Tactile sensation presentation device

Abstract

To provide a tactile sensation presentation device for suppressing the generation of sound when presenting vibration.SOLUTION: A tactile sensation presentation device 1 according to an embodiment is provided with: a first magnetic unit 14 disposed on an operation member receiving an operation and having a first member having at least magnetism; a second magnetic unit 16 disposed opposite to the first magnetic unit 14 and having a second member having at least magnetism; and a control unit 28 for controlling, when the operation member receives the operation, one of the first magnetic unit 14 and the second magnetic unit 16 to generate and change a magnetic field 3, and causing at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force to act on the other of the first magnetic unit 14 and the second magnetic unit 16 to add vibration to the operation member to present the tactile sensation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tactile presentation device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technique, a tactile sensation generating device is known in which a vibration generating device is provided on the back side of a vibrating member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this tactile sensation generating device, the vibration generating device is a solenoid having a movable iron core that can move toward and away from the vibrating member, and a coil that displaces the movable iron core toward the vibrating member when electricity is passed through it, thereby pressing and deforming the vibrating member, and that moves the movable iron core away from the vibrating member when electricity is stopped, thereby causing the vibrating member to vibrate by an elastic return force. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-140271 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional tactile sensation generating devices have a problem in that the sound generated when the movable iron core pushes up the vibrating member increases in proportion to the strength of the vibration.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a tactile presentation device capable of suppressing the generation of sound when presenting vibration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a tactile presentation device comprising: a first magnetic unit arranged on an operating member that accepts operation and having at least a first member having magnetism; a second magnetic unit arranged opposite the first magnetic unit and having at least a second member having magnetism; and a control unit that, when the operating member accepts operation, controls one of the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to generate and change a magnetic field, and applies at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to add vibration to the operating member, thereby presenting a tactile sensation. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of sound when presenting vibration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a tactile presentation device, and FIG. 1(b) is a top view showing the example of the tactile presentation device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is an example of a cross-sectional view of a tactile presentation device, FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram, and FIG. 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of a current signal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state before a push operation is accepted, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which vibration is presented. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tactile presentation device. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views showing an example in which the first magnetic portion is a permanent magnet. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the first magnetic portion is a permanent magnet and further has a vibration direction different from others, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a current signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The tactile presentation device of the embodiment is generally configured to include a first magnetic unit arranged on an operating member that accepts operation and having at least a first member having magnetism, a second magnetic unit arranged opposite the first magnetic unit and having at least a second member having magnetism, and a control unit that, when the operating member accepts operation, controls one of the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to generate and change a magnetic field, and applies at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to add vibration to the operating member, thereby presenting a tactile sensation.

[0011] This tactile presentation device vibrates the operating member non-contact through the interaction between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, thereby making it possible to reduce the noise generated when presenting the vibration compared to when the operating member is vibrated directly.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Overview of tactile presentation device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the tactile presentation device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a top view showing an example of the tactile presentation device. FIG. 2(a) is an example of a cross-sectional view of the cross-section of the tactile presentation device according to the first embodiment cut along line II(a)-II(a) in FIG. 1(b) as viewed from the direction of the arrow, FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram of the tactile presentation device, and FIG. 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of a current signal supplied to the second magnetic unit. FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state before a push operation of the tactile presentation device according to the first embodiment is accepted, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which a vibration is presented upon accepting the push operation. FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 2(a) show a part of the touch panel 12. FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(b), and FIG. 5(a) to FIG. 6(a) described later show cross-sectional views in which the vicinity of the first magnetic unit 14 and the second magnetic unit 16 are enlarged. Furthermore, in Fig. 2(c) and Fig. 6(b) described later, the horizontal axis represents time t, and in Fig. 6(b), the vertical axis represents the current value I of the current signal S2.

[0013] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. In Fig. 2(b), arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information.

[0014] The tactile presentation device 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, electrically connected to an electronic device 85 mounted on a vehicle 8, and configured to provide vibration feedback indicating that an operation has been accepted. Examples of the electronic device 85 include a vehicle control device that controls the overall settings of the vehicle and the automatic driving function, an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that provides a map of the current location and guidance to the destination, a seat device that controls the position and inclination of the seat, and a music and video playback device that plays music and videos.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 2(b), the tactile presentation device 1 of this embodiment is generally configured to include a first magnetic unit 14 arranged on an operating member that accepts operation and having at least a first member having magnetism, a second magnetic unit 16 arranged opposite the first magnetic unit 14 and having at least a second member having magnetism, and a control unit 28 that, when the operating member accepts operation, controls one of the first magnetic unit 14 and the second magnetic unit 16 to generate and change a magnetic field 3, and applies at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force between the first magnetic unit 14 and the second magnetic unit 16 to add vibration to the operating member, thereby presenting a tactile sensation.

[0016] The first magnetic part 14 is a magnetic member serving as a first member. The second magnetic part 16 is an electromagnet having a yoke 160 serving as a second member. The control unit 28 is configured to control the second magnetic part 16 to generate and change the magnetic field 3 acting on the first magnetic part 14.

[0017] The operation member is the touch panel 12 that accepts touch operations. The control unit 28 is configured to apply vibrations in a direction intersecting the operation surface 120 of the touch panel 12. As shown in FIG. 2(a), in the tactile presentation device 1 of this embodiment, the second magnetic part 16 attracts the opposing first magnetic part 14 by an attractive force, so that the touch panel 12 essentially vibrates repeatedly in the normal direction of the operation surface 120 and the normal direction of the back surface 121, that is, in the directions of arrows A and B. The operation member is not limited to the touch panel 12, and may be a push button of a switch. The tactile presentation device 1 of this embodiment is configured to include an operation member, but is not limited thereto, and may be electrically connected via the communication unit 26.

[0018] 2(a) and 2(b), the tactile presentation device 1 includes a detection unit 18 that detects a push operation performed on the touch panel 12. The control unit 28 is configured to apply vibration to the touch panel 12 when the detection unit 18 detects a push operation.

[0019] The tactile presentation device 1 further includes a housing 10 supporting the touch panel 12, a substrate 20 on which a detection unit 18 is arranged, and a base portion 22 supported by the housing 10, on which the substrate 20 and a second magnetic unit 16 are arranged, and attached to the touch panel 12.

[0020] Furthermore, the tactile presentation device 1 includes a plurality of elastic members 24 that are disposed around the second magnetic portion 16 between the touch panel 12 and the base portion 22 .

[0021] 2(b), the control unit 28 is electrically connected to the touch panel 12, the second magnetic unit 16, a first optical sensor 181 and a second optical sensor 182 (described later) of the detection unit 18, and the communication unit 26. The communication unit 26 is configured to exchange information and signals with an electronic device 85 to which the tactile presentation device 1 is electrically connected.

[0022] 1(a), the tactile presentation device 1 includes a first magnetic portion 14, a second magnetic portion 16, a detection portion 18, and a plurality of elastic members 24 arranged in correspondence with a plurality of operation buttons 4 on a large touch panel 12, but is not limited to this example. The plurality of operation buttons 4 are displayed as images on the touch panel 12, but is not limited to this example. The plurality of operation buttons 4 are assigned functions such as an air conditioner, but are displayed at fixed positions, but is not limited to this example.

[0023] As an example, when the touch panel 12 is small, the tactile presentation device 1 may be arranged in a set of the first magnetic portion 14, the second magnetic portion 16, the detection portion 18, and the multiple elastic members 24 regardless of the positions of the operation buttons 4. Also, the tactile presentation device 1 may be arranged in a set near multiple operation buttons 4, for example, and there may be multiple combinations.

[0024] (Configuration of the housing 10) 1(a), the touch panel 12 of the present embodiment is a large panel that covers almost the entire surface of an instrument panel 80 of a vehicle 8. The housing 10 that supports the large touch panel 12 is similarly large to correspond to the instrument panel 80.

[0025] The housing 10 is formed, for example, using ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the housing 10 has a panel support 100 that supports the touch panel 12. The panel support 100 may be configured, for example, as a frame surrounding the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16, or a plurality of panel support members 100 may be arranged to surround the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16. As an example, the panel support 100 of the present embodiment has a frame shape surrounding the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16, as shown in Figs. 1(b) and 2(a).

[0027] The housing 10 also has a base support 101 that supports the base 22. The base support 101 is in contact with a lower surface 221 of the base 22. The base support 101 may be configured, for example, like a frame, or a plurality of base supports 101 may be arranged to support the base 22. The base support 101 of this embodiment is arranged in a frame shape on the lower surface 221 outside the position where the detection unit 18 is arranged. The base support 101 may be attached by adhesion or by screws to reinforce the base 22.

[0028] (Touch Panel 12 Configuration) The touch panel 12 is configured to detect a touch operation and display an image. As described above, the touch panel 12 has an elongated shape extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle 8. The touch panel 12 is formed in a plate shape using, for example, highly transparent polycarbonate, acrylic, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0029] As one example, the touch panel 12 detects a touch operation or a tracing operation using a capacitance method, and outputs information about the detected operation as detection information S1 to the control unit 28. As one example, the touch panel 12 has a thin end portion 122 in the vicinity of the panel support 100, as shown in FIG.

[0030] The touch panel 12 has a plurality of support pieces 123 protruding from the rear surface 121. The support pieces 123 are provided with through holes 123a in a direction intersecting the protruding direction. The through holes 123a are fitted with fitting tabs 223 of the base part 22, which will be described later, so that the base part 22 can be attached to the touch panel 12. As an example, a pair of the support pieces 123 are provided so as to sandwich the first magnetic part 14 and the second magnetic part 16 therebetween.

[0031] 1(b) and 2(a), the touch panel 12 has a plurality of attachment pieces 124 protruding from the back surface 121. The attachment pieces 124 are fastened with screws 5 through attachment openings 224 in the base portion 22, and the touch panel 12 and the base portion 22 are integrated together. As an example, the attachment pieces 124 are arranged so as to surround the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16, as shown in FIG. 1(b). Note that the tactile presentation device 1 may be configured such that the base portion 22 is attached to the touch panel 12 only by fitting the support pieces 123 into the fitting claws 223.

[0032] The touch panel 12 has a protrusion 125 and a protrusion 126 protruding from the rear surface 121. An end surface 125a of the protrusion 125 faces the first optical sensor 181. An end surface 126a of the protrusion 126 faces the second optical sensor 182.

[0033] The touch panel 12 has an attachment portion 127 to which the first magnetic portion 14 can be attached on the back surface 121 opposite the second magnetic portion 16. The first magnetic portion 14 is attached to the center of the attachment portion 127, and one end of each of the multiple elastic members 24 is attached to the periphery thereof.

[0034] The operation member is not limited to the touch panel 12, and may be configured as a decorative panel, for example. In this case, the surface of the decorative panel may be configured to have a texture such as leather or wood grain. The operation member may also be, for example, an opaque panel, and may be configured to illuminate marks 40 indicating the functions of the operation buttons 4.

[0035] (Configuration of the first magnetic portion 14) 1(b) and 2(a), the first magnetic portion 14 is formed in a disk shape using a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof, but is not limited thereto. The first magnetic portion 14 is attached to the attachment portion 127 of the touch panel 12 as described above.

[0036] (Configuration of the second magnetic portion 16) As described above, the second magnetic portion 16 is configured as an electromagnet. This electromagnet includes a yoke 160 and a coil 161, as shown in FIG.

[0037] The yoke 160 is formed using a soft magnetic material such as iron or low carbon steel. As an example, the yoke 160 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom surface portion 160a as shown in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b), but is not limited to this. The yoke 160 has a central portion 160b having a cylindrical shape at the center of the cylinder. A coil 161 is wound around this central portion 160b.

[0038] The yoke 160 also has a side portion 160c which is a wall portion of a cylinder. The yoke 160 is magnetized when a current flows through the coil 161, and when an end 162 of the central portion 160b facing the first magnetic portion 14 is a first magnetic pole, an end 163 of the side portion 160c facing the first magnetic portion 14 is magnetized to a second magnetic pole. The direction of magnetization may be reversed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the second magnetic portion 16 becomes an electromagnet by energizing, a magnetic field 3 is generated on the first magnetic portion 14 side of the central portion 160b and the side portion 160c, and an attractive force occurs between the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16. Since the second magnetic portion 16 is disposed on a base portion 22 supported by the housing 10, the first magnetic portion 14 is relatively attracted to the second magnetic portion 16 side, causing the touch panel 12 to bend. When the second magnetic portion 16 is no longer an electromagnet, the attractive force between the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16 disappears, and the touch panel 12 returns to the state before it was bent.

[0040] 1(b), for example. This vibration area 128 is an area defined by a plurality of mounting pieces 124 of the touch panel 12. The touch panel 12 vibrates in this vibration area 128. Since a mark 40 indicating the function of the operation button 4 is displayed within this vibration area 128, the user can easily feel the vibration by performing a push operation using the mark 40 as a guide.

[0041] The control unit 28 can vibrate the touch panel 12 by repeatedly energizing and deenergizing the second magnetic portion 16 based on the current signal S2.

[0042] (Configuration of detection unit 18) The detection unit 18 is configured to detect the push operation performed without contacting the touch panel 12. The detection unit 18 may be configured as a microswitch that is turned on by the movement of the protrusion 125 due to the push operation, or may be configured as a load sensor that detects the load applied to the touch panel 12.

[0043] 2(a) and 2(b), the detection unit 18 has a first optical sensor 181 and a second optical sensor 182. The first optical sensor 181 and the second optical sensor 182 are sensors that measure the distance to an object based on the time it takes for emitted light to be reflected and returned.

[0044] 3(a) and 3(b), the first optical sensor 181 and the second optical sensor 182 are disposed on the substrate 20 facing each other with the second magnetic portion 16 therebetween. The first optical sensor 181 is disposed facing the end surface 125a of the protrusion 125.

[0045] The first optical sensor 181 measures the distance to the touch panel 12, i.e., the amount of bending, based on the time it takes for the emitted light to be reflected by the end face 125a and return. The first optical sensor 181 generates measurement information S3, which is information on the measured distance, and outputs it to the control unit 28.

[0046] Further, the second optical sensor 182 measures the distance to the touch panel 12, that is, the amount of deflection, based on the time it takes for the emitted light to reflect off the end surface 126a and return. The second optical sensor 182 generates measurement information S4, which is information on the measured distance, and outputs it to the control unit 28. The amount of deflection measured by the first optical sensor 181 and the second optical sensor 182 is the difference between the distance to the touch panel 12 when no push operation is performed and the distance to the touch panel 12 when a push operation is performed.

[0047] (Configuration of substrate 20) The substrate 20 is, for example, a printed wiring board. On the substrate 20, a first optical sensor 181 and a second optical sensor 182 of the detection unit 18, and a control unit 28 are arranged. The substrate 20 is attached to a surface 220 of the base 22. The substrate 20 has an opening 200 into which the attachment unit 225 fits.

[0048] (Configuration of base portion 22) The base portion 22 is formed in a plate shape using a resin material such as ABS or polycarbonate. The base portion 22 has a plurality of fitting pieces 222 protruding from the ends of the surface 220. The fitting pieces 222 may be disposed to face each other with the second magnetic portion 16 therebetween, or, if the base portion 22 is rectangular, may be provided near the center of each side.

[0049] The base portion 22 is attached to the touch panel 12 by fitting the fitting claws 223 of the multiple fitting pieces 222 into the through holes 123a of the support piece 123. Furthermore, the base portion 22 is fixed to the touch panel 12 by fastening the screws 5 inserted into the mounting openings 224 so that the base portion 22 does not come off the touch panel 12. The mounting openings 224 are provided corresponding to the mounting pieces 124, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(a), for example. When the base portion 22 is rectangular, as shown in Figure 1(b), the mounting openings 224 are provided at each corner, but are not limited to this.

[0050] The base portion 22 has an attachment portion 225 to which the second magnetic portion 16 is attached. This attachment portion 225 has an opening in the center, into which the bottom portion 160a of the yoke 160 of the second magnetic portion 16 is fitted. The other end of the elastic member 24 is attached to the periphery of the opening.

[0051] The base 22 is configured to be less flexible than the touch panel 12. That is, when the second magnetic portion 16 generates the magnetic field 3, an attractive force is generated between the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16. This attractive force shortens the distance between the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16, so if the base 22 is more flexible than the touch panel 12, the touch panel 12 cannot be vibrated effectively. Therefore, the base 22 is configured to be less flexible than the touch panel 12. The touch panel 12 mainly vibrates in a vibration region 128 having, as fixed ends, the mounting pieces 124 that face each other across the second magnetic portion 16.

[0052] (Configuration of elastic member 24) The elastic member 24 is configured to accumulate elastic force with a push operation and release the accumulated elastic force as the push operation ends and the user's operating finger 9 leaves the touch panel 12. As an example, the elastic member 24 is an elastic body formed using an elastic material such as rubber or resin, or an elastic metal spring. The elastic member 24 in this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape using rubber, but is not limited to this.

[0053] The elastic members 24 are disposed on either side of the second magnetic portion 16, but may be disposed at each vertex of a cross with the second magnetic portion 16 at the center, and are not limited to this.

[0054] The elastic member 24 mainly has a function of returning the touch panel 12 that has been bent due to a push operation or vibration to its original shape, and a function of quickly settling residual vibration.

[0055] (Configuration of control unit 28) The control unit 28 is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a semiconductor memory, and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, a program for operating the control unit 28. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The control unit 28 also has a means for generating a clock signal therein and operates based on this clock signal.

[0056] The control unit 28 has a threshold value 280 for determining whether a push operation has been performed. The control unit 28 compares the distance to the touch panel 12 based on the measurement information S3 acquired from the first optical sensor 181 of the detection unit 18 and the measurement information S4 acquired from the second optical sensor 182, that is, the amount of bending, with the threshold value 280 to determine whether a push operation has been performed. If the amount of bending is equal to or greater than the threshold value 280, the control unit 28 determines that a push operation has been performed, generates operation information S5, and outputs it to the electronic device 85 connected via the communication unit 26. The electronic device 85 executes a function assigned to the operation button 4 on which the push operation has been performed based on the acquired operation information S5.

[0057] Note that control unit 28 may determine that a push operation has been performed, for example, when the amount of deflection measured by first optical sensor 181 and the amount of deflection measured by second optical sensor 182 are equal to or greater than threshold value 280, or may determine that a push operation has been performed when either amount of deflection is equal to or greater than threshold value 280, and further when the average amount of deflection is equal to or greater than threshold value 280. As an example, control unit 28 in this embodiment determines that a push operation has been performed when both the amount of deflection measured by first optical sensor 181 and the amount of deflection measured by second optical sensor 182 are equal to or greater than threshold value 280.

[0058] Furthermore, when a push operation is performed, the control unit 28 applies vibration to the touch panel 12 for a predetermined period as vibration feedback indicating that the push operation has been accepted. The vibration of the touch panel 12 allows the user to recognize through the operating finger 9 that the push operation has been accepted. The predetermined period is, for example, about 0.5 seconds, but is not limited to this.

[0059] 2(c), the control unit 28 supplies a current signal S2, which is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal repeating "Lo" and "Hi", to the coil 161 of the second magnetic unit 16. The control unit 28 adjusts the length and interval of "Lo" and "Hi" to present vibration.

[0060] The coil 161 generates or eliminates a change in the magnetic field 3 based on the current signal S2. This change in the magnetic field 3 changes the attractive force generated between the second magnetic portion 16 and the first magnetic portion 14, and the touch panel 12 vibrates in response to the movement of the first magnetic portion 14. Note that the control unit 28 may eliminate or weaken the magnetic field 3 when presenting the vibration.

[0061] 3(a) and 3(b), when the magnetic field 3 is generated, the touch panel 12 moves downward from the reference position 7, and when the magnetic field 3 disappears or weakens, the touch panel 12 moves upward to return to the reference position 7. In other words, the touch panel 12 vibrates in the normal direction of the operation surface 120 and the opposite direction, that is, in the directions of arrows A and B.

[0062] An example of the operation of the tactile presentation device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0063] (operation) The control unit 28 of the tactile presentation device 1 compares the amount of deflection measured based on the measurement information S3 and measurement information S4 output from the detection unit 18 with a threshold value 280 to monitor whether a push operation has been performed. If the control unit 28 determines that "Yes" in step 1 is true, that is, that a push operation has been performed (Step 1: Yes), it generates a current signal S2 and outputs it to the coil 161 of the second magnetic unit 16, causing the touch panel 12 to vibrate for a predetermined period (Step 2).

[0064] (Effects of the First Embodiment) The tactile presentation device 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the generation of sound when presenting vibration. Specifically, the tactile presentation device 1 vibrates the touch panel 12 in a non-contact manner by the attractive force acting between the first magnetic part 14 and the second magnetic part 16 due to the generation of the magnetic field 3, and therefore can suppress the generation of sound when presenting vibration compared to the case where the touch panel is directly vibrated.

[0065] Since the tactile presentation device 1 can measure the deflection of the touch panel 12 without contact, the load during the push operation is smaller and the vibration is not attenuated compared to the case where a switch for detecting the push operation is provided. Therefore, the tactile presentation device 1 can efficiently apply vibration to the touch panel 12.

[0066] Since the tactile presentation device 1 measures the deflection in a non-contact manner, there is no risk of noise being generated due to the touch panel 12 colliding with the switch caused by vibration, as opposed to a case in which a switch is provided.

[0067] The tactile presentation device 1 measures the deflection of the touch panel 12 in a non-contact manner and has multiple elastic members 24, making it easier to control the residual vibration after driving compared to a case in which this configuration is not adopted, and making it possible to present the desired vibration feedback.

[0068] As a modified example, the tactile presentation device 1 may be configured such that the first magnetic portion 14 is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic portion 16 is a magnetic body that generates an attractive force between the first magnetic portion 14 and the electromagnet.

[0069] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first magnetic portion is a permanent magnet.

[0070] Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b) are cross-sectional views showing an example of a tactile presentation device according to a second embodiment in which the first magnetic part is a permanent magnet. Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tactile presentation device according to a second embodiment in which the first magnetic part is a permanent magnet and further has a different vibration direction, and Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a current signal. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 6(a), the first magnetic part 14 of the present embodiment is a permanent magnet serving as a first member. The second magnetic part 16 is an electromagnet having a yoke 160 serving as a second member. The control unit 28 is configured to control the second magnetic part 16 to change the magnetic poles and to apply at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force between the first magnetic part 14 and the second magnetic part 16.

[0072] The control unit 28 is configured to apply vibration to the operation surface 120 of the touch panel 12 in the intersecting direction.

[0073] Examples of permanent magnets include ferrite magnets, neodymium magnets, and plastic magnets.

[0074] When the touch panel 12 vibrates in the normal direction and in the opposite direction In the tactile presentation device 1 shown in Fig. 5(a), the first magnetic pole 14a of the first magnetic part 14 is magnetized on the second magnetic part 16 side, and the second magnetic pole 14b is magnetized on the operation surface 120 side. That is, the first magnetic part 14 is magnetized in the vertical direction on the paper surface of Fig. 5(a). The first magnetic pole 14a is, for example, an N pole. The second magnetic pole 14b is, for example, an S pole. Note that the N pole and S pole of the first magnetic pole 14a and the second magnetic pole 14b may be reversed.

[0075] The second magnetic part 16 is configured to include a cylindrical yoke 160 and a coil 161. An end 162 of the yoke 160 faces the end 140 of the first magnetic part 14, that is, the first magnetic pole 14a.

[0076] 6(b), when the direction of the current signal S2 flowing through the coil 161 alternates, the magnetic pole of the end 162 of the yoke 160 alternates between the first magnetic pole 14a and the second magnetic pole 14b. In other words, when the direction of the current signal S2 alternates, an attractive force and a repulsive force alternately occur between the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the touch panel 12 vibrates in the direction of arrow A and in the opposite direction of arrow B due to the attractive and repulsive forces.

[0078] In the tactile presentation device 1 shown in FIG. 5(b), the first magnetic part 14 is composed of a plurality of permanent magnets corresponding to the shape of the yoke 160 of the second magnetic part 16.

[0079] In the yoke 160, an end 162 of a cylindrical central portion 160b and an end 163 of a ring-shaped side portion 160c face the first magnetic portion 14. The magnetic poles of the end 162 and the end 163 are different.

[0080] Therefore, the first magnetic part 14 is configured to have a first magnet 141 having a circular ring shape and a second magnet 142 having a cylindrical shape. The second magnet 142 is disposed in the center of the first magnet 141. The first magnetic part 14 may be configured to have a plurality of magnets, or may be configured to have a plastic magnet magnetized to have the same magnetic poles as the first magnet 141 and the second magnet 142. The first magnetic part 14 may also be magnetized as a single magnet in the horizontal direction of the paper surface of FIG. 5(b).

[0081] The first magnet 141 has an end 141a that faces an end 163 of the yoke 160 and serves as the second magnetic pole 14b. The second magnet 142 has an end 142a that faces an end 162 of the yoke 160 and serves as the first magnetic pole 14a. That is, in the first magnetic portion 14, the first magnetic poles 14a and the second magnetic poles 14b are alternately arranged according to the shape of the yoke 160.

[0082] In this tactile presentation device 1, when the direction of the current signal S2 flowing through the coil 161 alternates, the magnetic poles of the ends 162 and 163 of the yoke 160 alternate, so that attractive and repulsive forces alternate between the first magnetic part 14 and the second magnetic part 16.

[0083] Therefore, the touch panel 12 vibrates in the direction of the arrow A and in the opposite direction of the arrow B due to the attractive and repulsive forces.

[0084] The tactile presentation device 1 may vibrate the touch panel 12 by generating and disappearing the magnetic field 3, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0085] When the touch panel 12 vibrates in a direction that crosses the The tactile presentation device 1 shown in FIG. 6(a) is arranged such that the first magnetic portion 14 and the second magnetic portion 16 are shifted from each other so that only parts of them face each other.

[0086] The first magnetic portion 14 is shifted to the left of the paper in Fig. 6(a) When the first magnetic pole 14a of the first magnetic portion 14 partially faces the second magnetic portion 16, an attractive force is generated when the end portion 162 of the second magnetic portion 16 becomes the second magnetic pole 14b.

[0087] This attractive force attracts the first magnetic portion 14 diagonally toward the second magnetic portion 16, that is, in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 6(a), so that the touch panel 12 moves in a direction intersecting the normal direction of the rear surface 121. When the current signal S2 is stopped or the end portion 162 becomes the first magnetic pole 14a and a repulsive force acts, the touch panel 12 moves in the direction of arrow D and returns to its original position. The tactile presentation device 1 can vibrate the touch panel 12 in the directions of arrows C and D by repeating this operation.

[0088] In addition, the tactile presentation device 1 may be configured so that the first magnetic part 14 protrudes and the end 162 of the second magnetic part 16 faces the first magnetic part 14, and so as to vibrate the touch panel 12 in a direction parallel to the operation surface 120.

[0089] According to at least one of the tactile presentation devices 1 of the embodiments described above, it is possible to suppress the generation of sound when presenting vibration.

[0090] Although some embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the invention according to the claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...tactile presentation device, 3...magnetic field, 10...casing, 12...touch panel, 14...first magnetic part, 16...second magnetic part, 18...detection part, 22...base part, 24...elastic member, 28...control part, 120...operation surface, 121...rear surface, 160...yoke, 161...coil, 181...first optical sensor, 182...second optical sensor

Claims

1. a first magnetic portion that is disposed on an operating member that accepts an operation and has at least a first member that has magnetism; a second magnetic portion disposed opposite the first magnetic portion and having at least a second member having magnetism; a control unit that, when the operating member receives an operation, controls one of the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to generate and change a magnetic field, and exerts at least one of an attractive force and a repulsive force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit to apply a vibration to the operating member, thereby presenting a tactile sensation; A tactile presentation device comprising:

2. the first magnetic portion is a magnetic member serving as the first member, the second magnetic portion is an electromagnet having a yoke as the second member, The control unit controls the second magnetic unit to generate and change the magnetic field acting on the first magnetic unit. The tactile presentation device according to claim 1 .

3. The first magnetic portion is a permanent magnet serving as the first member, the second magnetic portion is an electromagnet having a yoke as the second member, The control unit controls the second magnetic unit to change the magnetic pole, and causes at least one of the attractive force and the repulsive force to act between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit. The tactile presentation device according to claim 1 .

4. the operation member is a touch panel that accepts touch operations, The control unit applies the vibration in a direction intersecting an operation surface of the operation member. The tactile presentation device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a detection unit that detects a push operation performed on the operation member, The control unit applies vibration to the operation member when the detection unit detects the push operation. The tactile presentation device according to claim 4 .

6. A housing supporting the operation member; A substrate on which the detection unit is disposed; a base portion supported by the housing, on which the substrate and the second magnetic portion are disposed, and attached to the operation member; Equipped with The tactile presentation device according to claim 5 .

7. A plurality of elastic members are disposed around the second magnetic portion between the operating member and the base portion. The tactile presentation device according to claim 6.

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