Patent ID: 9218059
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: B60K,G06F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An input apparatus for a vehicle, being used for an operation input of a vehicular electronic device, the input apparatus comprising: an operation input device configured to perform a position indication operation on a two-dimensional operation surface having a predetermined operation range wherein an operation axis is maintained at a neutral angle position when not in operation and wherein the operation input device is operated, against a reaction force that returns the operation axis to the neutral angle position, to tilt the operation axis in a direction of a position to be indicated when in operation; a reaction force applying device configured to apply the reaction force in response to a position indication operation performed to the operation input device; a selectable area setting device configured to set selectable areas for the position input in the operation range on the two-dimensional operation surface; a reaction force control device configured to set, as a control mode for the reaction force, a guide input mode in which the reaction force is controlled to guide the position indication operation toward the selectable areas by the operation input device along unique paths defined on the selectable areas on the two-dimensional surface; and a setting pattern change portion device, wherein the operation input device is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle and is operable by a thumb of a driver when the steering wheel is in a reference position in which the vehicle travels straight and when the driver grips both sides of the steering wheel, the unique path includes a plurality of vertical paths and a lateral common path connecting the plurality of the vertical paths on the two-dimensional operation surface, the lateral common path divides the plurality of vertical paths into a plurality of upward operation paths and a plurality of downward operation paths, the selectable area setting device is configured to set the selectable areas in accordance with one of a plurality of setting patterns, each of which corresponds to an arrangement position of the selectable areas, the plurality of setting patterns have the lateral common path but are different from each other, and the setting pattern change portion device is configured to change the plurality of setting patterns by adding at least one of the upward operation path and the downward operation path to the lateral common path.