Input device

Abstract

Input device (100), characterized by the fact that it has the following features: a base (130); an actuating plate element (145) which, when viewed from the base (130), is arranged in a first direction and has an input actuating surface and is designed to detect coordinates of an actuating position on the input actuating surface; an actuator (160) which is fixed to the base (130) and is designed to vibrate the actuating plate element (145); N elastic support elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24) which are arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape with N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to three) vertices and surrounding the actuator (160) when viewed in the first direction and are designed to elastically support the actuating plate element (145) on the base (130); and an elastic damping element (31) arranged between the actuator (160) and the actuating plate element (145), wherein a spring constant of a combined spring (10, 20, 40, 50) in which the actuator (160) and the elastic damping element (31) are coupled in series, is adapted to spring constants of the N elastic support elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to input devices. REASONABLE STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In recent years, input devices such as touchpads or touch surfaces have become popular, enabling input by touching a surface. When such devices are activated, the operator cannot feel the action as they would a switch, variable resistor, or similar device. Therefore, input devices have been proposed that provide vibration feedback, where the surface vibrates when touched, allowing the operator to feel the action.

[0003] For example, input devices have been proposed that include an elastic part between a touch sensor and an actuator, causing the elastic part to bend when pressed downwards with a force greater than or equal to a predetermined value, in order to provide a click sensation upon pressing, even if there is a limit to the area in which the actuating surface can be pressed downwards. DOCUMENTS ON THE STATE OF TECHNICAL PATENT DOCUMENTS Patent document 1: Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2016-151777 Patent document 2: Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2003-177857 Patent document 3: Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2008-123429

[0004] Patent application US 2003 / 0076298 A1 uses haptic feedback to provide status information to users in environments and situations where sight and / or sound are too conspicuous. Patent application WO 2018 / 172621 A2 describes a multilayer electrostatic actuator structure that compresses when a sufficient voltage difference is applied between a first and a second electrode. Patent application US 2013 / 0135242 A1 discloses an electronic device with a sensing unit that detects an input position, wherein a vibrating element is provided on the sensing unit. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] However, with conventional input devices, discrepancies arise when feeling a stroke or push action on the input surface.

[0006] One objective of the present invention is to reduce the inconsistencies introduced when feeling the stroke actuation or push actuation at the input actuation surface. MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

[0007] According to the present invention, an input device is provided comprising: a base; an actuating plate element, which, when viewed from the base in a first direction, is arranged and has an input actuating surface and is configured to detect coordinates of an actuating position on the input actuating surface; an actuator, which is fixed to the base and configured to vibrate the actuating plate element; N elastic support elements, which are arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape with N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to three) vertices and surrounding the actuator when viewed in the first direction, and which are configured to elastically support the actuating plate element on the base;and an elastic damping element arranged between the actuator and the actuating plate element, wherein a spring constant of a combined spring, in which the actuator and the elastic damping element are coupled in series, is matched or adapted to the spring constants of the N elastic support elements. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, a reduction of the inconsistencies introduced when feeling the stroke actuation at the input actuation surface is made possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view to illustrate a configuration of an input device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 a top view to illustrate the configuration of the input device according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 a sectional view to illustrate the configuration of the input device according to one embodiment; Fig. 4 a diagram illustrating a kinetic model of an actuating plate element of the input device according to one embodiment; Fig. 5 a representation to illustrate any XYZ coordinate system; Fig. 6 a diagram to illustrate positional relationships in the orthogonal XYZ coordinate system; Fig. 7A a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an applied load and a displacement along a Z-axis direction; Fig. 7B a diagram to illustrate the example of the relationship between the applied load and the displacement along the Z-axis direction; Fig. 8 a diagram to illustrate the positional relationship in an example of a load determination procedure; Fig. 9A a diagram illustrating linear interpolation in an example of the load determination method; Fig. 9B a diagram illustrating linear interpolation in an example of the load determination method; Fig. 10 a diagram to illustrate a configuration of a signal processor; and Fig. 11. A flowchart for the schematic illustration of a process of the signal processor. WAY OF EXECUTING THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this description and the drawings, those components that have essentially the same functions or configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, thus eliminating the need for repeated descriptions.

[0011] The present embodiment relates to an input device with a piezoelectric actuator as the actuator. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view to illustrate a configuration of the input device according to one embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view to illustrate the configuration of the input device according to one embodiment, and Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view to illustrate the configuration of the input device according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 corresponds to the section view along a line II in Fig. 2.

[0012] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an input device 100 according to one embodiment comprises a mounting base 110, a cover or frame 120 attached to an edge of the mounting base 110, and a decorative panel 150 arranged in an inner area relative to the frame 120. A touch sensor 140 is arranged in a position closer to the mounting base 110 than the decorative panel 150, and a movable base 130 is arranged in a position closer to the mounting base 110 than the touch sensor 140. The movable base 130 includes a flat plate 131 arranged parallel to the touch sensor 140 and the decorative panel 150, and a wall 132 arranged at an edge of the flat plate 131 and extending along an inner surface of the frame 120. A sliding guide 190 is provided between the wall 132 and the frame 120.The mounting base 110 has a raised section 111 at its center in plan view, as well as an actuator 160 mounted on the raised section 111. The actuator 160 is, for example, a piezoelectric actuator. The touch sensor 140 is an example of a touchpad or touch surface, and the movable base 130 is an example of a holding area for the touch sensor 140. The movable base 130, the touch sensor 140, and the decorative plate 150 are contained within an actuating plate element 145. The mounting base 110 is an example of a base. The actuator 160 vibrates the actuating plate element 145.

[0013] A plurality of reflective photoelectric sensors 171, 172, 173, and 174 are provided on the mounting base 110. The photoelectric sensors 171 to 174 can emit light to points 171A to 174A on the flat plate 131 located above them and can also receive light reflected from the flat plate 131 in order to detect distances to the areas of the flat plate 131 illuminated by the light. For example, in a top view, the photoelectric sensors 171 to 174 are arranged at inner positions relative to the four corners of the touch sensor 140. Thus, in a top view, the photoelectric sensors 171 to 174 form at least a triangle.The photointerrupters 171 to 174 are examples of a first, second, third, and fourth sensor (photosensors), wherein the four sensors (photosensors) are examples of a detection unit, and wherein a surface 112 of the mounting base 110 equipped with the photointerrupters 171 to 174 is an example of a reference surface. The reference surface is separate from the actuating plate element 145. In the present embodiment, the reference surface is assumed to be a reference plane comprising an X-axis and a Y-axis, and a direction perpendicular to the reference plane is a Z-axis direction (first direction).

[0014] Rubber elements 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged on a surface of the flat plate 131 that is closer to the mounting base 110 in the plan view. Additionally, rubber elements 21, 22, 23, and 24 are arranged on a surface of the flat plate 131 that is closer to the decorative plate 150 in the plan view. For example, rubber elements 11 and 21 are arranged at the corner where the photointerrupter 171 is located, and rubber elements 12 and 22 are arranged at the corner where the photointerrupter 172 is located. Similarly, rubber elements 13 and 23 are arranged at the corner where the photointerrupter 173 is located, and rubber elements 14 and 24 are arranged at the corner where the photointerrupter 174 is located.

[0015] A rubber element support element 15 is provided between the rubber elements 11 to 14 and the mounting base 110. The rubber element support element 15 is attached to the mounting base 110. The rubber elements 11 to 14 are arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the rubber element support element 15 and the flat plate 131 and are compressed together. Thus, the rubber elements 11 to 14 exert force on the movable base 130 in the direction of separating it from the mounting base 110.

[0016] The provided rubber element support elements 25 include support elements 25a and 25b, which are arranged at the upper ends of support elements 25a and sandwich the rubber elements 21 to 24 between support elements 25b and the flat plate 131, compressing them. Support elements 25a are attached to the mounting base 110. Thus, the rubber elements 21 to 24 press the movable base 130 towards the mounting base 110.

[0017] For example, rubber elements 11 to 14 are each made of the same material and have the same shape, and rubber elements 21 to 24 are also each made of the same material and have the same shape. Thus, a spring constant k 31 a combined spring formed by the rubber elements 11 and 21 coupled in series, a spring constant k 32a combined spring formed by the rubber elements 12 and 22 coupled in series, a spring constant k 33 a combined spring formed by the rubber elements 13 and 23 coupled in series, and a spring constant k 34 The spring constants of a combined spring formed by the rubber elements 14 and 24 coupled in series are each equal. If the sum of the spring constants of these four combined springs in parallel coupling is denoted by k3, the relationships of the following formulas (1) and (2) apply. k31=k32=k33=k34 k31=k31+k32+k33+k34

[0018] The combined spring consisting of rubber elements 11 and 21 coupled in series, the combined spring consisting of rubber elements 12 and 22 coupled in series, the combined spring consisting of rubber elements 13 and 23 coupled in series, and the combined spring consisting of rubber elements 14 and 24 coupled in series each represent an example of an elastic support element. In other words, the present embodiment includes four elastic support elements. These four elastic support elements are arranged at vertices and corner points of a rectangular shape surrounding the actuator 160 when viewed in the Z-axis direction (first direction).

[0019] A rubber element 31 is arranged on a region of the flat plate 131 opposite the actuator 160, and a rigid plate 32 is arranged between the rubber element 31 and the actuator 160. The rigid plate 32 is attached to a surface of the actuator 160 located closer to the rubber element 31, and the degree of elastic deformation of the rigid plate 32 is negligible compared to the degree of elastic deformation of the actuator 160 and the rubber element 131. If a spring constant of the actuator 160 in one thickness direction is denoted by k1 and a spring constant of the rubber element 31 in the same thickness direction is denoted by k2, a spring constant k sThe spring constant of a combined spring consisting of the actuator 160 and the rubber element 31, coupled in series between the flat plate 131 and the protrusion 111, is expressed by (k1 × k2) / (k1 + k2). Therefore, the spring constant k s The combined spring constant is smaller than the spring constant k1 of the actuator 160. The rubber element 31 is an example of an elastic damping element.

[0020] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation illustrating a kinetic motion model of the actuating plate element 145 of the input device 100. In this kinetic model, a combined spring 40 is formed by coupling a combined spring 10 made from the parallel-coupled rubber elements 11 to 14 and a combined spring 20 made from the parallel-coupled rubber elements 21 to 24 in series. The spring constant of the combined spring 40 is a combined spring constant k3, which is the sum of the spring constants k 31 up to k 34 it.

[0021] Since the rubber element 31 is present in the present embodiment, the spring constant k s of a combined spring 50, in which the actuator 160 and the rubber element 31 are coupled in series, less than the spring constant k1 of the actuator 160. Since the spring constant k sSince the spring constant of the combined spring 50 is less than the spring constant k1 of the actuator 160, the actuating plate element 145 moves more easily towards the mounting base 110 near the actuator 160 compared to a case in which the rubber element 31 is not present.

[0022] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the spring constant k s of the combined spring 50 to the spring constants k 31 , k 32 , k 33 and k 34 adjusted. However, the spring constant k must be adjusted. s The combined spring 50 does not necessarily perfectly match the spring constants k. 31 , k 32 , k 33 and k 34 agree, and the spring constant k s can also be approximated using the spring constants k 31 , k 32 , k 33 and k 34 agree. For example, the spring constant k sthe combined spring 50 preferably greater than or equal to an average value k3 / 4 of the spring constant k 31 , k 32 , k 33 and k 34 . In other words, the following formula (3) is preferentially valid. k3 / 4⇐ks=(k1×k2) / (k1+k2)

[0023] If the spring constant k s If the spring constant k is too small, the vibration generated by the actuator 160 is absorbed by the rubber element 31, and it is difficult to transmit the vibration to the actuating plate element 145. s If the value k3 / 4 is greater than or equal to the average value, the vibration generated by the actuator 160 can be adequately transmitted to the actuating plate element 150.

[0024] Furthermore, the spring constant k sThe spring constant k3 of the combined spring 50 is preferably less than or equal to the spring constant k3 of the combined spring 40. In other words, the following formula (4) preferably applies. ks=(k1×k2) / (k1+k2)⇐k3

[0025] If the spring constant k s If the spring constant k3 of the combined spring 50 exceeds that of the combined spring 40, the actuating plate element 145 does not readily move towards the mounting base 110 near the actuator 160, and inconsistencies or discrepancies easily arise when perceiving a stroke or push actuation. To further reduce these discrepancies when perceiving the stroke actuation, the spring constant k s the combined spring 50 in a further preferred manner less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the spring constant k3 of the combined spring 40.

[0026] Furthermore, a signal processor 180 is arranged on the mounting base 110. The signal processor 180 provides optical feedback to a user by controlling the actuator 160 in response to actuation of the touch sensor 140, through a process described below. In other words, the actuator 160 vibrates the actuation plate element 145, including the movable base 130, the touch sensor 140, and the decorative plate 150, in order to provide the user with haptic feedback through the actuation plate element 145. The signal processor 180 is, for example, a semiconductor chip.Although the signal processor 180 is arranged on the mounting base 110 in the present embodiment, the position at which the signal processor 180 is provided is not subject to any particular restrictions, and the signal processor 180 can, for example, be provided in a position between the touch sensor 140 and the movable base 130 or the like. The signal processor 180 is an example of a controller.

[0027] In one example of the actuation of the input device 100 designed in this way, when the touch sensor 140 is actuated, the actuator 160 is set into vibration or oscillation in a direction perpendicular to an input actuation surface of the touch sensor 140, depending on an actuation position and an actuation load. The user can recognize the effect of the actuation performed with respect to the input device 100 by feeling the vibration of the input actuation surface, without having to monitor the display device or the like provided on the input device 100. In one case, for example,In a system where the input device is located in a center console for various switches in a motor vehicle, a driver can perceive the effect of their actions by feeling the vibration of the actuator 160 without shifting their gaze towards the input device 100. The actuator 160 is not limited to the example described above and can be configured to generate the vibration in any direction.

[0028] Next, a basic principle of a load detection process for detecting the load applied to the touch sensor 150 in the present embodiment is described. In the present embodiment, a formula for a plane of the flat plate 131, i.e., the formula for the plane containing points 171A to 174A, is obtained from the distance to the flat plate 131 detected by each of the photointerrupters 171 to 174, as well as coordinates of the actuation position detected by the touch sensor 140, in order to determine any displacement or shift at the actuation position.

[0029] An equation for a plane is described. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation illustrating an arbitrary XYZ coordinate system. Assume that there are three points a(X a , y a , z a ), b(x b , y b , z b ) and c(x c , y c , z c) are contained in the XYZ coordinate system. In this case, one component (x) is 1, y1, z1) of a vector ac (hereinafter referred to as “V ac “ is referred to) (x c -x a , y c- y a , z c -z a ), and a component (x2, y2, z2) of a vector (hereinafter referred to as "V"). ab “ is referred to) is (x b -x a , y b -y a , z b -z a A vector product (V ac × V ab The product of these vectors is therefore (y1z2-z1y2, z1x2-x1z2, x1y2-y1x2). This vector product corresponds to a normal vector to a plane containing points a, b, and c. If (y1z2-z1y2, z1x2-x1z2, x1y2-y1x2) is expressed as (p, q, r), then the equation for the plane containing points a, b, and c can be expressed by the following formula (5). p(x−xa)+q(y−ya)+r(z−za)=0

[0030] Formula (5) is a general formula, however, it can be simplified using an orthogonal coordinate system in which an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a point a in the XYZ coordinate system are 0. Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic representation to illustrate positional relationships in the orthogonal XYZ coordinate system. As in Fig. Figure 6 shows that in the orthogonal XYZ coordinate system, four points a(0, 0, z) are assumed. a ), b(x b , 0, z b ), c(0, y c , z c ) and d(x b , y c , z d ) lie on a plane 200. The following relationships exist between these points with respect to the coordinates of points a, b, and c. Vac=(0,yc,zc−za)=(x1,y1,z1) Vab=(xb,0,zb−za)=(x2,y2,z2) Vac×Vab=(yc(zb−za),(zc−za)xb,−ycxb)=(p,q,r)

[0031] For this reason, the equation for the plane 200, which includes the first point a, the second point b and the third point c, can be expressed by the following formula (6). yc(zb−za)x+(zc−za)xby−ycxb(z−za)=0

[0032] Furthermore, formula (6) can also be expressed as the following formula (7). z=(zb−za)x / xb+(zc−za)y / yc+za

[0033] If the Z-coordinates of the three points on the arbitrary plane 200 can be located by the first, second, and third sensors, and the X-coordinates and Y-coordinates of the actuation position on plane 200 can be located by the touchpad, then it is possible to locate the Z-coordinate of the actuation position. Furthermore, the displacement in the Z-axis direction at the actuation position due to a change in the Z-coordinate before and after the actuation can be determined.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate of the actuation position of the touch sensor 140 can be detected by the touch sensor 140. Thus, contact is made with a point e in Fig. 6, and the X-coordinate (x) and the Y-coordinate (y) of point e can be determined from an output of the touch sensor 140. If the photointerrupters are arranged as first sensor, second sensor and third sensor according to points a, b and c, and an X-coordinate (xb) of point b and a Y-coordinate (yc) of point c are determined beforehand, a Z-coordinate (z) can also be determined. a , z b , and z c ) of each point by measuring the distance to the flat plate 131 from the outputs of the photointerrupters, and a Z-coordinate (z) of point e can be determined using formula (7).

[0035] In other words, if the plane 200 of the touch sensor 140 and the plane containing the three photointerrupters arranged according to points a, b, and c are parallel to each other in an initial state, the coordinates of point e can be determined after the touch sensor 140 is pressed and the flat plate 131 and the touch sensor 140 tilt. In this way, it is possible to determine the displacement in the Z-axis direction at point e before and after pressing. Even if the plane 200 and the plane containing the three photointerrupters are not parallel to each other in the initial state, the displacement in the Z-axis direction at point e before and after pressing can be determined by a similar calculation.

[0036] By using the displacement in the Z-axis direction at point e before and after actuation, it is also possible to determine whether a load applied to point e exceeds a predetermined reference value or not, and to control the haptic feedback based on the result of this determination. In other words, a relationship between the load applied to plane 200 at a plurality of positions and the displacement in the Z-axis direction is determined in advance, and a determination is made as to whether the displacement in the Z-axis direction determined by the method described above exceeds a threshold value corresponding to the reference value of the load or not, and the haptic feedback is controlled accordingly. Fig. 7A and Fig. Figure 7B shows schematic representations to illustrate an example of the relationship between the applied load and the displacement in the Z-axis direction. Fig. 7A illustrates the positions of nine measuring points, and Fig. Figure 7B illustrates the displacement at each measurement point.

[0037] In the present example, as it appears in Fig. As shown in Figure 7A, it is assumed that actuations with loads of 0 gf (0 N), 100 gf (0.98 N), 458 gf (4.5 N) and 858 gf (8.4 N) are carried out at nine measuring points 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209, which are arranged in a grid-like pattern as shown in Fig. Figure 7B illustrates this. Furthermore, it is assumed that 458 gf (4.5 N) is the reference value and that haptic feedback is performed when a load exceeding 458 gf (4.5 N) is applied. Since the actuator 160 or the like is located below the movable base 130, the displacement varies depending on the measuring point.

[0038] When measuring points 201 to 209 are activated, the in Fig. 7A and Fig. The relationship illustrated in 7B can be used to determine whether the load exceeds the reference value or not. In other words, if the displacement calculated according to formula (7) in the Z-axis direction is less than the displacement of 458 gf (4.5 N) in Fig. 7B exceeds the reference value, and it can be determined that the load exceeds the reference value. For example, if measuring point 201 is actuated, 0.15 mm becomes the threshold value of the displacement, and it can be determined that the load has reached the reference value that triggers the haptic feedback if the displacement exceeds 0.15 mm.

[0039] If a location offset from measuring points 201 to 209 is actuated, the determination of whether the load has reached the reference value or not can be made using the threshold value of the displacement at the measuring points in a periphery of the location. Fig. 8 as well as Fig. Figures 9A to 9C illustrate an example of a load determination procedure. In this example, it is assumed that a point 210 is actuated within a rectangle formed by measuring points 201, 202, 204 and 205, as shown in Fig. 8 is shown. In this case, as in Fig. Figure 9A shows a threshold value of the displacement at a point 225, which is located between the two measurement points 202 and 205 arranged in the X-axis direction and has the same Y-coordinate as point 210, calculated by linear interpolation from the threshold values ​​at measurement points 202 and 205. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, a threshold value of the displacement at a point 214, located between the two measurement points 201 and 204 arranged in the X-axis direction and having the same Y-coordinate as point 210, is similarly calculated by linear interpolation from the threshold values ​​at measurement points 201 and 204. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9C, a threshold value at point 210 is then calculated by linear interpolation from the threshold values ​​at points 225 and 214. Alternatively, the displacement in the Z-axis direction at point 210 can be calculated using formula (7) described above. By comparing the threshold value and the displacement, it is thus possible to determine whether the load applied to point 210, which is offset from measuring points 201 to 209, has reached the reference value.

[0040] Based on the basic principle of the load detection process described above, the signal processor 180 determines whether the load exerted at the actuation position of the touch sensor 140 has reached the reference value that triggers the haptic feedback, and it controls the actuator 160 depending on the result of this determination to generate the haptic feedback. Fig. Figure 10 shows a schematic representation to illustrate a configuration of the signal processor 180.

[0041] The signal processor 180 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 181, a read-only memory (ROM) 182, a random access memory (RAM) 183, and an auxiliary or additional memory 184. The CPU 181, the ROM 182, the RAM 183, and the auxiliary memory 184 together form a so-called computer. The individual parts of the signal processor 180 are interconnected via a bus 185.

[0042] The CPU 181 executes various programs (e.g., a load determination program) that are stored in the additional memory 184.

[0043] ROM 182 is a non-volatile main memory device. It stores various programs, data, and the like that are required by CPU 181 to execute the various programs stored in auxiliary memory 184. Specifically, ROM 182 stores boot programs, such as a Basic Input / Output System (BIOS), an Expandable Firmware Interface (EFI), and similar components.

[0044] RAM 183 is a volatile main memory device, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or the like. RAM 183 functions as a workspace that is used when the various programs stored in auxiliary memory 184 are executed by CPU 181.

[0045] The additional memory 184 is an additional storage device that stores the various programs executed by the CPU 181 as well as various data that are generated when the various programs are executed by the CPU 181.

[0046] The Signal Processor 180 has such a hardware configuration and performs the process described below. Fig. Figure 11 shows a flowchart to schematically illustrate the process of the signal processor 180.

[0047] First, the signal processor 180 detects the state of the touch sensor 140 (step S1). Next, the signal processor 180 determines whether a finger has touched the touch sensor 140 or not (step S2), and if there is no finger contact, any drift or displacement of the photointerrupters 171 to 174 is canceled (step S3).

[0048] If, on the other hand, it is detected that the finger has touched the touch sensor 140, a detection signal is determined from each of the photointerrupters 171 to 174 (step S4). If the output signals of the photointerrupters 171 to 174 are, for example, analog signals, the signals are determined after conversion to digital signals.

[0049] Next, displacements Z1 to Z4 in the Z-axis direction are calculated at detection positions on the flat plate 131 from detection signals of the photo interrupters 171 to 174 (step S5).

[0050] Subsequently, a representative triangle is selected from a plurality of triangles formed by three of the four photointerrupters 171 to 174 (step S6). For example, the triangle containing the actuation position of the touch sensor 140 is preferentially used as the representative triangle. In other words, this means that in the event of touching point e in Fig. 6. Preferably, a triangle acd or a triangle acb is used as the representative triangle. The reason for this is that the shorter the distance between the actuation position and the photointerrupters 171 to 174, the higher the detection accuracy.

[0051] Next, a displacement Z in the Z-axis direction at the actuation position of the touch sensor 140 is calculated (step S7). In other words, using formula (7), the displacement Z in the Z-axis direction at the actuation position is calculated from the displacement in the Z-axis direction calculated from the detection signals of the three photointerrupters that form the representative triangle determined in step S6, as well as from the X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate of the actuation position detected by the touch sensor 140.

[0052] Furthermore, the relationship between the applied load and the displacement in the Z-axis direction, as e.g. in the case of the Fig. 7A and Fig.7B illustrated example, predefined and stored in ROM 182, and a threshold value (switch-on threshold) Zth present at the point of actuation in the Z-axis direction is calculated by reading the stored relationship (step S8).

[0053] Subsequently, a determination is made to ascertain whether the displacement Z exceeds the switch-on threshold Zth or not (step S9), whereby if the switch-on threshold Zth is exceeded, it is determined that the applied load exceeds the reference value, and the actuator 160 is activated to perform the haptic feedback (step S10).

[0054] The input device 100 according to the present embodiment performs the haptic feedback in this manner. The photointerrupters 171 to 174 can detect the Z-coordinates of points 171A to 174A on the flat plate 131 with high accuracy, and the touch sensor 140 can also detect the X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate of the actuation position with high accuracy. According to the process described above, the Z-coordinate of the actuation position can thus also be detected with high accuracy. Even if the switch-on threshold Zth is set to a low value on the order of, for example, several tens of micrometers, it is therefore possible to determine with high accuracy whether the haptic feedback should be switched on or off.

[0055] Since the rubber element 31 is provided between the actuator 160 and the movable base 130, and the spring constant k sSince the combined spring 50 is suitably predetermined, in the present embodiment a reduction in inconsistencies in the sensation of the stroke actuation is possible when the input actuation surface of the actuating plate element 145 is pressed. In addition, the vibration generated by the actuator 160 can be transmitted to the movable base 130 in an appropriate manner.

[0056] As long as the number of elastic support elements provided at the periphery of the actuator is three or more, this number is not limited to four. In other words, when viewed in the Z-axis direction (first direction), the number N of vertices of a polygon in which the elastic support elements are arranged around the actuator at these vertices can be three or more, and this number is not limited to four. Furthermore, the spring constants of the N elastic support elements do not necessarily have to be the same. For example, if the input device is located in the center console of the vehicle, a number of elastic support elements suitable for the shape of the console can be used, and the shape and material of each elastic support element can be chosen individually.If the number of elastic support elements is denoted by N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to three) and the spring constant of the combined spring, in which the N elastic support elements are coupled in parallel, is denoted by k. N where is designated, preferably the following formula (8) applies, further preferably the following formula (9) applies. kN / N⇐(k1×k2) / (k1+k2)⇐kN kN / N⇐(k1×k2) / (k1+k2)⇐kN / 2

[0057] The actuator is not limited to the piezoelectric actuator that utilizes the electrostrictive effect, and it can also be a magnetic actuator that utilizes the magnetostrictive effect.

[0058] In the process described above, a representative triangle is specified, the displacement at the actuation position is calculated, and the determination is made based on this displacement. However, two or more representative triangles can also be specified, displacements (a first displacement, a second displacement, or the like) can be calculated for each of the representative triangles, an average value of these displacements can be determined, and the determination can be made based on this average value. With such a process, the determination can be made with even higher accuracy.

[0059] Since the photoelectric sensors 171 to 174 do not come into contact with the flat plate 131, the movement of the touch sensor 140 is not affected by it when actuated. Non-contact position sensors, such as electrostatic sensors or the like, can be used instead of the photoelectric sensors 171 to 174. Alternatively, a pressure-sensitive touch sensor can be used.

[0060] The input device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use as an input device provided in the center console of a car. The driver of the car can recognize the action he has performed from the tactile feedback of the input device without shifting his gaze from the direction of travel of the car.

[0061] Although preferred embodiments or the like have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or the like described above, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments or the like described above without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

[0062] The present application is based on and claims priority of Japanese patent application No. 2018-225703, filed on November 30, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into the present description. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10, 20, 40, 50 combined spring 11 to 14, 21 to 24, 31 rubber element 15, 25 Rubber element support element 100 Input device 110 Mounting base 120 edging 130 movable base 131 flat plate 132 Wall 140 touch sensors 145 Actuator plate element 150 decorative panels 160 actuator 171 to 174 Photo interrupter 180 signal processor

Claims

[1] Input device (100), characterized by that it has the following: a base (130); an actuating plate element (145) arranged in a first direction when viewed from the base (130) and having an input actuating surface and configured to detect coordinates of an actuating position on the input actuating surface; an actuator (160) fixed to the base (130) and configured to vibrate the actuator plate member (145); N elastic support elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24) arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape having N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to three) corners and surrounding the actuator (160) when viewed in the first direction and adapted to elastically support the actuating plate element (145) on the base (130); and an elastic damping element (31) arranged between the actuator (160) and the actuating plate element (145), wherein a spring constant of a combined spring (10, 20, 40, 50), in which the actuator (160) and the elastic damping element (31) are coupled in series, is adapted to spring constants of the N elastic support elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24). [2] Input device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the following relationship holds: kN / N⇐ks⇐kN, where k s denotes the spring constant of the combined spring (10, 20, 40, 50) in which the actuator (160) and the elastic damping element (31) are coupled in series, and where k N the spring constant of the combined spring (10, 20, 40, 50) in which the N elastic support elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24) are coupled in parallel. [3] Input device (100) according to claim 2, characterized by that the following relationship holds: kN / N⇐ks⇐kN / 2. [4] Input device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the actuator (160) is a piezoelectric actuator or a magnetic actuator. [5] Input device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that it has the following: a sensor configured to detect a push operation on the actuating plate element (145); and a controller configured to supply a drive signal to the actuator (160) in response to detection of the push operation by the sensor to vibrate the actuating plate element (145) in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the push operation on the actuator (160). [6] Input device (100) according to claim 5, characterized bythat it has the following: a first sensor, a second sensor and a third sensor, which are arranged on a reference plane separate from the actuating plate element (145) and are designed to detect distances to the actuating plate element (145), wherein the controller processes signals from the actuator plate element (145), the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor, wherein the actuating plate element (145) can tilt with respect to the reference plane depending on a load applied at the actuating position, and wherein the controller calculates displacements of the actuating plate element (145) at the actuating position before and after the actuation of the actuating plate element (145) based on the coordinates of the actuating position on the input actuating surface detected by the actuating plate element (145) and the distances detected by the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, respectively. [7] Input device (100) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the first sensor detects the distance to a first point on the actuator plate element (145), that the second sensor detects the distance to a second point on the actuating plate element (145), that the third sensor detects a distance to a third point on the actuator plate element (145), and that the controller specifies a plane containing the first point, the second point and the third point and determines coordinates on the plane corresponding to the coordinates of the operation position on the input operation surface detected by the operation plate member (145). [8] Input device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that a direction in which the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor measure the distances is the first direction. [9] Input device (100) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the actuator plate element (145) comprises: a contact surface, and a holding area designed to hold the contact surface, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor each detect distances to the holding area. [10] Input device (100) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized bythat the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor are photosensors (171, 172, 173, 174).

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