CN112840424A

CN112840424A - Key input device with vibration mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN112840424A
Application number: CN201980066416.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 古泽光一; 高盛智; 杉原贤纪
Original assignee: Omron Corp
Current assignee: Omron Corp
Priority date: 2018-11-19
Filing date: 2019-11-14
Publication date: 2021-05-25
Also published as: WO2020105539A1; JP7124665B2; JP2020086649A; JP2022092063A; JP7491338B2; JP7472932B2; JP2022087321A

Abstract

The invention provides a key input device with a vibration mechanism, which can generate virtual touch feeling perceived as click feeling. The key input device includes: a push switch (2) that receives a push operation, a top plate (44) on which the push switch (2) is disposed, and a support base (40) that supports the top plate (44) are implemented as, for example, a keyboard (1). The key input device is provided with a holding member (43) for holding a top plate (44) on a support base (40) in a vibratable manner, wherein one of the top plate (44) and the support base (40) is provided with a permanent magnet (42), and the other of the top plate (44) and the support base (40) is provided with a coil (41) used as an electromagnet. Then, the top plate (44) vibrates while being held by the holding member (43) by alternating current repeatedly reversing the direction of energization to the electromagnet. The top plate (44) vibrates to generate a virtual tactile sensation.

Description

Key input device with vibration mechanism

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a key input device having a key switch for receiving a pressing operation.

Background

As an input device to an electronic apparatus such as a computer, a key input device such as a keyboard in which a plurality of key switches are arranged in parallel has been widely used. The keyboard is required to have a function of adjusting various characteristics according to characteristics such as the length of the operator's finger, the habit of operation, the way of force, and the like, or the use application. In particular, in recent years, the above-mentioned demand has been increased for a keyboard used in a computer game called electronic competition. For example, patent document 1 proposes a push switch capable of adjusting the length from the time a push button is pressed to the position at which the push button is switched to the on state, i.e., the length of pt (pre travel).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 58-19822

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, the push switch disclosed in patent document 1 has a problem that the operator cannot sense the position switched to the on state by tactile sensation. When the tactile sensation is not sensed, for example, when the tactile sensation is used in a field requiring immediate responsiveness such as electronic sports, the response may be delayed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key input device that generates a vibration that can give a virtual tactile sensation to an operator, for example.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, a key input device according to the present invention is a key input device including a key switch for receiving a pressing operation, the key input device including a vibration mechanism for vibrating the key switch, the vibration mechanism including: the push switch includes a top plate on which the push switch is disposed, a support base supporting the top plate from below, and a holding member holding the top plate on the support base so as to be capable of vibrating.

In the key input device, the electromagnet is a coil that functions as an electromagnet, and the permanent magnet is acted upon by the energization of the alternating current to vibrate the top plate.

In the key input device, the support base has a side plate provided upright on a side of the top plate, and the holding member is an elastic body bridging from the side plate of the support base to the side of the top plate.

In the key input device, the holding member is a shaft-like body fixed to one of the top plate and the support base, and the other of the top plate and the support base holds the shaft-like body so as to be movable in the axial direction.

In the key input device, the holding member is a spherical body, the support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion into which the spherical body is loosely fitted, the top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion into which the spherical body is loosely fitted, and the spherical body is attached between the support base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are disposed to face each other.

In the key input device, the holding member is a cylindrical shaft-like body, the support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion into which the shaft-like body is loosely fitted, the top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion into which the shaft-like body is loosely fitted, and the shaft-like body is attached between the support base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are disposed to face each other.

In the key input device, the holding member is an elastic body, the elastic body is disposed on a support base, and the top plate is disposed on the elastic body.

In addition, according to the key input device, the elastic body includes: an elastic portion interposed between the holding member and the top plate, and a rigid portion interposed between the holding member and the top plate.

In the key input device, the rigid portion of the elastic body is formed in a columnar shape and penetrates through a through hole formed in the elastic portion in the vertical direction.

In the key input device, the elastic body is formed in a prism shape, the rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape, and the elastic body is disposed in an arrangement direction in which the vibration direction is a plane direction, with both surfaces thereof being sandwiched by the elastic portion.

In the key input device, the holding member is a plate spring having flexibility in a vibration direction, the plate spring is disposed on a support base, and the top plate is disposed on the plate spring.

In the key input device, the plate spring is formed in an elongated shape, and is disposed so that a longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to a vibration direction, and a plurality of plate springs are disposed in parallel in the vibration direction.

In the key input device, the plate spring is arranged in plural in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction, and in plural in the vibration direction.

In the key input device, the support base has a bridge portion located above the top plate, and the holding member is a plurality of link members that support the top plate below from the bridge portion of the support base so as to be swingable.

In the key input device, the holding members are a plurality of link members that support the top plate on the support base so as to be pivotable, respectively.

In the key input device, the link member supports the top plate by a revolute pair.

In the key input device, the link member is a plate-like body formed in an elongated shape, and is disposed so that a longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to a vibration direction, and a plurality of link members are disposed in parallel in the vibration direction.

In the key input device, the holding member has a fulcrum portion serving as a pivot fulcrum, the support base pivotally supports the fulcrum portion of the holding member so as to be pivotable, and the top plate held by the holding member pivots about a pivot axis based on the fulcrum portion of the holding member.

In the key input device, the electromagnet is fixed as a lower electromagnet on the support base, the permanent magnet is disposed above the lower electromagnet with a gap therebetween, and an upper electromagnet fixed with a gap therebetween is provided above the permanent magnet.

In the key input device, the permanent magnet is fixed to the support base as a lower permanent magnet, the electromagnet is disposed above the lower permanent magnet with a gap therebetween, and an upper permanent magnet fixed above the electromagnet with a gap therebetween is provided.

In the key input device, the top plate is formed in a rectangular shape, and the vibration direction is a direction parallel to a long side or a short side.

In addition, the key input device is characterized by having a plurality of sets of vibrating portions for grouping the permanent magnets and the electromagnets.

In addition, the key input device is characterized in that the control of the vibration or the stop of the vibration can be performed for each of the vibration units.

In addition, the key input device is characterized by comprising: the vibration control unit controls the top plate to vibrate when the detection unit detects the pressing operation.

In addition, the key input device may be configured such that the setting of the vibration mode indicating the vibration by the vibration control unit is changeable.

In addition, the key input device is characterized by comprising a sound output unit for outputting sound, wherein the sound output unit outputs sound when the detection unit detects a pressing operation.

In addition, according to the key input device, the sound output by the sound output unit can be changed.

The top plate provided with the key switch of the key input device vibrates.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The invention provides a key input device capable of vibrating a top plate provided with a key switch. This provides an advantageous effect that an operator of the push switch can sense, for example, switching between the open and closed states of the circuit by tactile sensation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard to which a key input device according to the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing an example of characteristics of key switches included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram generally showing an example of the structure of the keyboard according to the present application.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration pattern recorded in a vibration recording section of a waveform determining section of the keyboard according to the present application.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged schematic view showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a holding member provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a holding member provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 31 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 32 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 34 is a schematic view showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 35 is a schematic view showing an example of a vibration mechanism provided in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 36 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism of the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 37 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism of the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 38 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism of the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism of the keyboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 40 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism included in the keyboard according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

< application example >

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The key input device described in the present application is used as a keyboard 1 used for inputting data such as various commands in addition to letters, numbers, and marks to electronic devices such as computers.

< first embodiment >

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard 1 to which a key input device according to the present invention is applied. The keyboard 1 has a plurality of key switches 2 such as letter keys, number keys, and other function keys arranged in parallel. Further, a sound output unit 3 such as a speaker for outputting sound is disposed on the left and right sides in front of the keyboard 1 (on the side of the operator). In the keyboard 1, various structures such as a vibration mechanism 4 (see fig. 3 and the like) that generates vibration are housed. The keyboard 1 is illustrated in the form of a keyboard in which key switches 2 having the same shape are arranged in parallel for the purpose of simplifying the structure and enabling easy recognition of technical contents. For example, the key switch 2 having a predetermined function, such as a space key and a enter key arranged around the alphabet key, which is applied to the QWERTY-arrayed keyboard 1 and has only the alphabet key of the same shape, may be designed and configured to have a shape different from that of the alphabet key. The sound output units 3 are not limited to the front, and may be disposed at various positions such as the side, the rear, and the corner, or may be designed appropriately for the number of the sound output units.

The key switch 2 disposed in the keyboard 1 can be pressed from the top dead center, which is the highest position, to the bottom dead center, which is the lowest position, by the pressing of the operator. Further, the push switch 2 sets the open/close position at which the open/close state of the circuit is switched from the off state to the on state while moving from the top dead center to the bottom dead center.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing an example of characteristics of the key switches 2 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. The graph shown in fig. 2 shows the relationship between the moving distance indicating the stroke caused by pressing the push switch 2 on the horizontal axis and the pressing load as the force required for pressing on the vertical axis. As shown in fig. 2, as the key switches 2 included in the keyboard 1 described in the present application, a linear switch may be used, which has a pressing load that monotonically increases with respect to a moving distance, for example, in a proportional relationship, and has a constant inclination. A linear switch in which the pressing load monotonically increases with respect to the movement distance has a characteristic that the switching position at which the pressing load is switched between the open state and the closed state does not change. Therefore, when the operator presses the push switch 2 using the linear switch, the operator cannot sense a tactile sensation, i.e., a click sensation, when the open/close state is switched from the off state to the on state by the push switch 2 itself. The keyboard 1 described in the present application includes a vibration mechanism (see fig. 3 and the like) 4 that generates vibration, and a click feeling that cannot be sensed by the key switch 2 is generated as a virtual click feeling (virtual sense of touch) by the vibration generated by the vibration mechanism 4. That is, the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 functions as a tactile sensation generating actuator using a tactile sensation technique (haptic feedback technology) for giving vibration to the operator.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the keyboard 1 described in the present application will be described. Fig. 3 (fig. 3A and 3B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard 1. In the housing of the keyboard 1, a support base 40, a coil 41 functioning as an electromagnet, a permanent magnet 42, a holding member 43, and a top plate 44 are housed as the vibration mechanism 4. The coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 in the various stored configurations function as a vibration portion serving as an actuator for generating vibration. In the present application, the supporting base 40 is provided as a separate body in the casing of the keyboard 1, but the casing and the supporting base 40 may be integrally formed.

The push switch 2 is mounted on the substrate 20, and the substrate 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 44 of the vibration mechanism 4 by a mounting method such as screw fixing. That is, the push switch 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 44 via the substrate 20. The top plate 44 is supported by the support base 40 via the holding member 43. A coil 41 functioning as an electromagnet is disposed on a bottom plate 400 constituting the bottom of the support base 40. As the Coil 41, for example, a planar VCM (Voice Coil Motor) wound in a horizontal direction and generating a magnetic field in a vertical direction on the inner side is used. In the present application, the horizontal direction is a direction indicating a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the support base 40 for convenience of description, and does not necessarily coincide with a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity depending on the configuration and arrangement direction of the keyboard 1. Fig. 3A shows an example of generating a magnetic field having an S pole at the upper side and an N pole at the lower side, and fig. 3B shows an example of generating a magnetic field having an N pole at the upper side and an S pole at the lower side. A top plate 44 having a permanent magnet 42 disposed on the lower surface thereof is disposed above the coil 41 disposed on the support base 40, and the permanent magnet 42 is disposed to face the coil 41. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the permanent magnet 42 is disposed such that the lower surface of the front side (left side in the drawing) of the keyboard 1 is an N pole and the lower surface of the rear side (right side in the drawing) is an S pole.

Side plates 401 are respectively erected on the bottom plate 400 at side portions (front and rear portions in the example of fig. 3) of the support base 40, and upper portions of the side plates 401 are positioned in the vicinity of the sides of the top plate 44. The side plate 401 is bridged with an elastic member such as a compression coil spring as a holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The top plate 44 is held movably in the front and rear direction by the holding member 43 using an elastic body bridging from the side plate 401 of the support base 40 to the side portion of the top plate 44. Further, the front and rear side plates 401 are provided with a cushioning member 45 such as rubber, and the cushioning member 45 absorbs an impact when the top plate 44 is brought into contact with the vibration.

As described above, a plurality of push switches 2 that receive a pressing operation from the operator are disposed on the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is held by the holding member 43 on the support base 40 so as to be capable of vibrating. A permanent magnet 42 is disposed below the top plate 44, and faces a coil 41 used as an electromagnet disposed on the support base 40.

As shown in fig. 3A, when the coil 41 is energized to generate the S pole, the top plate 44 moves backward as shown by the arrow in the figure, and when the coil 41 is energized to generate the N pole as shown in fig. 3B, the top plate 44 moves forward as shown by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, by repeatedly reversing the energization direction, the state shown in fig. 3A and 3B is repeatedly generated, and the top plate 44 vibrates. As described above, the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 of the keyboard 1 function as a vibrating portion (actuator) that generates vibration.

Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard 1 described in the present application will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of the keyboard 1 according to the present application. The keyboard 1 is configured to execute various processes in accordance with the pressing operation of the key switch 2, and includes, in addition to the audio output unit 3 and the vibration mechanism 4 described above: various mechanisms such as the operation detection unit 5, the vibration control unit 6, the sound control unit 7, and the waveform specification unit 8.

When the key switch 2 is pressed, the open/close state of a circuit built in the key switch 2 changes, for example, from the open state to the closed state. The operation detection unit 5 detects a change in the open/close state of the circuit as a pressing operation. The change in the open/close state of the circuit is detected by mechanical detection of the movement of the push switch 2, detection of a change in the energization state of the electronic circuit that is opened or closed by the movement, and detection of a change in the physical state such as detection of a change in the electrostatic capacity, magnetic field, or electric field associated with a change in the position of the push switch 2. The operation detection unit 5 that detects the change in the open/close state outputs an on signal indicating that the push switch 2 is pushed to the waveform determination unit 8 as indicated by the solid arrow in the figure.

The waveform determining unit 8 is configured as a hardware circuit, a software program, a circuit in which hardware and software cooperate, or the like. The waveform determining unit 8 has a configuration including a waveform setting unit 80 that functions as a user interface for setting a vibration waveform, a recording unit 81 that records various information, a waveform selecting unit 82 that selects vibration, and the like. A part of the recording area of the recording unit 81 is used as a setting recording unit 810 for recording settings of vibration, a vibration recording unit 811 for recording a plurality of pieces of vibration information indicating various vibration patterns, and a sound recording unit 812 for recording a plurality of pieces of sound information indicating various sound patterns.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording portion 811 of the waveform determining portion 8 of the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 5 schematically shows the vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording portion 811. The vibration pattern is recorded as information indicating a waveform such as a vibration waveform or a current waveform. A plurality of the above-described vibration patterns are recorded in the vibration recording section 811. The vibration mechanism 4 using the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 generates a virtual click feeling by vibration, but the virtual click feeling perceived by the operator differs depending on the vibration mode. That is, by selecting the vibration mode, various click feelings such as a high-level click feeling, a soft click feeling, and a mechanical click feeling can be deduced.

Similarly, the audio pattern recorded in the audio recording unit 812 is recorded as audio information indicating the waveform of the virtual audio. That is, various click sounds such as a high-level click sound, a soft click sound, and a mechanical click sound can be deduced in accordance with the click feeling by the vibration pattern. The keyboard 1 according to the present application outputs a click sound together with a click feeling based on vibration based on a key operation of an operator, whereby the operator can perceive the click feeling through tactile sensation and auditory sensation.

Returning to fig. 4, the waveform setting unit 80 of the waveform specification unit 8 receives a specification of the vibration mode and the sound mode from the operator, or receives a command from the keyboard 1 or the electronic device connected to the keyboard 1 to which the setting operation by the operator is received, and executes the setting and changing process of the specified vibration mode and sound mode. The set vibration pattern and the set sound pattern are specified and recorded in the setting recording section 810.

The waveform selecting unit 82 reads the setting recorded in the setting recording unit 810, reads the vibration pattern of the read setting from the vibration recording unit 811, and reads the sound pattern of the read setting from the sound recording unit 812. When receiving an on signal indicating that the key switch 2 is pressed from the operation detection unit 5, the waveform selection unit 82 outputs the read vibration pattern to the vibration control unit 6 and outputs the read sound pattern to the sound control unit 7, as indicated by solid arrows in the figure.

The vibration control unit 6 vibrates the vibration mechanism 4 based on the vibration pattern received as input. The audio output unit 3 outputs audio based on the audio pattern received as input from the audio output unit 3.

The control of the vibration and the sound may be appropriately designed, and is not limited to the above example. For example, as indicated by the broken line arrows in the figure, the operation detection unit 5 may be designed to output an on signal to the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7, and the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7 may be designed to read the vibration pattern and the sound pattern from the waveform selection unit 82. In this case, the waveform determining unit 8 is not required, and the on signal is output from the operation detecting unit 5 to the vibration control unit 6 and the sound control unit 7.

Note that the keyboard 1 does not necessarily have to have the configuration of the waveform specification unit 8, and electronic devices such as a computer connected to the keyboard 1 may be appropriately designed so that a part or all of hardware and/or software constituting the waveform specification unit 8 is disposed. Specifically, the waveform setting unit 80, the vibration recording unit 811, and the sound recording unit 812 may be disposed on the electronic device side in the configuration of the waveform specifying unit 8. In the case of the above configuration, the operator operates the electronic device to output a waveform selected from waveforms of the vibration pattern, the sound pattern, and the like recorded in the vibration recording unit 811 and the sound recording unit 812, from the electronic device to the keyboard 1. The keyboard 1 records a vibration pattern and an audio pattern based on an input waveform in the recording unit 81, outputs the vibration pattern and the audio pattern to the vibration control unit 6 and the audio control unit 7, and executes output of vibration by the vibration control unit 6 and output of audio by the audio output unit 7.

In addition, the keyboard 1 may be configured to output only either the sound from the sound output unit 3 or the vibration from the vibration mechanism 4, and in this case, the electronic device may be appropriately designed to output the sound or the vibration generated in the keyboard 1.

As described above, the keyboard (key input device) 1 according to the present invention receives an operation of the key switch 2, and the vibration mechanism 4 including the electromagnet such as the planar VCM using the planar coil and the permanent magnet 42 is disposed, and when the operation of the key switch 2 is received, the vibration mechanism 4 generates vibration. This allows the operator to perceive a virtual sense of touch that is a click sensation associated with a key operation. In addition, the keyboard 1 according to the present invention can make the operator feel the click feeling strongly by outputting the click sound accompanied by the vibration. In addition, the keyboard 1 according to the present application can deduce various click feelings by appropriately selecting the vibration mode and the sound mode.

Next, examples of embodiments in which the vibration mechanism 4 is configured in various ways will be described.

[ second embodiment ]

The second embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 6 shows the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an oblique upper view, and fig. 7 shows a state in which the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from fig. 6. Fig. 8 (fig. 8A and 8B) schematically shows a sectional view of a structural example of the vibration mechanism 4, where fig. 8A is a section taken along a direction a-a shown in fig. 6, and fig. 8B is a section taken along a direction B-B.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the second embodiment, a shaft-type shaft-like body is used as the holding member 43 that vibratably holds the top plate 44. The shaft-like body serving as the holding member 43 is formed as a shaft body having a circular cross section, for example, so as to project in the axial direction from the vicinity of the left and right ends of the top plate 44 in the front-rear direction. The side plate 401 erected in the front and rear of the support base 40 is provided with an insertion hole through which the holding member 43 can be inserted, and the holding member 43 movably holds the top plate 44 in a state of being movably inserted through the insertion hole provided in the side plate 401 of the support base 40.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with an alternating current whose direction of current flow is repeatedly reversed, the holding member 43 reciprocates in the axial direction, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the second embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured such that a shaft-like body is formed on the support base 40 side and an insertion hole or the like is formed on the top plate 44 side. In the second embodiment, the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 are integrated, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 may be configured as separate members. When the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 are configured as separate bodies, for example, an insertion hole is opened in the top plate 44, and a shaft-shaped shaft body is inserted into the insertion hole of the top plate 44. That is, the vibration mechanism 4 may be configured such that the holding member 43 using a shaft-like body is appropriately inserted through the insertion hole of the side plate 401 of the support base 40 and the insertion hole of the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 and the like are vibratably held by the holding member 43 on the support base 40.

[ third embodiment ]

The third embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 9 (fig. 9A, 9B, and 9C) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, fig. 10 is a schematic perspective diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 11 is an enlarged schematic view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 9A is a plan view, fig. 9B is a cross section in the C-C direction, and fig. 9C is a cross section in the D-D direction. Fig. 10 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from the oblique upper view. Fig. 11 shows the vicinity of the tip in the cross section of the vibration mechanism 4 shown in fig. 9C in an enlarged manner.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the third embodiment, a spherical body used as a ball bearing is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The spherical body serving as the holding member 43 is a rigid body such as an iron ball, and is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. Support base side receiving portions 402 each recessed in a substantially spherical crown shape are formed near each corner portion of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, and a spherical body is placed as the holding member 43 on each support base side receiving portion 402, and the spherical body is rotatably fitted in the support base side receiving portion 402 in a play manner. A top plate side receiving portion 440, each of which is recessed in a substantially spherical crown shape, is formed near each corner portion of the lower surface of the top plate 44 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section. The top plate 44 is placed with the spherical bodies inserted into the top plate side receiving portions 440 from above the spherical bodies placed on the support base 40. A sphere used as the holding member 43 is inserted between the support base 40 and the top plate 44, and is fitted with a rotatable play. That is, the holding member 43 movably holds the top plate 44.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, the top plate 44 vibrates while being held by the holding member 43 by passing an alternating current repeatedly reversing the direction of energization to the coil 41. The vibration mechanism 4 of the third embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured to be disposed so that the support base side receiving portion 402 is recessed in the side plate 401 of the support base 40, the top plate side receiving portion 440 is recessed in a position facing the support base side receiving portion 402 on the side surface of the top plate 44, and the spherical body is sandwiched from the lateral direction, for example.

[ fourth embodiment ]

The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which the vibration mechanism 4 is configured differently from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 12 (fig. 12A, 12B, and 12C) is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 12A is a plan view, fig. 12B is a section in the direction of E-E, and fig. 12C is a section in the direction of F-F. Fig. 13 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an obliquely upward perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fourth embodiment, a shaft-like body used as a shaft bearing is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The shaft-like body serving as the holding member 43 is a rigid body formed in a columnar shape, and is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. In the vicinity of the front and rear long sides of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, linear support base side receiving portions 402 recessed parallel to the long sides are formed, and a shaft-like body is placed as the holding member 43 on each support base side receiving portion 402, and is fitted into the support base side receiving portion 402 so as to be able to rotate in the circumferential direction from above. A top plate side receiving portion 440 recessed in a straight line parallel to the long sides is formed near the front and rear long sides of the lower surface of the top plate 44 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section. The top plate 44 is placed by fitting the shaft-like body placed on the support base 40 into the top plate side receiving portion 440 from above. A shaft-like body used as the holding member 43 is inserted between the support base 40 and the top plate 44, and is fitted with a play in a rotatable manner in the circumferential direction. That is, the holding member 43 movably holds the top plate 44.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43 by passing an alternating current repeatedly reversing the direction of energization to the coil 41. The vibration mechanism 4 of the fourth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured to be disposed so that the support base side receiving portion 402 is recessed in the side plate 401 of the support base 40, the top plate side receiving portion 440 is recessed in a position facing the support base side receiving portion 402 on the side surface of the top plate 44, and the shaft-like body is sandwiched from the lateral direction, for example.

[ fifth embodiment ]

The fifth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 14 (fig. 14A, 14B, and 14C) is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 14A is a plan view, fig. 14B is a section in the G-G direction, and fig. 14C is a section in the H-H direction. Fig. 15 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an obliquely upward perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the fifth embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The elastic member serving as the holding member 43 is a rubber column formed in a columnar shape, and is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. The lower bottom surfaces of the elastic holding members 43 are attached to the vicinity of the corners of the rectangular support base 40. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is attached to the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. Thus, the elastic body is disposed on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is disposed on the elastic body. Therefore, the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is vibratably held by the holding member 43.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when an alternating current whose direction of current flow is repeatedly reversed is applied to the coil 41, the elastic body serving as the holding member 43 is bent, and the top plate 44 vibrates while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 of the fifth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, it may be designed to dispose an elastic body or the like at a position other than each corner portion.

[ sixth embodiment ]

The sixth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 16 (fig. 16A, 16B, and 16C) is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention, fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention, and fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the holding member 43 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 16A is a plan view, fig. 16B is a cross section in the I-I direction, and fig. 16C is a cross section in the J-J direction. Fig. 17 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an obliquely upward perspective. Fig. 18 shows the holding member 43 from an obliquely upward perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the sixth embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The elastic body used as the holding member 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a rubber elastic portion 430 formed in a cylindrical shape in which a through hole is provided in a middle shaft portion, and a rigid portion 431 formed in a cylindrical shape formed of a rigid body such as a metal rod penetrating through the through hole. The elastic body serving as the holding member 43 is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. The lower bottom surfaces of the elastic holding members 43 are attached to the vicinity of the corners of the rectangular support base 40. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is attached to the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. Since the elastic portion 430 and the rigid portion 431 have the same axial length, both the elastic portion 430 and the rigid portion 431 are inserted between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44 and are attached between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44. Thus, the elastic body is disposed on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is disposed on the elastic body. Therefore, since the holding member 43 is an elastic body having the elastic portion 430, the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is held by the holding member 43 so as to be capable of vibrating in the horizontal direction, but since the support base 40 and the top plate 44 are fixed to the rigid portion 431 of the holding member 43, the vibration in the vertical direction can be suppressed. By suppressing the vibration in the vertical direction, for example, when the push switch 2 is pressed, even when stress is generated in the direction in which the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 approach each other when an attractive force due to a magnetic force is generated between the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42, the distance between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 can be kept constant.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed is applied to the coil 41, the elastic portion 430 of the elastic body serving as the holding member 43 is bent, and the top plate 44 is vibrated in the horizontal direction while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the sixth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, it may be designed to dispose an elastic body or the like at a position other than each corner portion.

[ seventh embodiment ]

The seventh embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 19 (fig. 19A, 19B, and 19C) is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 21 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the holding member 43 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 19A is a plan view, fig. 19B is a cross section in the K-K direction, and fig. 19C is a cross section in the L-L direction. Fig. 20 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from the oblique upper view. Fig. 21 shows the holding member 43 from an obliquely upward perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the seventh embodiment, an elastic body such as a rubber column is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The elastic body used as the holding member 43 is formed into a quadrangular prism shape as a whole, and has: a rigid body portion 431 such as a metal plate formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a rubber elastic portion 430 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and adhered to both surfaces of the rigid body portion 431. The top plate 44 is formed to vibrate in the front-rear direction of the keyboard 1, and the holding member 43 is disposed so that both surfaces of the metal plate face in the front-rear direction which becomes the vibration direction. That is, the elastic body itself is formed in a quadrangular prism shape, and the rigid body portion 431 of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape, and is disposed in an arrangement direction in which the vibration direction is a plane direction, with both surfaces thereof being sandwiched by the elastic portions 430. The elastic body serving as the holding member 43 is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. The lower bottom surfaces of the elastic holding members 43 are attached to the vicinity of the corners of the rectangular support base 40. The lower surface of the top plate 44 is attached to the upper bottom surface of the elastic body. The elastic portion 430 and the rigid portion 431 have the same axial length, and both the elastic portion 430 and the rigid portion 431 are inserted between the holding member 43 and the top plate 44, fixed to and held by the holding member 43 and the top plate 44. Thus, the elastic body is disposed on the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is disposed on the elastic body. Therefore, since the holding member 43 is an elastic body having the elastic portion 430, the top plate 44 on the support base 40 is held by the holding member 43 so as to be vibratably in the front-rear direction, but since the support base 40 and the top plate 44 are in contact with the rigid portion 431 of the holding member 43, a constant distance between the support base 40 and the top plate 44 can be ensured. Therefore, for example, when the push switch 2 is pressed, even if stress in the direction of approaching the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 is generated when an attractive force is generated between the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42 due to a magnetic force, the distance between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 can be kept constant.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed is applied to the coil 41, the elastic portion 430 of the elastic body serving as the holding member 43 is bent, and the top plate 44 vibrates in the front-rear direction while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 of the seventh embodiment is not limited to the above example, and for example, it may be designed to dispose an elastic body or the like at a position other than each corner portion.

[ eighth embodiment ]

The eighth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 22 (fig. 22A, 22B, and 22C) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 23 is a schematic perspective diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 22A is a plan view, fig. 22B is a cross section in the M-M direction, and fig. 22C is a cross section in the N-N direction. Fig. 23 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an oblique upper view.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the eighth embodiment, a flexible leaf spring is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The plate spring serving as the holding member 43 is formed into a vertically long thin plate shape and is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. In the vicinity of the front and rear long sides of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, holding members 43 using leaf springs are disposed in the longitudinal direction parallel to the long sides, and a top plate 44 is disposed on the holding members 43. The plurality of leaf springs serving as the holding member 43 are arranged in parallel with the surface side surfaces facing forward and backward so that the forward and backward directions serving as the vibration directions are flexible. That is, a plurality of holding members 43 using a plate spring are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the plate spring formed in an elongated shape, which is the lateral direction perpendicular to the vibration direction, and in the front-rear direction, which is the vibration direction. Further, the holding member 43 movably holds the top plate 44 in the front-rear direction.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with an alternating current whose direction of current flow is repeatedly reversed, the holding member 43 is bent in the plane direction, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43.

[ ninth embodiment ]

The ninth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 24 (fig. 24A, 24B, and 24C) is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 25 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. FIG. 24A is a plan view, FIG. 24B is a cross section in the O-O direction, and FIG. 24C is a cross section in the P-P direction. Fig. 25 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an oblique upper view.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the ninth embodiment, a flexible leaf spring is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The plate spring serving as the holding member 43 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is interposed between the bottom plate 400 and the top plate 44 of the support base 40. A holding member 43 using a leaf spring is disposed near each corner of the support base 40 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section, and a top plate 44 is disposed on the holding member 43. The plurality of leaf springs serving as the holding member 43 are arranged with the surface side surfaces facing forward and backward so that the forward and backward direction serving as the vibration direction is the bending direction. That is, since the holding members 43 using the leaf springs are disposed at four corners of the support base 40, a plurality of holding members are disposed in parallel in the front-rear direction which becomes the vibration direction, and a plurality of holding members are disposed in parallel in the left-right direction which is orthogonal to the vibration direction. Further, the holding member 43 movably holds the top plate 44 in the front-rear direction.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with the alternating current whose direction of current flow is repeatedly reversed, the holding member 43 is bent in the planar direction, and the top plate 44 is vibrated back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 of the ninth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured such that three leaf springs are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

[ tenth embodiment ]

The tenth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 26 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention, and fig. 27 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 26 shows the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an obliquely upper perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the tenth embodiment, an overhead suspension type link mechanism is used as the holding member 43 that vibratably holds the top plate 44. The support base 40 is formed in a frame shape in which left and right side portions are substantially rectangular in side view (as viewed from the right side in fig. 26), and an upper frame is a bridge portion 403 located above the top plate 44. The holding member 43 is formed as a link member that supports the lower top plate 44 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction from the bridge portion 403 of the support base 40. Four link members are arranged in the left, right, front, and rear directions. The upper end side of each link member is pivotally supported by a swing shaft formed on a side surface of the bridge portion 403 of the support base 40, and is supported by a pair of rotary shafts so as to be swingable. The lower end sides of the link members are pivotally supported by swing shafts formed on the left and right side surfaces of the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is supported by a pair of rotary shafts in a freely swinging manner.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed, the link mechanism using the holding member 43 swings back and forth, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the tenth embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured to have three link members formed on the left and right sides, respectively, as appropriate.

[ eleventh embodiment ]

The eleventh embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 28 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention, and fig. 29 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 28 shows the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an obliquely upper perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 according to the eleventh embodiment, a link mechanism of a type supported from below on the support base 40 is used as the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44. The holding member 43 is formed as a link member that supports the upper top plate 44 swingably in the front-rear direction from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. Four link members are arranged in the left, right, front, and rear directions. The lower end side of each link member is pivotally supported by a swing shaft formed on the side surface of the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, and is supported by a swing pair so as to be swingable. The upper end sides of the link members are pivotally supported by swing shafts formed on the left and right side surfaces of the top plate 44, and the top plate 44 is supported by a pair of rotary shafts in a freely swinging manner.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed, the link mechanism using the holding member 43 swings back and forth, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the eleventh embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be configured to have three link members formed on the left and right sides, respectively, as appropriate.

[ twelfth embodiment ]

The twelfth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 30 (fig. 30A, 30B, and 30C) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application, and fig. 31 is a schematic perspective diagram schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. FIG. 30A is a plan view, FIG. 30B is a cross-section taken in the Q-Q direction, and FIG. 30C is a cross-section taken in the R-R direction. Fig. 31 shows the vibration mechanism 4 in a state where the top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 are removed from an oblique upper view.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the twelfth embodiment, a plate link mechanism is used as the holding member 43 that vibratably holds the top plate 44. The plate link serving as the holding member 43 is a plate-like body formed in an elongated shape. In the vicinity of the front and rear long sides of the support base 40 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, a holding member 43 using a plate link is disposed so that the direction parallel to the long sides is the longitudinal direction. The lower ends of the holding members 43 using the plate links are supported by the support base 40, and the top plate 44 is supported by the upper ends of the holding members 43. The plurality of plate links serving as the holding members 43 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the plate links formed in an elongated shape, which is the lateral direction perpendicular to the vibration direction, and in the front-rear direction serving as the vibration direction. The bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, the front and rear holding members 43, and the top plate 44 constitute a plate link mechanism, and the holding members 43 support the top plate 44 so as to be swingable.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed, the plate link mechanism using the holding member 43 swings back and forth, and the top plate 44 vibrates back and forth while being held by the holding member 43.

[ thirteenth embodiment ]

The thirteenth embodiment is a different configuration of the vibration mechanism 4 from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 32 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention, and fig. 33 is a schematic side view schematically showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 32 shows the vibration mechanism 4 of the keyboard 1 from an obliquely upper perspective.

In the vibration mechanism 4 of the thirteenth embodiment, the holding member 43 for vibratably holding the top plate 44 is a swing shaft, and the top plate 44 supported on the support base 40 from below is configured to swing like a seesaw. The holding member 43 has a fulcrum 432 pivotally supported by a swing shaft formed on the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40, and is formed to swing with the fulcrum 432 as a swing fulcrum. The top plate 44 is supported above the fulcrum 432 of the holding member 43, and the top plate 44 swings as the holding member 43 swings. That is, the top plate 44 is supported by the support base 40 so as to be swingable by the holding member 43 pivotally supporting the fulcrum 432.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed is supplied to the coil 41, the holding member 43 swings about the fulcrum portion 432 pivotally supported at the swing fulcrum as a swing center, and the top plate 44 vibrates by repeatedly swinging while being held by the holding member 43.

[ fourteenth embodiment ]

The fourteenth embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and is a mode in which the coil 41 is disposed so as to sandwich the permanent magnet 42 from above and below. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 34 is a schematic view showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 34 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the fourteenth embodiment includes, as the coil 41: a lower coil (lower electromagnet) 41a fixed on the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 below the permanent magnet 42, and an upper coil (upper electromagnet) 41b above the permanent magnet 42.

The permanent magnet 42 is disposed in a suspended manner in the top plate 44 with a gap provided below the top plate 44. The upper coil 41b is fixed in the gap between the permanent magnet 42 and the top plate 44 by an upper magnet holder 46 provided upright from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. That is, the permanent magnet 42 is disposed above the lower coil 41a fixed to the support base 40 with a gap from the lower coil 41a, and the upper coil 41b is fixed above the permanent magnet 42 with a gap from the permanent magnet 42 by the upper magnet holder 46. The top plate 44 and the permanent magnet 42 on which the push switch 2 is disposed are separated from the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b fixed to the support base 40, and are vibratably held by the holding member 43.

In order to stabilize the direction of the force acting on the permanent magnet 42, the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b are energized so that the attraction force or the repulsion force with respect to the permanent magnet 42 is in the same direction. For example, as illustrated in fig. 34, when the front side (left side facing the drawing) of the permanent magnet 42 is arranged such that the upper side is the S-pole and the lower side is the N-pole, the upper side of the lower coil 41a is the S-pole and the attraction force is exerted on the front side of the permanent magnet 42, and the lower side of the upper coil 41b is the N-pole and the attraction force is exerted. In addition, when current is applied to cause a repulsive force to act on the permanent magnet 42 from the lower coil 41a, current is also applied to cause a repulsive force to act from the upper coil 41 b.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed is passed through the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b, and thereby the top plate 44 on which the permanent magnets 42 are disposed is vibrated while being held by the holding member 43 between the fixed lower coil 41a and upper coil 41 b. Since the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b are energized to cause the attraction force or the repulsion force in the same direction to act on the permanent magnet 42, the vibration of the permanent magnet 42 is stabilized. By stabilizing the vibration of the permanent magnet 42, the top plate 44 on which the permanent magnet 42 is disposed and the push switch 2 are stabilized in vibration.

In the fourteenth embodiment, the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b are arranged so as to sandwich the permanent magnet 42 from above and below based on the vibration mechanism 4 exemplified in the first embodiment, but the vibration mechanism 4 of another embodiment may be further developed so as to arrange the lower coil 41a and the upper coil 41b so as to sandwich the permanent magnet 42 from above and below.

[ fifteenth embodiment ]

The fifteenth embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and is a mode in which the permanent magnet 42 is disposed so as to sandwich the coil 41 from above and below. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and the like, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment and the like.

Fig. 35 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 35 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the vibration mechanism 4 housed in the keyboard. The vibration mechanism 4 according to the fifteenth embodiment includes, as the permanent magnets 42: a lower permanent magnet 42a fixed to the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40 and positioned below the coil 41, and an upper permanent magnet 42b positioned above the coil 41.

The coil 41 is suspended from the top plate 44 with a gap therebetween below the top plate 44 and disposed on the top plate 44 in a state of being held by upper and lower electromagnet holding plates 47 formed in a plate shape. The upper permanent magnet 42b is fixed in the gap between the coil 41 and the top plate 44 by an upper magnet holder 46 provided upright from the bottom plate 400 of the support base 40. That is, the coil 41 is disposed above the lower permanent magnet 42a fixed to the support base 40 with a gap from the lower permanent magnet 42a, and the upper permanent magnet 42b is fixed above the coil 41 with a gap from the coil 41 by the upper magnet holder 46. The top plate 44 and the coil 41 on which the push switch 2 is disposed are separated from the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b fixed to the support base 40, and are held by the holding member 43 so as to be capable of vibrating.

In order to stabilize the direction of the electromagnetic force with respect to the coil 41, the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b are arranged so that the attraction force or the repulsion force with respect to the coil 41 is in the same direction. For example, as illustrated in fig. 35, the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b are arranged such that the upper side of the front side (left side in the drawing) is the S pole and the lower side is the N pole, and the upper side of the rear side (right side in the drawing) of the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b is the N pole and the lower side is the S pole.

In the vibration mechanism 4 configured as described above, when the coil 41 is supplied with the alternating current whose energization direction is repeatedly reversed, the top plate 44 on which the coil 41 is disposed vibrates while being held by the holding member 43 between the fixed lower permanent magnet 42a and the fixed upper permanent magnet 42 b.

In the fifteenth embodiment, a mode in which the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b are disposed so as to sandwich the coil 41 from above and below is shown based on the vibration mechanism 4 exemplified in the second embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be applied to the vibration mechanism 4 of another embodiment, and in another embodiment, the permanent magnet 42 may be disposed on the support base 40, and in another embodiment, the lower permanent magnet 42a and the upper permanent magnet 42b may be disposed so as to sandwich the coil 41 from above and below.

As described above, the vibration mechanism 4 can be developed into various forms as exemplified by the second to fifteenth embodiments.

[ arrangement of vibration mechanism ]

Next, examples of embodiments in which the vibration mechanism 4 is disposed in various ways will be described. Fig. 36 (fig. 36A and 36B) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 36 shows the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 provided in the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and double-headed arrows show the vibration direction. Fig. 36 shows a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 is disposed at substantially the center of the keyboard 1 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section, fig. 36A shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the front-rear direction which is a direction parallel to the short side, and fig. 36B shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the left-right direction which is a direction parallel to the long side. In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in fig. 36A, the vibration mechanism 4 is shown to vibrate in the front-rear direction, but the keyboard 1 according to the present application may be configured such that the vibration mechanism 4 vibrates in the left-right direction as illustrated in fig. 36B.

Fig. 37 (fig. 37A and 37B) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 37 shows the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 provided in the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and double-headed arrows show the vibration direction. The mode shown in fig. 37 is a mode in which two vibration mechanisms 4 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction in the keyboard 1, fig. 37A shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the front-rear direction, and fig. 37B shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the left-right direction. As illustrated in fig. 37, the keyboard 1 according to the present application may be provided with a plurality of vibration mechanisms 4. When a plurality of vibration mechanisms 4 are provided, the support base 40, the coil 41, the permanent magnet 42, the holding member 43, the top plate 44, and other members constituting the vibration mechanisms 4 are not necessarily used independently, and may share some of the members. For example, as illustrated in each of fig. 37, a support base 40 may be shared by a plurality of vibration mechanisms 4, a coil 41 and a permanent magnet 42 may be configured as a set of vibration parts (actuators), and the vibration parts serving as the actuators may be arranged on the support base 40 shared between the plurality of vibration mechanisms 4. Further, it is possible to appropriately design, for example, to dispose the substrate 20 disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 44 on each of the plurality of top plates 44, or to dispose one substrate 20 on the plurality of top plates 44. The sharing method of the respective members constituting the vibration mechanism 4 differs depending on the structure of the vibration mechanism 4.

Fig. 38 (fig. 38A and 38B) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present application. Fig. 38 shows the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 provided in the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double-headed arrow shows the vibration direction. The mode shown in fig. 38 is a mode in which three vibration mechanisms 4 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction in the keyboard 1, fig. 38A shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the front-rear direction, and fig. 38B shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the left-right direction. As illustrated in fig. 38, the keyboard 1 according to the present invention may be provided with three or more vibration mechanisms 4.

Fig. 39 (fig. 39A and 39B) is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 39 shows the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 from an upper perspective, and the double-headed arrow shows the vibration direction. Fig. 39 shows a mode in which the vibration mechanism 4 is disposed at each corner in the keyboard 1 formed in a rectangular shape in cross section, fig. 39A shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the front-rear direction, and fig. 39B shows a mode in which vibration is performed in the left-right direction. As illustrated in fig. 39, the keyboard 1 according to the present invention may be arranged with the vibration mechanism 4 at each corner portion, or may be arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

Fig. 40 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the vibration mechanism 4 included in the keyboard 1 according to the present invention. In fig. 40, in the configuration illustrated as fig. 36A, a mode of individually controlling each vibration mechanism 4 is shown. The keyboard 1 has two vibration mechanisms 4 arranged in parallel on the left and right sides, and only the right vibration mechanism 4 is vibrated and the left vibration mechanism 4 is stopped. In the keyboard 1 of the present application, when a plurality of vibration mechanisms (vibration units) 4 are provided, it is possible to control the vibration or stop of each vibration mechanism (vibration unit) 4. In the example shown in fig. 40, by stopping the left-side vibration mechanism 4 and vibrating only the right-side vibration mechanism 4 back and forth, as indicated by the black double arrow, vibration in which the right-side is swung in an arc shape can be generated. By providing a plurality of vibration mechanisms 4 in the keyboard 1, it is possible to individually control the vibration and stop, and also to individually control the vibration pattern such as the amplitude and cycle, thereby generating various vibrations at the position corresponding to the pressed key switch 2.

As described in detail above, the key input device according to the present invention is provided as the keyboard 1, for example, and has an advantageous effect that the operator of the key switch 2 can feel, for example, a virtual touch feeling that a click feeling is given to the switching of the open/closed state of the circuit by generating vibration with the electromagnet using the coil 41 and the permanent magnet 42.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in other various ways. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and is not limited to the description. Further, all changes and modifications that fall within the scope and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the key input device described in the present application is provided as the keyboard 1 in which the plurality of key switches 2 are arranged, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to various key input devices in which the key switch 2 is a single push button, the key switch 2 is a plurality of mice, a number generator, and other input devices.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the coil 41 serving as an electromagnet is mainly disposed on the support base 40 side, and the permanent magnet 42 is disposed on the top plate 44 side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in the fifteenth embodiment, the permanent magnet 42 may be disposed on the support base 40 side, the coil 41 serving as an electromagnet may be disposed on the top plate 44 side, and the like as appropriate.

The first to fifteenth embodiments and the vibration mechanism arrangement method are not independent, and may be combined as appropriate.

Description of the reference numerals

1 keyboard (key input device); 2, a key switch; 3a sound output unit; 4, a vibration mechanism; 40 a support base; 400 a bottom plate; 401 side plates; 402 supporting the base-side receiving portion; a 403 bridge part; 41 coils (electromagnet/vibrating part: actuator); 41a lower coil (upper electromagnet); 41b upper coil (upper electromagnet); 42 permanent magnet (vibrating part: actuator); 42a lower permanent magnet; 42b an upper permanent magnet; 43 a holding member; 430 an elastic portion; 431 a rigid body portion; 432 a fulcrum portion; 44 a top plate; 440 a top plate side receiving portion; 45 a cushioning member; 5 operating the detection part; 6a vibration control unit; and 7, a voice control part.

Claims

1. A key input device having a key switch for accepting a pressing operation, the key input device being characterized in that,

a vibration mechanism for vibrating the key switch is provided,

the vibration mechanism includes:

a top plate on which the key switch is disposed;

a support base that supports the top plate from below;

a holding member that vibratably holds the top plate on the support base;

a permanent magnet is disposed on one of the top plate and the support base,

an electromagnet is disposed on the other of the top plate and the support base.

2. The key input apparatus of claim 1,

the electromagnet is a coil that functions as an electromagnet that vibrates the top plate by acting on the permanent magnet based on energization of an alternating current.

3. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the support base has a side plate erected on a side of the top plate,

the holding member is an elastic body bridging from a side plate of the support base to a side portion of the top plate.

4. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member is a shaft-like body fixed to one of the top plate and the support base,

the other of the top plate and the support base holds the shaft-like body so as to be movable in the axial direction.

5. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member is a spherical body,

the support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion into which the spherical body is loosely fitted,

the top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion into which the spherical body is loosely fitted,

the spherical body is inserted between the support base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are arranged to face each other.

6. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member is a shaft-like body formed in a cylindrical shape,

the support base is formed with a support base side receiving portion into which the shaft-like body is loosely fitted,

the top plate is formed with a top plate side receiving portion into which the shaft-like body is loosely fitted,

the shaft-like body is inserted between the support base side receiving portion and the top plate side receiving portion which are disposed to face each other.

7. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member is an elastic body, and the holding member is,

the elastic body is arranged on the supporting base,

the top plate is disposed on the elastic body.

8. The key input apparatus of claim 7,

the elastomer has:

an elastic portion interposed between the holding member and the top plate;

and a rigid body portion interposed between the holding member and the top plate.

9. The key input apparatus of claim 8,

the rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed in a columnar shape,

the rigid body portion of the elastic body penetrates through a through hole formed in the elastic portion in the vertical direction.

10. The key input apparatus of claim 8,

the elastic body is formed in a prismatic shape,

the rigid body portion of the elastic body is formed in a plate shape,

the rigid body portion of the elastic body is disposed in an arrangement direction in which the vibration direction is a plane direction, and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between both surfaces of the elastic body.

11. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member is a plate spring having flexibility in a vibration direction,

the plate spring is arranged on the supporting base,

the top plate is disposed on the leaf spring.

12. The key input apparatus of claim 11,

the plate spring is formed in a long shape,

the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring is arranged orthogonally to the vibration direction,

the plurality of leaf springs are arranged in parallel in the vibration direction.

13. The key input apparatus of claim 11,

a plurality of the plate springs are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction,

the plate spring is arranged in plurality along the vibration direction.

14. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the support base has a bridge portion located above the top plate,

the holding members are a plurality of link members that support the top plate below from the bridge portion of the support base so as to be pivotable.

15. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding members are a plurality of link members that support the top plate on the support base so as to be able to swing, respectively.

16. Key input device according to claim 14 or 15,

the connecting rod part supports the top plate through a revolute pair.

17. Key input device according to claim 14 or 15,

the link member is a plate-like body formed in an elongated shape,

the link member is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to the vibration direction,

the plurality of link members are arranged in parallel in the vibration direction.

18. Key input device according to claim 1 or 2,

the holding member has a fulcrum portion serving as a swing fulcrum,

the support base pivotally supports a fulcrum portion of the holding member so as to be swingable,

the top plate held by the holding member swings about a swing axis based on a fulcrum of the holding member.

19. Key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

the electromagnet is fixed as a lower electromagnet to the support base,

the permanent magnet is arranged above the lower electromagnet with a gap therebetween,

an upper electromagnet fixed with a gap therebetween is provided above the permanent magnet.

20. Key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

the permanent magnet is fixed to the support base as a lower permanent magnet,

the electromagnet is arranged above the lower permanent magnet with a gap,

an upper permanent magnet is fixed above the electromagnet with a gap therebetween.

21. Key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 20,

the top plate is formed in a rectangular shape,

the vibration direction of the top plate is a direction parallel to the long side or the short side.

22. Key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 21,

there are multiple sets of vibrating parts that group the permanent magnets and electromagnets.

23. The key input apparatus of claim 22,

the vibration or stop of each of the vibrating portions can be controlled.

24. A key input device according to any one of claims 1-23, having:

a detection unit that detects a pressing operation of the key switch;

a vibration control unit that controls vibration of the top plate;

when the detection unit detects a pressing operation, the vibration control unit controls the top plate to vibrate.

25. The key input apparatus of claim 24,

the setting of the vibration pattern representing the vibration by the vibration control section may be changed.

26. Key input device according to claim 24 or 25,

has a sound output part for outputting sound,

the sound output unit outputs a sound when the detection unit detects a pressing operation.

27. The key input apparatus of claim 26,

the sound output by the sound output section may be changed.