Vibration actuator and vibration presentation device

Abstract

To provide a vibration actuator which achieves long life and noise reduction.SOLUTION: A vibration actuator includes: a movable part which applies vibration to a vibration presentation part receiving a pressing operation; a vibration generating part which generates the vibration of the movable part in response to the pressing operation; a base part; and an elastic support part which supports the movable part so that the movable part can vibrate in a direction that the movable part contacts with or separates from the base part. The movable part has: a load detection part which is provided between a presentation part side fixing part which can be fixed to the vibration presentation part and a support part side fixing part fixed to the elastic support part and detects a strain caused by the pressing operation as a load; and a movement restriction part which is provided closer to the side of the presentation part side fixing part than the load detection part and engages with an engaged part of the base part through a buffer member to restrict movement of the movable part when the movable part moves in a direction away from the base part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration actuator that applies vibration in response to a pressing operation, and a vibration presentation device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration is known in which a vibration actuator is used to impart vibration to the pad of an operator's finger when the operator touches a display screen displayed on a touch panel, which is a sensing panel, to provide a touch operation sensation (a sensation of operating by touch) (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device in which a vibration actuator is attached to the back surface of a touch panel via a vibration transmission unit. The vibration actuator of this device is arranged in a housing fixed to the vibration transmission unit, with a mover reciprocating along a guide shaft arranged perpendicular to the touch panel. The vibration actuator imparts vibration to the finger pad that touches the touch panel via the vibration transmission unit, although there is a possibility of generating a collision sound when the mover hits the housing in response to an operation on the touch panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0005] In a vibration presentation device that presents vibration in response to a pressing operation, strong vibrations or strong external shocks may continue depending on the purpose and usage of the operation device. On the other hand, it is known that the vibration presentation device needs to detect a pressing operation on the screen, and if the vibration presentation device is subjected to a strong shock continuously, collision sounds may occur frequently and excessive stress may be applied to the sensor, causing malfunctions and requiring maintenance such as repairs and replacements in a short period of time.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator and a vibration presentation device that can improve shock resistance and reduce noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vibration actuator of the present invention comprises: A movable part that applies vibration to a vibration presentation part that is pressed by the pressing operation; a vibration generating unit that generates the vibration of the movable part in response to the pressing operation; A base portion; an elastic support portion that supports the movable portion relative to the base portion so as to be vibrable in a direction toward and away from the movable portion; having The movable part is Fixed to the vibration presentation unit Will be A presentation unit side fixing part and a support unit side fixing part fixed to the elastic support unit and the presentation unit side fixing unit and the support unit side fixing unit. and detects the strain caused by the pressing operation as a load. A distortion detection unit. A load detection unit; before Note distortion a movement restriction portion that is provided closer to the presentation unit fixed portion than the detection portion, and that restricts movement of the movable portion by engaging with the engaged portion of the base portion via a buffer member when the movable portion moves in a direction away from the base portion; The configuration has the following.

[0008] The vibration presentation device of the present invention comprises: The vibration actuator described above; A touch panel as the vibration presentation unit; The present invention has a configuration having the above. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve impact resistance and reduce noise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vibration presentation device having a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vibration actuator. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing an actuator body and a load detection portion in the vibration actuator. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator. [Figure 6] 6 is an exploded view of the coil assembly of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an actuator body of the vibration actuator. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing wiring of the strain detector. [Figure 10] 4 is a partially enlarged front view showing a movement restricting portion of the vibration actuator. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a partial right side view showing the movement restricting portion as viewed from a direction C in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the movement restricting portion as viewed from a direction C in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the movement restricting portion as viewed from a direction C in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a magnetic circuit configuration of the actuator body. [Figure 15] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the actuator body. [Figure 16]13 is a diagram for explaining a control section of the actuator body. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the vibration presentation device. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a main part of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the configuration of the main parts of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the main parts of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, the description will be given using a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z). The same Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used in the figures to be described later. In the following, the width, height, and depth of the vibration presentation device 1 having the vibration actuator 10 are lengths in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, and the width, height, and depth of the vibration actuator 10 are also lengths in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. In addition, the positive side of the Z direction is the direction in which vibration feedback is given to the operator, and is referred to as the "front side" (or "upper side"), and the negative side of the Z direction is the direction in which the operator presses when operating, and is referred to as the "rear side" (or "lower side"). In addition, in each part constituting the vibration actuator 10, the surface on the "front side" (or "upper side") is referred to as the "front surface" (or "upper surface"), and the surface on the "rear side" (or "lower side") is referred to as the "rear side" (or "lower surface").

[0013] <Basic Configuration of the Vibration Presentation Device 1 Having the Vibration Actuator 10> 1 includes a vibration actuator 10 and an operation device (a touch panel 2 in this embodiment) as a vibration presentation section that is touch-operated by an operator. The vibration presentation device 1 is a tactile presentation device that imparts a touch operation sensation (also called a "tactile sensation" or "force sensation") to an operator who touches and operates the operation device depending on the purpose and usage situation of the operation device through the operation device.

[0014] In this embodiment, the operation device is a touch panel 2 that displays a screen and is operated by touching the screen. The touch panel 2 is a capacitive, resistive, optical, or other type of touch panel. The touch panel 2 detects the touch position of the operator and is controlled by a control unit (including, for example, the microcomputer 220 shown in FIG. 17). In this embodiment, the touch panel 2 is a capacitive touch panel. This control unit can obtain information on the user's touch position via a touch panel control unit (not shown). The screen 2a of the touch panel 2 is composed of a display unit of a liquid crystal type, an organic electroluminescence type, an electronic paper type, a plasma type, or the like. The touch panel 2 may be controlled by a touch panel control unit. The touch panel control unit controls display information (not shown) to present an image corresponding to the type of presented vibration on the screen to the operator.

[0015] The vibration presentation device 1 is used as, for example, an electronic device, such as a touch panel device of a car navigation system. The vibration presentation device 1 functions as a device that presents vibration to an operator who operates by touching a screen 2a of a touch panel 2. In this case, the vibration presentation device 1 may be any electronic device that presents vibration to an operator who touches a vibration target, thereby giving the operator a tactile sensation. For example, the vibration presentation device 1 may be an image display device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a television, a game machine with a touch panel, or a game controller with a touch panel.

[0016] Specifically, when an operator touches a screen 2a of the touch panel 2 with a pressing object such as the pad of a finger, the vibration presentation device 1 correspondingly drives the vibration actuator 10 to vibrate. This vibration provides the operator with a tactile sensation.

[0017] The vibration actuator 10 of this embodiment provides various types of tactile sensations in response to the displayed image operated by the operator. For example, the vibration actuator 10 provides the tactile sensation of a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch, an alternate switch, a momentary switch, a toggle switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch, a DIP switch, or a rocker switch in response to the image that is touched and operated. In addition, for push-type switches, the tactile sensation of switches with different degrees of depression can also be provided.

[0018] In the vibration presentation device 1, instead of the touch panel 2 as an operation device, an operation device that does not have a display function and can be simply operated by the operator by touching it may be used.

[0019] In the vibration presentation device 1, the vibration actuator 10 is disposed between the touch panel 2 and a base unit (not shown) disposed on the rear side of the touch panel 2. The vibration actuator 10 is fixed to the base unit (not shown) by a fixing body 30.

[0020] <Vibration display unit (touch panel 2)> The back surface of the touch panel 2 is fixed to a strain-generating member 90 of a load detection unit K1 provided on a movable body 40 (see FIG. 2) of the actuator body A1 in the vibration actuator 10. In this manner, the vibration actuator 10 is disposed between the touch panel 2 and the base unit (not shown) so as to connect them to each other.

[0021] The touch panel 2 itself can be driven integrally with the movable body 40. The direction in which an operator touches and presses the screen 2a of the touch panel 2 with a finger or the like, for example, a direction perpendicular to the screen of the touch panel 2 (also called the "direction perpendicular to the surface"), is included in the same direction as the Z direction, which is the vibration direction of the movable body 40 in the vibration actuator 10. In the vibration actuator 10, the pressing direction is the negative Z direction.

[0022] In this way, according to the vibration presentation device 1 which is equipped with a control unit, a touch panel 2, and a vibration actuator 10, the touch panel 2 is directly operated, that is, the touch panel 2 is driven together with the movable body 40 in the same direction as the touch direction of the finger, so that the touch panel 2 can be vibrated directly.

[0023] Therefore, when touching and operating an image displayed on the touch panel 2, the movable body 40 can be moved to impart vibrations to the touch panel 2 that provide an operation feel according to the image. The image may be an image of an object that provides a tactile sensation to a finger or the like when touched, or an image of an object that moves while providing a tactile sensation upon contact. This allows the touch panel 2 to present vibrations to the operator, and to express an operation that is comfortable to use.

[0024] The touch panel 2 of this embodiment has a contact position detection unit that can detect, even without contact, the position of an operator's finger (pressing object) pressing the screen 2a of the touch panel 2. The contact position detection unit is a proximity sensor that electrically detects the presence of a pressing object in the vicinity, and in this embodiment, it detects the position of the finger by detecting capacitive coupling with the operator's finger.

[0025] The capacitance sensor used in a normal capacitive touch panel has a sensitivity level that responds to the position of a finger touching the screen. In contrast, the contact position detection unit of the present embodiment can detect even when the finger is not touching the screen 2a and is floating a predetermined distance above the screen 2a. This predetermined distance is set by making the sensitivity of the contact position detection unit that detects capacitive coupling higher than that of a capacitance sensor used to detect a pressing object that touches the screen in a normal touch panel. As a result, the contact position detection unit has a detection sensitivity that can detect the contact position of a pressing object such as a finger even if the contact is made through a material that cannot be capacitively coupled. Based on the position of the finger detected by the contact position detection unit in this way, the movable body 40 of the vibration actuator 10 is driven by a control unit described later.

[0026] <Overall Configuration of Vibration Actuator 10> Fig. 2 is a front view of the vibration actuator, Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the vibration actuator, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the actuator body and the load detection unit in the vibration actuator, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator, and Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the coil assembly of the vibration actuator shown in Fig. 5.

[0027] The vibration actuator 10 is a flat or thin plate vibration actuator, and is disposed so as to face the rear surface side of the touch panel 2 in the thickness direction, assuming that the Z direction is the thickness direction.

[0028] The vibration actuator 10 has an actuator body A1 and a load detection section K1. The load detection section K1 is provided on a movable body 40 of the actuator body A1, and functions together with the movable body 40 as a movable section.

[0029] The vibration actuator 10 detects the distortion of the distortion member 90 when the touch panel 2 is pressed by a distortion detection section 99, and vibrates in accordance with the detection result of the distortion detection section 99 to impart vibration to the touch panel 2. First, the actuator body A1 will be described.

[0030] <Actuator body A1> 7 is a front perspective view of the actuator body of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0031] In this embodiment, the actuator body A1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 is mounted on a vibration presentation device (electronic device) 1 together with a control unit, and functions as a vibration generating unit of a touch panel 2 (see FIG. 1) which is an example of an operating device.

[0032] The actuator main body A1 functions as an electromagnetic actuator that drives the movable body 40 in one direction and moves the movable body 40 in the direction opposite to that one direction by the force of a member that generates a force (plate-shaped elastic parts 50-1, 50-2), thereby causing the movable body 40 to move back and forth in a linear manner (vibrate).

[0033] The touch panel 2 vibrates in response to a touch operation by an operator on the screen 2a of the touch panel 2, and the vibration of the touch panel 2 is transmitted to the operator so that the operator can feel it, thereby enabling an intuitive operation by the operator who touches the touch panel 2. For example, the touch panel 2 receives a touch operation by the operator on the touch panel 2 through a touch position detection unit and outputs the touch position. In this case, based on the touch position information output by the touch position detection unit and the drive timing, the control unit outputs an actuator drive signal to supply a drive current to the actuator main body A1 so that a vibration corresponding to the touch operation is generated.

[0034] The actuator body A1, which receives the drive current supplied from the control unit, generates vibrations corresponding to the touch position output from the touch panel 2 and transmits the vibrations to the touch panel 2, directly vibrating the touch panel 2. In this way, the actuator body A1 accepts the operation of the operator received by the touch panel 2 and drives in response to the operation.

[0035] When an actuator drive signal is input via the control unit, the actuator body A1 moves the movable body 40 in one direction, for example, the negative Z direction, against the biasing force. When the input of the actuator drive signal to the actuator body A1 is stopped, the actuator body A1 releases the biasing force and moves the movable body 40 in the other direction (the positive Z direction) by the biasing force. The actuator body A1 vibrates the movable body 40 and the operating device by inputting and stopping the actuator drive signal. The actuator body A1 drives the movable body 40 without using a magnet, causing the operating device to vibrate.

[0036] The actuator body A1 includes a core assembly 20 formed by winding a coil 22 around a core 24, a fixed body 30 having a base portion 32, a movable body 40 having a magnetic yoke 41, and plate-shaped elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) as elastic support portions. The plate-shaped elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) elastically support the movable body 40 relative to the fixed body 30 so as to be movable in the vibration direction, as will be described in detail later. Although the elastic support portion is plate-shaped, the elastic support portion does not have to be plate-shaped as long as it elastically supports the movable body 40 relative to the fixed body 30 so as to be movable in the vibration direction. In addition, the number of plate-shaped elastic portions 50 (50-1, 50-2) constituting the elastic support portion is not limited. In the following description, the "plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1, 50-2" are also collectively referred to simply as the "plate-shaped elastic portion 50".

[0037] When electricity is applied to the coil 22, the actuator body A1 drives the movable body 40 to move in one direction (for example, toward the negative Z direction, which is a direction toward the base portion 32) relative to the fixed body 30. The movement of the movable body 40 in the opposite direction to the one direction (for example, toward the positive Z direction) is performed by the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50.

[0038] The actuator main body A1 vibrates the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 by energizing the core assembly 20. Specifically, the movable body 40 is vibrated by an attraction force that electromagnetically attracts the yoke 41 by the core 24 excited by the energized coil 22, and by a biasing force by the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 that attempts to return the yoke 41 displaced in the Z direction to a neutral position in the Z direction.

[0039] The actuator body A1 is configured in a flat shape with its thickness direction aligned in the Z direction. The actuator body A1 vibrates the movable body 40 relative to the fixed body 30 in the Z direction, that is, the thickness direction, as the vibration direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the actuator body A1 moves the movable body 40 in one direction, i.e., the negative side of the Z direction, by the attraction force of the core 24, and moves the movable body 40 in the opposite direction, i.e., the positive side of the Z direction, by the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic part 50. Note that in the actuator body A1, a plurality of plate-shaped elastic parts 50 are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, and elastically support the movable body 40 at positions point-symmetric with respect to the movable center of the movable body 40, but this configuration is not limited to the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuator body A1 detects the displacement of the touch panel 2 being pressed as a distortion of the strain-generating member 90 by the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 serving as the strain detection unit 99, and moves and vibrates the movable body 40 in response to the detected distortion.

[0042] <Fixed body 30> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixed body 30 has the core assembly 20 having the coil 22, the core 24 and the bobbin 26, a base portion 32, and an engaged portion 35.

[0043] <Base part 32> The core assembly 20 is fixed to the base portion 32. The base portion 32 is connected to the movable body 40 via a plate-shaped elastic portion 50, and supports the movable body 40 so that it can move freely in the vibration direction. The base portion 32 is a flat-shaped member and forms the bottom surface of the actuator body A1, in other words, the bottom surface of the vibration actuator 10.

[0044] The base portion 32 has attachment portions 32a to which one end of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is fixed so as to sandwich the core assembly 20 in the width direction (X direction). The attachment portions 32a are each spaced the same distance from the core assembly 20 in the width direction (X direction) and are disposed at a higher position in the Z direction (i.e., on the front side) than the bottom surface portion 32b of the base portion 32. The distance from the attachment portions 32a to the core assembly 20 is a distance that defines a deformation region of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment portion 32a has a fixing hole 321 for fixing the plate-like elastic portion 50, and a fixing hole 322 for fixing the base portion 32 to a base portion side (not shown).

[0046] The fixing holes 322 are provided at both ends of the mounting portion 32a so as to sandwich the fixing hole 321 in the height direction (Y direction), and communicate with through holes (not shown) of cylindrical fixing legs 324 protruding from the back surface side of the mounting portion 32a. As a result, the base portion 32 is stably fixed over the entire surface to the base portion (not shown) by fastening members that engage with the fixing holes 322 via the fixing legs 324.

[0047] In this embodiment, the base portion 32 is made of processed sheet metal so that one side portion, which is the mounting portion 32a, and the other side portion sandwich the bottom surface portion 32b and are positioned apart in the width direction (X direction).

[0048] Between the mounting parts 32a, a recessed part having a bottom surface part 32b located on the rear side of the mounting parts 32a is provided. The space inside the recessed part, i.e., on the front side of the bottom surface part 32b, is a space for ensuring the elastic deformation stroke of the plate-shaped elastic part 50, and therefore the movable stroke of the movable body 40 supported by the plate-shaped elastic part 50.

[0049] The bottom surface portion 32b is rectangular in shape, and an opening 36 is formed in the center thereof, and the core assembly 20 is disposed within this opening 36.

[0050] The opening 36 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the core assembly 20. In this embodiment, the opening 36 is formed in a square shape. This allows the core assembly 20 and the movable body 40 to be disposed in the center of the actuator body A1, so that the actuator body A1 as a whole has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front. The opening 36 may also be rectangular (including square).

[0051] The lower portion of the core assembly 20 (the divided body 26b of the bobbin 26 and the lower portion of the coil 22) is inserted into the opening 36, and the core 24 is fixed so as to be located on the bottom surface portion 32b in a side view. As a result, the length (depth, thickness) of the actuator body A1 in the Z direction is shorter by the amount corresponding to the portion of the core assembly 20 disposed in the opening 36, compared to a configuration in which the entire core assembly 20 is disposed on the bottom surface portion 32b. Also, the core assembly 20 is fixed by a screw (not shown), which is an example of a fastening member, with a portion of the core assembly 20, here a portion of the lower side, fitted into the opening 36. As a result, the core assembly 20 is firmly fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b in a state in which it is difficult to come off the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0052] <Core assembly 20> As shown in FIG. 6, the core assembly 20 is constructed by winding the coil 22 around the outer periphery of a core 24 via a bobbin 26.

[0053] When electricity is applied to the coil 22, the core assembly 20 cooperates with the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 to vibrate the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 (moving linearly back and forth in the Z direction).

[0054] In this embodiment, the core assembly 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Magnetic pole portions 242, 244 are arranged on both sides of the rectangular plate that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (corresponding to the X direction in this embodiment).

[0055] The magnetic pole portions 242, 244 are disposed facing the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the movable body 40 with a gap G therebetween in the Z direction (see FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the opposing surfaces (opposing surface portions) 20a, 20b, which are the upper surfaces, are close to the rear surfaces of the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the yoke 41 in the vibration direction (Z direction) of the movable body 40. Specifically, the front surfaces of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 are disposed facing and spaced apart from the rear surfaces of the attracted surface portions 46, 47 at portions other than the notch portions 49.

[0056] 7 and 8, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the base portion 32 with the winding axis of the coil 22 facing the opposing direction of the spaced mounting portions 32a in the base portion 32 (the X direction perpendicular to the vibration direction). In this embodiment, the core assembly 20 is disposed in the center of the base portion 32, specifically, in the center of the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0057] 8, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b such that the core 24 is positioned parallel to the bottom surface portion 32b and straddles the opening 36 on the bottom surface portion 32b. The core assembly 20 is fixed with the coil 22 and the portion wound around the coil 22 (core body 241) positioned within the opening 36 of the base portion 32.

[0058] Specifically, the core assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 32b by fastening screws 68 as fastening members through the fixing holes 28 and the fastening holes 33 (see FIG. 8) of the bottom surface portion 32b with the coil 22 placed in the opening 36. The screws 68 are fastened at two points on the axis of the coil 22.

[0059] The coil 22 is energized when the actuator body A1 is driven, and functions as a solenoid that generates 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. A driving current is supplied to the coil 22 from an external power source via a control unit. When the driving current is supplied to the coil 22, the actuator body A1 is driven.

[0060] 6, the core 24 has a core body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound, and magnetic pole parts 242, 244 that are provided at both ends of the core body 241 and are excited by energizing the coil 22. The core 24 may have any structure as long as it has a length that allows both ends to become the magnetic pole parts 242, 244 by energizing the coil 22. For example, the core 24 may be formed in a straight (I-shaped) plate shape, but the core 24 of this embodiment is formed in an H-shaped plate shape when viewed from above.

[0061] In the case of an I-shaped core, the area of ​​the surfaces (air gap side surfaces) on the attracted surface portions 46, 47 facing each other with the air gap G at both ends (magnetic pole portions) of the I-shaped core is narrowed. This may increase the magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit and reduce the conversion efficiency. In addition, when attaching the bobbin 26 to the core 24, the protruding portion for positioning the bobbin in the longitudinal direction of the core 24 is eliminated or reduced, so that it becomes necessary to provide it separately. In contrast, since the core 24 is H-shaped, the air gap side surfaces at both ends of the core body 241 can be expanded in the height direction (Y direction) longer than the core body 241 around which the coil 22 is wound, and the magnetic resistance can be reduced to improve the efficiency of the magnetic circuit. In addition, the coil 22 can be positioned by simply fitting the bobbin 26 between the portions of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 that protrude from the core body 241, and there is no need to provide a separate positioning member for the bobbin 26 relative to the core 24.

[0062] Core 24 has magnetic pole portions 242, 244 protruding from each end of a plate-shaped core body 241 around which coil 22 is wound, in a direction perpendicular to the winding axis of coil 22 (corresponding to the height direction (Y direction) in this embodiment) (in other words, an H-shaped core).

[0063] The core 24 is a magnetic body made of a soft magnetic material, and is formed of, for example, a silicon steel plate, permalloy, ferrite, etc. The core 24 may also be made of electromagnetic stainless steel, a sintered material, a MIM (metal injection molding) material, a laminated steel plate, an electrolytic galvanized steel plate (SECC), etc.

[0064] The magnetic pole portions (attraction portions) 242, 244 are magnetized by energizing the coil 22, and attract and move the yoke 41 of the movable body 40 moving away in the vibration direction (Z direction). Specifically, the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 attract the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the movable body 40 arranged opposite each other via a gap G by the generated magnetic flux, and move them to the negative side in the Z direction.

[0065] In this embodiment, the magnetic pole portions 242, 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, 244 are long in the Y direction, the areas of the opposing surfaces 20a, 20b opposing the yoke 41 are larger than those of the configuration formed at both ends of the core body 241.

[0066] The bobbin 26 is disposed so as to extend perpendicular to the vibration direction (Z direction) along the XY plane in which the core body 241 of the core 24 extends, and surrounds the core body 241. The bobbin 26 is formed, for example, from a resin material. This ensures electrical insulation from other metal members (for example, the core 24), improving the reliability of the coil 22 wound on the bobbin 26 as an electric circuit. By using a highly fluid resin as the resin material, the moldability is improved, and the thickness of the bobbin 26 can be reduced while ensuring the strength of the bobbin 26. 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. The bobbin 26 is provided with flanges at both ends of the cylindrical body, and the flanges determine the arrangement position of the coil 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core body 241.

[0067] <Movable body 40> The movable body 40 is disposed to face the core assembly 20 with a gap G therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction (Z direction). The movable body 40 is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating relative to the core assembly 20 in the vibration direction.

[0068] The movable body 40 has a yoke 41 and includes a movable body side fixed portion 54 of a plate-shaped elastic portion 50 fixed to the yoke 41 .

[0069] The movable body 40 is disposed in a state (reference normal position) where it is suspended approximately parallel to and spaced from the bottom surface portion 32b via the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 so as to be movable in the direction toward and away from the bottom surface portion 32b (Z direction).

[0070] The yoke 41 is a magnetic path for magnetic flux generated when a current is applied to the coil 22, and is a plate-like body made of a magnetic material such as electromagnetic stainless steel, a sintered material, a MIM (metal injection molding) material, a laminated steel sheet, an electrolytic galvanized steel sheet (SECC), etc. In this embodiment, the yoke 41 is formed by processing an SECC sheet.

[0071] The yoke 41 is suspended opposite the core assembly 20 with a gap G (see Figure 8) in the vibration direction (Z direction) by plate-shaped elastic portions 50 fixed to each of the attracted surface portions 46, 47 that are spaced apart in the X direction.

[0072] In order to attach the yoke 41 to an operating device (see touch panel 2 shown in FIG. 1), the yoke 41 has a surface fixing portion 44 fixed to the strain generating member 90, and attracted surface portions 46, 47 arranged opposite the magnetic pole portions 242, 244. The surface fixing portion 44 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47 form the yoke 41 into a rectangular frame shape having an opening 48 in the center. The attracted surface portions 46, 47 also function as support portion side fixing portions to which the movable body side fixing portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is fixed for supporting the fixed body 30 via the plate-shaped elastic portion 50.

[0073] Opening 48 faces coil 22. In the present embodiment, opening 48 is located directly above coil 22, and the opening shape of opening 48 is such that the coil 22 portion of core assembly 20 can be inserted when yoke 41 moves toward bottom surface portion 32b.

[0074] By configuring the yoke 41 to have the opening 48, the thickness of the actuator body A1, and therefore the entire vibration actuator 10, can be made thinner than when the opening 48 is not provided.

[0075] Furthermore, since the core assembly 20 is positioned within the opening 48, the yoke 41 is not positioned near the coil 22, which prevents a decrease in conversion efficiency due to leakage magnetic flux from the coil 22 and enables high output to be achieved.

[0076] The surface fixing part 44 has a fixing surface 44a that is fixed to a main body frame part 95a of the strain-generating member 90. The surface fixing part 44 is plate-shaped, and in this embodiment, is disposed so as to face the touch panel 2 at a portion that surrounds the center of the operation surface of the touch panel 2. The surface fixing part 44 is fixed to the touch panel 2 via the strain-generating member 90.

[0077] Specifically, the edge of the fixing surface 44a of the surface portion fixing portion 44 is disposed along the long side of the main body frame portion 95a and is fixed in surface contact with this long side. In this embodiment, the fixing surface 44a has a trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and is fixed to the strain-generating member 90 via a fastening member such as a screw 69 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) inserted into the surface portion fixing hole 42.

[0078] The surface portion fixing portion 44 is preferably disposed at the center of the movable body 40 when viewed from the front, and the center extending in the vibration direction (Z direction) of the movable body 40 is positioned on the same line as the center of the operation surface of the touch panel 2. This allows the movable body 40 to receive the displacement of the touch panel 2 over the entire front surface via the strain generating member 90.

[0079] In this embodiment, the surface portion fixing holes 42 are provided on the movable body 40 in a front view, on the outer side with the core assembly 20 as the center, at positions located diagonally therefrom or in the vicinity thereof.

[0080] The attracted surface portions 46, 47 are fixed to the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 while being positioned opposite the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 so that they are attracted to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 when the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core assembly 20 are magnetized.

[0081] The movable body side fixed parts 54 of the plate-shaped elastic parts 50-1 and 50-2 are respectively stacked and fixed to the attracted surface parts 46 and 47. The attracted surface parts 46 and 47 are provided with cutout parts 49 for receiving the heads of the screws 68 of the core assembly 20 when they move toward the bottom surface part 32b. As a result, even if the movable body 40 moves toward the bottom surface portion 32b and the attracted surface portions 46, 47 approach the magnetic pole portions 242, 244, they will not come into contact with the screws 68 that fix the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 to the bottom surface portion 32b, and the movable range (movable stroke) of the yoke 41 in the Z direction can be secured.

[0082] <Load detection unit K1> The load detection section K1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is integrally provided with the movable body 40 of the actuator body A1, interposed between the main body of the movable body 40 and the touch panel 2, and fixed to the movable body 40 and the touch panel 2.

[0083] The load detection unit K1 has a strain-generating member 90 and a strain detection unit 99 provided on the strain-generating member 90, and detects the strain generated in the strain-generating member 90 in response to a pressing operation of the touch panel 2 by the strain detection unit 99. The detected strain is output to the control unit, and the control unit drives the actuator main body A1 in response to the strain to generate vibration.

[0084] <Deformation member 90> The strain-generating member 90 functions as a strain-generating body that generates a strain when an external force is applied by pressing the touch panel 2.

[0085] The strain-generating member 90 has a movable body side fixed part (support part side fixed part) 92 (see FIG. 10) that is fixed to the surface part fixed part 44 of the movable body 40, and a presentation part side fixed part 94 that is fixed to the touch panel 2. The strain-generating member 90 further has a distortion part 97 provided between the movable body side fixed part 92 and the presentation part side fixed part 94. A distortion detection part 99 is attached to the distortion part 97 and detects distortion of the distortion part 97.

[0086] In this embodiment, the strain-generating member 90 is formed into a rectangular frame-like plate by processing sheet metal. This shape is such that, when fixed to the touch panel 2, the strain-generating member 90 is disposed so as to surround, on the rear surface side of the touch panel 2, the area of ​​the touch panel 2 that is pressed (for example, the center of the operation surface of the touch panel 2). In this embodiment, the strain-generating member 90 is made of sheet metal that is harder than the plate-shaped elastic member 50. In this embodiment, the strain-generating member 90 is a plate-shaped spring plate material. This makes it possible to mitigate metal fatigue and improve reliability even when repeated vibrations are applied.

[0087] In the strain-flexing member 90, connecting arms 95b are provided protruding from the four corners of a flat rectangular frame-like main body frame 95a including a pair of opposing long sides 952 along the extension direction of the long sides 952.

[0088] The strain-flexing member 90 has a movable body side fixing part 92 that is fixed to the yoke 41 via screws 69, which are fastening members provided in portions of the main body frame part 95a to which the base ends of the connecting arms 95b are connected. The strain-flexing member 90 is fixed to the surface part fixing part 44 via the movable body side fixing part 92.

[0089] The connecting arm portion 95b is provided with a distortion portion 97 and a presentation portion side fixed portion 94 in this order from the base end portion in the protruding direction.

[0090] The connecting arm portion 95b has a distortion portion 97 between the long side portion 952 of the main body frame portion 95a and the presentation unit side fixed portion 94, and the distortion portion 97 is provided with a distortion detection unit 99 attached thereto.

[0091] In the strain-generating member 90 of the present embodiment, the main body frame portion 95a is fixed to the surface portion fixing portion 44 of the movable body 40, and the presentation portion side fixing portion 94 is fixed to the touch panel 2, so that the function of the strain-generating member is exerted by the distortion portion 97. When the presentation portion side fixing portion 94 is displaced, the strain-generating member 90 (particularly the distortion portion 97) is pressed toward the bottom portion 32b together with the surface portion fixing portion 44, and is distorted in accordance with the deformation of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50.

[0092] The strain-flexing member 90 has ribs 95c provided perpendicular to the main body frame portion 95a along the outer edge of the long side portion 952 of the main body frame portion 95a. The main body frame portion 95a is reinforced by the ribs 95c.

[0093] In the strain-generating member 90, the presentation unit side fixed part 94 is joined and fixed to the touch panel 2 via the fastening member 202 inserted into the fixing hole 942. As a result, the presentation unit side fixed part 94 is joined to the touch panel 2 at a portion surrounding the center of the operation surface of the touch panel 2. In addition, the position of the movable body side fixed part 92 fixed to the movable body 40 is the inner region surrounded by this presentation unit side fixed part 94.

[0094] <Distortion detection unit 99> The strain detection unit 99 is provided on a strain portion 97 of the strain-generating member 90, and detects strain caused by a load applied to the strain-generating member 90 as a strain body in order to drive the actuator main body A1. The strain detection unit 99 has, for example, a plurality of strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4. Since the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 are provided on the strain portion 97, they are each disposed between the movable body side fixed unit 92 and the presentation unit side fixed unit 94.

[0095] As described above, in this embodiment, the strain-generating member 90 provided with the strain detection unit 99 is made of a single spring plate material. This makes it possible to improve the positional accuracy of the arrangement positions of the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 on the connecting arm 95b of the strain-generating member 90, thereby improving the accuracy during assembly. In other words, unlike a case in which the connecting arm 95b as the strain-generating body that is the detection target site in the strain-generating member 90 is configured as a plurality of separate parts, no variation occurs during assembly, and the ease of assembly can be improved.

[0096] In the present embodiment, the distortion detection unit 99 is provided on a distortion unit 97 serving as a strain generating body whose distortion is detected by the distortion detection unit 99. That is, the distortion detection unit 99 and the distortion unit 97 are disposed between the touch panel 2 serving as a vibration presentation unit and the movable body 40, that is, between the movable body side fixed unit 92 and the presentation unit side fixed unit 94.

[0097] As a result, the strain detection unit 99 is not disposed within the actuator body A1 and the strain generating body is separate from the plate-shaped elastic part 50, so the target for strain detection is not subjected to the mass of the movable body 40 and there is no effect on the vibration specifications of the plate-shaped elastic part 50. This does not make it difficult to design the actuator body A1, and various specifications for the actuator body A1 can be realized.

[0098] The actuator body A1 is fixed to the touch panel 2, which is the vibration presentation unit, via the load detection unit K1, which integrates the strain detection unit 99 and the strain-generating member 90. This allows the load detection unit K1 and the actuator body A1 to be assembled separately and in parallel, and then assembled with the vibration actuator 10. This eliminates the need to assemble the actuator body A1 after assembling the strain detection unit 99, or the reverse process, as compared to a configuration in which the strain detection unit and the strain-generating body are part of the movable body of the actuator body, thereby improving assembly efficiency.

[0099] When the touch panel 2, to which the surface fixing portion 44 is fixed via the strain-generating member 90, is operated, the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 detect the amount of strain of the strain portion 97 that is displaced together with the movable body 40 (yoke 41) as the pressing amount of the touch panel 2. The detected strain is output to a control unit or the like, and a drive current generated so as to cause the movable body 40 to move by an amount corresponding to this strain is passed through the coil 22, whereby the core assembly 20 attracts and moves the yoke 41.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the controller determines the amount of movement of the touch panel 2 using the distortion detected by the distortion sensors 99-1 to 99-4, and realizes vibration feedback in response to contact, but is not limited to this. The controller may use another sensor capable of detecting the operator's contact with the operation device to detect the amount of pressure applied to the plate-like elastic portion 50 in response to the actual amount of movement of the operation device, and use the detection result to realize a more natural expression of a feeling.

[0101] Also, using the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, the vibration period of the movable body 40 (which may include the touch panel 2 which is an operating device) when a drive current pulse is supplied by a current pulse supply unit of the control unit may be adjusted based on the detection result of the sensor that detects the touch operation by the operator, that is, the amount of pressing of the movable body 40. Also, separately from the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, an operation signal indicating an operation state may be output to the control unit in conjunction with the display form of the touch position of the operator detected on the touch panel 2, so that vibration corresponding to the display form is generated, and the control unit may perform control accordingly.

[0102] The strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 may be provided at one location, but preferably at multiple locations, of the strain section 97 of the strain generating member 90, that is, the area between the movable body side fixed section 92 and the presentation unit side fixed section 94. In this embodiment, since the vibration actuator 10 is attached to the vibration presentation unit (touch panel 2), it is preferable to provide the strain sensors at at least three locations radially surrounding the center of the operation surface of the vibration presentation unit (touch panel 2) at equal intervals. This allows the vibration actuator 10 to receive the displacement of the touch panel 2 when pressed with a high degree of accuracy, by using its surface.

[0103] In this embodiment, the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 are provided on four strain sections 97 near the presentation section side fixing section 94, which is the fixing section to the touch panel 2. As a result, the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 detect strain at the corners of a frame surrounding the center of the pressing operation area of ​​the touch panel 2. Therefore, when a rectangular touch panel display is used as the vibration presentation section, as in the touch panel 2, the actuator body A1 can be attached to the display via the load detection section K1 in a well-balanced manner. As a result, the strain direction of the strain-generating member 90 can be stably aligned with the direction perpendicular to the surface.

[0104] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing wiring of the distortion detection unit 99. As shown in FIG. The strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 are disposed on the strain generating member 90, and are positioned on the same plane. The strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 each have a plurality of strain gauge sections (R-A1 to R-A4, R-B1 to R-B4, R-C1 to R-C4, and R-D1 to R-D4) and are full-bridge connected strain sensors.

[0105] The strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 are each connected in parallel to the power supply voltage Vcc and GND, and are connected in parallel to each other so as to output the amount of change in electrical resistance value that changes when a load is applied. This averages the outputs from the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, resulting in stable behavior. Also, while the output values ​​may differ depending on temperature for each of the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, averaging can alleviate this temperature dependency, improving the temperature stability of behavior and therefore reliability.

[0106] <Movement restriction unit 96> The movement restricting portion 96 restricts the relative movement between the yoke 41 and the base portion 32 so that the movable body 40 does not move away from the fixed body 30, that is, the yoke 41 does not move away from the base portion 32, by more than a predetermined distance.

[0107] 10 is a partially enlarged front view showing the movement restricting portion of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 11 is a partial right side view showing the movement restricting portion as viewed from direction C in FIG. When the movable body 40 moves in a direction away from the base portion 32, the movement restricting portion 96 engages with the engaged portion 35 of the base portion 32 via the buffer member 80, thereby restricting the movement of the movable body 40 in the direction away from the base portion 32.

[0108] The movement restricting portion 96 extends from the presentation unit side fixed portion 94 provided on the connecting arm portion 95b on the tip side of the distortion portion 97 toward the base portion 32 side (inside) in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the extending direction (X direction) of the connecting arm portion 95b in a plan view. More specifically, the movement restricting portion 96 bends downward in the up-down direction corresponding to the vibration direction (Z direction) at a position near the presentation unit side fixed portion 94, and further bends toward the base portion 32 in the Y direction at a position lower than the mounting portion 32a, and extends to a position facing the engaged portion 35 of the mounting portion 32a on the back side of the mounting portion 32a. Therefore, the movable body 40 is configured such that when the movable body 40 moves in a direction away from the base portion 32, the movement restricting portion 96 moves in the same direction and approaches the engaged portion 35. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 35 is provided close to the fixing hole 322 of the fixed body 30. More specifically, the engaged portions 35 are provided on both side portions of the mounting portion 32a that are spaced apart in the Y direction. The engaged portions 35 are provided on the mounting portion 32a so as to protrude in the Y direction in a flange shape from the position where the fixing leg portion 324 is attached. The fixing leg portion 324 functions as a base fixing portion that fixes the base portion 32 to the base side (a predetermined location).

[0109] In other words, the direction in which the movement restricting portion 96 extends from the position of the presentation unit side fixed portion 94 (Y direction) is not on the extension line of the direction in which the connecting arm portion 95b extends from the presentation unit side fixed portion 94 (X direction). The movement restricting portion 96 and the distortion portion 97 are not in a positional relationship in which they extend in opposite directions from each other with respect to the presentation unit side fixed portion 94. In this configuration, even if the movement restricting portion 96 impacts the engaged portion 35 due to the generation of strong vibration or a strong external impact, the impact and reaction are not easily transmitted to the distortion portion 97. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distortion portion 97 from being subjected to a steep stress and causing plastic deformation therein, which in turn makes it possible to maintain the detection reliability of the distortion detection portions 99-1 to 99-4 on the distortion portion 97 and also to suppress malfunctions during impact resistance of the vibration actuator 10.

[0110] The movement restricting portion 96 is provided with a buffer member 80. The buffer member 80 reduces the impact of a collision between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35 by elastic deformation, and is made of an elastomer such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber. By making the buffer member 80 out of silicone rubber or butyl rubber, it is possible to prevent damage caused by deterioration of the material and to maintain its effect, compared to other materials such as materials containing air bubbles, such as sponge or foam material.

[0111] The movement restricting portion 96 engages with the engaged portion 35 on the fixed body 30 side, with the buffer member 80 sandwiched therebetween.

[0112] On the other hand, on the fixed body 30 side, here on the mounting portion 32a of the base portion 32, there is provided a protruding engaged portion 35 which engages with the movement restricting portion 96 to restrict the movements of the two in the opposing directions. The engaged portion 35 engages with a movement restricting portion 96 that moves in the Z direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the base portion 32, via the buffer member 80.

[0113] 11, the movement restricting portion 96 is disposed such that a gap G1 is formed between the buffer member 80 and the engaged portion 35 when the movement restricting portion 96 is not driven. That is, the buffer member 80 is disposed on the movement restricting portion 96 away from the engaged portion 35 so that the buffer member 80 abuts against the engaged portion 35 when the movement restricting portion 96 moves in a direction away from the base portion 32.

[0114] In this way, by providing the gap G1 and causing the engaged portion 35 to collide with the movement restricting portion 96 via the buffer member 80, it is possible to prevent an impact on the movement restricting portion 96 while maintaining the tactile feeling presented by the vibration presentation portion without reducing it. In addition, it is possible to suppress the sound accompanying the contact between the two, thereby reducing noise.

[0115] In other words, when an external load is applied, the movement restricting portion 96 is displaced so as to contact the engaged portion 35 via the buffer member 80 before the core assembly 20 and the movable body 40 (mainly the yoke 41) come into contact with each other, thereby preventing the generation of collision noise between the core assembly 20 and the movable body 40.

[0116] 12, the movement restricting portion 96 may be disposed so that a gap is formed between the movement restricting portion 96 and the buffer member 80 when the movement restricting portion 96 is not driven. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the movement restricting portion as viewed from the direction C in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 12, a buffer member 81 configured similarly to the buffer member 80 is provided on the engaged portion 35 at a distance from the movement restricting portion 96 so as to come into contact with the movement restricting portion 96 when the movement restricting portion 96 moves in a direction away from the base portion 32.

[0117] In this way, by providing a gap G11 and causing the engaged portion 35 to collide with the movement restricting portion 96 via the buffer member 80, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in a configuration in which a gap G1 is provided between the engaged portion 35 and the buffer member 80.

[0118] Furthermore, there may be no distance between the buffer member 80 and the engaged portion 35 in the opposing direction, as shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the movement restricting portion as seen from the direction C in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 13, a buffer member 80A may be disposed between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35 in a state of contacting both of them. The buffer member 80A shown in Fig. 13 is made of the same material as the buffer member 80.

[0119] Since the buffer member 80A is disposed without any gap between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35, when a strong force is applied to the movable body 40 to push it up due to strong vibration or external load, and the movable body 40 moves a distance longer than the gap, the effect of the impact can be stably suppressed. Also, the generation of a collision sound when the two directly contact each other can be prevented.

[0120] Furthermore, since the buffer member 80A is provided so as to fill the gap between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35, it becomes easy to manage the size of the gap between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35 with the buffer member 80A therebetween.

[0121] In still another modified example (not shown), a ring-shaped buffer member having a diameter such that the outer periphery is positioned between the movement restricting portion and the engaged portion 35 may be fitted onto the fixed leg portion 324 .

[0122] When an impact is applied to the vibration presentation device 1, the touch panel 2 moves in the direction perpendicular to the surface, and following this, the strain-generating member 90 and the movable body 40 may move toward the touch panel 2. In this case, the movement restriction portion 96, which moves in conjunction with the movement of the strain-generating member 90, engages with the engaged portion 35.

[0123] This restricts the movement of the movement restricting portion 96, restricts the movement of the movable body 40 via the strain-inducing member 90, and prevents a load from being applied to the strained portion 97 of the strain-inducing member 90. The movement of the movable body 40 towards the fixed body 30 (negative side in the Z direction) is restricted by the abutment of the respective components, such as the screw 68 on the fixed body 30 side abutting against the yoke 41. On the other hand, the movement of the strain-inducing member 90 towards the fixed body 30 (negative side in the Z direction) when the vibration presentation device 1 receives an impact is restricted by the movement restricting portion 96 of the strain-inducing member 90 engaging with the engaged portion 35 on the back side of the engaged portion 35.

[0124] As described above, in the vibration actuator 10 of this embodiment, since the buffer member 80 (or buffer members 80A, 81) is provided, even if strong vibrations occur or a strong external impact occurs, it is possible to more reliably prevent the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35 from colliding with each other due to a strong impact, and it is possible to more reliably prevent plastic deformation of the strained portion 97 of the strain-generating member 90. This improves the reliability of the vibration actuator 10 and provides a stable tactile feel for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to prevent malfunctions of the vibration actuator 10 when it is subjected to impact.

[0125] Also, by disposing the buffer member 80 (or the buffer members 80A, 81) between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35, the occurrence of a collision sound between the movement restricting portion 96 and the engaged portion 35 is reduced, and noise reduction can be improved. Furthermore, by disposing the buffer member 80 (or the buffer members 80A, 81) between the movement restricting portion 96, which approaches the engaged portion 35 while moving in the same direction when the movable body 40 moves in a direction away from the base portion 32, and the engaged portion 35, it is possible to directly buffer a strong impact applied in the vibration direction.

[0126] Furthermore, even if the touch panel 2 itself, which is the vibration presentation unit to which the vibration actuator 10 is attached, does not have to be provided with a stopper function, the vibration actuator 10 itself can protect the touch panel 2 from strong impacts.

[0127] <Plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (50-1, 50-2)> In this embodiment, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 includes a pair of plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2, and each of the plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2 supports the movable body 40 movably relative to the fixed body 30. The plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2 support the upper surface of the movable body 40 so as to be parallel to each other at the same depth as the upper surface of the fixed body 30 or below the upper surface of the fixed body 30 (in this embodiment, the upper surface of the core assembly 20). The plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2 have shapes symmetrical with respect to the center of the movable body 40, and in this embodiment are members formed in the same manner.

[0128] For example, the plate-shaped elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 may be arranged in line symmetry with respect to the center (movable center) of the movable body 40 in the XY plane, and the number of the plate-shaped elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 may be more than two. Each of the plate-shaped elastic parts 50-1, 50-2 is fixed to the fixed body 30 at one end and fixed to the movable body 40 at the other end, and supports the movable body 40 movably in the vibration direction (Z direction) relative to the fixed body 30.

[0129] The plate-shaped elastic part 50 is provided between the movable body 40 and the fixed body 30 to ensure elasticity, and has a meandering part that is elastically deformed. The plate-shaped elastic part 50 elastically supports the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 so that the movable body 40 can move freely in the Z direction in which at least one of the attracted surface parts 46, 47 of the movable part 40 faces at least one end part (magnetic pole part 242 or magnetic pole part 244) of both ends (magnetic pole parts 242, 244) of the core 24. For example, the plate-shaped elastic part 50 may elastically support the movable body 40 with respect to the fixed body 30 (core assembly 20) so that the movable body 40 can move freely in the Z direction in which one of the attracted surface parts 46, 47 faces one end part of the core 24. The plate-shaped elastic part 50 is arranged extending on an XY plane perpendicular to the vibration direction (Z direction).

[0130] The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is disposed approximately parallel to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 so as to face the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 in the vibration direction (Z direction) with a gap G between the yoke 41 and the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core 24 of the fixed body 30. The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 supports the lower surface of the movable body 40 at a position closer to the bottom surface portion 32b than a level approximately the same as the depth level of the upper surface of the core assembly 20, so as to be freely movable in the vibration direction.

[0131] The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is a leaf spring (spring plate material) and has a fixed body side fixed portion 52, a movable body side fixed portion 54, and a serpentine-shaped elastic arm portion 56 as a serpentine-shaped portion connecting the fixed body side fixed portion 52 and the movable body side fixed portion 54.

[0132] The plate-shaped elastic portion 50 has the fixed body side fixing portion 52 attached to the surface of the mounting portion 32a, the movable body side fixing portion 54 attached to the surfaces of the adsorbed surfaces 46, 47 of the yoke 41, and the movable body 40 attached with the elastic arm portion 56 parallel to the bottom surface portion 32b.

[0133] The fixed body side fixing portion 52 is in surface contact with the mounting portion 32a and is joined and fixed by screws 62, and the movable body side fixing portion 54 is in surface contact with the attracted surface portions 46, 47 and is joined and fixed by screws 64.

[0134] By having a serpentine-shaped portion, the elastic arm portion 56 ensures a length that allows for the deformation required for vibration of the movable body 40 between the fixed body side fixed portion 52 and the movable body side fixed portion 54, and in a plane perpendicular to the vibration direction (the XY plane formed by the X direction and Y direction).

[0135] Specifically, the elastic arm portion 56 has a shape that extends in the opposing direction between the fixed body side fixed portion 52 and the movable body side fixed portion 54 and is folded back. In the elastic arm portion 56, the ends that are joined to the fixed body side fixed portion 52 and the movable body side fixed portion 54 are formed at positions offset in the Y direction. The elastic arm portion 56 is disposed in a position that is point-symmetric or line-symmetric with respect to the center of the movable body 40.

[0136] As a result, the movable body 40 is supported on both sides by the elastic arm portion 56 having a serpentine spring, which allows stress dispersion during elastic deformation. In other words, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 can move the movable body 40 in the vibration direction (Z direction) without tilting with respect to the core assembly 20, thereby improving the reliability of the vibration state.

[0137] Each plate-shaped elastic portion 50 has at least two or more elastic arm portions 56. As a result, compared to a case in which each plate-shaped elastic portion 50 has one elastic arm portion, stress during elastic deformation is dispersed, improving reliability, and the support for the movable body 40 is well-balanced, resulting in improved stability.

[0138] In this embodiment, the plate-shaped elastic part 50 is made of a magnetic material. The movable body side fixed part 54 of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 is disposed above both ends (magnetic pole parts 242, 244) of the core 24 and functions as a magnetic path. In this embodiment, the movable body side fixed part 54 is fixed in a stacked state above the attracted surface parts 46, 47. This allows the thickness (length in the Z direction, vibration direction) H (see FIG. 8) of the attracted surface parts 46, 47 facing the magnetic pole parts 242, 244 of the core assembly to be increased as the thickness of the magnetic material.

[0139] In this embodiment, the thickness of plate-shaped elastic portion 50 and the thickness of yoke 41 are the same, so the cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the magnetic material facing magnetic pole portions 242, 244 can be doubled. This allows the magnetic circuit to be expanded, and the deterioration of characteristics due to magnetic saturation in the magnetic circuit to be mitigated, improving output, compared to when the leaf spring is non-magnetic.

[0140] <Magnetic Circuit of Vibration Actuator 10> Moreover, the movable body side fixed portion 54 is arranged to cover from above the portion where the notch 49 is formed among the portions of the attracted surfaces 46, 47 facing the magnetic pole portions 242, 244. This allows the magnetic flux passing through the notch 49 to be received when the coil 22 is energized.

[0141] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a magnetic circuit in the vibration actuator 10. Note that Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the actuator main body A1 showing a portion cut along line BB in Fig. 7, and the magnetic circuit has a magnetic flux flow M in portions not shown similar to that in the portions shown.

[0142] Moreover, Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view that typically illustrates the movement of movable body 40 by the magnetic circuit. In detail, Fig. 15A illustrates a state in which movable body 40 is held at a position separated from core assembly 20 by plate-shaped elastic part 50, and Fig. 15B illustrates movable body 40 that has been attracted and moved toward core assembly 20 by the magnetomotive force of the magnetic circuit.

[0143] 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, in FIG. 14, in the core 24, the magnetic pole portion 242 becomes the N pole, and the magnetic pole portion 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 portion 242 to the attracted surface portion 46 of the opposing yoke 41, passes through the surface portion fixing portion 44 of the yoke 41, and reaches the attracted surface portion 47 to the magnetic pole portion 244 opposing the attracted surface portion 47. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 is also a magnetic material. Therefore, the magnetic flux (indicated by magnetic flux flow M) that flows through the attracted surface portion 46 passes through the attracted surface portion 46 and the movable body side fixed portion 54 of the yoke 41, and reaches from both ends of the attracted surface portion 46, via the surface portion fixed portion 44, to the attracted surface portion 47 and both ends of the movable body side fixed portion 54 of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50-2.

[0144] As a result, due to the principle of an electromagnetic solenoid, the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core assembly 20 generate an attractive force F that attracts the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the yoke 41. Then, the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the yoke 41 are attracted by both of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core assembly 20. As a result, 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 direction of the attractive force F (negative Z direction) against the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 (see FIGS. 15A and 15B).

[0145] In addition, when the current supply to the coil 22 is cut off, the magnetic field disappears, the attractive force F of the core assembly 20 on the movable body 40 disappears, and the movable body 40 moves to its original position (in the positive Z direction, which is opposite to the direction of the attractive force F) due to the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic part 50.

[0146] By repeating this, in the actuator body A1, the movable body 40 moves back and forth, and vibrations can be generated in the vibration direction (Z direction).

[0147] By linearly moving the movable body 40 back and forth, the touch panel 2, which is an operation device to which the movable body 40 is fixed, also displaces in the Z direction following the movable body 40. In this embodiment, the displacement of the movable body 40 due to driving, that is, the amount of displacement of the touch panel 2, is set to a range of 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0148] This range of displacement is a range in which vibrations corresponding to the display pressed by the operator can be applied on the screen 2a of the touch panel 2, which is an operating device. For example, if the display on the screen 2a that is the target of the operator's press is a mechanical button or one of various switches, this is the range of amplitude that can provide the same tactile sensation as when the mechanical button or one of various switches is actually pressed. This range is set based on the fact that if the displacement of the amplitude of the movable body 40 is small, the tactile sensation becomes insufficient, and if it is large, it is uncomfortable.

[0149] In the actuator body A1, magnetic circuit efficiency can be improved and high output can be achieved by arranging the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the yoke 41 in close proximity to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 of the core assembly 20. In addition, the actuator body A1 does not use a magnet, resulting in a low-cost structure.

[0150] The meandering spring of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 enables stress dispersion, improving reliability. In particular, the movable body 40 is supported by a plurality of plate-shaped elastic portions 50-1 and 50-2, enabling more effective stress dispersion. In this way, the actuator body A1 can provide a direct feel to the operator who touches the screen 2a in the vertical direction by being driven in the vertical direction.

[0151] A core assembly 20 having a core 24 around which a coil 22 is wound is fixed to a fixed body 30, and the core assembly 20 is disposed within an opening 48 of a yoke 41 of a movable body 40 supported by a plate-shaped elastic part 50 so as to be movable in the Z direction relative to the fixed body 30. This eliminates the need to provide members for the fixed body and the movable body in a stacked manner in the Z direction (for example, by providing a coil and a magnet facing each other in the Z direction) in order to generate magnetism and drive the movable body in the Z direction. This allows the thickness of the actuator body A1 as an electromagnetic actuator in the Z direction to be thin. Furthermore, by linearly moving the movable body 40 back and forth without using a magnet, vibration can be applied to the operating device as a tactile feeling. In this way, the support structure is simple, so the design is simple, space can be saved, and the actuator body A1 can be made thinner. Furthermore, since this is not an actuator using a magnet (it is an actuator without a permanent magnet), the cost can be reduced compared to a configuration using a magnet.

[0152] <Driving principle of vibration actuator 10> The driving principle of the actuator body A1 will be briefly explained below. The actuator body A1, that is, the vibration actuator 10, can also be driven by generating a resonance phenomenon using pulses according to the following equations of motion and circuit equations. Note that the operation is not a resonance drive, but rather represents the operational feel of a mechanical switch displayed on a touch panel as an operating device, and in this embodiment, it is driven by inputting multiple current pulses via a control unit (for example, the microcomputer 220 shown in FIG. 17).

[0153] The movable body 40 in the actuator body A1 reciprocates based on the formulas (1) and (2).

[0154]

number

[0155]

number

[0156] That is, the mass m [Kg], the displacement x(t) [m], and the 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 changed as appropriate within the range that satisfies formula (1). In addition, voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], back electromotive force constant K e [V / (rad / s)] can be changed as appropriate within the range that satisfies formula (2).

[0157] In this way, the actuator body A1, the mass m of the movable body 40, and the spring constant K of the metal spring (elastic body, a leaf spring in this embodiment) serving as the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 are sp is determined by.

[0158] Furthermore, in the actuator main body A1, screws 62, 64 are used as fastening members to fix the base portion 32 to the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, and to fix the plate-shaped elastic portion 50 to the movable body 40. This allows the plate-shaped elastic portion 50, which needs to be firmly fixed to the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40 in order for the movable body 40 to be driven, to be mechanically and firmly fixed in a state that allows reworking.

[0159] <Control of vibration actuator> The actuator body A1 is controlled by a control section, and the control section drives the operating device, which is supported so as to be capable of elastic vibration, in one of the vibration directions.

[0160] In the vibration actuator 10, a driving current is supplied to the coil 22 in response to a touch operation of the operating device to generate a magnetic field, and the movable body 40 capable of elastic vibration is moved in one direction relative to the fixed body 30, here in the negative Z direction, and then moved in the positive Z direction by eliminating the magnetic field. As a result, when the operator touches the touch panel 2 (see FIG. 1), vibration is imparted as a tactile sensation. In this embodiment, the touch operation is represented by signals detected by the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, but in addition to this, for example, a signal indicating the contact state input from the touch panel 2 may be used.

[0161] In the vibration actuator 10, a single current pulse or multiple current pulses are supplied to the coil 22 by the control unit as an actuator drive signal for driving the vibration actuator 10. In this embodiment, the actuator drive signal is made up of a train of multiple current pulses.

[0162] When a current pulse is supplied to the coil 22, the movable body 40 is drawn and displaced toward the coil 22 side, that is, toward the negative Z direction, by magnetic attraction against the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic portion 50. Following this, the touch panel (vibration presentation unit) fixed to the movable body 40 also moves toward the positive Z direction relative to the base (not shown) to which the fixed body 30 is fixed.

[0163] Furthermore, by stopping the supply of the drive current to the coil 22, the biasing force is released, and the movable body 40 is released from the held state at the position on the negative Z side with respect to the reference position. As a result, the movable body 40 is biased by the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 to move in the opposite direction (positive Z side) to the retracted direction (negative Z side) from the maximum displacement position on the negative Z side, and the vibration is fed back.

[0164] The actuator drive signal can be generated in various types of vibration forms by a single current pulse or the amplitude, wavelength, supply timing, etc. of each pulse in a train of multiple current pulses, and can be supplied to the actuator body A1. As a result, the vibration of the actuator body A1 is given to the operator as a bodily sensation.

[0165] For example, the control unit includes a current pulse supply unit and a voltage pulse application unit. The current pulse supplying section supplies a plurality of drive current pulses to the coil 22 of the vibration actuator 10 as a drive current for driving the operation device in response to a contact operation of the operation device (vibration presentation section).

[0166] The voltage pulse application section intermittently applies a plurality of control voltage pulses to the current pulse supply section, each of which generates a single current pulse or a train of a plurality of current pulses that constitute the actuator drive signal.

[0167] <Drive circuit for actuator body A1> FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a drive circuit for the actuator body.

[0168] The drive circuit shown in Fig. 16 is included in the control unit. The drive circuit has a switching element 12 as a current pulse supply unit configured by a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor), a signal generation unit (Signal Generation) 14 as a voltage pulse application unit, resistors R1, R2, and SBDs (Schottky Barrier Diodes). This drive circuit is an example of a specific configuration of the actuator driver 230 described later.

[0169] In the control section, a signal generating section 14 connected to a power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the gate of a switching element 12. The switching element 12 is a discharge changeover switch. The switching element 12 is connected to an actuator body A1 (shown as [Actuator] in FIG. 16) and an SBD, and is also connected to a vibration actuator to which a voltage is supplied from a power supply section Vact, specifically, to the actuator body A1.

[0170] Although not shown, the control unit may include a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc., for controlling the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device 1. The CPU reads out a program corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM, expands it in the RAM, and controls the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device 1 including the vibration actuator 10 in cooperation with the expanded program. At this time, various data including various vibration damping period occurrence patterns stored in a storage unit (not shown) are referenced. The storage unit (not shown) may be composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory), etc. For example, pulse waveform data of various patterns of multiple pulse trains is stored in the storage unit, ROM, RAM, etc. The ROM stores various programs for controlling the vibration presentation device 1, including a vibration presentation program for driving the actuator main body A1 to present vibration. The vibration presentation program is, for example, a program for reading out pulse waveform data for generating an actuator drive signal that generates vibration corresponding to the contact information when information indicating a contact state is input from the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4.

[0171] The vibration presentation program may be, for example, a program for combining the read data to generate an actuator drive signal corresponding to the contact information, or a program for supplying the generated actuator drive signal to the coil 22. The actuator drive signal is applied to the coil 22 as a combination of a plurality of current pulses via a drive circuit that drives the actuator body A1. A CPU (for example, a microcomputer 220 described later) may use these programs and data to control the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device 1, or may control the current pulse supply unit and the voltage pulse application unit. For example, signals from the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4 are amplified by an amplifier (for example, an amplifier (amplifier) ​​250 described later), converted from analog to digital by a converter (for example, a converter (ADC) 260 described later), output to the CPU, and vibrate the vibration actuator 10 by the drive circuit shown in FIG. 16.

[0172] The control unit supplies a current pulse to the coil 22 to drive the movable body 40 to displace in one direction of the vibration direction (-Z direction, the negative Z direction) against the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic part 50. The displacement of the movable body 40 in one direction of the vibration direction continues while the current pulse is being supplied. By stopping the supply of the current pulse, that is, by turning off the input of the current pulse to the coil 22, the force that displaces the movable body 40 in one direction of the vibration direction is released. Turning off the input of the current pulse refers to the timing when the voltage that generates the current pulse is turned off. At the point in time when the voltage is turned off, the current pulse is not completely off but is in a damped state.

[0173] When the voltage is turned off, the movable body 40 moves and displaces in the other direction of the vibration directions (the Z direction, the positive side of the Z direction) due to the biasing force of the plate-shaped elastic part 50 accumulated at the maximum displaceable position in the retraction direction (the negative Z direction). A strong vibration is transmitted to the touch panel (operation device) 2 via the movable body 40 that has moved in the other direction, which is the operation device side, and the operator is given a tactile sensation.

[0174] The control unit supplies one or more current pulses to coil 22 in response to an operator's touch on the screen of the touch panel based on information from strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4. The control unit supplies a first pulse in the vibration of movable body 40, and in addition, adjusts the vibration that remains and continues even after the supply of the first pulse is stopped, by the pulses supplied thereafter.

[0175] <Schematic configuration of the control system of the vibration presentation device 1> FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the vibration presentation device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0176] The vibration presentation device 1 includes a tactile presentation section 210, a distortion detection section 99, an amplifier section (amplifier) ​​250, an AD conversion section (ADC) 260, a microcomputer 220, an actuator driver 230, and an actuator body A1. An example of the tactile presentation section 210 is the above-mentioned touch panel 2.

[0177] For example, the touch panel 2 serving as the tactile sense providing unit 210 has a contact position detecting unit (not shown) that receives a touch operation by an operator on the touch panel 2 and outputs the contact position. A signal from the contact position detecting unit (not shown) is output to the microcomputer 220 or the control unit of the entire device. When the tactile sense providing unit 210 is pressed, the strain detecting unit 99 detects the strain of the strain-generating member 90 in the load detecting unit K1, and the detected signal is input to the microcomputer 220 included in the control unit via the amplifying unit 250 and the ADC 260.

[0178] The microcomputer 220 controls the actuator driver 230 so that vibration corresponding to the touch operation is generated in response to the input signal, i.e., the contact position information from the contact position detection unit, the drive timing, and the distortion signal. In other words, the microcomputer 220 outputs an actuator drive signal to the actuator (actuator body A1) via the actuator driver 230 to supply a drive current.

[0179] The actuator main body A1 receives a driving current supplied from the actuator driver 230, and transmits vibrations to the tactile presentation unit 210, causing the tactile presentation unit 210 to vibrate, thereby causing the tactile presentation unit 210 to present vibrations corresponding to the contact position output from the tactile presentation unit 210. In this way, the tactile sense providing unit 210 such as a touch panel receives an operation from an operator, and the actuator body A1 is driven in response to the operation.

[0180] When an actuator drive signal is input, the actuator main body A1 uses magnetic attraction to move the movable body 40, specifically the yoke 41 and strain-generating member 90, in one direction against the biasing force, for example, in the negative Z direction.

[0181] Furthermore, when the input of the actuator drive signal to the actuator body A1 is stopped, the actuator body A1 releases the biasing force and moves the movable body 40 in the other direction (the positive Z direction) by the biasing force. The actuator body A1 vibrates the movable body 40 and the control device by inputting and stopping the actuator drive signal. The actuator body A1 drives the movable body 40 without using a magnet to vibrate the control device.

[0182] In the embodiment, the actuator drive signal corresponds to a train of multiple drive current pulses (also referred to as "current pulses") supplied to the coil 22 as a drive current for driving the movable body and the operation device. In the actuator main body A1, when a current pulse is supplied to the coil 22, the movable body moves in one direction. By repeating this, the movable body vibrates.

[0183] In this manner, the vibration presentation device 1 of the present embodiment realizes a realistic tactile sensation, such as the sensation of touching a switch, by a realistic tactile sensation based on load detection.

[0184] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Fig. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a main part of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that Fig. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the width direction (X direction) of the vibration actuator at the centre in the height direction (Y direction).

[0185] The vibration actuator 10B is different from the vibration actuator 10 (see Figs. 1 to 5) in the position where the cushioning member 800 is provided, but the other basic configurations are similar. Therefore, only the differences will be described, and similar points will be given the same names and symbols and will not be described as appropriate. The Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) will be used in the same way as in the second embodiment. The vibration actuator 10B can be applied in place of the vibration actuator 10 in the vibration presentation device 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0186] The vibration actuator 10B has an actuator body A2 and a load detection unit K2. The load detection unit K2 has a strain-generating member 90 and a strain detection unit 99 provided on the strain-generating member 90. In this embodiment, it has the same function as the load detection unit K1.

[0187] The actuator body A2 has a fixed body 30B having a base portion 32 and a core assembly 20, a movable body 40B, and a plate-shaped elastic portion 50.

[0188] In the actuator main body A2, a buffer member 800 is provided between the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the opposing core assembly 20, which are portions of the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40 that face each other.

[0189] The cushioning member 800 is made of the same material as the cushioning member 80, that is, an elastomer such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber, and has the same functions.

[0190] By configuring the cushioning member 800 from silicone rubber or butyl rubber, it is possible to prevent damage caused by deterioration of the material and maintain its effectiveness, compared to other materials.

[0191] The buffer member 800 is fixed to one of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the core assembly 20. In this embodiment, the buffer member 800 is fixed to the opposing surfaces 20a, 20b of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244. The core assembly 20 uses rivets instead of screws 68 for the base portion 32. This allows the core assembly 20 to be fixed to the base portion 32 with the surfaces of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 facing the attracted surface portions 46, 47 being flat. The magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the base portion 32 may also be fixed by adhesion.

[0192] The buffer member 800 has a thickness that provides a gap G2 between it and the attracted surface portions 46, 47. As a result, in the vibration actuator 10B, even when a force is applied to the movable body 40 in a direction that presses the movable body 40 down due to strong vibration or impact, the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 do not come into direct contact with the attracted surface portions 46, 47, and no contact noise is generated.

[0193] As shown in Fig. 20, the buffer member 800 may be provided on the other of the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47 of the core assembly 20. Fig. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the configuration of the main portion of the vibration actuator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A buffer member 801 having the same configuration as the buffer member 800 shown in Fig. 20 is fixed to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 at positions facing the opposing surfaces 20a, 20b, and a gap G21 is provided between the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the opposing surfaces 20a, 20b. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the configuration shown in Fig. 19.

[0194] As shown in Fig. 21, the buffer member 800 may be disposed with no gap between the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47. Fig. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the main portion of the vibration actuator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The buffer member 800A shown in Fig. 21 is fixed to the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 so that there is no gap between the magnetic pole portions 242, 244 and the attracted surface portions 46, 47. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the configuration shown in Fig. 19.

[0195] The above describes the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the above description is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the description of the configuration of the above device and the shape of each part are examples, and it is clear that various modifications and additions to these examples are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0196] For example, in the configuration of vibration actuators 10, 10B of each of the above embodiments, rivets may be used instead of the screws 62, 64, 68 (screw 68 is not used in vibration actuator 10B), 69 as fastening members. Rivets each consist of a head and a body without a thread, and are inserted into members with holes and the opposite end is crimped and plastically deformed to join the members with holes. Specifically, for example, rivets may be used to fix base portions 32, 32B to plate-shaped elastic portion 50, and to fix plate-shaped elastic portion 50 to movable body 40, 40B. Crimping may be performed using, for example, a press machine or a dedicated tool.

[0197] Furthermore, the period of the input pulse may be corrected based on the strain data acquired by the strain sensors 99-1 to 99-4, taking into account individual differences between the components of the vibration actuators 10, 10B. [Industrial Applicability]

[0198] The vibration actuator and vibration presentation device according to the present invention have the effect of improving shock resistance and reducing noise, and are useful for operating devices such as touch display devices equipped with a touch panel device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1 Vibration presentation device 2 Touch panel (vibration display unit) 2a Screen (operation surface) 4 Yoke body 10, 10B Vibration Actuator 12 Switching elements 14 Signal Generator 20 Core Assembly 20a, 20b Opposite side 22 Coil 24 cores 26 Bobbin 26a, 26b split body 28, 321, 322 fixed hole 30, 30B fixed body 32, 32B Base 32a Mounting part 32b Bottom part 33 Fastening hole 35 Engaged part 36 Opening 40, 40B Movable body (movable part) 41 York 42 Surface fixing hole 43a, 43b Frame forming section 44 Surface fixing part 44a Fixed surface 46, 47 Adsorption surface part (support part side fixed part) 48 Opening 49 Notch 50, 50-1, 50-2 Plate-shaped elastic portion (elastic support portion) 52 Fixed body side fixing part 54 Movable body side fixed part 56 Elastic arm part 62, 64, 68, 69 Screws 80, 80A, 81, 800, 800A, 801 Buffer material 90, 90B Deformation member 92 Movable body side fixed part (support part side fixed part) 94 Presentation part side fixing part 95a Main body frame 95b Connecting arm 95c Rib 96 Movement Control Department 97 Distortion 99 Distortion detection section 99-1, 99-2, 99-3, 99-4 Strain Sensor 241 Core Body 242, 244 Magnetic pole part 942 Fixed hole A1, A2 Actuator body K1, K2 Load detection part (moving part)

Claims

1. A movable part that applies vibration to a vibration presentation part that is pressed by the pressing operation; a vibration generating unit that generates the vibration of the movable part in response to the pressing operation; A base portion; an elastic support portion that supports the movable portion relative to the base portion so as to be vibrable in a direction toward and away from the movable portion; having The movable part is a load detection unit having a presentation unit side fixed part fixed to the vibration presentation unit, a support unit side fixed part fixed to the elastic support unit, and a strain detection unit provided between the presentation unit side fixed part and the support unit side fixed part, the strain detection unit detecting a strain caused by the pressing operation as a load; a movement restriction section that is provided closer to the presentation unit fixed section than the distortion detection section, and that restricts movement of the movable section by engaging with the engaged section of the base section via a buffer member when the movable section moves in a direction away from the base section; having Vibration actuator.

2. the movable portion is configured such that, when the movable portion moves in a direction away from the base portion, the movement restricting portion moves in a direction away from the base portion and approaches the engaged portion, The buffer member is disposed between the movement restricting portion and the engaged portion.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

3. the buffer member is provided on the movement regulating portion and spaced from the engaged portion so as to come into contact with the engaged portion when the movement regulating portion moves in a direction away from the base portion; 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

4. the buffer member is provided on the engaged portion and spaced from the movement restricting portion so as to come into contact with the movement restricting portion when the movement restricting portion moves in a direction away from the base portion; 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

5. The buffer member is provided so as to fill a gap between the engaged portion and the movement restricting portion.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

6. The movable portion has a magnetic body, the vibration generating unit has an attracting unit that is disposed opposite the magnetic body in the approaching and separating direction and that electromagnetically attracts the magnetic body to generate the vibrations, Another buffer member is provided on one of the magnetic body and the attraction portion with a gap between the other of the magnetic body and the attraction portion. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The movable portion has a magnetic body, the vibration generating unit has an attracting unit that is disposed opposite the magnetic body in the approaching and separating direction and that electromagnetically attracts the magnetic body to generate the vibrations, The other buffer member is provided so as to fill a gap between the magnetic body and the attraction portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 6.

8. At least one of the cushioning member and the other cushioning member is an elastomer. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. At least one of the cushioning member and the other cushioning member contains silicone rubber or butyl rubber. The vibration actuator according to claim 8.

10. the movement restriction unit is disposed in the vicinity of the presentation unit fixed unit or on the presentation unit fixed unit, 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

11. A vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A touch panel as the vibration presentation unit; having Vibration presentation device.

Images