Vibration driver and vibration presentation device

Abstract

The invention provides a vibration driver and a vibration presentation device, even if the vibration driver is installed on a touch panel, the vibration driver can be thin and low in cost, and an appropriate operation feeling can be given to a user when the touch panel is operated. The vibration driver includes: a fixed body having a coil and a core member around which the coil is wound and both end portions of which protrude from the coil; a movable body that has yokes that are disposed close to both end portions of the core member so as to face each other with a gap therebetween in a direction intersecting the winding axis of the coil, and that can be fixed to an operation contact surface portion that is operated by contact, the yokes being formed of a magnetic body; and a plate-shaped elastic part which has an elastically deformed corrugated part and elastically supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body so as to be movable freely in at least one direction facing one of the two end parts, the plate-shaped elastic part being fixed between the movable body and the fixed body.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on October 30, 2019, with application number 201911044362.X, and invention name “Vibration Driver and Vibration Presentation Device”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a vibration driver and a vibration presentation device equipped with the vibration driver. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, there is known a structure in which, when a user's fingertip touches a display screen displayed on the touch panel during operation of a touch panel as a sensing panel, vibration is imparted to the fingertip using a vibration driver (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device in which a vibration driver is installed on the back of a touch panel via a vibration transmission unit. The movable element of the vibration driver is arranged in a housing fixed to the vibration transmission unit so as to be reciprocatingly movable along a guide shaft arranged perpendicularly to the touch panel. In the vibration driver, the movable element is caused to collide with the housing in response to an operation on the touch panel, thereby imparting vibration to the fingertip in contact with the touch panel via the vibration transmission unit.

[0005] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a vibration presentation device that imparts vibrations in response to an operation on a touch panel. In the vibration presentation device, a voice coil motor that generates vibrations, a support portion that is arranged with the vibration panel and compressed by a predetermined force, a damper that imparts a braking effect to the vibration of the vibration portion, and a spring that imparts a compressive force to the support portion and the damper are sandwiched in parallel between a vibration panel that is a vibration portion that imparts vibrations and a box that supports the vibration panel.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-070729

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-163854 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] Furthermore, in a device that uses vibration to impart an operational feel to an operation contact surface of a touch operation such as a display screen of a touch panel, it is desirable to have the device be as thin as possible.

[0012] In a device that reciprocates the movable member perpendicularly to the touch panel in response to an operation on the touch panel, as in the devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a stronger vibration can be imparted to the fingertip touching the touch panel than in a device that vibrates the movable member parallel to the touch panel.

[0013] However, in order to move the movable member vertically relative to the touch panel, Patent Document 1 requires an axis and an axis support mechanism, and Patent Document 2 requires a support portion, a damper, and a spring to be sandwiched between the housing and the vibration panel, and a thickness sufficient to ensure the space for arranging them is required.

[0014] In addition, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, magnets are essential components, and there is a desire to achieve the lowest possible cost without incorporating magnets.

[0015] The present invention is made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a vibration driver and a vibration presentation device having the vibration driver that can be thinned and cost-effective even when installed on a touch panel, and can give the user an appropriate operating feeling when operating the touch panel.

[0016] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0017] The vibration driver of the present invention adopts the following structure, namely,

[0018] have:

[0019] a fixed body having a coil and a core member around which the coil is wound and on which both ends protrude from the coil;

[0020] a movable body having a yoke and capable of being fixed to the operation contact surface portion by contact operation, wherein the yoke is arranged in close proximity to and opposed to both end portions of the core member with a gap therebetween in a direction intersecting the winding axis of the coil, and is made of a magnetic body; and

[0021] The plate-shaped elastic portion is fixed between the movable body and the fixed body and has an elastically deformable bellows-shaped portion, and elastically supports the movable body movably at least in a direction opposing one of the two end portions relative to the fixed body.

[0022] The vibration presentation device of the present invention adopts the following structure, that is,

[0023] have:

[0024] A vibration driver of the above structure; and

[0025] A touch panel equipped with the above-mentioned vibration actuator.

[0026] Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, even when mounted on a touch panel, a user can be provided with an appropriate operational feeling when operating the touch panel, and thickness reduction can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a top view of the external appearance of the vibration actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a bottom-side external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a top view of the vibration actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Section view along line AA.

[0032] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a sensor is provided in the vibration actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a sensor is provided in the vibration actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a magnetic circuit structure of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vibration actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig.10 This is a top side perspective view of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0038] Fig.11 This is a bottom-side external perspective view of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0039] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional view showing the main structure of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0040] Fig.13 It is an exploded perspective view of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0041] Fig.14 This is a top view of a second modification of the vibration actuator.

[0042] Fig.15This is a bottom-side external perspective view of a second modification of the vibration actuator.

[0043] Fig.16 It is an exploded perspective view of Modification 2 of the vibration actuator.

[0044] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a touch panel device including a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] In the figure:

[0046] 10, 10A, 10B, 110—vibration actuator, 20—core member assembly, 22—coil, 24—core member, 26—coil frame, 26a, 26b—segment body, 28—fixing hole, 30—fixed body, 32—base portion, 32a—mounting portion, 32b—bottom portion, 33—fastening hole, 36, 48—opening portion, 40—movable body, 40A—movable yoke, 41, 41A—yoke, 44—face fixing portion, 44a—fixing surface, 46, 47, 46A, 47A—sucked Attached portion, 49—cut portion, 50, 50-1, 50-2, 450-1, 450-2—plate-like elastic portion, 52, 452—fixed body side fixing portion, 54—movable body side fixing portion, 56, 456—corrugated elastic arm portion, 62, 64, 68—screws, 70, 80—sensors, 92, 94, 98—rivets, 100—touch panel device, 120—back panel, 140—touch panel, 160—pillar portion, 241—core component main body, 242, 244—magnetic pole portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0048] In this embodiment, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used for explanation. The same orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also used in the following figures. In the following, the width, depth, and height of the vibration actuator 10 are the lengths in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, respectively. In addition, the positive side in the Z direction is set as the "upper side", and the negative side in the Z direction is set as the "lower side" for explanation.

[0049] (Implementation Method)

[0050] <Overall Structure of Vibration Actuator 10>

[0051] Figure 1 is a top view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a bottom-view perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 1 is a top view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 yes Figure 3The AA line section view, Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 1 to Figure 5 The vibration actuator 10 shown is installed in an electronic device as a vibration generating source for operating a touch panel 140 (see FIG. 17 ) which is an example of a contact face, and realizes a vibration function of the electronic device.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the vibration driver 10 is installed in a touch panel device (refer to FIG. 17 ) of a car navigation system as an electronic device, so that the touch panel 140 functions as a vibration presentation device that presents vibration to the user. In addition, the touch panel device 100 is an example of a vibration presentation device, and in the present embodiment, there is a touch panel 140 that is a panel that the user can contact with a hand, a finger, etc. The touch panel 140 may also be a panel having a display function that displays images that the user can contact, or may be a structure that has no display function and only has an operation contact face that the user can contact and operate.

[0054] The vibration actuator 10 of this embodiment is installed on, for example, a touch panel (operation contact surface) 140 (see FIG. 17 ) that displays an image, and transmits vibration to the user corresponding to the contact operation on the screen so that the user can sense it, thereby being applied to a touch panel device 100 that enables the user who touches the touch panel 140 to perform intuitive operations. In addition, the touch panel 140 of the touch panel device 100 has a contact position output unit that receives the user's contact operation on the touch panel 140 and outputs the contact position.

[0055] Vibration actuator 10 is connected to touch panel 140 , receives a driving signal from a control unit (not shown), generates vibration corresponding to a contact position output from touch panel 140 , and transmits the vibration to touch panel 140 to directly vibrate touch panel 140 .

[0056] That is, the touch panel 140 receives the user's operation, and the vibration actuator 10 is driven accordingly.

[0057] The vibration driver 10 comprises: a fixed body 30 having a core component assembly 20 and a base portion 32 formed by winding a coil 22 around a core component 24; a movable body 40 having a yoke 41 of a magnetic body; and a plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2) that elastically supports the movable body 40 movably in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body 30.

[0058] Vibration actuator 10 vibrates yoke 41 of movable body 40 using core member assembly 20. Specifically, movable body 40 is vibrated by the attraction force of energized coil 22, core member 24 excited by energized coil 22, and the urging force of plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0059] The vibration actuator 10 is configured to be a flat shape with the Z direction as the thickness direction. The vibration actuator 10 causes the movable body 40 to vibrate relative to the fixed body 30 in the Z direction, that is, the thickness direction, so that one of the front and back surfaces separated in the thickness direction of the vibration actuator 10 itself approaches and separates relative to the other surface along the Z direction. In this embodiment, the vibration actuator 10 uses the adsorption force of the core member 24 to move the movable body 40 in the negative Z direction, and uses the action force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2) to move the movable body 40 in the positive Z direction.

[0060] In the vibration actuator 10 of the present embodiment, the movable body 40 is elastically supported by a plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2), and a plurality of the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction at positions symmetrical with respect to the movable center point of the movable body 40, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. The plate-like elastic portion 50 may be any structure as long as it is fixed between the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30 and has an elastically deformable corrugated shape portion, and elastically supports the movable body 40 to be movable relative to the fixed body 30 in a direction opposite to one of the two ends (magnetic pole portions 242, 244) of the core member 24. For example, the plate-like elastic portion 50 may also elastically support the movable body 40 to be movable relative to the fixed body 30 (core member assembly 20) in a direction opposite to one end (magnetic pole portion 242 or magnetic pole portion 244) of the core member 24. In addition, the plate-like elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the movable body 40, or two or more plate-like elastic parts 50 may be used. Each plate-like elastic part 50-1 and 50-2 is fixed to the fixed body 30 at one end and fixed to the movable body 40 at the other end, and supports the movable body 40 to be movable in the vibration direction (Z direction, here, the up-down direction) relative to the fixed body 30.

[0061] <Fixed body 30>

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, the fixed body 30 includes a core member assembly 20 including a coil 22 and a core member 24 and a base portion 32 .

[0063] The base portion 32 fixes the core member assembly 20 and supports the movable body 40 to vibrate freely via the plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2). The base portion 32 is a flat member and forms the bottom surface of the vibration actuator 10. The base portion 32 has a mounting portion 32a that fixes one end of the plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2) in a manner sandwiching the core member assembly 20. The mounting portions 32a are arranged at the same interval from the core member assembly 20. In addition, this interval is an interval that becomes a deformation area of ​​the plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0064] The mounting portion 32a has a fixing hole 321 for fixing the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2) and a fixing hole 322 for fixing the base portion 32 to the substrate. The fixing holes 322 are provided at both ends of the mounting portion 32a in a manner sandwiching the fixing holes 321. Thus, the base portion 32 is stably fixed to the substrate (for example, the back panel 120 shown in FIG. 17) as a whole.

[0065] In this embodiment, the base portion 32 is configured by processing a metal plate so that one side portion and the other side portion as the mounting portion 32a are located at positions separated in the width direction with the bottom portion 32b sandwiched therebetween. A concave portion having a bottom portion 32b whose height is lower than that of the mounting portion 32a is provided between the mounting portions 32a. The space in the concave portion, that is, the space on the surface side of the bottom portion 32b, is a space for ensuring the elastic deformation area of ​​the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2), and is a space for ensuring the movable area of ​​the movable body 40 supported by the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0066] The bottom surface portion 32 b has a rectangular shape, and an opening portion 36 is formed in the center portion thereof. The core member assembly 20 is located in the opening portion 36 .

[0067] The core component assembly 20 is fixed in the opening portion 36 in a partially inserted state. Specifically, the split body 26b of the coil frame 26 and the lower part of the coil 22 on the lower side of the core component assembly 20 are inserted into the opening portion 36, and are fixed so that the core component 24 is located on the bottom surface portion 32b in a side view. As a result, the length (thickness) in the Z direction becomes thinner than the structure in which the core component assembly 20 is installed on the bottom surface portion 32b. In addition, the core component assembly 20 is fixed in a state in which a part of the core component assembly 20, here, a part of the bottom surface side, is embedded in the opening portion 36, so that the core component assembly 20 is firmly fixed in a state that is difficult to detach from the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0068] The opening 36 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the core component assembly 20. In the present embodiment, the opening 36 is formed in a square shape. Thus, the core component assembly 20 and the movable body 40 can be arranged in the central part of the vibration actuator 10, so that the vibration actuator 10 as a whole becomes roughly square in a top view. In addition, the opening 36 can also be rectangular (including square).

[0069] The core member assembly 20 causes the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 to vibrate (reciprocate linearly in the Z direction) by cooperating with the plate-like elastic portions 50 ( 50 - 1 , 50 - 2 ).

[0070] In this embodiment, the core member assembly 20 is formed into a rectangular plate shape. Magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are arranged on two side portions separated along the long side direction of the rectangular plate shape. These magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are separated by a gap G in the Z direction (see Figure 6 ) is arranged in a manner opposite to the lower surfaces of the adsorbed surfaces 46, 47 of the movable body 40, and is opposite to the lower surfaces of the adsorbed surfaces 46, 47 of the yoke 41 in the vibration direction of the movable body 40 through the upper surfaces, i.e., the opposing surfaces (opposing surfaces) 20a, 20b.

[0071] In this embodiment, the core member assembly 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and has magnetic poles 242 and 244 on two sides separated in the longitudinal direction. The magnetic poles 242 and 244 are arranged to face the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the movable body 40 with a gap G in the Z direction.

[0072] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the core member assembly 20 is fixed to the base portion 32 so that the winding axis of the coil 22 faces the opposing direction of the separated mounting portions 32 a of the base portion 32 .

[0073] In the present embodiment, the core member assembly 20 is arranged in the central portion of the base portion 32 , specifically, in the central portion of the bottom surface portion 32 b .

[0074] The core member assembly 20 is formed by winding the coil 22 around the outer periphery of the core member 24 via a bobbin 26 .

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown, the core member assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b in such a manner that the core member 24 is parallel to the bottom surface portion 32b and is located on the bottom surface at a position straddling the opening portion 36. The core member assembly 20 is fixed by screws 68 (see FIG. 1 ) as fastening members. Figure 1 , Figure 3 to Figure 7 ) is fixed in a state where the coil 22 and the portion wound by the coil 22 (core member main body 241) are located within the opening 36 of the base portion 32.

[0076] Specifically, the core member assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b by inserting the screw 68 through the fixing hole 28 and the fastening hole 33 of the bottom surface portion 32b (see FIG. Figure 5 The core member assembly 20 and the bottom surface portion 32b are in a state where the coil 22 is clamped at two locations on the axis of the coil 22 by screws 68 at both sides of the opening portion 36 separated in the X direction and the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244.

[0077] The coil 22 is a solenoid that generates a magnetic field when energized when the vibration actuator 10 is driven. The coil 22, together with the core member 24 and the movable body 40, constitutes a magnetic circuit (magnetic path) that attracts the movable body 40 to move. In addition, the coil 22 is supplied with power from an external power supply via a control unit (not shown). For example, by supplying a drive signal to the control unit, power is supplied to the coil 22 to drive the vibration actuator 10.

[0078] The core member 24 includes a core member main body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound, and magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 which are provided at both ends of the core member main body 241 and are excited by energizing the coil 22 .

[0079] The core member 24 may be of any structure as long as it has a length such that both ends become magnetic poles 242 and 244 by energizing the coil 22. For example, it may be formed into a straight (I-shaped) flat plate, but the core member 24 of this embodiment is formed into an H-shaped flat plate when viewed from above.

[0080] In the case of an I-type core component, the area of ​​the surface (gap side) on the side of the adsorbed surface 46, 47 opposite to the gap G at the two ends (magnetic poles) of the I-type core component becomes smaller. As a result, there is a problem that the magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit becomes higher and the conversion efficiency is reduced. In addition, when the coil frame is installed on the core component, the positioning of the coil frame in the long side direction of the core component disappears or becomes smaller, so an additional setting is required. In contrast, the core component 24 is H-shaped, so the gap side can be expanded in the front-to-back direction (Y direction) longer than the width of the core component body on which the coil 22 is wound at the two ends of the core component body 241, which can reduce the magnetic resistance and improve the efficiency of the magnetic circuit. In addition, the coil 22 can be positioned only by embedding the coil frame 26 between the parts extending from the core component body 241 in the magnetic poles 242, 244, without the need to additionally set the positioning component of the coil frame 26 relative to the core component 24.

[0081] The core member 24 has magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 provided at both ends of a plate-shaped core member main body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound, respectively, so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the winding axis of the coil 22 .

[0082] The core member 24 is a magnetic body, and is formed of, for example, silicon steel plate, permalloy, ferrite, etc. Alternatively, the core member 24 may be formed of electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered material, MIM (metal injection molding) material, laminated steel plate, electrogalvanized steel plate (SECC), etc.

[0083] The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are provided so as to protrude from both openings of the coil 22 in the Y direction.

[0084] Magnetic poles 242 and 244 are excited by energizing coil 22, and attract yoke 41 of movable body 40 separated in the vibration direction (Z direction). Specifically, magnetic poles 242 and 244 attract attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of movable body 40 disposed opposite to each other with gap G therebetween by generated magnetic flux.

[0085] The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are plate-like bodies extending in the Y direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the core component body 241 extending in the X direction. The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are longer in the Y direction, so the areas of the opposing surfaces 20a and 20b opposing the yoke 41 are larger than those formed at the two ends of the core component body 241.

[0086] A fixing hole 28 is formed at the center portion in the Y direction of the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 , and the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are fixed to the base portion 32 by screws 68 inserted into the fixing holes 28 .

[0087] The coil frame 26 is configured to surround the core component body 241 of the core component 24. The coil frame 26 is formed of, for example, a resin material. Thereby, electrical insulation from other metal components (for example, the core component 24) can be ensured, and thus, the reliability as a circuit is improved. By using a high-flow resin for the resin material, the formability is good, the strength of the coil frame 26 can be ensured and the wall thickness can be reduced. In addition, the coil frame 26 is formed as a cylindrical body covering the periphery of the core component body 241 by assembling the split bodies 26a and 26b in a manner of clamping the core component body 241. In addition, flanges are provided at both ends of the cylindrical body of the coil frame 26, which limit the coil 22 to be located on the outer periphery of the core component body 241.

[0088] <Movable body 40>

[0089] The movable body 40 is disposed to face the core member assembly 20 in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction (Z direction) with a gap G therebetween. The movable body 40 is provided to be reciprocally vibrable relative to the core member assembly 20 in the vibration direction.

[0090] The movable body 40 has a yoke 41 and includes a movable body side fixing portion 54 fixed to plate-shaped elastic portions 50 - 1 and 50 - 2 of the yoke 41 .

[0091] The movable body 40 is disposed in a state of being suspended and separated substantially in parallel with respect to the bottom surface portion 32 b via plate-like elastic portions 50 ( 50 - 1 , 50 - 2 ) so as to be movable in the approaching and separating directions (Z directions).

[0092] The yoke 41 is a plate-like body made of a magnetic body such as electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered material, MIM (metal injection molding) material, laminated steel plate, electrogalvanized steel plate (SECC), etc. In the present embodiment, the yoke 41 is formed by processing a SECC plate.

[0093] The yoke 41 is suspended by a plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2) fixed to each of the attracted surface portions 46, 47 separated in the X direction, so as to be separated from the core member assembly 20 by a gap G in the vibration direction (Z direction) (see Figure 6 ) are opposite.

[0094] The yoke 41 includes a face fixing portion 44 to which an operation contact face (see the touch panel 140 shown in FIG. 17 ) is attached, and attracted face portions 46 and 47 disposed to face the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 .

[0095] In this embodiment, the yoke 41 has an opening 48 in the center. The yoke 41 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The yoke 41 is formed in a frame shape in which the opening 48 is surrounded by the face fixing portion 44 and the suctioned face portions 46 and 47 .

[0096] The opening 48 faces the coil 22. In the present embodiment, the opening 48 is located directly above the coil 22, and the opening 48 is shaped so that the coil 22 of the core member assembly 20 can be inserted when the yoke 41 moves toward the bottom surface 32b.

[0097] Since the yoke 41 has the opening 48 , the thickness of the entire vibration actuator can be reduced compared to a case where the opening 48 is not provided.

[0098] Furthermore, since the core member assembly 20 is located in the opening 48 , the yoke 41 is not disposed near the coil 22 , and a decrease in conversion efficiency due to leakage magnetic flux from the coil 22 can be suppressed, thereby achieving high output.

[0099] The face fixing portion 44 has a fixing surface 44a for fixing the touch panel 140 as an example of the operation contact face in a surface contact manner. The fixing surface 44a is formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view and is in surface contact with the touch panel 140 fixed to the face fixing portion 44 via a fastener such as a screw inserted into the face fixing hole 42.

[0100] The attracted surface portions 46 and 47 are attracted by the magnetized magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 in the core member assembly 20 , and the plate-like elastic portions 50 ( 50 - 1 and 50 - 2 ) are fixed thereto.

[0101] The movable body side fixing parts 54 of the plate-like elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 are fixed in a stacked state to the suctioned surfaces 46 and 47. The suctioned surfaces 46 and 47 are provided with cutout parts 49 for avoiding the heads of the screws 64 of the core member assembly 20 when moving toward the bottom surface 32b.

[0102] Therefore, even if the movable body 40 moves toward the bottom surface 32b and the attracted surfaces 46 and 47 approach the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244, they will not contact the screws 68 fixing the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 to the bottom surface 32b, thereby ensuring a corresponding amount of movable area of ​​the yoke 41 in the Z direction.

[0103] <Plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2)>

[0104] The plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) support the movable body 40 so as to be movable relative to the fixed body 30. The plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) support the upper surface of the movable body 40 at the same height as the upper surface of the fixed body 30, or support them so as to be parallel to each other on the lower surface side than the upper surface of the fixed body 30 (in this embodiment, the upper surface of the core component assembly 20). In addition, the plate-like elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 have a symmetrical shape relative to the center of the movable body 40, and in this embodiment, they are components formed in the same manner.

[0105] The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 arranges the yoke 41 substantially parallel to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core member 24 of the fixed body 30 with a gap G therebetween. The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 supports the lower surface of the movable body 40 at a position closer to the bottom surface portion 32b than the upper surface of the core member assembly 20 so as to be movable in the vibration direction.

[0106] The plate-like elastic portion 50 is a leaf spring including a fixed body side fixing portion 52 , a movable body side fixing portion 54 , and a bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 connecting the fixed body side fixing portion 52 and the movable body side fixing portion 54 .

[0107] The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 has a fixed body side fixing portion 52 mounted on the surface of the mounting portion 32a and a movable body side fixing portion 54 mounted on the surfaces of the attracted surfaces 46 and 47 of the yoke 41, so that the bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 is parallel to the bottom surface portion 32b and the movable body 40 is mounted.

[0108] The fixed body side fixing portion 52 is in surface contact with the attachment portion 32 a and is fixedly joined by screws 62 , and the movable body side fixing portion 54 is in surface contact with the suctioned surface portions 46 , 47 and is fixedly joined by screws 64 .

[0109] The bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 is an arm portion having a bellows-shaped portion. The bellows-shaped arm portion 56 has a bellows-shaped portion, thereby ensuring a length of deformation required for the vibration of the movable body 40 between the fixed body side fixing portion 52 and the movable body side fixing portion 54 and on a surface orthogonal to the vibration direction (a surface formed in the X direction and the Y direction).

[0110] In this embodiment, the corrugated elastic arm portion 56 stretches and folds back in the opposite directions of the fixed body side fixing portion 52 and the movable body side fixing portion 54, and the end portions respectively connected to the fixed body side fixing portion 52 and the movable body side fixing portion 54 are formed at offset positions in the Y direction.

[0111] The bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 is disposed at a point-symmetrical or line-symmetrical position with respect to the center of the movable body 40 .

[0112] Thus, the movable body 40 is supported on both sides by the corrugated elastic arm portion 56 having a corrugated spring, so that stress can be dispersed during elastic deformation. That is, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 can move the movable body 40 in the vibration direction (Z direction) without tilting relative to the core member assembly 20, and the reliability of the vibration state can be improved.

[0113] Each of the plate-shaped elastic parts 50 has at least two or more bellows-shaped elastic arm parts 56. Thus, compared with the case where each bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 is only one, stress during elastic deformation can be dispersed, reliability can be improved, and the support for the movable body 40 is well-balanced, which can improve stability.

[0114] In the present embodiment, the leaf spring serving as the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is made of a magnetic body. In addition, the movable body side fixing portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is arranged at a position opposite to the two end portions of the core member (the magnetic pole portions 242, 244) in the coil winding axis direction or on its upper side, and functions as a magnetic circuit. In the present embodiment, the movable body side fixing portion 54 is fixed in a state of being stacked on the upper side of the attracted surface portions 46, 47. Thus, the thickness H (refer to Figure 6 ) is increased as the thickness of the magnetic body. The thickness of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is made the same as the thickness of the yoke 41, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the magnetic body facing the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 is doubled. As a result, compared with the case where the leaf spring is non-magnetic, the magnetic circuit can be expanded, the reduction in characteristics caused by magnetic saturation in the magnetic circuit can be alleviated, and the output can be improved.

[0115] Furthermore, in the vibration actuator 10 of the present embodiment, a detection unit for detecting the amount of depression of the movable body 40 when the operating face fixed to the face fixing unit 44 is operated may be provided.

[0116] For example, Figure 6 As shown, as the detection portion, a strain detection sensor 70 that detects the strain of the plate-like elastic portion 50 may be provided.

[0117] The strain detection sensor 70 detects the strain of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 that is deformed when the face fixing portion 44 is pressed toward the bottom face portion 32b. The detected strain is output to the control portion, etc., and the coil 22 is energized to move the attraction yoke 41 to a movement amount of the movable body 40 corresponding to the strain.

[0118] In the present embodiment, even if the amount of movement of the operating contact surface of the operation is not determined, the function can be achieved as long as the contact with the operating contact surface can be detected. However, if the amount of depression relative to the plate-like elastic portion 50 can be detected with an amount of movement corresponding to the actual amount of movement of the operating contact surface, a more natural touch can be achieved.

[0119] The strain detection sensor 70 is mounted between the heads of the screws 62 and 64 on the bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and is arranged in a region that does not obstruct other components, namely, a so-called dead zone.

[0120] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, a detection portion for pressing detection may also be arranged at the lower part of the plate-like elastic portion 50 serving as a dead zone. In this case, the detection sensor is arranged on the bottom surface portion 32b opposite to the plate-like elastic portion 50 as an electrostatic capacitance sensor 80 for detecting the pressing amount. The distance to the plate-like elastic portion 50 displaced by being pressed is measured. Thus, the operation contact surface portion is deformed by following the pressing, and the distance at the time of deformation is measured. Even when the electrostatic capacitance method is used, the change of the plate-like elastic portion 50 or the movable body 40 can be detected at the lower side of the plate-like elastic portion 50, and the pressing amount of the operation contact surface portion can be detected while maintaining the outer dimensions of the vibration actuator 10, and the vibration of the movable body 40 corresponding to the pressing amount can be generated.

[0121] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a magnetic circuit of the vibration actuator 10. In addition, Figure 8 is in accordance with Figure 3 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vibration actuator 10 cut along the line AA of FIG. 1 , and the magnetic circuit has the same magnetic flux flow M as the illustrated portion in the unillustrated portion. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the movement of the movable body caused by the magnetic circuit. Fig.9A 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the movable body 40 is held by the plate-like elastic portion 50 at a position separated from the core member assembly 20. Fig. 9B The movable body 40 is shown to be attracted and moved toward the core member assembly 20 by the magnetic force of the magnetic circuit.

[0122] Specifically, when the coil 22 is energized, the core member 24 is excited to generate a magnetic field, and both ends of the core member 24 become magnetic poles. Figure 8 As shown, in the core member 24, the magnetic pole portion 242 becomes the N pole, and the magnetic pole portion 244 becomes the S pole. Thus, a magnetic circuit represented by a magnetic flux flow M is formed between the core member assembly 20 and the yoke 41. The magnetic flux flow M in the magnetic circuit flows from the magnetic pole portion 242 to the opposite attracted surface portion 46 of the yoke 41, passes through the surface fixing portion 44 of the yoke 41, and reaches the magnetic pole portion 244 opposite to the attracted surface portion 47 from the attracted surface portion 47. In the present embodiment, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is also a magnetic body, and therefore, the magnetic flux (represented by the magnetic flux flow M) flowing to the attracted surface portion 46 passes through the attracted surface portion 46 of the yoke 41 and the movable body side fixing portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50-1, and reaches the attracted surface portion 47 and the movable body side fixing portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50-2 from both ends of the attracted surface portion 46 via the surface fixing portion 44.

[0123] Thus, according to the principle of the electromagnetic solenoid, the magnetic poles 242 and 244 of the core component assembly 20 generate an adsorption force F that adsorbs the adsorbed surfaces 46 and 47 of the yoke 41. Then, the adsorbed surfaces 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 are attracted by both the magnetic poles 242 and 244 of the core component assembly 20, and the coil 22 is inserted into the opening 48 of the yoke 41. The movable body 40 including the yoke 41 resists the force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and moves in the direction F (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.9A and Fig. 9B ).

[0124] When the coil 22 is de-energized, the magnetic field disappears, the attractive force F of the core member assembly 20 on the movable body 40 disappears, and the movable body 40 moves to the initial position (in the −F direction) due to the biasing force of the plate-like elastic portion 50 .

[0125] By repeating this operation, vibration actuator 10 reciprocates movable body 40 to generate vibration in the vibration direction (Z direction).

[0126] In the vibration actuator 10, by providing the adsorbed surfaces 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 close to the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 of the core component assembly 20, the magnetic circuit efficiency can be improved and high output can be achieved. In addition, in the vibration actuator 10, no magnets are used, so it becomes a low-cost structure. By using a corrugated spring as a plate-like elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2), stress can be dispersed and reliability can be improved. In particular, by supporting the movable body 40 with multiple plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2), stress can be dispersed more effectively. In this way, the vibration actuator 10 can provide a direct sense of touch by driving in the up and down directions.

[0127] The core member 24 around which the coil 22 is wound and the core member assembly 20 are fixed to the fixed body 30, thereby movably supporting the movable body 40. Thus, no magnetic generating part is provided in the Z direction, and the supporting structure is simple, so that the design becomes simple, space saving can be achieved, and the vibration actuator 10 can be made thinner.

[0128] The driving principle of the vibration actuator 10 is briefly described below. In addition, the vibration actuators 10A and 10B of the present embodiment described later are also the same. The vibration actuators 10, 10A, and 10B can also be driven by using the following motion equations and loop equations to utilize the resonance phenomenon generated by pulses. In addition, as an action, it is not a resonance drive, but an action that expresses the operating feel of a mechanical switch displayed on the operating contact surface. In this embodiment, it is driven by inputting a short pulse through a control unit not shown in the figure, but it is also possible to drive to generate arbitrary vibrations without using a short pulse. As mechanical switches, for example, a touch switch, an alternating switch, a momentary switch, a toggle switch, a slide switch, a knob switch, a DIP switch, and a seesaw switch can be cited.

[0129] Furthermore, movable body 40 of vibration actuator 10 performs reciprocating motion based on equations (1) and (2).

[0130]

Number 1

[0131]

[0132] m: mass [kg]

[0133] X(t): displacement [m]

[0134] K f :Thrust constant [N / A]

[0135] i(t): current [A]

[0136] K sp : Spring constant [N / m]

[0137] D: Attenuation coefficient [N / (m / s)]

[0138]

Number 2

[0139]

[0140] e(t): voltage [V]

[0141] R: Resistance [Ω]

[0142] L: Inductance [H]

[0143] K e :Back electromotive force constant [V / (rad / s)]

[0144] That is, the mass m [Kg], displacement x (t) [m], thrust constant K of the vibration actuator 10 f [N / A], current i(t)[A], spring constant K sp [N / m], attenuation coefficient D [N / (m / s)], etc. can be changed appropriately within the range that satisfies equation (1). In addition, voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], back electromotive force constant K e [V / (rad / s)] can be appropriately changed within the range satisfying the formula (2).

[0145] Thus, the vibration actuator 10 is composed of the mass m of the movable body 40, the spring constant K of the metal spring (elastic body, leaf spring in this embodiment) as the plate-shaped elastic part 50, and the spring constant K of the metal spring (elastic body, leaf spring in this embodiment). sp Decide.

[0146] In addition, in the vibration actuator 10, the base portion 32 and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 are fixed, and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the movable body 40 are fixed using screws 62 and 64. Thus, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, which needs to be firmly fixed to the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40 in order to drive the movable body 40, can be mechanically firmly fixed in a state that can be reworked.

[0147] According to the vibration actuator 10, there is a fixed body 30, which has a coil 22 and a core member 24 around which the coil 22 is wound and whose two ends protrude from the coil 22. In addition, the vibration actuator 10 has a movable body 40, which has yokes 41, 41A made of a magnetic body and arranged in a direction intersecting the winding axis of the coil 22 with a gap G between the opposing surfaces 20a, 20b of the two ends of the core member 24, i.e., the magnetic poles 242, 244, and can be fixed to an operation contact surface portion operated by contact. The vibration actuator 10 has a plate-shaped elastic portion 50, which is fixed between the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30, and has an elastically deformable corrugated arm portion 56, which elastically supports the movable body 40 in a direction opposite to the magnetic poles 242, 244 so as to be movable relative to the fixed body 30. It is preferred that a plurality of plate-like elastic parts 50 are fixed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the movable body 40, but as described above, the movable body 40 may be vibratingly supported relative to the fixed body 30 by using a single plate-like elastic part 50. The plate-like elastic part 50 may also include at least two or more arms that connect the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30 and have a corrugated arm part 56. The plate-like elastic part 50 may also be composed of a magnetic body. In this case, the movable part side mounting part 54 of the plate-like elastic part 50 is respectively arranged along the winding axis direction of the coil 22 or in a direction orthogonal to the winding axis direction relative to the two ends of the core member 24, and when the coil 22 is energized, it forms a magnetic circuit together with the core member 24.

[0148] Thus, even when the device is mounted on a touch panel as an operation contact surface, it is possible to achieve a reduction in thickness and cost, and to provide a user with an appropriate operational feeling when operating the touch panel.

[0149] (Variant 1)

[0150] Fig.10 1 is a top view of a modified example 1 of the vibration actuator. Fig.11 This is a bottom-side external perspective view of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator. Fig.12 is an exploded perspective view of a modification 1 of the vibration actuator, Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view showing the main structure of Modification 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0151] Figure 10 to Figure 13 The vibration actuator 10A shown as the first modification is configured such that, in the structure of the vibration actuator 10, the screws 62, 64, 68 used for fixing the base portion 32 and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the movable body 40 are replaced with rivets 92, 94, 98. The rivets 92, 94, 98 are respectively composed of a head and a main body without a threaded portion, and are inserted into a component with a hole drilled therein, and the ends on the opposite side are plastically deformed by riveting, thereby joining the components with holes drilled therein to each other. Riveting can also be performed using, for example, a punching machine, a dedicated tool, etc.

[0152] The rivet 92 fixes the plate-like elastic portion 50 and the 32a of the fixed body 30, and the rivet 94 fixes the plate-like elastic portion 50 and the yoke 41. In addition, the rivet 98 fixes the fixed body 30 to the bottom surface portion 32b in a state where the coil 22 of the core member assembly 20 is arranged in the fastening hole 33 of the bottom surface portion 32b. Thus, the plate-like elastic portion 50 can be fixed more firmly than the screws 62, 64, and 68, and the plate-like elastic portion 50 can be stably fixed to the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40.

[0153] (Variant 2)

[0154] Fig.14 1 is a top view of a second modification of the vibration actuator. Fig.15 is a bottom-view stereoscopic view of a second modification of the vibration actuator. Fig.16 It is an exploded perspective view of Modification 2 of the vibration actuator.

[0155] Vibration actuator 10B of Modification 2 includes movable yoke 40A as a component integrating plate-like elastic portion 50 and yoke 41 in the structure of vibration actuator 10. Vibration actuator 10B includes fixed body 30 in the structure of vibration actuator 10 and movable yoke 40A movable relative to fixed body 30.

[0156] The movable yoke 40A includes a yoke 41A having the same function as the yoke 41 , and plate-like elastic portions 450 - 1 and 450 - 2 having the same function as the plate-like elastic portions 50 ( 50 - 1 and 50 - 2 ).

[0157] The yoke 41A is formed by providing the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 and the movable body side fixing portions 54 of the plate-like elastic portions 50 - 1 and 50 - 2 as the same member.

[0158] In the movable yoke 40A, the yoke 41A is formed by the surface fixing portion 44 and the suctioned surfaces 46A and 47A surrounding the opening 48 (see Fig.16 ), the plate-shaped elastic parts 450-1 and 450-2 are arranged to protrude from the adsorbed surfaces 46A and 47A respectively in the X direction.

[0159] The plate-shaped elastic parts 450 - 1 and 450 - 2 include a fixed body fixing part 452 having the same function as the fixed body side fixing part 52 of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 , and a bellows-shaped elastic arm part 456 having the same function as the bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 .

[0160] With this structure, yoke 41A and plate-like elastic portion 450 can be formed at the same height level relative to bottom surface portion 32 b of fixed body 30 , and the thickness (height in the Z direction) of vibration actuator 10B itself can be reduced accordingly.

[0161] In addition, compared with the vibration actuator 10 , the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0162] (Implementation Method 2)

[0163] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a touch panel device including vibration actuator 10 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0164] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a touch panel device 100 having a vibration actuator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.17A is a perspective view of a touch panel device 100 having a vibration actuator 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17B 17 is a right side view of the device. The touch panel device 100 shown in FIG. 17 is an example of a vibration presentation device. The vibration actuator 110 is the vibration actuator 10, and is fixed to the back panel 120 of the touch panel 140 displaying an image via a connecting support 160. In addition, as the vibration actuator 110, the vibration actuator 10 is used, but it is not limited to this, and the vibration actuator 110 may also be the vibration actuator 10A or the vibration actuator 10B.

[0165] In the touch panel device 100 having the touch panel 140, the touch panel 140 is fixed to the movable body 40 of the vibration actuator 110 to which the fixed body 30 is fixed at the center of the back panel 120. In addition, the touch panel 140 is an example of an operation contact face, and is fixed to the face fixing part 44 of the movable body 40 in a face contact manner on the back side. Thus, the touch panel 140 itself is driven integrally with the movable body 40. In the touch panel 140, the direction in which the operator contacts the screen during operation is the same direction as the vibration direction of the movable body 40 and the movable yoke 40A of the vibration actuator 110.

[0166] Thus, according to the touch panel device 100 equipped with the vibration actuator 10, the touch panel 140 is directly operated, that is, the touch panel 140 is driven together with the movable body 40 in the same direction as the contact direction of the finger, so that the touch panel 140 can be directly driven with strong vibration.

[0167] Therefore, when an image of a mechanical switch or the like displayed on touch panel 140 is touched and operated, movable body 40 can be moved, and an operational feeling corresponding to the image, such as the operational feeling when operating an actual mechanical switch, can be given, thereby achieving an operation with good usability.

[0168] In particular, in automotive products and industrial equipment, it can be used for touch display devices and operating devices equipped with touch panel devices. The touch panel device is used for operating devices that input operations by touching an image on a screen with a finger, etc., generates vibrations corresponding to the contact operation of the image, and feedback is the same as the operating feeling when touching an image of a mechanical switch displayed on the image.

[0169] The above is a description of the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the above description is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it should be understood that the description of the structure of the above-mentioned device and the shape of each part is an example, and various changes and additions to these examples can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0170] Industrial Applicability

[0171] The vibration actuator of the present invention can provide a user with an appropriate operating feel when operating the touch panel even when mounted on the touch panel, and can also achieve a thinner effect, and can be used, for example, in a car navigation device where the touch panel itself is movable.

Claims

1. A vibration driver, characterized in that: have: A plate-shaped base portion, which is provided with an electromagnet composed of a core member and a coil; a movable body including a magnetic yoke disposed opposite to the electromagnet with a gap therebetween; and an elastic part connected to the base part and the movable body, respectively, so as to relatively displace the base part and the magnetic yoke by energizing the electromagnet, The movable body has a shape in which a part of the coil can be inserted at a position facing the coil.

2. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic portion connects the base portion and the movable body at a pair of opposing sides of the base portion.

3. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base portion has mounting portions on a pair of opposing sides to which the elastic portion is mounted.

4. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable body has a thickness sufficient to accommodate a portion of the coil.

5. A vibration presentation device, characterized in that: have: The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and A touch panel equipped with the vibration driver.

Images