Manufacturing method for user interface device

Abstract

A manufacturing method for a user interface device. The user interface device comprises a fixed portion, a movable portion, an actuated element provided on either the fixed portion or the movable portion, and an actuator provided on another one of the fixed portion and the movable portion, wherein the actuator faces the actuated element in a first direction across a first gap. The actuator is configured to apply an electromagnetic force to the actuated element to displace the movable portion. The manufacturing method includes arranging the actuator and the actuated element to face each other across a second gap, inserting a spacer into the second gap, displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator, and removing the spacer.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method for a user interface device and a manufacturing apparatus for a user interface device. State of the art

[0002] JP 2018-156532 A discloses a user interface device comprising an actuator provided on a fixed portion and an actuated member provided on a movable portion so as to face the actuator with a gap therebetween. The actuator is configured to attract the actuated member by applying an electromagnetic force. The user interface device is configured such that the actuator repeatedly attracts and releases the actuated member, causing the movable portion to vibrate and providing feedback to a user through the vibration. Summary of the invention

[0003] One aspect of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relates to providing a manufacturing method for a user interface device that can precisely determine the dimension of the gap formed between the actuated member and the actuator.

[0004] Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the features discussed above and / or other features not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the above features, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address features described above.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a manufacturing method for a user interface device is provided, wherein the user interface device comprises: an immovable section; a movable section; an actuated element provided on either the stationary portion or the movable portion; and an actuator provided on another of the fixed portion and the movable portion, the actuator facing the actuated member in a first direction via a first gap, wherein the actuator is designed to apply an electromagnetic force to the actuated element for displacing the movable portion, the manufacturing process comprising: Arranging the actuator and the actuated element to face each other across a second gap, the second gap being wider in the first direction than the first gap in the first direction; inserting a spacer into the second gap, the spacer having the same dimension in the first direction as the first gap in the first direction; in a state where the spacer is inserted into the second gap, displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction to squeeze the spacer between the actuated element and the actuator; and Removing the spacer that is wedged between the actuated element and the actuator. Short description of drawings

[0006] (An) exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates a user interface device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 illustrates an actuated element according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 illustrates a manufacturing apparatus for the user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 4 illustrates a manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 5 illustrates the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 6 illustrates the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 7 illustrates the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 8 illustrates the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 9 illustrates the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment; and Fig. 10 illustrates another example of a method for displacing the actuated member in a first direction. Description of embodiments

[0007] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings used in the following description have been scaled appropriately to show the size of the illustrated components.

[0008] The term "extending in a first direction" used in this specification includes extending at an angle with respect to the first direction and means extending at an angle closer to the first direction than a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0009] The term "extending in a second direction" as used in this specification includes extending at an angle with respect to the second direction and means extending at an angle closer to the second direction than to a direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a user interface device 1 according to an embodiment. The user interface device 1 is configured to provide feedback to a user's finger F or the like by vibration when it detects that a predetermined operation is performed by the user's finger F or the like.

[0011] The user interface device 1 comprises an operation input unit 2. The operation input unit 2 forms a surface of the user interface device 1.

[0012] The user interface device 1 includes a detection unit 3. The detection unit 3 is configured to output a signal corresponding to a predetermined operation on the operation input unit 2 by the user's finger F. A known method can be adopted as a method for the detection unit 3 to detect a predetermined operation by the user's finger F. For example, a capacitive type, an optical type, a resistance film type, or the like can be adopted.

[0013] The user interface device 1 comprises a fixed portion 10 and a movable portion 20. The movable portion 20 is designed to be displaced relative to the fixed portion 10 in response to an operation on the operation input unit 2 by the user's finger F.

[0014] The user interface device 1 includes an elastic element 30. The elastic element 30 is provided to connect the stationary portion 10 and the movable portion 20. The elastic element 30 enables the movable portion 20 to vibrate relative to the stationary portion 10.

[0015] The user interface device 1 comprises an actuated element 40. Fig. 2 represents the actuated element 40. As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the actuated member 40 is provided on the movable portion 20. The actuated member 40 is fixed to a protruding portion 21 formed on the movable portion 20. The actuated member 40 is made of a magnetic material.

[0016] The user interface device 1 includes an actuator 50. A coil (not shown) is housed in the actuator 50. The actuator 50 is provided in the fixed portion 10.

[0017] As in Fig. 1, the actuator 50 is provided to face the actuated element 40 in a first direction D1 across a first gap W1. The first gap W1 is a distance between the actuated element 40 and the actuator 50 in a case where the actuator is not in operation.

[0018] The actuator 50 is configured to displace the movable portion 20 by applying an electromagnetic force to the actuated member 40. When a current flows through the actuator 50, the coil (not shown) incorporated in the actuator 50 generates a magnetic field. As a result, the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 are attracted to each other, and the actuator 50 and the movable portion 20 are displaced in the first direction D1. When the current flowing through the actuator 50 stops, the magnetic field generated by the coil incorporated in the actuator 50 disappears.As a result, the force attracting the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 disappears, and the movable portion 20 is returned to an original position due to the elastic member 30, so that the actuator 50 and the movable portion 20 are displaced in a direction opposite to the first direction. Therefore, by turning the power to the actuator 50 on and off, it is possible to vibrate the movable portion 20 with respect to the stationary portion 10.

[0019] In the user interface device 1 described above, it is desirable to reduce the first gap W1, which is the distance between the actuator 50 and the operated member 40. This is because by reducing the distance between the actuator 50 and the operated member 40, it is possible to vibrate the movable portion 20 with respect to the fixed portion 10 even with a weak magnetic field, and the actuator 50 can be made smaller. Specifically, it is known that the force with which the actuator 50 attracts the operated member 40 is inversely proportional to the square of the dimension of the first gap W1.

[0020] However, by reducing the distance between the actuator 50 and the actuated member 40, the deviation in the magnitude of the force applied to the actuated member 40 by the actuator 50 becomes large based on the deviation from a specified distance. Therefore, when assembling the user interface device 1, it is necessary to precisely set the first gap W1, which is the dimension of the gap formed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50.

[0021] Next, a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus 100 for the user interface device 1 will be described. Fig. 3 illustrates the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the user interface device 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 to 9 illustrate the manufacturing method for a user interface device according to the present embodiment. As in Fig. 3, the manufacturing apparatus 100 comprises four steps S11 to S14. Steps S11 to S14 are each described with reference to Fig. 4 to 9. In the present embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 100 and the manufacturing method for determining a dimension of a gap formed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 by fixing the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20 are described. Therefore, the actuator 50 is already fixed to the fixed portion 10.

[0022] As in Fig. 4, the manufacturing apparatus 100 arranges the actuator 50 and the actuated member 40 to face each other across a second gap W2 that is wider in the first direction D1 than the first gap W1 in the first direction D1 (step S11 in Fig. 3).

[0023] Next, as in Fig. 5, the manufacturing apparatus 100 inserts a spacer 110 into the second gap W2 (step S12 in Fig. 3). As in Fig. 4, the spacer 110 has a dimension W3 in the first direction D1 that is the same as the first gap W1 specified by a design.

[0024] Next, as in Fig. 6, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may temporarily fix the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20 so that the actuated member 40 is not displaced in a direction crossing the first direction D1. A method of temporarily fixing the actuated member 40 will be described later.

[0025] Next, as in Fig. 7, the manufacturing apparatus 100 slides the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1 in a state where the spacer 110 is inserted into the second gap W2, thereby causing the spacer 110 to be squeezed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 (step S13 in Fig. 3). A method by which the manufacturing apparatus 100 displaces the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1 will be described later.

[0026] As in Fig. 8, in a case where the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 are in close contact with the spacer 110. In other words, the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50. At this time, the spacer 110 has the dimension W3 in the first direction D1, which is the same as the first gap W1, and the distance between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 is the same dimension as the first gap W1.

[0027] Next, as in Fig. As shown in Fig. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 fixes the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20. By fixing the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20, the dimension between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 is determined. A method of fixing the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20 will be described later.

[0028] As in Fig. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 removes the spacer 110 sandwiched between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 (step S14 in Fig. 3). The dimension of the gap between the actuated element 40 and the actuator 50 formed by removing the spacer 110 corresponds to the predetermined first gap W1.

[0029] The operations of steps S11 to S14 included in the manufacturing method for the user interface device 1 are performed by the manufacturing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. However, steps S11 to S14 may be performed manually.

[0030] According to the manufacturing method and apparatus 100 for the user interface device 1, the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1 in a state where the spacer 110 is interposed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50. Therefore, the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 approach each other, so that the second gap W2 between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 becomes the first gap W1. In other words, the spacer 110 can separate the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 by the distance of the first gap W1. Accordingly, the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, can be precisely determined.

[0031] To Fig. Returning to FIG. 7, a magnet 120 can be used as a method for displacing the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1 by the manufacturing apparatus 100. Specifically, in a case where the magnet 120 is brought close to the actuator 50, an induced electromotive force is generated in the coil incorporated in the actuator 50. As a result, the coil generates a magnetic field, and the actuated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, which is a direction for approaching the actuator 50.

[0032] According to the manufacturing method for an interface device described above, in a case where the magnet 120 is brought close to the actuator 50, the operated member 40 is displaced to approach the actuator 50. Therefore, there is no need to provide a mechanism for applying a force to displace the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 between the fixed portion 10 and the movable portion 20 of the user interface device 1, so that the mechanism of the user interface device 1 can be simplified during manufacturing.

[0033] When adopting a technique of bringing the magnet 120 close to the actuator 50, the spacer 110 interposed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 is preferably made of a magnetic material. At this time, the force for displacing the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1 becomes stronger due to the induced electromotive force generated in the actuator 50, so that the actuated member 40 is tightly applied to the spacer 110. Accordingly, the dimension of the gap formed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50 can be precisely determined.

[0034] The method for temporarily fixing the actuated member 40 to the immovable portion and the method for fixing the actuated member 40 to the immovable portion will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, an elongated hole 41 extending in the first direction D1 is formed in the actuated element 40. As shown in Fig. 6 to 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the user interface device 1 is configured such that the actuated member 40 is temporarily fixed or fixed to the movable portion 20 by attaching a fixing member.

[0035] The manufacturing method of the user interface device 1 may include inserting a fastening member 60 into the elongated hole 41 formed in the operated member 40 and extending in the first direction D1, thereby bringing the operated member 40 into a state in which the operated member 40 is configured to be displaced relative to the movable portion 20. In other words, the operated member 40 can be temporarily fixed to the movable portion 20 by inserting the fastening member 60 into the elongated hole 41 formed in the operated member 40 and extending in the first direction D1.

[0036] As in Fig. 6, the fastening member 60 may be arranged so as not to squeeze the actuated member 40 between the fastening member 60 and the movable portion 20, so that the actuated member 40 may be temporarily fixed to the movable portion 20. At this time, since the fastening member 60 is inserted into the elongated hole 41 extending in the first direction D1, the actuated member 40 is configured to be displaced in the first direction D1 with respect to the fastening member 60 and the movable portion 20.

[0037] The manufacturing method for the user interface device 1 may include fixing the fixing member 60 to the movable portion 20 in a state where the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50. In the present embodiment, the actuated member 40 is sandwiched by the fixing member 60 and the protruding portion 21 of the movable portion 20, so that the actuated member 40 is fixed to the movable portion 20.

[0038] According to the manufacturing method for the user interface device 1 described above, the operated member 40 can be slid in the first direction D1 by inserting the fixing member 60 into the elongated hole 41 formed in the operated member 40 and extending in the first direction D1. Furthermore, by fixing the fixing member 60 to the movable portion 20 in a state where the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, the position of the operated member 40 can be fixed. Thus, the design for precisely setting the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, can be simplified.

[0039] As in Fig. 1, the actuated element 40 has a surface 42 extending in a second direction D2 that is orthogonal to the first direction D1 and is a direction from the stationary portion 10 toward the movable portion 20. Similarly, the actuator 50 has a surface 52 extending in the second direction D2. Therefore, the actuated element 40 and the actuator 50 have surfaces that face each other and are parallel to each other.

[0040] Therefore, as in Fig. 8, in a case where the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, and the spacer 110 is brought into close contact with the surface 42 of the operated member 40 and the surface 52 of the actuator 50. Accordingly, the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, can be precisely determined.

[0041] Next, another example of the method for displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 will be described. Fig. 10 illustrates another example of the method for displacing the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1. In this example, the actuator 50 is connected to a power source 130.

[0042] In a case where the actuated member 40 is to be displaced in the first direction D1, electric power is supplied from the power source 130 to the actuator 50. In a case where electric power is supplied to the actuator 50, a magnetic field is generated around the actuator 50, and the actuated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1.

[0043] By displacing the actuated member 40 in the first direction D1 in this way, the design for precisely setting the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the actuated member 40 and the actuator 50, can be simplified.

[0044] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the actuated member 40 is provided on the movable portion 20. Alternatively, the actuated member 40 may be provided on the fixed portion 10. At this time, the actuator 50 is provided in the movable portion 20.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the actuator 50 is already fixed to the fixed portion 10, and a process of fixing the actuated member 40 to the movable portion 20 is described. However, in a case where the actuated member 40 is already fixed to the movable portion 20, the manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure can also be adopted for a process of fixing the actuator 50 to the fixed portion 10.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, a method using the magnet 120 and a method of passing a current through the actuator 50 through the power source 130 or the like are described as the method for displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1. Alternatively, the operated member 40 may be displaced in the first direction D1 by a method other than the above. For example, a method in which the operated member 40 is gripped by a jig or by hand and displaced in the first direction D1 may be adopted.

[0048] The configurations listed below also form part of the present disclosure. (1): A manufacturing method for a user interface device, wherein the user interface device comprises: an immovable section; a movable section; an actuated element provided on either the stationary portion or the movable portion; and an actuator provided on another of the fixed portion and the movable portion, the actuator facing the actuated member in a first direction via a first gap, wherein the actuator is designed to apply an electromagnetic force to the actuated element for displacing the movable portion, the manufacturing process comprising: Arranging the actuator and the actuated element to face each other across a second gap, the second gap being wider in the first direction than the first gap in the first direction; inserting a spacer into the second gap, the spacer having a dimension in the first direction that is the same as the first gap in the first direction; in a state where the spacer is inserted into the second gap, displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction to squeeze the spacer between the actuated element and the actuator; and Removing the spacer that is wedged between the actuated element and the actuator. (2): The manufacturing method for the user interface device according to (1), further comprising: Moving the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction by bringing a magnet closer to the actuator. (3): The manufacturing method for the user interface device according to (2), wherein the spacer is formed of a magnetic material. (4): The manufacturing method for the user interface device according to (1), further comprising: Displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction by passing a current through the actuator. (5): The manufacturing method for the user interface device according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising: Inserting a fastening member into an elongated hole formed in the actuated member and extending in the first direction to bring the actuated member into a state in which the actuated member is configured to be displaced with respect to the fixed portion or the movable portion; and in a state where the spacer is sandwiched between the actuated member and the actuator, fixing the fastener to the fixed portion or the movable portion. (6): The manufacturing method for the user interface device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the operated member and the actuator have surfaces that face each other and that are parallel to each other. (7): A manufacturing apparatus for the user interface device that performs the manufacturing method according to any one of (1) to (6). QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2018-156532 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] Manufacturing method for a user interface device, wherein the user interface device comprises: an immovable section; a movable section; an actuated element provided on either the stationary portion or the movable portion; and an actuator provided on another of the immovable portion and the movable portion, the actuator facing the actuated member in a first direction across a first gap, wherein the actuator is designed to apply an electromagnetic force to the actuated element for displacing the movable portion, wherein the manufacturing process comprises: Arranging the actuator and the actuated element to face each other across a second gap, the second gap being wider in the first direction than the first gap in the first direction; inserting a spacer into the second gap, the spacer having a dimension in the first direction that is the same as the first gap in the first direction; in a state where the spacer is inserted into the second gap, displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction to squeeze the spacer between the actuated element and the actuator; and Removing the spacer that is wedged between the actuated element and the actuator. [2] A manufacturing method for the user interface device according to claim 1, further comprising: Moving the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction by bringing a magnet closer to the actuator. [3] A manufacturing method for the user interface device according to claim 2, wherein the spacer is formed of a magnetic material. [4] A manufacturing method for the user interface device according to claim 1, further comprising: Displacing the actuated element and / or the actuator in the first direction by passing a current through the actuator. [5] A manufacturing method for the user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: Inserting a fastening element into an elongated hole formed in the actuated element and extending in the first direction to bring the actuated element into a state in which the actuated element is designed to be displaced with respect to the fixed portion or the movable portion; and in a state where the spacer is sandwiched between the actuated member and the actuator, fixing the fastener to the fixed portion or the movable portion. [6] A manufacturing method for the user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operated member and the actuator have surfaces that face each other and that are parallel to each other. [7] A manufacturing apparatus for the user interface device which carries out the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images