Vibration actuator and contact-type input device

Abstract

To ensure rigidity even with a thin structure.SOLUTION: This vibration actuator comprises: a magnet; a core having a coil; a plate-like upper frame body; a plate-like lower frame body; and a plate-like elastic part that extends from the end disposed at a position overlapping the upper and lower frame bodies into a frame and holds one of the magnetic and the core so as to be vibratable in a plan view. The end is held between the upper and lower frame bodies so as to set the magnet and the core opposite to each other in the frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration actuator and a touch-type input device equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration is known in which a vibration actuator is used to impart vibration to the pad of an operator's finger when the operator touches a display screen displayed on a touch panel, as a touch operation sensation (a sensation of operating by touch) (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device in which a vibration actuator is attached to the back surface of a touch panel via a vibration transmission unit. The vibration actuator of this device is arranged in a housing fixed to the vibration transmission unit, with a mover reciprocating along a guide shaft arranged perpendicular to the touch panel. The vibration actuator causes the mover to collide with the housing in response to an operation on the touch panel, imparting vibration to the finger pad in contact with the touch panel via the vibration transmission unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-070729 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the vibration actuator of Patent Document 1, a movable element is moved back and forth along a guide shaft that is arranged perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, so the device itself has a length in the direction perpendicular to the display surface, i.e., a thickness.

[0006] As a device, a vibration actuator that can be made thin and low-profile is desirable, but simply making the device thin presents a problem in that the rigidity of the device itself is reduced.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator and a contact-type input device that can ensure rigidity even when made thin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vibration actuator according to the present invention comprises: A magnet and A core having a coil; A plate-shaped upper frame body; A plate-shaped lower frame body, a plate-shaped elastic portion that extends into the frame from an end portion that is arranged at a position that overlaps the upper frame and the lower frame in a plan view, and that holds either the magnet or the core in a vibratory manner within the frame; Equipped with The end portion is sandwiched between the upper frame and the lower frame such that the magnet and the core face each other within the frame.

[0009] The contact-type input device according to the present invention comprises: A contact-type input device in which the vibration actuator is disposed on a rear surface of an operation surface, The control unit is configured to energize the coil in response to a user's touch operation on the operation surface, thereby vibrating the magnet or the core and providing the user with a tactile sensation. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, even if the thickness is reduced, the rigidity can be ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a plan view showing the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1 with a cover frame, a movable portion, and a core portion removed. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a core portion of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram illustrating a movable portion and a core portion in the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a vibration presentation device having the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 1. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator which is a modified example (modification 1) of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator which is a modified example (modification example 2) of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator which is a modified example (modification example 3) of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the description will be given using a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z). The same Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used in the drawings described below. In the following, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction (thickness direction) of the vibration actuators 10A to 10C and the vibration presentation device 100 are defined as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the vibration actuators 10A to 10C and the vibration presentation device 100 will be described with the positive side in the Z direction as the upper side (or front side) and the negative side in the Z direction as the lower side (or back side).

[0015] [Configuration of vibration actuator] A vibration actuator 10A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator 10A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vibration actuator 10A. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator 10A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration actuator 10A taken along line AA. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the vibration actuator 10A with the cover frame 70, movable part 40 and core part 50 removed. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the core part 50 of the vibration actuator 10A. Note that in FIGS. 2 and 4, the vibration actuator 10A is shown enlarged in the thickness direction for the sake of explanation.

[0017] The vibration actuator 10A is used, for example, as a vibration presentation device in a contact-type input device (e.g., a track pad, etc.), which is an operating device that an operator operates by touching it, as illustrated in FIG. 8 described later, and presents vibrations to the operator via the operating surface (vibration presentation unit).

[0018] By vibrating the operating surface of the operating device as described above, the vibration actuator 10A can impart a tactile operating sensation (also called a "tactile sensation" or "force sensation") to the operator who touches the operating surface to operate the operating device, depending on the application and usage situation of the operating device.

[0019] The vibration actuator 10A is a thin vibration actuator configured as a flat plate or thin plate (flat) as a whole. In other words, the vibration actuator 10A is configured so that the space it occupies in the thickness direction, which is the vibration direction, is minimized within the range in which a movable part 40 (described later) can move.

[0020] In this embodiment, the vibration actuator 10A comprises a base frame 20, an elastic portion 30, a movable portion 40, a core portion 50, a spacer 60 and a cover frame 70 (see FIG. 3 in particular).

[0021] The base frame 20, elastic portion 30, movable portion 40, core portion 50, spacer 60 and cover frame 70 are each formed in the shape of a flat plate or a thin plate, and by stacking these together, a thin vibration actuator 10A is constructed.

[0022] The base frame 20 (lower frame in the present invention) is a flat or thin frame with an opening inside. The base frame 20 is, for example, a rectangular frame in a plan view, and is composed of a first side portion 21 facing in the Y direction and a second side portion 22 facing in the X direction different from the first side portion 21. The base frame 20 holds the elastic portion 30 and the like between the cover frame 70, and holds the movable portion 40 in a vibratory manner via the elastic portion 30.

[0023] The elastic portion 30 is a flat or thin plate-like elastic member, and has an end portion 31 , an arm 32 , and a holding portion 33 .

[0024] The end portions 31 are both ends of the elastic portion 30 in the Y direction, and are arranged at positions overlapping the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70 in a plan view. Specifically, the end portions 31 are arranged at positions overlapping a first side portion 21 of the base frame 20 and a first side portion 71 (described later) of the cover frame 70. With this arrangement, the end portions 31 are sandwiched between the base frame 20 (first side portion 21) and the cover frame 70 (first side portion 71).

[0025] The arms 32 are four arms each extending from the end portions 31 at both ends to the holding portions 33 arranged between the end portions 31 at both ends, and are parts that elastically deform when the movable portion 40 held by the holding portions 33 vibrates.

[0026] As one example, the arm 32 has a shape that snakes from the center of the end portion 31 in the X direction outward in the X direction, and then snakes inward in the X direction to be connected to the holding portion 33. By making the arm 32 have a snake shape in this way, even if there is a limit to the width and length of the entire elastic portion 30, the length of the elastically deformed arm 32 can be set to a desired length, and the vibration of the movable portion 40 can be set to a desired resonant frequency.

[0027] Two arms 32 connect one end 31 and the holding portion 33 on the positive side in the Y direction, and two arms 32 connect the other end 31 and the holding portion 33 on the negative side in the Y direction.

[0028] Holding portion 33 is disposed between both end portions 31 via four arms 32. Then, weight portion 41 constituting movable portion 40 is fixed to holding portion 33 via a fixing material such as an adhesive, a fastening member, or an adhesive, so that holding portion 33 holds movable portion 40.

[0029] In the elastic portion 30, a region 34 is formed in a portion of a position overlapping with the second side portion 22 of the base frame 20 and a second side portion 72 (described later) of the cover frame 70, where no members constituting the elastic portion 30 are disposed. A core 51 of a core portion 50 (described later) is disposed in the region 34, and the core 51 is sandwiched between the base frame 20 (second side portion 22) and the cover frame 70 (second side portion 72).

[0030] The movable part 40 has a weight part 41 and a pair of magnets 42 to 44. The weight part 41 is a flat or thin plate-like member, and functions as a weight that promotes vibration. As described above, the weight part 41 is fixed to the holding part 33 via a fixing material such as an adhesive, a fastening member, or an adhesive.

[0031] Plummet 41 holds a pair of magnets 42 to 44 at both ends in the X direction. Here, as an example, a recess is provided at each end of plummet 41 in the X direction, and three magnets 42 to 44 are fixed to the recesses. Magnets 42 to 44 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0032] Furthermore, since the movable part 40 is disposed within the framework of the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70, no other members are disposed above or below the movable part 40 (in the vibration direction). This allows the thickness of the movable part 40 to be maximized within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10A. In this case, the movable range of the movable part 40 (the thickness of the movable part 40 plus the amount of displacement in the vibration direction) is set within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10A. This makes it possible to make the magnetic force of the magnets 42 to 44 stronger, and also makes it possible to make the weight of the weight part 41 heavier.

[0033] The core portions 50 are provided corresponding to the magnet portions (magnets 42-44) on both ends of the movable portion 40. Each core portion 50 has a core 51 and coils 52-54. The coils 52-54 and core magnetic poles 51a-51c described below are disposed to face the magnets 42-44 with gaps between them.

[0034] 6, the core 51 is an E-shaped plate or thin plate member made of a magnetic material in a planar view, and has three core poles 51a to 51c. As an example, in the Y direction, the width (length) of the central core pole 51a is wider than the core poles 51b and 51c at both ends, and the widths of the core poles 51b and 51c at both ends are the same.

[0035] Coils 52-54 are wound around the core magnetic poles 51a-51c, respectively. By providing a plurality of core magnetic poles 51a-51c in the core 51 in this way, the number of turns of the coils 52-54 can be increased, and the magnetic force can be strengthened. As described in Fig. 7, the core part 50 uses both the SN poles, so that the movable part 40 having the magnets 42-44 can be vibrated with a stronger magnetic force.

[0036] Furthermore, since the coils 52 to 54 are disposed within the framework of the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70, no other members are disposed above or below the coils 52 to 54. This makes it possible to ensure the maximum thickness of the coils 52 to 54 within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10A. This makes it possible to vibrate the movable part 40 having the magnets 42 to 44 with a stronger magnetic force.

[0037] The spacer 60 is a pair of flat or thin plate-like members, and is sandwiched between the elastic portion 30 (end portion 31) and the cover frame 70 (first side portion 71).

[0038] The pair of spacers 60 have an area 61 where no components constituting the spacers 60 are arranged in a portion of the area where they overlap the second side 22 of the base frame 20 and the second side 72 of the cover frame 70. The core 51 of the core section 50 is arranged in the area 61, and the core 51 is sandwiched between the base frame 20 (second side 22) and the cover frame 70 (second side 72). Furthermore, the area 34 of the elastic section 30 and the area 61 formed by the pair of spacers 60 described above ensure the thickness of the core 51 even in a thin vibration actuator 10A.

[0039] In this embodiment, the spacer 60 is provided to form a gap G between the elastic portion 30 (end portion 31) and the cover frame 70 (second side portion 72) as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, in the Y direction, the width (length) of the spacer 60 is smaller than the end portion 31 of the elastic portion 30 and the second side portion 72 of the cover frame 70. In this gap G, an FPC (Flexible printed circuit) 80 serving as a wiring portion connected to the coils 52 to 54 is arranged as shown in Fig. 5.

[0040] The spacer 60 is also provided to ensure (widen) the range of movement of the movable part 40 in the Z direction.

[0041] In the vibration actuator 10A, if there is no need to place the FPC 80 in the gap G or to ensure the movable range of the movable part 40, the spacer 60 does not need to be provided. In this case, the thicknesses of the elastic part 30 and the core 51 of the core part 50 are made the same so that a gap does not occur between the cover frame 70 and the elastic part 30, which would reduce rigidity.

[0042] The cover frame 70 (upper frame in the present invention) is a flat or thin plate-like frame with an opening inside. The cover frame 70 is, for example, a rectangular frame in a plan view, and is composed of a first side portion 71 facing in the Y direction and a second side portion 72 facing in the X direction different from the first side portion 71. The cover frame 70 sandwiches the elastic portion 30 and the core 51 between the cover frame 70 and the base frame 20.

[0043] The vibration actuator 10A is constructed by stacking a base frame 20, an elastic section 30, a movable section 40, a core section 50, a spacer 60, and a cover frame 70, each of which is a flat or thin plate-like member. In the vibration actuator 10A, the stacked members are fixed together using screws or the like as fastening members. Note that adhesives, welding, or the like may also be used as fastening members.

[0044] In the vibration actuator 10A, the arm 32 of the elastic part 30, the holding part 33, the movable part 40, and the core magnetic poles 51a-51c and coils 52-54 of the core part 50 are arranged within the framework of the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70. The magnets 42-44 of the movable part 40 and the core magnetic poles 51a-51c and coils 52-54 of the core part 50 are arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween in the X direction.

[0045] From the rear side to the front side, the first layer is the base frame 20, the second layer is the elastic portion 30 and the core portion 50, the third layer is the movable portion 40, the core portion 50 and the spacer 60, and the fourth layer is the cover frame 70.

[0046] In this way, the second and third layers are made up of a plurality of members. In the vibration actuator 10A, the end 31 of the elastic section 30 and the core 51 of the core section 50 are sandwiched between the base frame 20, which is a framework, and the cover frame 70 in the second layer, while the core 51 of the core section 50 and the spacer 60 are sandwiched between the base frame 20, which is a framework, and the cover frame 70. This makes it possible to ensure the rigidity of the vibration actuator 10A even if it is made thinner.

[0047] [Operation of vibration actuator] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the movable portion 40 and the core portion 50 of the vibration actuator 10A.

[0048] In this embodiment, the magnets 42 to 44 of the movable part 40 are magnetized in the vibration direction (Z direction) as shown in Fig. 7. For example, the central magnet 42 is magnetized SN from the back side to the front side. On the other hand, the magnets 43 and 44 on both ends are magnetized NS from the back side to the front side. In other words, the magnets 42 to 44 are arranged so that the magnetic poles (magnetization directions) of adjacent magnets are opposite to each other.

[0049] The coils 52 to 54 of the core portion 50 facing the magnets 42 to 44, respectively, are wound such that the winding directions of the coils 52, 53, and 54 are opposite to each other. In other words, the coils 52 to 54 are configured such that the winding directions of adjacent coils are opposite to each other.

[0050] Also, as an example, the south pole side of magnet 42 is arranged to face core pole 51a in the center of core 51, and the north pole sides of magnets 43 and 44 are arranged to face core poles 51b and 51c at both ends of core 51, respectively.

[0051] In the above-mentioned configuration of the movable part 40 and the core part 50, when a voltage is applied to the coils 52 to 54 and a current flows in the direction of the thick arrow, the end of the central core magnetic pole 51a of the core 51 is magnetized to an S pole, and the ends of the core magnetic poles 51b and 51c at both ends of the core 51 are magnetized to an N pole. As a result, the N pole of the central magnet 42 is attracted to the central core magnetic pole 51a magnetized to an S pole, and an attractive force F1 acts on the magnet 42 in the downward direction. In addition, the S poles of the magnets 43 and 44 at both ends are attracted to the core magnetic poles 51b and 51c at both ends magnetized to an N pole, respectively, and an attractive force F2 acts on the magnets 43 and 44 in the downward direction. The attractive forces F1 and F2 displace the movable part 40, which is supported by the elastic part 30 so as to be elastically vibrable, downward.

[0052] Thereafter, when the application of voltage to the coils 52- is stopped, the movable part 40, which has been displaced downward, moves upward due to the elastic force of the arm 32 of the elastic part 30, thereby starting elastic vibration of the movable part 40. Thereafter, by controlling the voltage supplied to the coils 52-, for example, by controlling the voltage pulse such as a square wave or a sine wave, it is possible to vibrate the movable part 40 in various vibration patterns.

[0053] [summary] As explained above, in the vibration actuator 10A, the end 31 of the elastic section 30, the core 51 of the core section 50, etc. are sandwiched between the base frame 20, which is a framework, and the cover frame 70. This makes it possible to ensure the overall rigidity of the vibration actuator 10A even if the vibration actuator 10A is made thinner. By increasing the thickness of the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70 as much as possible, the rigidity of the entire vibration actuator 10A can be further improved.

[0054] Furthermore, the movable part 40 and the coils 52-54 of the core part 50 are disposed within the framework of the base frame 20 and the cover frame 70. Since no other members are disposed in the vibration direction of the movable part 40 or in the thickness direction of the coils 52-54, the thickness of the movable part 40 and the coils 52-54 can be maximized within the thickness range even if the vibration actuator 10A is made thin. This makes it possible to improve the above-mentioned attraction forces F1 and F2.

[0055] Furthermore, when assembling (stacking) the vibration actuator 10A, the assembly precision can be improved by using the base frame 20, which is the lowermost part, or the cover frame 70, which is the uppermost part, as a reference.

[0056] Furthermore, since the vibration actuator 10A has a structure in which plate-like or thin plate-like members are stacked and assembled, it is easy to assemble.

[0057] [Configuration of the vibration presentation device] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vibration presentation device 100 having a vibration actuator 10A. For convenience, in Fig. 8, the planar track pad main body that an operator touches with his / her finger is shown in a see-through manner.

[0058] The vibration presentation device 100 is, for example, a trackpad serving as a pointing device used in place of a mouse in a notebook computer or the like. The trackpad serving as the vibration presentation device 100 is disposed in a rectangular opening provided in the housing of the notebook computer or the like. The trackpad has a plate-shaped pad body 110 that is traced with a finger as a touch operation, a vibration actuator 10A disposed on the back surface of the pad body 110, a frame portion 130 that surrounds the vibration actuator 10A, and a control portion 140 that controls the vibration actuator 10A.

[0059] When the trackpad is operated by touching the pad body 110 with a finger, such as by tapping or tracing the pad body 110, the vibration actuator 10A applies vibrations that provide a tactile sensation. Specifically, in response to the user's touch operation on the pad body 110, which is the operation surface, the control unit 140 applies (energizes) a voltage to the coils 52-54 of the vibration actuator 10A, displacing the movable part 40 downward to start vibrations and provide the user with a tactile sensation.

[0060] The pad body 110 is fixed, for example, at the back side of its central portion to the movable part 40 of the vibration actuator 10A with double-sided tape or the like. The vibration actuator 10A is fixed to the bottom surface of the frame part 130 via the base frame 20. In addition, the outer periphery of the pad body 110 is movably attached to the frame part 130 via a cushioning member.

[0061] Here, the movable part 40 is attached to the pad body 110, and the base frame 20 is attached to the frame part 130, but the base frame 20 (or the cover frame 70) may be attached to the pad body 110, and the movable part 40 may be attached to the frame part 130.

[0062] In the fixing method of the vibration actuator 10A described above, the pad body 110 is directly operated (linear motion method), but it is also possible to fix one of the base frame 20 or the movable part 40 to the pad body 110 and not fix the other to the frame part 130 or the like (suspension method). In this fixed state, the base frame 20 or the movable part 40 is vibrated relative to the other, thereby indirectly propagating the vibration to the pad body 110.

[0063] Further, although the vibration presentation device 100 having the vibration actuator 10A has been exemplified here, the vibration presentation device 100 may have a configuration including vibration actuators 10B to 10D, which will be described later.

[0064] <Variation 1> FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exterior of a vibration actuator 10B which is a modified example of the vibration actuator 10A.

[0065] Vibration actuator 10A has a length to width ratio of approximately 50:50, with the X direction being horizontal and the Y direction being vertical, that is, it is approximately square in plan view, but the length to width ratio may be changed.

[0066] 9 has a configuration in which the aspect ratio is different from that of vibration actuator 10A, with the lengths of weight portion 41, magnets 42-44, and core magnetic poles (reference numbers omitted) being longer in the Y direction. Since vibration actuator 10B has the same configuration as vibration actuator 10A except for the differences described above, the same reference numbers are used for the same components and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0067] Like vibration actuator 10B, the length ratio of the vertical and horizontal lengths is changed to change the lengths of weight 41, magnets 42-44, and core magnetic poles (reference numbers omitted). This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the weight of weight 41 and the magnetic circuits formed by magnets 42-44, core magnetic poles (reference numbers omitted), and coils 52-54.

[0068] <Variation 2> FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exterior of a vibration actuator 10C which is a modified example of the vibration actuator 10A.

[0069] In the vibration actuator 10A, each of the two pairs of movable parts 40 and core parts 50 facing each other has three magnets 42 to 44, three core magnetic poles 51a to 51c, and coils 52 to 54, but these numbers may be changed.

[0070] 10 has two pairs of movable parts 40 and core parts 50 facing each other, each of which has two magnets 42, 43, two core magnetic poles (reference numbers omitted), and coils 52, 53. Except for the differences described above, vibration actuator 10C has the same configuration as vibration actuator 10A, and therefore the same reference numbers are used for the same configuration and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0071] Like the vibration actuator 10C, the numbers of magnets, core magnetic poles, and coils are changed, whereby the magnetic circuit formed by the magnets, core magnetic poles, and coils can be appropriately adjusted.

[0072] <Variation 3> Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of vibration actuator 10D, which is a modified example of vibration actuator 10A. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of vibration actuator 10D. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of vibration actuator 10D taken along line EE. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 13 shows vibration actuator 10D enlarged in the thickness direction.

[0073] In this modification, a vibration actuator 10D comprises a base frame 220, an elastic part 230, a movable part 240, a magnet 250, and a cover frame 260 (see FIG. 12 in particular).

[0074] The base frame 220, the elastic portion 230, the movable portion 240, the magnet 250 and the cover frame 260 are each formed in the shape of a flat plate or a thin plate, and by stacking these together, a thin vibration actuator 10D is constructed.

[0075] The base frame 220 (lower frame in the present invention) is a flat or thin plate-like frame with an opening inside. The base frame 220 is, for example, a rectangular frame in a plan view, and is composed of a first side portion 221 facing in the Y direction and a second side portion 222 facing in the X direction different from the first side portion 221. The base frame 220 holds the elastic portion 230 between itself and the cover frame 260, and holds the movable portion 240 in a vibratory manner via the elastic portion 230.

[0076] The elastic part 230 is a flat or thin plate-like elastic member, and has a frame part 231 (an end part in the present invention), an arm 232, and a holding part 233. As an example, the elastic part 230 is also a rectangular frame body in a plan view, and the frame part 231 is composed of a first side part 231a facing each other in the Y direction and a second side part 231b facing each other in the X direction different from the first side part 231a.

[0077] The frame portion 231 is disposed at a position overlapping the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260 in a plan view. Specifically, a first side portion 231a of the frame portion 231 is disposed at a position overlapping a first side portion 221 of the base frame 220 and a first side portion 261 (described later) of the cover frame 260. Moreover, a second side portion 231b of the frame portion 231 is disposed at a position overlapping a second side portion 222 of the base frame 220 and a second side portion 262 (described later) of the cover frame 260. With this arrangement, the frame portion 231 is sandwiched between the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260 around the entire periphery.

[0078] Arms 232 are four arms respectively extending from the four corners of frame portion 231 to holding portion 233 arranged within the frame of frame portion 231, and are portions that elastically deform when movable portion 240 held by holding portion 233 vibrates.

[0079] As one example, arm 232 has a shape that goes from a corner of frame portion 231 inward in the X direction, then meanders outward in the X direction, and is connected to holding portion 233. By making arm 232 have a meandering shape in this way, even if there is a limit to the width and length of the entire elastic portion 230, the length of elastically deformed arm 232 can be set to a desired length, and the vibration of movable portion 240 can be set to a desired resonant frequency.

[0080] In this modification, in order to hold the movable part 240 having the coil 242 (to secure a space for arranging the coil 242), the elastic part 230 has two holding parts 233. Then, on the positive side in the X direction, the two arms 232 connect one second side part 231b and one holding part 233, and on the negative side in the X direction, the two arms 232 connect the other second side part 231b and the other holding part 233. This ensures a first space 234 for arranging the coil 242 between the two holding parts 233.

[0081] The two holding parts 233 are disposed within the frame of the frame part 231 via the two arms 232, respectively. Then, both ends (both ends outside the coil 242) of the core 241 constituting the movable part 240 are fixed to the two holding parts 233, respectively, via a fixing material such as an adhesive, a fastening member, or an adhesive, whereby the holding part 233 holds the movable part 240. At this time, as described above, the first space 234 in which the coil 242 is disposed is secured between the two holding parts 233, and therefore the coil 242 is disposed within the first space 234.

[0082] Further, a second space 235 is formed between the holding portion 233 and the opposing second side portion 231b, and a magnet 250 is disposed in the second space 235 as shown in FIG.

[0083] Movable part 240 has core 241 and coil 242. Core 241 is a member made of a magnetic material in a flat or thin plate shape. Core 241 also functions as a weight that promotes vibration due to its own weight.

[0084] The coil 242 is wound around the core 241, and the coil 242 is wound so that both ends of the core 241 are exposed. As described above, both ends of the core 241 exposed from the coil 242 are fixed to the two holding parts 233, respectively, and are arranged to face the magnet 250 with a gap therebetween.

[0085] Since the movable part 240 is disposed within the frame of the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260, no other members are disposed above or below the movable part 240 (in the vibration direction). Therefore, the thickness of the movable part 240 can be maximized within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10D. In this case, the movable range of the movable part 240 (the thickness of the movable part 240 plus the amount of displacement in the vibration direction) is set within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10D. This allows the thickness of the coil 242 to be maximized. This allows a stronger magnetic force to act on the magnet 250, which will be described later. It is also possible to make the weight of the core 241 heavier.

[0086] The magnets 250 are provided corresponding to both ends of the movable part 240 (core 241 and coil 242). The magnets 250 are held inside (inside the frame) of the base frame 220, the elastic part 230 and the cover frame 260, and are arranged to face both ends of the movable part 240 (core 241 and coil 242) with a gap between them. Here, as an example, recesses are provided on the inside of the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260, and the magnets 250 are fixed to the recesses.

[0087] 13, in this modification, the thickness of the magnet 250 can be maximized within the range of the thickness of the vibration actuator 10D, that is, within the range of the thicknesses of the laminated base frame 220, elastic section 230, and cover frame 260. This makes it possible to further strengthen the magnetic force of the magnet 250.

[0088] The magnet 250 is magnetized in the vibration direction (Z direction) like the magnets 42 to 44 of the vibration actuator 10A in the above embodiment. Therefore, although the operation (vibration) of the vibration actuator 10D differs in whether the movable side is the magnet side or the core and coil side, it is basically the same as the vibration actuator 10A (see FIG. 7 and its explanation), and therefore a description of the operation will be omitted here.

[0089] The cover frame 260 (upper frame in the present invention) is a flat or thin plate-like frame with an opening inside. The cover frame 260 is, for example, a rectangular frame in a plan view, and is composed of a first side portion 261 facing in the Y direction and a second side portion 262 facing in the X direction different from the first side portion 261. The cover frame 260 sandwiches the elastic portion 230 between itself and the base frame 220.

[0090] The vibration actuator 10D is also configured by stacking a base frame 220, an elastic part 230, a movable part 240, a magnet 250, and a cover frame 260, each of which is a flat or thin plate-like member. In the vibration actuator 10D, the stacked members are fixed together using screws or the like as fastening members. Note that adhesives, welding, or the like may also be used as fastening members.

[0091] In the vibration actuator 10D, the arm 232 of the elastic part 230, the holding part 233, the movable part 240, and the magnet 250 are arranged within the framework of the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260. Furthermore, both ends of the movable part 240 (the core 241 and the coil 242) and the magnet 250 are arranged to face each other in the X direction with a gap therebetween.

[0092] If the first layer from the back side to the front side is the base frame 220, the second layer is the elastic part 230, and the third layer is the cover frame 260. The movable part 240 and the magnet 250 are arranged within the range of the thickness of the first to third layers, that is, within the range of the thickness of the base frame 220, the elastic part 230, and the cover frame 260 that are stacked.

[0093] In this modification, the first to third layers are all frame bodies, and the elastic section 230, which is a frame body, is sandwiched between the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260, which are also frame bodies. This makes it possible to ensure the rigidity of the vibration actuator 10D even if it is made thinner.

[0094] [summary] As explained above, in vibration actuator 10D as well, the elastic part 230, which is a frame body, is sandwiched between the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260, which are frame bodies. This makes it possible to ensure the overall rigidity of vibration actuator 10D even if it is made thinner.

[0095] Moreover, the movable part 240 and the magnet 250 are disposed within the framework of the base frame 220 and the cover frame 260. Since no other members are disposed in the vibration direction of the movable part 240 and in the thickness direction of the magnet 250, the thickness of the movable part 240 and the magnet 250 can be maximized within the range of the thickness even if the vibration actuator 10D is thinned. This can improve the force of attraction of the magnet 250 to attract the movable part 240 (the core 241 and the coil 242).

[0096] Furthermore, when assembling (stacking) the vibration actuator 10D, the assembly precision can be improved by using the base frame 220, which is the lowermost part, or the cover frame 260, which is the uppermost part, as a reference.

[0097] Furthermore, since the vibration actuator 10D has a structure in which plate-like or thin plate-like members are stacked and assembled, it is easy to assemble.

[0098] The above describes the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the above description is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the description of the configuration of the above device and the shape of each part are examples, and it is clear that various modifications and additions to these examples are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0099] For example, the above-mentioned vibration actuators 10A to 10D may be configured to include a box-shaped housing that houses the vibration actuators 10A to 10D themselves. [Industrial Applicability]

[0100] The vibration actuator and contact-type input device of the present invention have the advantages of being easy to assemble, being thin, and being able to vibrate suitably, and are useful as vibration presentation devices for contact-type input devices such as track pads and operation panels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Vibration Actuator 20 Base Frame 21 First side 22 Second side 30 Elastic part 31 End 32 Arm 33 Holding part 40 Moving parts 41 Weight 42, 43, 44 Magnets 50 Core 51 cores 51a, 51b, 51c Core pole 52, 53, 54 Coils 60 Spacer 70 Cover Frame 71 First side 72 Second side 80 FPC 100 Vibration presentation device 110 Pad body 130 Frame section 140 Control section 220 Base Frame 221 First side 222 Second Side 230 Elastic part 231 Frame 232 Arm 233 Holding part 240 Moving parts 241 Core 242 Coil 250 Magnet 260 Cover Frame 261 First side 262 Second Side

Claims

1. A magnet and A core having a coil; A plate-shaped upper frame body, A plate-shaped lower frame body, a plate-shaped elastic portion that extends into the frame from an end portion that is arranged at a position that overlaps the upper frame and the lower frame in a plan view, and that holds either the magnet or the core in a vibratory manner within the frame; Equipped with The end portion is sandwiched between the upper frame and the lower frame such that the magnet and the core face each other within the frame. Vibration actuator.

2. The elastic portion holds the magnet, The core is sandwiched between the upper frame and the lower frame.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

3. The end portion and the core are sandwiched between the upper frame and the lower frame at different positions from each other in a plan view. The vibration actuator according to claim 2 .

4. The upper frame and the lower frame are rectangular frames in a plan view, and each of the upper frame and the lower frame has a first side portion that faces the first side portion and a second side portion that faces the first side portion in a different direction, The end portion is sandwiched by the first side portion, The core is sandwiched by the second side portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 3 .

5. the elastic portion is capable of vibrating either the magnet or the core in a direction perpendicular to a plane along the upper frame and the lower frame, The magnet is magnetized in the direction of vibration.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

6. The magnets are provided in a plurality of positions, and the cores are provided in a plurality of positions facing the magnets, The magnetization directions of adjacent magnets are opposite to each other. The vibration actuator according to claim 5 .

7. A contact-type input device in which the vibration actuator according to claim 5 is disposed on a rear surface of an operation surface, a control unit that energizes the coil in response to a user's touch operation on the operation surface, and vibrates the magnet or the core to present a tactile sensation to the user; A contact input device.

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