JP2012221860A - Actuator for moderation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator for moderation which is used mainly for operation of various electronic apparatus, and ensures excellent feeling of operation and reliable operation.SOLUTION: A reversing spring 14 which reverses while generating the feeling of moderation is provided between a fixed body 11 and a movable body 12 that is moved by contraction or expansion of a wire 13 made of a shape-memory alloy. When the movable body 12 is moved by contraction or expansion of a wire 13, force of the reversing spring 14 that reverses while generating the feeling of moderation is applied to the movable body 12 in a predetermined distance travelled. Since the movable body 12 is moved crisply with good feeling of moderation, excellent feeling of operation is obtained and an actuator for moderation ensuring reliable operation can be obtained.

Description

  The present invention relates to a moderation actuator mainly used for input devices of various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various electronic devices such as mobile phones and electronic cameras have become highly functional and diversified, various input devices such as a thin touch panel and a rotatable sphere are mounted on the operation unit of the device, and these presses are pressed. The function of each device is switched by operation, rotation operation, etc., and a moderation actuator is attached to the input device, which adds an operational feeling to the input device. There is a need for a device that can perform various operations.

  Such conventional moderation actuators and input devices will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional moderation actuator, in which 1 is a fixed body made of insulating resin or metal, 2 is a movable body, and the movable body 2 is placed at the center of the fixed body 1. Yes.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a wire made of a shape memory alloy, and an intermediate portion is inserted between the upper surface of the fixed body 1 and the lower surface of the movable body 2, and electrode portions 3A and 3B are provided at both ends.

  Further, 4 is a substantially U-shaped metal wire spring, and both ends of the plurality of springs 4 are in contact with the lower surface of the fixed body 1 and the upper surface of the movable body 2 so that the fixed body 1 and the movable body 2 are sandwiched. Thus, the moderation actuator 5 is configured.

  5A is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel as an input device. In FIG. 5, 21 is a film-like and light-transmissive upper substrate, 22 is a light-transmissive lower substrate such as glass, and the upper substrate. A light transmissive upper conductive layer 23 made of indium tin oxide or the like is formed on the lower surface of 21, and a lower conductive layer 24 is formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 22.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed at a predetermined interval on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 24 by an insulating resin, and a pair of upper electrodes (not shown) are formed at both ends of the upper conductive layer 23. At both ends of the lower conductive layer 24, a pair of lower electrodes (not shown) perpendicular to the upper electrode are formed.

  Further, reference numeral 25 denotes a substantially frame-like spacer formed on the outer peripheral inner edge between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, and the upper substrate is coated with an adhesive (not shown) applied to the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 25. 21 and the outer periphery of the lower substrate 22 are bonded together, and the upper conductive layer 23 and the lower conductive layer 24 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween to constitute a touch panel.

  The moderation actuator 5 is mounted on the right end of the touch panel configured as described above, for example, disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and mounted on an electronic device, and the electrode portion of the moderation actuator 5 3A and 3B and a pair of upper and lower electrodes of the touch panel are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the device via a wiring board, a connector (not shown), or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 on a desired display is pressed with a finger or a pen while viewing the display of the display element on the back through the touch panel, as shown in FIG. The upper conductive layer 23 in the bent and pressed portion contacts the lower conductive layer 24.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the electronic circuit detects the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between both ends of the upper conductive layer 23 and both ends of the lower conductive layer 24 in the direction orthogonal thereto. Various functions are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 on the desired menu is pressed, the operated position is determined by the voltage ratio between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. Is detected by the electronic circuit, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  At this time, when the pressing operation is performed and the electronic circuit detects that the upper conductive layer 23 is in contact with the lower conductive layer 24, the electronic circuit sends a predetermined voltage current to the electrodes 3A and 3B of the moderation actuator 5. Is applied, whereby the wire 3 contracts.

  Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the movable body 2 with the wire 3 in contact with the lower surface moves upward while bending the spring 4, collides with the right end of the touch panel, and the vibration is transmitted to the touch panel.

  Then, this vibration is transmitted to a finger or the like as a moderation feeling when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 is pressed, and the operation feeling is added so that a desired pressing operation can be confirmed as a tactile sensation. It has become.

  That is, when a plurality of menus are selected by pressing the touch panel, a desired menu can be selected by transmitting a collision of the movable body 2 to the touch panel due to contraction of the wire 3 to a finger or the like via the touch panel. It has been configured so that it can be confirmed as an operation feeling that the operation has been performed reliably.

  At this time, as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. 8, the force applied from the movable body 2 to the touch panel moves upward while the movable body 2 bends the spring 4 when the movable body 2 moves due to the contraction of the wire 3. Therefore, the elastic deformation force of the spring 4 is gradually applied with the upward movement distance, and the load is gradually increased.

  Then, when the wire 3 contracts most, the load becomes the maximum load P, and this force is applied from the movable body 2 to the touch panel, and an operation feeling at the time of pressing operation is generated.

  In addition, when the voltage / current from the electronic circuit is interrupted, the wire 3 expands and returns to the original state, but in this case as well, the force of the spring 4 that gradually returns to elasticity is applied to the movable body 2, so the load is It gradually decreases and returns to the state of FIG.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

Special table 2010-515983

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional moderation actuator, the movable body 2 is slowly moved in a state where the force of the spring 4 that is gradually elastically deformed is applied, and the operation feeling is given by the collision of the movable body 2 with the touch panel. Therefore, there has been a problem that the touch feeling of the touch panel is crisp and inferior in moderation.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to provide a moderation actuator that can obtain a good operation feeling and can be reliably operated.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a moderation actuator is configured by providing a reversal spring that generates a moderation feel and reverses between a fixed body and a movable body that moves by contraction or expansion of a shape memory alloy wire. When the movable body moves due to contraction or extension of the wire, the force of the reversing spring is applied to the movable body to create a feeling of moderation at a predetermined moving distance, and the movable body is crisp and moderate. Since the movement is performed, a good operation feeling can be obtained, and a moderation actuator capable of reliable operation can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a moderation actuator that can provide a favorable operation feeling and can be reliably operated.

The side view of the actuator for moderation by one embodiment of the present invention Side view Waveform diagram Sectional view of moderation actuator according to another embodiment Cross section of touch panel Sectional view of a conventional moderation actuator Cross section Waveform diagram

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a moderation actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 11 is a fixed body made of insulating resin or metal, 12 is a movable body, and 13 is a wire made of a shape memory alloy. Between the lower surface of the fixed body 11 and the movable body 12, a wire 13 made of a shape memory alloy wound in a coil shape is mounted.

  The wire 13 has a diameter of 20 to 500 μm and is formed of a shape memory alloy wire such as a Ni—Ti alloy, a Cu—Al—Ni alloy, or a Fe—Mn—Si alloy, and electrode portions 13A and 13B are provided at both ends. It has been.

  Further, 14 is a reversing spring made of a thin metal plate such as steel or copper alloy having a substantially dome shape. The outer periphery of the reversing spring 14 is placed on the lower end of the fixed body 11 and the lower end of the movable body 12 is inserted in the center. Thus, a moderation actuator 15 is configured.

  FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel as an input device. In FIG. 5, 21 is a film-like upper substrate having light transmission properties such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethersulfone, and polycarbonate, and 22 is a film. A light-transmitting lower substrate made of glass or glass or the like, a light-transmitting upper conductive layer 23 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21, and a lower surface on the upper surface of the lower substrate 22. Each of the conductive layers 24 is formed by sputtering or the like.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 24 by an insulating resin such as epoxy or silicone at a predetermined interval, and a pair of silver or carbon or the like is formed at both ends of the upper conductive layer 23. Similarly, a pair of lower electrodes (not shown) perpendicular to the upper electrode are formed on both ends of the lower conductive layer 24, respectively.

  Further, reference numeral 25 denotes a substantially frame-like spacer formed at the inner peripheral edge between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, such as polyester, epoxy, non-woven fabric, and acrylic, rubber, etc. applied to the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 25. The outer peripheries of the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22 are bonded together by an adhesive (not shown), and the upper conductive layer 23 and the lower conductive layer 24 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween to constitute a touch panel.

  The moderation actuator 15 is attached to the right end of the touch panel configured as described above, for example, disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and the electrode portion of the moderation actuator 15 13A and 13B and a pair of upper and lower electrodes of the touch panel are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the device via a wiring board, a connector (not shown), or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 on a desired display is pressed with a finger or a pen while viewing the display of the display element on the back through the touch panel, as shown in FIG. The upper conductive layer 23 in the bent and pressed portion contacts the lower conductive layer 24.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the electronic circuit detects the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between both ends of the upper conductive layer 23 and both ends of the lower conductive layer 24 in the direction orthogonal thereto. Various functions are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 on the desired menu is pressed, the operated position is determined by the voltage ratio between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. Is detected by the electronic circuit, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  At this time, when the pressing operation is performed and the electronic circuit detects that the upper conductive layer 23 is in contact with the lower conductive layer 24, the electronic circuit supplies a predetermined voltage current to the electrodes 13A and 13B of the moderation actuator 15. Is applied, whereby the wire 13 is stretched.

  Therefore, as shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the movable body 12 around which the wire 13 is wound around the outer periphery moves downward, and the upper surface of the reversing spring 14 is placed on the lower end of the fixed body 11. The lower end of the movable body 12 is pressed.

  When the predetermined amount is pressed, the reversing spring 14 is elastically reversed downward with a sense of moderation, the lower surface of the movable body 12 collides with the right end of the touch panel, and vibration is transmitted to the touch panel.

  Further, this vibration is transmitted to a finger or the like as a moderation feel when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 is pressed, and an operation feeling is added so that a desired pressing operation can be confirmed as a tactile sensation. It has become.

  That is, when a plurality of menus are selected by pressing the touch panel, a desired menu is selected by transmitting a collision of the movable body 12 to the touch panel due to the extension of the wire 13 to a finger or the like via the touch panel. It is configured so that it can be confirmed as an operation feeling that the operation has been performed reliably.

  At this time, since the reversing spring 14 is not elastically reversed until it is pressed by a predetermined amount, the movable body 12 moves downward as the wire 13 extends as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. Even if the lower end presses the center of the upper surface of the reversing spring 14, the elastic deformation force of the reversing spring 14 is only a small change.

  However, when the movable body 12 moves downward to some extent and the lower end presses the reversing spring 14 by a predetermined amount, the load applied from the reversing spring 14 to the moving body 12 increases rapidly, and the reversing spring 14 feels moderate. Along with this, it is elastically inverted downward.

  Then, the lower surface of the movable body 12 collides with the right end of the touch panel with the maximum load P that has changed drastically, and this force is applied from the movable body 12 to the touch panel, resulting in an operational feeling during a pressing operation.

  In addition, when the voltage / current from the electronic circuit is interrupted, the wire 13 contracts and returns to the original state. In this case as well, when the movable body 12 moves upward by a predetermined amount, the reversing spring 14 feels moderation upward. Accordingly, after elastically reversing and the load applied to the movable body 12 is rapidly reduced, the movable body 12, the reversing spring 14 and the like are returned to the state shown in FIG.

  That is, a movable body 12 that moves by stretching or contraction of the wire 13 wound between the lower surface of the fixed body 11 and a reversing spring 14 that creates a moderation feel and reverses between the fixed body 11 and presses a predetermined amount. Until it is applied, it does not reverse elastically, but when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied, the force of the reversing spring 14 that suddenly changes the load is applied to the movable body 12 to create an operational feel, resulting in good crispness and moderation. Good operation feeling can be obtained.

  In the above description, the wire 13 is wound between the lower surface of the fixed body 11 and the movable body 12, and the reversal spring 14 is provided between the lower end of the fixed body 11 and the movable body 12. The present invention can also be implemented with a configuration as shown in the sectional view of the moderation actuator in FIG.

  That is, in FIG. 4A, the shape memory alloy wire 13C is bent into a substantially U shape and is deformably stored in the fixed body 11A, and the left end is fixed to the fixed body 11A. A movable body 12A is formed at the right end of the reversing spring 14A.

  Further, a part of the wire 13C protrudes upward from the fixed body 11A and is locked by the reversing spring 14A to constitute a moderation actuator.

  When a voltage / current is applied to both ends of the wire 13C, as shown in FIG. 4B, the wire 13C contracts and the reversal spring 14A tilts, the movable body 12A moves downward, and the reversal spring 14A. Is tilted by a predetermined amount, it is elastically inverted downward with a sense of moderation, and the force of the movable body 12A is applied to a touch panel (not shown), so that a crisp operation feeling can be obtained.

  Further, when the voltage / current from the electronic circuit is interrupted, the wire 13C expands and returns to its original state. In this case as well, the load applied to the movable body 12A by elastic reversal accompanied by a moderation feeling of the reversing spring 14A. It is configured to change sharply and obtain a crisp moderation feeling.

  That is, the movable body 12A is formed so as to be movable with respect to the fixed body 11A via the reversing spring 14A, and the reversing spring 14A is tilted or returned by contraction or extension of the wire 13C, and is elastically reversed until it is tilted by a predetermined amount. Without applying the force of the reversing spring 14A, the load of which suddenly changes when tilted by a predetermined amount, to the movable body 12A, an operation feeling is generated, so that a good operation feeling with good crispness and moderation can be obtained. It has become.

  In the above description, the configuration is described in which the moderation actuator 15 is mounted on the right end of the touch panel in which the upper substrate 21 is bent by the pressing operation and the upper conductive layer 23 and the lower conductive layer 24 are electrically connected and separated. The touch panel may have a moderation actuator 15 mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the touch panel. The touch panel also detects an operation location by a change in capacitance due to finger contact, or an optical type using a light emitting diode. The present invention can be implemented in various types of touch panels such as those.

  Furthermore, in addition to the touch panel, those that perform input operations by rotating a spherical or cylindrical operation body, those that detect finger movements by reflection of light, or those whose resistance value changes due to rotation or sliding operations For example, the moderation actuator 15 of the present invention may be attached to various input devices to add an operational feeling to the input device.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the reversing spring 14 that generates a moderation feel and reverses between the fixed body 11 and the movable body 12 that moves by contraction or expansion of the shape memory alloy wire 13. When the movable body 12 is moved by contraction or extension of the wire 13, a force of the reversing spring 14 is applied to the movable body 12 so that the movable body 12 feels moderate at a predetermined moving distance and is reversed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a moderation actuator capable of obtaining a good operation feeling and capable of reliable operation.

  The moderation actuator according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that a good operation feeling can be obtained and a reliable operation can be obtained, and is mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

11, 11A Fixed body 12, 12A Movable body 13, 13C Wire 13A, 13B Electrode part 14, 14A Reversing spring 15 Moderation actuator 21 Upper substrate 22 Lower substrate 23 Upper conductive layer 24 Lower conductive layer 25 Spacer

Claims (1)

A fixed body and a movable body that moves by contraction or expansion of a wire made of shape memory alloy with respect to the fixed body, and a reversing spring that provides a modest feel and reverses is provided between the fixed body and the movable body. Actuator for moderation.

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