Manufacturing method for user interface device and manufacturing device for user interface device

Abstract

To highly accurately determine dimensions of a gap formed between an operated member and an actuator.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for a user interface device includes disposing an actuator 50 and an operated member 40 such that they face each other across a second gap W2 wider than a first gap W1. The manufacturing method for the user interface device includes inserting a spacer 110 having the same dimensions as those of the first gap W1 with respect to a first direction D1 into the second gap W2. The manufacturing method for the user interface device includes deviating at least one of the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 in the first direction D1 to cause the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 to hold the spacer 110 therebetween. The manufacturing method for the user interface device includes removing the spacer 110 held between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a user interface device including an actuator provided on a stationary part and an operated member provided on a movable part so as to face the actuator with a gap therebetween. The actuator is configured to adsorb the operated member by applying an electromagnetic force. The user interface device is configured such that the movable part vibrates as the adsorption and desorption of the operated member by the actuator are repeated, and the user is given feedback by the vibration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a user interface device, it is required to accurately determine the dimension of a gap formed between an operated member and an actuator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One example of an aspect provided by the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a user interface device including a stationary part, a movable part, an operated member provided on one of the stationary part and the movable part, and an actuator provided on the other of the stationary part and the movable part so as to face the operated member in a first direction with a first gap therebetween, the actuator displacing the movable part by applying an electromagnetic force to the operated member. arranging the actuator and the actuated member so as to face each other with a second gap wider than the first gap in the first direction; inserting a spacer having the same dimension as the first gap in the first direction into the second gap; clamping the spacer between the actuated member and the actuator by displacing at least one of the actuated member and the actuator in the first direction with the spacer inserted in the second gap; and removing the spacer clamped between the actuated member and the actuator. The method includes the above steps.

[0006] According to the method for manufacturing the user interface device described above, at least one of the actuated member and the actuator is displaced in the first direction with the spacer inserted between the actuated member and the actuator. Therefore, the actuated member and the actuator approach each other so that the second gap between the actuated member and the actuator becomes the first gap. In other words, the spacer can separate the actuated member and the actuator by the distance of the first gap. Thereby, the dimension of the gap formed between the actuated member and the actuator can be accurately determined.

[0007] One example of an aspect provided by the present disclosure is a manufacturing apparatus for a user interface device, which executes the above manufacturing method.

[0008] According to the manufacturing apparatus of the above-described user interface device, at least one of the operated member and the actuator is displaced in the first direction with a spacer inserted between the operated member and the actuator. For this reason, the distance between the operated member and the actuator approaches so that the second gap between the operated member and the actuator becomes the first gap. In other words, the spacer can separate the operated member and the actuator by the distance of the first gap. Thereby, the dimension of the gap formed between the operated member and the actuator can be accurately determined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each element recognizable in size.

[0011] As used herein, the expression "extending in the first direction" includes extending obliquely with respect to the first direction, and means extending with an inclination closer to the first direction as compared with the direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0012] As used herein, the expression "extending in the second direction" includes extending obliquely with respect to the second direction, and means extending with an inclination closer to the second direction as compared with the direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a user interface device 1 according to an embodiment. The user interface device 1 is configured to give vibration feedback to a user's finger F or the like when detecting that a specified operation has been performed by the user's finger F or the like.

[0014] The user interface device 1 includes an operation input unit 2. The operation input unit 2 forms the surface of the user interface device 1.

[0015] The user interface device 1 includes a detection unit 3. The detection unit 3 is configured to be able to output a signal corresponding to a specified operation on the operation input unit 2 by the user's finger F. As a method for the detection unit 3 to detect a specified operation by the user's finger F, a known method can be adopted. As an example, a capacitance method, an optical method, a resistive film method, or the like can be adopted.

[0016] The user interface device 1 includes a fixed part 10 and a movable part 20. The movable part 20 is configured to be displaceable with respect to the fixed part 10 in response to an operation on the operation input unit 2 by the user's finger F.

[0017] The user interface device 1 includes an elastic member 30. The elastic member 30 is provided to connect the stationary part 10 and the movable part 20. The elastic member 30 enables the movable part 20 to vibrate with respect to the stationary part 10.

[0018] The user interface device 1 includes an operable member 40. FIG. 2 illustrates the operable member 40. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operable member 40 is provided on the movable part 20. The operable member 40 is fixed to a protruding part 21 formed on the movable part 20. The operable member 40 is formed of a magnetic material.

[0019] The user interface device 1 includes an actuator 50. A coil (not shown) is housed in the actuator 50. The actuator 50 is provided on the stationary part 10.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the actuator 50 is provided to face the operable member 40 in the first direction D1 with a first gap W1 therebetween. The first gap W1 is the distance between the operable member 40 and the actuator 50 when the actuator is not operating.

[0021] The actuator 50 is configured to displace the movable part 20 by applying an electromagnetic force to the operated member 40. When a current flows through the actuator 50, a coil (not shown) built into the actuator 50 generates a magnetic field. As a result, the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 are attracted to each other, so that the actuator 50 and the movable part 20 are displaced in the first direction D1. When the current flowing through the actuator 50 stops, the magnetic field generated by the coil built into the actuator 50 disappears. As a result, the force that attracts the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 to each other disappears, and since the elastic member 30 causes the movable part 20 to return to its original position, the actuator 50 and the movable part 20 are displaced in the direction opposite to the first direction. Therefore, by switching on and off the current to the actuator 50, the movable part 20 can be vibrated with respect to the fixed part 10.

[0022] In the user interface device 1 as described above, it is desirable to reduce the first gap W1, which is the distance between the actuator 50 and the operated member 40. By reducing the distance between the actuator 50 and the operated member 40, it becomes possible to vibrate the movable part 20 with respect to the fixed part 10 even with a weak magnetic field, so that the actuator 50 can be miniaturized. Specifically, it is known that the force with which the actuator 50 attracts the operated member 40 is inversely proportional to the square of the dimension of the first gap W1.

[0023] However, by reducing the distance between the actuator 50 and the operated member 40, the error in the magnitude of the force applied by the actuator 50 to the operated member 40 based on the error from the specified distance increases. For this reason, when the user interface device 1 is assembled, it is necessary to accurately determine the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50.

[0024] Next, a manufacturing method of the user interface device 1 and a manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 3 illustrates the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the user interface device 1 in the present embodiment. FIGS. 4 to 9 illustrate the manufacturing method of the user interface device in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes four steps S11 to S14. Each of the steps S11 to S14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. In the present embodiment, a manufacturing apparatus 100 and a manufacturing method for determining the dimension of a gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 by fixing the operated member 40 to the movable part 20 will be described. For this reason, the actuator 50 is already fixed to the stationary part 10.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the manufacturing apparatus 100 arranges the actuator 50 and the operated member 40 so as to face each other across a second gap W2 wider than a first gap W1 in a first direction D1 (step S11 in FIG. 3).

[0026] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the manufacturing apparatus 100 inserts a spacer 110 into the second gap W2 (step S12 in FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the spacer 110 has the same dimension W3 as the first gap W1 defined in design in the first direction D1.

[0027] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may temporarily fix the operated member 40 to the movable part 20 so that the operated member 40 does not displace in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. A method of temporarily fixing the operated member 40 will be described later.

[0028] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the manufacturing apparatus 100 displaces the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 in a state where the spacer 110 is inserted into the second gap W2, thereby sandwiching the spacer 110 between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 (step S13 in FIG. 3). A method by which the manufacturing apparatus 100 displaces the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 will be described later.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 come into close contact with the spacer 110. In other words, the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50. At this time, since the spacer 110 has the same dimension W3 as the first gap W1 in the first direction D1, the distance between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 becomes the same dimension as the first gap W1.

[0030] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 fixes the operated member 40 to the movable part 20. By fixing the operated member 40 to the movable part 20, the dimension between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 is determined. The method of fixing the operated member 40 to the movable part 20 will be described later.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 removes the spacer 110 sandwiched between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 (step S14 in FIG. 3). The dimension of the gap between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 formed by removing the spacer 110 matches the predetermined first gap W1.

[0032] Note that the operations of steps S11 to S14 included in the manufacturing method of the user interface device 1 are executed by the manufacturing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. However, steps S11 to S14 may be executed manually.

[0033] According to the manufacturing method of the above-described user interface device 1 and the manufacturing apparatus 100, with the spacer 110 inserted between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1. For this reason, the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 approach each other such that the second gap W2 between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 becomes the first gap W1. In other words, the spacer 110 can separate the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 by the distance of the first gap W1. Thereby, the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50, can be accurately determined.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 7, a magnet 120 may be used as a method for the manufacturing apparatus 100 to displace the operated member 40 in the first direction D1. Specifically, when the magnet 120 is brought close to the actuator 50, an induced electromotive force is generated in a coil built in the actuator 50. As a result, since the coil generates a magnetic field, the operated member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, which is the direction of approaching the actuator 50.

[0035] According to the manufacturing method of the above-described interface device, when the magnet 120 is brought close to the actuator 50, the operated member 40 is displaced so as to approach the actuator 50. Therefore, there is no need to provide a mechanism for applying a force for displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 between the fixed portion 10 and the movable portion 20 of the user interface device 1, and thus the mechanism of the user interface device 1 during manufacturing can be simplified.

[0036] When a method of bringing the magnet 120 close to the actuator 50 is adopted, it is desirable that the spacer 110 inserted between the operated member 40 and the actuator is formed of a magnetic material. At this time, since the force for displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 due to the induced electromotive force generated in the actuator 50 becomes stronger, the operated member 40 adheres more strongly to the spacer 110. Thereby, the dimension of the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50 can be accurately determined.

[0037] A method for temporarily fixing the operable member 40 to the stationary part and a method for fixing the operable member 40 to the stationary part will be described. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a long hole 41 extending in the first direction D1 is formed in the operable member 40. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the user interface device 1 is configured to temporarily fix or fix the operable member 40 to the movable part 20 by fastening a fastening member.

[0038] The manufacturing method of the user interface device 1 may include forming a state in which the operable member 40 is displaceable with respect to the movable part 20 by inserting the fastening member 60 into the long hole 41 formed in the operable member 40 and extending in the first direction D1. In other words, by inserting the fastening member 60 into the long hole 41 formed in the operable member 40 and extending in the first direction D1, the operable member 40 may be temporarily fixed to the movable part 20.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operable member 40 may be temporarily fixed to the movable part 20 by arranging the fastening member 60 so as not to sandwich the operable member 40 between itself and the movable part 20. At this time, since the fastening member 60 is inserted into the long hole 41 extending in the first direction D1 in the operable member 40, the operable member 40 is enabled to displace in the first direction D1 with respect to the fastening member 60 and the movable part 20.

[0040] The manufacturing method of the user interface device 1 may include fixing the fastening member 60 to the movable part 20 in a state where the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operable member 40 and the actuator 50. In the present embodiment, the operable member 40 is fixed to the movable part 20 by being sandwiched between the fastening member 60 and the protruding part 21 of the movable part 20.

[0041] According to the manufacturing method of the above-described user interface device 1, the operating member 40 can be displaced in the first direction D1 by inserting the fastening member 60 into the long hole 41 formed in the operating member 40 and extending in the first direction D1. Further, the operating member 40 can be positioned by fixing the fastening member 60 to the movable portion 20 while the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operating member 40 and the actuator 50. Thereby, the configuration for accurately determining the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operating member 40 and the actuator 50, can be simplified.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operating member 40 has a surface 42 that extends in the second direction D2, which is orthogonal to the first direction D1 and is the direction from the stationary portion 10 toward the movable portion 20. Similarly, the actuator 50 has a surface 52 that extends in the second direction D2. For this reason, the operating member 40 and the actuator 50 have surfaces that face each other and are parallel.

[0043] For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the operating member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, when the spacer 110 is sandwiched between the operating member 40 and the actuator 50, the spacer 110 is brought into close contact with the surface 42 of the operating member 40 and the surface 52 of the actuator 50. Thereby, the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operating member 40 and the actuator 50, can be accurately determined.

[0044] Next, another example of a method for displacing the operating member 40 in the first direction D1 will be described. FIG. 10 illustrates another example of a method for displacing the operating member 40 in the first direction D1. In this example, the actuator 50 is connected to the power source 130.

[0045] When the operating member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1, power is supplied from the power source 130 to the actuator 50. When power is supplied to the actuator 50, a magnetic field is generated around the actuator 50, and the operating member 40 is displaced in the first direction D1.

[0046] By displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 using such a method, it is possible to simplify the configuration for accurately determining the dimension of the first gap W1, which is the gap formed between the operated member 40 and the actuator 50.

[0047] Each of the configurations described so far is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified or combined with other configurations without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the operated member 40 is provided on the movable part 20, but the operated member 40 may be provided on the stationary part 10. At this time, the actuator 50 is provided on the movable part 20.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the actuator 50 is already fixed to the stationary part 10, and the process of fixing the operated member 40 to the movable part 20 has been described. However, when the operated member 40 is already fixed to the movable part 20, the process of fixing the actuator 50 to the stationary part 10 can also be adopted by the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the method of displacing the operated member 40 in the first direction D1 has been described using the method of using the magnet 120 and the method of passing an electric current through the actuator 50 by the power supply 130 or the like. However, the operated member 40 may be displaced in the first direction D1 by other methods. For example, a method of gripping the operated member 40 by a device or by hand and displacing it in the first direction D1 may be adopted.

[0051] The configurations listed below also constitute a part of the present disclosure. (1): A method for manufacturing a user interface device, comprising: a stationary part, a movable part, an operating member provided on one of the stationary part and the movable part, and an actuator provided on the other of the stationary part and the movable part so as to face the operating member in a first direction with a first gap therebetween, wherein the actuator displaces the movable part by applying an electromagnetic force to the operating member. Arranging the actuator and the operating member so as to face each other with a second gap wider than the first gap in the first direction. Inserting a spacer having the same dimension as the first gap in the first direction into the second gap. While the spacer is inserted into the second gap, displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction to sandwich the spacer between the operating member and the actuator, and Removing the spacer sandwiched between the operating member and the actuator. A method for manufacturing a user interface device, including the above steps. (2): Including displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction by bringing a magnet closer to the actuator. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to (1). (3): The spacer is formed of a magnetic material. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to (2). (4): Including displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction by passing an electric current through the actuator. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to (1). (5): Forming a state in which the operating member is displaceable with respect to the stationary part or the movable part by inserting a fastening member into a long hole formed in the operating member and extending in the first direction, and Fixing the fastening member to the stationary part or the movable part in a state where the spacer is sandwiched between the operable member and the actuator. including The method of manufacturing a user interface device according to any one of (1) to (4). (6): The operable member and the actuator have surfaces facing each other and parallel to each other. The method of manufacturing a user interface device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7): A manufacturing apparatus for a user interface device that executes the manufacturing method according to any one of (1) to (6).

Explanation of reference numerals

[0052] 1 User interface device, 2 Operation input part, 3 Detection part, 10 Stationary part, 20 Movable part, 21 Protrusion, 30 Elastic member, 40 Operable member, 41 Long hole, 42 Surface, 50 Actuator, 52 Surface, 60 Fastening member, 100 Manufacturing apparatus, 110 Spacer, 120 Magnet, 130 Power supply, D1 First direction, D2 Second direction, F Finger, W1 First gap, W2 Second gap, W3 Dimension

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a user interface device, comprising: a fixed part, a movable part, an operating member provided on one of the fixed part and the movable part, and an actuator provided on the other of the fixed part and the movable part so as to face the operating member in a first direction with a first gap therebetween, wherein the actuator displaces the movable part by applying an electromagnetic force to the operating member, arranging the actuator and the operating member so as to face each other across a second gap wider than the first gap in the first direction; inserting a spacer having the same dimension as the first gap in the first direction into the second gap; clamping the spacer between the operating member and the actuator by displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction while the spacer is inserted in the second gap; and removing the spacer clamped between the operating member and the actuator. A method for manufacturing a user interface device, including the above steps.

2. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1, including displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction by bringing a magnet closer to the actuator. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1.

3. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 2, wherein the spacer is formed of a magnetic material. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 2.

4. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1, including displacing at least one of the operating member and the actuator in the first direction by passing an electric current through the actuator. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1.

5. forming a state in which the operating member is displaceable with respect to the fixed part or the movable part by inserting a fastening member into a long hole formed in the operating member and extending in the first direction, and fixing the fastening member to the fixed part or the movable part while the spacer is clamped between the operating member and the actuator. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1, including the above steps. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1.

6. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1, wherein the operating member and the actuator have parallel surfaces facing each other. The method for manufacturing a user interface device according to Claim 1.

7. A manufacturing apparatus for a user interface device that executes the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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