OPERATION DEVICE AND ELECTRIC MOBILITY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-028702, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an operation device and an electric mobility.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there has been known an operation device that subjects an operation member to displacement made by an operator in an arbitrary direction, and outputs various types of command signals according to the displacement (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2001-5545).

An operation device disclosed in PTL 1 brings a lower surface of a shaft-like operation member into contact with an upper surface of a member to which an upward biasing force is applied by a spring, and thereby holds the operation member at a neutral position.

SUMMARY

When a command signal is output by displacing the operation member in two directions perpendicular to each other, it is preferable that the operator can respectively recognize a displacement state of the operation member in each direction. As a result of this, adjustment of the displacement state of the operation member to each direction is facilitated, and operability improves.

However, the operation device of PTL 1 holds the operation member at the neutral position by the biasing force of the single spring, and it is not easy for the operator to individually recognize the displacement state of the operation member to each direction. This is because a biasing force received by an operator's hand when the operator displaces the operation member from the neutral position includes only a biasing force in one direction that linearly returns a position of the operation member to the neutral position, which does not allow the operator to individually recognize displacement of the operation member to each direction.

An object of the present disclosure, which has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, is to provide an operation device in which when a command signal is output by displacing an operation member in two directions perpendicular to each other, an operator can individually recognize the displacement of the operation member to each direction to thereby enhance operability, and to provide an electric mobility provided with such an operation device.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present disclosure provides the following means.

An operation device pertaining to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with: an operation member displaceable by an operator; a two-dimensional support mechanism in which a pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms that individually displaceably supports the operation member in mutually crossing two directions are connected in series; and a pair of biasing mechanisms that individually biases the operation member toward a neutral position of displacement by each one-dimensional support mechanism, in which biasing forces that the pair of biasing mechanisms applies to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member are different from each other, and in which a command signal according to the displacement of the operation member of each one-dimensional support mechanism is output.

According to the operation device pertaining to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the operator displaces the operation member, displacement in the two directions perpendicular to each other is transmitted to each of the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms that supports the operation member. The displacement of the operation member transmitted to the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms is output as the command signal according to the displacement of the operation member of each one-dimensional support mechanism. The biasing force toward the neutral position of the displacement by each one-dimensional support mechanism is applied to the operation member by the pair of biasing mechanisms.

When either one of the two directions displaceably supported by the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms is included in displacement directions of the operation member by the operator, a biasing force along the one direction is applied to the operation member. Similarly, when the other of the above-mentioned two directions is included in the displacement directions of the operation member by the operator, a biasing force along the other direction is applied to the operation member. By these biasing forces, the operator can individually recognize the displacement direction of the operation member in relation to each of the two directions where the operation member is displaceably supported.

In addition, the biasing forces that the pair of biasing mechanisms applies to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member are different from each other. Therefore, it is easy for the operator to displace the operation member in the direction with smaller biasing force applied to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member, and it becomes hard for the operator to displace the operation member in the direction with larger biasing force applied to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member. Accordingly, output stability of the command signal along the direction where the biasing force applied to the operation member against displacement of the operation member is smaller can be enhanced.

As described above, according to the operation device pertaining to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the command signal is output by displacing the operation member in the two directions perpendicular to each other, the operator can individually recognize the displacement of the operation member toward each direction to thereby enhance operability.

In the configuration, one of the one-dimensional support mechanisms may be provided with a rail member that linearly movably supports the operation member along either of the two directions.

In a manner as described above, the operator can transmit the displacement of the operation member to the two-dimensional support mechanism by linearly moving the operation member along the rail member.

In the above description, the other one-dimensional support mechanism may be provided with a swing member that supports the rail member swingably around an axis line parallel to the rail member.

In a manner as described above, the rail member is swung around a swing shaft parallel to the rail member while linearly moving the operation member in a direction along the rail member, and thereby the operation member can be individually displaced in the crossing two directions.

In the above description, the biasing force that one biasing mechanism biasing the operation member in the direction along the rail member applies to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member may be set to be larger than the biasing force that the other biasing mechanism biasing the swing member in a swing direction of the rail member applies to the operation member against the displacement of the operation member.

In a manner as described above, it becomes easy for the operator to displace the operation member in the swing direction of the rail member, and becomes hard to displace the operation member in the direction along the rail member. Accordingly, output stability of the command signal along the swing direction of the rail member can be enhanced.

The operation device of the aspect may have a configuration in which the two directions are a travel direction and a vehicle-width direction of an electric mobility provided with at least one electric drive wheel, and in which the command signal is a signal to command a travel speed and a steering direction of the electric mobility.

According to the configuration, when the command signal is output by displacing the operation member in the travel direction and the vehicle-width direction perpendicular to each other, the operator can individually recognize the displacement of the operation member toward each direction to thereby enhance operability of the electric mobility.

The electric mobility pertaining to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with: the operation device having the above-described configuration; a rear wheel and a front wheel that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a travel direction, and at least either of which is an electric drive wheel; a vehicle body frame that rotatably supports the front wheel and the rear wheel around each axle; a seat that is attached to the vehicle body frame, and is arranged above a position adjacent to the rear wheel, the position being located between the front wheel and the rear wheel; and a handle that is attached to the vehicle body frame, and is arranged at a side of the operator in a state where he is sitting on the seat, in which the operation device is provided at the handle.

In a manner as described above, the electric mobility can be provided in which the operator can appropriately operate a travel speed and a steering direction, respectively in a state where the operator places his hand on the operation device provided at the handle arranged at a side of him in a state where he sits on the seat.

According to the present disclosure, there can be provided the operation device in which when the command signal is output by displacing the operation member in two directions perpendicular to each other, the operator can individually recognize displacement of the operation member toward each direction to thereby enhance operability, and the electric mobility provided with the operation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
{FIG. 1}

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric mobility of the embodiment showing a state where a pair of handles is arranged at an operation position.

{FIG. 2}

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric mobility of the embodiment showing a state where the pair of handles is arranged at a getting on/off position.

{FIG. 3}

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation device of the embodiment.

{FIG. 4}

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device taken in a direction of arrows A-A shown in FIG. 3, and is the view showing a neutral position of the operation member.

{FIG. 5}

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device taken in the direction of the arrows A-A shown in FIG. 3, and is the view showing a state where an operation member is displaced from the neutral position.

{FIG. 6}

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device taken in a direction of arrows B-B shown in FIG. 4.

{FIG. 7}

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device taken in a direction of arrows C-C shown in FIG. 4, and is the view showing the neutral position of the operation member.

{FIG. 8}

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device taken in the direction of the arrows C-C shown in FIG. 4, and is the view showing a state where the operation member is displaced from the neutral position.

{FIG. 9}

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a one-dimensional support mechanism.

{FIG. 10}

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the electric mobility of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An electric mobility 100 of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained hereinafter with reference to drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric mobility 100 of the embodiment is provided with: an operation device 10; front wheels 20; rear wheels 21; a vehicle body frame 22; a seat 23; and a pair of handles 24, 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation device 10 is the device for operating a travel speed and a steering direction of the electric mobility 100, and has an operation member 11 displaceable by an operator of the electric mobility 100. The operator of the electric mobility 100 outputs command signals to command the electric mobility 100 about the travel speed and the steering direction by displacing the operation member 11 along a travel direction and a vehicle-width direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, when outputting the command signals to control the electric mobility 100 by displacing the operation member in two directions of the travel direction and the steering direction perpendicular to each other, the operation device 10 is provided with a pair of potentiometers 14, 15 that applies a biasing force along each direction to the operation member so that the operator can individually recognize displacement of the operation member 11 toward each direction. As will be mentioned later, the potentiometers 14, 15 serve as biasing mechanisms each having a built-in spring that generates a biasing force to bias the operation member 11 toward a neutral position. A detailed configuration of the operation device 10 will be mentioned later.

First of all, each configuration of the electric mobility 100 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the electric mobility 100, the front wheels 20 and the rear wheel 21 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the travel direction, and at least either of them are electric drive wheels using an electric motor (not shown) as a power source. For example, two rear wheels are electric drive wheels, and two front wheels are driven wheels. Alternatively, the two rear wheels are the electric drive wheels, and the two front wheels are drive wheels to which a drive force is transmitted by a belt etc. from the two rear wheels. In addition, the respective two front wheels and two rear wheels may be set to be electric drive wheels.

The front wheels 20 are omnidirectional moving wheels provided with a plurality of rollers each having an axis line perpendicular to a radial direction of the wheel. When the front wheels 20 receive a force in the vehicle-width direction, the plurality of rollers rotate around the respective axis lines, and thereby the front wheels 20 can move along the vehicle-width direction. A vehicle (omnidirectional moving vehicle) provided with the front wheels 20, which are the omnidirectional moving wheels, can omnidirectionally move with respect to a ground contact surface of the vehicle by combining movement in the vehicle-width direction and movement in the travel direction.

The vehicle body frame 22 rotatably supports the front wheels 20 and the rear wheels 21 around respective axles. The electric motor (not shown) serving as the power source of the drive wheels, the seat 23, and the pair of handles 24, 25 are attached to the vehicle body frame 22 in addition to the front wheels 20 and the rear wheels 21.

The seat 23 is the seat on which the operator of the electric mobility 100 sits, and is provided with a seat surface 23a and a back rest 23b. The seat 23 is arranged above a position adjacent to the rear wheels 21, the position being located between the front wheels 20 and the rear wheels 21. A slide member (illustration is omitted) that is movably attached to a rail member (illustration is omitted) that is attached to an upper part of the vehicle body frame 22 and extends in the travel direction is attached under the seat surface 23a. The slide member is moved to the rail member and is fixed by a locking mechanism (illustration is omitted), and thereby the seat surface 23a with respect to the vehicle body frame 22 can be fixed to an arbitrary position.

The pair of handles 24, 25 includes the handle 24 arranged at a right side in the travel direction of the electric mobility 100, and the handle 25 arranged at a left side therein. The pair of handles 24, 25 is arranged at both sides of the operator in a state where he is sitting on the seat 23. The pair of handles 24, 25 swings around a swing shaft parallel to the axles of the front wheels 20 and the rear wheels 21. The pair of handles 24, 25 can be fixed to either of two positions in a state of being arranged at an operation position shown in FIG. 1, and a state of being arranged at a getting on/off position shown in FIG. 2. It is also possible to fix either one of the pair of handles 24, 25 to the operation position, and to fix the other to the getting on/off position in addition to the states shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The operation device 10 is provided at a tip of either one of the pair of handles 24, 25. Although in an example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation device 10 is provided at the tip of the handle 24 arranged at the right side of the electric mobility 100, it may be provided at the tip of the handle 25 arranged at the left side thereof.

Next, a configuration of the operation device 10 of the embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation device 10 is provided with: the operation member 11; a two-dimensional support mechanism in which a pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13 is connected in series; and the pair of potentiometers (biasing mechanisms) 14, 15.

The two-dimensional support mechanism is the mechanism that individually displaceably supports the operation member 11 in mutually crossing two directions of an axis line X1 direction and an axis line X2 direction.

The potentiometers 14, 15 are provided with swing members 14c, 15c that can swing from a central neutral position to both sides, and they are modules that output voltage signals according to swing angles of the swing members 14c, 15c. In addition, the potentiometers 14, 15 are the modules that function as biasing mechanisms provided with springs (illustration is omitted) that bias the swing members toward the neutral position.

Hereinafter, each portion of the operation device 10 will be explained.

First of all, the operation member 11 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation device 10 of the embodiment is provided with the operation member 11 displaceable by the operator. The operation member 11 is held at the neutral position shown by a continuous line in FIG. 3 by the biasing forces generated by the pair of potentiometers 14, 15. The operator can displace the operation member 11 at any position between positions 11a and 11b in the axis line X1 direction coincident with the travel direction. In addition, the operator can displace the operation member 11 to any position between positions 11c and 11d in the axis line X2 direction coincident with the vehicle-width direction. The operator can displace the operation member 11 to an arbitrary position by combining the displacement along the axis line X1 and the displacement along the axis line X2.

When the operation member 11 is displaced to the position 11a of FIG. 3, the operation device 10 outputs a speed command signal to advance the electric mobility 100 at a predetermined maximum speed. In addition, when the operation member 11 is displaced to the position 11b of FIG. 3, the operation device 10 outputs a speed command signal to reverse the electric mobility 100 at a predetermined maximum speed.

When the operation member 11 is displaced to the position 11c of FIG. 3, the operation device 10 outputs a steering command signal to turn the electric mobility 100 in a right direction at a predetermined maximum steering angle. In addition, when the operation member 11 is displaced to the position 11d of FIG. 3, the operation device 10 outputs a steering command signal to turn the electric mobility 100 in a left direction at a predetermined maximum steering angle.

Next, the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 is provided with: a roll rail (rail member) 12a; a roll slide (slide member) 12b; a roll cap (slide member) 12c; and a roll bracket 12d.

As shown in FIG. 7, the roll rail 12a is a member that extends along the axis line X2, and is attached to a pitch plate 13b through the roll bracket 12d. As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the roll slide 12b is attached to the operation member 11, and is movably attached to the roll rail 12a along the axis line X2.

As shown in an exploded view of FIG. 9, a groove portion 12e is provided in the roll slide 12b, and a projecting portion 12f is provided at the roll cap 12c. A through-hole (illustration is omitted) extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis line X2 direction where the roll rail 12a extends is provided in the roll slide 12b, and the roll cap 12c is inserted in the through-hole. After inserting the roll cap 12c in the through-hole of the roll slide 12b to integrate them into one member (slide member), an upper surface of the roll slide 12b and a lower surface of the operation member 11 are joined to each other. As a result of this, the roll cap 12c becomes a state of being inserted in the roll slide 12b, and the projecting portion 12f can move along the groove portion 12e.

As shown in FIG. 7, the potentiometer (biasing mechanism) 14 is attached to the pitch plate 13b through the roll bracket 12d. The potentiometer 14 is provided with a body 14a, and a shaft-like swing member 14c that swings around a swing shaft 14b. The swing member 14c is arranged so as to project to the roll rail 12a side through an opening hole (illustration is omitted) provided in the roll bracket 12d.

As shown in FIG. 7, the swing member 14c of the potentiometer 14 becomes a state of being inserted in a gap portion 12g of the roll cap 12c in a state where the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 is assembled. In a manner as described above, the roll slide 12b attached to the operation member 11 moves along the axis line X2 along with the operator moving the operation member 11 along the axis line X2. The roll cap 12c inserted inside the roll slide 12b moves along the axis line X2 along with the movement of the roll slide 12b. Additionally, the swing member 14c swings around the swing shaft 14b along with the movement of the roll cap 12c.

A state of the roll cap 12c inserted inside the roll slide 12b is shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 7 and 8. As mentioned above, the projecting portion 12f of the roll cap 12c is in a state movable along the groove portion 12e of the roll slide 12b. When the operation member 11 moves from the neutral position shown in FIG. 7 to a displacement position shown in FIG. 8, the projecting portion 12f moves from an upper side to a lower side of the groove portion 12e. Additionally, the swing member 14c swings clockwise in FIG. 7 by a force of an operator's hand transmitted through the gap portion 12g.

In a manner as described above, the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 provided with the roll slide 12b and the roll cap 12c (slide member) transmits to the potentiometer 14 the displacement along the axis line X2 of the operation member 11.

When the operation member 11 of the neutral position in the axis line X2 direction shown in FIG. 7 is displaced by the operator, and moves to a displacement position in the axis line X2 direction shown in FIG. 8, the potentiometer 14 generates a biasing force that biases the operation member 11 toward the neutral position. The spring (illustration is omitted) incorporated inside the body 14a of the potentiometer 14 generates the biasing force.

Next, the one-dimensional support mechanism 13 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the one-dimensional support mechanism 13 is provided with a base plate 13a, and a cylindrical swing member in which a pitch cover 13c is assembled to the pitch plate 13b by a fixture (illustration is omitted). The base plate 13a is a plate-like member arranged on a flat surface perpendicular to the axis line X2 along the vehicle-width direction of the electric mobility 100. The swing member is arranged coaxially with the base plate 13a, and can swing around the axis line X2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation member 11 is arranged in a state of projecting from an opening hole provided in a part of an outer peripheral surface of the pitch cover 13c.

As shown in FIG. 6, fastening bolts 13g are fastened to the base plate 13a attached to the handle 24. The fastening bolts 13g are inserted in slits 13h, 13i provided in the pitch plate 13b in a state of sandwiching resin washers 13f at both sides of the pitch plate 13b. As shown in FIG. 4, the fastening bolts 13g are inserted also in slits 13j, 13k in a state of sandwiching the washers 13f at both sides of the pitch plate 13b.

As described above, the resin washers 13f are sandwiched at the both sides of the pitch plate 13b, and thereby the pitch plate 13b swings around the axis line X2 with respect to the base plate 13a in a state with relatively little friction.

The pitch plate 13b and the pitch cover 13c are fastened by fixtures (illustration is omitted) in a plurality of fastening points, which are not shown. In addition, the pitch cover 13c is not coupled to the base plate 13a. Accordingly, the swing member in which the pitch cover 13c has been assembled to the pitch plate 13b can swing around the axis line X2 with respect to the base plate 13a.

The base plate 13a is molded integrally with a pair of stays 131, 13m shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pair of stays 131, 13m extends in the axis line X2 direction, and a base bracket 13d is attached to the stays. In addition, the potentiometer 15 (biasing mechanism) is attached to the base bracket 13d. As described above, the potentiometer 15 is attached in a state of being fixed to the base plate 13a.

As explained above, the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 displaceably supports the operation member 11 in the axis line X2 direction with respect to the pitch plate 13b. In addition, the one-dimensional support mechanism 13 displaceably supports the operation member 11 in the axis line X1 direction (the swing direction around the axis line X2) with respect to the base plate 13a. The one-dimensional support mechanism 13 supports the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 including the pitch plate 13b with respect to the base plate 13a. As described above, the one-dimensional support mechanisms 12 and 13 are connected in series to the base plate 13a. The two-dimensional support mechanism is formed with these pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms 12 and 13.

Next, the potentiometer 15 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the potentiometer 15 is provided with a body 15a, and a shaft-like swing member 15c that swings around a swing shaft 15b. The swing member 15c is arranged in a state of being sandwiched in a groove provided in a pitch bracket 13e attached to the pitch plate 13b. The pitch bracket 13e attached to the pitch plate 13b swings around the axis line X2, and thereby the swing member 15c swings around the swing shaft 15b. A range near the swing member 15c shown by an arrow in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a range of a swing angle at which the swing member 15c can swing around the axis line X2.

When the operation member 11 moves from the neutral position in the axis line X1 direction shown in FIG. 4 to a displacement position shown in FIG. 5, the pitch plate 13b swings to the base plate 13a along with the swing in the axis line X2 of the operation member 11. The pitch plate 13b swings because the operation member 11 is supported by the pitch plate 13b by the one-dimensional support mechanism 12.

Along with the swing of the pitch plate 13b, the pitch bracket 13e attached to the pitch plate 13b swings, and thereby swings the swing member 15c of the potentiometer 15 fixed to the base plate 13a.

In a manner as described above, the swing member in which the pitch cover 13c has been assembled to the pitch plate 13b transmits displacement (displacement along the axis line X1) around the axis line X2 of the operation member 11 to the potentiometer 15 corresponding to the one-dimensional support mechanism 13.

When the operation member 11 of the neutral position in the axis line X1 direction shown in FIG. 4 is displaced by the operator, and moves to a displacement position in the axis line X1 direction shown in FIG. 5, the potentiometer 15 generates a biasing force that biases the operation member 11 toward the neutral position. The biasing force is applied by a spring (not shown) incorporated inside the body 15a of the potentiometer 15.

Next, the potentiometer 14 will be explained.

The potentiometer 14 is a module that outputs a voltage value according to a swing angle of the swing member 14c from the neutral position. Similarly, the potentiometer 15 is a module that outputs a voltage value according to a swing angle of the swing member 15c from the neutral position. The swing angle of the swing member 14c is the angle according to the displacement of the operation member 11 in the axis line X2 direction (vehicle-width direction) of the operation member 11. Similarly, the swing angle of the swing member 15c is the angle according to the displacement of the operation member 11 in the axis line X1 direction (travel direction) of the operation member 11.

As shown in FIG. 10, the voltage value output from the potentiometer 14 is transmitted to a control unit 30 (not shown) as a steering command signal to command the steering direction of the electric mobility 100. Similarly, the voltage value output from the potentiometer 15 is transmitted to the control unit 30 as a speed command signal to command the travel speed of the electric mobility 100.

As described above, the potentiometers 14, 15 output the command signals according to the displacement of the operation member 11 of the one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13.

The springs with which the respective potentiometers 14, 15 of the embodiment are provided have the same magnitude of biasing forces generated against displacement of the swing angles from the neutral position of the swing members 14c, 15c. That is, if the displacement of the swing angles from the neutral position is the same, the biasing forces that the springs generate to the swing members 14c, 15c are the same as each other. As described above, the biasing forces generated by the springs are set to be the same, thereby the same types of modules can be used as the potentiometers 14, 15, thus contributing to cost reduction.

As described above, although the biasing forces generated by the springs with which the potentiometers 14 and 15 are provided are the same against the displacement of the swing angles, biasing forces that these springs apply to the operation member 11 against the displacement of the operation member 11 are different from each other. Specifically, even if the displacement of the swing angles from the neutral position is the same, the biasing force that the potentiometer 14 applies to the operation member 11 in the vehicle-width direction (axis line X2 direction) is larger than the biasing force that the potentiometer 15 applies to the operation member 11 in the travel direction (axis line X1 direction).

A difference is caused in the magnitude of the biasing forces as described above since positions of the swing shafts of the potentiometers with respect to the position of the operation member 11 are different from each other. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the swing shaft with respect to the operation member 11 in the potentiometer 15 is located farther than that in the potentiometer 14. Accordingly, since a moment distance of the potentiometer 14 is shorter, the biasing force that the potentiometer 14 applies to the operation member 11 in the vehicle-width direction (axis line X2 direction) becomes larger when the displacement of the swing angles from the neutral position is the same.

Next, a control configuration of the electric mobility 100 of the embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 30 controls an electric motor (not shown) that drives a right drive wheel 21a and an electric motor (not shown) that drives a left drive wheel 21b, which constitute the rear wheels 21, based on the steering command signal transmitted from the potentiometer 14, and the speed command signal transmitted from the potentiometer 15.

When the speed command signal is transmitted, the control unit 30 generates a speed control signal to rotate each of the right drive wheel 21a and the left drive wheel 21b in a same direction at a uniform speed according to the speed command signal. Since the speed control signal is a signal to control the travel speed, it is a control signal for rotating each drive wheel in the same direction at the uniform speed.

Meanwhile, when the steering command signal is transmitted, the control unit 30 generates a steering control signal to rotate each of the right drive wheel 21a and the left drive wheel 21b in different directions at a uniform speed according to the steering command signal. Since the steering control signal is a signal to control the steering direction, it is a control signal for rotating each drive wheel in the different directions at the uniform speed. For example, when a steering command signal to turn in the right direction is transmitted from the operation device 10, the left drive wheel 21b is rotated in an advance direction, and the right drive wheel 21a is rotated in a reverse direction.

The control unit 30 that has generated the speed control signal and the steering control signal as described above transmits the control signals to each drive wheel, after superposing the speed control signal and the steering control signal.

When the command signal transmitted from the operation device 10 to the control unit 30 is only the speed command signal (when the operation member 11 is located at the neutral position in the vehicle-width direction), the control unit 30 controls each drive wheel so that the electric mobility 100 is advanced straight or reversed without being steered from side to side.

In addition, when the command signal transmitted from the operation device 10 to the control unit 30 is only the steering command signal (when the operation member 11 is located at the neutral position in the travel direction), the control unit 30 controls each drive wheel so that the electric mobility 100 rotates in the right or left direction on the spot to switch the steering direction without being advanced and reversed.

Actions and effects of the embodiment explained above will be explained.

According to the operation device 10 of the embodiment, when the operator displaces the operation member 11, displacement in two directions perpendicular to each other is transmitted to each of the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13 that supports the operation member 11. The displacement of the operation member 11 transmitted to the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13 is output as the command signal according to the displacement of the operation member 11 of the respective one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13. Biasing forces toward the neutral position of the displacement by the respective one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13 are applied to the operation member 11 by the pair of potentiometers 14, 15.

When either one of the two directions displaceably supported by the pair of one-dimensional support mechanisms 12, 13 is included in displacement directions of the operation member 11 by the operator, the biasing force along the one direction is applied to the operation member 11. Similarly, when the other of the above-mentioned two directions is included in the displacement directions of the operation member 11 by the operator, the biasing force along the other direction is applied to the operation member 11. By these biasing forces, the operator can individually recognize the displacement direction of the operation member 11 in relation to each of the two directions where the operation member 11 is displaceably supported. Consequently, when the operator wants to displace the operation member 11 only in either one of the above-mentioned two directions, he can displace the operation member 11 in a desired direction while adjusting a displacement state of the operation member 11 so that the biasing force along the other direction is not applied to the operation member 11.

As described above, according to the operation device 10 of the embodiment, when the command signal is output by displacing the operation member 11 in two directions perpendicular to each other, the operator can individually recognize the displacement of the operation member 11 toward each direction to thereby enhance operability.

In the operation device 10 of the embodiment, the biasing forces that the potentiometers 14, 15 apply to the operation member 11 against the displacement of the operation member 11 are different from each other. Specifically, the biasing force that the potentiometer 14 applies to the operation member 11 against the displacement in the vehicle-width direction of the operation member 11 is larger than the biasing force that the potentiometer 15 applies to the operation member 11 against the displacement in the travel direction of the operation member 11.

In a manner as described above, the operator can displace the operation member 11 in the travel direction more easily than in the vehicle-width direction. Accordingly, the speed command signal along the travel direction is emphasized more than the steering command signal according to the displacement in the vehicle-width direction, and output stability (straight advance stability) of the command signal according to the displacement in the travel direction can be enhanced.

In the operation device 10 of the embodiment, the one-dimensional support mechanism 12 is provided with: the roll rail 12a (rail member) that extends along the vehicle-width direction; and the roll slide 12b and the roll cap 12c that are attached to the operation member 11 and are movably attached to the roll rail 12a, and the roll rail 12a transmits displacement along the vehicle-width direction of the operation member 11 to the potentiometer 14.

In a manner as described above, the operator can transmit the displacement of the operation member 11 to the two-dimensional support mechanism by linearly moving the operation member 11 along the vehicle-width direction.

In the operation device 10 of the embodiment, the one-dimensional support mechanism 13 is provided with the pitch plate 13b and the pitch cover 13c (swing member) that swingably support the roll rail 12a around the axis line X2 parallel to the roll rail 12a.

In a manner as described above, the roll rail 12a is swung around the axis line X2 (swing shaft) parallel to the roll rail 12a while linearly moving the operation member 11 in a direction along the roll rail 12a, and thereby the operation member 11 can be individually displaced in the crossing two directions.

In the embodiment, the biasing force that the potentiometer 14 biasing the operation member 11 in the direction along the roll rail 12a applies to the operation member 11 against the displacement of the operation member 11 is larger than the biasing force that the potentiometer 15 biasing the pitch plate 13b and the pitch cover 13c in a swing direction of the roll rail 12a applies to the operation member 11 against the displacement of the operation member 11.

In a manner as described above, it becomes easy for the operator to displace the operation member 11 in the swing direction of the roll rail 12a, and it becomes hard for the operator to displace the operation member 11 in the direction along the roll rail 12a. Accordingly, output stability of the speed command signal along the swing direction of the roll rail 12a can be enhanced.

Other Embodiment

Although in the above-mentioned embodiment, magnitude of the biasing forces that the respective potentiometers 14, 15 generate to the swing members 14c, 15c is the same, it may be different from each other.

Although in the above-mentioned embodiment, the handles 24, 25 are arranged at both sides of the operator in the state where he is sitting on the seat 23, other aspect may be employed. For example, a handle may be arranged only at either side of the operator. In this case, the operation device 10 is attached to a tip of the handle arranged at the side.

Although in the above-mentioned embodiment, the potentiometers 14, 15 have the built-in springs that generate the biasing forces biasing the operation member 11 to the neutral position, other aspect may be employed. For example, a pair of biasing mechanisms that generates biasing forces biasing the operation member 11 in two directions (the travel direction and the vehicle-width direction), respectively toward the neutral position may be provided as mechanisms separately from the potentiometers 14, 15.

OPERATION DEVICE AND ELECTRIC MOBILITY

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Priority Claims (1)