Vibration actuator and vibration presentation device

Abstract

To provide a vibration actuator and a vibration presentation device which provide suitable operation feeling to a user upon operation of a touch panel while attaining thinning and cost-reduction even when being attached to a touch panel.SOLUTION: A vibration actuator includes a coil, a core which has the coil wound thereon and projects both end parts thereof from the coil, yokes which are arranged so as to be opposed to both end parts of the core while keeping a gap between the yoke and the end part of the core in a direction orthogonal to a winding axis of the coil and comprise magnets, and elastic parts which are arranged between the cores and the yokes, and elastically support freely relatively movably in such a direction that the yokes and at least one side of end part of both end parts are opposed to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration actuator and a vibration presentation device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when operating a touch panel which is a sensing panel, a configuration is known in which when a display screen displayed on the touch panel is touched by a user's finger pad or the like, vibration is applied to the finger pad by a vibration actuator (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a portable terminal device in which a vibration actuator is attached to the back surface of a touch panel via a vibration transmission portion. In this vibration actuator, a mover is disposed in a housing fixed to the vibration transmission portion so as to be reciprocally movable along a guide shaft disposed perpendicular to the touch panel. In this vibration actuator, by causing the mover to collide with the housing in response to an operation on the touch panel, vibration is applied to the finger pad that touches the touch panel via the vibration transmission portion.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a vibration presentation device that applies vibration in response to an operation on a touch panel. In this vibration presentation device, between a vibration panel which is a vibration portion that presents vibration and a housing that supports the vibration panel, a voice coil motor that generates vibration, a support portion that is disposed with the vibration panel and compressed with a predetermined force, a damper that imparts a braking action to the vibration of the vibration portion, and a spring that imparts a compressive force to the support portion and the damper are interposed in parallel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a device that imparts an operation feeling using vibration to an operation contact surface that is touched and operated, such as a display screen of a touch panel, a device that is as thin as possible is desired.

[0007] In a device that reciprocates a mover vertically with respect to a touch panel in response to an operation on the touch panel, such as the devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a stronger vibration can be imparted to the finger pad that contacts the touch panel than in a device that vibrates parallel to the touch panel.

[0008] However, in order to move the mover vertically with respect to the touch panel, a shaft and a support mechanism for the shaft are required in Patent Document 1, and in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to interpose a support portion, a damper, and a spring between the housing and the vibration panel, and a thickness that can secure a space for arranging each is required.

[0009] Further, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a magnet is an essential component, and there is a desire to reduce the cost as much as possible without mounting a magnet.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a vibration actuator that can impart a suitable operation feeling to a user during operation of a touch panel while achieving thinning and cost reduction even when attached to the touch panel, and a vibration presentation device including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The vibration actuator of the present invention includes: a plate-shaped base portion on which a plate-shaped electromagnet composed of a core and a coil is disposed; a movable body including a plate-shaped magnetic yoke disposed with a gap in the plate thickness direction of the electromagnet; and an elastic body that supports the magnetic yoke on the base portion so that the magnetic yoke approaches the base portion in the plate thickness direction by energizing the electromagnet. The movable body is configured to have a shape capable of accommodating a part of the coil at a position facing the coil.

[0012] The vibration presentation device of the present invention includes the vibration actuator having the above configuration, and a touch panel on which the vibration actuator is mounted. It adopts a configuration having these.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even when attached to a touch panel, it is possible to give a suitable operating feeling to the user during operation of the touch panel and to achieve thinning.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] In the present embodiment, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used for explanation. The same orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also shown in the figures described later. Hereinafter, the width, depth, and height of the vibration actuator 10 are the lengths in the X - direction, Y - direction, and Z - direction, respectively. Also, the plus side in the Z - direction is described as the "upper side" and the minus side in the Z - direction is described as the "lower side".

[0017] (Embodiment) <Overall Configuration of Vibration Actuator 10> FIG. 1 is a plane - side external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom - side external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, FIG. 4 is a cross - sectional view taken along the line A - A in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The vibration actuator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is mounted on an electronic device as a vibration generation source of a touch panel 140 (see FIG. 17), which is an example of an operation contact surface portion, to realize the vibration function of the electronic device.

[0019] In this embodiment, the vibration actuator 10 is mounted on a touch panel device (see FIG. 17) of a car navigation system as an electronic device, and functions as a vibration presentation device that presents vibration to the user on the touch panel 140. Note that the touch panel device 100 is an example of a vibration presentation device. In this embodiment, the touch panel device 100 has a touch panel 140 as a panel that can be touched by a user's hand, finger, etc. This touch panel 140 may be a panel having a display function of displaying an image or the like that can be touched by the user, or may be configured to have no display function and simply have an operation contact surface portion that can be touched and operated by the user.

[0020] The vibration actuator 10 in this embodiment is mounted on, for example, a touch panel (operation contact surface portion) 140 (see FIG. 17) that displays an image, and is applied to a touch panel device 100 that enables an intuitive operation for a user who touches the touch panel 140 by transmitting and making the user feel vibration corresponding to a contact operation on the screen. Note that the touch panel 140 of the touch panel device 100 has a contact position output unit that receives a contact operation by the user on the touch panel 140 and outputs the contact position.

[0021] The vibration actuator 10 is joined to the touch panel 140, receives a drive signal from a control unit (not shown), generates and drives vibration corresponding to the contact position output from the touch panel 140, transmits it to the touch panel 140, and directly vibrates the touch panel 140.

[0022] That is, the vibration actuator 10 receives the user's operation received by the touch panel 140 and is driven accordingly.

[0023] The vibration actuator 10 includes a fixed body 30 having a core assembly 20 in which a coil 22 is wound around a core 24, and a base portion 32, a movable body 40 having a magnetic yoke 41, and plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) that elastically support the movable body 40 so as to be movable in the vibration direction with respect to the fixed body 30.

[0024] The vibration actuator 10 vibrates the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 by the core assembly 20. Specifically, the movable body 40 is vibrated by the attracting force of the energized coil 22 and the core 24 excited by the energized coil 22, and the biasing force of the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0025] The vibration actuator 10 is configured in a flat shape with the Z direction as the thickness direction. The vibration actuator 10 vibrates the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 in the Z direction, that is, the thickness direction as the vibration direction, and makes one of the front and back surfaces arranged apart in the thickness direction of the vibration actuator 10 itself approach and separate from the other surface in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the vibration actuator 10 moves the movable body 40 in the minus Z direction by the attracting force of the core 24, and moves the movable body 40 in the plus Z direction by the biasing force of the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0026] In the vibration actuator 10 of the present embodiment, the movable body 40 is elastically supported by a plurality of plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) arranged along a direction orthogonal to the Z direction at positions point-symmetrical with respect to the movable center of the movable body 40, but it is not limited to this configuration. The plate-like elastic part 50 is fixed between the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30, and has a bellows-shaped part that elastically deforms, and elastically supports the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 in a direction of moving at least with respect to one end of both ends (magnetic pole parts 242, 244) of the core 24. It may be provided in any manner as long as it has such a configuration. For example, the plate-like elastic part 50 may elastically support the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 (core assembly 20) in a direction of moving with respect to one end (magnetic pole part 242 or magnetic pole part 244) of the core 24. Also, the plate-like elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 may be arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the center of the movable body 40, and two or more plate-like elastic parts 50 may be used. Each of the plate-like elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 is fixed to the fixed body 30 at one end side and fixed to the movable body 40 at the other end side, and supports the movable body 40 so as to be movable in the vibration direction (the Z direction, which is the vertical direction here) with respect to the fixed body 30.

[0027] <fixed body 30> As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed body 30 has a core assembly 20 having a coil 22 and a core 24, and a base part 32.

[0028] The base part 32 has the core assembly 20 fixed thereto, and elastically supports the movable body 40 via the plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) so as to be vibration-free. The base part 32 is a flat member and forms the bottom surface of the vibration actuator 10. The base part 32 has a mounting part 32a to which one end parts of the plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) are fixed so as to sandwich the core assembly 20. The mounting parts 32a are arranged at the same interval from the core assembly 20 respectively. Note that this interval is an interval that becomes the deformation region of the plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0029] The attachment portion 32a has a fixing hole 321 for fixing the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) and a fixing hole 322 for fixing the base portion 32 to the base material. The fixing holes 322 are provided at both ends of the attachment portion 32a so as to sandwich the fixing hole 321. Thereby, the base portion 32 is stably fixed to the entire surface of the base material (for example, the back plate 120 shown in FIG. 17).

[0030] In the present embodiment, the base portion 32 is formed by processing a sheet metal such that one side portion and the other side portion, which are the attachment portions 32a, sandwich the bottom surface portion 32b and are spaced apart in the depth direction. Between the attachment portions 32a, a concave portion having a bottom surface portion 32b with a height lower than that of the attachment portions 32a is provided. The space inside the concave portion, that is, the space on the surface side of the bottom surface portion 32b, secures the elastic deformation region of the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) and is a space for securing the movable region of the movable body 40 supported by the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0031] The bottom surface portion 32b is rectangular, and an opening 36 is formed at the center thereof, and the core assembly 20 is positioned within this opening 36.

[0032] The core assembly 20 is fixed in a state where a part of it is inserted into the opening 36. Specifically, within the opening 36, the divided body 26b of the bobbin 26 on the lower side of the core assembly 20 and the lower portion of the coil 22 are inserted and fixed so that the core 24 is positioned on the bottom surface portion 32b in a side view. Thereby, compared with the configuration in which the core assembly 20 is attached on the bottom surface portion 32b, the length (thickness) in the Z direction is reduced. Further, since a part of the core assembly 20, here a part on the bottom surface side, is fixed in a state of being fitted into the opening 36, the core assembly 20 is firmly fixed in a state where it is difficult to come off from the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0033] The opening 36 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the core assembly 20. In the present embodiment, the opening 36 is formed in a square shape. Thereby, the core assembly 20 and the movable body 40 can be arranged at the center of the vibration actuator 10, and the entire vibration actuator 10 can be made substantially square in plan view. Note that the opening 36 may be rectangular (including a square shape).

[0034] The core assembly 20 causes the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 to vibrate (reciprocate linearly in the Z direction) in cooperation with the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0035] In the present embodiment, the core assembly 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are arranged at both side portions separated in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular plate shape. These magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are arranged such that the lower surfaces of the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the movable body 40 face each other with a gap G (see FIG. 6) in the X direction, and face the lower surfaces of the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 in the vibration direction of the movable body 40 at the opposing surfaces (opposing surface portions) 20a and 20b on the upper surface.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the core assembly 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and has magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 at both side portions separated in the longitudinal direction. These magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are arranged such that the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the movable body 40 face each other with a gap G in the X direction.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the base portion 32 with the winding axis of the coil 22 directed in the opposing direction between the mounting portions 32a separated from each other in the base portion 32.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the core assembly 20 is arranged at the center of the base portion 32, specifically, at the center of the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0039] The core assembly 20 is configured by winding a coil 22 around the outer periphery of a core 24 via a bobbin 26.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b such that the core 24 is parallel to the bottom surface portion 32b and straddles the opening 36 on the bottom surface. The core assembly 20 is fixed by a screw 68 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7), which is a fastening member, with the coil 22 and the portion (core body 241) wound around the coil 22 positioned within the opening 36 of the base portion 32.

[0041] Specifically, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b by fastening the screw 68 through the fixing hole 28 and the fastening hole 33 (see FIG. 5) of the bottom surface portion 32b with the coil 22 disposed within the opening 36. The core assembly 20 and the bottom surface portion 32b are joined at two locations on the axis of the coil 22 with the coil 22 sandwiched by the screw 68 at both side portions of the opening 36 spaced apart in the Y direction and the magnetic pole portions 242, 244.

[0042] The coil 22 is a solenoid that is energized when the vibration actuator 10 is driven to generate a magnetic field. The coil 22, together with the core 24 and the movable body 40, constitutes a magnetic circuit (magnetic path) that attracts and moves the movable body 40. Note that electric power is supplied to the coil 22 from an external power source via a control unit (not shown). For example, when a drive signal is supplied to the control unit, electric power is supplied to the coil 22 to drive the vibration actuator 10.

[0043] The core 24 has a core body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound, and magnetic pole portions 242, 244 provided at both ends of the core body 241 and excited by energizing the coil 22.

[0044] The core 24 may have any structure as long as it has a length such that both ends become the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 when the coil 22 is energized. For example, it may be formed in a straight (I-shaped) flat plate shape, but the core 24 of the present embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape having an H shape in plan view.

[0045] When using a type-I core, at both ends (magnetic pole portions) of the type-I core, the area of the surfaces (air-gap side surfaces) on the side of the adsorbed surface portions 46 and 47 facing each other with an air gap G therebetween becomes narrow. As a result, the magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit increases, and there is a risk of a decrease in conversion efficiency. Also, when attaching a bobbin to the core, positioning of the bobbin in the longitudinal direction of the core is lost or becomes small, so it becomes necessary to provide it separately. On the other hand, since the core 24 is of the H type, the air-gap side surfaces can be expanded in the front-rear direction (Y direction) to be longer than the width of the core body around which the coil 22 is wound at both ends of the core body 241, and the magnetic resistance can be reduced to improve the efficiency of the magnetic circuit. Also, the coil 22 can be positioned simply by fitting the bobbin 26 between the portions protruding from the core body 241 in the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244, and there is no need to separately provide a positioning member for the bobbin 26 with respect to the core 24.

[0046] The core 24 has magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the winding axis of the coil 22 at both ends of a plate-shaped core body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound.

[0047] The core 24 is a magnetic material and is formed of, for example, silicon steel sheet, permalloy, ferrite, etc. Also, the core 24 may be composed of electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered material, MIM (metal injection mold) material, laminated steel sheet, electrolytic zinc-plated steel sheet (SECC), etc.

[0048] The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are provided so as to protrude in the Y direction from within both opening portions of the coil 22, respectively.

[0049] The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are excited by energization of the coil 22 to attract and move the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 that separates in the vibration direction (Z direction). Specifically, the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 adsorb the adsorbed surface portions 46 and 47 of the movable body 40 disposed to face each other via the gap G by the generated magnetic flux.

[0050] The magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are plate-like bodies extending in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the core body 241 extending in the X direction. Since the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 are long in the Y direction, the areas of the opposing surfaces 20a and 20b facing the yoke 41 are larger than those formed at both ends of the core body 241.

[0051] In the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244, fixing holes 28 are formed in the central portion in the Y direction, and they are fixed to the base portion 32 by screws 68 inserted into the fixing holes 28.

[0052] The bobbin 26 is arranged to surround the core body 241 of the core 24. The bobbin 26 is formed of, for example, a resin material. Thereby, electrical insulation from other members made of metal (for example, the core 24) can be ensured, so that the reliability as an electric circuit is improved. By using a highly fluid resin as the resin material, the moldability is improved, and the wall thickness can be reduced while ensuring the strength of the bobbin 26. Note that the bobbin 26 is formed into a cylindrical body that covers the periphery of the core body 241 by assembling the divided bodies 26a and 26b so as to sandwich the core body 241. Note that flanges are provided at both ends of the cylindrical body of the bobbin 26 to define that the coil 22 is located on the outer periphery of the core body 241.

[0053] <Movable body 40> The movable body 40 is arranged to face the core assembly 20 with a gap G in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction (Z direction). The movable body 40 is provided so as to be reciprocally vibratable in the vibration direction with respect to the core assembly 20.

[0054] The movable body 40 has a yoke 41 and includes movable-side fixing portions 54 of plate-like elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2 fixed to the yoke 41.

[0055] The movable body 40 is arranged in a state of being suspended substantially parallel and movable in the approaching and separating direction (Z direction) with respect to the bottom surface portion 32b via the plate-like elastic portions 50 (50-1 and 50-2).

[0056] The yoke 41 is a plate-shaped body composed of magnetic materials such as electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered materials, MIM (Metal Injection Molded) materials, laminated steel plates, and electrolytic zinc-plated steel sheets (SECC). In this embodiment, the yoke 41 is formed by processing an SECC plate.

[0057] The yoke 41 is suspended with a gap G (see FIG. 6) in the vibration direction (Z direction) with respect to the core assembly 20 by plate-shaped elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) fixed to the adsorption surfaces 46 and 47 spaced apart in the X direction.

[0058] The yoke 41 has a surface fixing part 44 for attaching an operation contact surface (see the touch panel 140 shown in FIG. 17), and adsorption surfaces 46 and 47 arranged to face the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244.

[0059] In this embodiment, the yoke 41 has an opening 48 at the central part. The yoke 41 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The yoke 41 is formed in a frame shape surrounding the opening 48 with the surface fixing part 44 and the adsorption surfaces 46 and 47.

[0060] The opening 48 faces the coil 22. In this embodiment, the opening 48 is located directly above the coil 22, and the opening shape of the opening 48 is formed in a shape that allows the coil 22 part of the core assembly 20 to be inserted when the yoke 41 moves to the bottom surface 32b side.

[0061] By configuring the yoke 41 to have the opening 48, the thickness of the entire vibration actuator can be reduced compared to the case where there is no opening 48.

[0062] Also, in order to position the core assembly 20 in the opening 48, the yoke 41 is not arranged near the coil 22, and a decrease in conversion efficiency due to leakage magnetic flux leaking from the coil 22 can be suppressed, and high output can be achieved.

[0063] The face fixing part 44 has a fixing surface 44a that fixes the touch panel 140, which is an example of an operation contact surface, by surface contact. The fixing surface 44a has a pedestal shape in plan view and is in surface contact with the touch panel 140 fixed to the face fixing part 44 via a fixing material such as a screw inserted into the face fixing hole 42.

[0064] The adsorbed faces 46 and 47 are attracted to the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244 magnetized in the core assembly 20, and the plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) are fixed thereto.

[0065] The movable body side fixing parts 54 of the plate-like elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 are fixed to the adsorbed faces 46 and 47 in a laminated state, respectively. The adsorbed faces 46 and 47 are provided with notches 49 for escaping the heads of the screws 64 of the core assembly 20 when moving to the bottom face part 32b side.

[0066] Thereby, even when the movable body 40 moves to the bottom face part 32b side and the adsorbed faces 46 and 47 approach the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244, they do not contact the screws 68 that fix the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244 to the bottom face part 32b, and a movable region of the yoke 41 in the Z direction corresponding to that can be secured.

[0067] <Plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2)> The plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) support the movable body 40 movably with respect to the fixed body 30. The plate-like elastic parts 50 (50-1, 50-2) support the upper surface of the movable body 40 at the same height as the upper surface of the core fixing body 30 or on the lower surface side of the upper surface of the fixed body 30 (in this embodiment, the upper surface of the core assembly 20) so as to be parallel to each other. Note that the plate-like elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 have a shape symmetric with respect to the center of the movable body 40 and are members formed in the same manner in this embodiment.

[0068] The plate-shaped elastic part 50 is arranged substantially parallel so that the yoke 41 faces the pole parts 242 and 244 of the core 24 of the core fixing body 30 with a gap G therebetween. The plate-shaped elastic part 50 supports the lower surface of the movable body 40 movably in the vibration direction at a position on the bottom surface part 32b side at a level substantially the same as the height level of the upper surface of the core assembly 20.

[0069] The plate-shaped elastic part 50 is a leaf spring having a fixed-body-side fixing part 52, a movable-body-side fixing part 54, and a bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 that connects the fixed-body-side fixing part 52 and the movable-body-side fixing part 54.

[0070] The plate-shaped elastic part 50 attaches the fixed-body-side fixing part 52 to the surface of the attachment part 32a, attaches the movable-body-side fixing part 54 to the surfaces of the adsorbed surface parts 46 and 47 of the yoke 41, and attaches the movable body 40 with the bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 parallel to the bottom surface part 32b.

[0071] The fixed-body-side fixing part 52 is in surface contact with the attachment part 32a and is joined and fixed by a screw 62, and the movable-body-side fixing part 54 is in surface contact with the adsorbed surface parts 46 and 47 and is joined and fixed by a screw 64.

[0072] The bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 is an arm part having a bellows shape. By having the bellows shape part, the bellows-shaped arm part 56 secures a length that enables deformation necessary for the vibration of the movable body 40 between the fixed-body-side fixing part 52 and the movable-body-side fixing part 54 and in a plane (a plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction) orthogonal to the vibration direction.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 extends and folds back in the facing direction between the fixed-body-side fixing part 52 and the movable-body-side fixing part 54, and the end parts joined to the fixed-body-side fixing part 52 and the movable-body-side fixing part 54 are formed at positions shifted in the Y direction.

[0074] The bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 is arranged at a point-symmetrical or line-symmetrical position with respect to the center of the movable body 40.

[0075] As a result, the movable body 40 is supported on both sides by the bellows-shaped elastic arm portion 56 having a bellows-shaped spring, so that stress dispersion during elastic deformation becomes possible. That is, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 can move the movable body 40 in the vibration direction (Z direction) without inclining with respect to the core assembly 20, and the reliability of the vibration state can be improved.

[0076] Each of the plate-shaped elastic portions 50 has at least two or more bellows-shaped elastic arm portions 56. As a result, compared with the case where each of the bellows-shaped elastic arm portions 56 is one, the stress during elastic deformation is dispersed, the reliability can be improved, the balance of support for the movable body 40 is improved, and the stability can be improved.

[0077] The leaf spring as the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is made of a magnetic material in the present embodiment. Further, the movable body side fixing portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is disposed at a position facing or above the coil winding axis direction with both end portions (magnetic pole portions 242, 244) of the core, and functions as a magnetic path. In the present embodiment, the movable body side fixing portion 54 is fixed in a state of being laminated on the adsorption surfaces 46, 47. As a result, the thickness H (see FIG. 6) of the adsorption surfaces 46, 47 facing the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core assembly can be increased as the thickness of the magnetic material. Since the thickness of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is the same as the thickness of the yoke 41, the cross-sectional area of the magnetic material portion facing the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 can be doubled. As a result, compared with the case where the leaf spring is non-magnetic, the magnetic path of the magnetic circuit is expanded, the deterioration of characteristics due to magnetic saturation in the magnetic circuit is alleviated, and the output can be improved.

[0078] In the vibration actuator 10 of the present embodiment, a detection unit for detecting the amount of depression of the movable body 40 when the operation surface fixed by the surface fixing portion 44 is operated may be provided.

[0079] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a strain detection sensor 70 for detecting the strain of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 may be provided as the detection unit.

[0080] The distortion detection sensor 70 detects the distortion of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 that deforms when the face fixing part 44 is pushed into the bottom face part 32b side. The detected distortion is output to a control part or the like, and the coil 22 is energized so that the movement amount of the movable body 40 corresponding to this distortion is obtained, and the yoke 41 is attracted and moved.

[0081] In the present embodiment, even if the movement amount of the operation contact face part to be operated is not determined, the function can be achieved as long as the contact with the operation contact face part can be detected. However, it is possible to detect the pushing amount against the plate-shaped elastic part 50 with a movement amount corresponding to the actual movement amount of the operation contact face part, and a more natural touch expression can be realized.

[0082] The distortion detection sensor 70 is attached between the heads of the screws 62 and 64 on the bellows-shaped elastic arm part 56 of the plate-shaped elastic part 50, and is arranged in a so-called dead space which is an area not obstructed by other members.

[0083] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, a detection part for detecting the pushing may be arranged below the plate-shaped elastic part 50 which is the dead space. In this case, the detection sensor is an electrostatic capacitance sensor 80 for detecting the pushing amount, and is arranged on the bottom face part 32b facing the plate-shaped elastic part 50. The distance to the plate-shaped elastic part 50 that is pushed and displaced is measured. Thereby, it follows the pushing of the operation contact face part and deforms, and the distance at the time of deformation is measured. Also with the method using this electrostatic capacitance, the variation of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 or the movable body 40 can be detected below the plate-shaped elastic part 50, and the detection of the pushing amount of the operation contact face part can be realized while maintaining the outer dimensions of the vibration actuator 10, and the vibration of the movable body 40 corresponding to the pushing amount can be generated.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the magnetic circuit of the vibration actuator 10. Note that FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vibration actuator 10 cut along the line A-A in FIG. 3, and the magnetic circuit has the same magnetic flux flow M as the illustrated part even for the unillustrated part. Further, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the movement of the movable body by the magnetic circuit. FIG. 9A is a view of a state where the movable body 40 is held at a position separated from the core assembly 20 by the plate-like elastic part 50, and FIG. 9B shows the movable body 40 attracted and moved toward the core assembly 20 by the magnetomotive force of the magnetic circuit.

[0085] Specifically, when the coil 22 is energized, the core 24 is excited to generate a magnetic field, and both ends of the core 24 become magnetic poles. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the core 24, the magnetic pole part 242 becomes the N pole, and the magnetic pole part 244 becomes the S pole. Then, a magnetic circuit indicated by the magnetic flux flow M is formed between the core assembly 20 and the yoke 41. The magnetic flux flow M in this magnetic circuit flows from the magnetic pole part 242 to the attracted surface part 46 of the yoke 41 facing it, passes through the surface fixing part 44 of the yoke 41, and reaches the magnetic pole part 244 facing the attracted surface part 47 from the attracted surface part 47. In the present embodiment, since the plate-like elastic part 50 is also a magnetic body, the magnetic flux (indicated by the magnetic flux flow M) flowing through the attracted surface part 46 passes through the attracted surface part 46 of the yoke 41 and the movable body side fixing part 54, and reaches both ends of the attracted surface part 46 and both ends of the movable body side fixing part 54 of the plate-like elastic part 50-2 from both ends of the attracted surface part 46 via 44.

[0086] Thereby, based on the principle of the electromagnetic solenoid, the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244 of the core assembly 20 generate an attractive force F for attracting the attracted surface parts 46 and 47 of the yoke 41. Then, the attracted surface parts 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 are attracted by both the magnetic pole parts 242 and 244 of the core assembly 20, the coil 22 is inserted into the opening 48 of the yoke 41, and the movable body 40 including the yoke 41 moves in the F direction against the biasing force of the plate-like elastic part 50 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

[0087] When the energization of the coil 22 is released, the magnetic field disappears, the attractive force F of the movable body 40 by the core assembly 20 disappears, and due to the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, it moves to the original position (moves in the -F direction).

[0088] By repeating this, the vibration actuator 10 reciprocally swings the movable body 40 to generate vibration in the vibration direction (Z direction).

[0089] In the vibration actuator 10, by disposing the attracted surface portions 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 close to the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244 of the core assembly 20, the magnetic circuit efficiency can be increased and high output can be achieved. Further, since the vibration actuator 10 does not use a magnet, it has a low-cost structure. The bellows-shaped springs, which are the plate-shaped elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2), enable stress dispersion and can improve reliability. In particular, since the movable body 40 is supported by a plurality of plate-shaped elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2), stress dispersion can be more effectively achieved. Thus, the vibration actuator 10 can provide a direct feeling by driving in the vertical direction.

[0090] The core 24 around which the coil 22 is wound and the fact that the core assembly 20 is fixed to the fixed body 30 support the movable body 40 movably. Thereby, since there is no magnetic generation portion in the Z direction and the support structure is simple, the design becomes simple, space saving can be achieved, and the vibration actuator 10 can be made thinner.

[0091] The driving principle of the vibration actuator 10 will be briefly described below. The vibration actuators 10A and 10B of the present embodiment described later are the same. The vibration actuators 10, 10A, and 10B can also be driven by generating a resonance phenomenon using pulses by using the following equations of motion and circuit equations. Note that, as an operation, it does not perform resonance driving, but expresses the operation feeling of a mechanical switch displayed on the operation contact surface. In the present embodiment, it is driven by inputting a short pulse via a control unit (not shown), but it may be driven to generate arbitrary vibrations without using a short pulse. Examples of the mechanical switch include a tactile switch, an alternate type switch, a momentary switch, a toggle switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch, a DIP switch, and a rocker switch.

[0092] Note that the movable body 40 in the vibration actuator 10 performs a reciprocating motion based on Expressions (1) and (2).

[0093] [Number]

[0094] [Number]

[0095] That is, the mass m [Kg], displacement x(t) [m], thrust constant K f [N / A], current i(t) [A], spring constant K sp [N / m], damping coefficient D [N / (m / s)], etc. can be appropriately changed within the range that satisfies Expression (1). Also, the voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], back electromotive force constant K e [V / (rad / s)] can be appropriately changed within the range that satisfies Expression (2).

[0096] In this way, the vibration actuator 10, the mass m of the movable body 40, and the spring constant K of the metal spring (elastic body, leaf spring in the present embodiment) as the plate-like elastic portion 50sp It is determined by

[0097] In addition, in the vibration actuator 10, screws 62 and 64 are used for fixing the base portion 32 and the plate-like elastic portion 50, and for fixing the plate-like elastic portion 50 and the movable body 40. Thus, in order for the movable body 40 to be driven, the plate-like elastic portion 50 that needs to be firmly fixed to the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40 can be mechanically and firmly fixed in a state where rework is possible.

[0098] According to this vibration actuator 10, it has a fixed body 30 having a coil 22 and a core 24 around which the coil 22 is wound and both ends of which protrude from the coil 22. Further, the vibration actuator 10 is disposed so as to face and be close to the opposing surfaces 20a and 20b of the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244, which are both ends of the core 24, with a gap G in a direction intersecting the winding axis of the coil 22, and has yokes 41 and 41A made of a magnetic material, and has a movable body 40 that can be fixed to an operation contact surface portion that is operated by contact. The vibration actuator 10 has a bellows-shaped arm portion 56 that is fixed between the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30 and elastically deforms, and has a plate-like elastic portion 50 that elastically supports the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 so as to be movable in a direction facing the magnetic pole portions 242 and 244. The plate-like elastic portion 50 is preferably fixed at a plurality of positions symmetric with respect to the center of the movable body 40. However, as described above, the movable body 40 may be supported by one plate-like elastic portion 50 so as to be vibratable with respect to the fixed body 30.

[0099] The plate-like elastic portion 50 may connect the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30 and include at least two or more arm portions having bellows-shaped arm portions 56. The plate-like elastic portion 50 may be made of a magnetic material. In this case, the movable portion side attachment portion 54 of the plate-like elastic portion 50 is disposed in the winding axis direction of the coil 22 or in a direction orthogonal to the winding axis direction with respect to both ends of the core 24, and constitutes a magnetic path together with the core 24 when the coil 22 is energized. Thereby, even when attached to a touch panel that is an operation contact surface portion, while achieving thinning and cost reduction, a suitable operation feeling can be imparted to the user when operating the touch panel.

[0100] (Modification Example 1) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of the plane side of Modification Example 1 of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of the bottom side of Modification Example 1 of the vibration actuator. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of Modification Example 1 of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part configuration of Modification Example 1 of the vibration actuator.

[0101] The vibration actuator 10A as Modification Example 1 shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 is configured by using rivets 92, 94, and 98 instead of the screws 62, 64, and 68 used for fixing the base portion 32 and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, and for fixing the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the movable body 40 in the configuration of the vibration actuator 10. The rivets 92, 94, and 98 each consist of a body portion without a head and a screw portion, are inserted into a member with a hole, and the members with holes are joined by caulking the opposite end portion to cause plastic deformation. The caulking may be performed, for example, using a press working machine or a dedicated tool.

[0102] The rivet 92 fixes the 32a of the fixed body 30 and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, and the rivet 94 fixes the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the yoke 41. Also, with the coil 22 of the core assembly 20 disposed in the fixing hole 33 of the bottom surface portion 32b, the rivet 98 fixes the fixed body 30 to the bottom surface portion 32b. Thereby, regarding the fixing of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, it can be fixed more firmly than the screws 62, 64, and 68, and the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 can be stably fixed to the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40.

[0103] (Modification Example 2) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of the plane side of Modification Example 2 of the vibration actuator, FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of the bottom side of Modification Example 2 of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of Modification Example 2 of the vibration actuator.

[0104] The vibration actuator 10B of Modification 2 has a movable yoke 40A which is a single member integrating the plate-like elastic part 50 and the yoke 41 in the configuration of the vibration actuator 10. The vibration actuator 10B has a fixed body 30 in the configuration of the vibration actuator 10 and a movable yoke 40A that is movable relative to the fixed body 30.

[0105] The movable yoke 40A has a yoke 41A having the same function as the yoke 41 and plate-like elastic parts 450-1 and 450-2 having the same function as the plate-like elastic part 50 (50-1, 50-2).

[0106] The yoke 41A is formed with the adsorbed surface portions 46 and 47 of the yoke 41 and the movable body side fixing portions 54 of the plate-like elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 as the same member.

[0107] In the movable yoke 40A, the yoke 41A forms a frame shape surrounding the opening 48 (see FIG. 16) by the surface fixing portions 44 and the adsorbed surface portions 46A and 47A, and the plate-like elastic parts 450-1 and 450-2 are provided so as to protrude in the X direction from the respective adsorbed surface portions 46A and 47A.

[0108] The plate-like elastic parts 450-1 and 450-2 have a fixed body fixing portion 452 having the same function as the fixed body side fixing portion 52 of the plate-like elastic part 50 and a bellows-like elastic arm portion 456 having the same function as the bellows-like elastic arm portion 56. With such a configuration, the yoke 41A and the plate-like elastic part 450 can be at the same height level with respect to the bottom surface portion 32b of the fixed body 30, and accordingly, the thickness (height in the Z direction) of the vibration actuator 10B itself can be reduced.

[0109] Also, compared with the vibration actuator 10, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be omitted.

[0110] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a touch panel device having the vibration actuator 10 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0111] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a touch panel device 100 having a vibration actuator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a touch panel device 100 having a vibration actuator 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17B is a right side view of the device. The touch panel device 100 shown in FIG. 17 is an example of a vibration presentation device. The vibration actuator 110 is the vibration actuator 10 and is fixed to the back plate 120 of the touch panel 140 that displays an image via a support column portion 160 for connection. Further, although the vibration actuator 10 is used as the vibration actuator 110, the vibration actuator 110 is not limited thereto and may be the vibration actuator 10A or the vibration actuator 10B.

[0112] In the touch panel device 100 having the touch panel 140, the touch panel 140 is fixed to the movable body 40 of the vibration actuator 110 to which the fixed body 30 is fixed at the central portion of the back plate 120. Note that the touch panel 140 is an example of an operation contact surface portion and is fixed so as to be in surface contact with the surface portion fixing portion 44 of the movable body 40 on the back side. Thereby, the touch panel 140 itself is driven integrally with the movable body 40. In the touch panel 140, the direction in which the operator contacts the screen during operation is the same as the vibration direction of the movable body 40 and the movable yoke 40A in the vibration actuator 110.

[0113] As described above, according to the touch panel device 100 in which the vibration actuator 10 is mounted, since the touch panel 140 is directly operated, that is, the touch panel 140 is driven in the same direction as the finger contact direction together with the movable body 40, the touch panel 140 can be directly driven with a strong vibration.

[0114] Therefore, when contacting and operating an image such as a mechanical switch displayed on the touch panel 140, the movable body 40 is moved to impart an operation feeling according to the image, for example, an operation feeling when actually operating a mechanical switch, and a comfortable operation can be realized.

[0115] In particular, it is applicable to an operating device that inputs an operation by contacting an image on a screen with a finger or the like in in-vehicle products and industrial equipment, and generates vibrations corresponding to the contact operation of the image to feedback an operation feeling similar to the operation feeling when touching an image such as a mechanical switch displayed on the image. It is useful for a touch display device or an operating device equipped with a touch panel device.

[0116] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The above description is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the description of the configuration of the above device and the shape of each part is an example, and it is obvious that various changes and additions to these examples are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0117] The vibration actuator according to the present invention can impart a suitable operation feeling to the user during the operation of the touch panel even when attached to the touch panel, and has the effect of realizing thinning. For example, it is useful when used to move the touch panel itself in a car navigation device or the like.

Explanation of Signs

[0118] 10, 10A, 10B, 110 Vibration actuator 20 Core assembly 22 Coil 24 Core 26 Bobbin 26a, 26b Divided body 28 Fixing hole 30 Fixing body 32 Base part 32a Mounting part 32b Bottom surface part 33 Fixing hole 36, 48 Opening 40 Movable body 40A Movable yoke 41, 41A Yoke 44 Face fixing part 44a Fixing surface 46, 47, 46A, 47A Suction Facial Portion 49 Notch Portion 50, 50-1, 50-2, 450-1, 450-2 Plate-like Elastic Portions 52, 452 Fixed Body Side Fixing Portion 54 Movable Body Side Fixing Portion 56, 456 Bellows-like Elastic Arm Portions 62, 64, 68 Screws 70, 80 Sensors 92, 94, 98 Rivets 100 Touch Panel Device 120 Back Panel 140 Touch Panel (Operation Contact Surface Portion) 160 Support Portion 241 Core Body 242, 244 Magnetic Pole Portions

Claims

1. A mover unit including a mounting member and a magnetic mover, the mounting member being elastically deformable, and the magnetic mover being suspended from the mounting member; a stator unit including a magnetic stator spaced apart from the magnetic mover in a vibration direction, one of the magnetic stator and the magnetic mover including an electromagnetic coil and an iron core, the electromagnetic coil wound around the iron core, and the magnetic mover vibrating under the action of the magnetic stator; a support to which the mounting member and the stator unit are attached; A vibration actuator comprising:

2. The support includes a plate-shaped main body and a protrusion provided on an edge of the main body and protruding in a plate thickness direction of the main body, the mounting member is connected to the protrusion and suspends the magnetic mover above the main body to support the magnetic mover movably in the plate thickness direction; The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

3. The vibration actuator according to claim 1; a touch panel on which the vibration actuator is mounted; and having Vibration presentation device.

Images