JP2019025423A - Response force generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a response force generator capable of imparting large response force to an operation object member by a response force imparting mechanism.SOLUTION: In movement direction regulation parts 20a and 20b, bearing members 22a and 22b for supporting shaft members 21a and 21b are fixed to an operation object member 5, and fixed brackets 23a and 23b fixed to both end parts of the shaft members 21a and 21b are supported by a base 2 via an elastic interposing member 31. In a response force imparting mechanism 60, a piezoelectric element is sandwiched between the fixed bracket 23b and the bearing member 22b, and response force is directly imparted to the shaft member 21b and the bearing member 22b from the piezoelectric element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a response force generator that can efficiently apply a response force from a response force application mechanism to an operation target member when an operation unit provided on the operation target member is operated with a finger or the like.

  In a vehicle-mounted display device equipped with a response force generator, an operation target member is supported on a base via an elastic support portion, and the operation target member is touched on a display panel and a display screen of the display panel. And a sensor. The operation target member is provided with a response force applying mechanism. When it is detected that the display screen is operated by the touch sensor, a single response force or a response force due to vibration is applied from the response force applying mechanism to the operation target member. Given, the operator's finger can feel the response.

  However, in the conventional response force generator, when the response force is applied from the response force applying mechanism to the operation target member, the operation target member supported by the elastic support member moves in a direction other than the direction in which the response force is applied. As a result, there is a problem that the response force cannot be effectively transmitted to the operator's finger.

  Therefore, in the double rigid suspension system described in Patent Document 1, the actuator is fixed to the touch screen, and the post is fixed to the lower surface side of the touch screen, and the post is inserted into the lumen of the housing component. The touch screen is supported so as to be movable only in the Z direction perpendicular to the surface (XY plane). A first member formed of an elastomer material is interposed between the touch screen and the housing component, and a second member formed of an elastomer material is interposed between the tip of the post and the housing component. doing.

  This dual-rigid suspension system makes it easier for the operator to feel the tactile feedback generated by the actuator because the touch screen moves only in the Z direction, and the touch screen moves only in the Z direction. The user can feel as if the touch screen is firmly attached to the housing.

JP2015-103255A

  However, in the double-rigid suspension system described in Patent Document 1, posts and lumens that guide the touch screen so as to be movable in the Z direction are located on both sides of the touch screen, and an actuator is provided on the lower surface of the central portion of the touch screen. Provided, and the post and lumen are separated from the actuator. For this reason, when a force is applied from the actuator to the touch screen, a moment with the post as a fulcrum acts on the touch screen, so that a so-called stick-slip is likely to occur between the post and the lumen. There is a problem that dynamic friction increases.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can generate a response force that can efficiently transmit a response force to the operation target member from the response force applying mechanism and can provide a strong response force to the operation target member. The object is to provide a device.

The present invention detects a base, an operation target member at least a part of which is an operation part, an elastic support part that supports the operation target member on the base, and that the operation part is operated. In a response force generator having an operation detection unit and a response force applying mechanism that applies a response force to the operation target member,
A moving direction restricting portion that restricts the moving direction of the operation target member with respect to the base in one direction is provided, and the moving direction restricting portion includes a shaft member and a bearing member through which the shaft member is inserted. Any one of the shaft member and the bearing portion is supported by the base, and the other is supported by the operation target member,
The response force applying mechanism is provided with a piezoelectric element that applies forces in opposite directions along the axial direction of the shaft member to the shaft member and the bearing member.

  The response force generation device of the present invention can be configured such that the response force applying mechanism is interposed between a shaft fixing portion provided in the shaft member and the bearing member.

  In this case, it is preferable that a through hole penetrating the piezoelectric element is formed, and the shaft member is slidably inserted into the through hole.

  The response force generator of the present invention can be configured such that the axial direction of the shaft member is directed in one direction along a plane intersecting the facing direction of the base and the operation target member.

  In the response force generation device of the present invention, a fixing bracket as the shaft fixing portion is provided on the shaft member, and one of the fixing bracket and the bearing member is fixed to the operation target member, and the other And the base are provided with the elastic support portion.

  For example, the elastic support member is provided with an elastic intervention member sandwiched between the fixed bracket or the bearing member and the base.

  The response force generator according to the present invention includes a regulation support member formed of a plate material that can be elastically deformed, and the regulation support member includes a fixing portion to which the fixing bracket or the bearing member is fixed, and the fixing portion. It is preferable that an elastic arm portion that extends in two directions along the surface and bends in the opposite direction is integrally formed, and each of the elastic arm portions is fixed to the base.

  In this case, it is preferable that the elastic arm portion can be fixed to the base by adjusting the position in the direction along the surface.

  In the response force generator according to the present invention, the fixing bracket or the bearing member is provided with an adjusting portion, and the adjusting portion appears on a back portion of the base opposite to the side facing the operation target member. And the fixed position of the said restriction | limiting support member and the said base can be adjusted to the direction along the said surface by moving the said adjustment part.

  In the response force generator of the present invention, the movement direction of the operation target member is determined in one direction by the shaft member provided in the movement direction restricting portion. Directly opposing forces are applied to the bearing member that supports the shaft member. Therefore, when a response force is applied from the piezoelectric element to the operation target member, so-called stick-slip is unlikely to occur between the shaft member and the bearing member, and an increase in friction between the shaft member and the bearing member is suppressed. Thus, it becomes possible to efficiently apply a large acceleration response force to the operation target member from the response force applying mechanism.

  Further, in the response force applying mechanism, since the response force is applied from the piezoelectric element to the shaft member and the bearing member, it is possible to apply a response force with good response to the operation target member with a large force.

The perspective view which looked at the response power generating device of the embodiment of the present invention from the front of the operation object member, The perspective view which looked at the response power generating device of the embodiment of the present invention from the back of the base, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the operation target member is removed from the base in the response force generator shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a structure of a moving direction restricting portion and an elastic supporting portion provided in the connecting mechanism on the X2 side in the response force generating device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a moving direction restricting portion and an elastic supporting portion provided in the X1 side coupling mechanism in the response force generating device shown in FIG. 3. The partial expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected the response force generator shown in FIG. 2 with the VI-VI line, The partial expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected the response force generator shown in FIG. 3 with the VII-VII line, The partial expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected a part of response force generator shown in FIG. 2 with the VIII-VIII line,

  1 to 3 show the overall structure of a response force generator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The responsive force generator 1 of the embodiment is used as an in-vehicle display device. In the response force generator 1, the Z1 direction is the front and the Z2 direction is the rear. When used as an in-vehicle display device, the Z1 direction is directed toward the vehicle interior and the Z2 direction is directed forward in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The X1 direction is the left direction, the X2 direction is the right direction, and the Y direction is the vertical direction.

  The response force generator 1 has a base 2. The base 2 is made of a synthetic resin material or a light metal material. The base 2 is fixed to the interior or surface of a dashboard or instrument panel in front of the vehicle interior. On the upper part and the left and right side parts of the base 2, a flange part 3 protruding forward (Z1 direction) is formed. As shown in the partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 8, a support space 4 surrounded by the flange 3 is formed on the front side (Z1 side) of the base 2.

  An operation target member 5 is disposed in front of the base 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the operation target member 5 includes a display substrate 6 having a rectangular frame shape, and the display panel 7 is housed inside a frame opening 6 a of the display substrate 6. The display panel 7 is a color liquid crystal display panel or an electroluminescence display panel.

  A translucent panel 8 is provided on the front side (Z1 side) of the operation target member 5. The translucent panel 8 covers almost the entire area in front of the base 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the translucent panel 8 has a central display surface 8a and left and right curved surfaces 8b formed integrally. The display substrate 6 and the display panel 7 are fixed to the back side (Z2 side) of the central display surface 8a by means such as adhesion. The translucent panel 8 is colored black or dark green, and when the display panel 7 is operated, the display image can be seen from the front through the central display surface 8a.

  The central display surface 8a of the translucent panel 8 is an operation unit, and a touch sensor is provided on the central display surface 8a. The touch sensor is a transparent electrostatic sensor provided on the front surface facing the Z1 side or the back surface facing the Z2 side of the translucent panel 8 on the central display surface 8a. The electrostatic sensor is configured by providing a plurality of transparent electrodes on a transparent substrate. When an operator's finger touches the central display surface 8a, the capacitance detected by the electrodes changes. The coordinate position touched by the finger is detected by the change in the distribution of electric capacity.

  Alternatively, the touch sensor may be a transparent resistance sensor provided on the front surface of the translucent panel 8 facing the Z1 side. In the resistance type sensor, a transparent film having a transparent electrode formed on the entire surface is overlaid on a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode formed on the entire surface. When any part of the transparent film is pressed, the resistance sensor short-circuits the transparent electrode formed on the transparent film and the transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate, and the electrode provided on the edge of the transparent electrode The change of the resistance value from the part to the short-circuit part is detected, and the coordinate position touched by the finger is determined.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the response force generator 1, the Z1-Z2 direction is a facing direction in which the operation target member 5 and the base 2 face each other in the front-rear direction, and is a plane parallel to the XY plane. Is a plane intersecting (orthogonal to) the facing direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the rear surface side of the operation target member 5, a connection support plate 9 is provided below the operation target member 5. The connection support plate 9 covers the lower part of the back portion of the display panel 7, and the end portions on the X1 side and the X2 side are fixed to the display substrate 6 by fixing screws 9a. Connection mechanisms 10 a and 10 b are provided between the base 2 and a connection support plate 9 provided on the operation target member 5. The connecting mechanism 10a is provided on the X1 side, and the connecting mechanism 10b is provided on the X2 side. The coupling mechanism 10 a is provided with a movement direction restricting portion 20 a and an elastic support portion 30 a located between the movement direction restricting portion 20 a and the base 2. The coupling mechanism 10b is provided with a movement direction restricting portion 20b and an elastic support portion 30b positioned between the movement direction restricting portion 20b and the base 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a shaft member 21b is provided in the movement direction restricting portion 20b on the X2 side. As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft member 21a is directed to the movement direction restricting portion 20a on the X1 side. The shaft centers of the shaft member 21a and the shaft member 21b are located on the same straight line parallel to the X1-X2 direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the movement direction restricting portion 20b provided on the X2 side, the shaft member 21b is inserted through the bearing member 22b so as to be slidable in the X direction. The end portion on the X2 side of the shaft member 21b is held and fixed to a fixing bracket 23b which is a shaft fixing portion. As the shaft fixing portion, the shaft fixing portion having the same shape as that of the fixing bracket 23b may be integrally formed at the end portion on the X2 side of the shaft member 21b. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7, a washer 25a is fixed to the end of the shaft member 21b on the X1 side, an elastic insertion member 24 between the washer 25a and the bearing member 22b is interposed, and the shaft member 21b is elastically inserted. The member 24 is inserted through the central hole. The elastic insertion member 24 is made of a rubber material having a slightly high rigidity. The elastic insertion member 24 is interposed between the washer 25a and the bearing member 22b while being slightly compressed in the X direction.

  In the intermediate portion of the bearing member 22b, a washer 25b is fitted to the shaft member 21b, and the compression coil spring 26 is compressed between the washer 25b and the bearing member 22b on the outer peripheral side of the shaft member 21b. Intervene.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a response force applying mechanism 60 is provided between the bearing member 22b and the fixed bracket 23b. Although the response force applying mechanism 60 is shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 7, the response force applying mechanism 60 is configured by laminating a plurality of piezoelectric elements 63 in the X1-X2 direction. A through hole 64 is formed in the piezoelectric element 63, and the shaft member 21 b is inserted through the through hole 64. As shown in FIG. 4, the response force applying mechanism 60 is provided with a pair of electrode portions 61 that sandwich the piezoelectric element 63 and a power feeding cord 62 connected to each electrode portion 61.

  In the movement direction restricting portion 20b, the shaft member 21b and the fixed bracket 23b fixed thereto are biased in the X1 direction by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 26, and between the bearing member 22b and the fixed bracket 23b, A response force applying mechanism 60 is sandwiched. When the electrode portion 61 of the response force applying mechanism 60 is energized, the piezoelectric element 63 is distorted in the X direction, and forces in opposite directions in the X2 direction are directly applied to the shaft member 21b and the fixed bracket 23b. This force acts as a response force. The elastic resistance when the shaft member 21b and the fixed bracket 23b are moved in the X2 direction relative to the bearing member 22b is determined by the elastic coefficient of the elastic insertion member 24 and the spring constant of the compression coil spring 26. By setting the elastic resistance and the spring constant large, the response force applying mechanism 60 can apply a large force and a high impact force to the bearing member 22b and the fixed bracket 23b. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the X1 side movement direction restricting portion 20a is provided with a fixed bracket 23a fixed to the end of the shaft member 21a on the X1 side and a bearing member 22a through which the shaft member 21a is inserted. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the X2 side, the bearing member 22b is fixed to the connection support plate 9 by a fixing screw 27b. As shown in FIG. 5, on the X1 side, the bearing member 22a is fixed to the connection support plate 9 by a fixing screw 27a. On the X2 side, a tension coil spring 28b extending in the Y direction is hung between the fixed bracket 23b and the connection support plate 9 with initial extension. In X1, a tension coil spring 28a is hung between the fixed bracket 23a and the connection support plate 9 with an initial extension. Generation of rattling in the Y direction between the shaft members 21a, 21b and the bearing members 22a, 22b is eliminated by the elastic force of the tension coil springs 28a, 28b.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the elastic support portion 30 b provided on the X <b> 2 side is connected to the elastic support member 31 provided between the fixing bracket 23 b and the base 2, and the base 2. It has an insertion hole 32 that opens and an adjustment screw 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the adjusting screw 33 includes an adjusting portion 33a located on the Z2 side, a step portion 33b formed in the middle of the shaft portion extending from the adjusting portion 33a in the Z1 direction, and the step portion 33b in the Z1 direction. A small-diameter shaft portion 33c that extends in the vertical direction and a male screw portion 33d that is formed at the tip of the small-diameter shaft portion 33c on the Z1 side. In addition, a jig operating portion 33e having a shape released in the Z2 direction is formed in the adjusting portion 33a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a part of the elastic intervention member 31 is sandwiched between the base 2 and the fixing bracket 23 b, and the other part is fitted inside the insertion hole 32. The adjustment screw 33 is inserted from the Z2 side into the central hole of the elastic intervention member 31 located inside the insertion hole 32, and between the central hole of the elastic intervention member 31 and the shaft portion of the adjustment screw 33. The adjustment gap G1 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the elastic support portion 30 a provided on the X1 side similarly has an elastic intervention member 31, an insertion hole 32 formed in the base 2, and an adjustment screw 33. The structure is the same as that of the elastic support portion 30b provided on the X2 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, a regulation support member 40 b is provided in the X2 side coupling mechanism 10 b, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a regulation support member 40 a is provided in the X1 side coupling mechanism 10 a. Is provided. The restriction support member 40b on the X2 side and the restriction support member 40a on the X1 side are spaced apart in the X1-X2 direction, which is one direction along the XY plane that intersects (orthogonally) the facing direction (Z1-Z2 direction). It is arranged in the space.

  Each of the restriction support members 40a and 40b is formed of an elastically deformable metal plate (leaf spring material). The restriction support member 40b on the X2 side is provided with a fixing portion 41b, and the restriction support member 40a on the X1 side is provided with a fixing portion 41a. Each of the regulation support members 40a and 40b is integrally formed with elastic arm portions 42x and 42y extending in two directions from the fixing portions 41a and 41b. The elastic arm portion 42x and the elastic arm portion 42y extend in directions orthogonal to each other. The elastic arm portion 42x extends in the X direction, and the elastic arm portion 42y extends in the Y direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixing bracket 23b is fixed to the fixing portion 41b of the restriction support member 40b on the X2 side by a fixing screw 36, and as shown in FIG. 5, the restriction support member 40a on the X1 side. The fixing bracket 23 a is also fixed to the fixing portion 41 a by a fixing screw 36. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a female screw hole 43 is formed in the central portion of the fixing portion 41b of the restriction support member 40b on the X2 side. Similarly, a female screw hole 43 is also formed in the central portion of the fixing portion 41a of the restriction support member 40a on the X1 side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the relationship between the elastic support portion 30b on the X2 side and the restriction support member 40b, the adjustment screw 33 is inserted into the center hole of the elastic intervention member 31 located in the insertion hole 32 from the Z2 side. The step portion 33b of the adjustment screw 33 is abutted against the fixing bracket 23b. In this state, the small-diameter shaft portion 33c of the adjusting screw 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 23c formed in the fixing bracket 23b, and the male screw portion 33d at the tip of the small-diameter shaft portion 33c is formed in the fixing portion 41b of the regulation support member 40b. The female screw hole 43 is screwed. By firmly tightening the adjustment screw 33, the fixing bracket 23b, the adjustment screw 33, and the fixing portion 41b of the restriction support member 40b are fixed integrally.

  Similarly, also in the relationship between the elastic support portion 30a on the X1 side and the restriction support member 40a shown in FIG. 5, the adjustment screw 33 is inserted into the center hole of the elastic intervention member 31 located in the insertion hole 32 from the Z2 side. By firmly tightening the adjustment screw 33, the fixing bracket 23a, the adjustment screw 33, and the fixing portion 41a of the restriction support member 40a are fixed integrally.

  In the regulation support member 40a provided on the X1 side and the regulation support member 40b provided on the X2 side, the distal end portions of the respective elastic arm portions 42x are fixed to the base 2, and the distal end portions of the respective elastic arm portions 42y are It is fixed to the base 2. As shown in FIG. 6, in the fixing structure for fixing the elastic arm portion 42y on the X2 side, the fixing screw 53 is inserted into the mounting hole 54 formed in the base 2 from the Z2 side, and the tip of the fixing screw 53 is The male threaded portion 53a is screwed into the female threaded hole 46 formed at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42y. At this time, an adjustment gap G <b> 2 is formed between the shaft portion of the fixing screw 53 and the inner surface of the mounting hole 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, even in the fixing structure for fixing the elastic arm portion 42x of the regulation support member 40b to the base 2, the fixing screw 51 is inserted into the mounting hole 52 formed in the base 2 from the Z2 side. Then, the male screw portion at the tip of the fixing screw 51 is screwed into the female screw hole 45 at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42x. An adjustment gap G2 is similarly formed between the shaft portion of the fixing screw 51 and the inner surface of the mounting hole 52. Also in the restriction support member 40b on the X1 side shown in FIG. 5, the fixing screw 53 inserted into the mounting hole 54 of the base 2 is screwed into the female screw hole 46 at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42y, and the base 2 is attached. The fixing screw 51 inserted into the hole 52 is screwed into the female screw hole 45 at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42x. Again, the adjustment gap G <b> 2 is formed between the shaft portion of the fixing screw 53 and the mounting hole 54 and between the shaft portion of the fixing screw 51 and the mounting hole 52.

  2 and 3, between the base 2 and the operation target member 5, an auxiliary elastic support portion 70a is provided on the X1 side and an auxiliary elastic support portion 70b is provided on the X2 side in the upper part of the figure. Yes. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the auxiliary elastic support portion 70b on the X2 side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the auxiliary elastic support portion 70b, a boss 71 is fixed to the back surface of the display substrate 6 of the operation target member 5. A screw member 72 is embedded in the boss 71, and a female screw hole 73 is formed in the screw member 72. The auxiliary elastic support portion 70 b includes an elastic interposing member 74 provided between the boss 71 and the base 2, an insertion hole 76 that opens to the base 2, and a support screw 75. The support screw 75 has an adjustment portion 75a located on the Z2 side, a step portion 75b formed in the middle of the shaft portion extending from the adjustment portion 75a in the Z1 direction, and a male screw portion 75c extending in the Z1 direction from the step portion 75b. doing. In addition, a jig operating portion 75e having a shape released toward the Z2 direction is formed in the adjusting portion 75a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the auxiliary elastic support portion 70b, the support screw 75 is inserted into the center hole of the elastic intervention member 74 located in the insertion hole 76 from the Z2 side, and the stepped portion 75b of the support screw 75 is inserted into the boss. It abuts against a screw member 72 provided on 71. In this state, a male screw portion 75 c extending from the stepped portion 75 b of the support screw 75 to the Z1 side is screwed into a female screw hole 73 formed in the screw member 72. By strongly tightening the support screw 75, the display substrate 6 and the support screw 75 of the operation target member 5 are fixed integrally. An adjustment gap G3 is formed between the center hole of the elastic intervention member 74 and the shaft portion of the support screw 75. Similarly, in the auxiliary elastic support portion 70a provided on the X1 side, the support screw 75 is inserted into the insertion hole 76 of the base 2 and similarly screwed to the display substrate 6 of the operation target member 5. Also in the auxiliary elastic support portion 70a, an adjustment gap G3 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an adjustment gap G <b> 1 is formed in the elastic support portions 30 a and 30 b that support the fixing brackets 23 a and 23 b on the base 2, and the elastic arms 22 x of the adjustment support members 40 a and 40 b are connected to the base 2. An adjustment gap G2 is also formed in the fixing structure for fixing the elastic arm 22y. Further, an adjustment gap G3 is formed in the auxiliary elastic support portions 70a and 70b. With these adjustment gaps G1, G2, and G3, the relative position of the operation target member 5 with respect to the base 2 can be adjusted along a plane parallel to the XY plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in the coupling mechanisms 10a and 10b, the fixing brackets 23a and 23b and the shaft members 21a and 21b are supported by the operation target member 5 via the bearing members 22a and 22b. Yes. As shown in FIG. 6, in the elastic support portions 30 a and 30 b, an elastic interposing member 31 is interposed between the fixing brackets 23 a and 23 b and the base 2. The fixing brackets 23a and 23b are also supported on the base 2 by the regulation support members 40a and 40b. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the auxiliary elastic support portions 70 a and 70 b, an elastic intervention member 74 is interposed between the operation target member 5 and the base 2.

  With this elastic support structure, when the operation target member 5 is pushed in the Z2 direction, the elastic interposing member 31 and the elastic interposing member 74 are compressed and deformed, and the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y of the restricting support members 40a and 40b are bent and deformed. Then, the operation target member 5 can move in the Z2 direction so as to approach the base 2. At this time, the operation reaction force in the Z1 direction acts on the operation target member 5 by the elastic repulsion force due to the contraction deformation of the elastic intervention members 31 and 74 and the elastic reaction force due to the bending deformation of the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y. . The force required to bring the operation target member 5 closer to the base 2 is determined by the elastic coefficients of the elastic interposing members 31 and 74 and the spring constants of the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y.

  On the other hand, the force necessary to move the operation target member 5 in the X1-X2 direction with respect to the base 2 urges the shaft member 21b in the movement direction restricting portion 20b as shown in FIG. It is determined by the elastic coefficient of the elastic insertion member 24 and the spring constant of the compression coil spring 26. The force required to move the operation target member 5 in the Z2 direction is preferably smaller than the force required to move the operation target member 5 relative to the base 2 in the X1-X2 direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, operation detection units 81, 81 are provided between the display substrate 6 provided on the back of the operation target member 5 and the front surface of the base 2, and the operation detection unit 81 is a base 2 is fixed to the front surface. The operation detection units 81 and 81 are force sensors. When the operation target member 5 is pushed and moved in the Z2 direction, the force sensor is operated, and a detection output is obtained. Note that the area of the touching finger was detected by the touch sensor provided on the central display surface 8a without using a force sensor or the like as the operation detection unit, and the detection area became larger than the threshold value. Sometimes, it may be detected that the operation target member 5 has been pressed in the Z2 direction.

Next, an operation of positioning and attaching the operation target member 5 to the base 2 will be described.
The outline of the assembly method of the response force generator 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, in the coupling mechanism 10b on the X2 side, the shaft member 21b fixed to the fixing bracket 23b is passed through the response force applying mechanism 60. The shaft member 21b is inserted into the hole 64, and the shaft member 21b is inserted into the bearing member 22b, the compression coil spring 26, and the elastic insertion member 24, and the washers 25a and 25b are fitted into the shaft member 21b. Then, the fixing bracket 23 b and the restriction support member 40 b are fixed with the fixing screw 36. Similarly, in the connecting mechanism 10a on the X1 side, as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft member 21a fixed to the fixing bracket 23a is inserted into the bearing member 22a, and the fixing bracket 23a and the restriction support member 40a are fixed to the fixing screw 36. Secure with.

  Then, the bearing member 22a is fixed to the connecting plate portion 9 provided on the back portion of the operation target member 5 with the fixing screw 27a, and the bearing member 22b is fixed to the connecting plate portion 9 with the fixing screw 27b. Further, a tension coil spring 28 a is mounted between the fixed bracket 23 a and the connection support plate 9, and a tension coil spring 28 b is mounted between the fixed bracket 23 b and the connection support plate 9.

  The operation target member 5 is installed in front of the base 2 with the coupling mechanisms 10 a and 10 b attached to the back of the operation target member 5. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, in the elastic support portions 30 a and 30 b, an elastic interposing member 31 is interposed between the fixing brackets 23 a and 23 b and the base 2. The adjustment screw 33 is inserted into the center hole of the elastic intervention member 31 mounted on the base 2 from the Z2 side, the stepped portion 33b of the adjustment screw 33 is abutted against the fixing brackets 23a and 23b, and the small diameter shaft portion 33c is Inserted into the insertion holes 23c of the fixing brackets 23a, 23b, the male screw portions 33d at the tip of the small diameter shaft portion 33c are screwed into the female screw holes 43 formed in the fixing portions 41a, 41b of the restriction support members 40a, 40b, Tighten tightly. At this time, the elastic interposing member 31 is slightly compressed between the fixing brackets 23 a and 23 b and the base 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the auxiliary elastic support portions 70a and 70b, an elastic interposing member 74 is interposed between the boss 71 provided on the display substrate 6 of the operation target member 5 and the base 2, and the Z2 side Then, the support screw 75 is inserted into the center hole of the elastic intervention member 74 attached to the base 2. The stepped portion 75b of the support screw 75 is abutted against the tip end surface of the boss 71, and the male screw portion 75c ahead of the stepped portion 75b is screwed into the female screw hole 73 formed in the screw member 72 and tightened strongly. Also at this time, the elastic interposing member 74 is slightly compressed between the boss 71 and the base 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixing screw 53 is inserted into the mounting hole 54 formed in the base 2 from the Z2 side, and the male screw portion 53a of the fixing screw 53 is inserted into the elastic arm portion 42y of the regulating support member 40b. And screwed into a female screw hole 46 formed at the tip of the screw. Similarly, the fixing screw 51 is inserted into the mounting hole 52, and the male screw portion at the tip is screwed into the female screw hole 45 formed at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42x of the restriction support member 40b. Similarly, in the restriction support member 40a provided on the X1 side, the fixing screw 53 is screwed into the female screw hole 46 at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42y, and the fixing screw 51 is inserted into the male screw hole 45 at the tip of the elastic arm portion 42x. Screw on.

  The fixing screws 51 and 53 on the X1 side and the fixing screws 51 and 53 on the X2 side are not completely tightened, and the adjusting screws appearing on the back of the base 2 in the elastic support portions 30a and 30b as shown in FIG. The jig is inserted into the jig operation part 75e formed on the adjustment part 75a of the support screw 75 in the jig operation part 33e formed on the adjustment part 33a and the auxiliary elastic support parts 70a and 70b. Then, at least one of the adjustment screw 33 and the support screw 75 is moved in a plane parallel to the XY plane within the range of the adjustment gaps G1 and G2 shown in FIG. 6 and the adjustment gap G3 shown in FIG.

  By this adjustment, the base 2 and the operation target member 5 can be aligned with each other in the XY plane. After the adjustment is completed, the fixing screws 51 and 53 provided on the X1 side and the X2 side, respectively, are tightened, and the tip portions of the elastic arm portions 42y and the tip portions of the elastic arm portions 42x of the regulation support members 40a and 40b, respectively. The part is fixed to the base 2.

Next, the operation of the response force generator 1 will be described.
In the response force generating device 1 used as a vehicle-mounted display device, an operator is placed at any location on the central display surface 8a while referring to an image displayed on the central display surface 8a that is an operation unit of the operation target member 5. When the finger is touched, it is determined which part of the image the finger touched by the coordinate detection output from the touch sensor.

  When the center display surface 8a is pushed backward (Z2 direction) with the finger, the pressing operation force acts on the fixing brackets 23a and 23b from the bearing members 22a and 22b through the shaft members 21a and 21b, and the cross section of FIG. As shown in the figure, the elastic intervention member 31 is compressed and deformed in the elastic support portions 30a and 30b. As shown in FIG. 8, also in the auxiliary elastic support portions 70a and 70b, the elastic intervention member 74 is compressed and deformed by the boss 71 provided on the display substrate 6, and the operation target member 5 is moved in the Z2 direction.

  When the operation detection unit (force sensor) 81 shown in FIG. 3 is pressed and the operation detection unit 81 is operated by the force by which the operation target member 5 moves in the Z2 direction, it is detected that the center display surface 8a has been pressed. The At this time, in the main body control unit (not shown), what operation is performed from the detection output of the touch sensor and the detection output of the operation detection unit 81 and further from the image signal of the image displayed on the central display surface 8a. A determination is made and a processing operation based on the intended operation is started.

  The operation reaction force felt by the finger when the operator's finger presses the central display surface 8a is the elastic coefficient at the time of compressive deformation of the elastic interposing member 31 provided on the elastic support portions 30a and 30b, and the auxiliary elastic support. It is determined by the elastic coefficient at the time of compression of the elastic interposing member 74 provided in the portions 70a and 70b, and further by the spring constant of the bending deformation of the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y of the regulation support members 40a and 40b.

  When the operation detection unit 81 detects that the operation target member 5 is pushed in the Z2 direction, an operation command for generating a response force is issued from the main body control unit, and the power supply cord 62 of the response force applying mechanism 60 is used. A drive voltage is applied to the electrode part 61, and the piezoelectric element 63 generates distortion in the X direction. Since the response force applying mechanism 60 is sandwiched between the fixed bracket 23b of the movement direction restricting portion 20b and the bearing member 22b, the distortion of the piezoelectric element 63 causes the fixed bracket 23b and the bearing member 22b to move in the X direction. The power of the opposite direction is given. This force is given to the operation target member 5 as a response force. The response force at this time is a single force that reciprocates the operation target member 5 in the X1-X2 direction in one cycle or a vibration force that reciprocates in the X1-X2 direction in a plurality of cycles.

  In the movement direction restricting portions 20a and 20b, the bearing members 22a and 22b fixed to the operation target member 5 are slidably supported by the shaft members 21a and 21b extending in the X1-X2 direction. Relative movement with respect to the base 2 is restricted in the X1-X2 direction. Further, in the movement direction restricting portions 20a and 20b, the fixing brackets 23a and 23b are fixed to the restricting support members 40a and 40b, and the elastic arm portions 42x extending in the direction intersecting (orthogonal direction) at the restricting support members 40a and 40b. , 42y are fixed to the base 2. The elastic arm portions 42x and 42y have their plate surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the X1-X2 direction, which is the direction of action of the response force, and the rigidity of the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y in the X1-X2 direction is increased. Yes. Therefore, the fixed brackets 23a and 23b are easy to move in the Z1-Z2 direction, which is the pressing operation direction, but are difficult to move in the plane direction of the XY plane. Therefore, when a response force is applied from the response force applying mechanism 60, the operation target member 5 can operate only in the X1-X2 direction.

  When the center display surface 8a of the operation target member 5 is pushed in the Z2 direction by the operator's finger, the response force acting on the finger from the center display surface 8a intersects (is orthogonal to) the pressing operation direction X1-X2. Since it is a direction, it becomes easy to feel the response force with a finger from the display screen. In particular, when the response force generating device 1 is used as an in-vehicle display device, the display screen is constantly swaying in the front-rear direction (Z1-Z2 direction) due to vehicle body vibration, and thus a plane parallel to the XY plane. By applying a response force in one direction, it is possible to make the operator's finger feel the response force effectively.

  Further, since the response force applying mechanism 60 includes the piezoelectric element 63 and generates a response force due to the distortion of the piezoelectric element 63 in the X direction, a response force with a large force can be generated even if the amplitude is small. In addition, since the piezoelectric element 63 has a quick response to a change in driving voltage, it can generate a response force with a large acceleration, and is shocking from the central display surface 8a of the operation target member 5 to the operator's finger. You can feel a strong response.

  Since the response force applying mechanism 60 is sandwiched between the fixing bracket 23b which is a shaft fixing portion fixed to the shaft member 21b and the bearing member 22b, the distortion of the piezoelectric element 63 provided in the response force applying mechanism 60 is reduced. Thus, a force can be directly applied to the shaft member 21b and the bearing member 22b. Therefore, the action line of the force generated by the distortion of the piezoelectric element 63 and the shaft center of the shaft member 21b can be brought close to each other, and when the operation target member 5 is moved in the X1-X2 direction, the shaft member 21b and the bearing member. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called stick-slip with 22b, reduce the friction between the shaft member 21b and the bearing member 22b, and the strain allows the operation target member 5 to move in one direction with a large acceleration. become.

  In particular, in the response force generating device 1 of the embodiment, the through-hole 64 is formed in the piezoelectric element 63 of the response-force applying mechanism 60, and the shaft member 21b is inserted through the through-hole 64. The line and the axial center of the shaft member 21b can be made to substantially coincide. Therefore, the operation target member 5 can be operated with low friction by the response force applying mechanism 60.

  The reaction force when the center display surface 8a is pushed with a finger is the elastic coefficient of the elastic interposing member 31 provided in the elastic supporting portions 30a and 30b and the elastic interposing member provided in the auxiliary elastic supporting portions 70a and 70b. 74 and the spring constant of the elastic arm portions 42x and 42y of the restriction support members 40a and 40b. Further, the resistance force when the operation target member 5 is moved in the X1-X2 direction by the response force applying mechanism 60 is determined by the elastic coefficient of the elastic insertion member 24 and the compression coil spring 26 provided in the movement direction restricting portion 20a.

  When the operator presses the center display surface 8a with a finger, it is preferable that the operation target member 5 can move in the Z2 direction even with a relatively weak force. On the other hand, in order to give a strong shocking force from the response force applying mechanism 60 to the operation target member 5, it is preferable that the elastic resistance when the operation target member 5 is moved in the X1-X2 direction is large. Therefore, it is preferable that the force required to move the operation target member 5 in the X1-X2 direction is larger than the force required to move the operation target member 5 in the Z2 direction.

  The response force generating device 1 individually optimizes the reaction force when the operator presses the center display surface 8a with a finger and the elastic resistance when moving the operation target member 5 in the X1-X2 direction. It is possible to set.

Hereinafter, modifications of the present invention will be described.
In the response force generating device 1 of the embodiment, a through hole 64 is formed in the piezoelectric element 63 in the response force applying mechanism 60, and the shaft member 21 b is inserted into the through hole 64. However, instead of this structure, the piezoelectric element 63 is not provided with the through hole 64, but the piezoelectric element 63 is arranged so as to be aligned with the shaft member 21b, and the piezoelectric element 63 is sandwiched between the fixed bracket 23b and the bearing member 22b. You may arrange as follows. Even in this structure, the line of action of the force of the piezoelectric element 63 and the shaft center of the shaft member 21b can be brought close to each other. Can be given to.

  Further, as the structure of the movement direction restricting portions 20a and 20b, contrary to the embodiment, the fixing brackets 23a and 23b are fixed to the connection support plate 9 of the operation target member 5, and the bearing members 22a and 22b are elastically interposed members. The bearing members 22a and 22b may be fixed to the fixing portions 41a and 41b of the restriction support members 40a and 40b by being supported by the base 2 via 31. In this case, the adjustment screw 33 is fixed to the bearing members 22a and 22b.

  In addition, the extending direction of the shaft members 21a and 21b of the movement direction restricting portions 20a and 20b may be any direction as long as it is in a plane parallel to the XY plane, for example, the Y direction.

  In the embodiment, the shaft members 21a and 21b are separately provided in each of the two movement direction restricting portions 20a and 20b. However, a single shaft member is used, and fixed brackets are provided on both sides of the shaft member. And a bearing member may be provided. In this case, the piezoelectric element 63 of the response force applying mechanism 60 is sandwiched between at least one of the bearing members and the fixing bracket (shaft fixing portion).

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation target member 5 is a vehicle-mounted display device, but the operation target member is not limited to this. For example, a part of an instrument panel provided in a vehicle interior of a car An operation target member including a capacitive sensor may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Response force generator 2 Base 5 Operation target member 6 Display board 8 Translucent panel 8a Center display surface 10a, 10b Connection mechanism 20a, 20b Movement direction control part 21a, 21b Shaft member 22a, 22b Bearing member 23a, 23b Fixed bracket (Shaft fixing part)
24 elastic insertion member 26 compression coil springs 30a, 30b elastic support part 31 elastic interposing member 33 adjustment screw 33a adjustment part 40a, 40b restriction support member 41a, 41b fixing part 42x, 42y elastic arm part 45, 46 female screw hole 51, 53 Fixing screw 60 Stress applying mechanism 63 Piezoelectric element 64 Through holes 70a, 70b Auxiliary elastic support part 74 Elastic interposing member 81 Operation detecting part G1, G2, G3 Adjustment gap

Claims (9)

A base, an operation target member at least part of which is an operation unit, an elastic support unit that supports the operation target member on the base, and an operation detection unit that detects that the operation unit has been operated. A response force generating mechanism that provides a response force to the operation target member,
A moving direction restricting portion that restricts the moving direction of the operation target member with respect to the base in one direction is provided, and the moving direction restricting portion includes a shaft member and a bearing member through which the shaft member is inserted. Any one of the shaft member and the bearing portion is supported by the base, and the other is supported by the operation target member,
The response force generating device is provided with a piezoelectric element that applies forces in opposite directions along the axial direction of the shaft member to the shaft member and the bearing member. .   The response force generating device according to claim 1, wherein the response force applying mechanism is interposed between a shaft fixing portion provided in the shaft member and the bearing member.   The response force generation device according to claim 2, wherein a through-hole penetrating the piezoelectric element is formed, and the shaft member is slidably inserted into the through-hole.   The response force generator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an axial direction of the shaft member is directed in one direction along a plane intersecting a facing direction of the base and the operation target member.   The shaft member is provided with a fixing bracket as the shaft fixing portion, and one of the fixing bracket and the bearing member is fixed to the operation target member, and the other is between the other and the base. The response force generator according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic support portion.   The response force generating device according to claim 5, wherein the elastic support member is provided with an elastic intervention member sandwiched between the fixed bracket or the bearing member and the base.   A regulation support member formed of an elastically deformable plate material is provided, and the regulation support member has a fixed part to which the fixing bracket or the bearing member is fixed, and extends from the fixed part in two directions along the surface. The response force generator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein elastic arm portions that flex in the facing direction are integrally formed, and each of the elastic arm portions is fixed to the base.   The response force generating device according to claim 7, wherein the elastic arm portion can be fixed to the base by adjusting a position in a direction along the surface.   An adjustment part is provided in the fixed bracket or the bearing member, and the adjustment part appears on a back part of the base opposite to the side facing the operation target member, and the adjustment part is moved. The response force generator according to claim 8, wherein a fixed position between the restriction support member and the base is adjustable in a direction along the surface.

Images