Input device

Abstract

To provide an input device which makes it possible to transmit vibration to only an operation part.SOLUTION: An input device (100) comprises: an outer skin layer (101A) that has an operation surface (101S) on which operation input is performed by an operation body (FT); a foam layer (101B) on the side opposite from the operation surface; a detection element (110) capable of detecting the operation body (FT); a vibration element (120) capable of imparting a vibration to the foam layer; a detection unit (150) that detects a detection amount of the detection element (110); a determination unit (161) that, when the detection amount detected by the detection unit is equal to or greater than a prescribed threshold value, determines that the operation body has performed a push-in operation in which the operation surface is pushed in; and a drive control unit (162) that drives the vibration element when the determination unit determines that the push-in operation has been performed. The prescribed threshold value is a value corresponding to a push-in amount that compresses the foam layer by a prescribed value or greater.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an input device that includes a vibration element that transmits vibrations to an operation surface and an electrostatic sensor that detects the position of a pressing operation of an operating object on the operation surface, and that drives the vibration element to vibrate the operation surface when a pressing operation is performed on the operation surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 157294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, conventional input devices are configured to vibrate the entire operation surface, and are not configured to vibrate only the operation portion where a pressing operation is performed.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can transmit vibrations only to the operation unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a skin layer having an operation surface on which an operation input is performed by an operating object, a foam layer provided on the opposite side of the skin layer from the operation surface, a detection element disposed on the opposite side of the foam layer from the side on which the operation surface is located and capable of detecting the operating object, a vibration element capable of imparting vibration to the foam layer, a detection unit that detects the detection amount of the detection element, a determination unit that determines, when the detection amount detected by the detection unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, that a pressing operation has been performed in which the operating object presses the operation surface, and a drive control unit that drives the vibration element when the determination unit determines that the pressing operation has been performed, wherein the predetermined threshold is a value corresponding to the pressing amount that compresses the foam layer by a predetermined value or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to provide an input device that can transmit vibrations only to the operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a planar configuration of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a cross section taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an operating state of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the compression rate of the soft pad 101 and the vibration acceleration occurring in the soft pad 101. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the MCU 160. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an input device 100M according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the input device of the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0010] In the following, the XYZ coordinate system will be defined and explained. For convenience of explanation, the -Z direction will be referred to as the lower side or bottom, and the +Z direction will be referred to as the upper side or top, but this does not represent a universal up-down relationship. Also, viewing on an XY plane will be referred to as a planar view.

[0011] <Embodiment> <Configuration of input device 100> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a planar configuration of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a cross section and blocks illustrating an example of the cross section configuration along the line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a cross section showing an example of an operating state of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. The input device 100 includes a soft pad 101, an electrostatic sensor 110, an actuator 120, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 130, a light guide unit 131, a support structure 140, a detection unit 150, and an MCU (microcontroller unit) 160. The electrostatic sensor 110 is an example of a detection element, and the actuator 120 is an example of a vibration element. The LED 130 and the light guide unit 131 are examples of an illumination unit.

[0012] Of the input device 100, the electrostatic sensor 110, the actuator 120, the LED 130, the light guide 131, and the support structure 140 constitute an input driving unit 100A. The input driving unit 100A is an example of a combination that indirectly combines the electrostatic sensor 110 and the actuator 120. Note that the electrostatic sensor 110 and the actuator 120 may also be directly combined.

[0013] The input device 100 is placed and fixed so that the case 141 of the support structure 140 is in direct contact with the main body 10 of the vehicle. In this state, the lower surface of the end portion of the soft pad 101 along the outer edge of the rectangular shape in a plan view is adhered to the frame member 20, and the frame member 20 is fixed to the upper end 11 of the main body 10. Note that the soft pad 101 has cushioning properties, but its shape is maintained by being adhered and held to the frame member 20 made of rigid synthetic resin. Also, the main body 10 may be a part of the body of the vehicle or a structure attached to the body. The main body 10 is a rigid body made of metal, resin, or the like. The support structure 140 is a structure that supports the electrostatic sensor 110, the actuator 120, and the LED 130. Note that details of the support structure 140 and how to fix it to the main body 10 will be described later.

[0014] The input device 100 can be operated with parts of the human body other than the fingertips FT (for example, the palm, elbow, etc.), but in the following, the fingertips FT are an example of an operating body that performs operational input to the input device 100, and an explanation will be given of a form in which operational input is performed with the fingertips FT.

[0015] The input device 100 has an operation surface 101S on which an operation input can be performed using a fingertip FT. The operation surface 101S is the upper surface of a soft pad 101 located at the top of the input device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 has, as an example, two operation units 105 indicated by dashed lines on the operation surface 101S. The input device 100 is a device that allows an operation input (push operation) to be performed on the operation units 105 by pressing them as shown in FIG. 2B. The push operation is an operation of pressing down the operation units 105, and the operation direction is downward as shown in FIG. 2B. In the input device 100 of this embodiment, operation inputs include an operation of bringing the fingertip FT close to one of the operation units 105 to select one of the operation units 105, and a push operation of pressing the operation unit 105 to confirm the selected operation, but the operation of bringing the fingertip FT close to select one of the operation units 105 is not necessarily required.

[0016] 1 shows two operation units 105, and the following description will be given assuming that the input device 100 has two operation units 105, but the input device 100 only needs to have at least one operation unit 105, and may have three or more operation units 105. Details of the operation units 105 will be described later.

[0017] The soft pad 101 is located at the top of the input device 100 and has a surface layer 101A that covers the outer surface, and a foam layer 101B that is entirely covered by the surface layer 101A.

[0018] The skin layer 101A is a bag-shaped cover made of resin, synthetic fiber, synthetic leather, leather, or the like. It covers the entire outer surface of the foam layer 101B and easily changes shape to fit the shape of the member it comes into contact with. The skin layer 101A has an operation surface 101S. The operation surface 101S is the upper surface of the skin layer 101A and is a decorative layer that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle. Note that, while the skin layer 101A is described here as a bag-shaped cover that covers the entire outer surface of the foam layer 101B, it is sufficient that the skin layer 101A is configured to cover at least the upper surface of the foam layer 101B. For example, the skin layer 101A may be configured to cover only the upper surface of the foam layer 101B, or the upper and side surfaces of the foam layer 101B, or the upper surface, side surfaces, and part of the lower surface of the foam layer 101B.

[0019] The entire outer surface of foam layer 101B is covered by skin layer 101A. Foam layer 101B is provided on the opposite side of skin layer 101A from operation surface 101S. Foam layer 101B can be made of a foam material such as urethane foam, sponge foam, or rubber foam, and has cushioning properties.

[0020] The soft pad 101 is provided on top of the electrostatic sensor 110 and covers the upper surface of the electrostatic sensor 110. Symbols corresponding to the electrodes 111 of the electrostatic sensor 110 are displayed on each operation unit 105 of the operation surface 101S. The symbols on each operation unit 105 are illuminated by light that is output from an LED 130, guided by a light guide unit 131, and transmitted through the soft pad 101. Symbols are provided on each operation unit 105 of the operation surface 101S. Symbols are, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, diagrams, marks, etc. that have a predetermined meaning, and here represent the function, type, etc. of each operation unit 105.

[0021] In FIG. 1, as an example, the letters "AC" are written on the right operating unit 105 of the two operating units 105. AC is an abbreviation for air conditioner. The right operating unit 105 is an operating unit for an air conditioner (AC). Symbols are also displayed on the left operating unit 105, but are omitted in FIG. 1. Note that multiple symbols may be formed on the top surface of the soft pad 101 by printing or the like.

[0022] The soft pad 101 is a member that elastically deforms when, when a user performs an operation input on the input device 100, the user brings a hand or the like close to an operation area where symbols are displayed and then performs an operation input (pressing operation) by pressing the operation surface 101S downward as shown in FIG. 2B. The input device 100 is an input device in which a selected operation input is confirmed by pressing the operation area downward with a hand or the like in this manner. Although it is possible to press the soft pad 101 on a portion of the operation surface 101S other than the operation unit 105, to perform a pressing operation on the input device 100, it is sufficient to perform a pressing operation on the operation unit 105 of the operation surface 101S. Note that the soft pad 101 returns to its original shape when the fingertip FT performing the pressing operation is released.

[0023] Such a soft pad 101 can be used, for example, as part of an interior component that is exposed inside the vehicle, and by using it in various parts such as the center console, door lining, or armrest, the input device 100 can be placed in each part of the interior component.

[0024] The electrostatic sensor 110 is provided on the back side (-Z direction side) of the soft pad 101. That is, the electrostatic sensor 110 is arranged on the opposite side (lower side) of the foam layer 101B from the side (upper side) where the operation surface 101S is located. The electrostatic sensor 110 has two electrodes 111 (see FIG. 1) capable of detecting the fingertip FT. The two electrodes are formed on the surface of a substrate (not shown). One of the two electrodes 111 is provided corresponding to each of the two operation units 105. Here, as an example, a configuration will be described in which the input device 100 has two operation units 105 and the electrostatic sensor 110 has two electrodes 111. However, it is sufficient that the electrostatic sensor 110 has the same number of electrodes 111 as the number of operation units 105. That is, if the input device 100 has multiple operation units 105, it is sufficient that the electrostatic sensor 110 has multiple electrodes 111 corresponding to the number of operation units 105. Each electrode 111 may be further divided into a plurality of electrode portions. In addition, although a self-capacitance type electrostatic sensor is used as the electrostatic sensor 110 in this embodiment, a mutual capacitance type electrostatic sensor having two electrodes, a drive electrode (also called a transmitting electrode) and a detection electrode (also called a receiving electrode), may also be used.

[0025] Each electrode 111 may be made of any conductive material, such as a transparent electrode material like ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide), and the substrate on which the electrode 111 is provided may be, for example, a transparent flexible substrate made of polyimide or the like. Here, as an example, a configuration in which the electrostatic sensor 110 is configured to transmit light from the LED 130 by the transparent electrode 111 and the transparent substrate will be described. However, if the electrostatic sensor 110 does not need to be transparent, each electrode 111 may be made of metal foil such as copper foil or aluminum foil. Furthermore, if the electrode 111 is to be partially transparent, a portion made of a transparent electrode material and a portion made of metal foil may be provided.

[0026] The two electrodes 111 are arranged adjacent to each other. As an example, a configuration in which the two electrodes 111 are arranged in the X direction is shown here, but multiple electrodes 111 may be arranged in a matrix in the X and Y directions. The multiple electrodes 111 may be arranged in a plane along the X or Y direction, or along the X and Y directions, and, as an example, the positions in the Z direction are equal.

[0027] Each electrode 111 is connected to the detection unit 150 via wiring or the like. The capacitance between the multiple electrodes 111 and an operating object such as a fingertip FT is detected by the detection unit 150. The capacitance of the electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 is an example of a detection amount and corresponds to a pressing force. That is, the capacitance of the electrode 111 is a value according to the distance between the fingertip FT and the electrode 111, and since the soft pad 101 with elasticity (cushioning properties) is interposed between them, it is possible to detect the pressing force as a result. Note that, here, a form in which the electrostatic sensor 110 is used to detect the capacitance between the electrode 111 and an operating object such as a fingertip FT to detect the pressing force will be described; however, instead of the electrostatic sensor 110, a strain element, a piezoelectric element, or the like may be used to detect the pressure due to the pressing operation.

[0028] The actuator 120 is a vibration element capable of transmitting vibrations to the soft pad 101, and is provided, for example, on the underside of the lid 143 of the support structure 140. The actuator 120 vibrates in the up and down direction. That is, the actuator 120 vibrates in the direction along the operating direction (downward) of the pressing operation. The actuator 120 is connected to the MCU 160 via wiring or the like, and is driven by a drive control unit 162 of the MCU 160.

[0029] Vibrations of the actuator 120 are transmitted to the electrostatic sensor 110 via the lid 143, substrate 144, and spacer 145 of the support structure 140, and then from the electrostatic sensor 110 to the soft pad 101. When the soft pad 101 is pressed more than a predetermined pressure, the actuator 120 begins to vibrate. The portions of the soft pad 101 that are not compressed in the vertical direction absorb most of the vibrations transmitted from the electrostatic sensor 110 and do not vibrate. However, the portions of the soft pad 101 that are compressed in the vertical direction have increased rigidity, allowing the vibrations transmitted from the electrostatic sensor 110 to be transmitted to the operation surface 101S compressed by the fingertip FT. In other words, the vibrations of the actuator 120 are transmitted to the operation surface 101S only in the portions that are compressed to some extent by the pressing operation, so that the vibrations can be presented to the fingertip FT performing the pressing operation. As a result, the user can perceive that the pressing operation has been accepted by the input device 100 from the vibrations presented to the fingertip FT. At the same time, vibration of the soft pad 101 is suppressed in the area not pressed by the fingertip FT.

[0030] Furthermore, since the vibration direction of the actuator 120 is along the operating direction (downward) of the pressing operation, it is possible to present vibrations in a direction that repels the direction (downward) in which the user applies force to the fingertip FT, making it easier for the user to perceive the vibrations.

[0031] Since the actuator 120 is only required to be able to transmit vibrations to the soft pad 101, it may be provided not only on the underside of the lid 143 but also on a part of the support structure 140 other than the lid 143, or on the underside of the soft pad 101, etc.

[0032] As an example, when a pressing operation performed by the user on the input device 100 is confirmed, the actuator 120 is driven by the MCU 160 to present a vibration to the user.

[0033] Two LEDs 130 are arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 144 at positions overlapping the two operation units 105 in a plan view. The LEDs 130 are provided on the opposite side of the electrostatic sensor 110 from the side on which the foam layer 101B is located.

[0034] Here, a description will be given of a configuration in which the input device 100 includes two LEDs 130, but as an example, it is sufficient that one LED 130 is provided corresponding to each operation unit 105, and therefore, if the input device 100 has a plurality of operation units 105, it is sufficient that a plurality of LEDs 130 are provided corresponding to the plurality of operation units 105. Each LED 130 is switched between on (emitting light) and off (not emitting light) by a light emission control unit 163 of the MCU 160.

[0035] A light guiding unit 131 is provided above each LED 130. The light guiding unit 131 may be any light guide that can guide the light emitted by the LED 130 to the electrostatic sensor 110, and may have a form that has a gap that guides the light, or may be made of a transparent resin that guides the light, or the like.

[0036] The support structure 140 is a structure that supports the electrostatic sensor 110, the actuator 120, and the LED 130. The support structure 140 includes a case 141, a damper 142, a lid 143, a substrate 144, and a spacer 145, for example.

[0037] The case 141 is a housing disposed below the input device 100. For example, the case 141 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, similar to the soft pad 101 shown in FIG. 1. The case 141 has a base 141A and an engagement portion 141B. For example, the base 141A has a rectangular shape in a plan view and is a concave, container-like portion. The base 141A has a concave shape with a recessed upper side in the XZ cross section shown in FIG. 2A, and has a similar shape in the YZ cross section. The engagement portion 141B is a portion extending outward in the X and Y directions from the upper end of the base 141A in a plan view, and is placed on a step 12 on the inside of the main body 10 and fixed with screws (not shown) or the like.

[0038] Damper 142 is a member having a rectangular ring shape in a plan view, which is provided between the upper end of base 141A and lid 143. Damper 142 is a buffer member that suppresses transmission of vibrations of actuator 120 to main body 10 via case 141, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. Lid 143 is a rectangular plate member having approximately the same size as case 141 in a plan view. By covering the upper side of case 141 with lid 143 via damper 142 having a rectangular ring shape in a plan view, it is possible to seal the space in which actuator 120, which is provided on the underside of lid 143, is provided, and it is possible to protect actuator 120 from dust and the like.

[0039] The substrate 144 is a wiring substrate on which the LEDs 130 are provided on the upper surface. The substrate 144 is a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) and has wiring connected to the LEDs 130. The LEDs 130 are connected to the MCU 160 via the wiring of the substrate 144 and a communication cable or the like connected to the substrate 144.

[0040] The spacer 145 is provided between the upper surface of the substrate 144 and the lower surface of the electrostatic sensor 110, and is fixed to the substrate 144 and the electrostatic sensor 110. As an example, the lower surface of the spacer 145 is bonded to the upper surface of the substrate 144, and the upper surface of the spacer 145 is bonded to the lower surface of the electrostatic sensor 110.

[0041] The spacer 145 is made of resin, for example. The spacer 145 does not have to be transparent. A plurality of spacers 145 are provided on a portion of the upper surface of the substrate 144 where the LEDs 130 and the light guiding unit 131 are not provided, and have a height equal to the combined height of the LEDs 130 and the light guiding unit 131. Note that instead of using a plurality of spacers 145, a plate-like member having through holes at the positions of the LEDs 130 and the light guiding unit 131 in a planar view may be used. The spacer 145 is provided to hold the electrostatic sensor 110 above the substrate 144 and to determine the height position of the electrostatic sensor 110 relative to the substrate 144.

[0042] The input drive unit 100A, which is composed of the electrostatic sensor 110, actuator 120, LED 130, light guide unit 131, and support structure 140 as described above, is integrated by being supported directly or indirectly by the support structure 140, so the input drive unit 100A can be easily attached to the main body 10 by placing it inside the main body 10 and fixing the case 141 to the main body 10 with screws or the like.

[0043] Furthermore, with the input driving unit 100A attached to the main body 10, the soft pad 101 with the frame member 20 attached is placed on the electrostatic sensor 110, and the soft pad 101 is attached to the main body 10 via the frame member 20, thereby making it possible to easily attach the input device 100 to the main body 10.

[0044] The detection unit 150 detects a capacitance value (electrostatic capacitance value) representing the electrostatic capacitance of each electrode 111 of the electrostatic sensor 110, converts it into a digital value, and outputs it to the MCU 160. As an example, such a detection unit 150 can be realized by an IC (Integrated Circuit) including an A / D converter.

[0045] The MCU 160 is connected to the detection unit 150. The MCU 160 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, and the like.

[0046] The MCU 160 has a determination unit 161, a drive control unit 162, and a light emission control unit 163. The determination unit 161, the drive control unit 162, and the light emission control unit 163 are functional blocks that represent the functions of a program executed by the MCU 160.

[0047] The determination unit 161 determines, from the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150, that an operation input by the fingertip FT has been performed on any of the electrodes 111. When the user touches the operation unit 105 on the operation surface 101S of the soft pad 101 with the fingertip FT, the capacitance value (electrostatic capacitance value) between the fingertip FT and the electrode 111 changes, and when the user presses the operation unit 105, the capacitance value (electrostatic capacitance value) between the fingertip FT and the electrode 111 changes even more. Therefore, the determination unit 161 can determine, based on the capacitance value of the electrode 111, whether any of the operation units 105 has been selected and whether a pressing operation has been performed. A threshold value used for the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 when the determination unit 161 determines whether a pressing operation has been performed will be described later.

[0048] When the determination unit 161 determines that a pressing operation has been performed, the drive control unit 162 drives the actuator 120 to vibrate. Here, as an example, when the operation input performed by the user on the input device 100 is confirmed, the drive control unit 162 drives the actuator 120 to present a vibration to the user. The vibration presented to the fingertip FT enables the user to perceive that the pressing operation has been accepted by the input device 100. Therefore, the input device 100 can be used, as an example, as a switch that can be operated by touch without looking at the hand, such as an in-vehicle input device.

[0049] The drive control unit 162 vibrates the actuator 120 at a frequency of 200 Hz or less. Because the foam material of the foam layer 101B absorbs high-frequency components well, it is less likely to vibrate when driven at a relatively high frequency. Therefore, it is desirable to drive it at a relatively low frequency. From this perspective, as an example, by vibrating the actuator 120 at a frequency of 200 kHz or less, when the foam layer 101B is compressed (the soft pad 101 is compressed), the vibration is reliably transmitted to the fingertip FT.

[0050] The light emission control unit 163 controls the light emission of the LEDs 130. The light emission control unit 163 may turn on all of the LEDs 130 when the power of the input device 100 is on. Alternatively, the light emission control unit 163 may keep all of the LEDs 130 off when none of the operation units 105 is selected, and may cause the LEDs 130 to emit light when the fingertip FT approaches any of the operation units 105 and the operation unit 105 is selected.

[0051] Furthermore, when each LED 130 includes a plurality of LED elements with different light emission colors, the light emission control unit 163 may switch the light emission color, for example, when the fingertip FT approaches. Furthermore, when each LED 130 includes a plurality of LED elements with different light emission colors, the light emission control unit 163 may switch the light emission color, for example, when a pressing operation is performed. Furthermore, the light emission control unit 163 may switch the light emission state (on or off) of the LED 130 or the light emission state of the plurality of LED elements in accordance with the selection of any of the operation units 105 and the pressing operation using a method other than those described above.

[0052] <Pressing amount of soft pad 101 for pressing operation> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the compressibility of the soft pad 101 and the vibration acceleration occurring in the soft pad 101. The characteristics shown in Fig. 3 are, as an example, characteristics obtained when soft polyurethane with a resilience of 30% to 50% is used as the foam layer 101B.

[0053] 3 shows the relationship between the compression ratio and vibration acceleration when three samples A to C are used as the foam layer 101B. Sample A has a resilience of 45% and a density of 50 kg / m 3 The foam layer has a 25% hardness of 178N. Sample B has a rebound resilience of 45% and a density of 35kg / m 3 The foam layer has a 25% hardness of 147N. Sample C has a rebound resilience of 40% and a density of 26kg / m 3 The foam layer has a 25% hardness of 108 N. The 25% hardness is, for example, the hardness according to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) K6400-2, and the resilience is, for example, the resilience according to JIS K6400-3.

[0054] An electrostatic sensor 110 is located under the soft pad 101 , and vibrations of the actuator 120 are transmitted to the electrostatic sensor 110 via the lid 143 , substrate 144 and spacer 145 of the support structure 140 , and then from the electrostatic sensor 110 to the soft pad 101 .

[0055] Because the foam layer 101B of the soft pad 101 is made of a foam material, when it is not compressed in the vertical direction, it absorbs most of the vibrations transmitted from the electrostatic sensor 110 and does not transmit them to the operation surface 101S. However, when the foam layer 101B is compressed to a certain extent, its rigidity increases and it transmits the vibrations transmitted from the electrostatic sensor 110 to the operation surface 101S. In other words, when the soft pad 101 is compressed to a certain extent by a pressing operation, the soft pad 101 transmits the vibrations transmitted from the electrostatic sensor 110 to the fingertip FT that is pressing the operation unit 105.

[0056] By utilizing the characteristics of the foam layer 101B of the soft pad 101, when the soft pad 101 is pressed to a certain extent by a pressing operation and the foam layer 101B is compressed to an extent that it can transmit vibrations, the input device 100 determines that the operation input is confirmed by the pressing operation and drives the actuator 120 to transmit vibrations to the fingertip FT.

[0057] In the characteristics shown in Fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents the compression rate (%) of the soft pad 101, and the vertical axis represents the vibration acceleration occurring in the soft pad 101. The compression rate is a value expressed as a percentage of the amount of compression when the soft pad 101 is compressed in the vertical direction when no pressing operation is performed, and in this specification it is expressed as (amount of compression of the soft pad 101) / (thickness of the soft pad 101 before compression). The acceleration is expressed as a normalized value (without units).

[0058] Because the soft pad 101 has a uniform configuration, the compression ratio shown in FIG. 3 may be regarded as the compression ratio of a portion of the entire soft pad 101 corresponding to one operating element 105 where a pressing operation is being performed. For example, if the thickness of the soft pad 101 when no pressing operation is being performed is 100, the thickness of the soft pad 101 will be 60 at a compression ratio of 40%, and the thickness of the soft pad 101 will be 40 at a compression ratio of 60%. In actual use, the upper limit of the compression ratio of the soft pad 101 is 80%. If the soft pad 101 is compressed so that the compression ratio exceeds 80%, it will be difficult for the foam layer 101B to return to its original state. As is clear from FIG. 3, at a compression ratio of 91% for sample A, 88% for sample B, and 83% for sample C, it is recognized that the gaps in the foam layer have disappeared and further compression is not possible.

[0059] The determination unit 161 determines the amount of pressing caused by the pressing operation based on the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150. When the amount of pressing caused by the pressing operation increases, the distance between the fingertip FT and the electrode 111 narrows, and therefore, the capacitance value of the electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 increases as the amount of pressing increases.

[0060] Therefore, in the characteristics of FIG. 3, the capacitance value of electrode 111 corresponding to the compression rate when the gradient of acceleration becomes large to some extent may be set as the threshold value used by determining unit 161 to determine whether a pressing operation has occurred.

[0061] In the characteristics of FIG. 3, when the compression rate is less than 40%, the acceleration value is small. Therefore, the fingertip FT hardly feels any vibration. When the compression rate is 40% or more, the gradient of the acceleration of samples A to C becomes steep. Therefore, the input device 100, for example, determines that a pressing operation has been performed when the compression rate is 40% or more, and confirms the operation input. The threshold value used by the determination unit 161 for determination may be set to the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 when the compression rate is 40%. Note that, if a strain element, a piezoelectric element, or the like is used instead of the electrostatic sensor 110 to detect the pressure due to the pressing operation by the detection unit 150, the threshold value may be set to the pressure value detected by the detection unit 150 when the compression rate is 40%.

[0062] As mentioned above, if the compression rate exceeds 80%, it will be difficult for the foam layer 101B to return to its original state, so the upper limit of the compression rate must be set to 80%.Therefore, the threshold value used by the judgment unit 161 for judgment can be set to the capacitance value of the electrode 111 corresponding to a compression rate of 40% or more and 80% or less (40% to 80%).

[0063] 3, the acceleration gradient becomes even steeper when the compression ratio of samples A to C becomes 57.4% or higher, so more preferably, the threshold value used by determination unit 161 for determination should be set to a capacitance value that is 80% or less of the capacitance value of electrode 111 that corresponds to a compression ratio of 57.4%. A compression ratio of 57.4% is the compression ratio at which the accelerations of samples A to C in FIG. 3 approximately match.

[0064] 3, the characteristic showing the relationship between the compression rate of soft pad 101 and the vibration acceleration occurring in soft pad 101 can be found, for example, as follows: A cushion member corresponding to soft pad 101 is placed on a substrate (corresponding to a member combining substrate 144 and lid 143), an actuator is attached below the substrate, and the substrate is placed on a fixed part (corresponding to a member combining case 141 and main body 10) via a holding member such as a damper rubber (corresponding to damper 142). An acceleration sensor is attached to a push rod simulating a fingertip FT, and with the actuator driven, the push rod is pressed against the top surface of the cushion member, and the acceleration is measured with the acceleration sensor as the push rod is gradually pressed in with a push-pull gauge, thereby obtaining the characteristic showing the relationship between compression rate and acceleration shown in FIG. Note that the measured stroke value by the push-pull gauge will not be the same as the actual compression amount of the soft pad 101 because the damper rubber and the urethane material used as the push rod simulating the fingertip FT will be crushed. However, since the hardness of the damper rubber and the urethane material is known, the characteristics shown in Figure 3 can be obtained by making corrections according to the amount of crushing.

[0065] Then, based on the obtained characteristics, the compression ratio for determining a pressing operation is determined, and the capacitance value of electrode 111 corresponding to the determined compression ratio is set as the threshold value of determination unit 161 .

[0066] <Flowchart> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the MCU 160.

[0067] When the process starts, the determination unit 161 acquires the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 (step S1).

[0068] The determination unit 161 determines whether an operation input for selecting any of the operation units 105 has been performed based on the capacitance value of each electrode 111 (step S2). Since step S2 is a process for determining whether an operation input for selecting one of the operation units 105 has been performed, the threshold value for the capacitance value is a threshold value smaller than the threshold value used in step S3 (determination of a pressing operation) described later.

[0069] When the determination unit 161 determines that an operation input for selecting one of the operation units 105 has been performed (S2: YES), it causes, for example, the corresponding LED 130 to light up. Thereafter, it determines whether a pressing operation has been performed based on the capacitance value of each electrode 111 (step S3). For example, the threshold capacitance value for determining whether a pressing operation has been performed is a value corresponding to the capacitance value of each electrode 111 detected by the detection unit 150 when the compression rate is 60%. It may be determined that a pressing operation has been performed when the threshold value is exceeded once. However, it may also be determined that a pressing operation has been performed when the threshold value is exceeded a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time period, taking noise and the like into consideration. When a pressing operation is performed, the operation input by the pressing operation is confirmed. The determination unit 161 notifies a device using the input device 100 as an input unit that the operation input by the pressing operation has been confirmed. As a result, the device that has received the notification executes a function corresponding to the operation unit 105 on which the pressing operation has been performed.

[0070] When the determination unit 161 determines that a pressing operation has been performed (S3: YES), the drive control unit 162 vibrates the actuator 120 in a predetermined pattern for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times (step S4). This transmits vibration to the operation unit 105, which has been compressed by the pressing operation, and the vibration is presented to the fingertip FT performing the pressing operation, allowing the user to perceive that the pressing operation has been accepted by the input device 100. Note that, if it is determined in step S3 that a pressing operation has been performed, the actuator 120 is vibrated in a predetermined pattern for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, and the capacitance value is not measured during the vibration operation. Therefore, even if the capacitance value falls below a threshold value during the vibration operation, the vibration operation does not stop. Note that the capacitance value may be constantly acquired at predetermined time intervals. In this case, the capacitance value may not be compared with the threshold value during the vibration operation, or, if a comparison is performed, the result may be ignored.

[0071] The MCU 160 repeatedly executes the process from start to end for each control cycle. Note that if the determination unit 161 determines in step S2 that an operation input to select the operation unit 105 has not been performed (S2: NO) or if the determination unit 161 determines in step S3 that a pressing operation has not been performed (S3: NO), the MCU 160 ends the process for the control cycle (end).

[0072] <Effects> As described above, the input device 100 includes the epidermis layer 101A having the operation surface 101S on which an operation input is performed by the fingertip FT, the foam layer 101B provided on the opposite side of the epidermis layer 101A from the operation surface 101S, the electrostatic sensor 110 arranged on the opposite side of the foam layer 101B from the side where the operation surface 101S is located and capable of detecting the fingertip FT, and the actuator 120 capable of applying vibrations to the foam layer 101B. The input device 100 also includes a detection unit 150 that detects the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110, a determination unit 161 that determines that a pressing operation has been performed in which the fingertip FT presses the operation surface 101S when the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and a drive control unit 162 that drives the actuator 120 when the determination unit 161 determines that a pressing operation has been performed. The predetermined threshold is a value corresponding to the amount of pressing that compresses the foam layer 101B by a predetermined value or more.

[0073] Therefore, when the surface layer 101A is pressed and the foam layer 101B is compressed by a predetermined amount, the determination unit 161 determines that a pressing operation has been performed and generates vibrations, thereby allowing the operator to recognize that a pressing operation has been performed.

[0074] Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100 that can transmit vibrations only to the operation unit 105. Furthermore, since foam material does not vibrate when it is only slightly compressed, and only the compressed portion (operation unit 105) transmits vibrations, the load required for vibration can be reduced, and vibrations can be presented to the fingertip FT pressing the operation unit 105 with less vibration energy than in an input device that vibrates the entire operation surface 101S. Furthermore, the soft pad 101 can be used as an interior part such as trim in the vehicle cabin, and the operation unit 105 can be installed in various locations inside the vehicle. Furthermore, since the soft pad 101 acts as a vibration damping material in the portion that is not pressed, it is possible to minimize the transmission of vibrations to areas other than the operation unit 105.

[0075] Furthermore, the predetermined threshold is set to a value corresponding to the amount of pressing that compresses the foam layer 101B by 40% or more, so that in this state the foam layer 101B can transmit vibrations and present vibrations to the fingertip FT. The predetermined threshold is set to a value corresponding to the amount of pressing that compresses the foam layer 101B by 80% or less, and vibrations are generated when this threshold is exceeded. This allows the operator to recognize that a pressing has been detected, so there is little chance of pressing further. Therefore, there is little chance that the foam layer 101B will be compressed by 80% or more. If the amount of compression of the foam layer 101B exceeds 80%, problems will occur in the recovery process, but this can reduce this possibility.

[0076] Since the actuator 120 vibrates in a direction along the operating direction of the pressing operation, it can present vibrations in a direction that repels the direction (downward) in which the user applies force to the fingertip FT, making it easier for the vibrations to be transmitted to the fingertip FT and making it easier for the user to perceive the vibrations.

[0077] Furthermore, the actuator 120 and the electrostatic sensor 110 are directly or indirectly coupled, and the foam layer 101B is provided as a separate body from the input drive unit 100A, which is a combination of the actuator 120 and the electrostatic sensor 110, and is assembled to the input drive unit 100A. Therefore, the soft pad 101 including the foam layer 101B does not need to be adhered to the input drive unit 100A, but the soft pad is placed on the electrostatic sensor 110 and attached to the main body 10 via the frame member 20, thereby making it possible to easily attach the input device 100 to the main body 10. At the same time, since the actuator 120 vibrates in a direction along the operating direction of the pressing operation, vibrations can be transmitted to the fingertip FT without the soft pad 101 being adhered to the input drive unit 100A.

[0078] Furthermore, the drive control unit 162 vibrates the actuator 120 at a frequency of 200 Hz or less. Since the soft pad 101 has the property of absorbing vibrations of high frequency components well, by vibrating the actuator 120 with vibrations in a frequency band that are difficult to absorb by the soft pad 101, it is possible to easily transmit the vibrations to the fingertip FT.

[0079] The electrostatic sensor 110 further includes an LED 130 provided on the opposite side of the electrostatic sensor 110 from the side where the foam layer 101B is located. The electrostatic sensor 110 is transparent, and the illumination from the LED 130 illuminates the surface layer 101A so that it is visible from the operation surface 101S side. The foam layer 101B has a light diffusion effect, so that the operation unit 105 can be uniformly illuminated. Furthermore, illuminating the operation unit 105 can improve visibility and design.

[0080] In the above description, the soft pad 101 is assembled in an uncompressed state onto the electrostatic sensor 110. However, the soft pad 101 may be assembled on the electrostatic sensor 110 in a state where it is compressed to some extent.

[0081] 5 is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a modified example of the embodiment. In the input device 100M, the soft pad 101 is assembled on the electrostatic sensor 110 in a state where it is compressed by about 30%, for example. The other configurations are the same as those of the input device 100 shown in FIG. 2A.

[0082] If a frame member 20 thinner than that shown in FIG. 2A is used, the soft pad 101 is soft, so that it can be assembled onto the electrostatic sensor 110 with the underside compressed.

[0083] In this way, the amount of pressure required to confirm the pressing operation can be reduced, and the amount of pressure required to present vibration when the pressing operation is confirmed can be adjusted. Note that, since the soft pad 101 includes the foam layer 101B, the position of the operation surface 101S, which is the upper surface of the skin layer 101A, remains almost unchanged. Therefore, even if the skin layer 101A is formed of an interior part such as a trim in the interior of a vehicle, almost no step is created on the operation surface 101S.

[0084] The above describes an input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 100 Input Device 100A input drive unit (example of combined unit) 101 Soft Pad 101A Epidermal layer 101B Foam layer 101S operation surface 105 Operation section 110 Electrostatic sensor (an example of a detection element) 111 Electrode 120 Actuator (an example of a vibration element) 130 LED (example of lighting part) 131 Light guide section 140 Support Structure 141 cases 142 Damper 143 Lid 144 PCB 145 Spacer 150 Detector 160 MCU 161 Judgment Department 162 Drive control unit 163 Light Emission Control Unit

Claims

1. a skin layer having an operation surface on which an operation input is performed by an operating object; a foam layer provided on the opposite side of the surface layer from the operation surface; a detection element that is disposed on the opposite side of the foam layer from the side where the operation surface is located and that is capable of detecting the operation body; a vibration element capable of imparting vibration to the foam layer; a detection unit that detects the detection amount of the detection element; a determination unit that determines that a pressing operation has been performed by the operating object pressing the operating surface when the amount of detection by the detection unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; a drive control unit that drives the vibration element when the determination unit determines that the pressing operation has been performed; Including, The predetermined threshold value is a value corresponding to a pressing amount that compresses the foam layer by a predetermined value or more.

2. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold value is a value corresponding to a pressing amount that compresses the foam layer by 40 to 80%.

3. The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the vibration element vibrates in a direction along the operation direction of the pressing operation.

4. 4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the vibration element and the detection element are directly or indirectly coupled, and the foam layer is provided as a separate body from the combined body of the vibration element and the detection element and is assembled to the combined body.

5. The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the drive control unit vibrates the vibration element at a frequency of 200 Hz or less.

6. the vibration element and the detection element are directly or indirectly coupled to each other to form a combined body, The input device of claim 2 , wherein the foam layer is assembled to the coupling body in a compressed state.

7. The input device of claim 4 , wherein the foam layer is assembled to the assembly in a compressed state.

8. The device further includes an illumination unit provided on the opposite side of the detection element from the side where the foam layer is located, the sensing element is transparent; The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the illumination portion illuminates the skin layer so as to be visible from the operation surface side.

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