JP2013020362A - Input unit, display unit, and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input unit, a display unit, and a device that can be downsized and transmit sufficient tactile sense to an operator.SOLUTION: An input unit X1 includes: a rectangular touch panel 11; first piezoelectric elements 12 provided on short sides of the touch panel 11 and capable of expanding and contracting in the direction of the short sides of the touch panel 11; and support parts 13 supporting the touch panel 11 with respect to a fixing part 14 in a manner capable of bending and vibrating. The support parts 13 include first support portions 13a-13d provided at four corner portions 11a-11d of the touch panel 11 and second support portions 13e and 13f provided between the corner portions 11a-11d on both ends of the long sides of the touch panel 11. The second support portions 13e and 13f each include a second piezoelectric element capable of expanding and contracting in the thickness direction of the touch panel 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, a display device, and a device.

  In recent years, in an input device having an input unit such as a touch panel, when an operator operates the input unit, a tactile sensation that transmits various tactile sensations such as a pressing feeling, a tracing feeling, and a touch feeling to the operator. A transmission technique is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Moreover, since such an input device is mainly provided in a portable terminal, in recent years, miniaturization is demanded.

JP 2003-122507 A

  The present invention relates to an input device, a display device, and an apparatus that can transmit a sufficient tactile sensation to an operator while realizing miniaturization.

  One aspect of the input device of the present invention includes a rectangular input unit, a first piezoelectric element that is provided on the short side of the input unit and can be expanded and contracted in the short side direction of the input unit, and the input A support part that supports the fixed part so that the part can be bent and vibrated, and the support part includes both a first support part provided at four corners of the input part and each long side of the input part. And a second support portion provided between the corner portions, and the second support portion includes a second piezoelectric element that can expand and contract in the thickness direction of the input portion.

  One aspect of the display device of the present invention includes the input device according to the present invention and a display panel disposed to face the input device.

  One aspect of the device of the present invention includes the display device according to the present invention in a housing.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The input device, display device, and device of the present invention have an effect that a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the operator while realizing a reduction in size.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the input device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the input device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the input device shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the input device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the pressing state of the input device shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the vibration state of the input device shown in FIG. 1 when a piezoelectric element vibrates. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the vibration state of the input device shown in FIG. 1 when a piezoelectric element and one 2nd support part vibrate. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the vibration state of the input device shown in FIG. 1 when a piezoelectric element and the other 2nd support part vibrate. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the portable terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the input device which concerns on a modification. It is the figure which expanded the 2nd support part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  However, for convenience of explanation, the drawings to be referred to below show simplified main members necessary for explaining the present invention, among the constituent members of one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the input device, the display device, and the device according to the present invention may include arbitrary constituent members that are not shown in the drawings referred to in this specification. In addition, for the same or similar configuration, for example, a lowercase alphabetic additional code is attached to the same code, such as “first support parts 13a to 13d, second support parts 13e and 13f”. There is. In this case, the number of the head of the name such as “support 13” and the above-described additional code may be omitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the input device X <b> 1 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel 11, a first piezoelectric element 12, a support unit 13, a fixing unit 14, and a control unit 15. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustration of the control unit 15 is omitted for convenience of explanation, but the control unit 15 is, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) electrically connected to the first piezoelectric element 12.
Alternatively, they are arranged on a circuit board.

  The touch panel 11 is an input device that detects, as an operation position, a place where an operator performs an input operation with a finger or a pen. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch panel 11 has a rectangular shape. In the present specification, the term “rectangular shape” includes not only a rectangular shape but also a shape in which corners are formed in an arc shape. The touch panel 11 has an operation surface 111 and a back surface 112 positioned on the opposite side of the operation surface 111. That is, the operation surface 111 is a surface on which an operator performs an input operation with a finger or a pen. The touch panel 11 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel, a resistive touch panel, a surface acoustic wave touch panel, an infrared touch panel, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel. A capacitive touch panel is preferable.

  The first piezoelectric element 12 is a member that plays a role of vibrating the touch panel 11 when a predetermined input operation by the operator is detected. As will be described in detail later, the first piezoelectric element 12 can also play a role of detecting a pressing load on the operation surface 111 of the touch panel 11. In the present embodiment, two first piezoelectric elements 12 are provided in the vicinity of both short sides of the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11 along each short side. One surface of the first piezoelectric element 12 is bonded and fixed to the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11. The first piezoelectric element 12 may be provided in the vicinity of both short sides of the operation surface 111 of the touch panel 11 instead of the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11. The first piezoelectric element 12 is configured by alternately laminating electrodes and active layers, and an inactive layer is provided at a position located near the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11. Here, the active layer is made of a polarized piezoelectric material. The inactive layer is composed of a piezoelectric material, a metal material, and an insulating material that are not subjected to polarization treatment.

The touch panel 11 is a rectangular effective operation area having two sides parallel to the long side of the touch panel 11 and two sides parallel to the short side of the touch panel 11 as indicated by virtual lines (dashed lines) in FIG. E1. The effective operation area E1 is an area in which information can be input by an operator performing an input operation with a finger or a pen. In the present embodiment, the first piezoelectric element 12 is provided in the outer region E2 located outside the effective operation region E1. In the present embodiment, the effective operation area E1 is exemplified as a rectangular shape similar to the touch panel 11, but is not limited thereto, and may be a square shape, for example.

  The support portion 13 is a member that plays a role of supporting the touch panel 11 on the fixing portion 14 so as to be capable of bending vibration. In the present embodiment, the support unit 13 matches the bending direction (see FIG. 5) due to the pressing of the operator's finger or pen and the like and the bending direction (see FIG. 6) due to the expansion and contraction of the first piezoelectric element 12. As described above, the touch panel 11 and the fixed portion 14 are provided. Specifically, on the back surface 112, the touch panel 11 includes four corner portions 11a to 11d, a first end portion 11e positioned between the corner portions 11a and 11b, and a second end positioned between the corner portions 11c and 11d. A total of six portions with the portion 11f are supported by the fixing portion 14 via elastically deformable support portions 13, respectively. Examples of the constituent material of the support portion 13 include silicone rubber, urethane rubber, urethane foam, other rubbers, and plastics. In addition, although the support part 13 has illustrated the cylindrical thing, it can be set as arbitrary shapes, such as prismatic shape.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the support portion 13 includes four first support portions 13a to 13d provided at the four corner portions 11a to 11d, and two provided at the first end portion 11e and the second end portion 11f. Two second support portions 13e and 13f. Here, in this embodiment, the 1st support parts 13a-13d are members which play the role which supports the touch panel 11 to the fixing | fixed part 14 so that bending vibration is possible, and 2nd support part 13e, 13f curves the touch panel 11. FIG. It is a member that plays a role of supporting the fixed portion 14 so as to vibrate.

  In the present embodiment, the second support portions 13e and 13f are arranged at the center so as to equally divide the corresponding long sides. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, L1 = L2. It is preferable to arrange | position.

  The second support portions 13e and 13f include a second piezoelectric element that can expand and contract in the thickness direction of the touch panel 11 (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as “vertical direction”). The second support portions 13e and 13f serve to cause the touch panel 11 to bend and vibrate in the vertical direction when detecting an input operation of a predetermined region (a first vibration reduction region E11 and a second vibration reduction region E12 described later) by the operator. It is a member that bears. In the present embodiment, a known cylindrical piezoelectric element capable of so-called longitudinal vibration (vertical vibration) is used for the second support portions 13e and 13f.

  In the present embodiment, all of the second support portions 13e and 13f are second piezoelectric elements, but part of the second support portions 13e and 13f may be second piezoelectric elements. For example, the second support portions 13e and 13f may be composed of a second piezoelectric element and a support portion having a function of simply supporting.

  The fixing unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL panel, a base that constitutes a housing that houses the input device X1, and the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the effective operation area E1 of the touch panel 11 includes a first vibration reduction area E11 located in the vicinity of the second support portion 13e and a second vibration located in the vicinity of the second support portion 13f. And a lowered region E12. Since the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region E12 are located in the vicinity of the second support portions 13e and 13f, the regions E11 and E12 are concerned.
Is a region where the bending vibration of the touch panel 11 decreases. In other words, the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region E12 are regions that are generated when the second support portions 13e and 13f and the effective operation region E1 approach each other in response to a request for downsizing the input device X1. is there. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the second support portions 13e and 13f are the second piezoelectric elements so that the bending vibrations in the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region 12 do not decrease.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 15 applies a voltage to one of the second support portions 13e when the first vibration reduction region E11 is operated. When a voltage is applied to the second support portion 13e, the second support portion 13e expands and contracts in the vertical direction. As the second support portion 13e expands and contracts in the vertical direction, the first vibration reduction region E11 is curved and vibrated in the vertical direction. Thereby, even when the operator operates the first vibration reduction region E11, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the operator. Moreover, the control part 15 applies a voltage to the other 2nd support part 13f, when the 2nd vibration fall area | region E12 is operated. When a voltage is applied to the second support portion 13f, the second support portion 13f expands and contracts in the vertical direction. As the second support portion 13f expands and contracts in the vertical direction, the second vibration reduction region E12 is curved and vibrated in the vertical direction. Thereby, even when the operator operates the second vibration reduction region E12, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the operator.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the second support portions 13e and 13f are the second piezoelectric elements that support the touch panel 11 on the fixed portion 14 so as to be capable of bending vibration and are extendable in the vertical direction. Compared with the case where the support portion and the second piezoelectric element are physically configured separately, the input device X1 can be downsized.

  Next, an operation example of the input device X1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the following, an operation example of the input device X1 in the case of transmitting a pressing feeling to the operator in the tactile transmission will be described. However, the input device X1 is other than the pressing feeling, for example, a feeling of tracing, a feeling of touch, etc. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to transmitting various tactile sensations.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the operator presses the operation surface 111 of the touch panel 11 corresponding to the effective operation region E1, the first piezoelectric element 12 detects a pressing load on the operation surface 111 (Op1). . Here, the load detection function of the first piezoelectric element 12 will be described. That is, when the operator presses the operation surface 111 of the touch panel 11, the touch panel 11 is bent downward as shown in FIG. The first piezoelectric element 12 is also bent (that is, bent) in accordance with the downward curve of the touch panel 11. That is, the amount of bending of the first piezoelectric element 12 changes according to the pressing load of the touch panel 11. Here, the 1st piezoelectric element 12 can be converted into the voltage according to the amount of bending on the characteristic. As a result, the first piezoelectric element 12 can detect a pressing load on the operation surface 111 of the touch panel 11.

  And the control part 15 determines whether the pressing load detected in Op1 is more than a threshold value (Op2). Note that the control unit 15 may determine whether the input operation by the operator is an operation on the input object displayed on the display screen before Op2.

  And if the control part 15 determines with the pressing load detected in Op1 being more than a threshold value (it is YES in Op2), input operation by an operator will be input operation to the 1st vibration fall area | region E11. Is determined (Op3). On the other hand, if the control part 15 determines with the press load detected in Op1 being less than a threshold value (it is NO in Op2), the process of FIG. 4 will be complete | finished.

  Then, the control unit 15 determines that the input operation by the operator is not an input operation to the first vibration reduction region E11 (NO in Op3), and determines that the input operation is not an input operation to the second vibration reduction region E12. If (NO at Op4), the first piezoelectric element 12 is vibrated (Op5).

That is, if the control unit 15 determines that the input operation by the operator is an input operation to the effective operation region E1 other than the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region E12, the two first piezoelectric elements. The element 12 is expanded and contracted in the short side direction of the touch panel 11 in the same phase. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the touch panel 11 is curved and vibrated with both long sides as nodes. In this way, the bending direction (see FIG. 5) due to the pressing of the object to be pressed coincides with the bending direction (see FIG. 6) due to the expansion and contraction of the first piezoelectric element 12, and therefore, it is simply supported at four points (provided at the four corners). Compared to the rectangular touch panel supported by only the four first support portions), the energy loss at the time of bending vibration of the touch panel 11 can be reduced, and the touch panel 11 can be efficiently and at a desired amplitude by the piezoelectric element 12. It is possible to bend and vibrate.

  In Op3, if the control unit 15 determines that the input operation by the operator is an input operation to the first vibration reduction region E11 (YES in Op3), the control unit 15 moves the first piezoelectric element 12 and the second support unit 13e. Vibrate (Op6).

  That is, the control unit 15 expands and contracts the two first piezoelectric elements 12 in the short-side direction of the touch panel 11 in the same phase, and expands and contracts the second support unit 13e in the vertical direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the touch panel 11 performs a bending vibration with both long sides as nodes, and performs a bending vibration in the vertical direction in the first vibration reduction region E11. Specifically, according to the timing of the upward bending vibration of the touch panel 11 by the first piezoelectric element 12, the second support portion 13e extends the touch panel 11 upward. Accordingly, the first vibration reduction region E11 can be displaced upward by the second support portion 13e by being biased by the upward bending vibration of the touch panel 11 by the first piezoelectric element 12. Thereby, even when the operator operates the first vibration reduction region E11, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the operator.

  In Op4, if the control unit 15 determines that the input operation by the operator is an input operation to the second vibration reduction region E12 (YES in Op4), the first piezoelectric element 12 and the second support unit 13f is vibrated (Op7).

  That is, the control unit 15 expands and contracts the two first piezoelectric elements 12 in the same direction in the short side direction of the touch panel 11 and expands and contracts the second support unit 13f in the vertical direction. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the touch panel 11 bends and vibrates in the vertical direction in the second vibration lowering region E12 while vibrating along the long sides of both. Specifically, according to the timing of the upward bending vibration of the touch panel 11 by the first piezoelectric element 12, the second support portion 13f extends the touch panel 11 upward. Accordingly, it is possible to displace the second vibration reduction region E12 upward by the second support portion 13f by energizing the upward bending vibration of the touch panel 11 by the first piezoelectric element 12. Thereby, even when the operator operates the second vibration reduction region E12, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the operator.

  As described above, the input device X1 can transmit a sufficient tactile sensation to the operator while realizing a reduction in size.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the display device Y1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the display device Y1 includes the input device X1 and a liquid crystal display device Z1 disposed to face the input device X1.

  The liquid crystal display device Z1 includes a liquid crystal display panel 51, a backlight 52, and a housing 53.

The liquid crystal display panel 51 is a display panel using a liquid crystal composition for display. Instead of the liquid crystal display panel 51, a display panel such as a plasma display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper may be used. The backlight 52 includes a light source 52a and a light guide plate 52.
b. The light source 52a is a member that plays a role of emitting light toward the light guide plate 52b, and includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Instead of the LED, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) may be used. The light guide plate 52 b is a member that plays a role of guiding light from the light source 52 a substantially uniformly over the entire lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel 51.

  The housing 53 plays a role of housing the liquid crystal display panel 51 and the backlight 52, and includes an upper housing 53a and a lower housing 53b. Examples of the constituent material of the housing 53 include a resin such as polycarbonate, or a metal such as stainless steel (SUS) and aluminum.

  Here, the input device X1 is placed above the liquid crystal display device Z1 via the support portion 13.

  As described above, the input device X1 can input various kinds of information by performing an input operation on the effective operation area E1 while looking through the liquid crystal display panel 51 of the liquid crystal display device Z1.

  Since the display device Y1 includes the input device X1, it is possible to transmit a sufficient tactile sensation to the operator while realizing a reduction in size.

  The display device Y1 is provided in a device such as a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a programmable display, an electronic notebook, a personal computer, a copying machine, or a game terminal.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal P1 including the display device Y1. The mobile terminal P1 is an aspect of the device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the portable terminal P1 includes a display device Y1, a voice input unit 61, a voice output unit 62, a key input unit 63, and a housing 64.

  The voice input unit 61 is configured by a microphone or the like, for example, and inputs a user's voice and the like. The audio output unit 62 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs audio from the other party. Note that the audio output unit 62 may be realized using the first piezoelectric element 12 and the touch panel 11. The key input unit 63 is constituted by a mechanical key, for example. The key input unit 63 may be an operation key displayed on the display screen. The housing 64 is a member that plays a role of housing the display device Y <b> 1, the voice input unit 61, the voice output unit 62, and the key input unit 63.

  In addition, the mobile terminal P1 may include a short-distance wireless communication unit such as a digital camera function unit, a one-segment broadcasting tuner, an infrared communication function unit, and various interfaces, depending on the required functions. The detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  Since the portable terminal P1 includes the display device Y1, it is possible to transmit a sufficient tactile sensation to the operator while realizing miniaturization.

  In addition, although the example which provided the audio | voice input part 61 in the portable terminal P1 was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. That is, the voice input unit 61 may not be provided in the portable terminal P1.

  The above-described embodiment shows a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, some main modifications will be described.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the input device X2 according to the first modification. In FIG. 11, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the input device X2 includes second support portions 13g and 13h instead of the second support portions 13e and 13f described in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the second support portions 13g and 13h. As shown in FIG.
The diameter M1 of the surface 131 that contacts the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11 of the support portions 13g and 13h is:
It is smaller than the diameter M2 of the surface 132 that contacts the fixed portion 14 of the second support portions 13g and 13h. That is, the second support portions 13g and 13h have a so-called tapered shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the back surface 112 of the touch panel 11 toward the fixed portion 14. If it does in this way, the restraint degree of the touch panel 11 by the 2nd support parts 13g and 13h can be reduced. That is, the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region E12 according to Modification 1 are smaller than the first vibration reduction region E11 and the second vibration reduction region E12 according to the above-described embodiment. For this reason, the second support portions 13g and 13h can reduce the possibility of suppressing the vibration of the touch panel 11 while supporting the touch panel 11.

  In addition, you may comprise the 1st support parts 13a-13d similarly to the 2nd support parts 13g and 13h.

[Modification 2]
In addition, although the touch panel 11 was illustrated as an input part above, it is not limited to this. For example, a protective member that protects the touch panel 11 as the input unit may be used. As this protective member, protective films, such as a polyester film, a polypropylene film, a polyethylene film, are mentioned, for example. Examples of the protective member include glass and plastic formed with a small thickness. Further, for example, when the operation position detection function for detecting the operation position is provided on the display panel as in the case where the operation position is detected by the optical sensor, the input unit may be a simple operation panel or the like.

X1, X2 Input device Y1 Display device P1 Mobile terminal 11 Touch panel (input unit)
11a to 11d Corner 11e First end 11f Second end 111 Operation surface (main surface)
112 Back (main surface)
12 1st piezoelectric element 13 Support part 13a-13d 1st support part 13e, 13f 2nd support part, 2nd piezoelectric element 13g, 13h 2nd support part, 2nd piezoelectric element 14 Fixing part 15 Control part 51 Liquid crystal display panel ( Display panel)
E1 Effective operation area E11 First vibration reduction area E12 Second vibration reduction area

Claims (6)

A rectangular input section;
A first piezoelectric element that is provided on the short side of the input unit and is extendable in the short side direction of the input unit;
A support part that supports the input part to the fixed part so as to be capable of bending vibration, and
The support part includes a first support part provided at four corners of the input part and a second support part provided between the corners of both long sides of the input part. ,
The input device, wherein the second support part includes a second piezoelectric element that can expand and contract in a thickness direction of the input part. The input unit has an effective operation area,
The effective operation area includes a vibration reduction area located in the vicinity of the second support part,
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to expand and contract the second support unit in a thickness direction of the input unit when the vibration reduction region is operated. The second support portion includes the second piezoelectric element,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of a surface of the second support portion that contacts the input portion is smaller than a diameter of a surface of the second support portion that contacts the fixing portion. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A display panel disposed opposite to the input device.   The display device according to claim 4, wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel.   A device comprising the display device according to claim 4 or 5 in a casing.

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