JP6378816B1 - Actuator for information transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

In an actuator for an information transmission device, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the information transmission device and increase the vibration strength applied to a living body. An actuator for information transmission device 1 receives a plurality of SMAs 2 (SMA) that vibrate when a pulse voltage is applied thereto, a fixed plate 3 on which the plurality of SMAs 2 are arranged, and a vibration caused by the vibrations of SMA 2. The plate-like diaphragm 4 is provided, and the fixed plate 3 and the diaphragm 4 are suspended by a plurality of SMAs 2. The surface of the diaphragm 4 is a flat surface or a curved surface, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body. Since the diaphragm 4 is directly suspended by the SMA 2, the thickness of the information transmission device can be reduced as compared with a structure using pins. Further, since the diaphragm 4 is suspended by a plurality of SMAs 2, the diaphragm 4 can be vibrated strongly by the stretching force of the plurality of SMAs 2. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator for an information transmission device that transmits a signal by giving vibration to a living body using a shape memory alloy as a vibration source.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an information transmission device that causes a stretching motion by applying a pulse voltage to a shape memory alloy (hereinafter referred to as SMA) and transmits information to a tactile sense of a living body by using the stretching motion ( For example, see Patent Document 1). By changing the voltage height, pulse width, pulse period, etc. of the electrical pulse applied to the SMA, the sensation of faintness, tingling, and the movement of vibration due to the manifestation movement, undulation like waves Since it can be expressed freely such as sensation, gritty and tingling, its application has been studied in a wide variety of fields such as medical treatment, automobiles, robots, virtual reality, amusement, etc. The SMA used is about 50 μm in diameter and about 5 mm in length, so it can be installed anywhere small. However, since the SMA alone has a small vibration width of several μm, it is used only at specific parts such as fingertips with sensitive tactile sensations. I couldn't. Therefore, as a technique for enhancing vibration, a configuration is used in which a pin is used, and one end side of the pin is attached to an intermediate portion of the SMA and the other end side of the pin is in contact with a living body to amplify the vibration. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4291830 Japanese Patent No. 4395572

  However, in the structure using the pins described above, since the pins are set up perpendicular to the SMA, the entire apparatus becomes thicker and larger, and the SMA is cut or bent by the pins, and there are mechanically weak parts. It was. Moreover, since there is a possibility that the pin may be caught, it is difficult to attach the pin to a cloth or the like. Further, in practical use, vibration transmission to a living body is effective only where vibration is weak and a sense of fingertip or palm is sharp.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator for an information transmission device that can reduce the thickness of the device and increase the vibration strength applied to a living body.

In order to achieve the above object, an actuator for an information transmission device according to the present invention is an information transmission device actuator that transmits a signal by applying vibration of the alloy generated by energizing a shape memory alloy to a living body. A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate when applied with a voltage, a fixed plate on which a plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed, and a plate-like diaphragm that vibrates in response to the vibration of the shape memory alloy, the fixing plate and the diaphragm and the structure hung by a plurality of shape memory alloy, the surface of the diaphragm is a planar or curved, is a contact portion for applying vibration to a living body, fixing plate, diaphragm The electrodes are provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate and the lower surface of the diaphragm, and a plurality of shape memory alloys are connected between the electrode on the upper surface of the stationary plate and the electrode on the lower surface of the diaphragm, The plate is fixed It was configured to be that, but.

In addition, the information transmission device actuator of the present invention is applied with a pulse voltage in the information transmission device actuator that transmits a signal by applying vibrations of the alloy generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body. A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate due to a vibration, a fixed plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed, and a plate-like vibration plate that vibrates in response to vibrations of the shape memory alloy, the fixed plate and the vibration plate The surface of the diaphragm is flat or curved and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body, and the fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm. The electrodes are provided on the lower surface of the fixed plate and the lower surface of the diaphragm, and the plurality of shape memory alloys are connected between the electrode on the lower surface of the fixed plate and the electrode on the lower surface of the diaphragm. Configured to hang , It is preferable.

In addition, the information transmission device actuator of the present invention is applied with a pulse voltage in the information transmission device actuator that transmits a signal by applying vibrations of the alloy generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body. A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate due to a vibration, a fixed plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed, and a plate-like vibration plate that vibrates in response to vibrations of the shape memory alloy, the fixed plate and the vibration plate The surface of the diaphragm is flat or curved and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body, and the fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of shape memory alloys are passed through the through holes, and both ends of the alloy are fixed to the fixed plate, and the diaphragm is suspended by the fixed plate. Configured Door is preferable.

In addition, the information transmission device actuator of the present invention is applied with a pulse voltage in the information transmission device actuator that transmits a signal by applying vibrations of the alloy generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body. A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate due to a vibration, a fixed plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed, and a plate-like vibration plate that vibrates in response to vibrations of the shape memory alloy, the fixed plate and the vibration plate The surface of the diaphragm is flat or curved and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body, and the fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm. The shape memory alloy is fed from the electrode of the diaphragm and flows to the electrode of the fixed plate through the shape memory alloy, or from the electrode of the fixed plate to the electrode of the diaphragm through one shape memory alloy, Other shapes Flow to the electrode of the fixed plate through the 憶合 gold, it is preferable.

  According to the present invention, since the diaphragm is directly suspended from the shape memory alloy, the thickness of the information transmission device can be reduced by the absence of the conventionally used pins, and a plurality of shape memories can be used. Since the diaphragm is suspended from the alloy, the diaphragm can be vibrated by the stretching force of the plurality of shape memory alloys, and the vibration applied to the living body can be strengthened.

1 is a perspective view of an actuator for an information transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view seen from the lower surface side of the actuator. The sectional side view of the actuator. The top view which shows one structural example for supplying electric power to the shape memory alloy of the actuator. The top view which shows another structural example for electric power feeding. The sectional side view of the actuator which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is the sectional side view of the actuator which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the top view seen from the lower surface side of the actuator. The top view seen from the lower surface side which shows the modification of the actuator. (A) is the top view seen from the lower surface side of the actuator which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure explaining the operation | movement which maintains the tension | tensile_strength of the shape memory alloy of the actuator. The perspective view seen from the undersurface side of an actuator concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the Example which attached the actuator for information transmission apparatuses of this invention to the body wearing tool. The perspective view of the Example which attached the actuator for information transmission apparatuses of this invention to the body mounting tool different from the above. The block diagram of the electrical block which concerns on one Example of the information transmission apparatus using the actuator for information transmission apparatuses of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the pattern of the pulse voltage applied to the information transmission apparatus same as the above.

  Hereinafter, an actuator for an information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show the configuration of an information transmission device actuator 1 (hereinafter referred to as an actuator). The actuator 1 includes a plurality of shape memory alloys 2 (hereinafter referred to as SMA) that vibrate when a pulse voltage is applied thereto, a fixed plate 3 on which a plurality of SMAs 2 are disposed, and a plate that vibrates in response to the vibration of the SMA 2. The stationary plate 3 and the diaphragm 4 are suspended by a plurality of (here, four) SMAs 2. The actuator 1 is used in, for example, an information transmission device that transmits a signal by applying vibration to a living body. This actuator 1 is a system in which the diaphragm 4 is directly supported by the SMA 2 and directly driven, and it is possible to make the actuator 1 thinner and to increase the vibration strength of the diaphragm 4. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 4 is supported in a state of being suspended by four SMAs 2 on a fixed plate 3 positioned on the outer periphery thereof. The surface of the diaphragm 4 may be a flat surface or a curved surface, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body. In the present embodiment, the surface of the diaphragm 4 is curved. The number of SMAs 2 is preferably 3 or more so that the diaphragm 4 can be stably suspended and may be 5 or more.

  The stationary plate 3 supports the diaphragm 4 via the SMA 2 and has a ring shape having a circular opening 3a. The diaphragm 4 has a disk shape having a protruding portion 4a protruding upward in a convex curved shape. The diaphragm 4 has a shape similar to the opening 3a in a top view, and is disposed within the ring diameter of the fixed plate 3, that is, within the opening 3a. The vibration plate 4 is arranged such that at least a part of the protrusion 4a is above the upper surface of the fixed plate 3, and the living body is brought into contact with the surface of the protrusion 4a. Four electrodes 5 are provided at equal intervals along the periphery of the opening 3 a on the upper surface of the fixed plate 3, and four electrodes 6 extend along the outer periphery of the diaphragm 4 on the lower surface of the diaphragm 4. At regular intervals. The number of electrodes 5 and 6 depends on the number of SMAs 2 used.

  Each of the SMAs 2 is connected between the electrode 5 on the upper surface of the fixed plate 3 and the electrode 6 on the lower surface of the diaphragm 4, and is configured to suspend the diaphragm 4 by the fixed plate 3. That is, both ends of the SMA 2 are connected to the upper surface side of the stationary plate 3 and the lower surface side of the diaphragm 4 so as to straddle the stationary plate 3, and the diaphragm 4 is suspended from the upper surface side of the stationary plate 3. The SMA 2 is connected with an angle with respect to the horizontal plane so that the connection position of the SMA 2 and the electrode 6 of the diaphragm 4 is lower than the connection position of the SMA 2 and the electrode 5 of the fixed plate 3. Appropriate tension is applied due to gravity. Further, the SMA 2 extends linearly in a top view and radially from the diaphragm 4 at equal intervals (in the present example, adjacent SMAs are perpendicular to each other). The SMA 2 has a diameter of about 50 μm and the diameter of the diaphragm 4 is about several mm. A gap of about 1 to 3 mm is provided between the fixed plate 3 and the diaphragm 4. Since SMA2 is made of Ti (titanium) and Ni (nickel) and the solder does not fuse, both ends of SMA2 are fixed to the electrodes 5 and 6 by caulking. The electrodes 5 and 6 are connected to a power supply line for supplying a pulse voltage to the SMA 2. The pulse voltage applied to the SMA 2 has a period of 1 Hz to several kHz. The fixing plate 3 is attached to a device housing (not shown). Instead of being fixed to the electrodes 5 and 6 by caulking, both ends of the SMA 2 may be fixed by wedges. In this case, the wedge plays the role of an electrode.

  In the actuator 1 having such a configuration, when a pulse voltage is applied to the SMA 2, the SMA 2 causes stretching vibration, and accordingly the diaphragm 4 vibrates up and down. That is, since the SMA 2 has an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the expansion and contraction of the SMA 2 is converted into the vertical displacement of the diaphragm 4 and the diaphragm 4 vibrates up and down. At this time, the larger the angle of the SMA 2, the larger the vertical component of the force vector lifting the diaphragm 4, and the stronger the force that vibrates the diaphragm 4 works. The amplitude of the upper and lower vibrations of the diaphragm 4 decreases as the angle of the SMA 2 increases, because the vertical displacement of the SMA 2 when the SMA 2 expands and contracts decreases. If a pulse voltage is simultaneously applied to a plurality of SMAs 2, a strong vibration can be obtained accordingly. When a living body such as a human finger or toe comes into contact with the protrusion 4a of the diaphragm 4, the vibration of the diaphragm 4 is applied to the living body, and a signal is transmitted to the living body.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example for supplying power to the SMA 2 of the actuator 1. In the same figure, each electrode etc. in the lower surface side of the diaphragm 4 is also shown by the solid line. In this power supply configuration, the positive electrode power supply line 8 is connected to one electrode 6 a of the electrodes 6 a to 6 d of the diaphragm 4, and the four electrodes 6 a to 6 d of the diaphragm 4 are adjacent to each other by the relay power supply line 10. Connected to the electrode. Negative electrode feeders 9 a to 9 d are connected to each of the four electrodes 5 a to 5 d of the fixed plate 3. The positive electrode feeder 8 is preferably a soft wire so as not to hinder the vibration of the diaphragm 4. The positive electrode power supply line 8 and the negative electrode power supply lines 9a to 9d are connected to a signal generation circuit that generates a pulse voltage, and the conduction state of the negative electrode power supply lines 9a to 9d is controlled to be turned on and off via a switching element such as a transistor. Thus, power supply to the SMAs 2a to 2d, that is, supply of a pulse voltage is controlled.

  This power supply configuration is a center power supply method that flows from the electrode 6 of the diaphragm 4 to the electrode 5 of the fixed plate 3 via the SMA 2. According to this power supply configuration, each SMA 2 can be individually supplied with power, so that the vibration intensity can be increased by driving a plurality of SMAs 2 synchronously with the same pulse voltage, and each of the plurality of SMAs 2 has a different pulse voltage. It is possible to present various vibration patterns, such as causing complicated vibrations by driving at different timings, and to cope with a variety of expressions.

  For example, if all of the negative electrode feeders 9a to 9d are made conductive, a current flows from the electrode 6a of the diaphragm 4 to the electrode 5a of the fixed plate 3 via the SMA 2a, and simultaneously, from the electrode 6b to the SMA 2b via the electrode 6a. A current flows through the electrode 5b from the electrode 6c through the SMA 2c to the electrode 5c, from the electrode 6d through the SMA 2d to the electrode 5d, and a pulse voltage is applied to all of the SMAs 2a to 2d. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction motions of all the SMAs 2a to 2d. If the negative electrode feeders 9b and 9d are made conductive and the negative electrode feeders 9a and 9c are made nonconductive, current flows from the electrode 6b of the diaphragm 4 to the electrode 5b via the SMA 2b via the electrode 6a. A current flows from the electrode 6d to the electrode 5d via the SMA 2d, and a pulse voltage is applied to the SMA 2b and the SMA 2d. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the SMA 2b and SMA 2d. If the negative electrode power supply line 9a is made conductive and the other negative electrode power supply lines 9b to 9d are made nonconductive, current flows from the electrode 6a through the SMA 2a to the electrode 5a, and a pulse voltage is applied to the SMA 2a. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the SMA 2a.

  FIG. 5 shows another configuration example different from the above for supplying power to the SMA 2 of the actuator 1. In this power supply configuration, the positive electrode power supply lines 8a and 8b are connected to the opposing electrodes 5a and 5c of the fixed plate 3, and the negative electrode power supply lines 9a and 9b are connected to the electrodes 5b and 5d, respectively. The electrode 6 a and the electrode 6 b and the electrode 6 c and the electrode 6 d of the diaphragm 4 are connected by the relay feeding line 10. The positive feed lines 8a and 8b and the negative feed lines 9a and 9b are connected to a signal generation circuit, and the conduction state of the negative feed lines 9a and 9b is controlled to be turned on / off, thereby supplying a pulse voltage to the SMAs 2a to 2d. Is controlled.

  This power supply configuration is a pair power supply method in which the electrode 5 of the fixed plate 3 passes through one SMA 2 to the electrode 6 of the diaphragm 4 and further flows through the other SMA 2 to the electrode 5 of the fixed plate 3. According to this power supply configuration, since the positive electrode feeder 8 is not connected to the diaphragm 4, the diaphragm 4 is free, the vibration of the diaphragm 4 is not hindered, and the positive electrode feeder 8 is disposed on the arrangement. It will not get in the way. Further, since two SMAs 2 are fed as a pair, the control port for controlling the feeding can be half of the center feeding method shown in FIG.

  For example, if both the negative electrode feeders 9a and 9b are made conductive, current flows from the electrode 5a of the fixed plate 3 to the electrode 6a of the diaphragm 4 via the SMA 2a, and further from the electrode 6b to the electrode 5b via the SMA 2b. At the same time, a current flows from the electrode 5c through the SMA 2c to the electrode 6c, and further from the electrode 6d through the SMA 2d to the electrode 5d, and a pulse voltage is applied to all of the SMAs 2a to 2d. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction motions of all the SMAs 2a to 2d. If one negative electrode feeder 9a is made conductive and the other negative electrode feeder 9b is made nonconductive, an electric current flows from the electrode 5a to the electrode 6a via the SMA 2a, and further from the electrode 6b to the electrode 5b via the SMA 2b. A pulse voltage is applied to SMA2a and SMA2b. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the SMA 2a and SMA 2b. If one negative electrode feeder 9a is made non-conductive and the other negative electrode feeder 9b is made conductive, current flows from electrode 5c to SMA2c to electrode 6c, and further from electrode 6d to SMA2d to electrode 5d, A pulse voltage is applied to SMA2c and SMA2d. In this case, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the SMA 2c and SMA 2d. The feed configuration is not limited to the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the positive feed line 8 or the negative feed line 9 is connected to each of the electrodes 6 a to 6 d of the diaphragm 4, and the electrodes 5 a to 5 d of the fixed plate 3 are connected. The negative electrode power supply line 9 or the positive electrode power supply line 8 may be connected to each, and the conduction state of each negative electrode power supply line 9 or the conduction state of each positive electrode power supply line 8 may be controlled on and off. In this power supply configuration, the relay power supply line 10 is not necessary.

According to the actuator 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the diaphragm 4 is directly hung by the SMA 2, the thickness of the actuator 1 can be reduced by the amount of no pin in the conventional configuration. That is, the thickness of the SMA 2 is as thin as 50 μm, and the substantial thickness of the actuator 1 is the thickness of the fixed plate 3 and the vibration plate 4 and the height of the electrodes 5 and 6, so that the actuator 1 can be made thin. Thereby, when the information transmission apparatus which transmits the signal by applying the vibration of the diaphragm 4 to the living body using the actuator 1 is configured, the information transmission apparatus can be thinned.
(2) The diaphragm 4 is suspended by four SMAs 2, and these four SMAs 2 correspond to two shape memory alloys in a structure using a conventional pin. Therefore, if the four SMAs 2 are expanded and contracted in synchronization, the diaphragm 4 is vibrated by the expansion / contraction force of the number of SMAs 2 compared to the structure using the conventional pin, and the vibration intensity is 2 Can be doubled.
(3) If the number of SMAs 2 that suspend the diaphragm 4 is increased, the vibration can be strengthened accordingly.
(4) The actuator 1 can be made thin and the vibration intensity of the diaphragm 4 can be increased.
(5) By increasing the number of SMA 2, the timing and period for applying the pulse voltage to each of the SMA 2 can be changed to various forms, whereby the vibration of the diaphragm 4 can be diversified.
(6) Since a conventional pin is not used, the shape memory alloy is not cut or bent by the pin, and mechanical damage can be overcome.
(7) The pin is not caught as in the prior art, and can be easily attached to a cloth or the like.
(8) Since the diaphragm 4 has the protrusions 4a, the vibration sensation given to the living body can be made a sense of being struck.
(9) Since the actuator 1 can be made thin and at the same time the vibration of the diaphragm 4 can be strengthened, the actuator 1 is installed on the surface of a band-shaped member to be worn on the body, and the arm, foot, neck, By wrapping around a forehead or the like, it can be applied to various things such as determination of peripheral nerve paralysis, automobiles, robots, virtual reality, amusement and the like.
(10) By installing the actuator 1 on a cloth or the like and using it so as to touch the human body, it can be applied in various fields such as stimulation of acupoints, healing effect, and application to sports.
(11) Since vibration several times that of the prior art can be obtained, vibration can be transmitted to the living body even in places other than a sharp sense such as a fingertip or palm, and the application range is expanded.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the actuator 1 according to the second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the actuator 1 is provided with electrodes 5 and 6 on the lower surface of the fixed plate 3 and the lower surface of the vibration plate 4. It is connected between the electrode 5 on the lower surface and the electrode 6 on the lower surface of the diaphragm 4 so that the diaphragm 4 is suspended by the fixed plate 3. That is, both ends of the SMA 2 are connected to the lower surface side of the stationary plate 3 and the lower surface side of the diaphragm 4 so as to bridge the diaphragm 4, and the diaphragm 4 is suspended from the lower surface side of the stationary plate 3. About another structure, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, and the electric power feeding to SMA2 should just be performed by the structure similar to 1st Embodiment.

  According to the actuator 1 of the second embodiment, the angle of the SMA 2 becomes smaller than the horizontal in comparison with the first embodiment, and the smaller the angle of the SMA 2 is, the smaller the angle of the SMA 2 is when the SMA 2 expands and contracts by the law of triangles. Since the vertical displacement becomes large, the amplitude of the vertical vibration of the diaphragm 4 becomes larger than that of the first embodiment, and the amplitude of the vertical vibration of the diaphragm 4 which is several times the expansion and contraction motion of the SMA 2 is obtained. The vertical component of the force vector for lifting the diaphragm 4 is reduced, and the force for vibrating the diaphragm 4 is weakened. By providing the electrode 5 on the lower surface of the fixed plate 3, the upper surface of the fixed plate 3 becomes flat, and the upper surface side of the fixed plate 3 has no protrusion other than the protruding portion 4 a of the diaphragm 4, and the actuator 1 The surface on the side where the living body touches the protrusion 4a in a state where the is installed is flush with the surface. Further, since the upper surface of the fixing plate 3 is flat, there is no obstacle to touching the living body with the protruding portion 4a so that at least a part of the protruding portion 4a protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the fixing plate 3. Only by installing, the protrusion 4a can be brought into contact with the living body, and the thickness of the actuator 1 is reduced, which makes it smarter.

  7A and 7B show the configuration of the actuator 1 according to the third embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the actuator 1 is provided with a plurality of through holes 41 and 42 in the diaphragm 4, and the plurality of SMAs 2 sew the through holes 41 and 42. Further, both ends of the SMA 2 are fixed to the fixed plate 3, and the diaphragm 4 is suspended by the fixed plate 3. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 4 is suspended by two SMAs 2, and through holes 41 and 42 are provided in the diaphragm 4 corresponding to the number of SMAs 2. Both ends of the SMA 2 are fixed to the upper surface of the fixing plate 3 by wedges 7. In this embodiment, since the SMA 2 is passed through the through holes 41 and 42 of the diaphragm 4, the diaphragm 6 is not provided with the electrode 6 in the first embodiment. Since both ends of the SMA 2 are fixed by the wedges 7, the electrode 5 in the first embodiment is not provided on the fixing plate 3. The configurations of the fixed plate 3 and the diaphragm 4 are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the diaphragm 4 is provided with through holes 41 and 42.

  The two through-holes 41 and 42 of the diaphragm 4 each include a lateral hole portion extending in the lateral direction within the diaphragm 4, and two apertures extending vertically from both ends of the lateral hole portion and opening at the bottom surface of the diaphragm 4. And a vertical hole portion. The horizontal hole portion of the through hole 41 and the horizontal hole portion of the through hole 42 are at different heights in the vertical direction, and intersect each other at a right angle at the center of the diaphragm 4 in a top view. Since the SMA 2 has a thin diameter of about 50 μm and has a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity with respect to bending, the SMA 2 is penetrated by inserting and pushing the SMA 2 into the through holes 41 and 42 from the bottom surface of the diaphragm 4. It is possible to deform along the holes 41 and 42 and pass the SMA 2 through the through holes 41 and 42. The position of the wedge 7, that is, the fixed position at both ends of the SMA 2 is the same as the position of the electrode 5 in the first embodiment. The wedge 7 serves as an electrode and is connected to a power supply line for supplying power to the SMA 2. One SMA 2 is passed through the through-hole 41 and connected between two opposing wedges 7, and the other SMA 2 is passed through the through-hole 42 and has two opposing wedges different from the above. 7 is connected. Each SMA 2 is linear when viewed from above, and the two SMAs 2 intersect at right angles at the center of the diaphragm 4 when viewed from above. The two SMAs 2 are passed through separate through-holes 41 and 42, and the horizontal hole part of the through-hole 41 and the horizontal hole part of the through-hole 42 are at different heights in the vertical direction so that they do not contact each other. doing. The power supply to the SMA 2 is performed by connecting the positive and negative power supply lines to the wedges 7 at both ends of each SMA 2 and controlling the on / off state of the negative power supply line by a signal generation circuit.

  According to the actuator 1 of the third embodiment, since the electrode in the first embodiment is not provided on the upper surface of the fixed plate 3 and the vibration plate 4, the thickness of the actuator 1 is thinner than that of the first embodiment. Become smart. The protrusion of the wedge 7 from the upper surface of the fixing plate 3 is smaller than the protrusion of the electrode in the first embodiment, and the surface on the side where the living body touches the protrusion 4a with the actuator 1 installed is smooth and smooth. Become. As shown in FIG. 8, each SMA 2 is adjacent to bend in the top view instead of being connected between the two opposing wedges 7, that is, the two SMAs 2 crossing in the top view. It may be connected between two wedges 7. In order to connect in this way, the through holes 41 and 42 may be provided so that the horizontal hole portions of the through holes 41 and 42 are parallel to each other. Instead of the through holes 41 and 42, a groove may be provided at the bottom of the diaphragm 4, and the diaphragm 4 may be suspended through the SMA 2 in the groove. Instead of fixing both ends of the SMA 2 by the wedges 7, electrodes may be provided on the fixing plate 3 and fixed to the electrodes by caulking.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show the configuration of the actuator 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The actuator 1 includes a spring 90 for maintaining the tension of the SMA 2 in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the spring 90 is a whisker spring, the base end portion 92 is fixed to the lower surface of the diaphragm 4, and the tip hook portion is hooked on the SMA 2. The spring 90 pulls the SMA 2 in a direction perpendicular to the SMA 2 and in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the fixed plate 3 and the diaphragm 4 to apply a constant tension to the SMA 2. Four springs 90 are attached to give a constant tension to each SMA 2.

  The vibration of the diaphragm 4 is performed by converting the expansion / contraction movement of the SMA 2 into the vertical movement of the diaphragm 4 by the expansion / contraction movement of the SMA 2 in a state where the tension is applied to the SMA 2. When SMA2 is used, permanent deformation is generated and the SMA2 is stretched little by little, and the amount of elongation may reach about 10% of the original length. When the SMA 2 extends with permanent strain, the suspended diaphragm 4 sinks in the opening 3a of the fixed plate 3, and even if the living body touches the diaphragm 4 as before, sufficient tension is applied to the SMA 2. As a result, the diaphragm 4 cannot be sufficiently vibrated. The expansion and contraction of the SMA 2 by applying an electric pulse works against the tension of the SMA 2, so the tension of the SMA 2 greatly affects the vibration of the diaphragm 4, and is sufficient for the SMA 2 to sufficiently vibrate the diaphragm 4. It is necessary to give proper tension. Therefore, the actuator 1 of the present embodiment applies a certain tension to the SMA 2 by the spring 90.

  According to the actuator 1 of the fourth embodiment, even if the SMA 2 extends due to permanent deformation, the tension of the SMA 2 is kept constant by being pulled by the spring 90 as shown in FIG. 9B. . Therefore, even when the SMA 2 is stretched by permanent deformation, the tension of the SMA 2 can be maintained, and the vibration strength of the diaphragm 4 can be maintained. In addition, since the SMA 2 is pulled in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the fixed plate 3 and the diaphragm 4, the size of the actuator 1 in the thickness direction does not increase. The spring 90 may pull the SMA 2 in the direction in which the SMA 2 extends. In this case, since the vector is the same as the expansion and contraction direction of the SMA 2, it is desirable to use the spring 90 that sufficiently considers resonance, vibration absorption by the spring 90, and the like. The spring 90 may apply a constant tension to the SMA 2 by pressing the SMA 2. The base end portion 92 of the spring 90 may be fixed to the fixing plate 3. A structure in which four springs 90 are integrally formed may be employed. A coil spring may be used as the spring 90 to pull or push the SMA 2.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration of the actuator 1 according to the fifth embodiment. The actuator 1 includes a spring 90 having a configuration different from the above for maintaining the tension of the SMA 2 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the spring 90 is a torsion spring in which two elastically deformable portions 93 extend from the base end portion 94, and the base end portion 94 is fixed to the lower surface of the fixing plate 3, and one elastically deformable portion 93. Is pressed against one SMA 2, and the other elastic deformation portion 93 is pressed against another SMA 2. Each elastic deformation portion 93 is pressed against the SMA 2 from the lower side between the fixed plate 3 and the vibration plate 4, and pushes the SMA 2 upward to give a constant tension to the SMA 2. Two springs 90 are attached to give a constant tension to each SMA 2.

  According to the actuator 1 of the fifth embodiment, even if the SMA 2 extends due to permanent strain, the tension of the SMA 2 can be maintained by the force of the spring 90, and the vibration strength of the diaphragm 4 can be maintained. A coil spring may be used as the spring 90 to pull or push the SMA 2. The configuration for maintaining the tension of the SMA 2 using the spring 90 according to this embodiment can be similarly applied to the configurations of the other embodiments.

  FIG. 11 shows a body wearing device 70 according to an embodiment of the information transmission device using the actuator 1. The body wearing tool 70 has a large number of actuators 1 attached in a row on the inner surface of a ring-shaped band 71. Each actuator 1 is sewn on a band 71. Each actuator 1 is connected to a power supply line as in the first embodiment, and these power supply lines are connected to one signal generation circuit. When the conduction state of the power supply line is turned on and off by the signal generation circuit, the SMA of each actuator 1 is driven, and the diaphragm of each actuator is vibrated. The body wearing tool 70 is used by being worn around each part of the body. According to such a body wearing device 70, the band 71 is wound around a person's wrist, ankle, neck, forehead or the like so as to touch the actuator 1, and the vibration plate of each actuator 1 is vibrated, thereby generating subtle vibrations. Peripheral nerve palsy can be examined. Various signals can be transmitted by wearing each part of the body. The body wearing device 70 has a high degree of freedom for wearing on the body, can be used for curved parts such as the back of the foot, wrist, neck, forehead, etc., as well as medical and amusement and signal transmission to the disabled It will be an effective tool for a wide range.

  FIG. 12 shows a body wearing device 80 according to another embodiment of the information transmission device using the actuator 1. The body wearing tool 80 is obtained by attaching a large number of actuators 1 in a vertical and horizontal matrix form on one surface of a flexible sheet-like member 81 made of cloth or soft resin. Each actuator 1 is sewn to the sheet-like member 81. Each actuator 1 is driven in the same manner as in FIG. 11, and the diaphragm of each actuator 1 vibrates. The body attachment device 80 is used by being attached to a person's palm or sole or hanging on a body such as a shoulder or a leg. According to such a body wearing device 80, the acupuncture points can be stimulated and healed by placing the sheet-like member 81 against the limb so as to touch the actuator 1 and vibrating the vibration plate of each actuator 1. Complex information presentation is possible. By wearing it on the body, it is possible to present advanced information to drivers of automobiles, airplanes and the like, and it is possible to generate healing effects such as stroking the shoulders and back of the elderly. In an amusement such as a movie or a game, by synchronizing the image and the vibration of the actuator 1, a very realistic expression with an unprecedented vibration becomes possible.

  FIG. 13 shows an electrical block configuration of the information transmission apparatus 100 using the actuator 1. The information transmission device 100 further includes a signal generation circuit 11 that generates a pulse voltage to be applied to the SMA 2 of the actuator 1. The signal generation circuit 11 includes a microcomputer 12 and an SMA drive board 13. This information transmission apparatus 100 corresponds to the case where only one actuator 1 according to the first embodiment is provided, and the SMA drive board 13 may be attached to the fixed plate of the actuator 1. In the case where a plurality of actuators 1 are provided, all of the SMAs 2 of the plurality of actuators 1 are connected to one SMA drive substrate 13 through electrodes and power supply lines. The microcomputer 12 realizes AM modulation by analog output of the D / A converter output, and realizes FM modulation by controlling timing pulse output by a program. The SMA drive board 13 combines the D / A converter output of the microcomputer 12 and the timing pulse output, and outputs a pulse voltage subjected to AM modulation and FM modulation. The microcomputer 12 also outputs a signal for switching and controlling the channel of the SMA 2 that provides the pulse voltage, and the SMA drive board 13 applies the pulse voltage to each SMA 2 based on this signal.

  With such a configuration, the voltage value height, the pulse width, and the pulse period of the pulse voltage applied to each SMA 2 so as to generate the optimum vibration according to the object that presents the vibration and the method of using the information transmission device 100. , And the timing and period of applying the pulse voltage to each SMA 2 are programmed by the microcomputer 12, and each SMA 2 is driven via the SMA drive substrate 13. The microcomputer 12 is connected to a liquid crystal type display device 14 for a man interface, and is provided with operation push buttons and the like, and is configured to be operated by itself in a stand-alone manner. The microcomputer 12 includes a LAN and a USB, and uses a personal computer (upper computer) 15 having a high degree of freedom of program to create a more complicated drive waveform of the SMA 2 and sends it to the microcomputer 12 via the LAN and USB. Can write. A display 16 is connected to the personal computer 15. Furthermore, it is also possible to distribute drive waveforms via the Internet or perform more advanced control using IOT (Internet of Things).

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a pulse voltage pattern applied to SMA2, that is, an example of a driving waveform of SMA2. The upper graph in FIG. 14 is an example of the waveform of the pulse voltage. In this graph, each line represents the pulse voltage applied to the SMA 2, and the height of each line represents the voltage value of the pulse voltage. The higher the pulse voltage value, the stronger the vibration. The interval between the lines represents the pulse period, the shorter the interval between the lines, the shorter the pulse period, and the wider the interval between lines, the longer the pulse period. In this example, the pulse voltage is AM-modulated and FM-modulated, and the voltage value of the pulse voltage and the pulse period are changed with time, and the voltage value of the pulse voltage is in the range of 1.5V to 2.5V. Are gradually increased and decreased (AM modulation), and the pulse period is gradually increased and decreased (FM modulation) in the range of 1 Hz to 1 kHz.

  The time chart on the lower side of FIG. 14 is an example of timing for applying a pulse voltage to each SMA 2 (each channel). This time chart is an example having a total of 16 channels (total 16 SMA2) of channels Ch1 to Ch16. When one actuator 1 according to the first or second embodiment is provided and the center feeding method is performed, the number of channels may be four, one actuator 1 according to the first or second embodiment is provided, and the pair feeding method is used. When performing the above and when one actuator 1 of the third embodiment is provided, the number of channels may be two. When a plurality of actuators 1 are provided as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the channel is the total number of SMAs 2 of the plurality of actuators 1. In this time chart, each horizontal bar (T6, T7,..., T16) indicates the validity / invalidity of each channel Ch1 to Ch16 and the valid period when it is valid. It is effective, and the effective period is from the left end to the right end of the horizontal bar. Each channel is given a pulse voltage (pulse voltage in the upper graph) generated during the effective period.

  In this example, only the channels Ch6 to Ch16 are effective, and no pulse voltage is applied to the channels Ch1 to Ch5. Focusing on Ch6 and Ch7, the pulse voltage is first given to Ch7, and the pulse voltage is given to Ch6 in an overlapping manner. Therefore, at first, the diaphragm 4 vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of Ch7 SMA2, and when entering the overlap period of Ch6, it changes to vibration by Ch7 SMA2 and Ch6 SMA2, and then enters the period of only Ch6. Then, the vibration is caused only by Ch6 SMA2. By providing the overlap period, the vibration mode of the diaphragm 4 can be changed smoothly. Focusing on Ch14 and Ch15, the pulse voltage is applied at the same timing. Therefore, a strong vibration is obtained by combining the vibration of Ch14 by SMA2 and the vibration of Ch15 by SMA2. As can be seen from the pulse voltage in the upper graph, the vibration due to Ch14 and the vibration due to Ch15 simultaneously vibrate slowly at the same time, and the vibration intensity increases and at the same time the vibration period increases, and the vibration intensity reaches a peak. Later, the vibration intensity becomes weaker and the period becomes slower. When paying attention to Ch6 to Ch16, the first half is effective because a lot of Ch is mixed up and the vibration of the diaphragm 4 is very complicated, and the feeling of the living body touching the diaphragm 4 becomes very complicated. In this way, various vibrations of the diaphragm 4 can be created by freely changing the voltage value of the pulse voltage, the pulse period, and the SMA 2 (channel) that provides the pulse voltage.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, the diaphragm 4 can take various shapes, and is not limited to a disk shape, but may be a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a quadrangular shape. The diaphragm 4 may have no protrusion 4a, and the upper surface of the diaphragm 4 may be planar. The outer shape of the fixing plate 3 may be any shape, and the opening 3a may be any shape. The fixed plate 3 is not limited to the ring shape, and may be any shape as long as it is arranged around the diaphragm 4 and can suspend the diaphragm 4 by a plurality of SMAs 2. The number of SMAs 2 that suspend the diaphragm 4 may be any number. As the number of SMAs 2 is larger, the vibration of the diaphragm 4 can be stronger and diversified. The SMA 2 may be connected between the lower surface side of the fixed plate 3 and the lower surface side of the diaphragm 4. The driving of the SMA 2 is not limited to a pulse voltage using a rectangular wave, and may be performed by applying a periodically changing voltage such as a sine wave or a triangular wave to the SMA 2. In terms of vibrations applied to the living body, it can be sensuously felt that driving with a rectangular wave is stiff, and driving with a sine wave is stiff. The sensation sensation obtained by driving with a sine wave is effective, for example, when examining the degree of peripheral nerve paralysis, and cannot be obtained with a conventional tester (neurometer). For driving with a sine wave, it is practical to use AM modulation and realize a sine wave with the maximum value of a pulse.

1 Actuator for information transmission device 2 SMA (shape memory alloy)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Fixed plate 3a Opening 4 Diaphragm 4a Protrusion part 41 Through-hole 42 Through-hole 5 Electrode of fixed plate 6 Electrode of diaphragm 7 Wedge 8 Positive feed line 9 Negative feed line 10 Relay feed line 11 Signal generation circuit 12 Microcomputer 13 SMA drive Substrate 14 Display device 15 Personal computer 16 Display device 70 Body wear tool 71 Band 80 Body wear tool 81 Sheet-like member 90 Spring 100 Information transmission device

Claims (4)

In the actuator for an information transmission device that transmits a signal by giving vibration to the living body generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body,
A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate when given a pulse voltage;
A fixing plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed;
A plate-like diaphragm that vibrates in response to the vibration of the shape memory alloy,
A structure in which the fixed plate and the diaphragm are suspended by the plurality of shape memory alloys,
The surface of the diaphragm is planar or curved, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body ,
The fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm,
Electrodes are provided on the upper surface of the fixed plate and the lower surface of the diaphragm,
The plurality of shape memory alloys are connected between an electrode on the upper surface of the fixed plate and an electrode on the lower surface of the diaphragm,
An actuator for an information transmission device, wherein the diaphragm is suspended by the fixed plate . In the actuator for an information transmission device that transmits a signal by giving vibration to the living body generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body,
A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate when given a pulse voltage;
A fixing plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed;
A plate-like diaphragm that vibrates in response to the vibration of the shape memory alloy,
A structure in which the fixed plate and the diaphragm are suspended by the plurality of shape memory alloys,
The surface of the diaphragm is planar or curved, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body,
The fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm,
Electrodes are provided on the lower surface of the fixed plate and the lower surface of the diaphragm,
The plurality of shape memory alloys are connected between an electrode on the lower surface of the fixed plate and an electrode on the lower surface of the diaphragm,
Information transmission device actuator characterized by being configured the diaphragm as hanging by the fixing plate. In the actuator for an information transmission device that transmits a signal by giving vibration to the living body generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body,
A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate when given a pulse voltage;
A fixing plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed;
A plate-like diaphragm that vibrates in response to the vibration of the shape memory alloy,
A structure in which the fixed plate and the diaphragm are suspended by the plurality of shape memory alloys,
The surface of the diaphragm is planar or curved, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body,
The fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm,
A plurality of through holes are provided in the diaphragm,
The plurality of shape memory alloys are passed so as to sew the through holes, and both ends of the alloys are fixed to the fixing plate,
Information transmission device actuator characterized by being configured the diaphragm as hanging by the fixing plate. In the actuator for an information transmission device that transmits a signal by giving vibration to the living body generated by energizing the shape memory alloy to the living body,
A plurality of shape memory alloys that vibrate when given a pulse voltage;
A fixing plate on which the plurality of shape memory alloys are disposed;
A plate-like diaphragm that vibrates in response to the vibration of the shape memory alloy,
A structure in which the fixed plate and the diaphragm are suspended by the plurality of shape memory alloys,
The surface of the diaphragm is planar or curved, and is a contact site for applying vibration to the living body,
The fixed plate is disposed around the diaphragm,
The shape memory alloy is fed from the electrode of the diaphragm and flows through the shape memory alloy to the electrode of the fixed plate, or from the electrode of the fixed plate to the electrode of the diaphragm through one shape memory alloy. the electrode, further, information transmission actuator you characterized in that flow to the electrodes of the fixed plate through the other shape memory alloy.