Patent Publication Number: US-2023138312-A1

Title: User interface device with adjustable knob holding force

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0146552, filed on Oct. 29, 2021 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a user interface device with adjustable knob holding force, and more particularly, to a user interface device in which a holding force of a knob may be adjusted by adjusting a magnetic force of a magnet for holding a sliding knob at a specific position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, vehicles have a center fascia, which is provided with various systems that may be controlled by a user. For example, such various systems provided in a center fascia of a vehicle include navigation, radio, and air conditioning control system, and the like. To control such various systems, an input device for receiving a user&#39;s input may be provided. 
     Meanwhile, an output device for outputting information from such various systems may be provided in a center fascia of a vehicle. Conventionally, simple output devices such as an indicator lamp are provided in order to output information, but nowadays, a large display may be used in order to output various information to a user as needed. Furthermore, by providing a touch input means in a large display device, a user may intuitively perform an input according to output contents. 
     Recently, as a device for manipulating in-vehicle devices, development of knob-on-display technologies that may provide driving environment information through a display and control in-vehicle systems through a physical manipulation method has been ongoing. A knob allows a driver to manipulate devices precisely without taking their eyes off a road, and enables intuitive and physical control through a moderate sense of resistance. 
     However, such a knob may detect only a simple rotation input, so study on a user interface device that allows a user to control a system through various inputs is required. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a user interface device in which a holding force of a knob may be adjusted by adjusting a magnetic force of a magnet that holds a sliding knob at a predetermined position. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a user interface device includes a rail extending in a first direction; a hinge configured to slide along the rail in the first direction; a knob coupled to the hinge to slide in the first direction and configured to detect a rotation input; and a magnet holder disposed to face the hinge in a second direction of the hinge and extending in the first direction; wherein the hinge is provided with a first magnet, the magnet holder is provided with a second magnet and a third magnet, the second and third magnets have different magnetic poles from that of the first magnet on facing surface thereagainst, the first magnet reacts by an magnetic force of the second or third magnets so that the knob is held to a first position or a second position respectively, a strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second or third magnets is adjustable, wherein the first magnet is coupled to the hinge to be movable in the second direction. 
     The hinge may be provided with a female screw thread in the second direction, the first magnet may be provided on a male screw coupled to the female screw thread, and the strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second or third magnets is adjusted according to a connection degree between the male screw and the female screw thread. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a user interface device includes a rail extending in a first direction; a hinge configured to slide along the rail in the first direction; a knob coupled to the hinge to slide in the first direction and configured to detect a rotation input; and a magnet holder disposed to face the hinge in a second direction of the hinge and extending in the first direction; wherein the hinge is provided with a first magnet, the magnet holder is provided with a second magnet and a third magnet, the second and third magnets have different magnetic poles from that of the first magnet on facing surface thereagainst, the first magnet reacts by an magnetic force of the second or third magnets so that the knob is held to a first position or a second position repectively, a strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second or third magnets is adjustable, wherein the magnet holder comprises a plurality of magnet pairs including the second magnet and the third magnet each, a magnetic force of the second magnet and the third magnet included in each magnet pair is the same, the magnetic forces of the second magnets and the third magnets included in a different magnet pairs are different from each other. 
     The magnet holder may be configured to change a magnitude of the magnetic force applied to the first magnet of the hinge sliding by moving the position of the magnet pair. 
     The magnet holder may include four magnet pairs and has in the form of a rectangular prism with the first direction as a height and rotatable about the first direction, and the each magnet pair is provided on each side of the rectangular prism. 
     The magnet holder may further include a first driving device, the first driving device is configured to rotate the magnet holder about the first direction according to a user input. 
     The magnet holder may include n number of magnet pairs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3) and has n sides prism shape with the first direction as a height, the magnet holder provided with the magnet pairs on each side surface of the n sides prism one by one and provided to be rotatable in the first direction as an axis. 
     The plurality of the magnet pairs is arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the magnet holder is configured to be movable in the third direction. 
     The magnet holder may further include a second driving device, the second driving device is configured to move the magnet holder in the third direction according to a user input. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view illustrating a user interface device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a user interface device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force control structure of a user interface device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force control structure of a user interface device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force control structure of a user interface device according to a second embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force control structure of a user interface device according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, the embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic view illustrating a user interface device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and  FIG.  2    is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a user interface device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     A user interface device  1000  may be provided on a center fascia of a vehicle to concisely provide driving environment information through a display  100 , and at the same time, control an in-vehicle system through a physical manipulation method of a knob  200 . The knob  200  may slidably move on a display surface of the display  100  and may detect a rotation input. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the user interface device  1000  may include the display  100 , a rail  280  provided to extend in a first direction (indicated by an arrow in  FIG.  2   ) parallel to the display  100  on one side of the display  100 , a hinge  300  sliding along the rail  280  in the first direction, the knob  200  coupled to the hinge  300  to slide in the first direction on the display surface of the display  100  and detect the rotation input, a magnet holder  400  disposed in a second direction of the hinge  300  opposite to the hinge  300  and extending in the first direction, and a hinge sensor  500  detecting a position of the hinge  300 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the user interface device  1000  may further include a case  150  in which the rail  280 , the magnet holder  400 , and the hinge sensor  500  are accommodated therein so as not to be exposed to the outside. The case  150  may be provided to cover an area close to the knob  200  in order to minimize the exposure of the hinge  300 , and the hinge  300  may have a surface similar to the material of the display  100  so as not to be not easily noticeable on the display  100 . 
     The display  100  may display information necessary for a user. For example, the display  100  may be a touch display device including a touch panel (not shown). The user may input information into the user interface device  1000  through such a touch panel or may input information through a manipulation of the knob  200 . 
     The knob  200  may detect a rotation input by a user&#39;s manipulation. To this end, the knob  200  may include a knob body that rotates about a rotation axis. The knob  200  may include a hollow portion  290 . 
     The knob  200  is coupled to the hinge  300 , and the hinge  300  may slide along the rail  280  in the first direction. Accordingly, the knob  200  may also slide in the first direction. At this time, the knob  200  may slide on the display surface of the display  100 . 
     On the other hand, the hinge sensor  500  detects a position of the hinge  300 . Because the hinge sensor  500  detects the position of the hinge  300 , the user may input information into the user interface device  1000  through the hinge sensor  500  by sliding the knob  200  coupled to the hinge  300  to move the position of the hinge  300 . 
     Accordingly, the user may input information by touching the display surface of the display  100 , or may input information by sliding or rotating the knob  200  positioned on the display surface. 
     On the other hand, the hinge  300  is provided with a first magnet  310 , and the magnet holder  400  is provided with a second magnet  410 , a third magnet  420  and a fourth magnet  430  facing against the first magnet  310  so that the magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  have different magnetic poles from that of the first magnet  310  on facing surfaces against. Accordingly, the first magnet  310  reacts by a magnetic force of the second magnet, the third magnet and the fourth magnet  410 ,  420  and  430 , so that the knob  200  may be held to a first position, a second position, and a third position on the display surface of the display  100 , respectively. 
     In other words, because an attractive force acts between the plurality of magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  and the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300 , when the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300  is positioned at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  of the magnet holder  400 , the facing magnets may be held by an magnetic force. 
     In the case of that three magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  are provided in the magnet holder  400 , the hinge  300  may be held at three positions corresponding to each magnet, and accordingly, the knob  200  coupled to the hinge  300  may also be held to three positions (a first position, a second position, and a third position) on the display surface of the display  100 . 
     As such, a user may input information by sliding the knob  200  coupled to the hinge  300 . At this time, the hinge  300  and the knob  200  may be held by the magnetic force between the first magnet  310  provided on the hinge  300  and the second to fourth magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  provided on the magnet holder  400  at a predetermined position, and the user may move the knob  200  from the predetermined position by holding the knob  200  and applying force. As the user grabs the held knob  200  to move closer to the first position, the knob  200  receives a force to move to the first position by the attractive force between the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300  and the second magnet  410  of the magnet holder  400 . Accordingly, the user may move the knob  200  to a vicinity of the first position without having to directly move the knob  200  to the first position. 
     On the other hand, to move the knob  200  from the first position to the second position, the user may grape the knob  200  and apply a force to move the knob  200  in a direction of the second position. At this time, in the vicinity of the first position, since the attractive force between the magnet  310  and the second magnet  410  is greater than the attractive force between the first magnet  310  and the third magnet  420 , the knob  200  receives a resistive force to return to the first position. However, when the knob  200  is moved closer to the second position, the attractive force between the first magnet  310  and the third magnet  420  is greater than the attractive force between the first magnet  310  and the second magnet  410 , so that the knob  200  receives a force to move to the second position. 
     The magnitude of the magnetic force between the first magnet  310  and the fourth magnets  410 ,  420  and  430 , that is, a holding (or gripping) force of the knob  200  may be different for each user. Some users may feel that it is difficult to move the knob  200  because the holding force of the knob  200  is too large, and some users may feel that it is uncomfortable because the holding force of the knob  200  is too small and the force inducing the knob  200  to a predetermined position is weak. Accordingly, it is desirable that each user may adjust and use the holding force suitable for use in his/her own feeling. 
     Therefore, the user interface device  1000  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is provided such that a strength of the magnetic force between the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420 , or the fourth magnet  430  and the first magnet  310  is adjustable. 
     Hereinafter, each embodiment for adjusting the strength of the magnetic force between the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420 , or the fourth magnet  430  and the first magnet  310  will be described. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    are schematic views illustrating a magnetic force adjustment structure of a user interface device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    show the structure of the user interface device  1000  according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. 
     In the first embodiment shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the first magnet  315  may be coupled to be movable in the second direction in the hinge  300 , that is, in a direction on which the magnet holder  400  is disposed. For example, the hinge  300  may be provided with a female screw thread  313  in the second direction, and the first magnet  310  may be provided with a male screw  315  coupled to the female screw thread  313 . Because the male screw  315  is coupled to the female screw thread  313  through rotation, the user may rotate the male screw  315  to adjust a degree of connection with the female screw thread  313 . The male screw  315  may move in the second direction according to the degree of connection with the female screw thread  313 . 
     At this time, since the first magnet  310  is provided on the male screw  315 , the first magnet  310  moves in the second direction according to the connection degree of the male screw  315  and the female screw thread  313 , so that the distance between the first magnet  310  and the magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  of the magnet holder  400  is adjusted. Accordingly, the strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet  310  and the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  or the fourth magnet  430  may be adjusted. At this time, because a screw head of the male screw  315  is exposed to the outside of the hinge  300 , the user may directly adjust the holding force of the knob  200  by adjusting the connection degree of the male screw  315  and the female screw thread  313  through the screw head of the male screw  315 . 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force adjustment structure of a user interface device according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  5    shows the structure of the user interface device  1000  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
     In the second embodiment, the magnet holder  400  may include a plurality of magnet pairs  440  including the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430 . In other words, one magnet pair  440  includes the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430 , and since such magnet pairs  440  are provided in plural, so that the magnet holder  400  may include the plurality of second magnets  410 , third magnets  420  and fourth magnets  430 . 
     At this time, the magnetic forces of the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  included in each magnet pair  440  may be the same, and the magnetic forces of the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  included in the different magnet pairs  440  may be different. 
     For example, the magnet holder  440  may include a magnet pair A  440   a  and a magnet pair B  440   b . The magnet pair A  440   a  may include a second magnet A  410   a , a third magnet A  420   a  and a fourth magnet A  430   a , and the magnet pair B  440   b  may include a second magnet B  410   b , a third magnet B  420   b  and a fourth magnet B  430   b . At this time, the magnetic force of the second magnet A  410   a , the third magnet A  420   a  and the fourth magnet A  430   a  included in the magnet pair A  440   a  may be the same. But, even with the same second magnets  410 , the magnetic forces of the second magnet A  410   a  included in the magnet pair A  440   a  and the second magnet B  410   b  included in the magnet pair B  440   b  may be different. 
     As such, the magnet holder  400  including the plurality of magnet pairs  440  may change the magnitude of the magnetic force applied to the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300  sliding by moving the position of the magnet pair  440 . 
     In the second embodiment shown in  FIG.  5   , the magnet holder  400  may include four magnet pairs  440 . At this time, the magnet holder  400  has a rectangular prism shape  460  having a first direction as a height. Magnet pairs  440  are provided on each side surface of the rectangular prism  460  one by one, which may be rotated in the first direction as an axis. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the magnet holder  400  has in the form of the rectangular prism  460  elongated in the first direction. The pair of magnets  440  may be provided one by one on each side surface of the rectangular prism  460 , so each side surface may include the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  one by one. In  FIG.  5   , the magnet pair A  440   a  is provided on a first side surface of the rectangular prism  460 , which is disposed to face the hinge  300 , and thus the second magnet A  410   a , the third magnet A  420   a  and the fourth magnet A  430   a  are disposed in the first side surface. Meanwhile, a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface is provided with the magnet pairs B  440   b , and thus the second magnet B  410   b , the third magnet B  420   b  and the fourth magnet B  430   b  are disposed in the second side surface. 
     As described above, the magnetic forces of the magnets included in the different magnet pairs  440  are different. Accordingly, when arranging the magnet pair A  440   a  of the first side surface to face the first magnet and when arranging the magnet pair B  440   b  of the second side surface to face the first magnet, the magnitude of the attractive force applied between the first magnet  310  and the second to fourth magnets  410 ,  420  and  430  are different. Accordingly, the user may adjust the holding force of the knob  200  by rotating the rectangular prism  460  and selecting the magnet pair  440  disposed opposite to the hinge  300 . 
     Similarly, the magnet holder  400  may include n number of magnet pairs  440  (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3), have n sides prism shape with the first direction as a height, be provided with the magnet pairs  440  on each side surface of the n sides prism one by one, and be provided to be rotatable in the first direction as an axis. 
     In other words, the magnet holder  400  has a number of various sides, such as a triangular prism, a pentagonal prism, etc. in addition to the rectangular prism shown in  FIG.  5   , and may be implemented in the form of including a plurality of magnet pairs having different magnetic forces. As the number of sides of the prism increases and the number of magnet pairs increases, the holding force of the knob  200  may be more precisely adjusted. 
     On the other hand, the magnet holder  400  may include a first driving device  450 . The first driving device  450  may rotate the magnet holder  400  in the first direction as an axis according to a user&#39;s input. In the case of the magnet holder  400  in the form of the rectangular prism  460  shown in  FIG.  5   , it may be difficult for the user to directly rotate the magnet holder  400  because it may be disposed on a back side of the display that is not exposed to the user. Accordingly, the first driving device  450  for rotating the magnet holder  400  according to the user&#39;s input may be included to allow the user to adjust the holding force of the knob  200 . 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic view illustrating a magnetic force adjustment structure of a user interface device according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  6    shows the structure of the user interface device  1000  according to the third embodiment of the disclosure. 
     In the third embodiment, the magnet holder  400  may include the plurality of magnet pairs  440  including the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430 . In other words, one magnet pair  440  includes the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430 , and since such magnet pairs  440  are provided in plural, so that the magnet holder  400  may include the plurality of second magnets  410 , third magnets  420  and fourth magnets  430 . 
     At this time, the magnetic forces of the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  included in each magnet pair  440  may be the same, and the magnetic forces of the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  included in the different magnet pairs  440  may be different. This is the same as described above in the second embodiment. 
     As such, the magnet holder  400  including the plurality of magnet pairs  440  may change the magnitude of the magnetic force applied to the first magnet  310  of the sliding hinge  300  by moving the position of the magnet pair  440 . 
     In the third embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   , the plurality of magnet pairs  440  may be arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The magnet holder  400  enable to move in the third direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the magnet holder  400  may be in the form of a panel  480  facing the hinge  300 , and the plurality of magnet pairs  440  may be arranged on the panel  480 . In the magnet pair  440 , the second magnet  410 , the third magnet  420  and the fourth magnet  430  may be arranged in the first direction, and the plurality of magnet pairs  440  may be arranged in the third direction. Herein, the first direction refers to a direction in which the rail extends and the hinge  300  and the knob  200  move, and the second direction refers to a direction in which the magnet holder  400  and the hinge  300  face each other. In other words, the plurality of magnet pairs  440  are arranged in the third direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300 , and the magnet holder  400  is movable in the third direction. 
     In the third embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   , the magnet holder  400  may include the magnet pair A  440   a  and the magnet pair B  440   b . The two magnet pairs  440  are arranged in the third direction on the panel  480 . In  FIG.  6   , the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300  is positioned at a position corresponding to the third magnet B  420   b  of the magnet pair B  440   b . Since the hinge  300  slides in the first direction, the first magnet  310  slides at a position in the third direction corresponding to the magnet pair B  440   b , thereby moving between positions corresponding to the second magnet B  410   b , the third magnet B  420   b  and the fourth magnet B  430   b . At this time, the user feels the holding force of the knob  200  by the magnetic force between the second magnet B  410   b , the third magnet B  420   b , and the fourth magnet B  430   b  and the first magnet  310 . 
     When the panel  480  of the magnet holder  400  moves in the third direction, the magnet pair A  440   a  may move to the position where the magnet pair B  440   b  is currently positioned. In this case, the first magnet  310  of the hinge  300  is positioned at a position corresponding to the third magnet A  420   a  of the magnet pair A  440   a . As a result, the first magnet  310  slides in the position of the third direction corresponding to the magnet pair A  440   a  to move between positions corresponding to the second magnet A  410   a , the third magnet A  420   a  and the fourth magnet A  430   a . At this time, the user feels the holding force of the knob  200  by the magnetic force between the second magnet A  410   a , the third magnet A  420   a  and the fourth magnet A  430   a  and the first magnet  310 . At this time, since the magnetic force of the magnets of the magnet pair A  440   a  and the magnetic force of the magnets of the magnet pair B  440   b  are different, the movement of the panel  480  of the magnet holder  400  in the third direction cause the user to feel the change in the holing force of the knob  200 . Accordingly, the user may adjust the holding force of the knob  200  by moving the panel  480  of the magnet holder  400 . 
       FIG.  6    shows an embodiment in which two magnet pairs  440  are provided, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and three or more magnet pairs  400  may be provided in the magnet holder  400 . At this time, the magnetic forces of the magnets included in the three or more magnet pairs  400  may be different from each other, and thus the user may more precisely adjust the holding force of the knob  200 . 
     On the other hand, the magnet holder  400  may include a second driving device  470 . The second driving device  470  may move the magnet holder  400  in the third direction according to the user&#39;s input. In the case of the magnet holder  400  in the form of the panel  480  shown in  FIG.  6   , it may be difficult for a user to directly move the magnet holder because it may be disposed on the back side of the display that is not exposed to the user. Accordingly, the second driving device  470  for moving the magnet holder  400  according to the user&#39;s input may be included to allow the user to adjust the holding force of the knob  200 . 
     The second driving device  470  includes a pinion gear  471 , and the pinion gear  471  may rotate by receiving rotational power. The pinion gear  471  may be meshed with a rack gear  472 . The panel  480  may be connected to the rack gear  472  to move together. The rotational power of the second driving device  470  may be converted into linear motion of the panel  480  through the pinion gear  471  and the rack gear  472  meshed therewith. 
     As is apparent from the above, the user interface device  1000  according to the above embodiments of the disclosure may hold (or grip) the knob  200  that slides using a magnet to a predetermined position, and adjust the holding (or gripping) force for holding the knob  200  by adjusting the magnetic force of the magnet. 
     As described above, although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.