Key input device with vibration mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a key input device with a vibration mechanism, which can generate a virtual touch sensed as a click. The key input device has: a key switch (2) that receives a pressing operation, a top plate (44) equipped with the key switch (2), and a support base (40) that supports the top plate (44), and is implemented as a keyboard (1), for example. In addition, the key input device has a holding component (43) that holds the top plate (44) on the support base (40) in a vibrating manner, one of the top plate (44) and the support base (40) has a permanent magnet (42), and the other of the top plate (44) and the support base (40) has a coil (41) used as an electromagnet. Moreover, by passing an alternating current that repeatedly reverses the direction of energization through the electromagnet, the top plate (44) vibrates while being held on the holding component (43). The virtual touch sense is generated by the vibration of the top plate (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a key input device having a key switch for receiving a pressing operation. Background Art

[0002] As input devices for electronic devices such as computers, key input devices such as keyboards equipped with multiple key switches in parallel have become popular. With respect to the above-mentioned keyboards, it is necessary to have functions that adjust various characteristics according to the length of the operator's fingers, operating habits, force application methods, or usage purposes. In recent years, in particular, the above requirements have been raised for keyboards used in computer games called e-sports. For example, in Patent Document 1, a key switch that can adjust the length from pressing a key to switching to the on state, the so-called PT (Pre Travel) length, has been proposed.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 58-19822 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, the push switch described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operator cannot sense the position of the switch to the on state by tactile sensation. If the position cannot be sensed by tactile sensation, the response may be delayed when used in fields requiring instant responsiveness such as e-sports.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key input device that generates vibrations that can give a virtual tactile sensation to an operator, for example.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the key input device described in the present application is a key input device having a key switch that accepts a pressing operation, and is characterized in that it has a vibration mechanism that makes the key switch vibrate, and the vibration mechanism has: a top plate on which the key switch is arranged, a supporting base that supports the top plate from below, and a holding component that vibrates the top plate on the supporting base, a permanent magnet is arranged on one of the top plate and the supporting base, and an electromagnet is arranged on the other of the top plate and the supporting base.

[0011] Furthermore, based on the key input device, the electromagnet is a coil functioning as an electromagnet, and the permanent magnet is acted upon by the passage of an alternating current to vibrate the top plate.

[0012] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the support base has a side plate erected on the side of the top plate, and the holding member is an elastic body that bridges from the side plate of the support base to the side of the top plate.

[0013] Furthermore, based on the key input device, the holding member is a shaft-shaped body fixed to one of the top plate and the support base, and the other of the top plate and the support base holds the shaft-shaped body movably in the axial direction.

[0014] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the retaining part is a spherical body, the supporting base forms a supporting base side receiving portion in which the spherical body is loosely embedded, the top plate forms a top plate side receiving portion in which the spherical body is loosely embedded, and the spherical body is installed between the supporting base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are arranged opposite to each other.

[0015] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the retaining part is an axial body formed in a cylindrical shape, the supporting base is formed with a supporting base side receiving portion in which the axial body is loosely embedded, the top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion in which the axial body is loosely embedded, and the axial body is installed between the supporting base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are oppositely arranged.

[0016] Furthermore, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the holding member is an elastic body, the elastic body is arranged on a supporting base, and the top plate is arranged on the elastic body.

[0017] Furthermore, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the elastic body has: an elastic portion inserted between the holding member and the top plate, and a rigid body portion inserted between the holding member and the top plate.

[0018] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed in a columnar shape and passes through a through hole opened in the up-down direction of the elastic portion.

[0019] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the elastic body is formed in a prism shape, the rigid body part of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape, and is arranged with the vibration direction as the surface direction and sandwiched by the elastic part on both sides.

[0020] Furthermore, based on the key input device, the holding member is a leaf spring having flexibility in a vibration direction, the leaf spring is disposed on a support base, and the top plate is disposed on the leaf spring.

[0021] Furthermore, based on the key input device, the leaf spring is formed in an elongated shape, is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the vibration direction, and is arranged in parallel in the vibration direction in plurality.

[0022] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that a plurality of the leaf springs are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction, and a plurality of the leaf springs are arranged in the vibration direction.

[0023] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the support base has a bridge portion located above the top plate, and the holding member is a plurality of link members that support the top plate below freely and swingably from the bridge portion of the support base.

[0024] Furthermore, based on the key input device, the holding member is a plurality of link members that support the top plate on the support base so as to be swingable.

[0025] Furthermore, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the link member supports the top plate via a rotation pair.

[0026] Furthermore, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the link member is a plate-like body formed in an elongated shape, is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the vibration direction, and a plurality of link members are arranged in parallel in the vibration direction.

[0027] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the holding component has a fulcrum portion that serves as a swing fulcrum, the supporting base axially supports the fulcrum portion of the holding component so that it can swing freely, and the top plate held on the holding component swings based on a swing axis of the fulcrum portion of the holding component as a swing center.

[0028] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the electromagnet is fixed to the support base as a lower electromagnet, the permanent magnet is arranged above the lower electromagnet with a gap, and there is an upper electromagnet fixed above the permanent magnet with a gap.

[0029] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the permanent magnet is fixed to the support base as a lower permanent magnet, the electromagnet is arranged above the lower permanent magnet with a gap, and there is an upper permanent magnet fixed above the electromagnet with a gap.

[0030] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized in that the top plate is formed in a rectangular shape, and the vibration direction is a direction parallel to the long side or the short side.

[0031] Furthermore, the key input device is characterized by comprising a plurality of vibrating parts in which the permanent magnet and the electromagnet are grouped together.

[0032] Furthermore, the key input device is characterized in that each of the vibration units can be controlled to vibrate or stop.

[0033] In addition, based on the key input device, it is characterized by having: a detection unit for detecting a pressing operation of the key switch, and a vibration control unit for controlling the vibration of the top plate, when the detection unit detects a pressing operation, the vibration control unit controls the top plate to vibrate.

[0034] Furthermore, the key input device is characterized in that a setting of a vibration pattern representing the vibration performed by the vibration control unit can be changed.

[0035] Furthermore, the key input device may further include a sound output unit for outputting sound, wherein the sound output unit outputs the sound when the detection unit detects the pressing operation.

[0036] Furthermore, the key input device is characterized in that the sound output by the sound output unit can be changed.

[0037] The top plate of the key input device described in the present application, which is equipped with a key switch, vibrates.

[0038] Effects of the Invention

[0039] The key input device of the present invention can vibrate the top plate provided with the key switch, thereby having a good effect that the operator of the key switch can sense the switching of the open and closed states of the circuit by touch, for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard to which the key input device described in the present application is applied.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a graph showing an example of the characteristics of the key switches included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0043] Figure 4is a block diagram generally showing an example of the structure of the keyboard described in the present application.

[0044] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration pattern recorded in a vibration recording unit of a waveform determination unit included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0049] Fig.10 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0050] Fig.11 This is an enlarged view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0052] Fig.13 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0053] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0054] Fig.15 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0055] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0056] Fig.17 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0057] Fig.18 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a holding member included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0058] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0059] Fig. 20 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0060] Fig.21 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a holding member included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0061] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0062] Fig.23 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0063] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0064] Fig.25 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0065] Fig.26 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0066] Fig. 27 This is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0067] Fig.28 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0068] Fig.29 This is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0069] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0070] Fig.31 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0071] Fig.32 This is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0072] Fig.33 This is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0073] Fig.34 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0074] Fig.35 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0075] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0076] FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0077] FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0078] FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application.

[0079] Fig.40 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism included in the keyboard described in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] <Application Examples>

[0081] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The key input device described in the present application is used as a keyboard 1 used to input data such as various commands in addition to letters, numbers, and symbols in electronic devices such as computers.

[0082] <First embodiment>

[0083] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard 1 to which the key input device described in the present application is applied. The keyboard 1 has a plurality of key switches 2 arranged in parallel, such as letter keys, numeric keys, and other function keys. In addition, a sound output unit 3 such as a speaker for outputting sound is arranged on the left and right sides in front of the keyboard 1 (on the operator's side). Moreover, various structures such as a vibration mechanism 4 (refer to FIG. 3, etc.) for generating vibration are stored in the keyboard 1. It should be noted that the illustrated keyboard 1 arranges key switches 2 of the same shape in parallel for the purpose of simplifying the structure and being able to easily identify the technical content, but is not limited to the above shape when actually installed. For example, in the keyboard 1 arranged in QWERTY, only the letter keys are made of the same shape, and the key switches 2 with designated functions such as the space key and the enter key arranged around the letter keys can be appropriately designed and constructed to be different from the letter keys. In addition, the sound output unit 3 is not limited to the front, and can also be arranged at various positions such as the side, the back, and the corner, and can also be appropriately designed for the number of arrangements.

[0084] The key switch 2 provided on the keyboard 1 can be pressed from the upper dead center as the highest position to the lower dead center as the lowest position by the operator. In addition, in the process of the key switch 2 moving from the upper dead center to the lower dead center, the open / closed state of the set circuit is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state.

[0085] Figure 2 : is a graph showing an example of the characteristics of the key switch 2 included in the keyboard 1 described in the present application. Figure 2 The graph shown in the figure shows the relationship between the above two aspects, with the horizontal axis representing the travel distance caused by pressing the push switch 2 and the vertical axis representing the pressing load as the force required for pressing. Figure 2 As shown, as the key switch 2 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, a linear switch can be used, and the relationship between the pressing load of the linear switch and the moving distance increases monotonically, for example, in a proportional relationship, and the inclination is constant. The linear switch in which the pressing load increases monotonically with respect to the moving distance has the following characteristics, that is, the pressing load does not change at the switching position of switching between the open and closed states. Therefore, when the operator presses the key switch 2 using the linear switch, the tactile feeling when the open and closed state is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state, the so-called click feeling, cannot be perceived by the key switch 2 itself. The keyboard 1 described in the present application has a vibration mechanism (refer to FIG. 3, etc.) 4 that generates vibration, and the vibration generated by the vibration mechanism 4 generates a click feeling that cannot be perceived by the key switch 2 as a virtual click feeling (virtual touch). That is, the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 functions as a tactile feedback technology (tactile feedback technology) that provides vibration to the operator.

[0086] Next, an example of the functional structure of the keyboard 1 described in this application is described. Figure 3A , Figure 3B ) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 possessed by the keyboard 1 described in the present application. FIG. 3 shows a structural example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard 1 as a schematic cross-sectional view. In the housing of the keyboard 1, a support base 40, a coil 41 functioning as an electromagnet, a permanent magnet 42, a retaining component 43, and a top plate 44 are housed as the vibration mechanism 4. Among the various structures housed, the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 function as a vibration part that becomes an actuator for generating vibration. It should be noted that, in the present application, although a structure in which the support base 40 is provided as a separate body in the housing of the keyboard 1 is shown, the housing and the support base 40 may also be constructed as a whole.

[0087] The key switch 2 is mounted on the substrate 20, and the substrate 20 is arranged on the upper surface of the top plate 44 of the vibration mechanism 4 by means of screw fixing or other installation methods. That is, the key switch 2 is arranged on the upper surface of the top plate 44 through the substrate 20. The top plate 44 is supported on the support base 40 via the retaining component 43. A coil 41 that functions as an electromagnet is arranged on the bottom plate 400 that constitutes the bottom of the support base 40. As the coil 41, for example, a planar VCM (Voice Coil Motor) that is wound in the horizontal direction and generates a vertical magnetic field on the inside is used. It should be noted that in the present application, the so-called horizontal direction is the direction of the surface parallel to the bottom surface of the support base 40 for the sake of convenience of explanation, and it may not be consistent with the direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity depending on the structure and arrangement direction of the keyboard 1. Figure 3A In the example of generating a magnetic field with an S pole at the top and an N pole at the bottom, Figure 3B , an example of generating a magnetic field with an N pole at the top and an S pole at the bottom is shown. A top plate 44 is provided above a coil 41 provided on a support base 40, and a permanent magnet 42 is provided on the bottom surface thereof, and the permanent magnet 42 is arranged opposite to the coil 41. FIG. 3 shows an example of arranging the permanent magnet 42 so that the bottom surface of the front side (the left side facing the drawing) of the keyboard 1 is an N pole, and the bottom surface of the rear side (the right side facing the drawing) is an S pole.

[0088] On the side of the support base 40 (the front and rear in the example of FIG. 3 ), side plates 401 are erected on the bottom plate 400, respectively, and the upper part of the side plate 401 is located near the side of the top plate 44. On the side plate 401, an elastic body such as a compression coil spring is installed by bridging as a holding member 43 for holding the top plate 44 in a vibrating manner. Moreover, by using the holding member 43 of the elastic body that is bridged from the side plate 401 of the support base 40 to the side of the top plate 44, the top plate 44 is held movably in the front and back. In addition, the front and rear side plates 401 are provided with a cushioning member 45 such as rubber, and the cushioning member 45 is used to absorb the impact when the top plate 44 touches each other due to vibration.

[0089] As described above, a plurality of push switches 2 that are pressed by an operator are arranged on the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is vibrably held on the support base 40 by the holding member 43. A permanent magnet 42 is arranged at the bottom of the top plate 44, facing the coil 41 used as an electromagnet arranged on the support base 40.

[0090] like Figure 3A As shown, when power is applied to the upper side of the coil 41 to generate an S pole, the top plate 44 moves backward as shown by the arrow in the figure. Figure 3B When the coil 41 is energized to generate an N pole, the top plate 44 moves forward as shown by the arrow in the figure. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The state shown is repeated, and the top plate 44 vibrates. As described above, the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 included in the keyboard 1 function as a vibrating part (actuator) that generates vibration.

[0091] Next, an example of the circuit structure of the keyboard 1 described in the present application is described. Figure 4 1 is a block diagram that summarizes an example of the structure of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. The keyboard 1 is a structure that performs various processes in accordance with the pressing operation of the key switch 2, and in addition to the sound output unit 3 and the vibration mechanism 4, it also has various mechanisms such as: an operation detection unit 5, a vibration control unit 6, a sound control unit 7, and a waveform determination unit 8.

[0092] When the push switch 2 is pressed, the open / closed state of the circuit built into the push switch 2 changes, for example, from an open state to a closed state. The operation detection unit 5 detects the change in the open / closed state of the circuit as a pressing operation. The change in the open / closed state of the circuit is detected by the following changes, namely, mechanical detection relative to the movement of the push switch 2, detection of changes in the power supply status of the electronic circuit opened and closed due to the movement, and detection of changes in physical states such as electrostatic capacitance, magnetic field, and electric field as the position of the push switch 2 changes. The operation detection unit 5 that detects the change in the open / closed state outputs a connection signal indicating that the push switch 2 is pressed to the waveform determination unit 8 as shown by the solid arrow in the figure.

[0093] The waveform determination unit 8 is configured as a hardware circuit, a software program, a circuit in which hardware and software work together, etc. The waveform determination unit 8 has a waveform setting unit 80 that functions as a user interface for setting a vibration waveform, a recording unit 81 that records various information, and a waveform selection unit 82 that selects a vibration. A portion of the recording area of ​​the recording unit 81 is used as a setting recording unit 810 that records vibration settings, a vibration recording unit 811 that records a plurality of vibration information representing various vibration modes, and a sound recording unit 812 that records a plurality of sound information representing various sound modes.

[0094] Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording unit 811 of the waveform determination unit 8 included in the keyboard 1 described in the present application. Figure 5 The vibration mode recorded in the vibration recording unit 811 is schematically shown. The vibration mode is recorded as information indicating a waveform such as a vibration waveform and a current waveform. A plurality of the above-mentioned vibration modes are recorded in the vibration recording unit 811. The vibration mechanism 4 using the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 generates a virtual click feeling by vibration, but the virtual click feeling perceived by the operator is different depending on the vibration mode. That is, by selecting a vibration mode, various click feelings such as a high-level click feeling, a soft click feeling, and a mechanical click feeling can be performed.

[0095] The sound pattern recorded in the sound recording unit 812 is also recorded as sound information representing a waveform of a virtual sound. That is, various click sounds such as advanced click sounds, soft click sounds, and mechanical click sounds can be performed corresponding to the click sense based on the vibration pattern. The keyboard 1 described in the present application outputs a click sound together with a click sense based on vibration based on the key operation of the operator, thereby allowing the operator to perceive the click sense through touch and hearing.

[0096] return Figure 4The waveform setting unit 80 of the waveform determination unit 8 receives the designation of the vibration mode and the sound mode from the operator, or receives a command from the keyboard 1 or an electronic device connected to the keyboard 1 that receives the setting operation of the operator, and performs the setting and change processing of the designated vibration mode and the sound mode. The designated vibration mode and the sound mode that are set are recorded in the setting recording unit 810.

[0097] The waveform selection unit 82 reads the setting recorded in the setting recording unit 810, reads the vibration pattern related to the setting from the vibration recording unit 811, and reads the sound pattern related to the setting from the sound recording unit 812. Moreover, when the waveform selection unit 82 receives an on signal indicating that the key switch 2 is pressed from the operation detection unit 5, the vibration pattern read is output to the vibration control unit 6, and the sound pattern read is output to the sound control unit 7, as shown by the solid arrow in the figure.

[0098] The vibration control unit 6 vibrates the vibration mechanism 4 based on the received input vibration pattern. In addition, the sound output unit 3 outputs sound based on the received input sound pattern.

[0099] It should be noted that the control of vibration and sound can be appropriately designed and is not limited to the above examples. For example, as shown by the dotted arrows in the figure, it can be appropriately designed that the operation detection unit 5 outputs the connection signal to the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7, and the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7 read the vibration mode and the sound mode from the waveform selection unit 82. In addition, the vibration mode and the sound mode can also be fixed to one type. In this case, the waveform determination unit 8 is not required, and the connection signal is output from the operation detection unit 5 to the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7.

[0100] In addition, the keyboard 1 does not necessarily have the structure of the waveform determination unit 8 completely, and can be appropriately designed so that part or all of the hardware and / or software constituting the waveform determination unit 8 is configured on an electronic device such as a computer to which the keyboard 1 is connected. Specifically, it can also be configured so that the waveform setting unit 80, the vibration recording unit 811, and the sound recording unit 812 are configured on the electronic device side in the structure of the waveform determination unit 8. In the case of the above-mentioned structure, the operator operates the electronic device to output the waveform selected from the waveforms of the vibration mode, sound mode, etc. recorded in the vibration recording unit 811 and the sound recording unit 812 from the electronic device to the keyboard 1. The keyboard 1 records the vibration mode and sound mode based on the input waveform in the recording unit 81, and outputs them to the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7, and performs the output of vibration based on the vibration control unit 6 and sound based on the sound output unit 3.

[0101] Furthermore, the keyboard 1 may be configured to output only one of sound from the sound output unit 3 and vibration from the vibration mechanism 4. In this case, the electronic device may be appropriately designed to output sound and generate vibrations from the keyboard 1.

[0102] As described above, the keyboard (key input device) 1 described in the present application receives an operation on the key switch 2, and is configured with an electromagnet such as a planar VCM using a planar coil, and a vibration mechanism 4 having a permanent magnet 42. When the key switch 2 is operated, the vibration mechanism 4 generates vibration. As a result, the operator can feel a virtual touch that becomes a click feeling accompanying the key operation. In addition, the keyboard 1 described in the present application outputs a click sound accompanied by vibration, so that the operator can strongly feel the click feeling. In addition, the keyboard 1 described in the present application can deduce various click feelings by appropriately selecting vibration modes and sound modes.

[0103] Next, examples of embodiments in which the vibration mechanism 4 is configured in various forms will be described.

[0104] [Second Embodiment]

[0105] The second embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0106] Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. FIG. 8 is a schematic view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Figure 6 The vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 is shown from an oblique upper perspective. Figure 7 Indicates from Figure 6 The state after removing the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42. FIG8 ( Fig. 8A , Figure 8B ) shows a structural example of the vibration mechanism 4 as a schematic cross-sectional view, Fig. 8A yes Figure 6 The cross section in the AA direction is shown. Figure 8B It is the cross section in the BB direction.

[0107] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the second embodiment, an axial shaft-shaped body is used as a holding member 43 that vibrates to hold the top plate 44. The shaft-shaped body that becomes the holding member 43 is, for example, a shaft body with a circular cross section, and is formed to protrude forward and backward from the vicinity of the left and right ends of the top plate 44 in the axial direction. Insertion holes that can be inserted into the holding member 43 are opened in the side plates 401 that are erected at the front and back of the support base 40. The holding member 43 is inserted into the insertion holes opened in the side plates 401 of the support base 40 so as to be movably held, and the top plate 44 is movably held.

[0108] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the holding member 43 to reciprocate in the axial direction by passing an alternating current of which the direction of current flow is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the second embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and can be appropriately designed to form an axial body on the side of the support base 40, and to open an insertion hole on the side of the top plate 44. In addition, in the second embodiment, a structure in which the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 are integrated is illustrated, but the illustrated method is not limited thereto, and the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 can also be constructed as separate bodies. In the case where the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 are constructed as separate bodies, for example, a structure in which an insertion hole is opened in the top plate 44, and the axial axial body is inserted into the insertion hole of the top plate 44 is formed. That is, the vibration mechanism 4 can be appropriately designed so that the holding member 43 using the shaft-shaped body penetrates the insertion hole of the side plate 401 of the support base 40 and the insertion hole of the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is vibrably held on the support base 40 by the holding member 43.

[0109] [Third Embodiment]

[0110] The third embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0111] Figure 9 Fig.9A , Fig. 9B , Fig. 9C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.10 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.11 This is an enlarged view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 described in the present application. Fig.9A It is a top view. Fig. 9B is the cross section in the CC direction, Fig. 9C It is the cross section in DD direction. Fig.10The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed. Fig.11 Enlarge Fig. 9C The vicinity of the front end in the cross section of the vibration mechanism 4 shown.

[0112] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the third embodiment, a spherical body used as a ball bearing is used as a holding member 43 that vibrates to hold the top plate 44. The spherical body that serves as the holding member 43 is a rigid body such as an iron ball, and is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. Support base side receiving parts 402 that are each concave in a substantially spherical crown shape are formed near each corner of the support base 40 that is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, and a spherical body is placed on each support base side receiving part 402 as the holding member 43, and the spherical body is rotatably inserted into the support base side receiving part 402 with clearance from above. Top plate side receiving parts 440 that are each concave in a substantially spherical crown shape are formed near each corner of the lower surface of the top plate 44 that is formed in a rectangular shape in cross section. The top plate 44 is placed from above the spherical body placed on the support base 40 so that the spherical body is inserted into the top plate side receiving part 440 with clearance. The spherical body used as the holding member 43 is inserted between the support base 40 and the top plate 44 and is fitted with play so as to be rotatable. That is, the holding member 43 holds the top plate 44 so as to be movable.

[0113] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above vibrates by passing an alternating current of which the current supply direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the top plate 44 vibrates while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the third embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and for example, the side plate 401 of the support base 40 may be appropriately designed to have a support base side receiving portion 402 recessed therein, a top plate side receiving portion 440 recessed therein at a position on the side surface of the top plate 44 opposite to the support base side receiving portion 402, or to have the spherical body sandwiched therein from the lateral direction.

[0114] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0115] The fourth embodiment is based on the first embodiment, but the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0116] Figure 12 Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Fig. 12C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.13 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 12A It is a top view. Fig. 12Bis the cross section in the EE direction, Fig. 12C It is the cross section in the FF direction. Fig.13 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed.

[0117] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fourth embodiment, as the holding member 43 for holding the top plate 44 in a vibrating manner, an axial body used as a shaft bearing is used. The axial body serving as the holding member 43 is a rigid body formed in a cylindrical shape, and is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. A support base side receiving portion 402 recessed in a straight line parallel to the long side is formed near the front and rear long sides of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, and an axial body is placed on each support base side receiving portion 402 as the holding member 43, and is inserted into the support base side receiving portion 402 with clearance from above so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A top plate side receiving portion 440 recessed in a straight line parallel to the long side is formed near the front and rear long sides of the lower surface of the top plate 44 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section. The top plate 44 is placed from above the shaft-shaped body placed on the support base 40 so that the shaft-shaped body is loosely embedded in the top plate side receiving portion 440. The shaft-shaped body used as the holding member 43 is inserted between the support base 40 and the top plate 44 and loosely embedded in the circumferential direction so as to be rotatable. That is, the holding member 43 holds the top plate 44 movably.

[0118] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above is configured to pass an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, so that the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the fourth embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and for example, the side plate 401 of the support base 40 may be appropriately designed to have a support base side receiving portion 402 recessed therein, a top plate side receiving portion 440 recessed therein at a position on the side surface of the top plate 44 opposite to the support base side receiving portion 402, or to have the shaft-shaped body sandwiched therein from the lateral direction.

[0119] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0120] The fifth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0121] Figure 14 Fig.14A , Fig. 14B , Fig. 14C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.15 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.14AIt is a top view. Fig. 14B is the cross section in the GG direction, Fig. 14C It is the cross section in the HH direction. Fig.15 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed.

[0122] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fifth embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as a holding member 43 for vibratingly holding the top plate 44. The elastic body that serves as the holding member 43 is a rubber column formed in a cylindrical shape, which is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. The lower bottom surface of each holding member 43 using an elastic body is installed near each corner of the support base 40 formed in a rectangular shape in cross-section. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is installed on the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. In this way, the elastic body is arranged on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is arranged on the elastic body. Therefore, the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is vibratingly held by the holding member 43.

[0123] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the holding member 43, i.e., the elastic body, to bend by passing an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the top plate 44 vibrates while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the fifth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, the elastic body may be appropriately designed to be arranged at a position other than the corners.

[0124] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0125] The sixth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as the first embodiment are used for the same structures as the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0126] Figure 16 Fig.16A , Fig. 16B , Fig. 16C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.17 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.18 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the holding member 43 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.16A It is a top view. Fig. 16B It is the section along direction II. Fig. 16C It is the cross section in the JJ direction. Fig.17 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed. Fig.18 The holding element 43 is shown from a perspective obliquely from above.

[0127] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the sixth embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as a holding member 43 for vibratingly holding the top plate 44. The elastic body used as the holding member 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a rubber elastic part 430 formed in a cylindrical shape with a through hole opened in the middle axis part, and a rigid body part 431 formed in a cylindrical shape formed by a rigid body such as a metal rod passing through the through hole. The elastic body that becomes the holding member 43 is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. The lower bottom surface of each holding member 43 using an elastic body is installed near each corner of the support base 40 formed in a rectangular shape in cross-section. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is installed on the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. Because the axial lengths of the elastic part 430 and the rigid body part 431 are the same, both the elastic part 430 and the rigid body part 431 are inserted between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44, and installed between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44. In this way, the elastic body is arranged on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is arranged on the elastic body. Therefore, the holding member 43 is an elastic body having an elastic portion 430, so the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is held by the holding member 43 in a vibrating manner in the horizontal direction, but because the support base 40 and the top plate 44 are fixed to the rigid body portion 431 of the holding member 43, the vibration in the vertical direction can be suppressed. By suppressing the vibration in the vertical direction, for example, when the key switch 2 is pressed, even if stress is generated in the direction in which the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 approach each other due to the attraction caused by the magnetic force between the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42, it is possible to ensure that the distance between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 is constant.

[0128] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the holding member 43, i.e., the elastic portion 430 of the elastic body, to bend by passing an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the top plate 44 vibrates in the horizontal direction while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the sixth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, the elastic body may be appropriately arranged at a position other than the corners.

[0129] [Seventh Embodiment]

[0130] The seventh embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as the first embodiment are used for the same structures as the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0131] Figure 19 Fig.19A , Fig.19B , Fig.19C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig. 20is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.21 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the holding member 43 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.19A It is a top view. Fig.19B is the cross section in the KK direction, Fig.19C It is the cross section in the LL direction. Fig. 20 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed. Fig.21 The holding element 43 is shown from a perspective obliquely from above.

[0132] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the seventh embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as a holding member 43 that can vibrate and hold the top plate 44. The elastic body used as the holding member 43 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape as a whole, and has: a rigid body portion 431 such as a metal plate formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a rubber elastic portion 430 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and adhered to both sides of the rigid body portion 431. The top plate 44 is formed to vibrate in the front-to-back direction of the keyboard 1, and the holding member 43 is arranged so that both sides of the metal plate face the front-to-back direction that becomes the vibration direction. That is, the elastic body itself is formed in a quadrangular prism shape, and the rigid body portion 431 of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape, and is arranged with the vibration direction as the surface direction, and is sandwiched between the elastic portion 430 on both sides. The elastic body that becomes the holding member 43 is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. The lower bottom surface of each holding member 43 using an elastic body is installed near each corner of the support base 40 formed into a rectangular shape in cross-section. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is installed on the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. The axial lengths of the elastic part 430 and the rigid body part 431 are the same, and both the elastic part 430 and the rigid body part 431 are inserted between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44, fixed and held on the holding member 43 and the top plate 44. In this way, the elastic body is arranged on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is arranged on the elastic body. Therefore, since the holding member 43 is an elastic body having the elastic part 430, the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is vibratedly held by the holding member 43 in the front-back direction, but since the support base 40 and the top plate 44 are in contact with the rigid body part 431 of the holding member 43, it is possible to ensure that the distance between the support base 40 and the top plate 44 is constant. Therefore, for example, when the push switch 2 is pressed, even if stress in the direction in which the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 approach each other is generated when an attractive force due to magnetic force is generated between the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42, the distance between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 can be kept constant.

[0133] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above is configured to bend the elastic portion 430 of the elastic body, which is the holding member 43, by passing an alternating current whose current supply direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, so that the top plate 44 vibrates in the front-rear direction while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the seventh embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, the elastic body can be appropriately designed to be arranged at a position other than the corners.

[0134] [Eighth Embodiment]

[0135] The eighth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as the first embodiment are used for the same structures as the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0136] Figure 22 Fig.22A , Fig. 22B , Fig. 22C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.23 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.22A It is a top view. Fig. 22B is the cross section in the MM direction, Fig. 22C It is the cross section in the NN direction. Fig.23 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed.

[0137] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the eighth embodiment, a flexible leaf spring is used as a holding member 43 for vibratingly holding a top plate 44. The leaf spring that becomes the holding member 43 is formed in a longitudinal thin plate shape and is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. In the vicinity of the long sides of the front and rear of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section, holding members 43 using leaf springs are respectively arranged so that the direction parallel to the long sides is the length direction, and the top plate 44 is arranged on the holding member 43. In order to make the front and rear directions that become the vibration direction a flexible direction, the plurality of leaf springs that become the holding member 43 are arranged in parallel with the side surfaces forward and backward. That is, the holding member 43 using leaf springs is arranged in parallel in the front and rear directions that become the vibration direction in the direction where the length direction of the leaf spring formed in a strip shape is the left and right direction orthogonal to the vibration direction. Moreover, the holding member 43 holds the top plate 44 movably in the front and rear directions.

[0138] The vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above causes the holding member 43 to bend in the surface direction by passing an alternating current whose current supply direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41 , and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43 .

[0139] [Ninth Embodiment]

[0140] The ninth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0141] Figure 24 Fig.24A , Fig. 24B , Fig.24C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.25 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.24A It is a top view. Fig. 24B is the cross section in the OO direction, Fig.24C It is the cross section in the PP direction. Fig.25 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed.

[0142] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the ninth embodiment, a flexible leaf spring is used as a holding member 43 for vibratingly holding the top plate 44. The leaf spring that becomes the holding member 43 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is inserted between the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and the top plate 44. The holding members 43 using leaf springs are respectively arranged near each corner of the support base 40 formed in a rectangular shape in cross-section, and the top plate 44 is arranged on the holding member 43. The plurality of leaf springs that become the holding member 43 are arranged so that the side surfaces face forward and backward in order to make the front-back direction that becomes the vibration direction the bending direction. That is, because the holding member 43 using leaf springs is arranged at the four corners of the support base 40, a plurality of them are arranged side by side in the front-back direction that becomes the vibration direction, and a plurality of them are arranged side by side in the left-right direction that is orthogonal to the vibration direction. Moreover, the holding member 43 holds the top plate 44 movably in the front-back direction.

[0143] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the holding member 43 to bend in the surface direction by passing an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the ninth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and can be appropriately designed to have three leaf springs arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

[0144] [Tenth embodiment]

[0145] The tenth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0146] Fig.26 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig. 27 It is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.26 The vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 is shown from an oblique upper perspective.

[0147] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the tenth embodiment, an upper hanging type link mechanism is used as the holding member 43 for holding the top plate 44 in a vibratory manner. The support base 40 is formed so that the left and right side portions are Fig.26 The upper frame (viewed from the right side in the figure) is in the shape of a roughly rectangular frame, and the upper frame becomes the bridge portion 403 located above the top plate 44. The retaining member 43 is formed as a connecting rod member that supports the top plate 44 below so that it can swing freely in the front-to-back direction from the bridge portion 403 of the support base 40. Four connecting rod members are arranged on the left and right front and back. The upper end side of each connecting rod member is supported by a swing shaft formed on the side of the bridge portion 403 of the support base 40, and is supported so that it can swing freely by a rotating pair. The lower end side of each connecting rod member is supported by a swing shaft formed on the left and right side surfaces of the top plate 44, and is supported so that it can swing freely by a rotating pair.

[0148] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above swings forward and backward by passing an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the connecting rod mechanism using the holding member 43 causes the top plate 44 to vibrate forward and backward while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the tenth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be appropriately designed to have three connecting rod members formed on the left and right.

[0149] [Eleventh Embodiment]

[0150] The eleventh embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0151] Fig.28 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.29 It is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.28The vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 is shown from an oblique upper perspective.

[0152] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the eleventh embodiment, as a holding member 43 for holding the top plate 44 in a vibratory manner, a link mechanism of a type supported on the support base 40 from below is used. The holding member 43 is formed as a link member that supports the top plate 44 above so that it can swing freely in the front-back direction from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. Four link members are arranged on the left and right, front and back. The lower end side of each link member is supported by a swing shaft formed on the side of the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, and is supported so that it can swing freely by a rotating pair. The upper end side of each link member is supported by a swing shaft formed on the left and right side surfaces of the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is supported so that it can swing freely by a rotating pair.

[0153] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above swings forward and backward by passing an alternating current whose current direction is repeatedly reversed through the coil 41, and the connecting rod mechanism using the holding member 43 causes the top plate 44 to vibrate forward and backward while being held by the holding member 43. It should be noted that the vibration mechanism 4 of the eleventh embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be appropriately designed to have three connecting rod members formed on the left and right.

[0154] [Twelfth Embodiment]

[0155] The twelfth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0156] Figure 30 Fig. 30A , Fig. 30B , Fig. 30C ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.31 It is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 30A It is a top view. Fig. 30B is the cross section in the QQ direction, Fig. 30C It is the cross section in RR direction. Fig.31 The vibration mechanism 4 is shown from an oblique upper perspective in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed.

[0157] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the twelfth embodiment, a plate link mechanism is used as a holding member 43 that can vibrate and hold the top plate 44. The plate link that becomes the holding member 43 is a plate-like body formed in a long strip shape. In the vicinity of the front and rear long sides of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section, the holding member 43 using the plate link is arranged so that the direction parallel to the long side is the length direction. The lower ends of the holding members 43 using the plate link are supported on the support base 40, respectively, and the top plate 44 is supported at the upper end of the holding member 43. The plurality of plate links that become the holding member 43 are arranged side by side in the front and rear direction that becomes the vibration direction, in which the length direction of the plate link formed in a long strip is the left-right direction orthogonal to the vibration direction. Moreover, the plate link mechanism is composed of the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, the front and rear holding members 43, and the top plate 44, and the holding member 43 supports the top plate 44 in a swingable manner.

[0158] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the plate link mechanism using the holding member 43 to swing forward and backward by supplying an alternating current whose current supply direction is repeatedly reversed to the coil 41 , and the top plate 44 vibrates forward and backward while being held by the holding member 43 .

[0159] [Thirteenth Embodiment]

[0160] The thirteenth embodiment is a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 has a different structure from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same structures as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description is omitted.

[0161] Fig.32 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application, Fig.33 It is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.32 The vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 is shown from an oblique upper perspective.

[0162] In the vibration mechanism 4 of the thirteenth embodiment, the holding member 43 that can vibrate and hold the top plate 44 is a swing axis, which is a method of making the top plate 44 supported on the support base 40 from below swing like a seesaw. The holding member 43 has a fulcrum portion 432 that is axially supported by the swing axis formed on the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, and is formed to swing with the fulcrum portion 432 as the swing fulcrum. The top plate 44 is supported above the fulcrum portion 432 of the holding member 43, and the top plate 44 also swings as the holding member 43 swings. That is, the holding member 43 that axially supports the fulcrum portion 432 on the support base 40 supports the top plate 44 so that it can swing freely.

[0163] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above causes the holding member 43 to swing around the fulcrum portion 432 axially supported at the swing fulcrum as the swing center by supplying an alternating current whose current supply direction is repeatedly reversed to the coil 41 , and the top plate 44 repeatedly swings and vibrates while being held by the holding member 43 .

[0164] [Fourteenth embodiment]

[0165] The fourteenth embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and the coil 41 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between permanent magnets 42 from above and below. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted with reference to the first embodiment.

[0166] Fig.34 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.34 The structure example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard is shown as a schematic cross-sectional view. In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fourteenth embodiment, as the coil 41, there are: a lower coil (lower electromagnet) 41a fixed on the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and located below the permanent magnet 42, and an upper coil (upper electromagnet) 41b located above the permanent magnet 42.

[0167] The permanent magnet 42 is provided with a gap below the top plate 44 and is suspended on the top plate 44. The upper coil 41b is fixed in the gap between the permanent magnet 42 and the top plate 44 by the upper magnet holder 46 erected from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. That is, the permanent magnet 42 is provided above the lower coil 41a fixed to the support base 40 with a gap between the lower coil 41a, and the upper coil 41b is fixed above the permanent magnet 42 with a gap between the permanent magnet 42. The top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 on which the push switch 2 is provided are separated from the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b fixed to the support base 40, and are vibratingly held by the holding member 43.

[0168] In order to stabilize the direction of the force acting on the permanent magnet 42, the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b are energized so that the attraction or repulsion force with respect to the permanent magnet 42 is in the same direction. Fig.34 In the example of, when the front side (the left side facing the drawing) of the permanent magnet 42 is configured so that the upper side is the S pole and the lower side is the N pole, power is applied to the front side of the permanent magnet 42 so that the upper side of the lower coil 41a is the S pole, and the attraction works, and the lower side of the upper coil 41b is the N pole, and the attraction works. In addition, when power is applied so that the repulsive force acts on the permanent magnet 42 from the lower coil 41a, power is also applied so that the repulsive force acts from the upper coil 41b.

[0169] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above vibrates while being held by the holding member 43 by passing an alternating current of which the direction of conduction is repeatedly reversed between the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b. The top plate 44 provided with the permanent magnet 42 between the fixed lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b vibrates. Since the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b are energized so that the same direction of attraction or repulsion acts on the permanent magnet 42, the vibration of the permanent magnet 42 is stabilized. By stabilizing the vibration of the permanent magnet 42, the vibration of the top plate 44 provided with the permanent magnet 42 and the key switch 2 is stabilized.

[0170] In the fourteenth embodiment, based on the vibration mechanism 4 illustrated in the first embodiment, a method of arranging the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b by clamping the permanent magnet 42 from the top and the bottom is shown, but for the vibration mechanism 4 of other embodiments, it can also be developed into a method of arranging the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b by clamping the permanent magnet 42 from the top and the bottom.

[0171] [Fifteenth embodiment]

[0172] The fifteenth embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and permanent magnets 42 are arranged from above and below to sandwich coils 41. In the following description, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0173] Fig.35 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig.35 The structural example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard is shown as a schematic cross-sectional view. In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fifteenth embodiment, as a permanent magnet 42, there are: a lower permanent magnet 42a fixed on the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and located below the coil 41, and an upper permanent magnet 42b located above the coil 41.

[0174] The coil 41 is held by the upper and lower electromagnet holding plates 47 formed in a plate shape, and is suspended from the top plate 44 with a gap below the top plate 44 and arranged on the top plate 44. The upper permanent magnet 42b is fixed in the gap between the coil 41 and the top plate 44 by the upper magnet holding member 46 erected from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. That is, the coil 41 is arranged above the lower permanent magnet 42a fixed to the support base 40 with a gap between the lower permanent magnet 42a, and the upper permanent magnet 42b is fixed above the coil 41 with a gap between the coil 41 by the upper magnet holding member 46. The top plate 44 and the coil 41 on which the push switch 2 is arranged are separated from the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b fixed to the support base 40, and are held by the holding member 43 in a vibrating manner.

[0175] In order to stabilize the direction of the electromagnetic force relative to the coil 41, the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b are arranged so that the attraction or repulsion relative to the coil 41 is in the same direction. Fig.35 In the example, the upper side of the front side (the left side when facing the drawing) of the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b is arranged to be the S pole, and the lower side is the N pole, and the upper side of the rear side (the right side when facing the drawing) of the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b is arranged to be the N pole, and the lower side is the S pole.

[0176] The vibration mechanism 4 constructed as described above vibrates the top plate 44 with the coil 41 disposed between the fixed lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b while being held by the holding member 43 by supplying an alternating current whose current supply direction is repeatedly reversed to the coil 41 .

[0177] In the fifteenth embodiment, based on the vibration mechanism 4 illustrated in the second embodiment, a method of disposing the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b from above and below to clamp the coil 41 is shown. The above method can also be applied to the vibration mechanism 4 of other embodiments. In other embodiments, the permanent magnet 42 can be disposed on the support base 40. In addition, in other embodiments, the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b are disposed from above and below to clamp the coil 41.

[0178] As described above with reference to the second embodiment to the fifteenth embodiment, the vibration mechanism 4 can be developed into various forms.

[0179] [Configuration of vibration mechanism]

[0180] Next, examples of embodiments in which the vibration mechanism 4 is arranged in various ways will be described. Fig.36A , Fig.36B ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. FIG. 36 shows the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double arrows indicate the vibration direction. The method shown in FIG. 36 is a method in which the vibration mechanism 4 is configured approximately in the center of the keyboard 1 formed in a rectangular shape in cross-section, Fig.36A It shows a method of vibrating in the front-back direction parallel to the short side. Fig.36B In the embodiment described above, the vibration is performed in the left-right direction parallel to the long side. Fig.36A The example of FIG. 4 shows a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 vibrates in the front-rear direction, but the keyboard 1 described in the present application can also be as follows: Fig.36B In the illustrated configuration, the vibration mechanism 4 vibrates in the left-right direction.

[0181] Figure 37 Fig.37A , Fig.37B ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. FIG. 37 shows the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double arrows indicate the vibration direction. The method shown in FIG. 37 is a method in which two vibration mechanisms 4 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the keyboard 1. Fig.37A It shows the way of vibration in the front-back direction. Fig.37B It shows a way of vibrating in the left and right directions. As shown in the example of Figure 37, the keyboard 1 described in the present application can also be equipped with multiple vibration mechanisms 4. In the case of multiple vibration mechanisms 4, it is not necessary to use the supporting base 40, coil 41, permanent magnet 42, holding component 43, top plate 44 and other components constituting the vibration mechanism 4 independently, and some components can also be shared. For example, as shown in each example of Figure 37, a supporting base 40 can be shared by multiple vibration mechanisms 4, and the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 can be constituted as a group of vibration parts (actuators), and the vibration parts of the actuators can be configured on the supporting base 40 shared by multiple vibration mechanisms 4. In addition, it can be appropriately designed to arrange the substrate 20 arranged on the upper surface of the top plate 44 on each of the multiple top plates 44, or to arrange one substrate 20 on multiple top plates 44. It should be noted that the sharing method of the various components constituting the vibration mechanism 4 is different depending on the structure of the vibration mechanism 4.

[0182] Figure 38 Fig.38A , Fig.38B ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. FIG. 38 shows the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double arrows indicate the vibration direction. The method shown in FIG. 38 is a method in which three vibration mechanisms 4 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the keyboard 1. Fig.38A It shows the way of vibration in the front-back direction. Fig.38B The keyboard 1 described in the present application may also be provided with three or more vibration mechanisms 4 as shown in the example of FIG.

[0183] Figure 39 Fig.39A , Fig.39B ) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. FIG. 39 shows the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double arrows indicate the vibration direction. The method shown in FIG. 39 is a method in which the vibration mechanism 4 is respectively configured at each corner of the keyboard 1 formed into a rectangular shape in cross-section, Fig.39A It shows the way of vibration in the front-back direction. Fig.39BAs shown in the example of Fig. 39, the keyboard 1 of the present application is provided with vibration mechanisms 4 at each corner, and can also be provided in parallel in the front-back direction and the left-right direction.

[0184] Fig.40 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 described in the present application. Fig.40 In Fig.36A The illustrated configuration shows a method of controlling each vibration mechanism 4 individually. It shows a state where the keyboard 1 has two vibration mechanisms 4 arranged side by side on the left and right, but only the vibration mechanism 4 on the right is vibrated, and the vibration mechanism 4 on the left is stopped. When the keyboard 1 described in the present application is equipped with a plurality of vibration mechanisms (vibration parts) 4, it is possible to control each vibration mechanism (vibration part) 4 to vibrate or stop. Fig.40 In the example shown, by stopping the vibration mechanism 4 on the left and vibrating only the vibration mechanism 4 on the right back and forth, as shown by the black double arrow, a vibration that causes the right side to swing in an arc shape can be generated. By arranging a plurality of vibration mechanisms 4 on the keyboard 1, the vibration and stop are controlled separately, and the vibration mode such as amplitude and period are also controlled separately, various vibrations can be generated at the position corresponding to the pressed key switch 2.

[0185] As described in detail above, the key input device described in the present application is provided as a keyboard 1, for example. By generating vibrations by an electromagnet using a coil 41 and a permanent magnet 42, for the operator of the key switch 2, it has good effects such as being able to produce a virtual touch sensation of perceiving the switching of the open and closed states of the circuit as a click.

[0186] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other ways. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and are not intended to be restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the scope of the claims and is not limited to this specification. In addition, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0187] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the key input device described in the present application is provided as a keyboard 1 equipped with a plurality of key switches 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the key input device can be applied to various key input devices such as a key switch 2 being a push button, a key switch 2 being a plurality of mice, a number generator, and other input devices.

[0188] In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the method of configuring the coil 41 as an electromagnet on the support base 40 side and configuring the permanent magnet 42 on the top plate 44 side is mainly shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in the fifteenth embodiment, it is possible to appropriately design the method of configuring the permanent magnet 42 on the support base 40 side and configuring the coil 41 as an electromagnet on the top plate 44 side.

[0189] In addition, the first to fifteenth embodiments and the vibration mechanism arrangement modes are not independent modes respectively, and can be combined as appropriate.

[0190] Description of Reference Numerals

[0191] 1 keyboard (key input device); 2 key switch; 3 sound output part; 4 vibration mechanism; 40 support base; 400 bottom plate; 401 side plate; 402 support base side receiving part; 403 bridge part; 41 coil (electromagnet / vibration part: actuator); 41a lower coil (upper electromagnet); 41b upper coil (upper electromagnet); 42 permanent magnet (vibration part: actuator); 42a lower permanent magnet; 42b upper permanent magnet; 43 holding part; 430 elastic part; 431 rigid body part; 432 fulcrum part; 44 top plate; 440 top plate side receiving part; 45 buffer part; 5 operation detection part; 6 vibration control part; 7 sound control part.

Claims

1. A key input device having a key switch for receiving a pressing operation, wherein the key input device is characterized in that: having a vibration mechanism for vibrating the key switch, The vibration mechanism has: A top plate, which is equipped with the key switch; a supporting base supporting the top plate from below; a holding member that vibrates the top plate against the support base; A permanent magnet is disposed on one of the top plate and the support base. An electromagnet is disposed on the other of the top plate and the support base. The support base has a side plate erected on the side of the top plate. The holding member is an elastic body that bridges from the side plate of the support base to the side portion of the top plate.

2. The key input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electromagnet is a coil that functions as an electromagnet that acts on the permanent magnet when an alternating current is supplied to vibrate the top plate.

3. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member is a shaft-shaped body fixed to one of the top plate and the support base. The other of the top plate and the support base holds the shaft-shaped body so as to be movable in the axial direction.

4. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member is a spherical body. The support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion for the spherical body to be loosely embedded. The top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion for the spherical body to be inserted into the top plate. The spherical body is inserted between the supporting base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are arranged opposite to each other.

5. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member is a shaft-shaped body formed into a cylindrical shape, The support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion into which the shaft-shaped body is loosely inserted. The top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion for the shaft-shaped body to be loosely embedded. The shaft-shaped body is inserted between the supporting base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are arranged to face each other.

6. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The retaining member is an elastic body, The elastic body is arranged on a supporting base. The top plate is disposed on the elastic body.

7. The key input device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic body has: an elastic portion inserted between the retaining member and the top plate; The rigid body is inserted between the holding member and the top plate.

8. The key input device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed into a columnar shape, The rigid body portion of the elastic body passes through a through hole opened in the vertical direction of the elastic portion.

9. The key input device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic body is formed into a prism shape, The rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape, The rigid body portion of the elastic body is disposed with the vibration direction as the surface direction and is sandwiched on both sides by the elastic portion.

10. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member is a leaf spring having flexibility in the vibration direction, The leaf spring is arranged on the support base. The top plate is disposed on the leaf spring.

11. The key input device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The leaf spring is formed into a long strip shape. The leaf spring is arranged so that its length direction is orthogonal to the vibration direction. A plurality of the leaf springs are arranged side by side in the vibration direction.

12. The key input device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The leaf springs are arranged in a plurality in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. A plurality of leaf springs are arranged along the vibration direction.

13. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The support base has a bridge portion located above the top plate. The holding members are a plurality of link members that swingably support the top plates below from the bridge portion of the support base.

14. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding members are a plurality of link members that support the top plates on the support base so as to be swingable.

15. The key input device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The link member supports the top plate via a rotation pair.

16. The key input device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The connecting rod member is a plate-like body formed into a long strip. The connecting rod member is arranged so that its length direction is orthogonal to the vibration direction. A plurality of link members are arranged side by side in the vibration direction.

17. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member has a fulcrum portion serving as a swing fulcrum, The support base axially supports the fulcrum portion of the holding member so as to be swingable. The top plate held by the holding member swings around a single swing axis based on a fulcrum portion of the holding member as a swing center.

18. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electromagnet is fixed to the support base as a lower electromagnet, The permanent magnet is arranged above the lower electromagnet with a gap therebetween. An upper electromagnet is provided above the permanent magnet and is fixed with a gap therebetween.

19. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The permanent magnet is fixed to the support base as a lower permanent magnet, The electromagnet is disposed above the lower permanent magnet with a gap therebetween. An upper permanent magnet is provided above the electromagnet and is fixed with a gap therebetween.

20. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The top plate is formed into a rectangular shape, The vibration direction of the top plate is a direction parallel to the long side or the short side.

21. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of vibrating parts are provided, which are composed of the permanent magnets and the electromagnets.

22. The key input device according to claim 21, characterized in that: Each of the vibration parts can be controlled to vibrate or stop.

23. The key input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: have: a detection unit for detecting a pressing operation of the key switch; a vibration control unit that controls the vibration of the top plate; The vibration control unit controls the top plate to vibrate when the detection unit detects the pressing operation.

24. The key input device according to claim 23, characterized in that: The setting of the vibration pattern representing the vibration performed by the vibration control unit can be changed.

25. The key input device according to claim 23, characterized in that: having a sound output unit for outputting sound, The sound output unit outputs a sound when the detection unit detects the pressing operation.

26. The key input device according to claim 25, characterized in that: The sound output by the sound output unit can be changed.

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