Patent Publication Number: US-2006007150-A1

Title: Haptic feedback input device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a haptic feedback input device, and more particularly, to a haptic feedback input device, having a motor being directly and pivotably operated by an operating section to impart a feedback force, that can improve pivot operability of the motor.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      As an input device capable of collectively controlling various in-vehicle electrical apparatuses, such as an air conditioner, a radio, a television, a CD player, a navigation system, and the like, the inventors has been proposed a manual input device. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the manual input device includes a motor  102  that is pivotably attached to a frame  101 , a manual operating section  103  that is attached to a motor driving shaft  102   a , a first position sensor  104  that detects a pivot direction and a pivot distance of the motor  102 , a second position sensor  105  that detects a rotation direction and a rotation distance of the motor driving shaft  102   a , and a control section that receives position signals outputted from the first and second position sensors to control driving of the motor  102  and that imparts a feedback force according to an operating state of the manual operating section  103  to the manual operation section  103  (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-149324).  
      In the above-described manual input device, the motor  102  is pivotably attached to the frame  101 , the first sensor  104  detects the pivot direction and the pivot distance of the motor  102 , and the second sensor  105  detects the rotation direction and the rotation distance of the motor  102 . Therefore, for example, by changing the pivot direction of the motor  102 , an in-vehicle electrical apparatus, a function of which is to be adjusted, is selected. Then, the function of the selected electrical apparatus according to the rotation distance of the motor driving shaft  102   a  is adjusted. As a result, with a single motor and a single manual operating section, a desired in-vehicle electrical apparatus can be selected and the function thereof can be adjusted.  
      Meanwhile, in a manual input device earlier proposed by the present inventors, the feedback force in accordance with the pivot direction and the pivot distance of the motor  102  and the feedback force in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation distance of the motor driving shaft  102   a  are imparted by controlling the driving of the motor  102 . However, instead of the above configuration, with respect to the feedback force imparted in accordance with the pivot direction and the pivot distance of the motor  102 , a mechanical click feeling imparting unit may be used as a feedback force imparting unit. As an example of the above-mentioned mechanical click feeling imparting unit, it has been known a unit that includes a cam member having cam grooves and cam ridges, and a driving rod which comes into elastic contact with the cam grooves and the cam ridges. The mechanical click feeling imparting unit moves the cam member or the driving rod to run over the cam ridges in accordance with the pivot operation of the manual operating section and imparts the click feeling at that time to the manual operating section  103 .  
      However, in this case, like the manual input device proposed by the present applicant, if the pivot center O of the motor  102  is disposed above the center of gravity G of the motor  102 , a moment acts on the manual operating section  103  to return the motor  102  to the vertical position, when the manual operating section  103  is pivotably operated. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that large force is required to pivotably operate the manual operating section  103  and the sensitivity of the click feeling imparted by the click feeling imparting unit deteriorates.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems in the related art, and it is an object of the invention to provide a haptic feedback input device that can increase the difference between maximum and minimum values of resistance force by a click feeling imparting unit and can improve sensitivity of a click feeling.  
      In order to solve the above-described problems, according to an aspect of the invention, a haptic feedback input device includes an operating section that is rotatably and pivotably operated by a user, a motor that pivots in conjunction with the pivot operation of the operating section and that imparts a required feedback force in accordance with the rotation operation of the operating section to the operating section, a base that pivotably holds the motor via a motor supporting section, and a click feeling imparting unit that imparts a click feeling to the pivot operation of the operating section. A pivot center of the motor is disposed below a center of gravity of the motor.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the motor pivots by the pivot operation of the operating section in a state in which the motor is vertically held, resistance force in accordance with an elastic contact position of a driving rod against a cam member is imparted to the operating section. When the driving rod begins to run over cam ridges, the abrupt decrease in resistance force is imparted to the operating section as a click feeling. Further, if the operating section is further operated in a pivot direction after the click feeling is perceived, the driving rod hits a wall of the cam member, such that the resistance force acting on the operating section is infinitely increased.  
      If the pivot center of the motor is disposed above the center of gravity of the motor, the resistance force according to the click feeling imparting unit and a moment which tries to return the motor to a vertical position act on the operating section simultaneously. Therefore, as shown in the broken line in  FIG. 6 , the maximum value P 3  of the resistance force when the driving rod begins to run over the cam ridges increases, while the minimum value Q 3  increases beyond that amount, as compared to the case in which the pivot center of the motor and the center of gravity of the motor match with each other (shown in the one-dot-chain line in  FIG. 6 ). As a result, the change in the resistance force H 3  (P 3 -Q 3 ), which is the click feeling of the operating section, becomes small and the sensitivity of the click feeling deteriorates. On the contrary, when the pivot center of the motor is disposed below the center of gravity of the motor, a moment which tries to rotate the motor in an inclined direction is generated, instead of the moment which tries to return the motor to the vertical position. Therefore, as shown in the solid line in  FIG. 6 , the maximum value P 1  of the resistance force when the driving rod begins to run over the cam ridges decreases, while the minimum value Q 1  further decreases beyond that amount, as compared to the case the pivot center of the motor and the center of gravity of the motor match with each other (shown in the one-dot-chain line in  FIG. 6 ). As a result, the change in the resistance force H 1  (P 1 -Q 1 ), which is the click feeling of the operating section, becomes large and the sensitivity of the click feeling is improved.  
      Therefore, by disposing the pivot center of the motor below the center of gravity of the motor, the change H in the resistance force when the driving rod begins to run over the cam ridges can be increased to be larger than that when the pivot center of the motor is disposed above the center of gravity of the motor. Further, the operating feeling of the operating section can be improved. In addition, since the change H in the resistance force can be increased so as to impart the click feeling to the operating section, an elastic force to be imparted to a driving body can be decreased and wear resistance of the click feeling imparting unit can be improved.  
      Further, in the haptic feedback input device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the pivot center of the motor is disposed on an extended line of an output shaft of the motor.  
      As described above, if the pivot center of the motor is disposed on the extended line of the output shaft of the motor, when the operating section is pivotably operated, a moment proportional to the total weight of the motor can be imparted in an inclined direction of the motor. Therefore, when the operating section is pivotably operated, the total weight of the motor cannot be perceived by the operating section, and thus operability of the operating section can be further improved.  
      Further, in the haptic feedback input device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the motor can be pressibly held on the base.  
      As described above, if the motor can be pressibly held on the base, signals according to the press operation of the motor can be detected, thereby providing a multi-functional haptic feedback input device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a haptic feedback input device according to an embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a planetary gear mechanism included in the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment in an enlarged scale;  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a cam member included in the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment at the time of a pivot operation;  
       FIG. 6  is a graph showing a comparison result of advantages of the invention to those of the related art; and  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a haptic feedback input device according to the related art. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Hereinafter, an embodiment of a haptic feedback input device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  6 .  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a planetary gear mechanism included in the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment in an enlarged scale.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of a cam member included in the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment at the time of a pivot operation.  FIG. 6  is a graph showing the comparison result of the advantages of the invention to those of the related art.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment includes a case  1 , a base  2  that is attached to the lower portion of the case  1 , a printed wiring board  3  that is housed in a space defined when the case  1  and the base  2  are assembled, an operating section  4  that is manually operated by a user, a motor  5  that supplies a required feedback force to the operating section  4 , a planetary gear mechanism  6  that is disposed between the operating section  4  and the motor  5 , a motor holder  7  that integrally holds the motor  5  and the planetary gear mechanism  6 , a mounting member  8  that connects the operating section  4  to the motor holder  7 , an encoder  9  that detects the rotation direction and the rotation distance of an output shaft  5   a  of the motor  5 , an encoder holder  10  that integrally holds the motor  5  and the encoder  9 , a pivot holder  11  that is pivotably disposed on the inner surface of the base  2  to pivotably hold the motor  5 , a rubber pusher  12  that receives a press force of the operating section  4 , a rubber spring  13  that is disposed between the pivot holder  11  and the rubber pusher  12  to impart a return force acting in an opposite direction to the press operation to the operating section  4 , a lower slider  14  that is disposed on the upper surface of the case  1  to be engaged therewith and slides in a single direction of the case  1 , an upper slider  15  that is engaged with the lower slider  14  and slides only in a direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the lower slider  14 , a cam member  16  that is attached to the lower surface of the upper slider  15 , two driving rods  17  that are set to be freely inserted into the case  1  and come into elastic contact with the cam member  16  and cam portions formed on the lower surface of the upper slider  15 , springs  18  that constantly bias the driving rods  17  in a single direction, a cover member  19  that regulates the mounting height of the upper slider  15  to the case  1 , and an extension cover  20  that is provided on the upper surface of the cover member  19 .  
      The case  1  is made of synthetic resin and has a box shape having an upper surface plate  1   a . In a substantially central portion of the upper surface plate  1   a , a center hole  1   b  is opened, through which the motor holder  7  pivotably passes. Two guide grooves  1   c  that guide the lower slider  14  only in a single direction are formed on both sides from the center hole  1   b  in the upper surface of the upper surface plate  1   a . In addition, the upper surface plate  1   a  has two receiving concave portions  1   d  that receive the driving rods  17  and the springs  18  that constantly bias the driving rods  17  upward and that are formed on both sides with respect to the center hole  1   b  of the upper surface plate  1   a.    
      The base  2  is made of synthetic resin and has a cover shape that can be attached to the lower portion of the case  1 . At a substantially central position of the base  2 , a supporting hole  2   a  into which a pivot central shaft  11   a  formed on the lower surface of the pivot holder  11  is pivotably inserted is formed.  
      The printed wiring board  3  has a required circuit pattern (not shown) that is formed on at least one of surfaces of an insulating substrate. On the surface of the printed wiring board  3 , required circuit components (not shown) are mounted according to a required arrangement.  
      The operating section  4  is manually operated by a user and is made of synthetic resin: The operating section  4  is formed so as to have an appropriate size and shape to be operated via fingers.  
      A rotational motor, such as a DC motor and the like, can be used as the motor  5 . The motor  5  is driven and stopped according to signals from a control device (not shown) and imparts a required feedback force in accordance with the rotation operation of the operating section  4  to the operating section  4 .  
      The planetary gear mechanism  6  has only synthetic resin-based components. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the planetary gear mechanism  6  includes a sun gear  30  that is fixed to the output shaft  5   a  of the motor  5 , a plurality of planetary gears  31  (three gears in the present embodiment) that are engaged with the sun gear  30  and revolve around the sun gear  30 , a regulating member  32  that regulates the movements of the planetary gears  31  in the shaft direction, a ring gear  33  that is formed on the inner surface of the motor holder  7  and is engaged with the planetary gears  31 , a carrier  34  that rotatably supports the planetary gears  31  and rotates along with the operating section  4  in accordance with the rotation of the planetary gears  31 .  
      Each of the planet gears  31  has substantially a cylinder shape and rotational shafts  31   a  and  31   b  are coaxially formed at the central portions of both surfaces thereof.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the regulating member  32  has a disc portion  32   a  and three coupling portions  32   b  that stand upright along a circumferential portion of the disc portion  32   a . A center hole  32   c  through which the sun gear  30  passes is provided at the center of the disc portion  32   a . Also, bearing holes  32   d  that axially support the rotational shafts  31   a  of the planetary gears  31  and regulating portions  32   e  that regulate the rotation of the carrier  34  are provided around the central hole  32   c . In addition, a long anchoring hole  32   f  that snap-couples with the carrier  34  is provided in each of the coupling portions  32   b.    
      The carrier  34  has a disc portion  34   a , a cylindrical shaft portion  34   b  that is formed on the upper surface of the disc portion  34   a , and three coupling portions  34   c  that are formed along the outer circumferential portion of the disc portion  34   a . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the disc portion  34  is provided with bearing holes  34   d  that axially supports the rotational shafts  31   b  formed at the planetary gears  31 . In addition, a thread hole  34   e  that couples with the mounting member  8  is formed at the central portion of the upper surface of the shaft portions  34   b  and anchoring claws  34   f  that are engaged with anchoring holes provided in the mounting member  8  are formed on the outer circumferential surface. Further, anchoring claws  34   g  that are engaged with the anchoring holes  32   f  formed in the coupling portions  32   b  of the regulating member  32  are formed in the central portions of the respective coupling portion  34   c . Also, protrusions  34   h  which are inserted into the regulating holes  32   e  formed in the disc portion  32   a  of the regulating member  32  protrude from the lower ends of the respective coupling portions  34   c.    
      The regulating member  32  and the carrier  34  are non-rotatably snap-coupled with each other by inserting the protrusions  34   h  into the regulating holes  32   e  and by coupling the anchoring claws  34   g  with the anchoring holes  32   f . Further, the carrier  34  and the mounting member  8  are non-rotatably snap-coupled with each other by engaging the anchoring claws  34   f  with the anchoring holes. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the planetary gears  31  are housed in a space defined by snap-coupling the regulating member  32  with the carrier  34 . At this time, the rotational shafts  31   a  are rotatably axially supported on the bearing holes  32   d , and the rotational shafts  31   b  are rotatably axially supported on the bearing holes  34   d . Therefore, the sun gear  30  and the ring gear  33  are connected to each other via the planetary gears  31 .  
      The motor holder  7  is made of synthetic resin and has a cylinder shape so as to cover the motor  5  and the planetary gear mechanism  6 . The motor holder  7  is provided with the plurality of engaging protrusions  7   b  which are formed in the lower portion of the outer surface thereof. The plurality of engaging protrusions  7   b  are fitted into engaging grooves  15   d  formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper slider  15  (see  FIG. 5 ) so as to regulate the rotation of the upper slider  15  with respect to the motor holder  7 .  
      The mounting member  8  is made of synthetic resin and has a cap shape. A holder through hole  8   a  is provided at the center of the mounting member  8 . The mounting member  8  is coupled with the sun gear  30  by screwing the holder passing through the holder through hole  8   a  with a thread hole  30   a  formed in the sun gear  30 .  
      The encoder  9  includes a code plate  9   a  that is fixed to the output shaft  5   a  of the motor  5 , a photo interrupter  9   b  that has light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements disposed, with the code plate  9   a  interposed therebetween, on the front and rear surfaces of the code plate  9 , a wiring board  9   c  on which the photo interrupter  9   b  and required circuit parts are mounted, and a bracket  9   d  which fixes the photo interrupter  9   b  and the wiring board  9   c  to the motor  5 . The encoder  9  counts the number of the codes formed on the code plate  9   a , which are formed to pass through the photo interrupter  9   b , so as to detect the rotation direction and the rotation distance of the motor  5 .  
      The encoder holder  10  is made of synthetic resin and has a vessel shape so as to cover the encoder  9 . A supporting shaft  10   a  is formed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the encoder holder  10 . The supporting shaft  10   a  is inserted into a hollow pivot central shaft  11   a  formed on the pivot holder  11  and passes through a center hole  12   a  formed at the center of the rubber pusher  12 . The encoder holder  10  is mounted on the lower portion of the motor holder  7  through snap-coupling.  
      The pivot holder  11  (motor supporting section) is made of synthetic resin and has a dish shape. The hollow pivot central shaft  11   a  is formed so as to protrude from the center of the lower surface of the pivot holder  11 . The hollow pivot central shaft  11   a  is inserted into the supporting hole  2   a  formed in the base  2 . Further, the supporting shaft  10   a  which protrudes from the lower surface of the encoder holder  10  is inserted into the hollow pivot central shaft  11   a . In addition, a required contact pattern is formed on the upper surface of the pivot holder  11  so as to detect the press operation of the operating section  4 . The contact pattern includes fixed contacts  11   b  which are switched by movable contacts  13   b  formed in the rubber spring  13 . The pivot holder  11  is pivotably attached to the base  2  by inserting the pivot central shaft  11   a  into the supporting hole  2   a  formed in the base  2 .  
      The rubber pusher  12  is made of synthetic resin and has a disc shape which is housed in the pivot holder  11 . A center hole  12   a , through which the supporting shaft  10   a  protruded from the lower surface of the encoder holder  10  passes, is provided at the center of the rubber pusher  12 . The supporting shaft  10   a  passes through the center hole  12   a  and thus the rubber pusher  12  is attached to the lower surface of the encoder holder  10 .  
      The rubber spring  13  is made of synthetic resin having superior elasticity and has a ring shape. A plurality of dome portions  13   a  are formed on the surface of the rubber spring  13  at the same pitch and the movable contact points  13   b , which are electrically connected to the fixed contact points  11   b  formed on the pivot holder  11 , are formed on the lower surface of the dome portions  13   a . The rubber spring  13  is disposed between the pivot holder  11  and the rubber pusher  12  in a state in which the movable contact points  13   b  face the fixed contacting points  11   b.    
      The lower slider  14  is made of synthetic resin having excellent slidability and has substantially an elliptical shape. First guide protrusions  14   a , which are pivotably fitted into the guide grooves  1   c  formed in the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1 , protrude from the lower surface of the lower slider  12 . Second guide protrusions  14   b , which are pivotably fitted into guide grooves  15   e  formed in the lower surface of the upper slider  15 , protrude from the upper surface of the lower slider  14 . The first guide protrusions  14   a  are formed perpendicular to the second guide protrusions  14   b . The lower slider  14  is mounted on the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1  in a state in which the first guide protrusions  14   a  are fitted into the guide grooves  1   c.    
      The upper slider  15  is made of synthetic resin having excellent slidability. The upper slider  15  has a ring portion  15   a  and four arm portions  15   b  which protrude radially from the outer circumference of the ring portion  15   a . Four contact portions  15   c , which come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the motor holder  7 , protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the ring portion  15   a . Further, engaging grooves  15   d , which are fitted with engaging protrusions  7   b  protruded from the lower portion of the outer surface of the motor holder  7 , are formed at the central portions of the contact portions  15   c . In addition, the guide grooves  15   e , which are fitted with the second guide protrusions  14   b  protruded from the upper surface of the lower slider  14 , are formed in the lower surface of the ring portion  15   a . Meanwhile, supporting protrusions  15   f , which come into contact with the lower surface of the cover member  19  and the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1 , are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the four arm portions  15   b . In addition, a housing potion  15   g  for the cam member  16  is formed on the lower surface of one of the arm portions  15   b . A cam portion  15   h  having the same concavo-convexes as the concavo-convexes formed in the cam member  16  is formed on the lower surface of the other arm portion  15   b  which is disposed so as to face the one arm portion. The upper slider  15  is integrated with the motor holder  7  by fitting the engaging protrusions  7   b  with the engaging grooves  15   d . The upper slider  15  rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the motor holder  7  and slides in a single direction in conjunction with the pivot of the motor holder  7 .  
      The cam member  16  is made of synthetic resin having excellent slidability and wear resistance. As shown in FIGS.  3  to  5 , a petaloid cam is formed on the lower surface of the cam member  16 . The petaloid cam has a central concave portion  16   a  that is substantially circular and comes into contact with the front end of the driving rod  17 , eight circumferential concave portions that are formed at regular intervals along the circumference of the central cam groove  16   a , and convex portions  16   c  that are formed at the boundaries of the cam grooves.  
      The driving rod  17  is made of synthetic resin having excellent slidability and superior wear resistance and has a rod shape. A spring receiver  17   a , which comes into contact with one end of the spring  18 , is formed at the center of the outer surface of the driving rod  17 . When being not operated, the driving rod  17  comes into contact with the central cam groove  16   a  of the cam member  16  and the central cam groove  16   a  of the cam portion  15   h  formed on the upper slider  15 .  
      The spring  18  constantly biases the spring  17  in a single direction, and a coil spring is used as the spring  18 . The spring  18  and the driving rod  17  are housed in the housing concave portion  1   d  formed on the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1  with the driving rod  17  above the spring  18 . The front end of the driving rod  17  comes into elastic contact with the cam member  16  and the cam portion  15   h  of the upper slider  15  constantly by an elastic force of the spring  18 .  
      The cover member  19  prevents the lower slider  14 , the upper slider  15 , the driving rod  17 , and the spring  18  from being separated from the case  1  and regulates the mounting height of the upper slider  15  to the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1 . The cover member  19  is made of a metal plate and is fixed to the upper portion of the case  1  by screws.  
      The extension cover  20  covers the outer circumference of the motor holder  7  and is made of synthetic resin. The extension cover  20  includes a disc-shaped fixing portion  20   a  and a cylindrical cover portion  20   b , which stands upright on the fixing portion  20   a . The extension cover  20  is integrated with the cover member  19  by screwing the fixing portion  20   a  to the upper surface of the cover member  19 .  
      Hereinafter, the operation of the haptic feedback input device having such a configuration will be described.  
      First, when the haptic feedback input device is not in operation, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the front ends of the driving rods  17  come into contact with the central cam groove  16   a  of the cam member  16  and the central cam groove  16   a  of the cam portion  15   h  formed in the upper slider  15  by the elastic force of the springs  18 . Then, the motor  5  is held vertically against the case  1  and the base  2 . In addition, the motor  5  is held at the upper switching position against the case  1  and the base  2  by the elastic force of the rubber spring  13 . Further, the movable contacts  11   b  do not come into contact with the movable contacts  13   b.    
      When the operating section  4  is operated in the pivot direction from the above state, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the motor  5  pivots in the operation direction of the operating section  4  on the pivot center O, which is the front end of the supporting shaft  10   a . Then, the lower slider  14  and/or the upper slider  15  slide along the upper surface plate  1   a  of the case  1  accordingly. Then, the relative positions of the cam member  16  attached to the upper slider  15  and the cam portion  15   h  formed on the upper slider  15 , and the driving rod  17  attached to the case  1  change. Next, the front end of the driving rod  17  runs over the convex portion  16   c  and thus the driving rod  17  moves from the central cam groove  16   a  to the circumferential concave portion  16   b . Therefore, a user can feel the change in the elastic force of the spring  18  acting on the driving rod  17  as the click feeling, when the front end of the driving rod  17  runs over the convex portion  16   c  and the driving rod  17  moves from the central cam groove  16   a  to the circumferential concave portion  16   b . Further, the user can know the distance of the pivot operation of the motor. When the user removes the operation force acting on the operating section from the above state, the driving rod  17  automatically returns to the central cam groove  16   a  by the elastic force of the spring  18  and returns to the state shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      In the haptic feedback input device according to the embodiment, the pivot center O of the motor  5  is disposed below the center of gravity G of the motor  5 . Therefore, at the time of the pivot operation of the operating section  4 , a moment, which tries to rotate the motor  5  in the pivot direction, is generated. As shown in the solid line of in  FIG. 6 , although the maximum value P 1  of the resistance force when the driving rod  17  begins to run over the convex portion  16   c  decreases, the minimum value Q 1  further decreases. Accordingly, the change H 1  (P 1 -Q 1 ) in the resistance force, which is the click feeling of the operating section  4 , can be larger than that when the pivot center O of the motor  5  corresponds to the center of gravity G of the motor  5  (shown in the one-dot-chain line of  FIG. 6 ) or that when the pivot center O of the motor  5  is disposed above the center of gravity G of the motor  5 . Therefore, the operation sensibility of the operating section  4  can be improved. In addition, since the change in the resistance force H for imparting the click feeling to the operating section  4  can be increased, the elastic force of the spring, which is imparted to the driving rod  17 , can be decreased. As a result, the wear resistance of the cam member  16 , the cam portion  15 , and the driving rod  17  can be improved.  
      In addition, when the operating section  4  is operated in the rotation direction, the output shaft  5   a  of the motor  5  rotates via the mounting member  8 , the carrier  34 , the regulating member  32 , the planetary gears  31 , and the sun gear  30 . The rotation direction and the rotation distance of the output shaft  5   a  are detected by the encoder  9  and are outputted to the control device (not shown). The control device controls the operation of the motor  5  according to the output signals of the encoder  9  and, for example, adjusts the function of the in-vehicle electronic device. The rotational force of the motor  5  is transmitted to the operating section  4  via the sun gear  30 , the planetary gears  31 , the regulating portion  32 , the carrier  34 , and the mounting member  8 . Accordingly, a required feedback force in accordance with the rotation operation state of the operating section  4  is imparted to the operating section  4 .  
      At this time, the operating section  4  is supplied with the motor output, which is amplified in accordance with the ratio of the number of teeth of the sun gear  30  and the number of teeth of the ring gear  33 . Accordingly, it is possible to impart a large feedback force to the operating section  4  using a small motor output.  
      In addition, when the operating section  4  is pressibly operated in the shaft direction of the output shaft  5   a , a press force is transmitted to the rubber spring  13  via the mounting member  8 , the motor  5 , and the rubber pusher  12 . Then, the dome portions  13   a  of the rubber spring  13  are elastically buckled. In addition, the click feeling is transmitted to the operating section  4  via the rubber pusher  12 , the motor  5 , and the mounting member  8 . Accordingly, the operating section  4  is supplied with the click feeling in accordance with the press operation of the operating section  4 . At the same time, the fixed contacts  11   b  formed on the pivot holder  11  are electrically connected to the movable contacts  13   b  formed in the dome portions  13   a  of the rubber spring  13 . The contact signals are outputted to the control device (not shown). The control device controls the in-vehicle electronic devices based on the contacts.  
      In the haptic feedback input device according to the aspect of the invention, since the pivot center of the motor is disposed below the center of gravity of the motor, and the click feeling imparting unit that imparts the click feeling to the operating section is disposed above the pivot center of the motor. Accordingly, it is possible to use the moment which is generated when the operating section pivots and which tries to rotate the motor in the inclined direction. Further, the peak value of the resistance force when the driving rod begins to run over the cam ridges of the click feeling imparting unit can be decreased, thereby the operability of the operating section can be improved. In addition, since the change in the resistance force can be increased so as to impart the click feeling to the operating section, the operating feeling of the operating section can be improved. Further, the elastic force imparted to the driving body can be decreased, such that the wear resistance of the click feeling imparting unit can be improved are as follows: