OPERATION DEVICE

• US 20160379777A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: MORI, Takeyoshi, UEDA, Shinichi, NABE, Yoshiaki
• Application Number:
  US15/103,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20160379777A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/12 using electric or magnetic means G01D5/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/54 the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0073 actuated by relative movement between two magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/97 using a magnetic movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/972 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard

Abstract

The operation device includes ball sensors and a determination unit. Each of the ball sensors has a ball, whereof a portion is exposed from an opening provided in an operation surface, rotating in a first direction which is the direction of an operation performed on the operation surface, and a second direction which is a direction opposite to the first direction; a support rotatably supporting the ball, and a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the ball. The ball sensors are disposed so as to be arranged on the operation surface along the first direction. The determination unit determines the operations performed in the first direction and the second direction on the operation surface based on detection signals outputted from the rotation sensors of the of ball sensors.

Claims

1. An operation device, comprising:

a plurality of rotating operation portions that are arranged in a line on an operation surface along a first direction as a direction of an operation performed on the operation surface and comprise a rotating member partially exposed from an opening provided in the operation surface and rotating in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, a support rotatably supporting the rotating member, and a detecting portion for detecting a rotation of the rotating member; and

a determination unit that determines the operation performed in the first direction and the second direction on the operation surface based on a plurality of detection signals outputted from the detecting portions of the plurality of rotating operation portions,

wherein the determination unit determines that the operation is performed on the operation surface when not less than a predetermined number of the detecting portions, among the plurality of detecting portions corresponding to the plurality of rotating operation portions, detect rotation of the rotating member.

2. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating operation portion comprises an resilient member that is arranged between the support and a housing accommodating the support therein, contracts in a direction of the rotating member being pushed into from the operation surface and accumulates an resilient force when the rotating member is operated, and releases the accumulated resilient force in a direction toward the operation surface after the operation is completed.

4. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is formed on a main body protruding from a vehicle steering column.

5. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is formed on a side surface of a cover that covers instrument provided near the vehicle steering wheel.

6. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member comprises a spherical object having a magnet therein, and the detecting portion comprises a magnetic sensor.

7. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the first direction comprises a direction from a floor to a ceiling in a vehicle.

8. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein different functions are implemented by the rotation of the rotating member in the first direction and that in the second direction.

9. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein different functions are implemented by changing a rotation speed of the rotating member.

3. (canceled)