DE102017202645A1 - Input interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an input interface (1), comprising a carrier device (2); a vibrating element (3); a first actuator (4) having a first electrode pair (4a, 4c) and a first polymer layer (4b) located between the pair of electrodes (4a, 4c); and a second actuator (5) having a second electrode pair (5a, 5c) and a second polymer layer (5b) located between the electrode pair (5a, 5c); wherein the first actuator (4) connects a first edge region of the vibration element (3) to the carrier device (2) and the second actuator (5) connects a second edge region of the vibration element (3) to the carrier device (2); and wherein the vibration element (3) is movable by setting a first voltage (U1) which can be applied to the first electrode pair and a second voltage (U2) which can be applied to the second electrode pair (4a, 4c).

Description

The present invention relates to an input interface, in particular a touch display or a touchpad, and a use of an input interface as a touch display.

State of the art

The latest generations of smartphones have a growing number of sensor elements and electromechanical components. Thus, actuators can be installed in or on the display to give the user a haptic feedback and to put the display in vibration. From the publication US2015 / 0145657 A1 Such an optical display is known.

At the same time, however, there is an increased demand for flat and compact electronic devices. To meet both requirements, necessary elements, such as the display of the smartphone, must be made thinner and thinner.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention provides an input interface having the features of claim 1 and a use of an input interface having the features of claim 10.

According to a first aspect, the invention accordingly provides an input interface with a carrier device, a vibration element, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator comprises a first electrode pair and a first polymer layer located between the pair of electrodes. The second actuator has a second electrode pair and a second polymer layer located between the electrode pair. The first actuator connects a first edge region of the vibration element to the carrier device, and the second actuator connects a second edge region of the vibration element to the carrier device. The vibrating element can be moved by setting a first voltage which can be applied to the first electrode pair and a second voltage which can be applied to the second electrode pair.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a use of an input interface as a touch display.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

Advantages of the invention

The actuators can act on different edge regions of the vibrating element and thereby cause by a push-pull principle, a stronger vibration than would be possible by a single actuator. Conversely, actuators with thinner polymer layers can achieve the same vibrational effect as a thicker single actuator, so the overall structure of the input interface can be flatter. The use of two actuators thus makes it possible to make the input interface thinner. Its small footprint makes the input interface ideal for use in smartphones, touch displays or touchpads.

The input interface preferably has a control device which is designed to vibrate the vibrating element by applying the first voltage and the second voltage with a time delay. As a result of the alternating voltage, the respective polymer layers of the actuators are respectively pulled apart or pulled together in opposite directions, so that one of the actuators exerts a force pointing away from this actuator on the vibrating element, while the other actuator exerts a force pointing towards this actuator on the vibrating element. The actuators thereby generate a push-pull effect.

According to a development of the input interface, this has a capacitor for storing electrical energy, wherein the control device is designed to apply the first voltage or the second voltage by establishing a galvanic connection of the capacitor with the first electrode pair or the second electrode pair. The capacitor thus serves as an energy buffer, which is designed to provide both energy for applying the first voltage and energy for applying the second voltage. By using a single energy buffer, the first actuator or the second actuator can be driven alternately.

Preferably, the first electrode pair is connected to the second electrode pair in such a way that, when the first voltage or the second voltage is reduced, the respective other voltage is increased. If, for example, the first voltage is reduced, then the second voltage is increased and, conversely, the first voltage is increased when the second voltage is reduced. By generating mutual forces by the first actuator and the second actuator, a smooth movement of the vibrating element can be generated.

Preferably, the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer are biased. If, for example, the first voltage is applied to the first polymer layer in such a way that the thickness of the first polymer layer is reduced, ie if the vibration element is pushed away from the connection section on the carrier device by the first actuator, the second polymer layer simultaneously pulls the vibration element in the same direction the bias of the second polymer layer is reduced.

Preferably, the first polymer layer and / or the second polymer layer comprise at least one electroactive polymer. Preferably, the electroactive polymer comprises a dielectric elastomer. Electroactive polymers undergo a change in size when subjected to an electrical voltage. Preferably, the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes are formed elastically, so that they can also deform accordingly in a deformation of the polymer layers. The polymer layers located between the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair can each have one or more sublayers of polymers. If an electrical voltage is applied to the respective electrode pair, the polymer is compressed due to the attractive charges and undergoes an elongation perpendicular to the field direction. Since polymers are nearly incompressible, the volume of the polymer layers remains substantially constant during deformation. When reducing the voltage, the excess charges flow through the voltage source and the original state of the polymer layer is restored.

Preferably, the first actuator and the second actuator may each have exactly one polymer layer. This allows the input interface to be made very flat.

According to a development, a cover is arranged on the carrier device, which covers the vibrating element.

list of figures

• 1 Eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer Eingabeschnittstelle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Explosionsansicht der Eingabeschnittstelle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 schematische Schrägansichten von Aktuatoren für eine Eingabeschnittstelle zur Erläuterung des Wirkprinzips der Aktuatoren;
• 4 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer Eingabeschnittstelle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 5 ein Schaltbild eines Teils einer Eingabeschnittstelle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• 6 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Verwendung einer Eingabeschnittstelle.

Show it:

• 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an input interface according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic exploded view of the input interface according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 3 schematic oblique views of actuators for an input interface to explain the operating principle of the actuators;
• 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of an input interface according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 5 a circuit diagram of part of an input interface according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• 6 a flowchart of a method for using an input interface.

In all figures, the same or functionally identical elements and devices are provided with the same reference numerals. Various embodiments can be combined as desired, if appropriate.

Description of the embodiments

In 1 Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an input interface illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The input interface 1 has a carrier device 2 which is preferably a substrate 2c comprising a flat surface, which may be formed for example of a transparent material such as glass, PC, PET, PI, polyester, or of an opaque material, such as PA, PBT or ABS. The carrier device 2 moreover has first connecting sections or suspension elements 2a and second connecting portions or suspension elements 2 B which is relative to the surface of the substrate 2c protrude.

The input interface 1 further has a vibrating element 3 on, which can also consist of one of the above materials. The vibrating element may be formed substantially rectangular and has a first edge region 3a on, which corresponds to a first edge of the vibrating element, and has a second edge region 3b which corresponds to a second edge of the vibrating element, wherein the first edge of the vibrating element is preferably opposite the first edge of the vibrating element. The vibration element 3 is preferably flat and has two planar surfaces, one of the planar surfaces being the surface of the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 contacted. The vibrating element can be a display of a touchpad or touchscreen, in particular a smartphone.

The input interface 1 also has a first actuator 4 and a second actuator 5 on. The first actuator 4 has a first pair of electrodes 4a . 4c on, as well as between the pair of electrodes 4a . 4c located first polymer layer 4b , The first actuator 4 connects the first suspension element 2a the carrier device 2 with the first edge area 3a of the vibrating element 3 ,

Analogously, the second actuator 5 a second pair of electrodes 5a . 5c and one between the pair of electrodes 5a . 5c located second polymer layer 5b on.

The first polymer layer 4b and the second polymer layer 5b preferably comprise an electroactive polymer, in particular a dielectric elastomer. A thickness of the first polymer layer 4b or the second polymer layer 5b is preferably between 20 and 50 microns.

As in 2 shown points the input interface 1 preferably also a cover 7 on which the vibrating element 3 and the first actuator 4 and the second actuator 5 covered. The cover 7 includes a frame 7a and an optical window 7b where the optical window 7b is preferably formed of a transparent material. The cover may serve as protection for the vibrating element 3 serve, which may be a display in particular.

In 3 is the working principle of the first actuator 4 or the second actuator 5 illustrated in more detail. So on the left side of the 3 as an example the first actuator 4 illustrated, wherein no electrical voltage to the first pair of electrodes 4a . 4c is created. Now an electrical voltage to the pair of electrodes 4a . 4c created, then the distance between the electrodes 4a . 4c of the first pair of electrodes 4a . 4c reduced. As the volume of the polymer layer 4b while the deformation remains substantially constant, the actuator expands 4 thus in a plane perpendicular to the field lines between the pair of electrodes 4a . 4c out.

Preferably, the first actuator 4 and the second actuator 5 biased so that the first actuator 4 a tensile force in the direction of the first suspension element 2a on the vibrating element 3 exercises while the second actuator 5 an oppositely acting tensile force in the direction of the second suspension element 2 B on the vibrating element 3 exercises. Due to the opposing forces remains the vibrating element 3 relative to the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 at rest, as long as no electrical voltage to one of the actuators 4 . 5 is created. The vibration element 3 is here preferably flat on the planar substrate 2c the carrier device 2 arranged and can along the surface of the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 slide or be moved.

Will now, as in 4 illustrated by a control device 6 the input interface 1 an electrical first voltage U1 to the first pair of electrodes 4a 4c, the vibrating element becomes 3 through the first actuator 4 from the first suspension element 2a parallel to the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 pushed away. Conversely, the preloaded second actuator exercises 5 a tensile force on the vibrating element 3 out, which in the direction of the second suspension element 2 B is directed. In an analogous manner, U2 can be applied to the second electrode pair by applying a second voltage 5a . 5c a force on the vibrating element 3 be generated in the opposite direction. By alternating the first voltage U1 to the first pair of electrodes 4a . 4c or the second voltage U2 to the second electrode pair 5a . 5c is applied while no voltage is applied to the other electrode pair, the control device 6 thus generating a vibration by the vibrating element 3 relative to the surface of the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 is set in motion.

According to further embodiments, the carrier device 2 also only the vibration element 3 at least partially surrounding frame means.

In 5 an exemplary circuit diagram illustrating a mechanism of the input interface is illustrated 1 for applying the first voltage U1 and second voltage U2 represents. Thus, a first node 81 and a second node 82 intended. These knots 81 . 82 are interconnected via a first branch with a first switching device 65 and a second switching device connected in series 66 , a second branch connected in parallel with the first branch, with a capacitor Cv, a third branch connected in parallel with a third switching device 61 and a fourth switching device connected in series 62 , and also a fourth branch connected in parallel with a fifth switching device 63 and a sixth switching device connected in series 64 ,

A third knot 83 between the first switching device 65 and the second switching device 66 is in a fifth branch via an inductance L _v and a voltage source with an output voltage U _DC to the first node 81 connected. A fourth node 84 between the third switching device 61 and the fourth switching device 62 is in a sixth branch via an inductance L _L and the series-connected second actuator 5 with the first node 81 connected. Next is a fifth node 85 between the fifth switching device 63 and the sixth switching device 64 in a seventh branch via an inductance L _L and the series-connected first actuator 4 with the first node 81 connected.

The first to sixth switching devices 61 to 66 each have a switch S1 to S6 and a parallel-connected freewheeling diode D1 to D6. The switches S1 to S6 are preferably designed as MOSFET transistors. The first branch and the fifth branch form a step-up converter 6a , which transforms the output voltage U _DC to a higher intermediate circuit voltage Uv. Initially, all switches S1 to S6 are opened for this purpose. By closing the second switching device 66 A current I _V builds up through the inductance L _V. After closing the first switching device 65 and opening the second switching device 66 the current is diverted and charges the capacitor C _V.

The third, fourth, sixth and seventh branches serve as a dual channel down converter 6b , At the beginning are the third to sixth switching devices 61 open until 64. Now, for example, the fourth switching device 61 closed, a current flows from the capacitor C _V through the inductance L _L and builds a second voltage U2 between the pair of electrodes 5a . 5c of the second actuator 5 on. Will now be the fourth switching device 62 closed and the third switching device 61 opened, the second voltage U2 is reduced again. Similarly, by opening or closing the fifth switching device 63 and the sixth switching device 64 a first voltage U1 to the first actuator 4 be created. By appropriate opening and closing of the switches S1 to S4, the control device 6 apply the first voltage U1 or second voltage U2.

In 6 Fig. 10 is a flowchart for using an energy interface 1 illustrated according to one of the embodiments described above as a touch display. In a method step S1, preferably a first voltage U1 is alternately applied to the electrode pair 4a . 4c of the first actuator 4 and a second voltage U2 to the second electrode pair 5a . 5c of the second actuator 5 created. No voltage or zero voltage is applied to the respective other pair of electrodes. This will be the vibrating element 3 along the substrate 2c the carrier device 2 set in motion.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2015/0145657 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Input interface (1), with a carrier device (2); a vibrating element (3); a first actuator (4) having a first electrode pair (4a, 4c) and a first polymer layer (4b) located between the pair of electrodes (4a, 4c); and a second actuator (5) having a second electrode pair (5a, 5c) and a second polymer layer (5b) located between the electrode pair (5a, 5c); wherein the first actuator (4) connects a first edge region (3a) of the vibration element (3) to the carrier device (2) and the second actuator (5) connects a second edge region (3b) of the vibration element (3) to the carrier device (2) ; and wherein the vibrating element (3) is movable by adjusting a first voltage (U1) which can be applied to the first pair of electrodes and a second voltage (U2) which can be applied to the second pair of electrodes (4a, 4c). Input interface (1) to Claim 1 , comprising a control device (6) which is designed to set the vibration element (3) into vibration by time-shifted application of the first voltage (U1) and the second voltage (U2). Input interface (1) to Claim 2 , comprising a capacitor (Cv) for storing electrical energy, wherein the control device (6) is designed to connect the first electrode pair (4a, 4c) or the second electrode pair (5a, 5a) by establishing a galvanic connection of the capacitor (Cv). 5c) to apply the first voltage (U1) or second voltage (U2). Input interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrode pair (4a, 4c) is connected to the second electrode pair (5a, 5c) in such a way that the first voltage (U) or second voltage (U2) is reduced each other voltage (U1, U2) is increased. An input interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first polymer layer (4b) and the second polymer layer (5b) are biased. Input interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first polymer layer (4b) and / or the second polymer layer (5b) comprise at least one electroactive polymer. Input interface (1) to Claim 6 wherein the electroactive polymer comprises a dielectric elastomer. Input interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first actuator (4) and the second actuator (5) each have exactly one polymer layer (4a, 5a). Input interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a cover (7) which is arranged on the carrier device (2) and covers the vibrating element (3). Use of an input interface (1) as a touch display.

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