Vibration actuator and contact-type input device

Abstract

To improve mountability and obtain a sufficient tactile feeling.SOLUTION: A vibration actuator comprises: a movable part which has a coil, a core which the coil is wound around and whose both end parts protrude from the coil, and a weight fixed to the core; a base part which has yokes opposing to both end parts respectively and is made of a magnetic material; an elastic part that supports the movable part elastically vibratably, with respect to the base part; and a cover that stores the movable part and the elastic part between the cover and the base part, and constitutes an enclosure together with the base part. The movable part is displaced to the base part by magnetic attractive force generated by power distribution to the coil to vibrate the movable part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a device that uses a vibration actuator to impart vibration to the pad of an operator's finger that touches an operation surface such as a touch pad, as a touch operation sensation (a sensation of operating by touch) (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a module having a movable plate having an operation surface of a touchpad on one side, a support member having a facing portion facing the other side of the movable plate, a damper member connecting the movable plate and the support member, and an actuator for vibrating the movable plate. In the module, the actuator has a coil and a magnet facing each other, one of the coil and the magnet is fixed to the other side of the movable plate, and the other is fixed to the facing portion of the support member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-067869 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the module disclosed in Patent Document 1, one of the coil and the magnet is fixed to the other surface of the movable plate, and the other of the coil and the magnet is fixed to the opposing part of the support member. In Patent Document 1, it is required to make the module compact, but when it is made compact, the mountability of the coil and the magnet deteriorates, and a sufficient tactile sensation may not be obtained due to problems such as the mounting position.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator and a contact-type input device that can improve mountability and provide a satisfactory tactile sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vibration actuator according to the present invention comprises: a movable portion including a coil, a core around which the coil is wound and whose both ends protrude from the coil, and a weight fixed to the core; a base portion having yokes facing each other at both ends and made of a magnetic material; an elastic portion that supports the movable portion relative to the base portion so that the movable portion can elastically vibrate; a cover that houses the movable portion and the elastic portion between the cover and the base portion and that constitutes a housing together with the base portion; Equipped with A magnetic attraction force is generated by energizing the coil, displacing the movable part toward the base part and vibrating the movable part.

[0008] The contact 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 supplies electricity to the coil in response to an operator's touch operation on the operation surface, thereby vibrating the movable part and providing the operator with a tactile sensation. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the mounting property and obtain a satisfactory tactile sensation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is an external 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 top view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1, showing the configuration of the vibration actuator with the cover and weight removed. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a bottom view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1, showing a configuration in which the magnetic base has been removed from the vibration actuator. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the actuator body, showing a non-excitation state. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the actuator body, showing an excited state. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a drive circuit that drives an actuator body. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voltage supplied to an actuator body from the drive circuit shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a contact-type input device having the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a vibration actuator which is a modified example (modification 1) of the vibration actuator shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 11] 11 is a top view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 10, showing the configuration after removing the cover and weight from the vibration actuator. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a bottom view of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 10, showing a configuration in which the magnetic base has been removed from the vibration actuator. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] In this embodiment, an explanation 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 later. In the following, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction (thickness direction) of vibration actuators 10A and 10B and a contact-type input device 100 described later are defined as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the vibration actuators 10A, 10B and the contact-type input device 100 will be described with the positive Z direction being the upper side (or front side) and the negative Z direction being the lower side (or rear side).

[0014] [Configuration of vibration actuator] A vibration actuator 10A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator 10A according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an external side view of the vibration actuator 10A. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator 10A. Fig. 4 is a top view of the vibration actuator 10A, showing the configuration when the cover 20 and weight 64 have been removed from the vibration actuator 10A. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the vibration actuator 10A, showing the configuration when the magnetic base 41 has been removed from the vibration actuator 10A.

[0016] The vibration actuator 10A is used, for example, as a vibration presentation device in a touch-type input device (such as a track pad) that is an operation device operated by an operator through contact, and presents vibration to the operator via an operation surface (vibration presentation section).

[0017] 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.

[0018] In this embodiment, the vibration actuator 10A is a box-shaped vibration actuator that houses an actuator body 30 (described later) inside a cover 20 (described later).

[0019] The vibration actuator 10A comprises a cover 20 and an actuator body 30. The actuator body 30 comprises a base portion 40, an elastic portion 50, a movable portion 60, and a wiring portion 70 (see FIG. 3 in particular).

[0020] The cover 20 (part of the housing in the present invention) is a box-shaped member having an opening 20a on the lower side. Here, as an example, the cover 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A magnetic base 41 (part of the housing in the present invention) described later is attached to the opening 20a, and the actuator body 30 is housed inside surrounded by the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41. A cutout portion 20b is formed on one side of the cover 20, and a wiring portion 70 can be installed from the inside to the outside of the cover 20 through the cutout portion 20b.

[0021] By housing the actuator body 30 inside the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41, it is possible to prevent external interference with the actuator body 30 and to protect the actuator body 30. This is particularly effective when mounting the vibration actuator 10A on a product.

[0022] The base portion 40 includes a magnetic base 41 , magnetic yokes 42 a and 42 b , and a spacer 43 .

[0023] The magnetic base 41 constitutes a housing together with the cover 20 described above, and is a member that covers the opening 20a. The magnetic base 41 is a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view in accordance with the shape of the opening 20a. The magnetic base 41 is made of a magnetic material, such as a silicon steel plate or an electrolytic galvanized steel plate (SECC). The magnetic base 41 forms a magnetic circuit in an excited state, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6B.

[0024] The magnetic yokes 42a, 42b are members extending in the X direction and attached to the upper surface of the magnetic base 41. The magnetic yokes 42a, 42b correspond to two core magnetic poles 61a, 61b of the magnetic core 61, which will be described later, respectively, and are arranged to face each other in the Z direction with a gap (air gap) interposed therebetween. The magnetic yokes 42a, 42b are also made of a magnetic material, such as a silicon steel plate or an electrolytic galvanized steel plate (SECC). The magnetic yokes 42a, 42b also form a magnetic circuit in an excited state, as will be described with reference to FIG. 6B.

[0025] The above-mentioned magnetic base 41 and magnetic yokes 42a, 42b can be made of magnetic sheet metal. Therefore, the magnetic base 41 and magnetic yokes 42a, 42b can be made by stacking sheet metal, which makes them easy to assemble and reduces the cost of processing and assembly.

[0026] The spacer 43 is a member that adjusts the position of the elastic part 50 in the Z direction in order to form the above-mentioned gap. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness (height in the Z direction) of the spacer 43, it is possible to adjust the plate thickness of the spring 51, which will be described later, without changing the height of the vibration actuator 10A.

[0027] The spacers 43 are disposed at both ends of the magnetic base 41 in the X direction, and are disposed at the center of the magnetic base 41 in the Y direction. The elastic portion 50 is attached to the magnetic base 41 via such spacers 43.

[0028] The elastic part 50 is made up of a pair of springs 51 that are symmetrical with respect to a center line C1 of the vibration actuator 10A along the Y direction (see Figs. 4 and 5). The springs 51 are disposed on both ends of the movable part 60 (magnetic core 61) in a direction perpendicular to the winding axis of the coil 63.

[0029] If the spring 51 is arranged in the area where the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b and the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b facing them are arranged, the size of the actuator body 30 will be large. For this reason, here, the springs 51 are arranged at both ends of the movable part 60 (magnetic core 61) in the direction perpendicular to the winding axis of the coil 63. Specifically, the space between the core magnetic poles 61a and 61b is effectively utilized to arrange the meandering spring 51 in this space. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the actuator body 30, and therefore the vibration actuator 10A.

[0030] In the elastic portion 50, each spring 51 is a flat or thin elastic member, for example a leaf spring made of sheet metal, and has a first connection portion 51a, a second connection portion 51b, and an arm 51c (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0031] The first connection portion 51a is disposed in the center of the spring 51 in the Y direction, and is a portion that is connected to the magnetic base 41 via the spacer 43.

[0032] The second connection portions 51b are disposed on both ends of the spring 51 in the Y direction and are connected to the ends of the core magnetic poles 61a and 61b, respectively.

[0033] That is, in the Y direction, the first connection portion 51a is fixed to the magnetic base 41 via the spacer 43 at the center of the spring 51, and the second connection portions 51b are fixed to the ends of the core poles 61a and 61b at both ends of the spring 51, respectively.

[0034] The arms 51c extend from the first connection portion 51a in the center of the spring 51 to the second connection portions 51b on both ends, and are portions that elastically deform when the movable portion 60 is displaced (vibrates).

[0035] The two arms 51c are formed in a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line C2 that passes through the first connection portion 51a in the X direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Here, as an example, the arm 51c is formed in a shape that extends inward in the X direction, outward in the Y direction, outward in the X direction, outward in the Y direction, and inward in the X direction from the first connection portion 51a toward the second connection portion 51b, that is, in a so-called serpentine shape. In other words, the arm 51c is bent or curved at one or more points.

[0036] The pair of springs 51 are shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line C1, and each spring 51 is shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line C2. Therefore, the pair of springs 51 can elastically support the movable part 60 in a well-balanced manner, allowing for stable displacement.

[0037] Furthermore, by forming the arm 51c in a serpentine shape, the length of the arm 51c (spring 51) can be increased, and the stress caused by elastic deformation can be alleviated, resulting in a highly reliable spring 51.

[0038] Furthermore, by forming the arm 51c in a serpentine shape, the length of the elastically deformable arm 51c can be set to a desired length even if there is a limit to the width and length of the entire elastic part 50. By setting the length and plate thickness of the arm 51c (spring 51) to a desired value, the vibration of the movable part 60 can be set to a desired resonant frequency.

[0039] Furthermore, by forming the arm 51c in a serpentine shape, the spring 51 can be disposed without having to secure a large space inside the cover 20, and the vibration actuator 10A can also be made smaller.

[0040] The pair of springs 51 thus configured supports the movable portion 60 so as to be capable of vibrating relative to the base portion 40 .

[0041] The movable part 60 has a magnetic core 61 , a bobbin 62 , a coil 63 , and a weight 64 .

[0042] The magnetic core 61 is made of a magnetic material, such as a silicon steel plate, an electrolytic galvanized steel plate (SECC), etc. The magnetic core 61 is formed in an H-shape in a plan view, and has core poles 61a and 61b and a core body 61c (see FIGS. 6A and 6B described later).

[0043] The core magnetic poles 61a, 61b protrude from the coil at both ends in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the core body 61c, and further extend in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the core body 61c. The core magnetic poles 61a, 61b are arranged to face the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b in the Z direction with a gap therebetween. The core magnetic poles 61a, 61b become magnetic poles when excited (when current is passed through the coil 63).

[0044] The core body 61c connects between the central portions of the core poles 61a and 61b extending in the X direction. A coil 63 is wound around the core body 61c via a bobbin 62. The core body 61c serves as a winding axis for the coil 63, and the core poles 61a and 61b are disposed on both ends of the core body 61c.

[0045] In this way, since the magnetic core 61 is H-shaped, the length in the X-direction of the core poles 61a, 61b can be made longer than the length in the X-direction of the core body 61c around which the coil 63 is wound, thereby reducing the magnetic resistance and improving the efficiency of the magnetic circuit.

[0046] The bobbin 62 is disposed on the outer periphery of the core body 61c (see Figs. 6A and 6B). The bobbin 62 has flanges (reference numbers omitted) on both ends, and the coil 63 is wound between the flanges on both ends. The bobbin 62 is formed from an insulating resin material, which ensures electrical insulation of the coil 63 and improves the reliability of the electric circuit.

[0047] The coil 63 is a solenoid having a winding wound around the outer periphery of the bobbin 62. When energized, the coil 63 generates a magnetic field, which forms a magnetic circuit as described later (see FIG. 6B), displacing and vibrating the movable part 60 relative to the base part 40.

[0048] The weight 64 functions as a weight that promotes the vibration of the movable part 60. The weight 64 is desirably made of a material with a high specific gravity.

[0049] The weight 64 is formed to correspond to the shapes and sizes of the magnetic core 61, the bobbin 62, and the coil 63. For example, in a plan view, a through hole 64a is formed in the center of the weight 64, and the upper sides of the bobbin 62 and the coil 63 are housed within the through hole 64a. This allows the height of the movable part 60 in the Z direction to be lower (thinner) than when there is no through hole 64a, and the vibration actuator 10A can be made smaller in size.

[0050] Here, a moving coil type configuration is used in which the coil 63 side moves, and together with the weight 64 described above, the magnetic core 61 and the coil 63 also function as a weight that promotes the vibration of the movable part 60. In other words, the weight of the movable part 60 can be increased. Therefore, even if the vibration actuator 10A is made smaller and the actuator body 30 is housed in a housing (the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41), the output due to vibration can be increased, and vibration that provides a desired tactile sensation can be generated.

[0051] The wiring section 70 is wiring that electrically connects the coil 63 to a control device (for example, a control device 130 shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later) external to the vibration actuator 10A. The wiring section 70 is formed, for example, of an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), and conducts electricity from the control device to the coil 63 via the FPC.

[0052] The base portion 40 , the elastic portion 50 , and the movable portion 60 described above are arranged so as to be housed within the housing, that is, within the space formed by the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41 .

[0053] [Operation of vibration actuator] Fig. 6A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the actuator body 30, showing a non-excited state. Fig. 6B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the actuator body 30, showing a magnetized state. Figs. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the actuator body 30 cut in the Y direction near the center of the actuator body 30 in the X direction.

[0054] In the initial state where current has not yet been applied to the coil 63 of the actuator body 30, the magnetic core 61 is in a non-excited state. The movable part 60 is supported by the spring 51 on the magnetic base 41 at a position (stationary position) where the elastic force of the spring 51 and the weight of the movable part 60 (magnetic core 61, bobbin 62, coil 63, and weight 64) are balanced.

[0055] When a current is passed through the coil 63 of the actuator body 30, the magnetic core 61 is excited to generate a magnetic field, and the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b at both ends of the magnetic core 61 become magnetic poles. For example, when a current is passed through the coil 63 in the direction shown in Fig. 6B, the core magnetic pole 61a becomes an S pole and the core magnetic pole 61b becomes an N pole, and a magnetic flux flow (magnetic circuit) indicated by the white arrows is formed in the magnetic core 61, the magnetic base 41, and the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b.

[0056] The magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit flows from the core pole 61b to the opposing magnetic yoke 42b, via the magnetic base 41 to the magnetic yoke 42a, from the magnetic yoke 42a to the opposing core pole 61a, via the core body 61c to the core pole 61b.

[0057] Due to the principle of an electromagnetic solenoid, a magnetic attraction force is generated in the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b in a direction perpendicular to the winding axis of the coil 63. This magnetic attraction force causes the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b and the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b to attract each other.

[0058] Here, as an example, the magnetic base 41 is the fixed side, and the movable part 60 is movably supported on the magnetic base 41 by a spring 51. Therefore, the spring 51 elastically deforms, and the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b are attracted toward the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b, and the movable part 60 moves downward (to the negative Z direction) as shown by the black arrow.

[0059] When the current supply to the coil 63 is stopped after the core magnetic poles 61a, 61b are attracted toward the magnetic yokes 42a, 42b, the magnetic field disappears, the magnetic attraction force disappears, and the biasing force of the spring 51, which is elastically deformed toward the magnetic base 41, is released. That is, a reaction force of the spring 51 is generated. As a result, the movable part 60 moves upward (to the positive side in the Z direction) in an attempt to return to the initial state position (reference position) shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, the movable part 60 moves to a position farther away from the magnetic base 41 than the initial state position (reference position) due to the reaction force of the spring 51, generating strong vibration. This vibration repeatedly undergoes free vibration while the amplitude is attenuated as the biasing force of the spring 51 attenuates.

[0060] By repeatedly energizing and deenergizing the coil 63, the movable part 60 can be moved in the Z direction, and vibration can be generated in the Z direction, which is the vibration direction. In addition, by controlling the timing of energizing and deenergizing the coil 63, the damping period of the vibration can be lengthened or shortened. By generating such vibration, a tactile sensation is generated and given to the operator.

[0061] [Vibration actuator drive circuit] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a drive circuit that drives the actuator body 30. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a voltage supplied from the drive circuit shown in Fig. 7 to the actuator body 30.

[0062] The actuator body 30 of the vibration actuator 10A is controlled by an external control device (a control unit in the present invention, for example, the control device 130 shown in FIG. 9) via a wiring section 70. The control device includes a drive circuit shown in FIG. 7, which vibrates the movable part 60 to provide a tactile sensation to the operator.

[0063] The drive circuit includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and resistors RG and RGS.

[0064] The MOSFET is a switching element that supplies a current pulse to the actuator body 30. A drive signal voltage from the control device is input from port 1 and input to the gate G of the MOSFET via a resistor RG. The drain D of the MOSFET is connected to the actuator body 30, and the source S is grounded. In addition, a direct current voltage DC is applied to the actuator body 30 from a power supply unit (not shown).

[0065] The MOSFET is turned on and off by a drive signal voltage from the control device, for example, a square wave drive signal voltage shown in Fig. 8, and when the MOSFET is turned on, a current flows and electricity is applied to the coil 63 of the actuator body 30. Note that, although a square wave is shown as an example in Fig. 8, the drive voltage signal is not limited to a square wave, and a sine wave, sawtooth wave, or the like may also be used.

[0066] Although not shown, the control device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage unit, etc. The CPU reads out programs and data corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM, and generates a drive signal voltage based on the programs, data, and other information.

[0067] [Configuration of contact input device] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a contact-type input device 100 having a vibration actuator 10A.

[0068] The contact-type input device 100 is, for example, a track pad serving as a pointing device used in place of a mouse in a notebook computer, etc. The track pad is disposed in a rectangular frame portion provided in a housing 130 of the notebook computer, etc.

[0069] The track pad includes a plate-shaped pad body 110 that is touched by a finger, a vibration actuator 10A disposed on the rear surface of the pad body 110, and a control device 120 that controls the vibration actuator 10A. The control device 120 obtains information about the touch operation from the pad body 110.

[0070] In the track pad, when an operator performs a touch operation such as tracing or tapping the pad body 110 with a finger, the vibration actuator 10A applies vibration that provides a tactile sensation. Specifically, in response to an operator's touch operation on the pad body 110, which is the operation surface, the control device 120 supplies a drive voltage signal to the coil 63 of the vibration actuator 10A, displacing the movable part 60 downward and starting vibration, thereby providing the operator with a tactile sensation.

[0071] The pad body 110 is fixed to the cover 20 of the vibration actuator 10A at the back side of its central portion with double-sided tape or the like. The outer periphery of the pad body 110 is movably attached to a frame provided on a housing 130 of a notebook computer or the like via a cushioning member.

[0072] Here, the cover 20 is attached to the pad body 110 , but the magnetic base 41 may be attached to the pad body 110 .

[0073] The fixing method of the vibration actuator 10A described above is a hanging method in which one of the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41 is fixed to the pad body 110, and the other is not fixed. In this fixed state, one of the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41 is vibrated relative to the other, so that vibration is indirectly transmitted to the pad body 110.

[0074] Note that the vibration actuator 10A may be fixed, for example, by fixing one of the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41 to the pad body 110 and the other to the housing 130. In this case, the housing 130 will also vibrate together with the pad body 110.

[0075] Further, although the contact-type input device 100 having the vibration actuator 10A has been exemplified here, the contact-type input device 100 may have a configuration including a vibration actuator 10B, which will be described later.

[0076] [summary] As described above, the vibration actuator 10A has a base part 40 made of a magnetic material, an elastic part 50, and a movable part 60 having a magnetic core 61, a coil 63, and a weight 64. In addition, the vibration actuator 10A includes a cover 20 that houses the elastic part 50 and the movable part 60 between itself and the base part 40 and constitutes a housing together with the base part 40.

[0077] With the above-mentioned configuration, the actuator body 30 is housed inside the housing (the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41), so that the vibration actuator 10A can be easily mounted on a product, improving mountability.

[0078] Furthermore, when the housing (cover 20 and magnetic base 41) is a rectangular parallelepiped, each surface of the housing can be attached to the product, except for the surface on which the wiring section 70 is arranged, improving the layout flexibility of the vibration actuator 10A relative to the product. Furthermore, by changing the mounting surface on the housing, the vibration direction of the vibration actuator 10A can also be changed.

[0079] Furthermore, the actuator body 30 is of a moving coil type, and the movable part 60 has the weight 64, so that the magnetic core 61 and the coil 63, together with the weight 64, function as a weight that promotes the vibration of the movable part 60. Therefore, even if the vibration actuator 10A is made compact and the actuator body 30 is housed in a housing (the cover 20 and the magnetic base 41), it is possible to increase the vibration output, and it is possible to generate vibration that provides a desired tactile sensation.

[0080] In other words, the vibration actuator 10A of this embodiment improves the ease of mounting on a product and provides a satisfactory tactile sensation to the operator.

[0081] Furthermore, since the vibration actuator 10A can be made smaller, the contact-type input device 100 can also be made smaller, and the degree of freedom in design is improved, leading to improved design.

[0082] <Variation 1> Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a vibration actuator 10B which is a modified example of the vibration actuator 10A, Fig. 11 is a top view of the vibration actuator 10B, and Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the vibration actuator 10B.

[0083] Vibration actuator 10B has the same configuration as vibration actuator 10A, except that it further includes dampers 21 and 44. Therefore, in vibration actuator 10B, the same components as vibration actuator 10A are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted, with the differences being mainly described.

[0084] The vibration actuator 10B further includes a damper 21. The damper 21 is attached to the inner wall side of the cover 20 or to the upper side of the coil 63. Although one damper 21 is provided here, a plurality of dampers 21 may be provided. In that case, the plurality of dampers 21 are provided symmetrically with respect to the above-mentioned center lines C1, C2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0085] The damper 21 (the suppression member in the present invention) serves as a hard stop for the movable part 60 moving in the positive Z direction, and can suppress the amount of displacement of the movable part 60. For example, when the movable part 60 is displaced more than necessary in the positive Z direction due to a strong impact such as a fall, the damper 21 can suppress the excessive displacement.

[0086] Furthermore, the damper 21 is made of a material having low elasticity and damping properties, such as silicone gel. If the damper 21 is made of a material with high rigidity, there is a concern that a hitting sound may be generated when the damper 21 comes into contact with the movable part 60, but the damper 21 made of a material having low elasticity and damping properties can prevent the hitting sound. Furthermore, the damper 21 provides damping properties to the vibration of the movable part 60, thereby suppressing residual vibration and achieving a sharp tactile sensation.

[0087] The base portion 40 further includes a plurality of dampers 44. Here, the base portion 40 includes four dampers 44, and the four dampers 44 are disposed at both ends of the magnetic base 41 in the X direction and at both ends in the Y direction. That is, the four dampers 44 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the above-mentioned center lines C1 and C2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0088] The four dampers 44 are configured so that the springs 51, which are elastically deformed and displaced in the negative Z direction, can come into contact with them. The dampers 44 are also made of a material with low elasticity and damping properties, such as silicone gel. The dampers 44 come into contact with the springs 51, so that the tactile sensation caused by the vibration of the movable part 60 can be improved, and the vibration of the movable part 60 can be damped, and residual vibration can be suppressed, thereby achieving a sharp tactile sensation.

[0089] 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. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] The vibration actuator and contact-type input device according to the present invention have the effect of improving assembly ease, being miniaturized, and being able to vibrate suitably, and are useful as vibration presentation devices for contact-type input devices such as track pads, operation panels, etc. Furthermore, the vibration actuator according to the present invention is not limited to use in contact-type input devices, and can also be useful as a vibration presentation device that vibrates an object to which it is attached, such as the housing of a device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10A, 10B Vibration Actuator 20 Cover 21 Damper 30 Actuator body 40 Base 41 Magnetic Base 42a, 42b Magnetic yoke 43 Spacer 44 Damper 50 Elastic part 51 Spring 60 Moving parts 61 Magnetic Core 62 Bobbin 63 Coil 64 weight 70 Wiring section 100 Contact input device 110 Pad body 120 Control device

Claims

1. a movable portion including a coil, a core around which the coil is wound and whose both ends protrude from the coil, and a weight fixed to the core; a base portion having yokes facing each other at both ends and made of a magnetic material; an elastic portion that supports the movable portion relative to the base portion so that the movable portion can elastically vibrate; a cover that houses the movable portion and the elastic portion between the cover and the base portion and that constitutes a housing together with the base portion; Equipped with a magnetic attraction force generated by energizing the coil causes the movable part to displace toward the base part, thereby vibrating the movable part; Vibration actuator.

2. The elastic portion is made of a leaf spring and has a shape that is bent or curved at one or more points.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

3. the elastic portion is disposed on each end of the movable portion in a direction perpendicular to the winding axis of the coil, 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

4. The elastic portion is a pair of leaf springs having a shape symmetrical with respect to a line along the winding axis. The vibration actuator according to claim 3 .

5. The base portion has a damper arranged so as to be able to come into contact with a portion of the elastic portion that is displaced together with the movable portion.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

6. a suppression member that suppresses displacement of the movable portion toward the cover, 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

7. The suppression member is made of a material having low elasticity and damping properties.

7. The vibration actuator according to claim 6.

8. The yoke and the base are made of laminated magnetic metal sheets.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

9. The base portion has spacers that form gaps between the two ends and the yoke.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

10. The elastic portion has a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion is connected to the base portion via the spacer, The second connection portion is connected to the movable portion.

10. The vibration actuator according to claim 9.

11. A contact-type input device in which the vibration actuator according to claim 1 is disposed on a rear surface of an operation surface, a control unit that energizes the coil in response to a touch operation of the operation surface by an operator, and vibrates the movable unit to present a tactile sensation to the operator. A contact input device.

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