Input device using a plurality of magnets, and steering wheel and vehicle having the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9776513-B2
Application number	US-201514941796-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2015
Priority date	Jun 1, 2015
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle includes: an input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the input device and generate a predetermined control signal corresponding to the received signal. The input device includes: a rotation member provided with a first magnet disposed on a portion thereof; a fixation member provided with a plurality of second magnets disposed on a surface thereof; and a detection member generating a signal including information related to a relative position of the rotation member against the fixation member based on a variation of a magnetic field intensity. The second magnets have a different magnetic field intensity from each other according to a distribution position of the second magnets. The variation of magnetic field intensity is generated between the first magnet and the second magnets due to a position change of the first magnet when the rotation member is rotated.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
an input device; and
a controller configured to receive a signal from the input device and generate a predetermined control signal corresponding to the received signal,
wherein the input device includes:
a rotation member provided with a first magnet disposed on a portion thereof;
a fixation member provided with a plurality of second magnets, which have a different magnetic field intensity from each other according to a distribution position of the plurality of second magnets, disposed on a surface thereof; and
a detection member generating a signal including information related to a relative position of the rotation member against the fixation member based on a variation of a magnetic field intensity, which is generated between the first magnet and the plurality of second magnets due to a position change of the first magnet when the rotation member is rotated.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of second magnets is radially disposed on the surface of the fixation member.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein
among the plurality of second magnets, the magnetic field intensity of a magnet disposed in a center of the plurality of second magnets is stronger than the magnetic field intensity of a magnet disposed apart from the center.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein
the rotation member is a ball having a spherical shape.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein
a portion of the rotation member protrudes to limit a rotation range of the rotation member, and
the first magnet is disposed on the protrusion part of the rotation member.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein
the first magnet and the plurality of second magnets have an opposite polarity to each other.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first housing in which a portion of the rotation member is placed and the fixation member is fixedly installed;
a switch configured to generate a second signal indicating an on-state or an off-state by being turned on/off by compression of the rotation member and release of the compression of the rotation member; and
a second housing accommodating the first housing and provided with the switch which is installed in a position where a compression force of the rotation member is delivered to the switch through the first housing.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein
the first housing and the second housing have a cylindrical shape.

9. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein
a bearing is provided between the first housing and the second housing to allow the first housing to be smoothly moved in the second housing.

10. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein
a shock absorption member is provided between the rotation member and the first housing to absorb an impact generated when the rotation member collides with the first housing.

11. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein
an elastic member is provided between the first housing and the second housing.

12. An input device comprising:
a rotation member provided with a first magnet disposed on a portion thereof;
a fixation member provided with a plurality of second magnets, which have a different magnetic field intensity from each other according to a distribution position of the plurality of second magnets, disposed on a surface thereof; and
a detection member generating a signal including information related to a relative position of the rotation member against the fixation member based on a variation of a magnetic field intensity, which is generated between the first magnet and the plurality of second magnets due to a position change of the first magnet when the rotation member is rotated.

13. The input device of claim 12 , wherein
the plurality of second magnets is radially disposed on the surface of the fixation member.

14. The input device claim of 13 , wherein
among the plurality of second magnets, the magnetic field intensity of a magnet disposed in a center of the plurality of second magnets is stronger than the magnetic field intensity of a magnet disposed apart from the center.

15. The input device claim of 12 , wherein
the rotation member is a ball having a spherical shape.

16. The input device claim of 15 , wherein
a portion of the rotation member protrudes to limit a rotation range of the rotation member, and
the first magnet is disposed on the protrusion part of the rotation member.

17. The input device claim of 12 , wherein
the first magnet and the plurality of second magnets have an opposite polarity to each other.

18. A vehicle comprising:
an input device provided on a steering wheel system of the vehicle; and
a controller configured to receive a signal from the input device and generate a predetermined control signal corresponding to the received signal,
wherein the input device includes:
a rotation member provided with a first magnet disposed on a portion thereof;
a fixation member provided with a plurality of second magnets, which have a different magnetic field intensity from each other according to a distribution position of the plurality of second magnets, disposed on a surface thereof; and
a detection member generating a signal including information related to a relative position of the rotation member against the fixation member based on a variation of a magnetic field intensity, which is generated between the first magnet and the plurality of second magnets due to a position change of the first magnet when the rotation member is rotated.

19. The vehicle claim 18 , wherein
the steering wheel system includes a rim, a spoke, and a hub, and the input device is installed in the hub.

20. The vehicle claim 18 , wherein
the steering wheel system includes a rim, a spoke, and a hub, and the input device is installed in the rim.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Ha Donghyun

Classifications

• H01F7/0294 Primary

  Detection, inspection, magnetic treatment · CPC title

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K35/23

  Head-up displays [HUD] (optical aspects of head-up displays G02B27/01) · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B60K2350/928

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic