rotating body, with the piston positioned inside the rotating body's internal space. This nesting arrangement allows the actuator components to be contained within the rotating body rather than extending outward, reducing the overall device dimension while maintaining the manipulation feeling through the cam surface interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions the actuator from a distant external location to an internal position within the rotating body. By utilizing the internal dimension space of the rotating body, the design achieves compactness in the external dimensions while preserving the functional distance needed for manipulation feeling through the cam mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the pin is far away from the center of the rotation, then the manipulation feeling is enhanced, but the dimension of the cam surface and entire device becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and its components are nested within the rotating body, allowing the piston to interact with the cam surface that is formed on or integrated with the rotating body. This arrangement reduces the cam surface dimension by eliminating the need for a distant external pin while maintaining manipulation feeling through the internal cam-piston interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the actuator and rotating body into a more integrated structure where the actuator is positioned within the rotating body. The cam surface is either formed on the rotating body or closely integrated with it, reducing the separation distance and thereby reducing the cam surface dimension while preserving the manipulation feeling function.
3Reliability
If separate components are used for actuator, elastic member, and support structure, then each component can be optimized, but the number of parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support body and cam part are formed integrally as a single component, reducing the number of parts. The rotating body incorporates internal features to support the actuator and elastic member, merging structural support functions into the existing components. This integration maintains component optimization while reducing overall device complexity and part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body serves multiple functions: it acts as the rotating element, provides structural support through its internal features, forms or supports the cam surface, and contains the actuator. The support body integrates support and cam functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components while maintaining the optimized performance of each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for a manipulation feeling to be provided while achieving a smaller size than previous designs, reducing the number of parts and preventing actuator rattle, while detecting the shift position effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-directional input device that switches the transmission of a vehicle by switching the shift position of a manipulation lever. In the multi-directional input device, a mechanism that generates a manipulation feeling is provided to have the manipulator get a feel for the change of the shift position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-directional input device 100 has: a rotating body 150 that includes a first sliding surface 151-3 forming at least part of a virtual spherical surface, a second sliding surface 152-3 forming at least part of a virtual spherical surface, and a storage part 152-4 recessed from the outside of the virtual spherical surface toward the inside; a support body 130 that rotatably supports the rotating body 150 by slidably supporting the first sliding surface 151-3 and second sliding surface 152-3; an actuator 160 that is at least partially stored in the storage part 152-4; a cam part 132-4 that abuts the actuator 160; a second elastic member 172 that urges the actuator 160 between the rotating body 150 and the actuator 160 toward the cam part; and a manipulation lever 120 that rotates together with the rotating body 150 and can be manipulated to shift to a plurality of shift positions.