Vibration actuator and vibration presentation device

Abstract

To provide a vibration actuator which can be reduced in cost and be thinned and can efficiently output vibrations suitable for feedback of tactile sensation to an operator who operates the actuator in contact.SOLUTION: A vibration actuator which applies vibrations to a vibration presentation part connected thereto, comprises: a base part, a solid body having a coli and a magnetic suction force generating part composed of a coil; and a plate-like movable body which has a presentation-part connection part and a suction part, and is arranged on the base part. The suction part is arranged adjacently in a vibrating direction along the bas part through an air gap with respect to the core of the magnetic suction force generating part so that the magnetic suction force generating part can generate suction force. The movable body is elastically supported to be movable in a vibrating direction with respect to the solid body, through a first elastic support part and a second elastic support part connected to a tip part and a base end part respectively of the movable body separated in the vibration direction and arranged at the tip part side and the base end part respectively of the movable body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, when operating a touch panel, which is a sensing panel, a configuration is known in which a vibration actuator applies vibration to the pad of an operator's finger that comes into contact with a display screen displayed on the touch panel, as a touch operation sensation (the 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. In this vibration actuator, a guide shaft extending perpendicular to the touch panel is provided inside a housing fixed to the vibration transmission unit, and a movable body is arranged so that it can move back and forth along the extension direction of the guide shaft. In this vibration actuator, the movable element is caused to collide with the housing in response to an operation on the touch panel, and vibrations are imparted to the finger pad that touches the touch panel via the vibration transmission unit.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a vibration presentation device that applies vibrations in response to operations on a touch panel. In this vibration presentation device, a voice coil motor that generates vibrations, a support part that is disposed with the vibration panel and is compressed by a predetermined force, a damper that applies a damping action to the vibration of the vibration part, and a spring that applies a compressive force to the support part and the damper are interposed in parallel between a vibration panel that is a vibration part that presents vibrations and a housing that supports the vibration panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-070729 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-163854 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, in the structure for providing a tactile sensation to the finger pad or the like of an operator touching a touch panel as described above, there has been a demand for miniaturization as well as the generation of vibrations that provide a tactile sensation according to the application and usage of the operating device. This has led to a demand for low-cost and thin devices that can provide strong tactile feedback that provides a tactile sensation.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator and a vibration presentation device that can be made low cost and thin, and that can efficiently output vibrations suitable for tactile feedback to an operator who operates by touching the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vibration actuator of the present invention comprises: A vibration actuator that applies vibration to a vibration presentation unit connected thereto, a fixed body having a base portion, a magnetic attraction force generating portion provided on the base portion and including a coil and a core around which the coil is wound; a plate-shaped movable body that has a presentation unit connection unit connectable to the vibration presentation unit and an attraction unit made of a magnetic material, and is disposed on the base unit; the attraction portion is disposed adjacent to the core of the magnetic attraction force generation portion via an air gap in a vibration direction along the base portion so that the magnetic attraction force generation portion generates an attraction force; The movable body is connected to a tip end and a base end of the movable body that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, and is elastically supported so as to be movable in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body via a first elastic support portion and a second elastic support portion that are respectively arranged on the tip end side and the base end side of the movable body. 、 the movable body includes a plate-shaped movable body main body having the presentation unit connection portion, The attraction portion is a planar member fixed to the movable body main body so as to face the magnetic attraction force generation portion at a distance in the vibration direction. Adopt the configuration. The vibration actuator of the present invention comprises: A vibration actuator that applies vibration to a vibration presentation unit connected thereto, a fixed body having a base portion, a magnetic attraction force generating portion provided on the base portion and including a coil and a core around which the coil is wound; a plate-shaped movable body that has a presentation unit connection unit connectable to the vibration presentation unit and an attraction unit made of a magnetic material, and is disposed on the base unit; the attraction portion is disposed adjacent to the core of the magnetic attraction force generation portion via an air gap in a vibration direction along the base portion so that the magnetic attraction force generation portion generates an attraction force; the movable body is connected to a tip end and a base end of the movable body that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, and is elastically supported to be movable in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body via a first elastic support portion and a second elastic support portion that are respectively arranged on the tip end side and the base end side of the movable body; the movable body includes a movable body main body made of a magnetic metal plate having the presentation unit connection part, The attraction portion is configured by bending a part of the movable body main body so as to face the magnetic attraction force generating portion at a distance in the vibration direction.

[0009] The vibration presentation device of the present invention has a configuration including a touch panel on which the vibration actuator having the above configuration is mounted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce costs and thickness, and to efficiently output vibrations suitable for tactile feedback to an operator who operates by touching the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a right side view of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing a support structure by an elastic support portion having an elastic support portion. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a core assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic circuit configuration of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the core assembly. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the magnetic circuit configuration of a vibration actuator to which a modified example of the core assembly is applied. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing the essential configuration of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a core assembly of an actuator body, showing the main configuration of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base portion of the actuator body. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable body main body of the actuator main body. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing the essential configuration of a vibration actuator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a core assembly of an actuator body, showing the essential configuration of a vibration actuator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable body main body of the actuator main body. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing the essential configuration of a vibration actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an elastic support portion of a vibration actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing the configuration of the main parts of a vibration actuator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable body main body of the actuator main body. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a drive circuit for the actuator body. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing wiring of the strain detector. [Figure 31] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vibration presentation device having a vibration actuator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 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 also used in the figures described below. In the following, the depth, width, and height of the vibration actuator 10 will be referred to as the lengths in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively, and for convenience, the X direction (also referred to as the positive X direction) will be referred to as the tip end side (one end side), the -X direction (also referred to as the negative X direction) will be referred to as the base end side (the other end side), and the X direction and -X direction will be referred to as the front-rear direction.

[0014] The vibration actuator 10 is used, for example, in a vibration presentation device 200 (see FIG. 31), and by moving back and forth in the plus and minus X directions, applies vibrations in the plus and minus X directions as tactile sensations when a finger or the like touches the vibration presentation unit. The vibration presentation unit is an operation device or the like that is touched by an operator, such as a touch panel. The vibration presentation device 200 applies vibration to the operation device in response to the operator's touch operation of the operation device. In other words, a touch operation sensation (also called a "tactile sensation" or "force sensation") is given to the operator who touches and operates the operation device via the operation device.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) <Overall configuration of vibration actuator 10> 1 to 6 are an external perspective view, a plan view, a front view, a rear view, a right side view, and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The vibration actuator 10 is a flat (card-shaped) vibration actuator, and when the Z direction is taken as the thickness direction, it vibrates when the movable body is moved in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. When the vibration actuator 10 is attached to a touch panel as a vibration presentation unit, for example, it is placed facing the back side of the touch panel, vibrates in response to pressure from the touch panel side, and transmits the vibration to the touch panel side as tactile feedback.

[0017] The vibration actuator 10 has an actuator main body A and a load detection module K. The load detection module K has a strain-flexing member 80 and a strain detector 70 provided on the strain-flexing member 80.

[0018] The vibration actuator 10 is provided in, for example, a device having a vibration presentation unit such as a touch panel (such as the vibration presentation device 200 shown in FIG. 31). In this case, a distortion detector 70 detects distortion of a strain-generating member 80 when the touch panel is pressed. The vibration actuator 10 vibrates in response to the detection result of the distortion detector 70, and applies vibration to the touch panel. As a result, when the touch panel is operated, a tactile sensation is given to the operator via the touch panel, that is, tactile feedback is realized.

[0019] <Actuator body A> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the actuator body A showing the support structure by the elastic support portion having the elastic support portion, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the elastic support portion.

[0020] In this embodiment, the actuator main body A shown in Figures 1 to 7 is mounted in a vibration presentation device (electronic device shown in Figure 31) 200 together with a microcomputer 220 which serves as a control unit, and functions as a vibration generating source for a tactile presentation unit (vibration presentation unit) 210 which is a touch panel which is an example of an operating device.

[0021] The actuator body A has a core assembly 20 formed by winding coils 22 (22-1, 22-2) around a core 24, a fixed body 30 having a base portion 32, a movable body 40 having a movable body main body 42 made of magnetic material, and elastic support portions 50 (51, 52).

[0022] The actuator body A drives the movable body 40, which is movably supported by the elastic support members 50 (for example, the first elastic support member 51 and the second elastic support member 52), in one direction (for example, the X direction or the −X direction). This one direction is one direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate-shaped vibration actuator 10.

[0023] The actuator main body A moves the movable body 40 in one direction against the biasing force of the member (elastic support member 50) that generates the biasing force, and then moves the movable body 40, which has moved in one direction, in the opposite direction due to the biasing force. By repeating this process, the actuator main body A functions as an electromagnetic actuator that causes the movable body 40 to move back and forth linearly (vibrate) in one direction.

[0024] The actuator main body A vibrates the movable body main body 42 of the movable body 40 by the core assembly 20. Specifically, the movable body 40 is vibrated by the attractive force of the energized coil 22 and the core 24 excited by the energized coil 22, and the biasing force of the elastic support parts 50 (51, 52).

[0025] The actuator body A is configured in a flat shape, and vibrates the movable body 40 relative to the fixed body 30 in the X direction, which is perpendicular to the Z direction that is the thickness direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, the actuator main body A detects the displacement of the tactile sensation presenting section (touch panel) that is pressed as a strain of the strain-generating member 80 using strain detection sensors 74a to 74d as strain detection sections, and moves and vibrates the movable body 40 in response to this detected strain.

[0027] <Fixed body 30> In the fixed body 30, the core assembly 20 is fixed to a plate-shaped base portion 32 which forms the main body of the fixed body, and an elastic support portion 50 (51, 52) which is connected to the movable body 40 and supports the movable body 40 so that it can move freely in the vibration direction is fixed to the fixed body 30.

[0028] The base portion 32 is a flat member that forms the bottom surface of the actuator body A, in other words, the bottom surface of the vibration actuator 10. An opening 34 is provided in the base portion 32, and the core assembly 20 is fixed to the base portion 32 via fastening members 26 such as screws so that the coils 22-1 and 22-2 are positioned within the opening 34.

[0029] The base portion 32 is provided with spring connection portions 36 (see Figure 6) to which one ends 50b, 50b of the elastic support portions 50 (51, 52) are fixed, respectively, at the base tip portion 30a and the base base end portion 30b, so as to sandwich the core assembly 20.

[0030] The base portion 32 is formed so that the distance between the spring connection portion 36 at the base distal end portion 30a and the suction force generating portion of the core assembly 20 is approximately the same as the distance between the spring connection portion 36 at the base proximal end portion 30b and the suction force generating portion. In the front-rear direction (vibration direction) of the base portion 32, the suction portion 45 or the suction force generating portion of the core assembly 20, and a portion between the suction portion 45 and the suction force generating portion of the core assembly 20 are located in the center between the spring connection portions 36, 36. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the suction portion 45 is located at a position that is 1 / 2M or approximately 1 / 2M of the length M between the elastic support portions 51 and 52 in the vibration direction (X direction, −X direction). Note that the length from one of the elastic support portions 51, 52 to the suction portion 45 in the vibration direction (X direction, −X direction) may also be defined as M1.

[0031] Furthermore, the base tip portion 30a and the base base end portion 30b are provided with fixing holes 38 for fixing the base portion 32 to the base portion side (not shown). The fixing holes 38 are provided at each of the four corners of the base portion 32, and securely fix the base portion to the base portion (not shown).

[0032] The base portion 32 is formed, for example, by processing sheet metal into a rectangular plate shape with the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction, as the vibration direction, and one side and the other side spaced apart in this direction as the base tip portion 30a and the base base end portion 30b.

[0033] Opening 34 has a shape corresponding to the shape of core assembly 20. Opening 34 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction (Y direction), and the attraction force generating portion of core assembly 20 is disposed in the center of base portion 32 and opposed to and spaced apart from attraction portion 45 of the movable body in the vibration direction (X direction). Note that opening 34 may be configured in any way as long as coil 22 of core assembly 20 is disposed therein and the attraction force generating portion is opposed to attraction portion 45 in the vibration direction.

[0034] The coil 22 of the core assembly 20 is fixed inside the opening 34 from the underside of the base portion 32 (the surface opposite to the upper surface, which is the surface facing the movable body 40). This makes the length (thickness) of the entire vibration actuator in the Z direction thinner than in a configuration in which the core assembly 20 is attached to the base portion 32. Furthermore, the core assembly 20 is fixed with a screw serving as the fastening member 26, with a portion of it, in this case a portion of the bottom surface, fitted into the opening 34. This means that the core assembly 20 is firmly fixed to the base portion 32 in a manner that makes it difficult for it to come off from the base portion 32.

[0035] When the coil 22 is energized, the core assembly 20 causes the elastic support portions 50 (51, 52) and the attraction portion 45 to cooperate to vibrate the movable body main body 42 of the movable body 40 (to move linearly back and forth in the X direction).

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a core assembly. As shown in FIG. 9, the core assembly 20 of this embodiment is formed by wrapping flat coils 22-1 and 22-2 around each of the parallel sides of a flat U-shaped core 24.

[0037] The coils 22 (22-1, 22-2) are energized when the actuator body A is driven, and function as solenoids that generate a magnetic field. The coils 22, together with the core 24 and the attraction portion 45 of the movable body 40, form a magnetic circuit (magnetic path) that attracts and moves the movable body 40.

[0038] Incidentally, power is supplied to the coil 22 from an external power source via the substrate 23 (corresponding to the actuator driver 230). For example, a drive current is supplied to the actuator main body A from the microcomputer 220 (see FIG. 31) via the actuator driver 230, thereby supplying power to the coil 22 and driving the actuator main body A.

[0039] In the core 24, both ends of the U-shape are magnetic poles 201a and 201b that are excited by energizing the coil 22 and constitute a magnetic attraction force generating portion. The magnetic poles 201a and 201b are arranged in a straight line in the Y direction at an intermediate position between the spring connection portion 36 of the base tip end portion 30a and the base base end portion 30b.

[0040] Furthermore, magnetic poles 201a and 201b are arranged opposite attraction portion 45 of movable body 40 with gap G therebetween in the X direction. Each of magnetic poles 201a and 201b is preferably planar. That is, the winding axis of coil 22 is arranged in the front-rear direction, i.e., the vibration direction, and both magnetic poles 201a and 201b are fixed so as to face from tip end portion 30a (also referred to as "base tip end portion") of base portion 32 to base end portion 30b.

[0041] The core 24 is a magnetic body made of a soft magnetic material, for example, silicon steel plate, permalloy, ferrite, etc. The core 24 may also be made of electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered material, MIM (metal injection molding) material, laminated steel plate, electro-galvanized steel plate (SECC), etc.

[0042] The magnetic poles 201a and 201b are excited by energizing the coil 22, and attract and move the attraction portion 45 of the movable body 40 that is spaced apart in the vibration direction (X direction). Specifically, the magnetic poles 201a and 201b function as attraction force generators by the generated magnetic flux, and attract the attraction portion 45 of the movable body 40 that is disposed opposite to them via a gap G. The gap G is the distance between the attraction force generator and the attraction portion 45 in the X direction, and determines the movable range of the movable body 40.

[0043] Core 24 may be configured in any way as long as it is magnetized by energizing coil 22, and forms a magnetic circuit that moves attraction portion 45 in the X direction using magnetic poles 201a, 201b, which become attraction force generating portions.

[0044] <Movable body 40> The movable body 40 is arranged in the thickness direction of the actuator body A so as to overlap the base portion 32 and to be movable in a vibration direction that is perpendicular to the thickness direction, for example, in the X direction. The movable body 40 has a plate-shaped movable body main body 42 and an attraction part 45 that is provided on the movable body main body 42 and is disposed opposite the magnetic poles 201a and 201b.

[0045] The movable body 40 is arranged in a suspended state so as to be movable in the vibration direction (X direction) relative to the base part 32 via elastic support parts 50 (51, 52) spaced apart in the vibration direction.

[0046] The movable body main body 42 is a plate-like body made of a magnetic material such as electromagnetic stainless steel, sintered material, MIM (metal injection molding) material, laminated steel plate, or electro-galvanized steel plate (SECC), and is formed, for example, by processing an SECC plate.

[0047] The movable body main body 42 has an opening 44 formed corresponding to the core assembly 20 of the base portion 32. The coils 22-1 and 22-2 are disposed inside the opening 44, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the vibration actuator. In other words, by configuring the movable body main body 42 to have the opening 44, the thickness of the actuator main body A, and therefore the entire vibration actuator 10, can be reduced compared to when the opening 44 is not provided. Furthermore, because the coil 22 of the core assembly 20 is positioned inside the opening 44, the movable body main body 42 is not disposed near the coil 22, which prevents a decrease in conversion efficiency due to leakage magnetic flux from the coil 22 and enables high output.

[0048] The movable body main body 42 is fixed to a strain-flexing member 80 so as to be attached to an operating device such as a touch panel, for example.

[0049] The movable body main body 42 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame plate so as to surround the opening 44 . The movable body main body 42 is fixed to a part of the strain-generating member 80. In this embodiment, the movable body main body 42 is fixed to a part of the strain-generating member 80 by fitting (in this embodiment, screwing) a stopper receiving portion 92 of the movement restricting portion 90 into a stopper pin 94 (see FIG. 10).

[0050] 6 and 10, the movement restricting portion 90 restricts the relative movement range of the movable body main body 42 in the thickness direction (Z direction), width direction (Y direction), or front-rear direction (X direction) with respect to the base portion 32 of the fixed body 30 between the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40. Here, the restriction on movement in the front-rear direction is determined by the gap between the inner diameter D1 of the through-hole 321 of the base portion 32 and the outer diameter of the movable body side portion (here, the stopper receiving portion 92) arranged inside the through-hole 321.

[0051] The stopper receiving portion 92 has a cylindrical insertion portion 92a that is inserted into the through-hole of the base portion 32, and a flange portion 92b that is provided on one end side of the insertion portion 92a. Specifically, the stopper receiving portion 92 is a screw receiving portion, and a female thread portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 92a. The insertion portion 92a of the stopper receiving portion 92 is inserted from the underside of the base portion 32. At this time, the flange portion 92b engages with the underside of the base portion 32 to prevent the stopper receiving portion 92 from slipping off toward the upper surface of the base portion 32.

[0052] A stopper pin 94 is inserted from the strain-generating member 80 side and fixed in the stopper receiving portion 92. The stopper receiving portion 92 and the stopper pin 94 constitute a retaining portion.

[0053] The stopper pin 94 has a flange portion 94a that engages with the upper surface of the strain-flexing member 80, and a pin shaft 94b that is continuous with the flange portion 94a.

[0054] The pin shaft 94b of the stopper pin 94 is inserted into the through-hole of the strain-generating member 80 from the upper surface side of the strain-generating member 80, and is also inserted through the movable body main body 42 via a washer 96. In this embodiment, the stopper pin 94 is a screw that screws into the stopper receiving portion 92, which is a screw receiver, and the outer periphery of the pin shaft 94b is provided with a male thread portion that screws into the female thread portion of the insertion portion 92a.

[0055] By fitting, i.e., screwing, the pin shaft 94b into the insertion portion 92a of the stopper receiving portion 92, the strain-generating member 80 through which the pin shaft 94b is inserted and the movable body main body 42 are clamped by the tip of the insertion portion 92a and the flange portion 94a of the stopper pin 94 via the washer 96. As a result, the movement restricting portion 90 restricts the strain-generating member 80 and the movable body main body 42 so that they move together relative to the base portion 32 within predetermined ranges in the X and Z directions.

[0056] The movable body main body 42 is integrally fixed to the frame-shaped portion 82 of the strain-generating member 80 via a movement restricting portion 90. The movable body main body 42 is also joined to elastic support portions 50 (51, 52) at each of the distal end portion 40a and the proximal end portion 40b.

[0057] The attracting portion 45 is attracted to the magnetized magnetic poles 201a, 201b in the core assembly 20, and is disposed so as to face the magnetic poles 201a, 201b in the vibration direction. In this embodiment, the attracting portion 45 is formed by bending a part of the movable body main body 42 so as to hang down. The attracting portion 45 is a planar member made of a magnetic material, and constitutes a magnetic circuit together with the core assembly 20.

[0058] <Elastic support portion 50 (51, 52)> The elastic support members 50 (51, 52) support the movable body 40 movably relative to the fixed body 30. The elastic support members 50 (51, 52) support the movable body 40 in a state where it is suspended above the base portion 32 of the fixed body 30, movably in the X direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the base portion 32 and the movable body main body 42 overlap (a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction). The elastic support members 51, 52 have shapes that are point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the movable body 40, and in this embodiment, they are members that are formed identically. Figure 8 shows the elastic support member 51.

[0059] The elastic support portion 50 is arranged so that the movable body main body 42 is positioned relative to the base portion 32 such that the attraction portion 45 faces the magnetic poles 201a and 201b of the core 24 of the fixed body 30 with a gap G therebetween.

[0060] The elastic support member 50 is a leaf spring (spring plate material). It has the other end 50a fixed to the movable body main body 42, one end 50b fixed to the base portion 32, and an elastic deformation member 50c connecting the one end 50b and the other end 50a. The one end 50b and the other end 50a are arranged to be spaced apart in the Y direction, and the elastic deformation member 50c is arranged so that its thickness direction is the X direction and extends in the Y direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to both the vibration direction and the thickness direction. The thickness of the elastic deformation member 50c is in the same direction as the vibration direction, and the length in the Y direction ensures a deflection length.

[0061] This allows the length of the elastic deformation portion 50c of the elastic support portion 50 to be appropriately set along the width direction (Y direction), so that the base portion 32 and the movable body main body 42 can be connected at one end 50b and the other end 50a at both ends.

[0062] Furthermore, the elastic deformation portion 50c is fixed on both the tip end 40a side and the base end 40b side of the movable body 40, with the plate thickness direction being the X direction and the extension direction being the Y direction. For the elastic support portion 50, it is sufficient to ensure an installation space in the extension direction of the elastic deformation portion 50c that actually deforms, equal to the length in the width direction (Y direction). This makes it possible to make the elastic support portion 50 itself smaller, thereby reducing costs and improving assembly, and can easily accommodate cases where a smaller spring constant is desired in the vibration actuator 10.

[0063] In addition, the elastic deformation portion 50c basically deforms the movable body 40 relative to the fixed body 30 so that the vibration direction is the X direction, which is perpendicular to the Z direction, which is the thickness direction. However, by connecting one end 50b of the elastic deformation portion 50c, which is fixed to the base portion 32, and the other end 50a, which is fixed to the movable body main body 42, and arranging them so that they are spaced apart in the Y direction, it becomes easy to position the resonance point of the Z direction vibration near the resonance point of the X direction vibration of the elastic deformation portion 50c, and the elastic deformation portion 50c can deform the movable body 40 so that it vibrates relative to the fixed body 30 in both the X direction and the Z direction.

[0064] 11 is a diagram showing the magnetic circuit configuration of the vibration actuator 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic circuit has a magnetic flux flow J in parts not shown that is similar to the part shown in the figure.

[0065] Specifically, when current is applied to coil 22, core 24 is excited to generate a magnetic field, and both ends of core 24 become magnetic poles 201a and 201b, i.e., magnetic attraction force generating portions. For example, in FIG. 11 , magnetic pole 201a is the north pole and magnetic pole 201b is the south pole in core 24. Then, a magnetic circuit indicated by magnetic flux flow J is formed between core assembly 20 and movable body main body 42. Magnetic flux flow J in this magnetic circuit flows from magnetic pole 201a to attraction portion 45 of movable body main body 42 facing magnetic pole 201a, passes through attraction portion 45 of movable body main body 42, and flows from a portion of attraction portion 45 facing magnetic pole 201b to magnetic pole 201b and reaches the inside of core 24.

[0066] As a result, according to the principle of an electromagnetic solenoid, magnetic poles 201a, 201b of core assembly 20 generate an attractive force (thrust) F that attracts attraction portion 45 of movable body main body 42, and attraction portion 45 of movable body main body 42 is attracted by both magnetic poles 201a, 201b of core assembly 20. Movable body 40 including movable body main body 42 moves in the direction of attractive force F against the biasing force of elastic support portion 50.

[0067] Furthermore, when the current 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 biasing force of the elastic support part 50 causes the movable body 40 to move toward its original position (in the -F direction).

[0068] By repeating this, the movable body 40 of the actuator body A moves back and forth, and vibrations can be generated in the vibration direction (X direction).

[0069] The range of displacement of movable body 40 is preferably a range that can impart vibrations corresponding to the display pressed by the operator on the screen of a touch panel, which is an operating device. For example, if the display to be pressed by the operator on the touch panel screen is a mechanical button or one of various switches, the range of amplitude is one that can impart the same tactile sensation as when actually pressing such a mechanical button or one of various switches. This range is set based on the fact that a small displacement of the amplitude of movable body 40 results in an insufficient tactile sensation, and a large displacement is uncomfortable. For example, the displacement may be in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0070] In the actuator body A, magnetic circuit efficiency can be improved and high output can be achieved by arranging the attraction portion 45 of the movable body 42 in close proximity to the magnetic poles 201a, 201b of the core assembly 20 so that their faces face each other. Also, the actuator body A can be driven without using a magnet, resulting in a low-cost structure.

[0071] In the multiple elastic support parts 50 (51, 52), the band-shaped elastic deformation parts 50c are arranged with their thickness direction facing the vibration direction to support the movable body 40, so it is only necessary to ensure a movable area in the vibration direction, resulting in a compact actuator.

[0072] A core assembly 20 having a core 24 around which a coil 22 is wound is fixed so that the coil 22 is positioned within an opening 34 in a base portion 32 of the fixed body 30, and with respect to the movable body 40, it is positioned within an opening 44 in a movable body main body 42 which is arranged so as to overlap the base portion 32.

[0073] This eliminates the need to arrange the components of the fixed body 30 and the movable body 40 in a stacked manner in the Z direction to generate magnetism and drive the movable body in the X direction (for example, arranging a coil and a magnet facing each other in the Z direction), allowing the thickness of the actuator body A as an electromagnetic actuator to be reduced in the Z direction. Furthermore, by moving the movable body 40 back and forth linearly without using a magnet, vibrations can be imparted to the operating device as a tactile feeling. The simple support structure thus simplifies the design, allowing for space savings and a thinner actuator body A.

[0074] Below is a brief explanation of the driving principle of the actuator main body A. The actuator main body A, i.e., the vibration actuator 10, can also be driven by generating a resonance phenomenon using pulses using the following equations of motion and circuit equations. Note that the operation is not a resonance drive, but rather expresses the operational feel of a mechanical switch displayed on a touch panel as an operating device, and is driven by inputting multiple current pulses via an actuator driver 230 (see Figure 31) or the like.

[0075] The movable body 40 in the actuator main body A performs a reciprocating motion based on the formulas (1) and (2).

[0076]

number

[0077]

number

[0078] That is, the mass m [Kg], displacement x(t) [m], and 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 a range that satisfies formula (2).

[0079] In this way, the mass m of the actuator body A, the movable body 40, and the spring constant K of the metal spring (elastic body, a leaf spring in this embodiment) serving as the elastic support portion 50 are sp is determined by.

[0080] <Load detection module K> The load detection module K will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6. FIG. The load detection module K is interposed between the movable body 40 of the actuator body A and a vibration presentation unit (for example, a touch panel) that applies vibration, and is fixed to the movable body 40 and the touch panel.

[0081] The load detection module K detects the strain generated in the strain-generating member 80 in response to a pressing operation on the touch panel using the strain detection body 70. The detected strain is output to a control unit (for example, a microcomputer shown in FIG. 31), and the control unit drives the actuator main body A in response to the strain to generate vibration.

[0082] <Strain-flexing member 80> The strain-generating member 80 has a frame-shaped portion 82 fixed to the movable body main body 42 of the movable body 40, an opening 84, and a presentation unit connection portion 86 fixed to a vibration presentation unit such as a touch panel.

[0083] The strain-generating member 80 functions as a strain-generating body that generates strain when an external force is applied by pressing the vibration presentation unit. In this embodiment, the strain-generating member 80 is formed into a rectangular frame-like plate by processing sheet metal. This shape is such that, when fixed to the planar vibration presentation unit, the back side of the vibration presentation unit surrounds the area of ​​the vibration presentation unit that is pressed.

[0084] The strain-flexing member 80 is provided with connecting arms 85 extending in the longitudinal direction from the four corners of a flat rectangular frame-shaped portion 82. The strain-flexing member 80 has strain detection sensors 74a to 74d arranged at the portions of the frame-shaped portion 82 to which the base ends of the connecting arms 85 are connected.

[0085] The connecting arm 85 is provided with a presentation unit connecting portion 86, and the strain-generating member 80 is fixed to the vibration presentation unit via this presentation unit connecting portion 86. In this way, the strain-generating member 80 is fixed to the vibration presentation unit via the presentation unit connecting portion 86 of the connecting arm 85, and the frame-shaped portion 82 is fixed to the movable body main body 42 of the movable body 40, so that the function as a strain-generating member is mainly exerted by the connecting arm 85.

[0086] <Distortion detector 70> The strain detector 70 is provided integrally with the strain-generating member 80, and has a strain detector that detects strain generated by a load applied to the strain-generating member 80 as a strain-generating body in order to drive the actuator main body A. The strain detector 70 is, for example, a substrate 72 on which a plurality of strain detection sensors 74a to 74d are mounted as strain detection units and on which a circuit for electrically connecting the plurality of strain detection sensors 74a to 74d is mounted. The substrate 72 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter also referred to as FPC (Flexible printed circuits)) or the like.

[0087] The strain detection sensor (load sensor) 74 detects the amount of pressure applied to the strain-generating member 80, which is displaced together with the movable body 40, as the amount of pressure applied to the vibration presentation unit when the vibration presentation unit is operated.

[0088] The strain detection sensors 74a to 74d, together with the movable body main body 42, detect the strain of the strain-generating member 80 that accompanies the deformation of the elastic support member 50 when pressed into the base portion 32. The detected strain is output to a control unit or the like, and the coil 22 is energized to attract and move the movable body main body 42 so that the amount of movement of the movable body 40 corresponds to this strain.

[0089] 31, a possible configuration is one in which a control unit such as a microcomputer determines the amount of movement of the vibration presentation unit using the distortion detected by the distortion detection sensor 74, thereby realizing vibration feedback in response to contact. Note that the control unit may also use a sensor that detects the operator's contact with the operation device to detect the amount of pressure applied to the elastic support unit 50 in terms of a movement amount corresponding to the actual movement of the operation device, and use this detection result to realize the expression of a more natural feeling.

[0090] Furthermore, using the distortion detection sensors 74a to 74d, the vibration period of the movable body 40 (which may also include the vibration presentation unit, which is an operation 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 depression of the movable body 40. Furthermore, apart from the distortion detection sensors 74, an operation signal indicating the operation state may be output to the control unit in conjunction with the display form of the operator's touch position detected by the vibration presentation unit, so that vibration corresponding to the display form is generated, and the control unit may perform control accordingly.

[0091] The strain detector 70 mainly uses the connecting arm 85 of the strain-generating member 80 as a strain-generating body, detects the strain, and outputs the detected strain to the control unit.

[0092] Specifically, the strain detector 70 has a staple-shaped (U-shaped) substrate 72 arranged on a frame portion 82 of a strain-generating member 80 and spanning the four corners of the frame portion 82. That is, the substrate 72 is provided so that short sides extend in the width direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the long sides from both sides of a long side extending in the longitudinal direction, which is the vibration direction (X direction), and these long sides and short sides form a U shape.

[0093] In the strain detector 70, the strain detection sensors 74a to 74d are mounted between a frame-shaped part 82 to which the movable body main body 42 is fixed and a presentation part connection part 86 fixed to the vibration presentation part, that is, on a connecting arm part 85 that functions as a strain generating body. As a result, the strain detector 70 detects strain in each of the connecting arm parts 85 of the strain generating member 80.

[0094] Since the strain detection body 70 is provided on a strain-generating member 80 fixed to the movable body 40, the detection sensors 74a to 74d are in the same state as when they are arranged on the movable body 40, and can detect in the immediate vicinity of the vibration presentation unit to which load is applied during operation, allowing for stable detection and immediate expression of a realistic tactile sensation like the feel of a switch.

[0095] The strain detection sensors 74a to 74d may be provided in one location on the load detection module K, but it is preferable to provide them in multiple locations. When the vibration actuator 10 is attached to the vibration presentation unit, it is preferable to provide them in at least three locations radially surrounding the center of the operation surface of the vibration presentation unit at equal intervals. This allows the vibration actuator 10 to receive the displacement of the vibration presentation unit when pressed over its surface and detect it with high accuracy.

[0096] In this embodiment, the strain detection sensors 74a to 74d are provided at four locations near the presentation unit connection portion 86, which is the fixed portion to the vibration presentation unit, and detect strain at the corner portions of the frame-like shape surrounding the center of the pressing operation area of ​​the vibration presentation unit. Therefore, when a rectangular touch panel display is used as the vibration presentation unit, like the vibration presentation unit, the actuator main body A can be attached to this display in a well-balanced manner via the load detection module K. This allows the strain direction of the strain-generating member 80 to be stably aligned with the direction perpendicular to the surface.

[0097] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the wiring of the strain detector 70. The strain detection sensors 74a to 74d mounted on the substrate 72 are arranged on the strain-generating member 80 and are positioned on the same plane. The strain detection sensors 74a to 74d 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 detection sensors.

[0098] The strain detection sensors 74a-74d are connected in parallel to the power supply voltage Vcc and GND on the substrate 72, and are connected in parallel to each other so as to output the amount of change in electrical resistance that changes when a load is applied. This averages the outputs from the strain detection sensors 74a-74d, resulting in stable behavior. Furthermore, the output values ​​are roughly uniform in temperature for each of the strain detection sensors 74a-74d, improving temperature stability.

[0099] Furthermore, in the actuator main body A, screws 53 are used as fastening members to fix the base portion 32 and the elastic support portion 50, and to fix the elastic support portion 50 and the movable body 40. In this embodiment, the screws 53 and nuts 54 are used for fixation. This allows the elastic support 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 it to be reattached, etc.

[0100] In the vibration actuator 10, a stopper is disposed between the movable body main body 42, and therefore the strain-generating member 80, and the base portion 32, as a movement restriction portion 90 that prevents the movable body main body 42 from jumping out toward the strain-generating member 80. This restricts the range of movement of the movable body main body 42 relative to the base portion 32 in the thickness direction (Z direction), width direction (Y direction), or front-rear direction (X direction).

[0101] In this embodiment, the core assembly 20 has been described as being U-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a core assembly 20AA using an E-shaped core 24AA may be used, as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a core assembly 20AA as a modified example of the core assembly, and Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the magnetic circuit configuration of a vibration actuator to which the core assembly 20AA is applied.

[0102] The core assembly 20AA shown in Figures 12 and 13 is constructed by winding coils 22A (22A-1, 22A-2, 22A-3) around each of the three parallel sides of an E-shaped core 24AA. This increases the magnetic attraction force, making it possible to realize a low-cost, high-output vibration actuator without using any other core assemblies. It goes without saying that the core assembly 20AA may also be used as the core assembly in the vibration actuators of the following embodiments 2 to 5.

[0103] <Effects> The vibration actuator 10 of this embodiment has good magnetic circuit efficiency and can achieve high output, and because it does not use a magnet, it can achieve low cost and thinness, and can efficiently output vibrations that are suitable for tactile feedback to an operator who operates by touching it. As a result, it can be suitably applied to the tactile feedback structure of touch panels, which require low cost, thinness, and high output devices.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the vibration actuator 10, the attraction portion 45 is formed by bending a portion of the movable body main body 42 so that it hangs down. This eliminates the need to construct the magnetic circuit, which is configured together with the attraction force generating portion, from complex parts, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, by configuring the movable body main body 42 and the attraction portion 45 from sheet metal, magnetic saturation can be suppressed by the thickness of the sheet metal, thereby achieving high-output vibration.

[0105] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movable body main body 42 is restricted from moving away from the base portion 32 (in the thickness direction, i.e., the Z direction) via the movement restricting portion 90, thereby preventing damage to the elastic support portions 51, 52. Specifically, the stopper receiving portion 92 and the stopper pin 94 form a retaining portion (stopper) that prevents the movable body main body 42 from coming off the base portion 32. This makes it easy to adjust the clearance between them, realizes a space-saving movement restricting portion 90, and makes it possible to restrict movement in the planar direction as well. In particular, the movement restricting portion 90 can improve reliability by preventing damage such as the movable body main body 42 coming off the base portion 32 and flying out, even when the vibration actuator 10 is subjected to an impact.

[0106] Furthermore, the actuator main body A is fixed to the vibration presentation unit via a load detection module K that integrates the strain detection sensor 74 and the strain-generating member 80. This allows the load detection module K and the actuator main body A to be assembled separately, and then to the vibration actuator 10. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the strain detection sensor 74 and the strain-generating member are part of the movable body of the actuator main body, there is no need to assemble the actuator after assembling the strain detection sensor 74, or vice versa, which improves assembly efficiency.

[0107] Furthermore, since the strain-generating member 80 can be changed in accordance with the shape of the vibration presenting section, the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

[0108] The strain-generating member 80 is a plate-shaped spring plate material, which can alleviate metal fatigue and improve reliability even when repeated vibrations are applied.

[0109] Furthermore, in the vibration actuator 10, the strain-generating member 80 is formed from a single spring plate material. This makes it possible to increase the positional accuracy of the arrangement positions of the strain detection sensors 74a to 74d on the connecting arm 85 of the strain-generating member 80, thereby improving accuracy during assembly. In other words, unlike when the connecting arm 85 serving as the strain-generating body that is the detection target portion of the strain-generating member 80 is formed as multiple separate parts, no variation occurs during assembly, improving ease of assembly.

[0110] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 14 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the actuator body showing the main configuration of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a core assembly of the actuator body showing the main configuration of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0111] The vibration actuator 10A of embodiment 2 is different from the vibration actuator 10 only in the configuration of the elastic support member 350 and the configuration of the suction member 45A, and the other configuration functions are the same. Therefore, the same configurations are designated by the reference numerals of the vibration actuator 10 with the letter A added, and the same drawings are used, and the explanation is omitted.

[0112] Vibration actuator 10A differs from vibration actuator 10 in that the elastic support part is integrally provided on the fixed body 30 side, specifically, the base part 32A and the elastic support part 350 are integrated, and the suction part 45A is separate from the movable body main body 42A. That is, the actuator body A1 functions as a thin plate-like actuator having the same basic structure as the actuator body A.

[0113] The vibration actuator 10A has an actuator main body A1 and a load detection module K1. Similar to the load detection module K, the load detection module K1 has a strain-generating member 80A, a portion of which is provided on the movable body 40A, and a strain detection body 70A provided on the strain-generating member 80A. In this embodiment, the movable body 40A and the strain-generating member 80A are fixed together with a screw 94 and a nut 54. The strain-generating member 80A generates strain between the movable body main body 42A and the presentation unit side connection part 86A, and this strain is detected by the strain detection body 70A.

[0114] 14 to 17, vibration actuator 10A has a fixed body 30A having a base portion 32A and a core assembly 20A, and a movable body 40A having a presentation unit connection portion 86A connected to the vibration presentation unit and an attraction portion 45A made of a magnetic material. Similar to core assembly 20, core assembly 20A is composed of a coil 22A and a core 24A around which coil 22A is wound (see FIG. 9), but here coil 22A is wound around bobbin 25 and is sheathed on core 24A (similar to core 24) via bobbin 25.

[0115] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the base portion 32A of the actuator main body A1. The fixed body 30A has a rectangular plate-shaped (card-shaped) base portion 32A, and the base portion 32A is provided with an opening 34A in which the coil 22A is placed when the core assembly 20A is fixed.

[0116] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the movable body main body of the actuator main body. 16 to 19, movable body 40A is supported on base portion 32A via elastic support members 350 (351, 352) so as to be movable in the vibration direction (X direction) on base portion 32A. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, elastic support members 351, 352 are provided integrally with and continuous to tip end portion 32a and base end portion 32b of base portion 32A, respectively. Because elastic support members 351, 352 are provided integrally with base portion 32A, ease of assembly, assembly precision, and cost reduction can be achieved when assembling the elastic support members, i.e., when assembling the springs.

[0117] The elastic support portion 351 is provided at the tip portion 32a of the rectangular base portion 32A so as to bridge between both ends of the tip portion 32a that are spaced apart in the width direction (Y direction) of the tip portion 32a. The elastic support portion 352 is provided at the base portion 32b of the rectangular base portion 32A so as to bridge between both ends of the base portion 32b that are spaced apart in the width direction (Y direction). The elastic support portions 351, 352 are formed by bending the tip portion 32a and the base portion 32b that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of a rectangular metal sheet that forms the base portion 32A so that they stand up.

[0118] Elastic deformation portions 350c, 350c having a movable body side connection portion 350a at their centers are installed between both end portions 350b, 350b of the elastic support portions 351, 352. The elastic support portions 351, 352 each bend in the thickness direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. The movable body side connection portion 350a is fixed to the distal end portion 40a and the proximal end portion 40b of the movable body main body 42A via fastening members 53 such as screws. As a result, the elastic support portions 351, 352 are fixed to the movable body 40A at the central portions (the distal end portion 40a and the proximal end portion 40b) in the width direction (the Y direction) perpendicular to the vibration direction (the X direction) at the front and rear ends of the movable body 40A.

[0119] The fixed position of the elastic support members 351 and 352 on the movable body 40A side is the center of the width direction (Y direction) of the movable body 40A. This restricts the movement of the movable body 40A in the vibration direction (X direction, which is perpendicular to the Y direction) at the center. This makes it easier to achieve highly linear drive in the X direction, and since the movable body 40A is also held at the center, it is less likely to twist and has a robust structure, which improves reliability. Furthermore, the elastic support members 351 and 352 are fixed to the fixed body 30A, specifically the base portion 32A, at both ends in the width direction (Y direction). Since they are fixed at both ends, the fixed position of the movable body 40A is more stable, and if a larger spring constant is desired, design freedom can be increased.

[0120] An opening 44A is formed in the movable body main body 42A, in which the coil 22 of the core assembly 20A is disposed. Furthermore, on the distal end side and proximal end side, including the distal end portion 40a and the proximal end portion 40b, legs 46A and 48A are formed by bending the respective ends downward. The legs 46A and 48A ensure a distance from the base portion 32A to the movable body main body 42A. This defines the height position of the movable body main body 42A of the movable body 40A relative to the base portion 32A of the fixed body 30A.

[0121] In the present embodiment, attraction portion 45A is separate from movable body main body 42A. Attraction portion 45A has fixed plate portion 452 fixed to movable body main body 42A, and planar portion 454 corresponding to a planar member and disposed opposite magnetic poles 201a, 201b of core assembly 20A.

[0122] Attraction portion 45A is made of a magnetic material, and in this embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate into an L-shape. Planar portion 454 is provided so as to hang down from fixed plate portion 452. Fixed plate portion 452 is attached to the underside of movable body main body 42A near opening 44A, and planar portion 454 is provided on movable body main body 42A in a state of hanging down from one side of opening 44A.

[0123] Since attraction portion 45A is separate from movable body main body 42A, the size of the area facing magnetic poles 201a and 201b can be easily changed depending on the shape of core assembly 20A or the desired output amount.

[0124] The core 24 of the magnetic attraction force generating unit (more specifically, the magnetic poles 201a, 201b) is arranged adjacent to the magnetic attraction force generating unit via an air gap AG in the vibration direction along the base portion 32A so that the magnetic attraction force generating unit (more specifically, the magnetic poles 201a, 201b) generates an attraction force.

[0125] The strain-flexing member 80A has the same basic configuration as the strain-flexing member 80, and is fixed to the movable body main body 42A. The strain-flexing member 80A has a stopper portion 92A in addition to the basic configuration.

[0126] The stopper portion 92A is arranged so as to extend from the surface of the strain-generating member 80A that forms the surface of the vibration actuator 10A, surround the side surface, and wrap around to the back surface of the base portion 32A that forms the back surface of the vibration actuator 10A.

[0127] The portion of this stopper portion 92A that is arranged on the back surface side of the base portion 32A is the stopper portion 920. The stopper portion 920 is arranged to face the main body portion of the strain-generating member 80A at a predetermined distance, and together with the main body portion of the strain-generating member 80A, sandwiches the fixed body 30A, i.e., the base portion 32A, in the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0128] As a result, the stopper portion 920 functions as a stopper that restricts movement in the thickness direction of the movable body main body 42A of the movable body 40A relative to the base portion 32A of the fixed body 30A, thereby protecting the vibration actuator 10A from damage even when it is subjected to an impact, thereby improving reliability.

[0129] Furthermore, in the vibration actuator 10A, the elastic support member 350 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction, and is connected to the base member 32A at the fixed member side fixing portions 350b at both ends thereof, and is joined to the movable body main body 42A at the central portion 350a.

[0130] In this way, the elastic support portion 350 is fixed to the fixed body 30A at both ends (fixed portion on the fixed portion side) 350b, which are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to both the vibration direction and the thickness direction, at the tip end 40a and base end 40b of the movable body 40, and supports the movable body main body 42A at the central portion 350a.

[0131] Therefore, the elastic deformation portion 350c can be changed as needed by changing the fixed body 30A of the elastic support portion 350 and the fixed region of the movable body 40A, which makes it easier to stabilize the fixation of the movable body 40A and also increases the degree of freedom in design even when a larger spring constant is desired. That is, when used as a vibration presentation device, by bringing the frequency that is superior to human tactile sensation closer to the resonant frequency, even when stronger vibrations are provided, the resonant frequency can be set by adjusting the spring constant over a wide adjustment range in accordance with the mass of the movable body.

[0132] Furthermore, since the elastic support portion 350 is integral with the base portion 32A, it is possible to achieve ease of assembly, assembly precision, and low costs for the actuator body A1 and vibration actuator 10A.

[0133] Furthermore, in the elastic support member 350, the fixed position on the movable body 40A side is the center of the distal end 40a and proximal end 40b of the movable body 40, so that the movement of the movable body 40A is restricted by the fixed center portion.

[0134] In other words, since movement is restricted at the center in the direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the vibration direction and thickness direction, it is easy to drive the movable body 40A with high linearity, and since the movable body 40A is also held in the center, it has a robust structure that is less prone to twisting, and reliability can be improved. As a result, there is no decrease in rigidity in the torsional direction, and there is no adverse effect on shock resistance and vibration resistance characteristics. Achieving highly linear vibration makes it easier to design gaps within the movable range of peripheral parts of the movable body 40A.

[0135] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the actuator body showing the main configuration of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a core assembly of the actuator body showing the main configuration of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, and Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a movable body main body of the actuator body.

[0136] The vibration actuator 10B of embodiment 3 differs from the vibration actuator 10 in the configuration of the elastic support member 350 and the configuration of the core assembly 20B, but the other basic configurations and functions are the same. Note that when compared with the vibration actuator 10A, the vibration actuator 10B differs only in the configuration of the suction member 45B.

[0137] Therefore, in the following, the same components as those in the vibration actuator 10 will be denoted by the letter B, and similar drawings will be used, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] In the vibration actuator 10B, in the configuration of the vibration actuator 10, the structure that supports the movable body 40B via the elastic support part 350 is joined at the center of the width direction of the movable body 40B (the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the vibration direction).

[0139] Vibration actuator 10B differs from vibration actuator 10 in that the elastic support portion is provided integrally on the fixed body 30 side, specifically, the base portion 32B and elastic support portion 350 are integrated.

[0140] The vibration actuator 10B has an actuator main body A2 and a load detection module. The load detection module has the same configuration as the load detection module K1, is fixed to the movable body main body 42B of the actuator main body A2 in the same way, and functions in the same way, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0141] The actuator body A2 has a fixed body 30B having a base portion 32B and a core assembly 20B, and a movable body 40B having a connecting portion 49B connectable to a vibration presentation unit and an attracting portion 45B made of a magnetic material.

[0142] Like core assembly 20, core assembly 20B is composed of coil 22B and a core (similar to core 24A) around which coil 22B is wound, but here, coil 22B is wound around bobbin 25 and is sheathed on the core (similar to core 24A) via bobbin 25.

[0143] The attraction portion 45B is attracted to the magnetized magnetic poles (magnetic attraction force generating portions) 201a and 201b of the core assembly 20B and is disposed to face the magnetic poles 201a and 201b in the vibration direction. The attraction portion 45B is formed by bending a portion of the movable body main body 42B so that it hangs down. The attraction portion 45B is a planar magnetic member and, together with the core assembly 20B, forms a magnetic circuit. The attraction portion 45B is disposed adjacent to the magnetic poles (magnetic attraction force generating portions) 201a and 201b of the core 24 via an air gap AG in the vibration direction along the base portion 32B so that the magnetic poles (magnetic attraction force generating portions) 201a and 201b generate an attraction force.

[0144] In the vibration actuator 10B, a movable body 40B is supported on a base portion 32B via elastic support portions 350 (351, 352) so as to be movable in the vibration direction (X direction).

[0145] The elastic support portions 351 and 352 are similar to those of the base portion 32A in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described in detail. The elastic support portions 351 and 352 are provided integrally and continuously with the tip end portion 32a and the base end portion 32b of the base portion 32B, respectively.

[0146] Elastic support member 350 is formed by bending the front and rear end portions of base member 32B, which is made by processing sheet metal. Elastic support members 351, 352 are fixed to movable body 40B at the front and rear end portions of movable body 40B in the center portions (tip end portion 40a and base end portion 40b) in the width direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the vibration direction (X direction) of movable body 40B. Like elastic support members 351, 352 of base member 32A, elastic support members 351, 352 are provided integrally with base member 32B. Therefore, when assembling elastic support members 351, 352, i.e., when assembling springs, ease of assembly, assembly precision, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0147] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 23 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, Fig. 24 is a perspective view of an actuator body showing the main configuration of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, and Fig. 25 is a perspective view of an elastic support part of the vibration actuator according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0148] Vibration actuator 10C differs from vibration actuator 10 (see FIG. 1) in that stopper portion 920 is provided on strain-generating member 80C and in that the shape of elastic support portion 50C is different. Furthermore, vibration actuator 10C differs from vibration actuator 10A (see FIG. 14) in that the configuration of suction portion 45C and the configuration of elastic support portion 50C are different, but the other basic configurations are the same. Therefore, only the differences will be described, and similar points will be given the same names and reference numerals with the letter C added, and explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0149] The vibration actuator 10C has an actuator main body A3 and a load detection module K2. The load detection module K2 has a strain-flexing member 80C and a strain detection body 70C provided on the strain-flexing member 80C, and has the same functions as the load detection modules K and K1. In this embodiment, it is the same as the load detection module K.

[0150] The actuator main body A3 has a fixed body 30C having a base portion 32C and a core assembly 20C, a movable body 40C having a connection portion 49C (see Figure 24) that functions as a connection portion for the presentation portion and an attraction portion 45C made of a magnetic material, and an elastic support portion 50C. The magnetic attraction force generating portion (magnetic poles 201a, 201b) of the core assembly 20C and the attraction portion 45C of the movable body 40C are arranged close to each other in the vibration direction via an air gap AG so that the magnetic attraction force generating portion generates an attraction force.

[0151] The elastic support part 50C is constructed separately from the fixed body 30C and the movable body 40C, and is interposed between the fixed body 30C and the movable body 40C in an elastically deformable manner, thereby elastically supporting the movable body 40C so that it can move freely in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body 30C.

[0152] Similar to core assembly 20A (see Figures 15 to 17), core assembly 20C is configured by wrapping bobbin 25, around which coil 22C is wound, around a core (not shown), so that coil 22C is wound around the core.

[0153] The fixed body 30C has a rectangular plate-shaped base portion 32C, and the base portion 32C is provided with an opening 34C in which the coil 22C is placed when the core assembly 20C is fixed.

[0154] The base portion 32C has a shape that allows the elastic support portion 350 to be removed from the structure of the base portion 32A (see FIG. 18).

[0155] 24, the actuator main body A3 is provided at the tip end 32a and the base end 32b of the base portion 32C with bent pieces 322 for fixing both ends (fixed body side ends 500b) of the elastic support portion 50C. The both ends (500b) of the elastic support portion 50C are fixed to the bent pieces 322 via fixing members 53.

[0156] The elastic support member 50C is disposed on the side surface of the vibration actuator 10C in the short-side direction, i.e., the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 25, the elastic support member 50C is formed in the shape of an elongated strip that is bridged between the bent piece portions 322 that are spaced apart in the short-side direction at each of the tip end portion 32a and the base end portion 32b of the vibration actuator 10C.

[0157] The elastic support portion 50C has fixed body side end portions 500b provided at both ends, a movable body side end portion 500a provided in the center, and an elastic deformation portion 500c bridged between the fixed body side end portion 500b and the movable body side end portion 500a.

[0158] The fixed body side end 500b is fixed to the bent piece portions 322 at the tip end 32a and base end 32b of the base portion 32C. The movable body side end 500a is fixed to the tip end 40a and base end 40b of the movable body main body 42C. The elastic deformation portion 500c is oriented perpendicular to the vibration direction and deforms in the thickness direction of the elastic deformation portion 500c (the X direction, which is the vibration direction), causing relative displacement between the fixed body side end 500b and the movable body side end 500a in the thickness direction of the elastic deformation portion 500c.

[0159] The fixed position of the elastic support member 50C on the movable body 40C side is the center of the width direction (Y direction) of the movable body 40C. This restricts movement of the movable body 40C in the vibration direction (X direction, perpendicular to the Y direction) from the center. This makes it easier to achieve highly linear drive in the X direction, and the movable body 40C is also held in the center, resulting in a robust structure that is less prone to twisting and improving reliability.

[0160] Furthermore, the elastic support member 50C is fixed to the fixed body 30C, specifically the base member 32C, at both ends in the width direction (Y direction). Since it is fixed at both ends, the movable body 40C is more likely to be fixed stably, and when a large spring constant is desired, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0161] Therefore, similar to the elastic support member 350 of the vibration actuator 10B of embodiment 3, the movable body is easily stabilized, and the degree of design freedom can be increased even when a larger spring constant is desired. That is, when used as a vibration presentation device, the spring constant can be adjusted over a wide adjustment range to match the mass of the movable body, even when stronger vibrations are provided by bringing the resonant frequency closer to a frequency that is superior to the human tactile sensation.

[0162] (Embodiment 5) FIG. 26 is an external perspective view of a vibration actuator according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the actuator body showing the essential configuration of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the movable body body of the actuator body.

[0163] A vibration actuator 10D shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 differs from the basic configuration of the vibration actuators 10A to 10C mainly in that an elastic support member 450 is provided on the movable body 40D side.

[0164] The vibration actuator 10D includes an actuator main body A4 and a load detection module K2. In the actuator main body A4, the fixed body 30D includes a base portion 32D and a core assembly 20D. The basic configuration of the fixed body 30D is substantially the same as that of the vibration actuators 10, 10A to 10D of the other embodiments, and it has the same functions. For example, the base portion 32D is the same as the base portion 32C. The base portion 32D is configured as a rectangular plate having an opening 44D in which the coil 22 of the core assembly 20D is disposed. The distal end 32a and proximal end 32b of the base portion 32D each include a bent piece portion 322 that is joined to an elastic support portion 450. Similarly to the core assemblies 20A to 20C, the core assembly 20D is configured such that the coil 22D is wound around a core (not shown) by externally mounting a bobbin 25 around the core (not shown).

[0165] 27 and 28, in movable body 40D, movable body main body 42D is formed with an elastic support portion 450 in addition to a configuration having an attraction portion 45D made of a magnetic material. Note that movable body main body 42D is provided with a connection portion 49D that is connected to load detection module K2 and makes presentation unit connection portion 86D a part of movable body 40D, and legs 46D and 48D that hang down from the main body portion of movable body main body 42D.

[0166] Movable body 40D is provided so as to be reciprocally movable relative to fixed body 30D in one direction (X direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction.

[0167] In addition, in the rectangular plate-shaped movable body main body 42D, an opening 44D is formed near the tip end 40a, and elastic support portions 450 (451, 452) are formed at the tip end 40a and the base end 40b.

[0168] Elastic support members 450 hang down from distal end 40a and proximal end 40b of the main body portion of movable body main body 42D, respectively, and extend in a direction (Y direction, i.e., width direction) perpendicular to the vibration direction (X direction) and thickness direction (Z direction). Elastic support members 450 are strip-shaped, and their height (length in the Z direction) is equal to the thickness of movable body 40D.

[0169] The elastic support member 450 has a central connecting portion 450a that connects to the movable body main body 42D at the center in the width direction, fixed body side fixing portions 450b at both ends, and an elastic deformation portion 450c that connects the central connecting portion 450a and the fixed body side fixing portion 450b. The elastic support member 450 elastically supports the movable body 40D at the center portions (the distal end portion 40a and the proximal end portion 40b) in the width direction perpendicular to the vibration direction at both the front and rear ends relative to the base portion 32D. This provides the same effects as those of the elastic support members 351 and 352 of the second embodiment.

[0170] When movable body main body 42D moves in the vibration direction relative to base portion 32D, elastic deformation portion 450c bends, generating a biasing force in the vibration direction on movable body main body 42D. Note that, although suction portion 45D in the present embodiment is formed by processing a part of movable body main body 42D and bending it perpendicular to movable body main body 42D, this is not limiting, and suction portion 45D may be formed as a separate member from movable body main body 42D and attached integrally, like suction portion 45A.

[0171] In vibration actuator 10D, the elastic support member 450 is integrally formed on the movable body 40D side, and therefore, similar to the configurations of vibration actuators 10A and 10B in which the elastic support member is integrally formed on the fixed body side, it is possible to improve assembly ease and assembly accuracy, and further reduce costs.

[0172] <Control of vibration actuator> The actuator body is controlled by the control unit and drives the operating device, which is supported so as to be capable of elastic vibration, in one of the vibration directions.

[0173] A drive current is supplied to the vibration actuator 10 in response to a touch operation of the control device, generating a magnetic field that moves the elastically vibrating movable body 40 in one direction relative to the fixed body 30, in this case the positive X-direction. This provides the operator with a tactile sensation in the form of vibration when they touch the control device. In this embodiment, the touch operation is represented by a signal detected by the strain detection sensor 74, but in addition to this, a signal indicating the contact state input from the vibration presentation unit, for example, may also be used.

[0174] 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 that drives the vibration actuator 10. In this embodiment, the actuator drive signal is made up of a train of multiple current pulses.

[0175] When a current pulse is supplied to the coil 22, the movable body 40 is drawn and displaced toward the coil 22, i.e., toward the positive side in the X direction, by magnetic attraction against the biasing force of the elastic support member 50. Following this, the tactile sense providing unit (e.g., a touch panel) fixed to the movable body 40 also moves toward the positive side in the X direction relative to the base (not shown) to which the fixed body 30 is fixed.

[0176] Furthermore, by stopping the supply of drive current to coil 22, the biasing force is released, and movable body 40 is released from the state of being held at the position on the positive X-direction side relative to the reference position. As a result, movable body 40 is biased by the biasing force of elastic support member 50 to move in the opposite direction (negative X-direction side) to the retracted direction (positive X-direction side) from the maximum displacement position on the positive X-direction side, and vibration is fed back.

[0177] The actuator drive signal can be generated in various types of vibration forms by varying the amplitude, wavelength, supply timing, etc. of each pulse in a single current pulse or a train of multiple current pulses, and supplied to the actuator body A. As a result, the vibration of the actuator body A is given to the operator as a bodily sensation.

[0178] 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).

[0179] The voltage pulse applying section intermittently applies to the current pulse supplying section a plurality of control voltage pulses that respectively generate a single current pulse or a train of a plurality of current pulses that constitute the actuator drive signal.

[0180] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a drive circuit for the actuator body.

[0181] The drive circuit shown in FIG. 29 is included in the control unit and 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 14 as a voltage pulse application unit, resistors R1 and R2, and SBDs (Schottky Barrier Diodes).

[0182] 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 A (shown as [Actuator] in FIG. 29) and an SBD, and is also connected to a vibration actuator to which voltage is supplied from a power supply section Vact, specifically, to the actuator body A. The actuator body A may be replaced with any of the actuator bodies A1 to A4.

[0183] The control unit may include a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and the like (not shown) for controlling the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device. The CPU reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device, including the vibration actuator 10, in cooperation with the loaded program. At this time, various data including various vibration damping period generation patterns stored in a memory unit (not shown) is referenced. The memory unit (not shown) may be configured, for example, with a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory). For example, pulse waveform data of various patterns of multiple pulse trains is stored in the memory unit, ROM, or RAM. The ROM stores various programs for controlling the vibration presentation device, including a vibration presentation program that drives the actuator main body A to present vibration. The vibration presentation program may be, for example, a program that reads pulse waveform data for generating an actuator drive signal that generates vibration corresponding to contact information when information indicating a contact state is input from the strain detection sensors 74a to 74d.

[0184] The vibration presentation program may be, for example, a program that combines the read data to generate an actuator drive signal corresponding to the contact information, or a program that supplies the generated actuator drive signal to the coil. The actuator drive signal is a combination of multiple current pulses that is applied to the coil 22 via a driver that drives the actuator main body A. The CPU may use these programs and data to control the operation of the components of the vibration presentation device, or may control the current pulse supply unit and voltage pulse application unit. For example, signals from the strain detection sensors 74a to 74d are amplified by an amplifier, converted from analog to digital by a converter, and output to the CPU, which then vibrates the vibration actuator 10 via the drive circuit shown in FIG. 29.

[0185] The control unit supplies a current pulse to the coil 22 to drive the movable body 40 in one direction of vibration. By supplying a current pulse to the coil 22, the movable body 40 is displaced in one direction of vibration against the biasing force of the elastic support member 50. The displacement of the movable body 40 in one direction of vibration 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 vibration (X direction) is released. Turning off the input of the current pulse means the timing when the voltage that generates the current pulse is turned off. At the point when the voltage is turned off, the current pulse is not completely turned off but is in a damped state.

[0186] The movable body 40 moves and displaces in the other direction of the vibration (the negative X-direction) due to the biasing force of the elastic support part 50 accumulated at the maximum displaceable position in the retraction direction (the positive X-direction). A strong vibration is transmitted to the operating device via the movable body 40 that has moved in the other direction, which is the operating device side, and the operator feels a tactile sensation.

[0187] The control unit supplies one or more current pulses to the coil 22 in response to the operator's contact with the screen of the touch panel based on information from the distortion detection sensor 74. In the vibration of the movable body 40, the control unit supplies a first pulse, and in addition, adjusts the vibration that remains and continues even after the supply of the first pulse is stopped by supplying subsequent pulses.

[0188] <Vibration presentation device 200> FIG. 31 is a diagram schematically showing a vibration presentation device having a vibration actuator. The vibration presentation device 200 is a device that enables an operator who touches a vibration presentation unit to perform an intuitive operation by transmitting vibrations to the operator and allowing the operator to feel the vibrations in response to the operator's touch operation on the screen of a touch panel, for example.

[0189] The vibration presentation device 200 includes a tactile presentation unit 210 such as a touch panel, vibration actuator strain sensors 74 (74a to 74d), an amplifier 250, an AD converter (ADC) 260, a microcomputer 220, an actuator driver 230, and an actuator body 240.

[0190] For example, the touch panel serving as the tactile sensation providing unit 210 has a contact position output unit (not shown) that receives a touch operation by an operator on the touch panel and outputs the contact position. A signal from the contact position output unit (not shown) is output to the microcomputer 220 or the control unit of the entire device. When the tactile sensation providing unit 210 is pressed, the strain sensor 74 detects the strain of the strain-generating member 80 in the load detection module K, and the detected signal is input to the microcomputer 220 included in the control unit via the amplifier unit 250 and ADC 260.

[0191] The microcomputer 220 controls the actuator driver 230 so that vibrations corresponding to the touch operation are generated in response to the input signal, i.e., the contact position information from the contact position output unit, the drive timing, and the distortion signal. In other words, the microcomputer 220 outputs an actuator drive signal to the actuator (actuator body A) via the actuator driver 230 to supply a drive current.

[0192] The actuator main body A 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 present vibrations corresponding to the contact position output from the tactile presentation unit 210. In this way, the tactile sense presentation unit 210 such as a touch panel receives an operation from the operator, and the actuator body A is driven in response to the operation.

[0193] When an actuator drive signal is input, the actuator main body A moves the movable body 40 in one direction, for example, in the positive X direction, against the biasing force, by magnetic attraction.

[0194] Furthermore, when the input of the actuator drive signal to this actuator main body A is stopped, the actuator main body A releases the biasing force and moves the movable body 40 in the other direction (the negative X-direction) by the biasing force. The actuator main body A vibrates the movable body 40 and the control device by inputting and stopping the actuator drive signal. The actuator main body A drives the movable body 40 without using a magnet, causing the control device to vibrate.

[0195] In the embodiments, 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 operating device. In the actuator main body A, when a current pulse is supplied to the coil 22, the movable body moves in one direction. By repeating this process, the movable body vibrates. This is the same in the vibration actuators 10A to 10D of each of the first to fifth embodiments, and the movable body vibrates in the same manner.

[0196] Furthermore, the vibration actuators 10, 10A to 10D of each embodiment have similar configurations with similar shapes and given the same names, and it goes without saying that the functions and effects of these configurations are similar.

[0197] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. 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 to this. In other words, the description of the configuration of the above device and the shape of each part is one example, and it is clear that various modifications and additions to these examples are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0198] The vibration actuator of the present invention is capable of imparting vibrations corresponding to various touch operation sensations and has the advantage of being easy to assemble, and is useful, for example, in operating devices in automotive products and industrial equipment where operations are input by touching an image on a screen with a finger or the like, for example, in vibration presentation devices such as touch display devices equipped with a touch panel device that can provide feedback of an operation sensation similar to the operation sensation when touching various images such as mechanical switches displayed on an image. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1. Control section 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Vibration Actuator 12 Switching element 14 Signal Generator 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Core Assembly 22, 22-1, 22-2, 22A, 22A-1, 22A-2, 22A-3, 22B, 22C, 22D coils 23 Circuit Board 24, 24A core 25 bobbins 26, 53 Fastening member (screw) 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D fixed body 30a Base tip 30b Base base end 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D base 32a Tip 32b Proximal end 34, 34A, 34C opening 36 Connection 38 Fixing hole 40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D Movable body 40a tip 40b Proximal end 42 Movable body 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D Movable body 44, 44A, 44D opening 45, 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D Suction part 46A, 46D legs 48A, 48D legs 49B, 49C, 49D Connections 50, 51, 52, 350, 351, 352, 450 Elastic support part 50a Other end 50b One end 50c Elastic deformation part 50C Elastic support part 54 Nut 70, 70A, 70C strain detector 72 Board (flexible printed circuit board) 74, 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d Detection sensors (load sensors) 80, 80A, 80C Deformation member 82 Frame-shaped part 84 Openings 85 Connecting arm 86, 86A, 86D connection part for presentation part 90 Movement restriction part (retaining part) 92 Stopper receiving part (screw receiving part) 92a Insertion part 92b flange 92A Stopper part 94 Stopper pin (screw) 94a Flange 94b pin shaft 96 Washer 200 Vibration presentation device 201a, 201b Magnetic pole (magnetic attraction force generating part) 210 Tactile presentation section (vibration presentation section) 210 Tactile presentation unit 220 Microcomputer 230 Actuator Driver 240, A1, A2, A3, A4 Actuator Body 250 Amplification Unit 321 Through hole 322 Bent piece 350 Elastic support part 350a Movable body side connection part 350b both ends 350c elastic deformation part 450a Central Liaison Department 450b Fixed body side fixing part 450c elastic deformation part 452 Fixed plate part 454 Planar part 500a Movable body side end 500b Fixed body side end 500c elastic deformation part 920 Stopper part 250 Amplifier 260 AD conversion section K, K1, K2, K3, K4 Load Detection Module R-A1, R-A2, R-A3, R-A4, R-B1, R-B2, R-B3, R-B4, R-C1, R-C2, R-C3, R-C4, R-D1, R-D2, R-D3, R-D4 Strain gauge section SBD resistor G Gap AG Air Gap

Claims

1. A vibration actuator that applies vibration to a vibration presentation unit connected thereto, a fixed body having a base portion, a magnetic attraction force generating portion provided on the base portion and including a coil and a core around which the coil is wound; a plate-shaped movable body that has a presentation unit connection unit connectable to the vibration presentation unit and an attraction unit made of a magnetic material, and is disposed on the base unit; the attraction portion is disposed adjacent to the core of the magnetic attraction force generation portion via an air gap in a vibration direction along the base portion so that the magnetic attraction force generation portion generates an attraction force; the movable body is connected to a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the movable body that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, and is elastically supported to be movable in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body via a first elastic support portion and a second elastic support portion that are respectively arranged on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the movable body; the movable body includes a plate-shaped movable body main body having the presentation unit connection portion, the attraction portion is a planar member fixed to the movable body main body so as to face the magnetic attraction force generation portion at a distance in the vibration direction. Vibration actuator.

2. A vibration actuator that applies vibration to a vibration presentation unit connected thereto, a fixed body having a base portion, a magnetic attraction force generating portion provided on the base portion and including a coil and a core around which the coil is wound; a plate-shaped movable body that has a presentation unit connection unit connectable to the vibration presentation unit and an attraction unit made of a magnetic material, and is disposed on the base unit; the attraction portion is disposed adjacent to the core of the magnetic attraction force generation portion via an air gap in a vibration direction along the base portion so that the magnetic attraction force generation portion generates an attraction force; the movable body is connected to a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the movable body that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, and is elastically supported to be movable in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body via a first elastic support portion and a second elastic support portion that are respectively arranged on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the movable body; the movable body includes a movable body main body made of a magnetic metal plate having the presentation unit connection part, the attraction portion is configured by bending a part of the movable body main body so as to face the magnetic attraction force generation portion at a distance in the vibration direction. Vibration actuator.

3. At least one of the first and second elastic support portions is fixed to a central portion of at least one of the tip end and the base end of the movable body in a width direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

3. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first and second elastic support parts are arranged between the fixed body and the tip end and the base end of the movable body, with elastic deformation parts being deformable leaf springs, with their plate thickness directions facing the vibration direction, extending in a direction along the base part and in a direction intersecting the vibration direction, and are fixed to one end of the fixed body extending in the intersecting direction. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

5. The first and second elastic support parts are arranged between the fixed body and the tip end and the base end of the movable body, with elastic deformation parts being deformable leaf springs, with their plate thickness directions facing the vibration direction, extending in a direction along the base part and in a direction intersecting the vibration direction, and are fixed to both fixed ends of the fixed body that are spaced apart in the intersecting direction. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

6. The base portion is provided extending in the vibration direction, the first and second elastic support portions are integrally formed with the base portion; The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

7. the first and second elastic support portions are integrally formed with the movable body; The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

8. The movable body is provided with a load sensor that detects a load from the vibration presentation unit. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

9. The load sensor is a strain detection sensor that detects strain due to a load. The vibration actuator according to claim 8 .

10. The core is a U-shaped core. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The core is an E-type core. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. At least one of the movable body and the base portion is provided with a movement restricting portion that restricts movement in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction, in which the movable body and the base portion are relatively spaced apart from each other. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

13. The movement restriction portion is a retaining portion provided to protrude from the movable body toward the base portion, inserted into a hole in the base portion, disposed on the back surface of the base portion, and engaged with the back surface; The vibration actuator according to claim 12.

14. A touch panel including the vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Vibration presentation device.

Images