JP2019080418A - Magnetic deformation member - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a magnetic deformation member that deforms, when magnetism is applied, has a surface that protrudes to an opposite side of a placed magnet, and gives a change of tactile and visual characteristics to humans by giving a soft touch by the surface.SOLUTION: A magnetic deformation member 10 includes a gel 13 that is filled inside of a lamination of a flexible sheet 11 and a back plate 12 made of a hard material, and a magnetic member 14 which is annular in a plan view in a perpendicular direction to the surface of the flexible sheet 11 and has a length in the perpendicular direction is fixed to the flexible sheet 11 and is disposed in the gel 13. When a magnet 15 is placed on the outside of the back plate 12 and a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic member 14 is pulled by the magnetic field, and a convex portion is formed on the surface of the flexible sheet 11 by displacing the inside of the gel 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetically deformable member provided with a surface that changes tactile and visual properties to a human.

  Conventionally, it is known to use a magnetic elastic body for an actuator by utilizing the property that the shape changes when a magnetic field is applied to a magnetic elastic body containing a magnetic body in a flexible elastic body. . For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-125136 (Patent Document 1) describes a technology related to a magnetically responsive actuator that expands or contracts according to the strength of a magnetic field, and a massage machine as a specific example of use of a magnetic elastic body The relationship between the magnetic field and the deformation of the magnetic elastic body is described in detail.

  In addition, as an example of the one whose shape is changed by the magnetic field, WO 2014/134962 (Patent Document 2) describes a device having a feedback function in which an armature unit is laminated on the back surface of a flexible touch screen. JP-A-2015-179544 (Patent Document 3) describes an apparatus using a magnetorheological fluid that is deformed by magnetic force. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-543184 (patent document 4) describes a technique in which the outer shape of the surface is deformed by the movement of fluid through the fluid port to the tactile surface.

JP 2012-125136 A International Publication No. 2014/134962 JP, 2015-179544, A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-543184

  However, as typified by the technology described in JP 2012-125136 A (Patent Document 1), when it is intended to utilize the deformation of the magnetic elastic body as a component that a human touches, the magnet can not be disposed on the contact surface Therefore, the necessity of arranging a magnet on the opposite side to the contact surface inevitably arises. In the case of such an arrangement, in view of the deformation of the magnetic elastic body, the magnetic elastic body is attracted to the magnet when the magnetic field is applied. there were. Moreover, since the magnetic elastic body has the property of becoming hard when a magnetic field is applied, it has been difficult to maintain the flexibility of the deformed portion.

  Even with the technology described in WO 2014/134962 (patent document 2), the armature portion is hard such as a permanent magnet, so the surface of the touch screen laminated with the armature portion is also not a soft touch. The Even in the case of using a magnetorheological fluid, as in the technique described in JP-A-2015-179544 (patent document 3), the magnetorheological fluid is attracted to the magnetic field when a magnetic field is applied, and therefore, it is recessed. Although it was easy to deform in the direction, it was difficult to make it project greatly. In addition, although the magnetorheological fluid tries to return the gravity and the container itself to the original shape after the magnetic field disappears, the external shape deformed by the magnetic field is because the magnetorheological fluid itself does not return to the initial shape, There is a problem that the original flat state is not completely returned when the application of the magnetic field is removed. The technology described in JP-A-2013-543184 (Patent Document 4) requires a structure for storing fluid for movement, a pump for movement of fluid, and the problem that the mechanism becomes complicated. there were.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, the magnetic deformation member that deforms when magnetism is applied has a surface that protrudes to the side opposite to the placed magnet, and the surface gives a soft touch, thereby providing tactile and visual sense to humans. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetically deformable member that gives a change.

  In order to achieve the above object, the magnetic deformation member of the present invention is configured as follows. That is, according to the present invention, the gel is filled in the inner side where the flexible sheet and the back plate made of hard material are laminated, and it is annular in a plan view perpendicular to the surface of the flexible sheet. A magnetic member having a length in a direction is constituted by a magnetically deformable member fixed to the flexible sheet and disposed in the gel.

  In the present invention, the gel is filled in the inner side where the flexible sheet and the back plate made of hard material are laminated, and it is annular in a plan view which is perpendicular to the surface of the flexible sheet, Since a magnetic member having a length is fixed to the flexible sheet and disposed in the gel, swelling is caused in the inner ring portion of the flexible sheet fixed to the annular magnetic member. it can. In addition, the bulge can be soft and have a convex portion with excellent touch.

  That is, for example, when a magnet is disposed outside the back plate and a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic member is pulled by the magnetic field, and the magnetic member is displaced in the gel. On the other hand, since the gel in the annular magnetic member is not affected by the magnetic field, when the magnetic member is displaced to the back plate side, this annular inner gel is relatively flexible with respect to the magnetic member. Will be displaced. Therefore, while the flexible sheet is pulled toward the back plate by the magnetic member at the portion fixed to the magnetic member, the gel is lifted by the gel on the opposite side to the back plate by the gel, so the annular inner side is raised. The protrusions are formed on the surface of the flexible sheet. Such a convex portion is a flexible sheet having a soft surface, and the inside thereof is a gel, so that a soft touch can be provided. In other words, since the magnetic member is annular in plan view perpendicular to the surface of the flexible member, the gel disposed inside the ring constitutes the internal gel, and the internal gel is received by the deformation of the magnetic member. The stress efficiently acts on the flexible sheet to cause its surface to project.

  The magnetic member can be configured as an endless ring. Since the magnetic member has an endless annular shape, the compression effect of the gel located on the inner side of the ring can be enhanced as compared with the case of an endless annular shape, and the degree of swelling of the surface of the flexible sheet can be increased. it can.

  The magnetic member can be configured as a plurality of magnetic pieces arranged in a ring. The plurality of magnetic pieces are arranged in a ring shape, so that the magnetic member does not have to be one large magnet, and can be divided into a plurality of magnetic pieces. In addition, since it is possible to take a space between a plurality of magnetic pieces, even if each magnetic piece is a rigid body, it is possible to reduce the ring size. As a result, the effect of compressing the gel in the ring is enhanced, and the degree of swelling of the flexible sheet surface can be increased.

  The present invention can be configured such that the magnetic member is a deformable elastic member and is disposed in contact with the back plate. Since the magnetic member is a deformable elastic member and disposed in contact with the back plate, it is possible to make it difficult for the gel in the ring of the annular magnetic member to escape from the outside, and the inside of the ring to be compressed is The stress of the gel can be made easy to act on the flexible sheet surface. Further, since the magnetic member is a deformable elastic member, the magnetic member is compressed when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic member. Thereby, the portion of the flexible sheet fixed to the magnetic member can be displaced relatively to the magnet with respect to its periphery.

  The present invention can be configured to include a magnetic force generation member for attracting the magnetic member by magnetic force to the outside of the back plate. Since the magnetic force generating member is provided outside the back plate, the magnetic member is drawn toward the magnetic force generating member by the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating member disposed outside the back plate, and the shape of the magnetic member is deformed. be able to. Thereby, the side opposite to the side where the magnetic force generating member is disposed, that is, the portion with the magnetic member on the surface of the flexible sheet sinks to the back plate side, and the portion without the magnetic member relatively bulges out. In addition, the outer shape of the flexible sheet surface can be deformed. The magnetic force generating member may be, for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet which can electrically turn on / off the generation of the magnetic force.

  The present invention can be configured such that the outer shape of the magnetic force generation member is smaller than the outer shape of the magnetic member in the plan view. Since the outer shape of the magnetic force generation member is smaller than the outer shape of the magnetic member in the plan view, when the magnetic member is drawn by the small magnetic force generation member, the magnetic member is not only pulled downward but also reduced in diameter. It can be displaced in the direction. As a result, first, the amount of compression of the internal gel can be increased, and a large convex portion can be formed on the surface of the flexible sheet. Second, it is possible to reduce the compressive stress on the gel outside the annular member of the magnetic member, and to reduce the amount of deformation of the flexible sheet outside the portion where it adheres to the magnetic member.

  The above-mentioned present invention can be constituted as what equips the above-mentioned flexible sheet with a sensor which detects contact. Since the flexible sheet is configured to include a sensor that detects contact, it can be used as a touch sensor with excellent sensitivity.

  The present invention can be configured such that the back plate is provided with a sensor that senses a touch. Since the back plate is configured to include a sensor that senses contact, the sensor can be protected by a flexible sheet, a magnetic member, or gel, and the sensor can be used as a touch sensor with improved durability. Moreover, if it is set as an aspect equipped with a sensor in both a flexible sheet | seat and a backplate, two steps of detection will become possible by adjusting a threshold value.

  The present invention can be configured such that the sensor is a capacitance type sensor, and the gel is a conductive gel. Since the sensor is a capacitance type sensor and the gel is formed of a conductive gel, it is easy to transmit a change in capacitance through the gel for a magnetically deformable member provided with a capacitance sensor on the back plate, so the sensitivity of the sensor Can be enhanced.

  In the present invention, the sensor may be a capacitance type sensor, and the magnetic member may be a conductive gel. Since the sensor is a capacitance type sensor and the magnetic member is formed of a conductive gel, a change in capacitance can be easily transmitted through the magnetic member for a magnetically deformable member provided with a capacitance sensor on the back plate, and the sensitivity of the sensor Can be enhanced.

  The present invention can be configured such that the flexible sheet is a conductive sheet, and the sensor is electrically insulated from the conductive gel. Since the flexible sheet is a conductive sheet and the sensor is electrically insulated from the conductive gel, when the flexible sheet is touched, the area close to the sensor may be static through the flexible sheet and the conductive gel. The change in capacitance can be directly transmitted. Therefore, the sensitivity of the sensor can be enhanced regardless of the thickness of the magnetic deformation member.

  The present invention can be configured such that the flexible sheet is an insulating layer, and the sensor is electrically connected to the conductive gel. Since the flexible sheet is an insulating layer and the sensor is electrically connected to the conductive gel, the conductivity from the sensor can be extended to the back surface of the flexible sheet through the conductive gel. Therefore, the sensitivity of the sensor can be enhanced regardless of the thickness of the gel.

  The present invention can be configured such that a frame-shaped outer wall made of a hard material connecting the flexible sheet and the back plate is provided outside the magnetic member. Since a frame-like outer wall made of a hard material connecting the flexible sheet and the back plate is provided on the outside of the magnetic member, gel is applied when stress is applied to the gel by deformation of the magnetic member by applying a magnetic field. It can control the bulging to the side. That is, since the gel can be restrained by the outer wall on the side and the back plate at the lower side, the stress applied to the gel can be efficiently directed to the flexible sheet, and the convex portion formed on the flexible sheet can be enlarged. Can.

  According to the magnetic deformation member of the present invention, it is possible to expose the protruding surface with soft touch by application of a magnetic field.

It is a top view of the magnetic deformation member of a 1st embodiment. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the state which applied the magnetic field of the magnetic deformation member of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the positional relationship of the internal gel in the magnetic deformation member of 1st Embodiment, and an external gel. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member which is the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional view of the magnetic deformation member which is the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the state which applied the magnetic field of the magnetic deformation member which is the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member of 2nd Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the state which applied the magnetic field of the magnetic deformation member of 2nd Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member of 3rd Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member of 4th Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member which is the modification 1 of 4th Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the magnetic deformation member of 5th Embodiment. It is the FIG. 2 equivalent sectional drawing of the state which applied the magnetic field of the magnetic deformation member of 5th Embodiment. It is a front view of the magnetic deformation member which is the other modification.

  The magnetic deformation member of the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment. Duplicate descriptions of materials, materials, sizes, manufacturing methods, effects, functions, and the like that overlap in each embodiment will be omitted.

  First embodiment: [FIGS. 1 to 4]

  The following three types of magnetic deformation members 10a, 10b and 10c will be sequentially described as the magnetic deformation member 10 of the first embodiment. First, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 1 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the magnetic deformation member 10a is filled with gel 13 inside the laminated flexible sheet 11 and back plate 12 made of a hard material. A magnetic member 14 which is annular in a plan view perpendicular to the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11 and has a length in the vertical direction is provided. The magnetic member 14 is disposed in the gel 13 so as to be fixed to the flexible sheet 11 and separated from the back plate 12. Moreover, the magnet 15 as a "magnetic force generation member" is provided in the outer side of the back plate 12. As shown in FIG. Then, when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic deformation member 10a by the magnet 15, as shown in FIG. 3, the boundary portion 11b where the magnetic member 14 adheres to the flexible sheet 11 and the peripheral portion 11c outside thereof. It is a member in which the convex part which the surrounding part 11d which becomes inner than the boundary part 11b swells is formed. Each part which comprises such a magnetic deformation member 10a is demonstrated in detail below.

  The magnetic member 14 having an annular outer shape is made of a material that can be attracted to the magnet 15 when a magnetic field is generated by the magnet 15, and has an annular shape in a plan view perpendicular to the surface of the flexible sheet. It is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction.

  The magnetic member 14 may be any ferromagnetic material, and may be, for example, a ferromagnetic metal or a metal oxide itself, or may be a gel-like member in which such ferromagnetic powder is dispersed in a binder. The magnetic member 14 may be a hard material, but is preferably a deformable gel-like member. First, when the magnetic member 14 is fixed to the flexible sheet 11, the step of the fixed portion is easily exposed on the surface of the flexible sheet 11, and in addition to the fact that the appearance is not good, it is partially hard. It is because there is a possibility that it may feel. Second, although the magnetic member 14 is displaced, or displaced and deformed in a magnetic field, if the magnetic member 14 is made of a hard material at this time, although it is displaced, it becomes difficult to deform. On the other hand, by using a gel-like member, it is easily deformed in addition to the displacement. For example, when a small magnet is used as the magnet 15, the magnetic member 14 is drawn and deformed in the direction in which the diameter of the ring is reduced. As a result of such deformation, the protrusion of the flexible sheet 11 can be made more pronounced.

  On the other hand, if the magnetic member 14 is a rigid body, the magnetic force can be increased more than the magnetic member in which the ferromagnetic powder is dispersed in the binder. Therefore, for example, when trying to form equivalent protrusions on the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11 by applying equal stress to the gel 13, the hard magnetic member 14 is a magnetic member 14 made of a soft elastic member. It can be a smaller magnet.

  Specifically, as the ferromagnetic substance, metal soft magnetic substances such as iron, nickel and cobalt, soft magnetic alloys such as iron silicon alloy, permalloy, sendust and permendur, and magnetic powders such as soft ferrite may be used. Can. The binder is made of a polymer material, and highly flexible polymer gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer and the like can be used. As the polymer gel, silicone gel, polyurethane gel and the like can be mentioned. Also, as the rubber, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, And butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, fluoro rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, and acrylic rubber. Further, as thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers and the like can be mentioned. Among these, it is preferable to use a silicone gel which can be highly filled with a magnetic substance and can be cured to form a soft gel. These polymeric materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  When a ferromagnetic material is dispersed in a binder, various additives can be contained in addition to the magnetic material and the binder as long as the function thereof is not impaired. For example, organic components such as a plasticizer, a dispersant, a coupling agent, and an adhesive may be included. Moreover, you may add a flame retardant, antioxidant, a coloring agent etc. suitably as another component.

  The length in the vertical direction (the length in the depth direction in plan view) of the magnetic member 14 may be 95% or less of the thickness of the gel 13 corresponding to the distance between the flexible member 11 and the back plate 12 It is preferable to make it 85% or less. If the length of the magnetic member 14 exceeds 85%, the volume of the gel 13 located below the magnetic member 14 compressed by the magnetic member 14 becomes small, and there is a possibility that large swelling can not be formed, and it exceeds 95%. And that fear is greater. On the other hand, the lower limit of the length in the vertical direction of the magnetic member 14 is preferably 0.5 mm or more when the magnetic member 14 is a gel-like member in which a powder of a ferromagnetic material is dispersed in a binder. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the attracting force between the magnet 15 and the magnetic member 14 becomes weak, and the stress for forming the bulge (convex part) in the surrounding part 11 d is not sufficient, and there is a possibility that a large bulge can not be formed. When the magnetic member 14 is formed of a hard material such as a ferromagnetic material, the length in the vertical direction is preferably 0.1 mm or more. When using the ferromagnetic substance itself as compared with the case where the powder of the ferromagnetic substance is dispersed in the binder, it is possible to generate a stress that forms a bulge (convex part) in the surrounding part 11 d by about 0.1 mm. It is for.

  Subsequently, the gel 13 will be described. The gel 13 is a member that occupies most of the inside of the magnetic deformation member 10 a and provides the magnetic deformation member 10 a with a soft touch. More specifically, the flexible sheet 11 is laminated on one side of the gel 13 and the back plate 12 is laminated on the other side. Also, a magnetic member 14 is disposed inside. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the gel 13 inside the annularly enclosed magnetic member 14 is referred to as an internal gel Gi, and the remaining part is referred to as an external gel Go. The gel 13 may be constituted entirely by a single member, but the inner gel Gi and the outer gel Go may be constituted by combining other members.

  Examples of the material of the gel 13 include highly flexible polymer gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer and the like. As the polymer gel, silicone gel, polyurethane gel and the like can be mentioned. Also, as the rubber, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, And butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, fluoro rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, and acrylic rubber. Further, as thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers and the like can be mentioned. Among these, it is preferable to use a silicone gel which can form an extremely soft gel. These polymeric materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  It is preferable that the material of the said gel 13 is 50 or less by the value (following "E hardness") measured by the hardness meter of JIS E of JIS K 6253 which is a Japanese Industrial Standard. If the hardness exceeds E50, the change in shape upon application of a magnetic field may be small. Further, the reason why the lower limit of the E hardness is not limited is that it is within the preferable range even if it is not more than the measurement limit (E0 or less). If this E0 or less is considered in another degree of penetration, it can be preferably used in the range of about 100 to about 320, and can be used up to 340. However, if it becomes softer than this and the penetration degree exceeds 340, there is a possibility that it may be deformed by its own weight and the shape as the magnetic deformation member 10a can not be maintained. The penetration is the result of measurement on the surface of a test piece under the following test conditions using an apparatus described in JIS K 2220. That is, the weight of the needle and the entire needle fixing tool (that is, the weight applied to the test piece) is a value when it is 50 g using a needle having a shape defined in JIS K 2207.

  The hardness of the gel 13 may be the same as or different from the hardness of the magnetic member 14. If the hardness of the gel 13 and the magnetic member 14 is made the same, when the magnetic field is not applied, there is no sense of difference in hardness between the magnetic member 14 and the gel 13, and the magnetically deformable member 10a having a sense of unity without knowing the boundary. can do. On the other hand, when the magnetic field is applied, the external gel Go is laminated below the magnetic member 14, so that the magnetic member 14 is hard and the external gel Go located below can be deformed. Flexibility can be demonstrated. In such a meaning, although the hardness of the magnetic member 14 can use various things, it can be said that it is especially preferable to use a soft material for the gel 13.

  The gel 13 preferably has a property not to be magnetized at all in a magnetic field, but does not exclude the inclusion of a small amount of a filler having a small amount of magnetism that does not increase the magnetism, and the degree of magnetization in comparison with the magnetic member 14 Is small and substantially nonmagnetic.

  The flexible sheet 11 is a member whose one surface is exposed to the outside to be the surface 11 a of the magnetic deformation member 10 a. The exposed surface 11 a is also a contact surface that a human touches, and is also a surface on which a convex portion is formed by the influence of a magnetic field. The other surface faces the inside of the magnetic deformation member 10a, and is in contact with the magnetic member 14, the internal gel Gi, and the external gel Go.

  Although the shape of the flexible sheet 11 is not limited, it is preferable to use a relatively thin sheet, and specifically, it is preferable to use a resin sheet of about 10 to 1000 μm. If it is less than 10 μm, there is a possibility that the durability as the contact surface may be concerned. Also, if it exceeds 1000 μm, it is difficult to be easily deformed and there is a risk of inhibiting the formation of the convex portion, or when it is easily deformable while having a thickness of more than 1000 μm, the material is excessively flexible. This raises concerns about durability.

  As a material of such a flexible sheet, a material having a certain degree of flexibility and durability is preferable. Specifically, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer and the like can be used. As the rubber, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, butyl rubber, Halogenated butyl rubber, fluoro rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, acrylic rubber and the like can be mentioned. Further, as thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers and the like can be mentioned. Among these, it is preferable to use butyl rubber, urethane rubber, and polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer that are flexible and have high durability. These polymeric materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The back plate 12 is a member to be a core of the magnetic deformation member 10 a and has a role of maintaining the shape as a part. It is also a member which is disposed between the magnet 15 and the magnetic member 14 and which suppresses the gel 13 from being deformed downward by the influence of the magnetic member 14. For this reason, the back plate 12 is preferably made of a rigid material. For example, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, and inorganic materials such as metal and ceramic, which are harder than the gel 13 and the flexible sheet 11 can be mentioned. However, among these materials, the use of magnetic materials that adversely affect the magnetism of the magnet 15 is limited. Specifically, if a magnetic material is used on the entire surface, it acts as a magnetic shield and there is a possibility that the action of the magnet 15 on the magnetic member 14 may be extremely weak or not at all. Therefore, the magnetic material can not be used on the entire surface. On the other hand, in order to provide a place where the magnetic field is concentrated in the back plate 12, it is possible to use a magnetic material partially at a position corresponding to the lower center of the magnetic member 14 forming the convex portion.

  The magnet 15 as a “magnetic force generation member” is disposed outside the back plate 12. The magnet 15 may be integrated as one element of the magnetic deformation member 10a, or may be separate. In the case of the magnetically deformable member 10a not provided with the magnet 15, the same function can be exhibited by providing the magnet 15 on the device to which the magnetically deformable member 10a is attached. A permanent magnet can be used as the type of the magnet 15, and an electromagnet using a coil can also be used. When an electromagnet is used, the magnet 15 can be fixed to the back surface of the back plate 12 because the magnetic force can be controlled by turning on / off the current. When a permanent magnet is used, the magnetic field may be controlled by moving the magnet 15 or providing a yoke serving as a magnetic path between the magnet 15 and the back plate 12 and moving the yoke. good.

  The outer shape of the magnet 15 is not limited, but can be approximately the same size as the outer shape of the magnetic member 14 in a plan view. In such a configuration, the magnetic member 14 is attracted perpendicularly to the magnet 15. Therefore, the internal gel Gi is stressed by the deformation of the gel 13 mainly located below the magnetic member 14, and a bulge (convex portion) is formed in the surrounding portion 11 d of the flexible sheet 11.

  The size of each of the members constituting the magnetic deformation member 11a can be any size, but the following embodiment can be adopted as an example. The magnetic member 14 can be formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter (diameter) of 10 mm, an outer diameter of 16 mm, and a length (height) of 2 mm. This is because if the inner diameter of the magnetic member 14 is made the same size as the fingertip, it is easy to show the change in tactile sensation when operating with the finger. The gel 13 covering the periphery of the magnetic member 14 has a thickness of 3 mm, which is the distance between the flexible sheet 11 and the back plate 12 in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic deformation member 11 a (perpendicular to the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11). , Its perimeter can be 30 mm. The flexible sheet 11 can have a thickness of 300 μm and a circumferential length of 40 mm. The back plate 12 can have a thickness of 1 mm and a circumferential length of 40 mm.

Subsequently, an operation when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic deformation member 10a will be described.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 shows a state in which no magnetic field is applied to the magnet 15 using an electromagnet, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which a magnetic field is applied. When no magnetic field is applied, as shown in FIG. 2, the surface 11a of the magnetic deformation member 10a is flat. When a magnetic field is applied from this state, the surface 11a is deformed as shown in FIG. More specifically, when such a structural change is described, the magnetic member 14 is attracted to the magnet 15 by applying a magnetic field, and the magnetic member 14 is displaced toward the back plate 12 (downward). At this time, the inner gel Gi inside the magnetic member 14 and the outer gel Go outside are subjected to shear stress. On the other hand, the lower external gel Go overlapping the ring of the magnetic member 14 receives a compressive stress.

  It is thought that such a stress causes the internal gel Gi to generate a stress in the direction of pressing the back plate 12 near the center, but since the back plate 12 is difficult to deform, the stress can not be relaxed downward. Further, in the side, the relaxation of the stress is suppressed by the magnetic member 14. Therefore, the stress is released upward, the flexible sheet 11 is pressed by the stress, and a convex portion is formed on the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11. At this time, the boundary 11 b of the flexible sheet 11 can not be pulled upward by the magnetic member 14, so a bulge is formed in which the surrounding portion 11 d largely protrudes.

  On the other hand, the peripheral portion 11c outside the boundary portion 11b also slightly protrudes due to the stress of the external gel Go. However, with regard to the outer periphery of the magnetic member 14, stress can be relieved also in the side direction, so that the protrusion of the peripheral portion 11 c is formed a little lower, and it is possible to stand up the convex portion formed relatively at the center. Since the convex part of the magnetic deformation member 10a configured in this way has the gel 13 inside, it is possible to maintain a soft touch while making the surface largely project. In addition, while the magnet 15 is disposed below, a convex portion that protrudes in the opposite direction to the direction in which the magnet 15 is present can be formed.

  The formation of the bulge is affected by the length of the magnetic member 14 and the distance between the flexible sheet 11 and the back plate 12, and the longer the magnetic member 14, the greater the force from the magnetic field. On the other hand, if the magnetic member 14 is too long, it strikes the back plate 12 and displacement of the magnetic member 14 is difficult to occur even with the soft magnetic member 14.

  Modification 1 of the First Embodiment: [FIG. 5]

  In the magnetic deformation member 10b of the present embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the magnetic member 14 is in contact with the back plate 12 without applying a magnetic field, and the space between the magnetic member 14 and the back plate 12 is It differs from the magnetic deformation member 10a shown in the previous embodiment in that it is not separated. Further, in the magnetic deformation member 10b, the magnetic member 14 needs to be flexible and have a softness that can be deformed when a magnetic field is applied.

  Since the magnetic member 14 is a deformable elastic member, the magnetic member is compressed when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic member, and the magnetic member 14 is disposed in contact with the back plate 12 to form an annular magnetic member. The gel in the ring can be made difficult to escape out of the ring, and the stress of the gel in the ring to be compressed can be made easy to act on the flexible sheet surface.

  Modification 2 of the first embodiment: [FIG. 6, FIG. 7]

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the magnetic deformation member 10 c of the present embodiment is different in size of the magnet 15 and has a similar shape smaller than the outer shape of the magnetic member 14 in plan view. In the magnetic deformation member 10c, when a magnetic field is applied, as shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic member 14 is attracted perpendicularly to the magnet 15, and is also attracted in the inner diameter decreasing direction. Therefore, in addition to the deformation of the gel 13 located below the magnetic member 14, a stress is generated that directly compresses the internal gel Gi present inside the annular shape of the magnetic member 14. As a result, the protrusion is large in the surrounding portion 11 d As a result, the protrusion of the peripheral portion 11c is suppressed. Therefore, the protrusion of the surrounding portion 11d is more prominent, and the visual change due to the ON / OFF of the magnetic field to the magnetic deformation member 10c can be made large.

  Second embodiment: [FIGS. 8 and 9]

  The magnetic deformation member 20 of the present embodiment is provided with an outer wall 26 on the outer periphery thereof as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8. The other configuration is the same as that of the magnetic deformation member 10 a of the first embodiment.

  The material of the outer wall 26 can be the same as that of the back plate 12. The outer wall 26 may be integrated with the back plate 12 so as to stand up from the outer periphery thereof, or may be formed of a member different from the back plate 12. By providing such an outer wall 26, when applying a magnetic field to the magnetic deformation member 20, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the external gel Go to the side surface. In this case, the stress received by the outer gel Go is also directed upward, and the stress that escapes from the inner gel Gi to the outer gel Go can also be relaxed. Therefore, the total stress can be directed upward, and as shown in FIG. 9, the bulge appearing on the surface 11a of the flexible sheet 11 can be made larger.

  Also, by providing the outer wall 26, the flexible sheet 11, the back plate 12, and the outer wall 26 can form a sealed space that completely seals the gel 13. Since the gel 13 has relatively weak physical properties, the durability of the magnetic deformation member 20 can be enhanced by holding the gel 13 in the sealed space.

  Also in the magnetic deformation member 20 of the present embodiment, as in the magnetic deformation member 10 of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the magnetic member 14 contacts the back plate 12 and the outer shape of the magnet 15 in plan view It is also possible to adopt a configuration that makes it smaller.

  Third embodiment: [FIG. 10]

  Each of the magnetically deformable members shown in the above embodiments can be provided with a sensor that senses contact or pressure. The magnetically deformable member 30 described as the third embodiment has a flexible sheet 38 provided with a sensor 38 b in a flexible base sheet 38 a instead of the flexible sheet 11 used in the magnetically deformable member described above. It is used. The sensor 38 b is connected to a control IC or the like by a wire not shown.

  Any sensor may be used as the sensor 38b as long as the sensor does not lose the function of forming a bulge in the surrounding part 11d when a magnetic field is applied, in other words, a sensor having flexibility not inhibiting the swelling of the surrounding part 11d be able to. As such a sensor 38b, for example, a stretchable sensor having an electrode made of an elastic conductive material, or a sensor that can be stretched as a whole by combining a portion with low stretchability and a portion with high stretchability can be mentioned. . Moreover, a pressure sensitive sensor and an electrostatic capacitance sensor can be mentioned as a system of a sensor. In addition, as the flexible base sheet 38a, the material described as the flexible sheet 11 in the first embodiment can be used.

  The magnetic deformation member 30 including the sensor 38b on the flexible sheet 38 can increase the sensor sensitivity as compared to the magnetic deformation member including a sensor on the back plate described later. Therefore, the magnetic deformation member 30 can be used as a touch sensor with excellent sensitivity.

  The sensor 38b is provided in the flexible sheet 38. Further, the sensor 38b is provided on the surface of the flexible sheet 11 described in the previous embodiment, and the flexible protective layer 48a is further provided thereon. You may cover it. The sensor 38 b is connected to a control IC or the like by a wire not shown.

  Fourth embodiment: [FIG. 11]

  The following two types of magnetic deformation members 40a and 40b will be sequentially described as the magnetic deformation member 40 of the fourth embodiment. First, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, the magnetically deformable member 40a is provided with the sensor 48b on the magnet 15 side (lower side) of the back plate 12 used in the magnetically deformable member described above. A protective layer 48a is provided on the surface of the back plate 12 on the side where the sensor 48b is provided, and the sensor 48b is connected to a control IC or the like by a wire not shown. Although a sensor that does not impair the function of the back plate 49 can be used as the sensor 48b, it does not particularly require flexibility as in the sensor described in the third embodiment, and various pressure-sensitive sensors and electrostatics can be used. A capacitive sensor can be used.

  In the magnetic deformation member 40a, it is preferable that at least one of the magnetic member 14 and the internal gel Gi have conductivity. When the distance from the flexible sheet 11 to the back plate 12 widens and the thickness of the gel 13 increases, the distance from the surface 11a of the flexible sheet 11 to the sensor 48b becomes longer. Therefore, when a capacitance sensor is adopted, its sensitivity Is concerned that will be worse. However, by providing conductivity to these portions, it is possible to suppress the decrease in sensitivity. Furthermore, in view of the distance between the lowermost portion of the magnetic member 14 or gel 13 and the sensor 48 b and the overlapping area of the magnetic member 14 or gel 13 and the sensor 48 b, it is more preferable to make the gel 13 conductive. .

  When the magnetic member 14 is to be conductive, a magnetic conductive gel may be used, and when the internal gel Gi is to be conductive, a conductive gel not exhibiting ferromagnetism may be used. In addition, the entire gel 13 including the external gel Go may be made conductive. Such a conductive gel can be obtained by a method in which a conductive filler such as carbon or metal particles is added to a non-conductive binder, or a method using a conductive polymer. The use of a fibrous conductor as the conductive filler is preferable in that the conductivity can be imparted without significantly impairing the flexibility of the binder. The conductivity is preferably a volume resistivity of 100 Ω · cm or less.

  In the magnetic deformation member 40a, the flexible sheet 11 is also preferably made of a conductive material. When a capacitance sensor is adopted as a sensor, if the thickness of the flexible sheet 11 is increased, the sensitivity may be reduced. However, if the conductivity is conductivity, the reduction of the sensitivity can be suppressed. As the conductive flexible sheet 11, for example, a conductive film is formed on the front and back, and a resin film in which the conductive layers are electrically conducted through holes, a conductive film made of a resin to which a conductive filler is added, etc. Can be used.

  The magnetically deformable member 40 including the sensor 48 b on the back plate 12 may be free from the concern of deformation or wear of the sensor as compared to the magnetically deformable member 30 including the sensor 38 b on the flexible sheet 38. Therefore, the magnetically deformable member 40 can be made excellent in durability.

  When a capacitance sensor is employed as a sensor, the flexible sheet 11 and at least one of the magnetic member 14 and the gel 13 are made conductive to allow the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11 to pass through the back plate 12. Since the surface is electrically conducted, when the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11 is touched, a change in capacitance between the front and back surfaces of the back plate 12 can be detected. Therefore, it is hard to be influenced by the thickness of the flexible sheet 11 or the gel 13, and even when they are thick, it is possible to suppress the decrease in sensitivity.

  Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment: [FIG. 12]

  The magnetically deformable member 40b of this embodiment is a magnet 15 of the back plate 12 in that the sensor 48b is provided on the gel 13 side (upper side) of the back plate 12 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. This is different from the case where the sensor 48b is provided on the side (lower side).

  When a capacitance sensor is employed as a sensor, it is preferable to form at least one of the magnetic member 14 and the internal gel Gi of a conductive gel as in the magnetic deformation member 40 a. On the other hand, the flexible sheet 11 is an insulating sheet. With such a configuration, when at least one of the magnetic member 14 and the gel 13 and the sensor 48b are electrically conducted, when the surface 11a of the flexible sheet 11 is touched, the static space between the front and back sides of the flexible sheet 11 is obtained. It is possible to detect a change in capacitance. Therefore, even when the distance between the flexible sheet 11 and the back plate 12 is wide and thick, the decrease in sensitivity can be reduced. If the flexible sheet 11 having a thickness of 300 μm or less is used, there is almost no adverse effect on the sensitivity of the capacitance sensor. Also in the present embodiment, focusing on the distance and overlap between the top of the magnetic member 14 or gel 13 and the fingertip, the gel 13 is used to increase the sensitivity when touching the surrounding portion 11 d of the flexible sheet 11. Making it conductive is a preferred embodiment.

  Fifth embodiment: [FIG. 13, FIG. 14]

  As shown in FIG. 13, the magnetically deformable member 50 according to the present embodiment does not contact the magnetic member 14 and the flexible sheet 11, and is provided with a buffer portion 59 in which the gel 13 is inserted. . In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic member 14 and the flexible sheet 11 are fixed, but there is a possibility that the shape of the boundary portion 11 b fixed to the magnetic member 14 may be exposed on the surface 11 a of the flexible sheet 11 However, when the buffer portion 59 is provided, the displacement of the boundary portion 11 b in the flexible sheet 11 can be relaxed to form a smooth boundary portion 11 b.

  More specifically, when such a structural change is described, the magnetic member 14 is attracted to the magnet 15 by applying a magnetic field, and the magnetic member 14 is displaced toward the back plate 12 (downward). At this time, the inner gel Gi inside the magnetic member 14 and the outer gel Go outside are subjected to shear stress as in the first embodiment. At this time, the magnetic member 14 displaces the flexible sheet 11 downward according to the displacement, but when the buffer portion 59 intervenes at this time, the buffer portion 59 can extend especially in the vicinity of the boundary where stress concentrates. It becomes the boundary part 11b. At this time, if the buffer portion 59 is too thick, the buffer force becomes too large to displace the boundary portion 11 b of the flexible sheet 11 downward, and as a result, the convex portion can not be made conspicuous. From such a viewpoint, the vertical length (length in the depth direction in plan view) of the buffer portion 59 is 1 to 10% of the thickness of the gel 13 corresponding to the distance between the flexible member 11 and the back plate 12 It is preferable to set the range of When such a buffer portion 59 is applied, as shown in FIG. 14, when the magnetic field is applied, the presence of the magnetic member 14 is not noticeable, and the magnetic deformation member 50 excellent in appearance can be obtained.

  Other variations: [Fig. 15]

  The shape of the magnetic member 14 is an example of an annular shape in a plan view, and in the above embodiment, the closed ring has been described as an endless annular shape as shown in FIG. 1, but the example of the annular shape is not limited thereto. . For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a ring-opened ring may be used. Also, the shape is not limited to a circular shape, and may be an annular shape having a polygonal shape or any other shape.

  Further, the magnetic member 14 can be formed by arranging a plurality of rigid magnetic pieces in an annular shape. If the magnetic pieces are arranged in an annular shape even if they are formed as a rigid body, deformation in the diameter reduction direction becomes possible as a whole of the magnetic pieces when the outer shape of the magnet 15 is reduced. Because the ring is not closed, the stress of the internal gel Gi is relieved from the gap between the magnetic pieces, but the effect of increasing the stress on the surrounding portion 11 d of the flexible sheet 11 is larger than the effect of such relaxation. Therefore, the effect of making the convex part appear is exhibited. Therefore, it is preferable to use one magnetic member 14 simply made of a rigid body instead of a plurality, as compared with the case where deformation in the diameter reduction direction does not occur when the outer shape of the magnet 15 is reduced.

  Further, as a merit of using a plurality of magnetic pieces made of a rigid body, there is a point that the magnetism can be dramatically improved by using only the same material as the constitution in which the ferromagnetic powder is dispersed in the binder. Therefore, it is possible to provide the surrounding portion 11 d with a swelling equivalent to the case where the ferromagnetic powder is dispersed in the binder with a smaller magnet (or a magnet having a smaller magnetic force). Alternatively, the magnetic member 14 can be made smaller in order to obtain an equivalent bulge, which is effective in miniaturizing the magnetic deformation member.

  The above embodiment is an exemplification of the present invention, and modifications of the embodiment or addition of known techniques, combinations and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these techniques are also within the scope of the present invention. It is included in

10, 10a, 10b, 10c Magnetic deformation member (first embodiment)
Reference Signs List 11 flexible sheet 11a surface 11b boundary portion 11c peripheral portion 11d surrounding portion 12 back plate 13 gel Gi internal gel Go external gel 14 magnetic member 15 magnet 20 magnetic deformation member (second embodiment)
26 outer wall 30 magnetic deformation member (third embodiment)
38 Flexible Sheet 38a Base Sheet 38b Sensor 40, 10a, 40b Magnetic Deformation Member (Fourth Embodiment)
48a Protective Layer 48b Sensor 50 Magnetic Deformation Member (Fifth Embodiment)
59 Buffer

Claims (13)

The gel is filled in the inside where the flexible sheet and the back plate made of hard material are laminated, and it is annular in plan view in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the flexible sheet, and has a length in the vertical direction A magnetically deformable member wherein a magnetic member is secured to the flexible sheet and disposed in the gel.
The magnetic deformation member according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic member has an endless annular shape.
The magnetic deformation member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic member is a plurality of magnetic pieces arranged in a ring shape.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnetic member is a deformable elastic member and disposed in contact with the back plate.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a magnetic force generation member for attracting the magnetic member by a magnetic force to the outside of the back plate.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer shape of the magnetic force generation member is smaller than the outer shape of the magnetic member in the plan view.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a sensor that senses contact on the flexible sheet.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a sensor that senses a touch on the back plate.
The magnetic deformation member according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor, and the gel is a conductive gel.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the sensor is a capacitance type sensor, and the magnetic member is a conductive gel.
11. The magnetically deformable member according to claim 9, wherein the flexible sheet is a conductive sheet, and the sensor is electrically insulated from the conductive gel.
The magnetic deformation member according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the flexible sheet is an insulating layer, and the sensor is electrically connected to the conductive gel.
The magnetic deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a frame-shaped outer wall made of a hard material connecting the flexible sheet and the back plate outside the magnetic member.

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