Operating Device And Control Method For Operating Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021181781-A1
Application number	US-202117184765-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 25, 2021
Priority date	Aug 30, 2018
Publication date	Jun 17, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An operating device comprising:
an operating member supported to be rotatable; a rotor rotating together with the operating member; magnetic field generation means configured to generate a magnetic field passing through the rotor; a magneto-rheological fluid disposed in contact with the rotor and giving a resistance force to rotation by action of the magnetic field passing through the rotor; and a control unit configured to control the magnetic field generation means, the magnetic field generation means including a coil generating the magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through the rotor, the control unit including magnetization means and rotational torque control means, the magnetization means supplying a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude, the rotational torque control means adjusting a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke while setting an absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means to be smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.

2 . The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetization means sets, as the predetermined magnitude, a magnitude of saturated residual magnetization by energizing the coil and bringing the yoke into a saturated state.

3 . The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the magnetization means to execute energization of the coil when the operating device is started up.

4 . The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotational torque control means controls a minimum torque to come close to zero by setting the current value applied to the coil with an offset such that magnetic flux passing through the rotor becomes zero.

5 . A control method for an operating device comprising:
an operating member supported to be rotatable; a rotor rotating together with the operating member; magnetic field generation means configured to generate a magnetic field passing through the rotor; and a magneto-rheological fluid disposed in contact with the rotor and giving a resistance force to rotation by action of the magnetic field passing through the rotor, the magnetic field generation means including a coil generating the magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through the rotor, the control method comprising: a magnetization step of supplying a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude, and a rotational torque control step of adjusting a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke while setting an absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil in the rotational torque control step to be smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied in the magnetization step.

Assignees

• Alps Alpine Co Ltd

Inventors

• Koike Asuka
• Takahashi Kazunari
• Takahashi Misuzu
• Goto Atsushi
• Yasuhara Ryuichiro

Classifications

• G05G5/03 Primary

  Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) · CPC title

• G05G1/08

  Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels · CPC title

• G05G2505/00

  Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member · CPC title

• G05G1/10

  Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles {(G05G1/085 takes precedence)} · CPC title