JP2016184391A - Touch sense provision device, electronic apparatus, and driving method for touch sense provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easier to sense the texture and effectively reduce the voltage to be applied to an electrode.SOLUTION: A touch sense provision device includes: a panel including a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes; and a driving unit that drives the panel. When the driving unit applies the voltage signal to the electrode, the electrostatic force is generated between the electrode and the operator, and based on the electrostatic force, the touch sense is provide to the operator. A contact surface of the insulating layer on which the operator touches has a surface roughness Ra in a predetermined range. The voltage to be applied to the electrode corresponding to the region where the touch sense is provided to the operator is the voltage according to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a tactile presentation device, an electronic device, and a driving method of the tactile presentation device, and more particularly to a tactile presentation device that presents a tactile sensation, an electronic device such as a touch panel and a terminal for visually impaired persons, and a tactile sense appropriately The present invention relates to a driving method for presenting.

  A display device equipped with a touch panel that allows input operations by touching a finger or the like is incorporated into a system that controls display contents and device operations in response to input operations, thereby providing easy-to-use interactive operability. Contributing to realization. For this reason, information devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and notebook personal computers with built-in touch panels are rapidly spreading.

  On the other hand, the surface of the display device on which the touch panel is mounted is uniformly hard, and has the same tactile sensation when touching any part displayed on the screen. For this reason, it is virtually impossible to perceive without looking at the panel where the touch panel is touched to enable an effective input and whether an effective input has been made. Therefore, it is difficult to operate these devices only by touch without looking at the screen of the display device.

  In contrast, for example, a remote control of a television receiver, a conventional mobile phone terminal (feature phone), a keyboard of a personal computer, and the like each have an independent operation key. Can be perceived, and can be perceived through tactile sensation even when these operation keys are pressed. Therefore, as long as the position and arrangement of the operation keys are memorized, it is not so difficult to operate with only the sense of touch without looking at the hand.

  From such a background, a technique for imparting a tactile sensation to a display device has been studied. For example, when a display device is mechanically vibrated using a piezoelectric element or an eccentric motor, or when the friction force between an operator's finger and the device is changed by electrostatic force and the device is traced with a finger, the sense of touch ( A method using a so-called electric vibration phenomenon that presents a feeling of texture), a method of driving a nerve axon of a skin mechanoreceptor of a user's finger by passing an electric current through the finger, and the like.

  Among these methods, with respect to a method using an electric vibration phenomenon, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a conductive surface, an insulating surface disposed on the conductive surface, and a user whose signal contacts the device are disclosed. A tactile presentation device has been proposed that includes a controller configured to be coupled, whereby a tactile sensation is perceived by at least one finger of the user sliding on the insulating surface.

JP 2011-248884 A

A tactile sensation presentation device using an electric vibration phenomenon includes an electrode and an insulating layer that protects the electrode. When the operator's finger is moved on the insulating layer, the tactile sensation is presented to the operator by the following mechanism. .
(1) When a voltage signal is applied to the electrode, an electrostatic force acts between the electrode and the operator's finger. The electrostatic force is always attractive, and this electrostatic force varies according to the frequency of the voltage signal.
(2) The frequency of the voltage signal when the user slides the finger on the surface of the insulating layer because the vertical drag acting between the operator's finger and the surface of the insulating layer fluctuates according to the fluctuation of the electrostatic force. The frictional force varies depending on.
(3) The fluctuation of the frictional force changes the force acting in the shearing direction of the finger and causes the finger to deform according to the frequency of the voltage signal. This deformation (mechanical vibration) is detected by the mechanical receptor of the user's finger, and a rough texture is perceived.

  Thus, in order to perceive a rough texture, it is necessary to apply an appropriate voltage to the electrode so that an appropriate electrostatic force acts between the electrode and the operator's finger. However, it is not easy to apply an appropriate voltage. If the voltage applied to the electrode is increased in order to make it easier to perceive the texture, the operation is performed if the insulating film protecting the electrode is lost due to wear or the like. A high voltage is applied to the operator's finger, and an inappropriate current may flow to the operator's finger, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of safety. On the other hand, if the voltage applied to the electrode is lowered, a sufficient texture cannot be perceived.

  In particular, the contact surface (surface of the insulating layer) of the conventional tactile sensation presentation device is flat, and the flat contact surface makes it difficult for a finger to come into close contact with the contact surface and to slip, making it difficult to perceive a texture. Therefore, the voltage applied to the electrode must be increased, and it becomes difficult to ensure safety. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve both the perception of the texture feeling and the reduction of the voltage applied to the electrodes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to make it easy to perceive a texture and to effectively reduce the voltage applied to the electrodes and An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device including the haptic presentation device and a driving method of the haptic presentation device.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode, and a drive unit that drives the panel, and the drive unit Is a tactile sensation presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode, wherein the operator of the insulating layer The contact surface that touches has a surface roughness Ra in a predetermined range, and the voltage applied to the electrode is a voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface.

  One aspect of the present invention drives a panel having a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes. A tactile presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode. The contact surface of the insulating layer that is touched by the operator has a surface roughness Ra within a predetermined range, and a voltage applied to an electrode corresponding to a region where a tactile sensation is presented to the operator is The voltage is in accordance with the surface roughness Ra of the surface.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode, and a drive unit that drives the panel, and the drive unit Is a tactile sensation presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode, wherein the operator of the insulating layer When the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface touched by the surface has a correlation between the surface roughness Ra and the minimum voltage at which the operator can perceive a tactile sensation (hereinafter referred to as a detection threshold voltage), when Ra is 0.00 μm Compared with the detection threshold voltage, the surface roughness Ra is a lower detection threshold voltage.

  One aspect of the present invention is an electronic apparatus including the touch-sensitive presentation device described above on a front surface or a rear surface of a touch panel display device.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode, and a drive unit that drives the panel, and the drive unit Is a method of driving a tactile sensation presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode, the method comprising: The contact surface touched by the operator has a surface roughness Ra set in a predetermined range, and the drive unit applies a voltage signal corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface to the electrode. It is characterized by performing.

  One aspect of the present invention drives a panel having a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes. A tactile presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode. The contact surface of the insulating layer touched by the operator has a surface roughness Ra set within a predetermined range, and the drive unit corresponds to a region where a tactile sensation is presented to the operator. And a process of applying a voltage signal having a voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface to the specified electrode.

  According to the tactile sense presentation device, the electronic device, and the driving method of the tactile sense presentation device of the present invention, it is possible to easily perceive a texture and to effectively reduce the voltage applied to the electrodes.

  The reason is that the surface roughness of the contact surface of the tactile presentation device is set within a predetermined range, and the surface roughness of the contact surface and the voltage that can perceive the texture are correlated, so it depends on the surface roughness. This is because a voltage (voltage higher than the voltage corresponding to the surface roughness) is applied to the electrode for driving. Moreover, it is because the contact surface has a surface roughness such that the detection threshold voltage is lower than the detection threshold voltage when the surface roughness is 0.00 μm.

It is a top view which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the cross section in the AA of FIG. It is a top view which shows the other example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the cross section in the BB line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the evaluation method of the tactile sense presentation apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a table which shows the evaluation result of the tactile sense presentation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the surface roughness of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a detection threshold voltage. It is a table which shows the relationship between the surface roughness in the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, a detection threshold voltage, and the tactile sensation which an operator perceives. It is a table which shows the evaluation result of 4 test subjects regarding the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the result of having investigated the relationship between the surface roughness of the tactile sense presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the detection threshold voltage for men in their early 30s. It is a graph which shows the result of having investigated the relationship between the surface roughness and the detection threshold voltage of the tactile sense presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention for men in their late 30s. It is a graph which shows the result of having investigated the relationship between the surface roughness and the detection threshold voltage of the tactile sense presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention for women in their twenties. It is a top view which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the other example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the drive method of the tactile sense presentation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross-sectional model of the tactile sense presentation apparatus shown in FIG.15 and FIG.16. It is a top view which shows the specific shape of the electrode of the tactile presentation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is the top view which expanded the structure of the connection part of X electrode and Y electrode in A of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the connection part of X electrode and Y electrode in A of FIG. 18, and has shown the cross section in CC line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed structure of the X electrode drive circuit of the tactile sense presentation apparatus concerning the 3rd Example of this invention. FIG. 22 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the X electrode drive circuit shown in FIG. 21. It is a perspective view which shows an example of an electronic device provided with the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a mobile body provided with the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, a tactile presentation device using an electric vibration phenomenon has been proposed, but the contact surface of the conventional tactile presentation device is flat, and the finger is in close contact with the contact surface on the flat contact surface. Because it is difficult to slip, it is difficult to perceive a texture due to electrostatic force. In order to make the texture feel easier to perceive, a high voltage of 100V or more must be applied to the electrode, the drive circuit becomes complicated, and the insulating film protecting the electrode is lost due to wear etc. In addition, an unsuitable current flows through the operator's finger, so that the safety of the apparatus cannot be ensured.

  In response to this problem, the inventor of the present application has created various tactile sensation presentation devices having different contact surface forms, and in each tactile sensation presentation device, investigated the lowest voltage at which the operator can perceive a texture, that is, the detection threshold voltage. It was. As a result, if the anti-glare treatment is applied to the contact surface (the contact surface of the insulating layer is roughened), the presented tactile sensation becomes extremely easy to understand, that is, the operator can easily perceive the presented tactile stimulus. (First finding) was found.

  As a result of further experiments, the inventor of the present application has found that an appropriate increase in the surface roughness of the contact surface due to the antiglare treatment is a factor that makes it easier for the operator to perceive tactile stimulation. That is, it has been found that there is a special correlation between the surface roughness of the contact surface and the detection threshold voltage, which is the lowest voltage at which the operator can perceive a texture feeling (second finding). The surface roughness used in the present specification is the arithmetic average roughness defined in the appendices of JIS B 0031 and JIS B 0061 (denoted as surface roughness Ra as necessary). The arithmetic average roughness is a value obtained by folding back a roughness curve at a center line and dividing the area obtained by the roughness curve and the center line by a length L in micrometers (μm). In place of the arithmetic average roughness, the maximum height (surface roughness Ry) or ten-point average roughness (surface roughness Rz) defined in the appendix of JIS B 0601 may be used. Is possible. This maximum height is obtained by extracting only the reference length from the roughness curve and expressing the distance between the peak line and the valley line of the extracted part in micrometers (μm). Also, the 10-point average roughness is the average value of the altitude of the highest peak from the highest peak to the fifth and the fifth from the lowest valley bottom. The sum of the absolute value of the altitude of the bottom of the valley up to the average value is expressed in micrometers (μm).

  Then, based on the first knowledge, the surface roughness of the contact surface is set to an appropriate range, and on the basis of the second knowledge, a voltage corresponding to the surface roughness (that is, inevitably from the above special correlation). A voltage higher than the detection threshold voltage corresponding to the surface roughness) is applied to the electrode, or the detection threshold voltage is lower than the detection threshold voltage when the surface roughness is 0.00 μm. By making the contact surface have a good surface roughness, it is easy to perceive the texture, and the voltage applied to the electrode is effectively reduced, ensuring both safety and improving the tactile sensitivity of the texture. I found out that I can make it.

  Hereinafter, the contents of the experiment that led the inventors to find the first knowledge and the second knowledge will be specifically described.

[First Embodiment]
In the following experiment, a sample with a flat contact surface and a sample with minute irregularities of various surface roughness formed on the contact surface were measured, and the detection threshold voltage was measured for those samples. A comparative study was conducted.

(Prototype of sample)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a panel 10a of the prototype tactile presentation device 10. FIG. In manufacturing the tactile sense presentation device 10, a plurality of X electrodes (X0 to X31 in the drawing) are extended on a support substrate made of a transparent insulating material such as glass and the like in a direction parallel to the X axis (here, the horizontal direction in the drawing). 32 X electrodes) and a plurality of Y electrodes (52 Y electrodes Y0 to Y51 in the figure) extending in a direction parallel to the Y axis (herein, the vertical direction in the figure). The X electrode and Y electrode were made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) and made transparent with visible light. In addition, an insulating layer is formed between the X electrode and the Y electrode so that the X electrode and the Y electrode are insulated from each other by the insulating layer at the intersection. Further, another insulating layer was formed on the X and Y electrodes. The surface of the insulating layer 16 becomes a contact surface 17 that is touched by an operator's finger.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In the haptic presentation device 10, X electrodes 12 and Y electrodes 13 are alternately arranged on a support substrate 11, and an insulating layer (not shown) is formed between the X electrodes 12 and the Y electrodes 13. Yes. The detailed structure of the portion where the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 intersect will be described in a second embodiment to be described later. The insulating layer 16 covering the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 is made of acrylic resin, and its surface roughness Ra is 0.00 μm (substantially flat). The surface of the insulating layer 16 is the contact surface 17. The structure and manufacturing method of this sample are the same as those of the prior application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-231003) of the present inventor, and will be described in detail in the examples described later.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of a panel 10a of another prototype tactile presentation device 10, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. The haptic presentation device 10 has many elements in common with the haptic presentation apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and description of the common elements is omitted. The main difference is that, as shown in FIG. 4, an anti-glare layer (insulating layer) 15 having an antireflection function for visible light is formed further on the insulating layer 16, and the surface of the anti-glare layer 15 is in contact with the contact surface 17. It is that. This anti-glare layer 15 is spray-coated on the surface of the insulating layer 16 with an insulating solution-like coating layer material 15b such as a resin in which particles 15a made of an insulating material such as silica having a predetermined size are dispersed, and then dried. And formed by curing. And the property (surface roughness) of the anti-glare layer 15 is changed by changing the content ratio of the particles 15a with respect to the coating layer material 15b, the spraying method, the material, size and shape of the particles 15a, the material and the viscosity of the coating layer material 15b. A plurality of different tactile sensation presentation apparatuses 10 were manufactured as prototypes.

(Sample evaluation)
FIG. 5 shows an outline of an evaluation method for the prototype tactile presentation device 10. A sinusoidal alternating voltage signal is applied to 13 Y electrodes 13 of Y20 to Y32 among the plurality of X electrodes 12 and the plurality of Y electrodes 13, and the remaining Y electrodes 13 and all the X electrodes 12 are grounded. Connected. When the voltage amplitude of the voltage signal is sufficiently high, when the contact surface 17 is traced with a finger (the finger is slid on the contact surface 17), a rough texture is formed in the region to which the voltage signal is applied (the region to which hatching is added). I feel a feeling. From this state, the voltage amplitude of the voltage signal applied to the Y electrode 13 is gradually lowered, and the lowest voltage that can be used to distinguish the difference in tactile sensation is recorded between the area where the voltage signal is applied and other areas. The voltage recorded here was a peak-to-peak value of a sinusoidal AC voltage signal. This value is generally twice the value of the amplitude of a sinusoidal AC voltage signal. This voltage was the detection threshold voltage, and the detection threshold voltage was measured for each of a plurality of prototyped tactile presentation devices 10.

  In FIG. 6, the evaluation result of the some tactile sense presentation apparatus 10 made as an experiment is shown. The sample of reference number 1 is a sample having a surface roughness Ra of 0.00 μm (a sample having a flat contact surface 17) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the samples of reference numbers 2 to 9 are shown in FIGS. 4 is a sample in which the contact surface 17 is composed of the antiglare layer 15. In the sample with the flat contact surface 17 without the anti-glare layer 15 (sample with the serial number 1), the average value of the detection threshold voltage is 178.4 V, but the sample with the anti-glare layer 15 (the samples with the serial numbers 2 to 9). ), The detection threshold voltage is in the range of 67.8V to 127.6V, and it has been found that the antiglare layer 15 is effective in reducing the drive voltage.

  From this, the tactile sensation in the area where no voltage signal is applied to the electrode, that is, the tactile sensation of the original state of the contact surface 17 of the tactile sensation presentation device 10 is easy to feel the tactile sense presented by applying the voltage signal to the electrode. It was found that it greatly affects In other words, it has been found that the tactile sensation in the background region where no voltage signal is applied to the electrode greatly affects the ease of tactile sensation presented by applying the voltage signal to the electrode.

  For example, in the sample of reference number 1, in the region where no voltage signal is applied to the electrode, the feeling that the finger sticks to the contact surface due to the relatively large contact area between the finger and the contact surface (Sticky in English) The tactile sensation in the region where the voltage signal is applied to the electrodes is also Sticky, and the difference in tactile sensation between the two is difficult to distinguish. On the other hand, the samples with the serial numbers 2 to 9 provided with the antiglare layer 15 have a tactile sensation that is the original state of the contact surface 17 of the tactile sense presentation device 10, and the tactile sensation that is the original state is further removed. If it is, it is easy to feel the rough feeling of the area | region which applied the voltage signal to the electrode.

  There are two possible reasons for this phenomenon.

  (1) When the finger is continuously slid from the area where the voltage signal is not applied to the electrode to the area where the voltage signal is applied to the electrode, the smooth tactile feel of the background stands out. Make it.

  (2) The same voltage signal is applied to the electrode under the contact surface 17 having a sticky state and the electrode under the contact surface 17 having a smooth tactile sensation, and the attractive force due to electrostatic force is similarly changed. Even in such a case, the contact surface 17 having a smooth touch feels more rough. In the contact surface 17 in which the original state is Sticky, the slide stops unintentionally even while the operator slides the finger on the contact surface 17. For this reason, the frictional force generated by the normal force acting between the operator's finger and the surface of the insulating layer includes a component contributed by the static friction coefficient. On the other hand, in the contact surface 17 having a smooth tactile sensation, the finger slides smoothly on the contact surface 17, so that the frictional force generated by the normal force acting between the operator's finger and the insulating layer surface is reduced. There is no component contributed by the static friction coefficient, and the component contributed by the dynamic friction coefficient is dominant.

  Further, when the detection threshold voltage obtained with the samples of the serial numbers 2 to 9 provided with the anti-glare layer 15 shown in the table of FIG. 6 is considered in detail, it is between the magnitude of the surface roughness Ra and the detection threshold voltage. It can be seen that there is a special correlation. That is, when the surface roughness Ra is larger than 0.0206 μm, the detection threshold voltage is gradually reduced, and the detection threshold voltage is minimized in the sample having the surface roughness Ra of 0.0503 μm (the sample of reference number 4). Further, when the surface roughness Ra is larger than 0.0503 μm, the detection threshold voltage is gradually increased. From this, it was found that the detection threshold voltage changes depending on the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 rather than changes depending on the presence or absence of the antiglare layer 15, and the detection threshold voltage has a minimum value. .

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the surface roughness Ra and the detection threshold voltage of all the samples shown in FIG. It can be seen that the effect of reducing the detection threshold voltage can be obtained by increasing the surface roughness Ra to more than 0.01 μm. It can also be seen that the detection threshold voltage tends to increase when the surface roughness Ra exceeds 0.05 μm. The reason why the detection threshold voltage rises is that if the surface roughness Ra is too large, the surface feel of the surface of the contact surface 17 becomes rough this time, and the distinction between the tactile sensation to be presented and the rough feeling is difficult. This is thought to be difficult to stick. Further, it is considered that when the surface roughness Ra is increased, the finger is deformed following the unevenness of the contact surface 17 and is caught on the convex portion of the contact surface 17 so that it is difficult to slip, and the change in tactile sensation becomes difficult to feel.

  Referring to the graph of FIG. 7, when designing a haptic presentation device having a lower detection threshold voltage than the haptic presentation device of reference number 1, for example, a haptic presentation device having a detection threshold voltage of 150 V or less, the surface roughness Ra is set to 0.01 μm to It is desirable to set in the range of 0.3 μm. Further, when designing a haptic presentation device having a detection threshold voltage lower than 178.4 V, which is the detection threshold voltage of the haptic presentation device of the reference number 1, the surface roughness Ra is set in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.4 μm. It is desirable.

  FIG. 8 shows the results of further investigation on the relationship between the surface roughness Ra, the detection threshold voltage, and the tactile sensation felt by the operator. In the antiglare layer 15 formed using the solution-like coating layer material 15b containing the particles 15a, the surface roughness Ra cannot be increased so much. In FIG. 8, the antiglare layer 15 is not provided, and the insulating layer 16 is not provided. As for a sample (KB-115 in the figure) using a member having a surface roughness Ra of 0.4 μm to 3.2 μm, the tactile sensation felt by the operator is described.

  When the voltage amplitude of the voltage signal applied to the electrode is zero, when the surface roughness Ra is 0.00 μm, it is Sticky, and when the surface roughness Ra is between 0.0206 μm and 0.4 μm, a smooth feeling is felt. When the surface roughness Ra was 0.8 μm or more, a rough feeling was felt. When the surface roughness Ra is 0.8 μm or more, the effect of reducing the detection threshold voltage cannot be expected because the feeling traced with the finger is rough and the frictional force is also felt large. On the other hand, when the surface roughness Ra exceeds 0.8 μm, the original tactile impression is poor. Therefore, the surface roughness Ra is desirably set to less than 0.8 μm.

  Further, in FIG. 8, it is recorded that the sample having the surface roughness Ra of 0.0564 μm (the sample having the serial number 5) may be sticky. Sticky tactile sensation may occur due to environmental temperature, environmental humidity, fingertip water content, finger pressure, and the like. When such a sticky tactile sensation occurs, the detection threshold voltage is increased immediately. Therefore, the surface roughness Ra is desirably set to be larger than 0.05 μm.

  From the above experimental results and the graph of FIG. 7, in order to effectively reduce the detection threshold voltage while maintaining a state in which the texture feeling is easily perceived, the surface roughness Ra is larger than 0.01 μm, 0 It is important to set it in the range of less than 0.8 μm, more preferably larger than 0.05 μm and less than 0.8 μm. In this range, the surface roughness Ra is rougher than the state in which the operator's finger sticks to the contact surface due to a relatively large contact area between the contact surface of the insulating layer touched by the operator and the operator's finger. In other words, it can be rephrased as a finer range than the state in which the operator's finger deforms following the unevenness of the contact surface. In addition, since there is a special correlation between the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 and the detection threshold voltage, the voltage amplitude of the signal voltage applied to the electrode is equal to the voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17. It is important to.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the antiglare layer 15 is formed so that the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 falls within the predetermined range, and a voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 is applied to the electrode. Voltage, preferably a voltage equal to or higher than the detection threshold voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 (the upper limit is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ensuring safety by reducing the applied voltage, the application of the conventional device) Control is performed to drive the haptic presentation device 10 by applying a voltage equal to or lower than the voltage to the electrodes. This ensures both safety and improved perception sensitivity of texture.

  Note that the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17 is in the predetermined range, and a voltage corresponding to the surface roughness of the contact surface 17 (a voltage equal to or higher than a detection threshold voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface 17). As long as it is driven, the configuration and control method of the tactile presentation device 10 can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the antiglare layer 15 formed by using the coating layer material 15b containing the particles 15a is disposed as the uppermost layer, but the contact surface 17 has irregularities having a surface roughness in the predetermined range. The antiglare layer 15 can be omitted.

Further, the insulating layer 16 that is an upper layer of the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 is formed of SiO ₂ or the like, and the insulating layer 16 is etched non-uniformly by wet etching using hydrofluoric acid or the like. Unevenness of surface roughness can be formed. Further, the surface of the insulating film 16 can be partly scraped off by sandblasting or the like, whereby irregularities having a desired surface roughness can be formed on the contact surface 17.

  In this embodiment, the insulating layer 16 is formed on the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13, but the coating layer material 15b has a certain degree of viscosity, and even if the coating layer material 15b is thin, the insulating layer 16 has a certain thickness. If it can be ensured, as shown in FIG. 25, the insulating layer 16 may be omitted, and the antiglare layer 15 may be formed directly on the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13.

  In FIG. 4, the particles 15a are described as spheres having a uniform diameter. However, if the surface roughness is within the predetermined range, spheres having a non-uniform diameter may be mixed or the spheres may be flattened. A shape, a columnar shape, a partially pointed shape, or the like may be used. In FIG. 4, the contact surface 17 is gently uneven, but the tip of the protrusion may be sharp.

  Alternatively, the antiglare layer can be formed on the contact surface by passing the resin sheet through the solution, forming an antiglare layer on the surface of the resin sheet, and gluing the resin sheet to the insulating layer 16.

  The inventor of the present application performed the same evaluation as that of the sample described with reference to FIGS. The feeling when the detection threshold voltage and the signal voltage shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are zero is a result when a male in his forties is a subject. The added subjects are three men: men in their early 30s, men in their late 30s, and women in their 20s.

  FIG. 9 shows the detection threshold voltages of a total of four men, a man in their 40s and three added subjects. As a feature common to all four persons, the detection threshold voltage of a sample having a flat contact surface 17 without an antiglare layer 15 (sample No. 1) has a detection threshold voltage of any other antiglare layer 15 (reference No. 2 to 9). ) Is a value higher than the detection threshold voltage. From this result, it was found that the antiglare layer 15 is effective in reducing the drive voltage.

  In addition, when the surface roughness Ra is larger than 0.0206 μm, the detection threshold voltage gradually decreases, and males in their 40s and early 30s are samples of reference number 4 having a surface roughness Ra of 0.0503 μm, in their 30s. In the latter half of the men, the detection threshold voltage was the minimum for the sample with the reference number 6 having a surface roughness Ra of 0.093 μm, and the female in the 20s for the sample with the reference number 7 having a surface roughness Ra of 0.1375 μm. Furthermore, when Ra becomes larger than the surface roughness at which the minimum detection threshold voltage is obtained for each subject, the detection threshold voltage gradually increases. From the above results, it was found that the detection threshold voltage varied depending on the surface roughness Ra and that there was a minimum value in all subjects.

  Plots of the relationship between the surface roughness Ra and the detection threshold voltage of the three added subjects are shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. FIG. 10 shows the detection threshold voltage of males in their early 30s, FIG. 11 shows males in their late 30s, and FIG. 12 shows females in their 20s. From these figures, it is possible to obtain the effect of reducing the detection threshold voltage by making the surface roughness Ra larger than 0.01 μm, and in a region where Ra is larger than the surface roughness at which the detection threshold voltage is minimized, It can be seen that the detection threshold voltage tends to increase. This tendency was also observed in the relationship between the surface roughness Ra and the detection threshold voltage of men in their 40s, as shown in FIG. That is, the same tendency was confirmed with respect to the evaluation results of all four subjects.

  Referring to the approximate curves in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the surface roughness Ra at which the detection threshold voltage is minimized is 0.05 μm, 0.03 μm, 0.075 μm, and 0.08 μm in order. Although individual differences are recognized between the detection threshold voltages, it is desirable to make the surface roughness Ra larger than 0.03 μm in order to reduce the detection threshold voltage.

  Regarding the feeling when the signal voltage described with reference to FIG. 8 is zero, the evaluation results of a total of four persons, a male in their 40s and three added subjects, were as follows. Three subjects felt a smooth feeling when the surface roughness Ra was 0.4 μm, and felt a rough feeling when the surface roughness Ra was 0.8 μm or more. The remaining one subject feels a smooth feeling when the surface roughness Ra is 0.4 μm, feels both a smooth feeling and a rough feeling when the surface roughness Ra is 0.8 μm, and has a surface roughness Ra of 1.6 μm or more. I felt a rough feeling. From these results, many subjects feel a rough feeling when the surface roughness Ra exceeds 0.8 μm. As described above, when the surface roughness Ra is 0.8 μm or more, the effect of reducing the detection threshold voltage cannot be expected because the feeling traced with the finger is rough and the frictional force is also felt large. In addition, the impression of touch is bad. Therefore, the surface roughness Ra is desirably set to less than 0.8 μm.

  From the above evaluation results for the four subjects, the surface roughness Ra suitable for effectively reducing the detection threshold voltage while maintaining a state in which the texture is easily perceived is greater than 0.01 μm, It was found that the range was less than 8 μm, more preferably greater than 0.03 μm and less than 0.8 μm.

[Second Embodiment]
The panel of the tactile presentation device described in the first embodiment described above includes a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes. However, it is not essential that there are a plurality of electrodes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a tactile sensation presentation device with one electrode was prototyped.

  First, the inventor made a prototype panel 10a of the tactile sense presentation device 10 as shown in FIG. The panel 10a of the tactile sense presentation device 10 includes a support substrate 11, one electrode 11a formed on the support substrate 11, a drive unit 19 that outputs a voltage signal to the electrode 11a, and the electrode 11a. The insulating layer 16 covers the surface, and the surface of the insulating layer 16 is a contact surface 17.

  Further, the inventor of the present application prototyped a panel 10a of the tactile sense presentation device 10 as shown in FIG. The panel 10a of the tactile sense presentation device 10 includes a support substrate 11, one electrode 11a formed on the support substrate 11, a drive unit 19 that outputs a voltage signal to the electrode 11a, and the electrode 11a. The insulating layer 16 is covered, and an antiglare layer 15 having an antireflection function for visible light is formed on the insulating layer 16. The surface of the antiglare layer 15 is used as a contact surface 17. A plurality of tactile sensation presentation devices 10 having different properties (surface roughness) of the antiglare layer 15 were made as trial products.

  These panels 10a were evaluated as follows. When the voltage amplitude of the voltage signal output from the drive unit 19 is sufficiently high, a rough texture is felt when the contact surface 17 is traced with a finger (sliding the finger on the contact surface). From this state, the voltage amplitude of the voltage signal applied to the electrode 11a is gradually lowered, and the lowest voltage at which the difference in tactile sensation can be distinguished from when the amplitude of the voltage signal applied to the electrode 11a is 0V is recorded. This voltage was the detection threshold voltage, and the detection threshold voltage was measured for each of a plurality of prototyped tactile presentation devices 10.

  The result was similar to the result described with reference to FIG. That is, when the contact surface is subjected to anti-glare treatment (the contact surface of the insulating layer is roughened), the presented tactile sensation becomes extremely easy to understand. That is, the operator can easily perceive the presented tactile stimulus. In addition, the surface roughness of the contact surface is appropriately increased by the anti-glare treatment, so that the operator can easily perceive tactile stimulation. That is, a special correlation was found between the surface roughness of the contact surface and the detection threshold voltage, which is the lowest voltage at which the operator can perceive a texture feeling. More specifically, it has been found that the effect of reducing the detection threshold voltage can be obtained by increasing the surface roughness Ra to more than 0.01 μm. The minimum value of the detection threshold voltage was found to have a surface roughness Ra of around 0.05 μm. It was also found that the detection threshold voltage in the range where the surface roughness Ra is larger than 0.01 μm and smaller than 0.2392 μm is smaller than the detection threshold voltage when the surface roughness Ra is 0.00 μm.

The reason why the operator can easily perceive tactile stimulation by appropriately increasing the surface roughness is as described in the following series of (1) to (3). This reason is the same as the reason why the operator can easily perceive tactile stimulation in the first embodiment.
(1) When the surface roughness is small and flat: the contact surface and the skin of the operator's finger are in close contact, and an intermolecular force acts strongly between the contact surface and the skin. At this time, when there is a moderate humidity, hydrogen bonds are generated, and the intermolecular force becomes strong. Considering the normal force, which is a factor of the friction force acting between the epidermis and the contact surface when the operator moves the finger, there is an electrostatic force as one element of the normal force, and an intermolecular force as the other element. Since this intermolecular force is large, the proportion of electrostatic force is reduced, and even if the electrostatic force is controlled and varied, the variation rate of normal force is small. For this reason, the fluctuation rate of friction is small, and the operator hardly perceives tactile stimulation.
(2) When the surface roughness is larger than (1) and moderate roughness: a gap is partially generated between the skin and the contact surface, and this gap acts between the contact surface and the skin. The intermolecular force decreases rapidly. There is electrostatic force as one element of the vertical drag that is a factor of frictional force, and intermolecular force as another element. However, as the proportion of electrostatic force increases, the strength of electrostatic force tends to appear in the fluctuation of friction.
(3) When the surface is rougher than (2): When the operator moves his / her finger, the epidermis follows the unevenness of the contact surface, and the frictional force accompanying this deformation increases. . Since this frictional force is large, the fluctuation ratio of the frictional force that changes due to the fluctuation of the electrostatic force is small. For this reason, it becomes difficult to feel a texture.

  Hereinafter, an example of a specific structure, a driving method, and a usage form of the haptic presentation device 10 having the above configuration (particularly, the haptic presentation device 10 of the first embodiment) will be described.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A present Example demonstrates the specific example of the frequency of the voltage signal applied to X electrode and Y electrode of the tactile sense presentation apparatus 10.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the tactile presentation device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the panel portion of the tactile sense presentation device 10, a plurality of X electrodes 12 extending in the X axis direction and a plurality of Y electrodes 13 extending in the Y direction orthogonal to the X axis direction are provided on a planar support substrate 11. And are formed.

  The X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 intersect with each other through an insulating layer (not shown) at the intersection, and the electrical insulation between them is maintained by this insulating layer. Further, an insulating layer and / or an antiglare layer (not shown) are formed on the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13, and the contact surface of the tactile sense presentation device 10 is pointed by the insulating layer and / or the antiglare layer. Thus, the electrical insulation between the X electrode 12 and the finger and the Y electrode 13 and the finger is maintained.

  Each of the X electrodes 12 is connected to an X electrode drive circuit (drive unit) 20, each of the Y electrodes 13 is connected to a Y electrode drive circuit (drive unit) 30, and the X electrode drive circuit 20 and the Y drive electrode circuit 30 are It is connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 identifies an electrode corresponding to a region where a tactile sensation is presented to the operator based on information input from the outside (for example, a processor that controls the operation of the electronic device in which the tactile sensation presentation device 10 is mounted). Then, a control signal for driving the specified electrode is output to the X electrode driving circuit 20 and the Y driving electrode circuit 30, and the X electrode driving circuit 20 and the Y driving electrode circuit 30 A voltage signal having a voltage amplitude corresponding to the surface roughness of the antiglare layer is applied to the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13. With this configuration, the tactile sense presentation device 10 can present a sense of texture in a desired region. In the claims, the control unit 40 that outputs a control signal and the drive electrode circuit that applies a voltage to the electrode based on the control signal are collectively referred to as a drive unit.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a driving method of the tactile sense presentation device 10 illustrated in FIG. 15. Here, each X electrode 12 and Y electrode 13 is distinguished by a different symbol for each electrode. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 16, 28 X electrodes 12 and 46 Y electrodes 13 are formed on the support substrate 11, but each X electrode 12 is set to X00 to X27 from the bottom to the top. Each Y electrode 13 is Y03 to Y48 from the right to the left. In addition, a region where a texture feeling is to be presented is set as a target region 50. In the target region 50, the X direction is a range of X11 to X14, and the Y direction is a range of Y24 to Y27. The control unit 40 gives control signals to the X electrode drive circuit 20 and the Y drive electrode circuit 30 based on information on the target region 50 given from the outside.

In response to this control signal, the X electrode drive circuit 20 applies an AC voltage signal having a _first frequency (here, frequency f ₁ = 1000 Hz) to X11 to X14, and the Y drive electrode circuit 30 receives the second voltage to Y24 to Y27. applying an AC voltage signal of a frequency (frequency _f 2 = 1240Hz). In FIG. 16, the X electrode driving circuit 20 and the Y driving electrode circuit 30 are not connected to the above-mentioned X electrode 12 and Y electrode 13 in order to prevent voltage from being induced by capacitive coupling between the electrodes. A voltage is applied.

  In the above configuration, in the region excluding the target region 50 from the region on the X electrode 12 of X11 to X14, the texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal applied to the electrode is not presented (only the texture feeling in the raw state is presented). . Further, even in a region obtained by removing the target region 50 from the region on the Y electrode 13 of Y24 to Y27, a texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal applied to the electrode is not presented (only a plain texture feeling is presented). From this, it was confirmed that the human finger has the property of not perceiving the texture according to the voltage signal when the frequency of the voltage signal applied to the electrode is 1000 Hz or 1240 Hz.

On the other hand, in the target region 50, the X electrode 12 to which the voltage signal of f ₁ = 1000 Hz is applied and the Y electrode 13 to which the voltage signal of f ₂ = 1240 Hz are adjacent to each other. The beat is generated, and the texture is presented by this beat. Therefore, in this embodiment, the texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal is not presented at the frequency of the voltage signal applied to each electrode, but the texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal is presented at the frequency defined by the beat. The frequency of the voltage signal applied to each electrode is set so that the target region 50 can be discriminated by touch.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional model of the tactile presentation device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. As described above, the plurality of X electrodes 12 and the plurality of Y electrodes 13 are arranged adjacent to each other on the planar support substrate 11. One electrode 51 that models a finger is arranged at a position facing the two X electrodes 12 and the two Y electrodes 13 arranged in the target region 50 out of the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13. ing. Since the human body has a certain level of grounding effect, this electrode 51 can be modeled as being grounded via a resistor 52 having a resistance value R.

Here, the voltage signal V ₁ represented by V ₁ = A cos (2πf ₁ t) is applied to the X electrode 12 in the target region 50. The amplitude of the voltage signal _{V 1} was A, the frequency is _{f 1,} t represents time. Further, a voltage signal V ₂ represented by V ₂ = Acos (2πf ₂ t) is applied to the Y electrode 13 in the target region 50. The amplitude of the voltage signal _{V 2} is the amplitude equal to A, the frequency of the voltage signal _{V 1} was a _{f 2.}

A space between the electrode 51 and each of the X electrodes 12 in the target region 50 can be modeled as a parallel plate capacitor having a capacitance C. Further, the space between the electrode 51 and each of the Y electrodes 13 in the target region 50 can be modeled as a parallel plate capacitor having a capacitance C. At this time, the voltage V _P appearing on the electrodes 51, when the resistance value R is sufficiently high, the formula 1.

_Assuming that the electrostatic force acting between one X electrode 12 and the electrode 51 modeling a finger is F _e1 , F _e1 can be expressed by the formula known as the force acting between the electrodes of the parallel plate capacitor. It is represented by 2. Here, ε is a dielectric constant, and S is an electrode area of the parallel plate capacitor.

Similarly, when the electrostatic force acting between the one Y electrode 13 and the finger electrode 51 that models the a F _e2, F _e2 is represented by the formula 3.

If the distance between the electrodes is so small that the electrostatic force F _e1 and the electrostatic force F _e2 cannot be distinguished by a human fingertip, the total force of F _e1 and F _e2 acts on the finger macroscopically. Can be considered. Since the sum F of all forces acting on the electrode 51 modeling the finger is F = 2 (F _e1 + F _e2 ) from FIG. 17, using the above V ₁ , V ₂ , Formula 2 and Formula 3, It is represented by Formula 4.

From equation 4, the total F of all forces acting on the modeled electrode 51 is a periodic function with a range of [0, A ² C ² / (εS)] and a frequency of (f ₁ + f ₂ ). In [0, 2], it can be seen that the frequency is obtained by multiplying a periodic function that is an absolute value of (f ₁ -f ₂ ). The frequency of the envelope is an absolute value of (f ₁ −f ₂ ).

In this embodiment, since the frequency f ₁ = 1000 Hz and the frequency f ₂ = 1240 Hz, the absolute value of the difference is 240 Hz. For this reason, the attractive force F acting on the finger changes at 240 Hz as shown in Equation 4. Accordingly, when a person traces the contact surface 17 of the tactile presentation device 10 with a finger, a change in frictional force occurs at a frequency of 240 Hz. Since 240 Hz is a frequency at which the human skin mechanoreceptor is sensitive, texture perception can be provided.

Further, a voltage signal having the frequency f ₁ is applied to all the X electrodes 12 on the support substrate 11, a voltage signal having the frequency f ₂ is applied to all the Y electrodes 13, and the absolute value of the difference between f ₁ and f ₂ is applied. We experimentally confirmed the presence of texture perception. As a result, the texture is perceived when the absolute value of the difference between f ₁ and f ₂ is greater than 10 Hz and less than 1000 Hz, and when the absolute value of the difference between f ₁ and f ₂ is 10 Hz or less or 1000 Hz or more, It was confirmed that the texture was not perceived.

  In addition, the same voltage signal was applied to the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13, and the frequency of the voltage signal was changed to experimentally confirm the presence or absence of the texture. As a result, it was confirmed that the texture was perceived when the frequency of the voltage signal was in the range of more than 5 Hz and less than 500 Hz, and the texture was not perceived when the frequency of the voltage signal was not within this range. .

From these results, the frequency of the voltage signal applied to the X electrode 12 and _{f 1,} the frequency of the voltage signal applied to the Y electrode 13 when the _{f 2,} and are both 500Hz above the _{f 1} and _{f 2, f 1} and if the absolute value is set to _{f 1} and _{f 2} such that the greater than 1000Hz than 10Hz of the difference between _{f 2,} the voltage signal of the X electrode 12 and the frequency _{f 2} gave a voltage signal of a frequency _{f 1} The texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal is presented in the area where the applied Y electrode 13 intersects, and the texture feeling corresponding to the voltage signal is not presented in the other areas (only the texture feeling in the plain state of the contact surface 17). The tactile sense presentation device 10 (not presented) can be realized.

  The frequency of the voltage signal applied to the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 is not limited to the above description, and can be appropriately changed according to the surface roughness of the contact surface 17 and the detection threshold voltage. In the above description, a sinusoidal AC voltage signal is applied to the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13, but it is also possible to apply a pulsed voltage signal that is intermittently turned on and off.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, specific shapes of the X electrode and the Y electrode of the haptic presentation device 10 and a method for manufacturing the haptic presentation device 10 will be described.

  18 is a plan view showing specific shapes of the support substrate 11, the X electrode 12, and the Y electrode 13 of the tactile sense presentation device 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, the X electrode 12 and its wiring are indicated by broken lines, and the Y electrode 13 and its wiring are indicated by solid lines.

  The X electrode 12 has a shape in which a plurality of rhombic electrodes are connected in a bead shape through a connection portion. That is, one X electrode 12 has a shape in which rhombic electrodes adjacent to the left and right are electrically connected by a connecting portion. The X electrodes 12 are arranged at an interval of 2 mm in the Y-axis direction. That is, the pitch between the X electrodes 12 is 2 mm. Similarly, the Y electrode 13 has a shape in which a plurality of rhombic electrodes are connected in a bead shape through a connection portion. That is, one Y electrode 13 has a shape in which rhombic electrodes that are vertically adjacent to each other are electrically connected by a connecting portion. The Y electrodes 13 are arranged at an interval of 2 mm in the X-axis direction. That is, the pitch between the Y electrodes is 2 mm.

  The X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 are formed so that the connecting portions of the rhombic electrodes overlap with each other through an insulating film when viewed in plan. Further, the main part of the rhombus portion of the X electrode 12 and the main part of the rhombus portion of the Y electrode 13 are formed so as not to overlap. That is, the main part of the rhombic part of the X electrode 12 and the main part of the rhombus part of the Y electrode 13 are adjacent to each other when viewed in plan.

  19 and 20 are enlarged views of the structure of the connecting portion of each of the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 shows the connection between the electrodes shown as block A in FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 19.

  The X electrode 12 is configured by connecting rhombic electrodes to each other by a bridge electrode 12a. The Y electrode 13 is also configured by connecting rhombus electrodes to each other through a connecting portion 13a made of the same material. The bridge electrode 12 a and the connection portion 13 a of the Y electrode 13 are insulated by the insulating layer 14.

  With reference to FIG. 20, the cross-sectional structure and manufacturing procedure of the connection part of X electrode 12 and Y electrode 13 are demonstrated. First, the bridge electrode 12a is formed on the support substrate 11 made of a transparent insulating material such as glass using a transparent conductive material such as ITO.

  Next, the insulating layer 14 is formed of an organic material on the bridge electrode 12a. By forming with an organic material, the thickness of the insulating layer 14 can be increased, and the originally unnecessary coupling capacitance formed at the intersection between the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 can be reduced. The insulating layer 14 covers the bridge electrode 12a in the Y-axis direction (depth direction in the figure) so as to insulate the connection portion 13a of the Y electrode 13 and the bridge electrode 12a, and the rhombic portions of the bridge electrode 12a and the X electrode 12 Is formed in a shape that does not cover the end of the bridge electrode 12a in the X-axis direction (the left-right direction in the figure). Next, the X electrode 12, the Y electrode 13, the connecting portion 13a, other wirings, and the terminals 18 are collectively formed using a transparent conductive material such as ITO.

  Next, the insulating layer 16 is formed with an organic material, and a coating layer material 15b containing a particle 15a made of silica or the like having a predetermined size is spray-applied thereon and dried to form the antiglare layer 15. Form. At that time, the surface roughness Ra of the antiglare layer 15 is set to 0.1 by changing the content ratio of the particles 15a with respect to the coating layer material 15b, the spraying method, the material, size and shape of the particles 15a, the material and viscosity of the coating layer material 15b. The range is larger than 01 μm (preferably 0.05 μm) and less than 0.8 μm. Thereafter, a contact hole is formed in the terminal 18 portion.

  The plurality of terminals 18 formed on the support substrate 11 are connected to the X electrode 12 or the Y electrode 13 by wiring. Then, one end of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is attached to the terminal 18 via an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), and the other end of the FPC is connected to the X electrode drive circuit 20 and the Y electrode. The drive electrode circuit 30 is connected to the printed board.

  Through the above steps, the tactile sense presentation device 10 having the structure shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 can be manufactured. In addition, the shape of the X electrode 12 and the Y electrode 13 of the haptic presentation device 10 and the manufacturing method of the haptic presentation device 10 described above are examples, and can be appropriately changed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a specific configuration of the electrode driving circuit of the tactile sense presentation device 10 and an operation method thereof will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the X electrode drive circuit 20 of the tactile sense presentation device 10 shown in FIG. Since the Y drive electrode circuit 30 has the same configuration as the X electrode drive circuit 20, only the configuration of the X electrode drive circuit 20 will be described here.

  The X electrode drive circuit 20 includes a data input terminal 21a, a clock input terminal 21b, and a start pulse input terminal 21c as input terminals. These input terminals are connected to the control unit 40 and receive control signals generated by the control unit 40.

  The X electrode drive circuit 20 includes a plurality of output terminals 22 that output voltage signals to be applied to the X electrode 12 as output terminals. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the number of output terminals 22 is 50, and these are referred to as A0 to A49, respectively.

Further, X electrode drive circuit 20, in addition to these input and output terminals, the AC voltage generator 23a which generates an AC voltage having a frequency f _1, the AC voltage generator unit 23b for generating an AC voltage having a frequency f _2, the frequency f ₅ The AC voltage generation unit 23c generates the AC voltage. The frequencies f ₁ , f ₂ , and f ₅ are 1000 Hz, 1240 Hz, and 3000 Hz, respectively.

  The X electrode drive circuit 20 has a 50-bit shift register 24. The shift register 24 has 50 output terminals (Q0 to Q49), and their outputs are connected to the 2-bit data register 25, respectively. Each 2-bit data register 25 is bus-connected to the data input terminal 21a.

  An output signal from each 2-bit data register 25 is connected to a 2-input 4-output decoder 26. The 2-input 4-output decoder 26 receives the input 2-bit signal, and outputs a high-level voltage signal to any one of the four output terminals in accordance with the input signal. There is a one-to-one relationship between an input 2-bit signal and an output terminal from which a high-level voltage signal is output.

  One of the output terminals from the 2-input 4-output decoder 26 is not used in this embodiment, and the gate electrode of the switch transistor 27 is connected to each of the remaining three output terminals. The switch transistors 27 connected to each of these three output terminals are referred to as SW1 to SW3.

Both terminals on the output side of the switch transistor 27 are connected to the input of the amplifier 28. Terminals on the input side of SW1 to SW3 of the switch transistor 27 are connected to output terminals of the AC voltage generators 23a to 23c, respectively. That is, AC voltages having frequencies f ₁ , f ₂ , and f ₅ are input to the input-side terminals of SW 1 to SW 3, respectively. The 2-input 4-output decoder 26 has a function of selectively switching the AC voltage output to the amplifier 28 among these frequencies in accordance with the output from the 2-bit data register 25.

The AC voltage amplified by the amplifier 28 is output from the output terminal 22 to each X electrode 12. That is, the X electrode driving circuit 20 selects an AC voltage signal of any of the frequencies f ₁ , f ₂ , and f ₅ according to a signal input from the control unit 40 through the data input terminal 21a, and outputs an output terminal. 22 functions as a circuit that outputs to the X electrode 12 through 22.

  FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the operation of the X electrode drive circuit 20 shown in FIG. “CLK” in the figure is a clock waveform voltage input from the control unit 40 through the clock input terminal 21b. “D [1: 0]” is a 2-bit data signal input from the control unit 40 through the data input terminal 21a. “ST” is a start pulse waveform voltage input from the control unit 40 through the start pulse input terminal 21c.

  Here, since D [1: 0] input from the control unit 40 through the data input terminal 21a is expressed in binary, four values “00”, “01”, “10”, and “11” are set. I can take it. The shift register 24 latches the ST value at every rising edge of CLK and outputs it to the output terminal Q0 of the shift register. Then, the value of Q0 is delayed by one CLK period and output to Q1. Further, the value of Q1 is delayed by one CLK period and output to Q2. Thus, the shift register 24 outputs the pulse waveform voltage synchronized with the rising edge of the CLK in order to the output terminals Q0 to Q49.

  When the pulse waveform voltage is output to the output terminal of the shift register 24, the register value of the 2-bit data register 25 is updated to the value of the data D [1: 0] at that time in synchronization with the rising edge. It is output to the output terminal of the bit data register 25.

In response to the signal output to the terminal of the 2-bit data register 25, the 2-input 4-output decoder 26 turns on one of the switch transistors 27 of SW1 to SW3, and accordingly, the frequency f ₁ , Any AC voltage signal of f ₂ and f ₅ is output.

X electrode drive circuit 20, the data D [1: 0] = 00 in the frequency _{f 1, D [1: 0} ] = 01 in the frequency _{f 2, D [1: 0} ] = 10 corresponding to the frequency _{f 5} to I am letting. Therefore, at time t1 shown in FIG. 22, the voltage signal frequency is _{f 5} to A0 output terminal 22, a voltage signal frequency is _{f 2} to A1 of the output terminal 22 when the time t2, time t3 At this time, a voltage signal having a frequency f ₁ is output to A 2 of the output terminal 22. The amplitude of each voltage signal is 70V. Note that D [1: 0] = 11 is not used here.

  The frequency of the voltage signal output to the output terminal 22 does not change until the pulse waveform voltage is next input to the start pulse input terminal 21c and the register value of the 2-bit data register 25 is updated.

  FIG. 22 exemplifies Q0 to Q2 among the output waveforms of the 50 output terminals Q0 to Q49 of the shift register 24, and omits description of other output waveforms. Similarly, the voltage signals of the 50 output terminals 22A0 to A49 of the X electrode drive circuit 20 are also exemplified by A0 to A2, and the description of the other voltage signals is omitted. Further, the configuration and driving method of the electrode driving circuit described above are examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, an example of a usage form of the tactile sense presentation device 10 shown in the above-described embodiment and the first to third examples will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the electronic device 100 according to an application form of the present invention. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, an electronic book reader, a notebook personal computer, or the like.

  The electronic device 100 includes a touch panel display device 101, and the touch-sensitive presentation device 10 described above is disposed on the front or back surface of the touch panel display device 101. Here, if a capacitive touch panel is employed as the touch panel display device 101, the functions are not compatible with the tactile presentation device 10, so it is desirable to use an optical touch panel or the like.

  In the electronic device 100, the processing result by the built-in processor 103 is displayed on the touch panel display device 101, and the user inputs the touch panel display device 101 according to the display. The electronic device 100 may not include a processor, and the touch panel display device 101 may display a processing result by the external device and return an operation input corresponding to the processing result to the external device.

  A plurality of operation keys 102 are displayed on the touch panel display device 101, and accordingly, the tactile sense presentation device 110 presents a plurality of isolated textures at positions corresponding to the operation keys 102. The user can find the position of the operation key 102 based on the texture, and can perform key input without gazing at the operation key 102. Thereby, for example, even a visually handicapped user can use the electronic device 100.

  The electronic device 100 can also be used as a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as an automobile, a bicycle, a two-wheeled vehicle, an aircraft, a train, or a ship. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a moving body 200 according to an application form of the present invention. The moving body 200 includes a driver seat 201 where a user (driver) sits, a dashboard 202 on which the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 23 is mounted as a navigation device, a steering mechanism 203 such as a steering wheel, an accelerator, and a brake.

  This electronic device 100 presents a plurality of isolated textures at positions corresponding to the operation keys 102, as in the example shown in FIG. The user can perform operation key input with this texture feeling. In addition, it is possible to present a sense of texture to the route displayed on the map with the route information presented as the processing result, and to make the display of this route stand out. Thus, the user can operate the navigation device while devoting himself to fulfilling the duty of forward caution, so that safe driving can be continued.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and the configuration, manufacturing method, driving method, usage method, and the like of the tactile presentation device 10 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the first embodiment and the example, the configuration includes the X electrode 12 extending in the X axis direction and the Y electrode 13 extending in the Y axis direction, but only the electrode extending in one direction is used. It is good also as a structure provided.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a tactile presentation device that presents a tactile sensation, an electronic device such as a touch panel or a terminal for a visually impaired person including the tactile presentation device, and a driving method of the tactile presentation device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tactile sense presentation apparatus 10a Panel 11 Support substrate 11a Electrode 12 X electrode 12a Bridge electrode 13 Y electrode 13a Connection part 14 Insulating layer 15 Anti-glare layer (insulating layer)
15a Particle 15b Coat layer material 16 Insulating layer 17 Contact surface 18 Terminal 19 Drive unit 20 X electrode drive circuit (drive unit)
21a Data input terminal 21b Clock input terminal 21c Start pulse input terminal 22 Output terminal 23a, 23b, 23c AC voltage generator 24 Shift register 25 2-bit data register 26 2-input 4-output decoder 27 Switch transistor 28 Amplifier 30 Y electrode drive circuit ( Drive part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 Control part 50 Target area | region 51 Electrode 52 Resistance 100 Electronic device 101 Touch panel type display apparatus 102 Operation key 103 Processor 200 Mobile body 201 Driver's seat 202 Dashboard 203 Steering mechanism

Claims (19)

A panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode; and a drive unit that drives the panel, wherein the drive unit applies a voltage signal to the electrode. A tactile sense presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying
The contact surface touched by the operator of the insulating layer has a surface roughness Ra within a predetermined range,
The voltage applied to the electrode is a voltage according to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface.
A tactile presentation device characterized by the above. A panel having a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes; and a drive unit that drives the panel. The tactile presentation device presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode by the driving unit,
The contact surface touched by the operator of the insulating layer has a surface roughness Ra within a predetermined range,
The voltage applied to the electrode corresponding to the region that presents a tactile sensation to the operator is a voltage according to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface.
A tactile presentation device characterized by the above. The surface roughness Ra has a correlation with a detection threshold voltage at which the operator can perceive a tactile sensation in the surface roughness Ra,
The voltage applied to the electrode is a voltage equal to or higher than the detection threshold voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface.
The tactile sense presentation device according to claim 1 or 2. The insulating layer has a structure in which particles having a size that causes the surface roughness Ra in the predetermined range on the contact surface are dispersed in an insulating material.
The tactile sense presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The insulating layer includes a lower insulating layer that covers the plurality of electrodes, and an upper insulating layer that covers the lower insulating layer, and the upper insulating layer has a predetermined range on the contact surface. It is a structure in which particles having a size that causes surface roughness Ra are dispersed in an insulating material.
The tactile sense presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The insulating layer is an antiglare layer having an antireflection function for visible light.
The tactile sense presentation device according to claim 4. The upper insulating layer is an antiglare layer having an antireflection function for visible light,
The tactile sensation presentation apparatus according to claim 5. The predetermined range is a range in which the surface roughness Ra is greater than 0.01 μm and less than 0.8 μm.
The tactile sensation presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The predetermined range is a range in which the surface roughness Ra is greater than 0.03 μm and less than 0.8 μm.
The tactile sensation presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The predetermined range of the surface roughness Ra is rougher than a state in which the finger sticks to the contact surface due to a relatively large contact area between the contact surface and the operator's finger. The finger is in a finer range than the state of deforming following the unevenness of the contact surface,
The tactile sensation presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode; and a drive unit that drives the panel, wherein the drive unit applies a voltage signal to the electrode. A tactile sense presentation device that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying
The surface roughness Ra of the contact surface touched by the operator of the insulating layer has a correlation between the surface roughness Ra and a detection threshold voltage at which the operator can perceive a tactile sensation,
Compared to the detection threshold voltage when Ra is 0.00 μm, the surface roughness Ra is a lower detection threshold voltage.
A tactile presentation device characterized by the above. The tactile sense presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided on a front surface or a rear surface of a touch panel display device.
An electronic device characterized by that. The touch panel is an optical touch panel,
The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein A panel having a support substrate, an electrode formed on the support substrate, and an insulating layer covering the electrode; and a drive unit that drives the panel, wherein the drive unit applies a voltage signal to the electrode. A tactile sensation presentation apparatus for presenting a tactile sensation to the operator based on the electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying
The contact surface touched by the operator of the insulating layer has a surface roughness Ra set in a predetermined range,
The drive unit executes a process of applying a voltage signal corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface to the electrode.
A driving method of a tactile sensation presentation apparatus characterized by the above. A panel having a support substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the support substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, and an insulating layer covering the plurality of electrodes; and a drive unit that drives the panel. A driving method of a tactile sensation presentation apparatus that presents a tactile sensation to the operator based on an electrostatic force generated between the electrode and the operator by applying a voltage signal to the electrode by the driving unit,
The contact surface touched by the operator of the insulating layer has a surface roughness Ra set in a predetermined range,
The drive unit is
A process for identifying an electrode corresponding to a region where a tactile sensation is presented to the operator;
A process of applying a voltage signal corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface to the identified electrode,
A driving method of a tactile sensation presentation apparatus characterized by the above. The surface roughness Ra has a correlation with a detection threshold voltage at which the operator can perceive a tactile sensation in the surface roughness Ra,
The drive unit is
A signal having a voltage equal to or higher than the detection threshold voltage corresponding to the surface roughness Ra of the contact surface is applied to the identified electrode.
16. The method for driving a tactile sensation presentation apparatus according to claim 14 or 15. The predetermined range is a range in which the surface roughness Ra is greater than 0.01 μm and less than 0.8 μm.
The method for driving a tactile sensation presentation device according to any one of claims 14 to 16. The predetermined range is a range in which the surface roughness Ra is greater than 0.03 μm and less than 0.8 μm.
The method for driving a tactile sensation presentation device according to any one of claims 14 to 16. The predetermined range of the surface roughness Ra is rougher than a state in which the finger sticks to the contact surface due to a relatively large contact area between the contact surface and the operator's finger. The finger is in a finer range than the state of deforming following the unevenness of the contact surface,
The method for driving a tactile sensation presentation device according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

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