Interface device receiving user's motion data and providing external force and impact

An interface device including: a first fixed portion and a first rotation portion which are fixed to a body; a first power portion which is connected to the first fixed portion and the first rotation portion and provides power to the first rotation portion; and a control unit which controls, when receiving a signal from an external device, the first power portion to control rotation of the first rotation portion, wherein the first power portion switches the first rotation portion to a free state of being rotatable by external force or a control state of being not rotatable by external force.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2017/000640 filed Jan. 19, 2017, claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0103609 filed Aug. 16, 2016 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0008614 filed Jan. 18, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an interface device, and more specifically, to an interface device which receives user's motion data and provides external force and impact.

BACKGROUND ART

Technology in which a user can easily experience virtual reality or can watch 3D images has been developed through development of a display device and sustainable development of a content network.

Particularly, for more realistic virtual reality experience, technology of controlling a virtual reality image by representing dynamic change on a virtual reality image in accordance with motion of a person was developed, and as technology related thereto, there are Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1485414 (May 3, 2013, Hand exoskeleton link structure for interaction with virtual objects).

However, the interface device of the technology can freely move without separate load even in a movement-impossible situation in a virtual space, and there is a limit in providing immersion.

Accordingly, in order to reduce such incongruity of virtual reality and reality and to satisfy requirement for further increasing immersion, a demand for an interface device which can be appropriately operated in accordance with a freely movable situation (free state) and a situation (control state) of moving by an internal motor has occurred.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

A technical problem of the present invention is to provide an interface device which can be appropriately operated in accordance with a freely movable situation (free state) and a situation (control state) of moving by an internal motor.

A technical problem of the present invention is not limited to the technical problem described above, and a person skilled in the art will clearly understand other technical problems which are not mentioned from the following description.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides an interface device.

An interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first fixed portion and a first rotation portion which are fixed to a body; a first power portion which is connected to the first fixed portion and the first rotation portion and provides power to the first rotation portion; and a control unit which controls, when receiving a signal from an external device, the first power portion to control rotation of the first rotation portion, wherein the first power portion switches the first rotation portion to a free state of being rotatable by external force or a control state of being not rotatable by external force in accordance with a signal of the control uni.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first power portion includes a clutch unit, and the first rotation portion is switched to the free state or the control state by the clutch unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first power portion further includes a power unit, and the clutch unit is switched to the control state when power is supplied by the power unit, and is switched to the free state when the supply of power is cut off by the power unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the interface device further includes a second rotation portion which is fixed to a body; and a second power portion which is connected to the first rotation portion and the second rotation portion and supplies power to the second rotation portion, wherein the control unit controls the second power portion to control rotation of the second rotation portion, and wherein the second power portion switches the second rotation portion to the free state of being rotatable by external force or the control state of being not rotatable by external force in accordance with a signal of the control unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the interface device further includes: an extension portion which is connected to the first rotation portion; and a grip portion which is coupled to the extension portion and is gripped by user's hand.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the grip portion includes a sub-interface device which is interworked with the external device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first power portion includes a rotation recognition unit, and the rotation recognition unit transmits a rotation signal to the control unit when the first rotation portion is rotated.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the interface device further includes a communication unit which transmits and receives a signal to and from the external device, wherein the communication unit transmits a control signal received from the external device to the control unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit grasps, when receiving the rotation signal from the rotation recognition unit by rotation of the first rotation portion, a rotation angle on the basis of the rotation signal, generates a rotation angle signal including the rotation angle, and transmits the rotation angle signal to the external device through the communication unit, or switches the first rotation portion to the free state or the control state in accordance with the control signal when receiving the control signal from the external device through the communication unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first power portion includes an input unit which reduces the rotational force transferred from the power unit, engages with the clutch unit, and transfers rotational force to the clutch unit, and an output unit which engages with the clutch unit, receives the rotational force from the clutch unit, and outputs the rotational force to the first rotation portion or receive rotation of the first rotation portion, and wherein the clutch unit controls the rotation of the output unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the interface device can implement the free state and the control state, it is possible to improve immersion.

Advantages of the present invention are not limited to the above-described advantage, and should be understood as including all advantages which can be inferred from configurations of the present invention described in Detailed Description or Claims of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms, and is not limited to embodiments described herein. In order to clearly describe the present invention in the drawings, parts which are not related to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals and signs are given to similar parts throughout Specification.

Throughout Specification, when it is described that a certain part is “connected (coupled, contacted, or combined), to the other part, this includes a case of “indirect connection” with another member interposed therebetween as well as a case of “direct connection”. In addition, when it is described that a certain part “includes” a certain constituent element, it means that the part does not exclude another constituent element but may further have another constituent element unless otherwise described.

Terms used in Specification are used to merely explain a specific embodiment, and does not intent to limit the present invention. Singular expression includes plural expression unless clearly differently meaning contextually. In Specification, terms such as “include” or “have” are to designate that there are features, numerals, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combination thereof described in Specification, but it should be understood that existence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combination thereof is not excluded in advance.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an interface device1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, an interface device1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first fixed portion10, a first rotation portion20, and a first power portion30. The first fixed portion10and the first rotation portion20are constituent elements fixed or attached around a joint of user's body, and may include body fixing members110and210and connection members120and220. The body fixing members110and210are constituent elements which are fixed to user's body and couple the interface device1to user's body, and it is preferable that they are formed of a flexible material or a Velcro material to be variable in accordance with a thickness of user' body, but they are not limited thereto.FIG. 1illustrates that the body fixing members110and210are formed in a ring shape.

The connection members120and220are constituent elements which connect the first fixed portion10or the first rotation portion20to the first power portion30, and may not be required when the body fixing members110and210are directly connected to the first power portion30.

The first power portion30is a constituent element which transfers rotation of the first rotation portion20to the control unit or switches the first rotation portion20to a free state of being rotatable by external force or a control state of being not rotatable by external force in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit. The first power portion30may be connected to the first fixed portion10, and may be connected to the first rotation portion20to be rotatable. In this case, n power portions and n rotation portions may be formed as many as the number of rotation directions of a joint.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an interface device1according to another embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 3is a diagram illustrating that an interface device1according to another embodiment of the present invention is worn.

The first rotation portion20of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention may have one area formed in a curved bar shape. In the first rotation portion20having one area having the curved bar shape, the curved area may be inserted between a joint and a joint such as between fingers, or may be connected, when there is the other power unit in addition to the first power portion30, to the other power portion.

In addition, the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a second power portion50and a second rotation portion40. The second power portion50is a constituent element which transfers rotation of the second rotation portion40to the control unit or switches the second rotation portion40to a free state of being rotatable by external force or a control state of being not rotatable by external force in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit, and may be connected to the first rotation portion20and the second rotation portion40. In this case, the second power portion50may be connected to the first rotation portion20to be rotatable. Since the first power portion30and the second power portion50are connected by the first rotation portion20having the curved bar shape, the first power portion30may control rotation in a first direction, and the second power portion50may control rotation in a second direction.

The second rotation portion40is a constituent element which is switched to a free state or a control state by the second power portion50. The second rotation portion40may include a connection portion41and a grip portion42. The connection portion41is connected to the second power portion50, and may be inserted between a joint and a joint such as between fingers. One end of the connection portion41is connected to the grip portion42, and the grip portion42is formed to be gripped by user's hand. In this case, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the grip portion42may be provided with a sub-interface device43.FIG. 2illustrates a joystick formed as the sub-interface device43, and the joystick may be formed at a position corresponding to user's thumb to be controlled by user's thumb. The sub-interface device43may be variously formed such as a wheel or button in addition to the joystick.FIG. 3illustrates that a user wears the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating the interface device1connected to an external device2, andFIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The external device2means a device which can receive a signal input from the interface device1and can transmit a control signal.

The interface device1is a constituent element which recognizes movement of user's joint, generates a signal, and transmits the signal to the external device2or receives a control signal from the external device2to control movement of user's body, and may further include a control unit60, a communication unit70, a rotation recognition unit340formed in the first power portion30, and a power unit300. When there is a second power portion50, the second power portion50has the same configuration as that of the first power portion30.

The communication unit70performs a function of transmitting and receiving a signal through a network3. In the present invention, the communication unit70receives a control signal through the network3and transmits the control signal to the control unit60, or transmits a rotation angle signal generated in accordance with rotation of the first rotation portion20to the external device2. In other words, the control unit60receives a rotation signal from the rotation recognition unit340in accordance with rotation of the first rotation portion20, grasps a rotation angle from the rotation signal, transmits a rotation angle signal to the communication unit70to be transmitted to the external device2.

The rotation recognition unit340is a constituent element which is connected to the first rotation portion20, generates a rotation signal based on rotation of the first rotation portion20, and transmits the rotation signal to the control unit60. In the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation recognition unit340is configured including at least one of sensors measuring change in value through user's movement such as a variable resistor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a tilt sensor, and hereinafter a case where the rotation recognition unit340is a variable resistor will be described as an example. When the rotation recognition unit340is a variable resistor, the control unit60can grasp a rotation angle of the first rotation portion20with change in resistance value.

The power unit300is a constituent element which is operated when receiving a control signal from the control unit60. The first rotation portion20can be switched to a free state or a control state in accordance with the operation of the power unit300.

The control unit60is a constituent element which controls overall operations for each constituent element of the interface device1, and performs a signal processing function and the like. In the present invention, the control unit60grasps a rotation angle through the rotation signal transmitted from the rotation recognition unit340formed in the first power portion30, generates a rotation angle signal, and may transmit the rotation angle signal to the external device2through the communication unit70.

In addition, the control unit60determines, when receiving a control signal from the external device2through the communication unit70, whether the control signal is a power unit operation signal. When the control signal is the power unit operation signal, the control unit60operates the power unit300. When the control signal is a power unit stop signal, the control unit60stops the power unit300to switch the first rotation portion20to a control state or a free state. In this case, the control unit60and the first power portion30may be connected to the control unit60by a wire.

Detailed configurations and operation processes of the first power portion30switching the first rotation portion20to the control state or the free state through the power unit300will be described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a first power portion30of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 7is an exploded diagram of a clutch unit320of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The first power portion30includes a housing350, a power unit300accommodated in the housing350, an input unit310, a clutch unit320, and an output unit330.

The power unit300is a constituent element which generates rotational force and transfers the rotational force to the input unit310, the input unit310is a constituent element which receives the rotational force generated from the power unit300, the clutch unit320is a constituent element which switches the first rotation portion20connected to the output unit330to a control state or a free state by the rotational force transferred from the input unit310, and the output unit330is a constituent element which receives the rotational force from the clutch unit320and outputs the rotational force to the first rotation portion20or receives the rotation of the first rotation portion20. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the clutch unit320can be switched to the control state when power is supplied by the power unit300, and can be switched to the free state when the supply of power is cut off by the power unit300. In addition, the power unit300and the clutch unit320may be directly connected without the input unit310to receive power (rotational force).

The power unit300includes a motor301which is provided with a motor shaft3011, and a motor gear302which is formed on the motor shaft3011. Rotational force of the motor301is transferred to the motor gear302through the motor shaft3011.

The input unit310includes a first shaft311, a first gear312, and a second gear313. The first shaft311is coupled to the housing350to be disposed in parallel to the motor shaft3011, and the first gear312engages with the motor gear302and receives the rotational force of the motor gear302. In this case, it is preferable that the first gear312is formed with a diameter larger than a diameter of the motor gear302to reduce the rotation speed of the motor gear302. The second gear313is formed on the lower surface of the first gear312, and may be rotated in accordance with the rotation of the first gear312.

The clutch unit320is a constituent element which switches the first rotation portion20to a free state or a control state, includes a second shaft321, a power unit connection portion322, a first inner housing329, a second inner housing326, a first rotation transfer portion328, and first roller portions327, and may further include a speed change portion (not illustrated) or an attachment and detachment module coupled to the second inner housing326according to the embodiment of the present invention. The speed change portion (not illustrated) is a constituent element which changes relative rotation speeds of the first inner housing329and the second inner housing326to attach or detach the first roller portions327to or from the first inner housing329. In this case, the speed change portion (not illustrated) is formed in a friction plate shape to change the speed of the second inner housing326by friction, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various forms such as an electromagnet.

The attachment and detachment module includes a third inner housing323, a second rotation transfer portion324, and second roller portions325, and is a constituent element which changes relative rotation speeds of the first inner housing329and the second inner housing326to attach or detach the first roller portions327to or from the first inner housing329. The first inner housing329can be rotated in accordance with rotation of the first roller portions327by the attachment and detachment module.

The second roller portions325and the second rotation transfer portion324are constituent elements which are rotated by receiving rotational force from the second inner housing326, and are inserted to a through-hole3231of the third inner housing323. The second roller portions325may be formed in a cylindrical shape similarly to the first roller portions327, in which one surface may come in contact with the power unit connection portion322and the other surface may come in contact with the second inner housing326. In this case, the second inner housing326may be provided with one or more second arc portions3262along the circumference on the other surface thereof. The second roller portions325are positioned between the second arc portions3262, and is pushed and rotated in accordance with rotation of the second inner housing326. It is preferable that the number or second arc portions3262is a half of the number of second roller portions325. For example, when the number of second roller portions325is n, the number of second arc portions3262may be n/2 (n≥2).

When the second roller portions325are rotated, the second rotation transfer portion324coming in contact with the second roller portions325are also pushed and rotated in accordance with the rotation of the second roller portions325. In this case, since the second arc portions3262are positioned on both sides of the second roller portions325, the rotation transfer portion324which is in a traveling direction irrespective of the rotation direction (forward rotation, reverse rotation) of the second inner housing326can be also pushed and rotated.

The second rotation transfer portion324is a constituent element which is formed of a material having dynamic stability and generates rotation speed difference between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second inner housing326. Due to the rotation speed difference between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second housing326, the first roller portions327can be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the first housing329and the outer circumferential surface of the first arc portion3261on the rotation direction side. In this case, the third extension portions3245are positioned on both sides of the first extension portion3243, and it is possible to generate rotation speed difference between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second housing326irrespective of the rotation direction (forward rotation, reverse rotation).

The speed change portion (not illustrated) and the attachment and detachment module are freely rotated with respect to the first inner housing329by attachment and detachment of the first roller portions327and the first inner housing329, or are rotated by the motor301. In other words, it is possible to implement a free state and a control state of the first rotation portions20by attachment and detachment of the first roller portions327and the first inner housing329.

The second shaft321is coupled to the housing350to be disposed in parallel to the first shaft311. The power unit connection portion322is provided with a through-hole to which the second shaft321is inserted, and is coupled to the second shaft321to be rotatable. In this case, the power unit connection portion322is a constituent element which transfers rotational force of the second gear313to the first rotation transfer portion328, and includes a disc3221and a rotation shaft3222formed at the center of the disc3221. Teeth of a gear engaging with the second gear313are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the disc3221to protrude outwards from the outer circumferential surface. Accordingly, the power unit connection portion322is rotated together in accordance with rotation of the second gear313.

The rotation shaft3222of the power unit connection portion322can be inserted with the first rotation transfer portion328and the second rotation transfer portion324. The first rotation transfer portion328is connected to the power unit connection portion322and is rotated together in accordance with rotation of the power unit connection portion322. The first rotation transfer portion328may include a plate-shaped main body3281which is provided with a through-hole3284in a length direction and a rotation center shaft3282which extends from one surface of the main body3281in a vertical direction, and the roller contact surface3283for contact with the first roller portions327may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body3281.

In this case, the first rotation transfer portion328may be positioned in the second inner housing326. The second inner housing326is formed of a disc provided with a through-hole3263, one or more second arc portions3262are formed along the circumference thereof on one surface thereof, and one or more first arc portions3261are formed along the circumference thereof on the other surface thereof. In this case, the first roller portions327are disposed between the first arc portions3261, the first roller portions327are pushed and rotated in accordance with rotation of the first rotation transfer portion328, and the second inner housing326provided with the first arc portions3261is also pushed and rotated together. The second roller portions325are disposed on both sides of the second arc portion3262, and the second roller portions325is also pushed and rotated in accordance with rotation of the second inner housing326.

The third inner housing323which prevents the second roller portions325from escaping may be disposed on the lower surface of the power unit connection portion322, the third inner housing323is provided with a through-hole3231in a length direction, and the second roller portions325and the second rotation transfer portion324are inserted into the through-hole3231of the third inner housing323. The first inner housing329which prevents the first roller portions327from escaping may be disposed on the lower surface of the third inner housing323. The first inner housing329is provided with a through-hole in a length direction and can be coupled to the second shaft321, and the first roller portions327, the first rotation transfer portion328, and the second inner housing326are placed in the through-hole. In addition, the first inner housing329may be provided with a third gear3291on the lower surface thereof, and the third gear3291is also rotated together in accordance with rotation of the first inner housing329.

The second roller portions325are disposed to be separated with the second rotation transfer portion324interposed therebetween, and the second rotation transfer portion324is formed of a material having dynamic stability, and can reduce the rotation speed of the second roller portions325, that is, the rotation speed of the second inner housing326.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the second rotation transfer portion324includes a body3241, first extension portions3243extending from the body3241, second extension portions3244extending from the first extension portions3243, and third extension portions3245extending from the second extension portions3244.

The body3241may be formed of an oval cylinder provided with a through-hole3242at the center thereof, and the rotation shaft3222of the power unit connection portion322can be inserted to the through-hole3242. The first extension portion3243may be formed to extend vertically from the body3241, and the second extension portions3244may be vertically bent and extend from one end of the first extension portion3243to both sides. The third extension portions4345may be vertically bent and extend from one end of each second extension portion3244toward the body3241.

In this case, the first extension portions3243to the third extension portions3245may be formed integrally. In addition, the first extension portions3243to the third extension portions3245or the third extension portions3245are formed of a material having dynamic stability, and the third extension portions3245may be bent toward the first extension portions3243by external force. In this case, the second roller portions325are disposed to come in contact with the third extension portions3245.

More specifically, the second roller portions325are pushed and rotated by the second arc portion3262in accordance with rotation of the second inner housing326, and the second rotation transfer portion324is pushed and rotated by the second roller portions325. In this case, the third extension portions3245of the second rotation transfer portion324coming in contact with the second roller portions325are bent toward the first extension portions3243, and the attachment of the third inner housing323engaging with the second rollers325is released, thereby rotating the third extension portions3245. In this case, the rotation speed of the second inner housing326is reduced by force pushing the third extension portions3245to change the relative rotation speed of the first rotation transfer portion328and the second inner housing326.

Rotation speed difference between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second inner housing326occurs, the first roller portions327are attached to the first inner housing329, and the first inner housing329is rotated together with the second inner housing326by the first roller portions327coming in close contact. In other words, in a state where the rotational force of the motor301is being transferred to the output unit330through the input unit310and the clutch unit320, the clutch unit320may be in the control state where the output unit330cannot be freely moved or is restricted by the external force.

When the first roller portions327attached to the first inner housing329is detached from the first inner housing329, the first inner housing329is freely movable by external force. In other words, the clutch unit320may be in the free state where the output unit330is freely movable by external force. The control state and the free state of the clutch unit320will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8BandFIGS. 9A and 9B.

The output unit330includes a third shaft331, a fourth gear332, a fifth gear333, and a sixth gear334. The third shaft331is coupled to the housing350to be disposed in parallel to the second shaft321. The fourth gear332is provided with a through-hole to which the third shaft331is inserted, is coupled to the third shaft331to be rotatable, engages with the third gear3291, and receives rotational force of the third gear3291.

The fifth gear333is formed to protrude downwards from the lower surface of the fourth gear332. Since the fifth gear333is connected to one surface of the fourth gear332, the fifth gear333is rotated together in accordance with rotation of the fourth gear332.

The rotation recognition unit340is a constituent element which detects an angle of the sixth gear334, is positioned in one area of the housing350, and is provided with a measurement shaft341for grasping an angle of the sixth gear at the center thereof. The sixth gear334is provided with a through-hole capable of being coupled to the measurement shaft341, is coupled to the measurement shaft341, engages with the fifth gear333, and transfers rotational force transferred from the fifth gear333to the measurement shaft341.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the sixth gear334may further include an extension portion3341formed to vertically extend from one surface thereof and protruding out of the housing350, and the extension portion3341may be connected to the first rotation portion20. The extension portion3341may output the rotational force transferred from the clutch unit320out of the housing340, or may transfer the rotation of the first rotation portion20to the rotation recognition unit340. In other words, the rotation recognition unit340can grasp a rotation angle of the first rotation portion20. When there is the n-th power portion in addition to the first power portion30, the configuration of the n-th power portion is the same as the configuration of the first power portion30.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare diagrams illustrating the clutch unit320at the time of switching to a control state of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8Ais a cross-sectional view of the first inner housing329, the second inner housing326, the first rotation transfer portion328, and the like at the time of switching to the control state, andFIG. 8Bis a cross-sectional view of the third inner housing323, the second rotation transfer portion324, and the like at the time of switching to the control state. In this case, the control state is a state where the power unit connection portion322is rotated by the second gear313engaging with the disc, the first roller portions327are attached to the first inner housing329, and the first inner housing329is rotated together with the second inner housing326and cannot be rotated by external force.

When the second gear313is rotated, the rotational force of the second gear313is transferred to the first rotation transfer portion328through the rotation shaft3222, and the first rotation transfer portion328is rotated. The first rotation transfer portion328pushes and rotates the first roller portions327coming in contact with the roller contact surface3283. In this case, as the first roller portion327disposed between the first arc portions3261is pushed and rotated, the second inner housing326provided with the first arc portions3261is pushed by the first roller portions327and is also rotated together.

The second roller portion325disposed between the second arc portions3262is also pushed and rotated in accordance with rotation of the second inner housing326, and the second rotation transfer portions324positioned before the second roller portions325in the rotation direction are also rotated together. In this case, the third extension portions3245of the second rotation transfer portion324are bent toward the first extension portions3243by the second roller portions325positioned in the rotation direction of the second arc portions3262and reduce the rotation speed of the second inner housing326, and due to this, rotation speed difference occurs between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second inner housing326. The first roller portions327are attached to the first inner housing329due to the rotation speed difference, and the first inner housing329is rotated together with the second inner housing326by the first roller portions327.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare diagrams illustrating the clutch unit320at the time of switching to the free state of the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9Ais a cross-sectional view of the first inner housing329, the second inner housing326, the first rotation transfer portion328, and the like at the time of switching to the free state, andFIG. 9Bis a cross-sectional view of the third inner housing323, the second rotation transfer portion324, and the like at the time of switching to the free state. In this case, the free state is a state where the first inner housing329can be freely rotated by external force. In this case, even when the first inner housing329is rotated, the rotational force of the first inner housing329is not transferred to the first rotation transfer portion328.

In the state illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, when the second gear313is rotated (hereinafter, referred to as reverse rotation) in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the second gear313illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the rotational force of the second gear313is transferred to the first rotation transfer portion328, and the first rotation transfer portion328is reversely rotated. The first rotation transfer portion328reversely rotates the first roller portions327coming in contact with the roller contact surface3283. In this case, as the first roller portion327disposed between the first arc portions3261is pushed and reversely rotated, the second inner housing326provided with the first arc portion3261is reversely rotated together by being pushed by the first roller portions327.

The second roller portion325disposed between the second arc portions3262is pushed and reversely rotated in accordance with reverse rotation of the second inner housing326, and the second rotation transfer portion324positioned before the second arc portions3262in the rotation direction is also reversely rotated. In this case, the third extension portions3245of the second rotation transfer portion324are bent toward the first extension portions3243and reduce the rotation speed of the second inner housing326, and due to this, rotation speed difference occurs between the first rotation transfer portion328and the second inner housing326. The first roller portions327coming in close contact with the first inner housing329and the second inner housing326tare detached from the first inner housing329and the second inner housing326due to the rotation speed difference.

Thereafter, when the first rotation transfer portion328is rotated as much as a space to the extent not to be attached to the first roller portions327, the first roller portions327do not come in contact with the first rotation transfer portion328and do not come in close contact with the first inner housing329and the second inner housing326. Accordingly, even when the first inner housing329is rotated, configurations of the other parts therein are not rotated in accordance with the rotation of the first inner housing329. In other words, the first inner housing329may be in the free state where it is freely rotatable.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the interface device1according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In Step S110, the control unit60waits for receiving a rotation signal from the rotation recognition unit340.

In Step S120, the control unit60determines whether the rotation signal is received through the rotation recognition unit340. When it is determined that the rotation signal is received, in Step S130, the control unit60grasps a rotation angle on the basis of the rotation signal, and transmits a rotation angle signal including the rotation angle to the external device2through the communication unit70.

After transmitting the rotation angle signal to the external device, in Step S140, the control unit60determines whether a control signal is received from the external device2through the communication unit70. When the control signal is received, in Step S150, the control unit60determines whether the control signal is a power unit operation signal. When the control signal is determined as the power unit operation signal, in Step S160, the control unit60controls the power unit300to operate the power unit300. Herein, the operation of operating the power unit300may be operation of operating the motor301.

In Step S150, when it is determined that the control signal is not the power unit operation signal, in Step S170, the control unit60controls the power unit300to stop the power unit300.

In Step S140, when it is determined that the control signal is not received, the process returns to Step S120and waits for receiving a changed rotation signal.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the interface device can implement the free state and the control state, it is possible to improve immersion.

The description of the present invention is just an example, and it could be understood that persons skilled in the art can easily modify the embodiments to a specific form without changing technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all aspects and are not limitative. For example, each constituent element described in a singular type may be embodied to be distributed, and constituent elements described as being distributed may be embodied in a coupled type likewise.

The scope of the present invention is represented by Claims to be described below rather than Detailed Description, and it should be interpreted that the meaning and scope of Claims and all modifications or modified forms derived from equivalent concept thereof are included in the scope of the present invention.

The description of the present invention is just an example, and it could be understood that persons skilled in the art can easily modify the embodiments to a specific form without changing technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all aspects and are not limitative. For example, each constituent element described in a singular type may be embodied to be distributed, and constituent elements described as being distributed may be embodied in a coupled type likewise.

The scope of the present invention is represented by Claims to be described below, and it should be interpreted that the meaning and scope of Claims and all modifications or modified forms derived from equivalent concept thereof are included in the scope of the present invention.

A mode for carrying out the present invention has been described together in Description of Embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to an interface device, can be applied to a device using an interface device, has repetition possibility, and has industrial applicability.