Manual input device using a motor as an actuator for applying an external force to its manual control knob

• US 20020057064A1
• Filed: 11/06/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Onodera, Mikio
• Application Number:
  US09/992,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20020057064A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/26 using dynamo-electric motor for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/30

Abstract

A highly maneuverable car-mounted input device which gives an adequate feel of resistance to a manual control knob according to the way the knob is manipulated. The manual input device comprises: an actuator laterally movably fitted to a frame; a manual control knob fitted to a driving shaft of the actuator; a first position sensor which detects a direction and an amount of lateral movement of the actuator; a second position sensor which detects a direction and an amount of rotation of the driving shaft of the actuator; and a controller which inputs positional signals outputted from the first and second position sensors to control the actuator and applies an external force to the manual control knob according to the way the knob is manipulated.

Claims

1. A manual input device comprising:

an actuator laterally movably fitted to a frame;

a manual control knob fitted to a driving shaft of the actuator;

a first position sensor which detects a direction and an amount of lateral movement of the actuator;

a second position sensor which detects a direction and an amount of rotation of the driving shaft of the actuator; and

a controller which inputs positional signals outputted from the first and second position sensors to control the actuator and applies an external force to the manual control knob according to the way the knob is manipulated.

2. The manual input device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a rotating motor.