JP2019121219A - Tactile sense presentation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tactile sense presentation device capable of suppressing difference in tactile sense.SOLUTION: A tactile sense presentation device 1 is roughly configured to comprise: a panel 11 having an operation surface 12 in which a plurality of operation regions are provided; a plurality of piezoelectric elements placed at lower parts of the center of the respective operation regions; and a control unit 4, having a load threshold value Thand an adjustment threshold value Th, for adjusting the load threshold value Thif at least one of loads detected by the plurality of piezoelectric elements according to operation performed on the operation surface 12 is equal to or more than the adjustment threshold value Thand also controlling a piezoelectric element which has been detected the largest load so as to present larger oscillation than oscillation in the case of being the load threshold value Thor more before adjustment if the largest load among the detected loads is equal to or more than the adjusted load threshold value Th.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a haptic presentation device.

  As a conventional technique, there is known a device provided with a piezoelectric element that performs contact detection of an operating finger on a surface portion and presentation of a tactile sense to the operating finger (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This device presents a sense of touch to the operating finger by vibration after the touch of the operating finger on the surface portion is detected.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-530398

  Such a conventional device presents vibrations by detecting a contact, and therefore, the operator's operation is different between when contacting the center of the piezoelectric element and when contacting a position away from the center. If you move away from the center, you may feel the vibration weak, that is, there may be a difference in touch.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a haptic presentation device capable of suppressing haptic differences.

  One aspect of the present invention has a load threshold value and an adjustment threshold value, and at least one load detected by a plurality of piezoelectric elements in accordance with an operation performed on the operation surface is equal to or higher than the adjustment threshold value. If the load threshold is adjusted and the largest load among the detected loads is greater than or equal to the adjusted load threshold, the vibration compared to the load threshold before adjustment is obtained. Abstract: A tactile sense presentation device is provided that includes a control unit that controls a piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load so as to present a strong vibration.

  According to the present invention, the difference in touch can be suppressed.

Fig.1 (a) is an upper side figure which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on embodiment, FIG.1 (b) is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of a tactile sense presentation apparatus. Fig.2 (a) is an example of the block diagram of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on embodiment, FIG.2 (b) is a graph which shows an example of a drive signal, and FIG.2 (c) is a modification. It is a top view which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tactile sense presentation device according to the embodiment.

(Summary of the embodiment)
The tactile sense presentation device according to the embodiment has a load threshold and an adjustment threshold, and at least one of the loads detected by the plurality of piezoelectric elements is an adjustment threshold in accordance with the operation performed on the operation surface. If the load threshold value is adjusted, and the largest load among the detected loads is equal to or greater than the adjusted load threshold value, the load threshold value before adjustment is exceeded It is roughly configured to include a control unit that controls the piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load so as to present a strong vibration as compared to the vibration.

  Since this tactile sense presentation device exhibits strong vibration when the detected load is equal to or higher than the adjustment threshold and is equal to or higher than the adjusted load threshold, compared with the case where this configuration is not adopted. Even when operating away from the central portion of the piezoelectric element, the difference in touch can be suppressed.

Embodiment
(Overview of the tactile sense presentation device 1)
Fig.1 (a) is an upper side figure which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on embodiment, FIG.1 (b) is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of a tactile sense presentation apparatus. Fig.2 (a) is an example of the block diagram of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns on embodiment, FIG.2 (b) is a graph which shows an example of a drive signal, and FIG.2 (c) is a modification. It is a top view which shows an example of the tactile sense presentation apparatus which concerns. In FIG. 2 (b), the vertical axis is voltage V, and the horizontal axis is time t. In the drawings according to the embodiments described below, the ratios between the figures may be different from the actual ratios. In FIG. 1 (b), the flow of main signals and information is indicated by arrows. Furthermore, "A to B" indicating a numerical range is used in the meaning of A or more and B or less.

  The tactile sense presentation device 1 is used as an operating device such as a steering switch for operating an electronic device mounted on a vehicle as one example, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device is, for example, an air conditioner, a navigation device, a music and video reproduction device, and the like. And the operation which the tactile sense presentation apparatus 1 detects is a touch operation, a tap operation, a push operation etc., for example.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the tactile sense presentation device 1 has a panel 11 having an operation surface 12 provided with a plurality of operation areas, and a central lower part of each operation area. a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged, having a load threshold Th ₁ and adjusting the threshold value Th _2, at least one load of the plurality of piezoelectric elements with the made to the operation surface 12 operation is detected If the adjustment threshold value Th ₂ or more, the load threshold value Th ₁ is adjusted, and the largest load among the detected loads is the adjusted load threshold value Th ₁ or more, the pre-adjustment The control unit 4 is configured roughly to control the piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load so as to exhibit strong vibration as compared to the vibration when the load threshold Th ₁ or more. Note load threshold Th _1, which is adjusted after the determination is made, is returned to the value before adjustment.

The control unit 4, when at least one load of the plurality of piezoelectric elements is detected is adjusted before the load threshold Th ₁ or more, carries out on-determination without adjustment of the load threshold value Th ₁ Is configured as.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged side by side, and members that inhibit the deflection of the panel 11 due to the operation are not arranged between the piezoelectric elements.

  The tactile sense presentation device 1 of the present embodiment includes, as an example, the first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b as a plurality of piezoelectric elements.

The control unit 4 of the present embodiment, when both of the load F ₂ the load F ₁ and the second piezoelectric element 2b in which the first piezoelectric element 2a is detected is detected becomes adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more It is determined that the position away from the central portion 210 is being operated. Note the controller 4 as a modification, as described above, when either one of the load F ₁ and the load F ₂ is was adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more, are working with a position deviated from the center 210 It may be configured to determine that

  In the tactile sense presentation device 1, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a first piezoelectric element 2a and a second piezoelectric element 2b are disposed on a substrate 10. As shown in FIG. The substrate 10 is, for example, a printed wiring board.

  The panel 11 of the tactile sense presentation device 1 is, for example, a resin member such as polycarbonate and has a plate shape. The surface of the panel 11 is, for example, an operation surface 12 as shown in FIG. 1A, and an operation area 120 and an operation area 121 are defined by a rectangular design formed by printing.

  The first piezoelectric element 2 a and the second piezoelectric element 2 b are in contact with the back surface 13 of the panel 11 via the pressers 14. The presser 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, using a resin material such as polycarbonate. For example, the presser 14 may be separate from the panel 11, or may be integrally formed with the panel 11 so as to protrude from the back surface 13 of the panel 11.

  The first piezoelectric element 2 a and the second piezoelectric element 2 b of the present embodiment are provided between the substrate 10 and the panel 11 so that a member that inhibits the deflection of the panel 11 is not disposed between them. Similarly, the first piezoelectric element 2a to the fourth piezoelectric element 2d of the modified example described later are provided between the substrate 10 and the panel 11 so that a member that inhibits the deflection of the panel 11 is not disposed between them. ing.

(Configuration of First Piezoelectric Element 2a and Second Piezoelectric Element 2b)
The first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b have, for example, a metal shim 20 having a disk shape and a disk shape having a radius smaller than that of the metal shim 20, as shown in FIG. 1 (b). A piezoelectric body 21 and an upper electrode 22 having a disk shape having the same radius as the piezoelectric body 21 are schematically configured. The first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b are unimorph-type piezoelectric elements, as an example.

  As a modification, the piezoelectric element may be, for example, a bimorph type piezoelectric element in which two piezoelectric bodies are provided on both sides of the metal shim 20. This piezoelectric element detects a load by the piezoelectric body on the upper electrode 22 side, and is configured such that only the piezoelectric body on the back side or both of the piezoelectric bodies vibrate.

  The metal shim 20 is formed of, for example, conductive phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The upper electrode 22 is formed of, for example, a conductive metal such as copper. The metal shim 20 is, for example, electrically connected to the piezoelectric body 21 and functions as a lower electrode. The metal shim 20 is electrically connected to, for example, a wire formed on the substrate 10. The substrate 10 may be provided with a recess corresponding to the metal shim 20, for example, so that the metal shim 20 is bent.

  As a material of the piezoelectric body 21, for example, lithium niobate, barium titanate, lead titanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead meta niobate, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or the like is used. The piezoelectric body 21 is, for example, a laminated piezoelectric body formed by laminating films formed using these materials. The piezoelectric body 21 is configured to be polarized in the thickness direction and to have a large output against deformation in the thickness direction.

  In the first piezoelectric element 2 a, when a load is applied to the operation surface 12, the piezoelectric body 21 is deformed via the panel 11, the presser 14, and the upper electrode 22. The piezoelectric body 21 outputs a voltage corresponding to the deformation via the upper electrode 22 and the metal shim 20. Further, when a voltage is applied through the upper electrode 22 and the metal shim 20, the piezoelectric body 21 deforms according to the voltage.

The first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b is output, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the control unit 4 a voltage output according to the load as a detection signal S ₁ and the detection signal S ₂ Do. The first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b is deformed in accordance with a voltage based on the drive signals S ₃ and the drive signal S ₄ output from the control unit 4 is configured to vibrate.

The driving signals S ₃ and the drive signal S ₄ is, for example, predetermined time (driving presentation time T ₂₎ supply. The driving signals S ₃ and the drive signal S _4, as an example, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), has a sine wave shape is not limited thereto.

(Configuration of control unit 4)
The control unit 4 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that performs computation, processing, and the like on acquired data according to a stored program, a random access memory (RAM) that is a semiconductor memory, and a read only memory (ROM). Is a microcomputer that The ROM, for example, a program for the control unit 4 is operated, a load threshold value Th _1, and adjusting the threshold value Th _2, is stored. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing operation results and the like.

The control unit 4, if less than the load threshold Th ₁ before adjustment all load detected by the plurality of piezoelectric elements, also the at least one load detected becomes adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more, adjust the load threshold Th _1, when the detected load threshold Th ₁ or more largest load is adjusted which, configured to present a stronger tactile than tactile when unregulated performs on determining It is done. In the present embodiment, when all the load becomes adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more, to adjust the load threshold Th _1.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the operator operates at a position closer to the boundary 8 than the central portion 210 of the first piezoelectric element 2a, the first piezoelectric element 2a detects It is assumed that the obtained load is F ₁ and the load detected by the second piezoelectric element 2 b is F ₂ (<F ₁ ).

Control unit 4 compares the load threshold Th ₁ before adjustment detected a load _{F 1} and the load _{F 2,} when the load _{F 1} and the load _{F 2} is the load threshold Th ₁ smaller, further load F Compare ₁ and the load _{F 2} and adjusting the threshold Th _2. The control unit 4 determines that when the load F ₁ and the load F ₂ is was adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more, are working with a position deviated from the center 210.

Next, the control unit 4, to reduce and adjust the load threshold Th _1. Note load threshold Th _1, which is adjusted, for example, preferably 70% to 90% of the load threshold Th ₁ before adjustment, and more preferably 80%.

That is, each threshold value has a magnitude relation of adjustment threshold value Th ₂ <adjusted load threshold value Th ₁ <pre-adjusted load threshold value Th ₁ .

Next, the control unit 4 compares the largest load F ₁ with the adjusted load threshold Th _1, and when the largest load F ₁ is the adjusted load threshold Th ₁ or more, the largest load It determines that the operation in the operation area 120 of the first piezoelectric element 2a which detects the F ₁ were made.

Control unit 4, after determining that the operation has been performed, the operation area 120 of the first piezoelectric element 2a and outputs a drive signal S ₃ for driving the first piezoelectric element 2a which detects an operation has been operated generated by the operation information S ₅ indicating the output to the connected electronic equipment.

Here, the control unit 4, since the operation is determined to have been performed at a position deviated from the center 210, a strong as distinct from the drive signal S ₃ when the driving signal S ₃ center 210 is operated Present the vibration. That is, the control unit 4 changes the waveform of the drive signal to present strong vibration. When the operator operates outside the central portion 210, the control portion 4 presents strong vibrations such that a tactile sensation equivalent to that felt when operating the central portion 210 can be obtained.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example, the control unit 4 controls at least one of the amplitude A of the vibration, the wavelength λ, the period T ₁ , and the presentation time T ₂ to present a strong vibration. Do.

The control unit 4, to generate a strong vibration, or by increasing the amplitude A, or to shorten the wavelength lambda, or shortening the period T _1, or a longer presentation time T _2. The control unit 4 may change the attenuation ratio, for example, when the drive signal is attenuated.

  Here, as a modified example, FIG. 2C shows a state in which the first piezoelectric element 2a to the fourth piezoelectric element 2d are densely arranged. In this modification, an operation area 120 to an operation area 123 are formed on the operation surface 12 in accordance with the first piezoelectric element 2 a to the fourth piezoelectric element 2 d. In FIG. 2C, virtual boundaries 8a and 8b are illustrated between the operation area 120 and the operation area 123.

In this modification, the first control unit 4, for example, the first piezoelectric element 2a~ fourth piezoelectric element 2d compares the load threshold Th ₁ before adjustment and the load detected. Control unit 4, detected load cases before adjustment of the load threshold value Th ₁ is smaller than is compared further with the detected load and adjusting the threshold Th _2. Subsequently, the control unit 4, if at least one load is adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more, compared with the largest load by lowering the load threshold Th _1. When the largest load is equal to or greater than the adjusted load threshold Th ₁ , the control unit 4 outputs the operation information S ₅ on the assumption that the operation area of the piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load is operated and the strong vibration is generated. Present

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the tactile sense presentation device 1 of the present embodiment will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

(Operation)
Control unit 4 of the tactile display device 1, the load on the basis of the detection signal S ₁ and the detection signal S ₂ output from the first piezoelectric element 2a and the second piezoelectric element 2b is detected, i.e. Step 1 " If Yes "is satisfied (Step1: Yes), and compares the adjusted threshold value Th ₂ before adjustment detected a load _{F 1} and the load _{F 2.}

The control unit 4, if the detected load _{F 1} or load _{F 2} is adjusted before the load threshold Th ₁ is smaller than (Step2: Yes), compares further the adjustment threshold Th _2.

The control unit 4, when the load _{F 1} and the load _{F 2} that has been detected is adjusted threshold value Th ₂ or more (Step3: Yes), to adjust the load threshold Th ₁ (Step4). Subsequently, the control unit 4 compares the load threshold Th ₁ after adjustment the largest load (Step5).

When the largest load is equal to or larger than the adjusted load threshold Th ₁ (Step 6: Yes), the control unit 4 outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load to present a sense of touch and the piezoelectric It generates operation information S ₅ indicating that the operation region of the device has been operated to output to the electronic equipment (Step7).

Control unit 4 in step 7, when a load threshold value Th ₁ is adjusted, the drive signal for generating a strong vibration than the vibration that load is presented by a pre-adjustment of the load threshold value Th ₁ or more Output. The control unit 4, when a load threshold value Th ₁ is not adjusted, and outputs a drive signal for generating a vibration load is presented by a pre-adjustment of the load threshold value Th ₁ or more.

Next, the control unit 4, when a load threshold value Th ₁ is adjusted to return the load threshold Th ₁ was adjusted to the original value (Step8), the process proceeds to step 1. The control unit 4, when a load threshold value Th ₁ is not adjusted, the process proceeds to step 1. These processes are performed until the power supply of the tactile sense presentation device 1 is shut off.

Here, the control unit 4 in step 2, when the load _{F 1} or load _{F 2} that has been detected was unadjusted load threshold Th ₁ or more (Step2: No), the process proceeds to step 7.

Controller 4 wherein in step 3, if at least the at least one load of the load _{F 1} and the load _{F 2} is adjusted threshold Th ₂ is smaller than (Step3: No), the process proceeds to step 1.

The control unit 4 at step 6, if the largest load threshold Th ₁ is smaller than a load is adjusted (Step6: Yes), the process proceeds to step 1.

(Effect of the embodiment)
The haptic presentation device 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress the difference in haptics. Specifically, when the tactile sense presentation device 1 determines that the operation has been performed with the center part 210 of the piezoelectric element removed, the load threshold Th1 is lowered to facilitate on determination, and strong vibration occurs when on determination is made. Therefore, compared to the case where this configuration is not adopted, the difference in the sense of touch is suppressed between when the central portion 210 is operated and when it deviates. Therefore, since the tactile sense difference is suppressed, the tactile sense presentation device 1 can easily understand that the operation has been accepted, and the operability is good.

  Since the tactile sense presentation device 1 can determine whether the central portion 210 of the piezoelectric element or the outside of the central portion 210 is not present in the panel 11 even if the function of detecting the position where the operation is performed is present, the panel Compared to the case, it can be manufactured at low cost.

When the load F ₁ and the load F ₂ become equal to or greater than the adjustment threshold Th ₂ , the tactile sense presentation device 1 determines that the position away from the central portion 210 is being manipulated, and therefore, the tactile presentation device 1 is compared with either case. The accuracy of the judgment is high.

The tactile sense presentation device 1 can set the load threshold value Th ₁ higher even if the piezoelectric elements are dense, and then adjust and determine ON, and therefore, other piezoelectric elements can be compared with the case where this configuration is not adopted. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the difference between the senses of touch by presenting an appropriate vibration while suppressing the on determination at the same time.

  As mentioned above, although some embodiment and modification of this invention were described, these embodiment and modification are only an example, and do not limit the invention which concerns on a claim. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, all combinations of the features described in the embodiments and the modifications are not necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... tactile sense presentation apparatus, 2a-2b ... 1st piezoelectric element 2a-4th piezoelectric element, 4 ... control part, 8, 8a, 8b ... boundary, 10 ... board | substrate, 11 ... panel, 12 ... operation surface, 13 ... back surface, 14 ... presser, 20 ... metal shim, 21 ... piezoelectric body, 22 ... upper electrode, 120-123 ... operation area, 210 ... central part

Claims (5)

  If the load threshold and the adjustment threshold have at least one load detected by the plurality of piezoelectric elements in accordance with the operation performed on the operation surface, the load threshold When the value is adjusted, and the largest load among the detected loads is equal to or more than the adjusted load threshold value, vibration stronger than the vibration when the load threshold value or more before adjustment is reached. And a control unit configured to control the piezoelectric element that has detected the largest load so as to present the. When at least one load detected by the plurality of piezoelectric elements is equal to or more than the load threshold before adjustment, the control unit performs on determination without adjusting the load threshold.
The tactile sense presentation device according to claim 1. Furthermore, a panel having the operation surface provided with a plurality of operation areas;
The plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed below the center of each of the operation areas;
The tactile sense presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising The plurality of piezoelectric elements are disposed side by side, and a member that inhibits the deflection of the panel due to the operation is not disposed between the piezoelectric elements.
The tactile sense presentation device according to claim 3. The control unit controls at least one of an amplitude, a wavelength, a period, and a presentation time of vibration to present the strong vibration.
The tactile sense presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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