Operating device

Abstract

This operating device comprises a housing and a plurality of plate-shaped elastic members that overlap in plan view. The plurality of plate-shaped elastic members include a first plate-shaped elastic member of which the ends are fixed to the housing, and a second plate-shaped elastic member of which the ends are supported by the housing so as to be movable relative to the housing.

Description

Operation device

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation device.

[0002] As a conventional invention related to operation devices, for example, the operation device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The operation device described in Patent Document 1 includes an elastic body, a first flat film piezoelectric element, and a second flat film piezoelectric element. The first flat film piezoelectric element is attached to a first main surface of the elastic body. The second flat film piezoelectric element is attached to a second main surface of the elastic body. That is, the operation device described in Patent Document 1 includes two piezoelectric elements for one elastic body.

[0003] International Publication No. 2012 / 137897

[0004] As a method for protecting piezoelectric elements, a structure is conceivable in which two elastic bodies are provided, one piezoelectric element is attached to each elastic body, and the elastic bodies are stacked with the elastic bodies on the outside and the piezoelectric elements on the inside. Thereby, the piezoelectric elements are protected by the elastic bodies. In this case, the operation device includes two piezoelectric elements for two elastic bodies. However, conventionally, no device structure has been proposed that holds a plurality of elastic bodies at both ends of the elastic bodies and improves detection accuracy when bending or twisting these elastic bodies.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device structure that holds a plurality of elastic bodies at both ends of the elastic bodies and improves detection accuracy when bending or twisting these elastic bodies.

[0006] An operation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a housing; and a plurality of plate-shaped elastic members overlapping in plan view, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped elastic members include: a first plate-shaped elastic member having an end portion fixed to the housing; and a second plate-shaped elastic member having an end portion supported by the housing so as to be movable relative to the housing.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, because the second plate-shaped elastic member is not fixed to the housing, when the operating device is bent or twisted, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, making it easier for the shapes of the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member to align. Consequently, strong frictional force is not generated between the second plate-shaped elastic member and the housing. This stabilizes the orientation and allows the housing to be easily returned to its original position. As a result, the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member are more reliably returned to their initial state. Therefore, the operating device can be bent or twisted again from the initial state, and the influence of previous bending and twisting operations can be suppressed. Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member can be detected with greater accuracy.

[0008] An operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing and a plurality of overlapping plate-shaped elastic members in a plan view, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped elastic members include a first plate-shaped elastic member whose end is fixed to the housing and a second plate-shaped elastic member whose end is fixed to the housing, and the fixing force applied from the housing to the second plate-shaped elastic member is weaker than the fixing force applied from the housing to the first plate-shaped elastic member.

[0009] In an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing force applied from the housing to the second plate-shaped elastic member is weaker than the fixing force applied from the housing to the first plate-shaped elastic member. As a result, when the operating device is bent or twisted, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, making it easier for the shapes of the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member to align. Consequently, strong frictional force is not generated between the second plate-shaped elastic member and the housing. This stabilizes the orientation, and the housing can be easily returned to its original position. As a result, the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member are more reliably returned to their initial state. Therefore, the operating device can be bent or twisted again from the initial state, and the influence of previous bending and twisting operations can be suppressed. Thus, according to an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member and the second plate-shaped elastic member can be detected with greater accuracy.

[0010] According to the present invention, a device structure is provided that holds multiple elastic bodies at both ends and improves the detection accuracy when these elastic bodies are bent or twisted.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the operating device 1. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the left side of the operating device 1 with the upper left housing 2LU removed. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3 and the two piezoelectric elements 4. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first piezoelectric element 41. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second piezoelectric element 42. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 10 according to a comparative example. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first output signal OS1 when the operating device 10 according to a comparative example is bent and then returned to its original shape. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the operating device 10 according to a comparative example when it is bent and then returned to its original shape. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the first output signal OS1 when the operating device 1 is bent and then returned to its original shape. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an overview of the operating device 1 when it is bent and then returned to its original shape. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1a. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3, the two piezoelectric elements 4 and spacers 7F, 7B related to the operating device 1b. Figure 14 is a side view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3, the two piezoelectric elements 4, and the spacers 7F and 7B. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1b. Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3, the two piezoelectric elements 4, and the spacers 7F and 7B related to the operating device 1c. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1c. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1d. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1e.

[0012] [First Embodiment] An operating device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in each figure, wiring and the like have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the operating device 1. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the left side of the operating device 1 with the upper left housing 2LU removed. Hereinafter, the short side of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 will be referred to as the front-to-back direction, the long side of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 as the left-to-right direction, and the thickness direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 as the up-to-down direction.

[0014] The operating device 1 is a product that is held and operated by hand, and is a controller or remote control device, etc. In this embodiment, the operating device 1 is a game controller. The user enjoys the game by bending and twisting the operating device 1.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating device 1 comprises a housing 2, two plate-shaped elastic members 3, two piezoelectric elements 4, eight screws 5, and a circuit board 6.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 2 includes a left housing 2L and a right housing 2R. The left housing 2L is located at the left end of the operating device 1. The right housing 2R is located at the right end of the operating device 1.

[0017] In this embodiment, the left housing 2L includes the upper left housing 2LU and the lower left housing 2LD. The left housing 2L is formed by connecting the upper left housing 2LU and the lower left housing 2LD with screws 5. As will be described in detail later, the upper left housing 2LU has two positioning bosses 21.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the left housing 2L has a cavity inside. The circuit board 6 is housed inside the left housing 2L. The circuit board 6 includes a detection circuit 61, an arithmetic circuit 62, and a wireless communication circuit 63. That is, the detection circuit 61, the arithmetic circuit 62, and the wireless communication circuit 63 are housed inside the left housing 2L. Details of the detection circuit 61, the arithmetic circuit 62, and the wireless communication circuit 63 will be described later. The left housing 2L also houses a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the arithmetic circuit 62 and the wireless communication circuit 63.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the right housing 2R includes the upper right housing 2RU and the lower right housing 2RD. The right housing 2R is formed by connecting the upper right housing 2RU and the lower right housing 2RD with screws 5. Although not shown, the right housing 2R, like the left housing 2L, has an internal cavity. Electronic components and the like are housed inside the right housing 2R. Note that the right housing 2R does not necessarily have an internal cavity. Similar to the upper left housing 2LU, the upper right housing 2RU also has two positioning bosses 21.

[0020] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of two plate-shaped elastic members 3 and two piezoelectric elements 4. As shown in Figure 3, when viewed downwards (in plan view), the two plate-shaped elastic members 3 are overlapping. Each of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3 is an elastic body. Each of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3 is, for example, a polycarbonate plate. The two plate-shaped elastic members 3 include a first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and a second plate-shaped elastic member 32. In this embodiment, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is provided on top of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. The second plate-shaped elastic member 32 may be provided below the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0021] The first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is plate-shaped with a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 has opposing upper main surface US31 and lower main surface DS31. The upper main surface US31 and the lower main surface DS31 each have a long side extending in the left-right direction and a short side extending in the front-back direction. A through hole H1 is provided at the corner of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, penetrating the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 in the vertical direction. The upper main surface US31 corresponds to the first main surface according to the present invention.

[0022] The second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is plate-shaped with a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 has opposing upper main surface US 32 and lower main surface DS 32. The upper main surface US 32 and the lower main surface DS 32 each have a long side extending in the left-right direction and a short side extending in the front-back direction. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is the left-right direction and coincides with the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. A through hole H2 is provided at the corner of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, penetrating the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 in the vertical direction. The lower main surface DS 32 corresponds to the second main surface according to the present invention.

[0023] The upper main surface US31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the lower main surface DS32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are aligned along the vertical direction. The upper main surface US31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 faces the lower main surface DS32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. The length L31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 in the left-right direction is longer than the length L32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the length of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 in the front-rear direction is the same as the length of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 in the front-rear direction. Also, when viewed in the vertical direction, the entirety of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 overlaps with the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are connected by a screw 5 at the center of the long sides of each of the first and second plate-shaped elastic members 32. This prevents a gap from forming between the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 when the operating device 1 is bent significantly.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the two piezoelectric elements 4 include a first piezoelectric element 41 and a second piezoelectric element 42. The first piezoelectric element 41 is provided on the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. The second piezoelectric element 42 is provided on the lower main surface DS 32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. The first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are sandwiched between the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the lower main surface DS 32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0026] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first piezoelectric element 41. As shown in Figure 4, the first piezoelectric element 41 is rectangular in shape, with a long side extending in the left-right direction and a short side extending in the front-back direction when viewed in the vertical direction. The first piezoelectric element 41 is flexible. The first piezoelectric element 41 includes a first piezoelectric film 411, a first signal electrode 412, a first substrate 413, and a first reference electrode 414.

[0027] The first piezoelectric film 411 is flat. The first piezoelectric film 411 has opposing upper and lower main surfaces. When viewed in the vertical direction, the first piezoelectric film 411 is rectangular in shape, with long sides extending in the left-right direction and short sides extending in the front-back direction.

[0028] The first piezoelectric film 411 becomes polarized upon deformation, generating electric charge on its upper and lower main surfaces. The amount of electric charge generated on the upper and lower main surfaces depends on the amount of deformation of the first piezoelectric film 411.

[0029] The first piezoelectric film 411 includes, for example, a piezoelectric material such as a chiral polymer. The chiral polymer is, for example, polylactic acid (PLA) such as L-type polylactic acid (PLLA) and D-type polylactic acid (PDLA). The main chain of PLA has a helical structure. PLA has piezoelectric properties when its molecules are oriented by uniaxial stretching. The first piezoelectric film 411 has a piezoelectric constant of d14.

[0030] The PLA of the first piezoelectric film 411 is stretched in a first stretching direction OD1. The first stretching direction OD1 of the PLA forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction. Note that 45 degrees may be within a range of approximately 45 degrees ± 10 degrees. When the first piezoelectric film 411 is stretched or compressed in the left-right direction or the front-back direction, an electric charge is generated on the upper main surface and the lower main surface. As a result, the first piezoelectric element 41 detects the bending of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0031] The first signal electrode 412 is conductive. The material of the first signal electrode 412 is, for example, copper. The first signal electrode 412 is provided on the upper main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411. The first signal electrode 412 covers the entire upper main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411. The first signal electrode 412 functions as a signal electrode for outputting the charge generated by the first piezoelectric film 411 as a first output signal OS1. The first output signal OS1 is the output signal of the first piezoelectric element 41. The first output signal OS1 changes due to the deformation of the first piezoelectric film 411. Note that the first signal electrode 412 does not necessarily have to cover the entire upper main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411.

[0032] The first substrate 413 is insulating. The material of the first substrate 413 is, for example, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). The first substrate 413 is flat. The first substrate 413 has opposing upper main surfaces and lower main surfaces. A first signal electrode 412 is provided on the lower main surface of the first substrate 413.

[0033] The first reference electrode 414 is conductive. The material of the first reference electrode 414 is, for example, copper. The first reference electrode 414 is provided on the lower main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411. The first reference electrode 414 covers the entire lower main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411. By being connected to the ground potential, the first reference electrode 414 functions as a reference electrode and a shielding conductor. By providing the first reference electrode 414 on the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the first piezoelectric element 41 is provided on the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. Note that the first reference electrode 414 does not necessarily have to cover the entire lower main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411.

[0034] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second piezoelectric element 42. The second piezoelectric element 42 has a second piezoelectric film 421, a second signal electrode 422, a second substrate 423, and a second reference electrode 424. Since the second piezoelectric element 42 has a structure similar to that of the first piezoelectric element 41, only the parts that differ from the first piezoelectric element 41 will be described, and the rest will be omitted. The second piezoelectric film 421, the second signal electrode 422, the second substrate 423, and the second reference electrode 424 correspond to the first piezoelectric film 411, the first signal electrode 412, the first substrate 413, and the first reference electrode 414 of the first piezoelectric element 41, respectively.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the PLA of the second piezoelectric film 421 is stretched in the second stretching direction OD2. The second stretching direction OD2 of the PLA forms an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the left-right direction. Note that 0 degrees may be within a range of approximately 0 degrees ± 10 degrees. The second piezoelectric film 421 is stretched or compressed in a direction that forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the left-right direction and the front-back direction, respectively, thereby generating electric charge on the upper and lower main surfaces. As a result, the second piezoelectric element 42 detects the twisting of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0036] The second signal electrode 422 is provided on the lower main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421. The second signal electrode 422 covers the entire lower main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421. The second signal electrode 422 functions as a signal electrode for outputting the charge generated by the second piezoelectric film 421 as a second output signal OS2. The second output signal OS2 is the output signal of the second piezoelectric element 42. The second output signal OS2 changes due to the deformation of the second piezoelectric film 421. Note that the second signal electrode 422 does not necessarily have to cover the entire lower main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421.

[0037] A second signal electrode 422 is provided on the upper main surface of the second substrate 423. Because the first substrate 413 and the second substrate 423 are insulating, the first signal electrode 412 and the second signal electrode 422 do not short-circuit. As a result, the first signal electrode 412 and the second signal electrode 422 can independently output the first output signal OS1 and the second output signal OS2, respectively. This allows the two piezoelectric elements 4 to individually detect the bending of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the twisting of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0038] The second reference electrode 424 is provided on the upper main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421. The second reference electrode 424 covers the entire upper main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421. By being connected to the ground potential, the second reference electrode 424 functions as a reference electrode and a shielding conductor. By providing the second reference electrode 424 on the lower main surface DS32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the second piezoelectric element 42 is provided on the lower main surface DS32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Note that the second reference electrode 424 does not necessarily have to cover the entire upper main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421.

[0039] The first signal electrode 412 may be provided on the lower main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411, and the first reference electrode 414 may be provided on the upper main surface of the first piezoelectric film 411. Similarly, the second signal electrode 422 may be provided on the upper main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421, and the second reference electrode 424 may be provided on the lower main surface of the second piezoelectric film 421.

[0040] The first signal electrode 412 and the second signal electrode 422 are each connected to the input of the detection circuit 61. The detection circuit 61 receives the first output signal OS1 and the second output signal OS2 from the first signal electrode 412 and the second signal electrode 422, respectively. The output of the detection circuit 61 is connected to the calculation circuit 62. The detection circuit 61 converts the first output signal OS1 and the second output signal OS2 into voltages and outputs them to the calculation circuit 62.

[0041] The arithmetic circuit 62 receives the first output signal OS1 and the second output signal OS2, which have been converted into voltages from the detection circuit 61. The arithmetic circuit 62 is, for example, a microcomputer. The output of the arithmetic circuit 62 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 63. The arithmetic circuit 62 processes the first output signal OS1 and the second output signal OS2, which have been converted into voltages, and outputs them to the wireless communication circuit 63 as control signals.

[0042] The wireless communication circuit 63 connects the operating device 1 to the game console (not shown) via wireless communication. The wireless communication circuit 63 is, for example, a Bluetooth® module. The control signals output by the arithmetic circuit 62 are input to the game console (not shown) via the wireless communication circuit 63. By including the wireless communication circuit 63 in the operating device 1, the operating device 1 can be operated more freely.

[0043] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1, taken by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and passing through the through hole H1. The right side of the operating device 1 is symmetrical to the left side, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the right side of the operating device 1 does not have to be symmetrical to the left side.

[0044] The left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the left housing 2L. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is sandwiched between the upper left housing 2LU and the lower left housing 2LD, and is fixed to the left housing 2L by a screw 5. The diameter of the through hole H1 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is approximately equal to the screw diameter of the screw 5. Therefore, the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 cannot move relative to the left housing 2L.

[0045] Similarly to the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the right end portion RE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is also fixed to the right housing 2R. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the portions of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 other than the left end portion LE31 and the right end portion RE31 are not fixed to the housing 2.

[0046] The left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is movably supported by the left housing 2L relative to the left housing 2L. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, unlike the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not sandwiched between the upper-left housing 2LU and the lower-left housing 2LD, and is not fixed to the left housing 2L by the screw 5. In this embodiment, the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is in contact with the upper-left housing 2LU. In addition, the movement of the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is restricted by the positioning boss 21. More specifically, the positioning boss 21 protrudes downward from the right end portion of the upper-left housing 2LU. A part of the positioning boss 21 is located in the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. The diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is larger than the diameter of the positioning boss 21. Therefore, although the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is attached to the left housing 2L via the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, since the diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is larger than the diameter of the positioning boss 21, it is not fixed to the left housing 2L, but is supported by the left housing 2L movably relative to the left housing 2L within the range of the difference between the diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 and the diameter of the positioning boss 21. Therefore, the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 can move relative to the left housing 2L.

[0047] Similarly to the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the right end portion RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is also movably supported by the right housing 2R relative to the right housing 2R. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the portions of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 other than the left end portion LE32 and the right end portion RE32 are not supported by the housing 2.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the left part of an operation device 10 according to a comparative example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the left part of the operation device 10 according to the comparative example, cut along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction and passing through the through hole H1. Since the right part of the operation device 10 according to the comparative example is bilaterally symmetrical with the left part of the operation device 10 according to the comparative example, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] In order to verify the effects of the present invention, the inventor of the present application conducted a comparative study between the operation device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the operation device 10 according to the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7, in the operation device 10 according to the comparative example, not only the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 but also the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is sandwiched between the upper left housing 2LU and the lower left housing 2LD, and is fixed to the left housing 2L by a screw 5. Similarly to the diameter of the through hole H1 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is also substantially equal to the diameter of the screw 5. That is, in the operation device 10 according to the comparative example, both the left end portion LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are fixed to the left housing 2L. Similarly, both the right end portion RE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the right end portion RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are fixed to the right housing 2R.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first output signal OS1 when the operation device 10 according to the comparative example is bent and returned to its original position. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents the first output signal OS1 of the operation device 10 according to the comparative example. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an overview when the operation device 10 according to the comparative example is bent and returned to its original position.

[0051] First, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 were bent by gripping the left housing 2L and the right housing 2R of the operation device 10 according to the comparative example, and moving the right housing 2R downward relative to the left housing 2L (FIG. 8: period up to time t1). Next, the bent state of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 was maintained (FIG. 8: period from time t1 to time t2). Finally, the right housing 2R was returned to its original position (FIG. 8: period from time t2 to time t3).

[0052] During the period up to time t1, the right housing 2R is moved downward relative to the left housing 2L, bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. As a result, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are stretched or compressed in the left-right direction. This causes the first piezoelectric film 411 to generate an electric charge. On the other hand, the second piezoelectric film 421 does not generate an electric charge. As shown in Figure 8, during the period up to time t1, the value of the first output signal OS1 of the first piezoelectric element 41 increases. During the period up to time t1, the value of the second output signal OS2 of the second piezoelectric element 42 does not change.

[0053] During the period from time t1 to time t2, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are kept in a bent state, resulting in a constant value for the first output signal OS1. Furthermore, the value of the second output signal OS2 remains unchanged during the period from time t1 to time t2.

[0054] During the period from time t2 to time t3, the right housing 2R is returned to its original position, which ideally causes the value of the first output signal OS1 to decrease and become the value before bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 (i.e., zero). In the comparative example operating device 10, during the period from time t2 to time t3, the value of the first output signal OS1 decreases, but it does not become the value before bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 (i.e., zero), and remains a positive value even after time t3.

[0055] In the comparative example operating device 10, both the left end LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are fixed to the left housing 2L. Similarly, both the right end RE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are fixed to the right housing 2R. As a result, when the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are bent, a strong frictional force is generated between the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 and the housing 2. Even when attempting to return the right housing 2R to its original position, the misalignment between the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 remains, resulting in an unstable posture, and the comparative example operating device 10 remains stationary in a bent state. Consequently, in the comparative example operating device 10, even when attempting to return the right housing 2R to its original position, the comparative example operating device 10 remains stationary in a bent state, and the value of the first output signal OS1 does not become zero, resulting in an error. Furthermore, depending on how the operating device 10 in the comparative example is bent, the value of the second output signal OS2 may change, resulting in an error.

[0056] These errors also affect the value of the first output signal OS1 when the operating device 10 according to the comparative example is bent. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operating device 10 according to the comparative example is low.

[0057] Figure 10 shows an example of the first output signal OS1 when the operating device 1 is bent and then returned to its original position. In Figure 10, the horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents the first output signal OS1 of the operating device 1. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an overview of the operating device 1 when it is bent and then returned to its original position.

[0058] Similar to the case of the comparative example operating device 10, first, the left housing 2L and the right housing 2R of the operating device 1 were grasped, and the right housing 2R was moved downward relative to the left housing 2L, thereby bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 (Figure 10: period up to time t1). Next, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 were held in the bent state (Figure 10: period from time t1 to time t2). Finally, the right housing 2R was returned to its original position (Figure 10: period from time t2 to time t3).

[0059] During the period up to time t1, the right housing 2R is moved downward relative to the left housing 2L, bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. As a result, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are stretched or compressed in the left-right direction. This causes the first piezoelectric film 411 to generate an electric charge. On the other hand, the second piezoelectric film 421 does not generate an electric charge. As shown in Figure 10, the value of the first output signal OS1 increases during the period up to time t1. The value of the second output signal OS2 does not change during the period up to time t1.

[0060] During the period from time t1 to time t2, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are kept in a bent state, resulting in a constant value for the first output signal OS1. Furthermore, the value of the second output signal OS2 remains unchanged during the period from time t1 to time t2.

[0061] During the period from time t2 to time t3, the right housing 2R is returned to its original position, which ideally causes the value of the first output signal OS1 to decrease and become the value before bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 (i.e., zero). In the operating device 1, during the period from time t2 to time t3, the value of the first output signal OS1 decreases and becomes the value before bending the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 (i.e., zero). During the period from time t3 onward, the value of the first output signal OS1 remains zero. In addition, in the operating device 1, the value of the second output signal OS2 does not change during the period from time t2 onward.

[0062] In the operating device 1, the left end LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the left housing 2L, while the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable relative to the left housing 2L. Similarly, the right end RE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the right housing 2R, while the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is supported by the right housing 2R so as to be movable relative to the right housing 2R. Because the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not fixed to the housing 2, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, making it easier for the shapes of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 to align. Therefore, no strong frictional force is generated between the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 and the housing 2. As a result, the posture is stabilized, and the right housing 2R can be returned to its original position. Consequently, the value of the first output signal OS1 becomes zero. In the operating device 1, the value of the first output signal OS1 can be set to zero, and this does not affect the value of the first output signal OS1 when the operating device 1 is bent next. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operating device 1 is higher than that of the operating device 10 in the comparative example.

[0063] In this embodiment, we compared and examined the changes in the first output signal OS1 when operating device 1 and operating device 10 of the comparative example are bent and then returned to their original positions. The same can be said for the changes in the second output signal OS2 when operating device 1 and operating device 10 of the comparative example are twisted and then returned to their original positions.

[0064] Therefore, the operating device 1 can hold multiple elastic bodies at both ends and improve detection accuracy when bending or twisting these elastic bodies.

[0065] Furthermore, in the operating device 1, the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is the left-right direction, and coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Also, the left end LE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the left housing 2L, and the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable relative to the left housing 2L. Similarly, the right end RE31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the right housing 2R, and the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is supported by the right housing 2R so as to be movable relative to the right housing 2R. Therefore, the operating device 1 is easy to bend and twist. Moreover, the left-right length L31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is longer than the left-right length L32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, by arranging the screw 5 for fixing the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 outside the positioning boss 21 for supporting the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, an operating device with improved detection accuracy can be easily realized.

[0066] Furthermore, in the operating device 1, the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are sandwiched between the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the lower main surface DS 32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Therefore, with the operating device 1, the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 can be protected by the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0067] Furthermore, in the operating device 1, the detection circuit 61 and the calculation circuit 62 are located within the left housing 2L. Therefore, the housing 2 can be made to a size that is easy to grasp without increasing its size.

[0068] The number of plate-shaped elastic members 3 and piezoelectric elements 4 can each be multiple.

[0069] Furthermore, the length of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 in the front-to-back direction does not have to match the length of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 in the front-to-back direction. Also, when viewed in the vertical direction, the entirety of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 does not have to overlap with the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0070] Furthermore, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 do not necessarily have to be connected by screws 5 at the center of their respective long sides.

[0071] The operating device 1 is not limited to the piezoelectric element 4; it may also include strain gauges.

[0072] The operating device 1 is not limited to the wireless communication circuit 63; it may also include a wired communication circuit.

[0073] [First Modification] Below, an operating device 1a according to the first modification of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that only the parts of operating device 1a that differ from operating device 1 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0074] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1a. As shown in Figure 12, the operating device 1a differs from the operating device 1 in that there is a gap G between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 at the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0075] Similarly, at the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, a gap G exists between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0076] The same effect is achieved with operating device 1a. Furthermore, in operating device 1a, a gap G exists between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 at the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. When a large bending deformation is applied by moving the right housing 2R upward relative to the left housing 2L, causing the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 to move outward and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 to move inward, the distance between the left end of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 decreases. At this time, because a gap G exists between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 does not come into contact with the left housing 2L. Therefore, the deformation of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not hindered by the housing 2. As a result, with operating device 1a, even when a large bending deformation is applied, the deformation is not hindered, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0077] Furthermore, in the operating device 1a, a gap G exists between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 at the right end RE 32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. When the right housing 2R is moved upward relative to the left housing 2L, a large bending deformation is applied with the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 on the outside and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 on the inside, and the distance between the right end of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 becomes shorter. At this time, because a gap G exists between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 does not come into contact with the right housing 2R. Therefore, the deformation of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not hindered by the housing 2. As a result, with the operating device 1a, even when a large bending deformation is applied, the deformation is not hindered, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0078] Furthermore, it is not necessary for a gap G to exist in both the space between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, and between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32; it is sufficient for a gap G to exist in only one of these spaces.

[0079] [Second Modification] Below, an operating device 1b according to a second modification of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that only the parts of operating device 1b that differ from operating device 1 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0080] Operating device 1b differs from operating device 1 in that it further includes spacers 7F and 7B.

[0081] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3, two piezoelectric elements 4, and spacers 7F and 7B related to the operating device 1b. Spacers 7F and 7B are each elastic bodies. Each of spacers 7F and 7B is, for example, a polycarbonate plate. As shown in Figure 13, spacers 7F and 7B are provided between the upper main surface US 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the lower main surface DS 32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. In this modified example, spacers 7F and 7B are each plate-shaped. Spacers 7F and 7B each have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction, with a long side extending in the left-right direction and a short side extending in the front-back direction. The left-right length of each of spacers 7F and 7B is equal to the left-right length L 31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0082] The left and right ends of spacers 7F and 7B are provided with through holes H3 that penetrate vertically through each spacer 7F and 7B. The diameter of the through hole H3 is equal to the diameter of the through hole H1 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. When viewed vertically, the through hole H3 completely overlaps with the through hole H1.

[0083] Figure 14 is a side view of two plate-shaped elastic members 3, two piezoelectric elements 4, and spacers 7F and 7B. As shown in Figure 14, spacer 7F is located in front of the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42. Spacer 7B is located behind the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42. In this embodiment, the vertical thickness L7F of spacer 7F is equal to the vertical thickness L7B of spacer 7B. The vertical thicknesses L7F and L7B of spacers 7F and 7B, respectively, are longer than the sum of the vertical thickness L41 of the first piezoelectric element 41 and the vertical thickness L42 of the second piezoelectric element 42.

[0084] The first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are surrounded by the housing 2, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, and spacers 7F and 7B. More specifically, the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are located between the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 in the vertical direction. The first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are located between spacers 7F and 7B in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are located between the left housing 2L and the right housing 2R in the left-right direction.

[0085] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1b. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1b, taken by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and passing through the through-hole H3 of the spacer 7B. The right side of the operating device 1b is symmetrical to the left side of the operating device 1b, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the right side of the operating device 1b does not have to be symmetrical to the left side of the operating device 1b. Also, the left front side of the operating device 1b is front-to-back symmetrical to the left rear side of the operating device 1b, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the left front side of the operating device 1b does not have to be front-to-back symmetrical to the left rear side of the operating device 1b.

[0086] The left end of spacer 7B is fixed to the left housing 2L. Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the left end of spacer 7B is sandwiched between the upper left housing 2LU and the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, and is fixed to the left housing 2L by a screw 5. The diameter of the through hole H3 in spacer 7B is approximately equal to the screw diameter of the screw 5. Therefore, the left end of spacer 7B cannot move relative to the left housing 2L.

[0087] Similar to the left end of spacer 7B, the left end of spacer 7F is also fixed to the left housing 2L. Similarly, similar to the left ends of spacers 7F and 7B, the right ends of spacers 7F and 7B are also fixed to the right housing 2R. On the other hand, the parts of spacers 7F and 7B other than their respective left and right ends are not fixed to housing 2.

[0088] The same effect is achieved in the operating device 1 as in the operating device 1. In the operating device 1b, the spacers 7F and 7B are provided between the upper main surface US31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the lower main surface DS32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, respectively. The vertical thicknesses L7F and L7B of the spacers 7F and 7B are longer than the sum of the vertical thickness L41 of the first piezoelectric element 41 and the vertical thickness L42 of the second piezoelectric element 42. As a result, the first piezoelectric element 41 does not come into contact with the second piezoelectric element 42. Therefore, when the operating device 1b is bent or twisted, the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not hindered by the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42. As a result, with the operating device 1b, the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is not hindered by the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42, and detection accuracy can be improved.

[0089] Furthermore, even if the operating device 1b is bent or twisted, the first piezoelectric element 41 does not come into contact with the second piezoelectric element 42, thereby improving the durability of the operating device.

[0090] Furthermore, in the operating device 1b, the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are surrounded by the housing 2, the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, and spacers 7F and 7B. The first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 are not exposed to the outside. This prevents foreign matter from adhering to the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42. It also improves the aesthetic appearance of the operating device 1b.

[0091] Furthermore, the spacers 7F and 7B do not necessarily have to be plate-shaped. Also, the spacers 7F and 7B do not necessarily have to be rectangular when viewed in the vertical direction. In addition, the left-right lengths of the spacers 7F and 7B may differ from the left-right length L31 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. Also, the diameter of the through hole H3 may differ from the diameter of the through hole H1 of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. Also, the vertical thickness L7F of spacer 7F may differ from the vertical thickness L7B of spacer 7B. Moreover, the operating device 1b does not necessarily need to have multiple spacers. For example, the operating device 1b may have one annular spacer surrounding the first piezoelectric element 41 and the second piezoelectric element 42 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0092] In addition, in the operating device 1b, as with the operating device 1a, a gap G may exist between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, and between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0093] [Third Modification] Below, an operating device 1c according to a third modification of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that only the parts of operating device 1c that differ from operating device 1b will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0094] Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the two plate-shaped elastic members 3, two piezoelectric elements 4, and spacers 7F and 7B related to the operating device 1c. As shown in Figure 16, the operating device 1c differs from the operating device 1b in the length of the spacers 7F and 7B in the left-right direction.

[0095] The lengths of the spacers 7F and 7B in the left-right direction are equal to the left-right length L32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. The diameter of the through hole H3 is equal to the diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. When viewed in the vertical direction, the through hole H3 completely overlaps with the through hole H2.

[0096] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1c. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1c, cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and passing through the through-hole H3 of the spacer 7B. The right side of the operating device 1c is symmetrical to the left side of the operating device 1c, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the right side of the operating device 1c does not have to be symmetrical to the left side of the operating device 1c. Also, the left front side of the operating device 1c is front-to-back symmetrical to the left rear side of the operating device 1c, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the left front side of the operating device 1c does not have to be front-to-back symmetrical to the left rear side of the operating device 1c.

[0097] The left end of the spacer 7B is supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable relative to the left housing 2L. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the left end of the spacer 7B is constrained to move by the positioning boss 21, similar to the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. More specifically, a part of the positioning boss 21 is located not only within the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, but also within the through hole H3 of the spacer 7B. The diameter of the through hole H3 of the spacer 7B is larger than the diameter of the positioning boss 21. Therefore, although the left end of the spacer 7B is attached to the left housing 2L via the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, it is not fixed to the left housing 2L because the diameter of the through hole H3 of the spacer 7B is larger than the diameter of the positioning boss 21. Instead, it is supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable within the range of the difference between the diameter of the through hole H3 of the spacer 7B and the diameter of the positioning boss 21 relative to the left housing 2L. Thus, the left end of the spacer 7B can move relative to the left housing 2L.

[0098] Similar to the left end of spacer 7B, the left end of spacer 7F is also supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable relative to the left housing 2L. Similarly to the left ends of spacers 7F and 7B, the right ends of spacers 7F and 7B are also supported by the right housing 2R so as to be movable relative to the right housing 2R. On the other hand, the parts of spacers 7F and 7B other than their respective left and right ends are not supported by the housing 2.

[0099] The same effect is achieved in the operating device 1c as in the operating device 1b. In the operating device 1c, the left ends of the spacers 7F and 7B are supported by the left housing 2L so as to be movable relative to the left housing 2L. Also, the right ends of the spacers 7F and 7B are supported by the right housing 2R so as to be movable relative to the right housing 2R. In other words, of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the first piezoelectric element 41, the second piezoelectric element 42, and the spacers 7F and 7B, only the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 is fixed to the housing 2. Therefore, the user can bend and twist the operating device 1c with little force. As a result, the operating device 1c makes it possible to realize an operating device that is less burdensome for the user.

[0100] The lengths of the spacers 7F and 7B in the left-right direction may differ from the left-right length L32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Also, the diameter of the through hole H3 may differ from the diameter of the through hole H2 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0101] [Second Embodiment] Below, an operating device 1d according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Only the parts of operating device 1d that differ from operating device 1 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0102] The operating device 1d differs from the operating device 1 in that it further comprises an adhesive material 8. In this embodiment, the housing 2 does not have a positioning boss 21.

[0103] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1d. As shown in Figure 18, the adhesive material 8 is provided between the upper left housing 2LU and the upper main surface US32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0104] In this embodiment, the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is fixed to the left housing 2L. Specifically, the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is fixed to the upper left housing 2LU by an adhesive 8. However, the fixing force applied to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 from the upper left housing 2LU via the adhesive 8 is weaker than the fixing force applied to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 from the left housing 2L via the screw 5. The fixing force can be measured by the following method.

[0105] A plunger with a tip smaller than the thickness of the plate-shaped elastic member is attached to the force gauge. The force gauge is fixed to the movable stage, and the tip of the plunger is placed against the left or right end face of the plate-shaped elastic member. With the operating device fixed, the movable stage is moved at a constant speed in the forward and backward direction. As the movable stage moves, the load value of the force gauge increases, and when the plate-shaped elastic member shifts, the load value drops sharply. The maximum load value just before the sharp drop is the fixing force. By comparing the maximum load values, the strength of the fixing force can be determined.

[0106] Similar to the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is also fixed to the upper right housing 2RU by adhesive material 8. However, the fixing force applied to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 from the upper right housing 2RU via adhesive material 8 is weaker than the fixing force applied to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 from the right housing 2R via screws 5. On the other hand, the parts of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 other than the left end LE32 and the right end RE32 are not fixed to the housing 2.

[0107] The same effect is achieved in operating device 1d as in operating device 1. More specifically, in operating device 1d, the fixing force applied from the upper left housing 2LU to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is weaker than the fixing force applied from the left housing 2L to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31. Similarly, the fixing force applied from the upper right housing 2RU to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is weaker than the fixing force applied from the right housing 2R to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0108] Because the fixing force applied from the housing 2 to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is weaker than the fixing force applied from the housing 2 to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, when the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 are bent, the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31, making it easier for the shapes of the first plate-shaped elastic member 31 and the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 to align. Consequently, no strong frictional force is generated between the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 and the housing 2. As a result, the posture is stabilized, and the right housing 2R can be returned to its original position. Consequently, the same effect as the operating device 1 is achieved with the operating device 1d.

[0109] Furthermore, in the operating device 1d, the left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is fixed to the upper left housing 2LU by adhesive material 8. Similarly, the right end portion RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is also fixed to the upper right housing 2RU by adhesive material 8. As a result, the housing 2 does not need to have a positioning boss 21, nor does it need to have a through hole H2 in the second plate-shaped elastic member 32. Therefore, the operating device 1d can reduce processing costs.

[0110] The left end portion LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 may be fixed to the left housing 2L by a method other than the adhesive 8. Similarly, the right end portion RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 may be fixed to the right housing 2R by a method other than the adhesive 8. Even if a method other than the adhesive 8 is used, it is sufficient that the fixing force applied from the housing 2 to the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 is weaker than the fixing force applied from the housing 2 to the first plate-shaped elastic member 31.

[0111] [Fourth Modification] Below, an operating device 1e according to the fourth modification of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that only the parts of operating device 1e that differ from operating device 1d will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0112] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the operating device 1e. As shown in Figure 19, the operating device 1e differs from the operating device 1 in that there is a gap G between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32 at the left end LE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0113] Similarly, at the right end RE32 of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, a gap G exists between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32.

[0114] The same effect is achieved with the operating device 1e as with the operating device 1d. Furthermore, in the operating device 1e, as with the operating device 1a, it is not necessary for the void G to exist both between the left housing 2L and the left end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32, and between the right housing 2R and the right end of the second plate-shaped elastic member 32; the void G may exist in only one of these locations.

[0115] [Other Embodiments] The operating device according to the present invention is not limited to operating devices 1, 1a to 1e, but can be modified within the scope of its gist. Furthermore, the structures of operating devices 1, 1a to 1e may be combined in any way.

[0116] In operation devices 1, 1a to 1e, the housing 2 served as both the fixing part for the plate-shaped elastic member and the operating part for the user to grip. However, the fixing part for the plate-shaped elastic member and the operating part for the user to grip may be realized by different materials. For example, operation devices 1, 1a to 1e may include a second housing that covers the housing 2. The user grips the second housing. As a result, the housing 2 and the second housing are made of different materials, allowing for the selection of the most suitable materials for each.

[0117] Furthermore, all components other than the second housing may be provided within the second housing. The second housing is, for example, the housing for a game controller. This improves the user's operational comfort. In other words, since the second housing does not need to fix the plate-shaped elastic member, the restrictions on the shape of the second housing are relaxed compared to housing 2. Therefore, a second housing with a shape that is easy for the user to operate can be adopted.

[0118] 1, 1a-1e, 10: Operating device 2: Housing 2L: Left housing 2LD: Lower left housing 2LU: Upper left housing 2R: Right housing 2RD: Lower right housing 2RU: Upper right housing 3: Plate-shaped elastic member 4: Piezoelectric element 5: Screw 6: Substrate 7B, 7F: Spacer 8: Adhesive 21: Positioning boss 31: First plate-shaped elastic member 32: Second plate-shaped elastic member 41: First piezoelectric element 42: Second piezoelectric element 61: Detection circuit 62: Calculation circuit 63: Wireless communication circuit 411: First piezoelectric film 412: First signal electrode 413: First substrate 414: First reference electrode 421: Second piezoelectric film 422: Second signal electrode 423: Second substrate 424: Second reference electrode DS31, DS32: Lower main surface G: Gap H1 to H3: Through holes L41, L42, L7B, L7F: Thickness LE31, LE32: Left end OD1: First stretching direction OD2: Second stretching direction OS1: First output signal OS2: Second output signal RE31, RE32: Right end US31, US32: Upper main surface

Claims

1. An operating device comprising a housing and a plurality of plate-shaped elastic members that overlap in a plan view, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped elastic members include a first plate-shaped elastic member whose end is fixed to the housing and a second plate-shaped elastic member whose end is supported by the housing so as to be movable relative to the housing.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein at the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member supported by the housing, a gap exists between the housing and the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member.

3. The operating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member, the end of the first plate-shaped elastic member fixed to the housing is the end in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member, the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member supported by the housing is the end in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member.

4. An operating device comprising a housing and a plurality of overlapping plate-shaped elastic members in a plan view, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped elastic members include a first plate-shaped elastic member whose end is fixed to the housing and a second plate-shaped elastic member whose end is fixed to the housing, and the fixing force applied from the housing to the second plate-shaped elastic member is weaker than the fixing force applied from the housing to the first plate-shaped elastic member.

5. The operating device according to claim 4, further comprising an adhesive, wherein the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member is fixed to the housing by the adhesive.

6. The operating device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein at the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member fixed to the housing, there is a gap between the housing and the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member.

7. The operating device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member, the end of the first plate-shaped elastic member fixed to the housing is the end in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member, the end of the second plate-shaped elastic member fixed to the housing is the end in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped elastic member is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped elastic member.

8. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements include a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element, the first plate-shaped elastic member having a first main surface on which the first piezoelectric element is provided, the second plate-shaped elastic member having a second main surface on which the second piezoelectric element is provided, and the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element are sandwiched between the first main surface and the second main surface.

9. The operating device according to claim 8, further comprising a spacer, the spacer being provided between the first main surface and the second main surface, and the length of the spacer being longer than the sum of the length of the first piezoelectric element and the length of the second piezoelectric element in the direction in which the first main surface and the second main surface are aligned.

10. The operating device according to claim 9, wherein the end of the spacer is supported by the housing so as to be movable relative to the housing.

11. The operating device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements are surrounded by the housing, the first plate-shaped elastic member, the second plate-shaped elastic member, and the spacer.

12. An operating device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising: a detection circuit to which the output signal of the first piezoelectric element and the output signal of the second piezoelectric element are input; and an arithmetic circuit to which the output signal of the detection circuit is input, wherein the detection circuit and the arithmetic circuit are provided within the housing.

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