JP6528014B1 - Touch feeling generating device and touch feeling generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to generate vibrations with respect to a plurality of touch sensor switches. The present invention relates to a tactile sensation generating device 1 in which a vibration generating device 4 is installed on the back surface 3 a side of a vibrating member 3. The vibration generating device 4 displaces the movable iron core 21 capable of coming close to and away from the vibrating member 3 and the movable iron core 21 to the vibrating member 3 side by energization to press and deform the vibrating member 3 and moves movable by stopping energization. The solenoid 23 has a coil 22 for moving the iron core 21 away from the vibrating member 3 and pressing the vibrating member 3 against the vibrating member 3 to be vibrated by the elastic return force. A plurality of touch sensor switches 65 for causing the vibration generating device 4 to generate vibration is disposed on the back surface side of the vibrating member 3. The vibration amount of the vibration generation device 4 with respect to the vibration member 3 is different depending on the touch sensor switch 65. [Selected figure] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch generation device and a touch generation method.

  For example, there are electronic devices and the like provided with a tactile sensation generating device in an input unit. The tactile sensation generating device is a device in which a vibration generating device is installed on the back side of the vibrating member, and when the surface such as the vibrating member is touched, the vibration generating device vibrates on the vibrating member using the vibration generating device installed on the back side By generating (haptic vibration), the vibration can be felt as a tactile sensation. Thus, by providing a tactile sensation generating device in an input unit such as a switch, it is possible to give a feeling (operation feeling) to an operation on the input unit (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2015-215830, A

  However, the tactile sensation generating device generates the vibration by directly tapping the vibrating member with the vibration generating device, and the generation range of the vibration is narrow, and there is room for improvement.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is
In the tactile sensation generating device in which the vibration generating device is installed on the back side of the vibrating member,
The vibration generating device displaces the movable iron core which can move close to and away from the vibrating member and the movable iron core toward the vibrating member by energization to press and deform the vibrating member, and the movable is stopped by stopping the energization. A solenoid having a coil for causing an iron core to move away from the vibrating member and causing the vibrating member to vibrate by an elastic return force of the vibrating member ;
On the back side of the vibrating member, a plurality of touch sensor switches for generating vibrations in the vibration generating device are disposed,
The vibration generating device is characterized in that a pressing deformation amount with respect to the vibrating member is different according to a distance from the touch sensor switch.

  According to the present invention, with the above configuration, it is possible to generate vibrations for a plurality of touch sensor switches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is whole perspective view of the interior goods of the vehicle to which the tactile sense generation apparatus concerning an Example is applied. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a whole block diagram of a sensor sheet provided with a press sensor and a plurality of touch sensor switches. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tactile sense generator (non-energization: standby state). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tactile-sense generator (energization: operation state). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tactile sense generator (non-energization: operating state). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tactile sense generator which shows the state which removed the vibration member. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the modification of a tactile sense generation device. (A) is a case where the distance between the vibration generating device and the touch sensor switch is short, (b) is a case where the distance between the vibration generating device and the touch sensor switch is long.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 are for explaining this embodiment.

  <Configuration> The configuration of this embodiment will be described below.

  The tactile sensation generation device 1 according to this embodiment is applied to, for example, an interior 2 of a vehicle in a state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (to FIG. 5), it is assumed that the vibration generating device 4 is installed on the back surface 3 a side of the vibrating member 3 in the tactile sensation generating device 1.

  Here, the tactile sensation generating device 1 is a device that artificially generates a tactile sensation. The tactile sensation generation device 1 causes the finger to feel the vibration (haptic vibration) of the vibrating member 3 as a tactile sensation when the finger is touched on the surface 3 b of the vibrating member 3.

  The vibrating member 3 is a member provided to generate a tactile sensation by vibration. The vibrating member 3 is preferably a member (planar member) having a required surface shape such that a surface to be touched (surface 3b) exists. The vibrating member 3 may itself constitute one article, or may be attached to the surface side of the article to constitute a part of the article, for example. The back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 is preferably a hidden surface so that the vibration generating device 4 can not be viewed directly from the outside.

  The vibrating member 3 is preferably made of a member that easily vibrates. Moreover, it is preferable to install the vibration member 3 in the state which is easy to vibrate. And it is preferable to install the vibration generating device 4 with respect to the site | part which the vibration member 3 tends to vibrate. For example, the vibrating member 3 is a portion where a fixed point to an article or an external member or the periphery thereof hardly vibrates, and a position away from the fixed point is a portion which is easily vibrated. Therefore, it is preferable to install the vibration generating device 4 at a position away from the fixed point of the vibrating member 3 in order to make the vibrating member 3 easily vibrate by the vibration generating device 4. For this purpose, the vibration generating device 4 may be installed, for example, at an intermediate portion between the plurality of fixed points.

  The vibration generating device 4 is an actuator formed to generate vibration in the vibrating member 3. One or more vibration generating devices 4 are provided for the portion of the vibrating member 3 where vibration is desired to be generated. The site where vibration is generated by the vibrating member 3 may be one or more. The vibration generating device 4 may be directly fixed to the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 or may be fixed to an article to which the vibrating member 3 is attached or an external member to face the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 It may be installed in

  When the vibration generating device 4 is directly fixed to the back surface 3a of the vibration member 3, the vibration member 3 has a narrow vibration range because the portion where the vibration generation device 4 is fixed becomes a fixed point and it becomes difficult to vibrate. Also, the amplitude of the obtained vibration decreases. On the other hand, when the vibration generating device 4 is not fixed directly to the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 but fixed to an article to which the vibrating member 3 is attached or an external member, the vibrating member 3 is the vibration generating device 4. The vibration range is wider than the above, and the amplitude of the obtained vibration is also larger, because the vibration of the peripheral part of the is not prevented. Therefore, by selecting the method of installing the vibration generating device 4 in accordance with the purpose of installing the tactile sensation generating device 1, the range of vibration of the vibrating member 3 and the method of vibration can be optimally set and adjusted. In this embodiment, by fixing the vibration generating device 4 to an article to which the vibrating member 3 is attached or an external member, large vibration can be generated in a wide range.

The following configuration is further provided to the above configuration.
(1) The vibration generating device 4 displaces the movable iron core 21 to the vibrating member 3 side by energizing the movable iron core 21 capable of moving close to and away from the vibrating member 3 and pressingly deforming the vibrating member 3 The movable iron core 21 is made to move away from the vibrating member 3 by stopping, and a coil 22 is made to vibrate the vibrating member 3 by an elastic return force.
Under the present circumstances, you may make it provide the contact means 24 which can arrange the movable iron core 21 in contact with the back surface 3a of the vibration member 3 at the time of the non-energized state before a vibration generation | occurrence | production.

  Here, the vibrating member 3 may be one (for example, a cloth-like body or a cord-like body to which tension is applied) which does not elastically deform if the vibration is generated using the solenoid 23. In order to facilitate the generation of vibration and to reduce the load on the solenoid 23, the vibrating member 3 is preferably made of an elastically deformable member. The amount of deformation of the vibrating member 3 due to the pressing of the solenoid 23 may be small as long as the vibration can be obtained such that it can be clearly felt by touching with a finger. The vibrating member 3 may vibrate at least at a portion where the solenoid 23 is installed.

  Therefore, it is preferable that the vibrating member 3 have a shape retaining property capable of retaining the shape by itself. The vibrating member 3 is preferably elastically deformed by the pressing force of the solenoid 23, and preferably has flexibility, flexibility, or toughness that allows the shape to be restored by releasing the pressing force. The vibrating member 3 is preferably made of a relatively hard material and a relatively thin material. The vibrating member 3 is preferably a thin plate material or panel material such as hard resin, metal, or wood.

  The approaching and separating action is a movement in a direction approaching the vibrating member 3 and a movement in a direction away from the vibrating member 3.

  The solenoid 23 is an electromagnetic actuator provided with a rod-like movable iron core 21 and a coil 22 wound in a tubular shape so as to be able to accommodate the movable iron core 21 therein. By energizing the coil 22, the solenoid 23 generates an electromagnetic force, and the movable core 21 is forcibly displaced to one side (the vibrating member 3 side) of the coil 22 in the axial direction (or the longitudinal direction) ( Protruding movement). Thereby, the vibrating member 3 is pressed and deformed. By stopping energization of the coil 22, the solenoid 23 loses the electromagnetic force, and the movable iron core 21 is returned to the other side (opposite to the vibrating member 3) (pull-in movement). Thereby, the vibrating member 3 is restored in shape. The weight of the movable core 21 can also be used to move the movable core 21. Movable iron core 21 is extended in the axial direction longer than coil 22 so as to be able to pull out from both ends of coil 22. When coil 22 is energized, one side (projecting side) of movable iron core 21 Is projected from the coil 22 more largely than the other side (retraction side).

  The solenoid 23 has a configuration in which a coil 22 is accommodated inside a cylindrical case 25, and the coil 22 is disposed concentrically with the case 25. Movable iron core 21 can be projected to the outside from at least one side of case 25. The solenoid 23 is installed with one side of the case 25 facing the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 with the movable iron core 21 oriented in a direction intersecting the vibrating member 3, in particular, a direction substantially flat with the vibrating member 3. Be done. The solenoid 23 can adjust the protrusion amount of the movable iron core 21 according to the electric power supplied to the coil 22.

  The case 25 has a bottom opposite to the vibrating member 3 (the other side of the case 25). A first space 26 is formed between the other end of the coil 22 and the bottom surface 25 a of the case 25. The first space 26 is axially longer than the movable range of the other end (other end) of the movable iron core 21, and the other end of the movable iron core 21 is inside the first space 26. In the state of being accommodated in

  In the case 25, the side of the vibrating member 3 (one side of the case 25) is partitioned by a partition 25 b substantially parallel to the bottom surface 25 a. The coil 22 is accommodated in a space between the partition 25b of the case 25 and the bottom surface 25a, and one end of the coil 22 is fixed to the other surface of the partition 25b. The other end of the coil 22 defines the first space 26.

  In the case 25, a portion closer to the vibrating member 3 than the partition 25 b is an extended portion 25 c extending to a position substantially on the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3. A flange 25d can be provided at the end of the extension 25c. The flange portion 25d may be in contact with the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 or may be spaced apart from each other.

  When the flange portion 25 d is in contact with the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3, the flange portion 25 d may or may not be fixed to the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3. When the flange 25d is not fixed to the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 or when the flange 25d is separated from the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3, the case 25 is attached to a member different from the vibrating member 3. A cushion material may be provided on the surface of the flange portion 25 d facing the vibrating member 3 so as to soften the contact with the vibrating member 3.

  A second space 27 is formed in a portion between the partition 25 b and the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3, which is the inside of the extension 25 c (or the flange 25 d). The dimension in the axial direction of the second space 27 is such that when one end (tip) of the movable iron core 21 projects to the outside at the maximum projection, it projects to the outside of the flange 25d and at the maximum retraction, the flange It has a length housed inside 25d.

  The situation of the movable iron core 21 in the tactile sensation generating device 1 will be described. The end (tip) of one side of the movable iron core 21 is not coupled or fixed to the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3. It is separated from

  If the contact means 24 does not exist, the tip of the movable core 21 is retracted (when de-energized) to be away from the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3. By providing the contact means 24, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the movable core 21 is biased by the contact means 24 so as to project outward from one end of the case 25 to the maximum projecting position. . The tip of the movable iron core 21 is pressed by the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 to be retracted to an intermediate position between the maximum projecting position and the maximum retracting position as shown in FIG. It will stand by in the state where it was in contact (standby state).

  The distal end of the movable iron core 21 is forced to project beyond the position of the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 in the normal state to the maximum projecting position by energizing the coil 22 from the standby state, as shown in FIG. Be done. The vibrating member 3 is pressed and deformed from the shape in the standby state to the shape protruding to the surface side by the protruding movement of the movable iron core 21 by the energization. The position of the tip of the movable iron core 21 at this time is the same as that in FIG.

  Any means may be used as the contact means 24 as long as the movable iron core 21 can be brought into contact with the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 in the standby state. Preferably, the abutment means 24 is as described below.

  (2) The contact means 24 may be an elastic contact member 31 that biases the movable core 21 toward the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3.

  Here, for the contact means 24 (or contact part), for example, another actuator (drive means) similar to the solenoid 23 can be used. However, in order to make the structure of the vibration generating device 4 simple, it is preferable to use the elastic contact member 31.

  The elastic contact member 31 is a member (elastic member) that brings the movable iron core 21 into contact with the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 using elastic force. The elastic contact member 31 may be installed so that the biasing force is substantially released when the movable iron core 21 contacts the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3. Alternatively, the elastic contact member 31 may be installed so as to bias the movable iron core 21 toward the back surface 3 a of the vibration member 3 with an elastic force that allows the vibration member 3 to maintain its shape. The elastic force by which the vibrating member 3 can maintain its shape is a degree to which the deformation of the vibrating member 3 is not known from the outside when the vibrating member 3 is in contact by the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 in the standby state. It is an elastic force that can be suppressed to

  As described above, when the vibration generating device 4 is not covered by the vibration member 3, the movable iron core 21 is pushed by the elastic contact member 31, so that the vibration member in a non-deformed state as shown by a virtual line. It is projected to the maximum projecting position beyond the position of the back surface 3a of 3 or the position of the back surface 3a of the non-deformed vibrating member 3 (FIG. 6). In this state, when the vibrating member 3 is provided on the vibration generating device 4, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable iron core 21 is pressed by the vibrating member 3 and the back surface of the vibrating member 3 at the middle position of the movable range. It comes into contact with 3a (standby state). At this time, even if the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 is applied to the vibration member 3 via the movable iron core 21, the vibration member 3 can be obtained by the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 as described above. Since the elastic contact member 31 hardly deforms by the elastic force, the same shape as before the elastic force is applied is maintained. Therefore, the shape of the vibrating member 3 is not adversely affected.

  For the resilient contact member 31, a contact spring or a contact elastic body can be used. A spring (a compression spring) such as a coil spring can be used as the contact spring. Further, an elastic material such as rubber can be used for the contact elastic body. In this case, it is preferable to use an elastic member whose elastic force is weaker than the shape holding force of the vibrating member 3 (elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 <shape holding force of the vibrating member 3). In addition, the elastic contact member 31 is used so as not to hinder the elastic return of the vibrating member 3.

  However, the initial shape of the vibrating member 3 may be set to the shape when it is in contact and deformed by the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 in the standby state. In this case, the elastic contact member 31 can use an elastic member whose elastic force is stronger than the shape holding force of the vibrating member 3.

  The elastic contact member 31 can be installed on the pull-in side (first space 26) of the solenoid 23 or on the protrusion side (second space 27) of the solenoid 23.

  When the resilient contact member 31 is installed on the pull-in side of the solenoid 23, as shown in FIG. 3, the resilient contact member 31 has the bottom of the case 25 and the end on the pull-in side of the movable iron core 21 (or near the end) And the first flange 35 provided on the

  When the resilient contact member 31 is installed on the projecting side of the solenoid 23, as shown in FIG. 7, the resilient contact member 31 is provided at the end (or near the end) of the partition 25b and the movable iron core 21 on the projecting side. Interposed with the provided second flange portion 36.

  When the resilient contact member 31 is a contact spring (coil spring), the contact spring can be fitted on the movable iron core 21. Further, when the elastic contact member 31 is an elastic material such as rubber, the elastic material can be externally fitted to the movable iron core 21 by making it in a ring shape.

  (3) The return assisting means 41 may be provided to accelerate the separation of the movable core 21 from the vibrating member 3 when the energization of the coil 22 is stopped.

  Here, when the energization of the coil 22 is stopped, the electromagnetic force applied to the movable iron core 21 to cause the vibrating member 3 to vibrate is eliminated. The separating action can include both the case where the movable core 21 does not separate from the vibrating member 3 and the case where the movable core 21 separates from the vibrating member 3 as shown in FIG. 5. When the movable core 21 does not separate from the vibrating member 3, for example, the movable core 21 may be generated by causing the vibrating member 3 to deform or displace following the movement of the movable iron core 21. In the case where the movable core 21 is separated from the vibrating member 3, for example, the movable core 21 may be caused by deformation or displacement of the vibrating member 3 without following the movement of the movable core 21.

  The return assisting means 41 (or return assisting portion) may be anything as long as it can accelerate the speed of the reaction of the movable core 21 with respect to the vibrating member 3. Preferably, the return assisting means 41 is as described later.

  (4) The return assisting means 41 may be an elastic retracting member 51 for urging the movable iron core 21 in a direction away from the vibrating member 3.

  Here, as the return assisting means 41, for example, another actuator (driving means) similar to the solenoid 23 can be used. However, in order to simplify the structure of the vibration generating device 4, it is preferable to use the elastic retraction member 51 as the return assisting means 41.

  The elastic retraction member 51 is used so as not to hinder the elastic return of the vibrating member 3. The elastic retraction member 51 is flexed by the solenoid 23 when the movable iron core 21 is caused to project by energizing the coil 22 in the operating state, and accumulates an elastic force. Alternatively, the elastic retraction member 51 may be made of an elastic member whose elastic force is weaker than that of the elastic contact member 31 so that the elastic return member 51 can be bent by the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 in the standby state. Elastic force of the elastic retraction member 51 <elastic force of the elastic contact member 31). Alternatively, the elastic retraction member 51 may be installed together with the elastic contact member 31 in the standby state so that the biasing force is substantially released.

  For the elastic retraction member 51, a retraction spring or a retraction elastic body can be used. A spring (a compression spring) such as a coil spring can be used for the retraction spring. In addition, an elastic material such as rubber can be used for the pull-back elastic body.

  The elastic retraction member 51 can be installed on the pull-in side (first space 26) of the solenoid 23 or on the protrusion side (second space 27) of the solenoid 23.

  When the elastic retraction member 51 is installed on the retraction side of the solenoid 23, as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic retraction member 51 is provided midway between the other end of the coil 22 and the end on the retraction side of the movable iron core 21. And the first flange portion 35.

  When the elastic retracting member 51 is installed on the projecting side of the solenoid 23, as shown in FIG. 7, the elastic retracting member 51 has the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 and the projecting end of the movable iron core 21 (or the end And the second flange portion 36 provided between the two).

  When the elastic pullback member 51 is a pullback spring (coil spring), the pullback spring can be externally fitted to the movable iron core 21. In addition, when the elastic retraction member 51 is an elastic material such as rubber, the elastic material can be externally fitted to the movable iron core 21 by forming it in a ring shape.

  (5) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the vibrating member 3 may be provided in the interior 2 installed in the vehicle 61.

  Here, the vibration member 3 can be provided, for example, on the interior products 2 and the like installed in the interior of the building, or may be provided on the interior products 2 and the interior of the vehicle 61. The interior products 2 refer to devices, articles, and decorations provided in the room or in the vehicle room. The vibration member 3 may be installed on the surface design of the interior product 2, or if the tactile sensation can be felt, the vibration member 3 may be installed inside the interior of the interior product 2 so as not to be seen from the outside. good.

  For example, there are various interior panels 62 (vehicle interior panels), such as an instrument panel and a center console, in the interior products 2 installed in the vehicle 61 (in the vehicle compartment). Furthermore, auxiliary interior products 2 such as sub-panels and finishers can be appropriately attached to these interior products 2. Interior components 2 such as an instrument panel, a center console, a sub panel, and a finisher have a complicated three-dimensional shape in design.

  In this embodiment, the interior trim 2 such as an instrument panel and a center console or the auxiliary interior trim 2 attached to the interior trim 2 is used as the vibration member 3.

  (6) The vibration generating device 4 may be provided around the touch sensor switch 65 installed in the interior product 2.

  In general, in the vehicle 61, there is a vehicle in which a switch panel is provided in a portion of an instrument panel or a center console that constitutes the interior product 2. In the normal case, the switch panel is a separate member from the interior panel 2 such as the instrument panel and the center console, and the auxiliary interior panel 2 such as the sub-panel and the finisher. The switch button (actual button) to be actually pressed in is arranged.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, an instrument panel or finisher is provided by providing a switch (touch sensor switch 65) by a touch sensor on the back surface 3a side of the instrument panel or a finisher 2 such as a finisher attached to the instrument panel. It makes itself a switch panel. The touch sensor is a sensor that detects contact or proximity to the surface 3 b of the vibrating member 3 and can be used as a switch. The touch sensor switches 65 can be formed at one time in a state of being arranged on a sheet of sheet material 67, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A. The sheet material 67 is made of an insulating resin or the like. The touch sensor switch 65 can be, for example, a self-capacitance touch sensor that can be configured with one electrode. In addition, at the edge of one sheet member 67, for example, a capacitive pressure sensor 68 that can store electrostatic capacitance between two electrodes (the oscillation side electrode 68a and the reception side electrode 68b). Alternatively, an IC 69 or the like for detecting a change in capacitance of the touch sensor switch 65 or the capacitance type pressure sensor 68 may be provided.

  The capacitive pressure sensor 68 can be formed by bending the projecting piece 68c of the sheet material 67 to which the oscillation side electrode 68a and the reception side electrode 68b are attached. A spacer or the like may be provided between the oscillation side electrode 68a and the reception side electrode 68b in order to keep a constant distance between them. The spacer may be, for example, an elastic body such as rubber capable of storing a capacitance.

  The capacitive pressure sensor 68 has higher sensitivity than the touch sensor switch 65. The capacitive pressure sensor 68 can be provided to the plurality of touch sensor switches 65 in a many-to-one relationship. In this case, the capacitive pressure sensor 68 can detect the displacement in the pushing direction by the change in the distance between the oscillation electrode 68 a and the reception electrode 68 b. The plurality of touch sensor switches 65 can detect a touch position. It is possible to eliminate false detection by checking both the displacement in the pressing direction and the touch position to determine the pressing operation.

  A sheet of sheet material 67 having such a configuration is disposed on the back side of the interior product 2 such as an instrument panel. The sheet material 67 of one sheet is appropriately provided with a capacitive pressure sensor 68 and a wiring 67 a for electrically connecting the touch sensor switch 65, the IC 69, and the like. This makes it possible to eliminate the switch panel that is configured as a separate member from the instrument panel, and to eliminate the switch button that is actually pressed with a finger. In this embodiment, a plurality of touch sensor switches 65 are provided at approximately the center of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction 64 as an operation switch of an air conditioner (air conditioner).

  Then, the tactile sensation generating device 1 is provided along with the touch sensor switch 65 on the interior goods 2 of the vehicle 61 (for example, an instrument panel, a finisher, etc.), and the tactile sensation generating device 1 is operated immediately when the touch sensor switch 65 responds. , And a switch panel that generates a tactile sensation when input to the touch sensor switch 65 is obtained.

  A plurality of touch sensor switches 65 can be provided on the instrument panel or finisher. Then, the tactile sensation generation device 1 is provided in a one-to-one ratio for each touch sensor switch 65, or in a many-to-one ratio with respect to a plurality of touch sensor switches 65. In this case, the tactile sensation generation device 1 is appropriately provided at a position within a range where vibration can be felt by a finger when touching any of the touch sensor switches 65 on the vibrating member 3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, in the vibration generating device 4 of the tactile sensation generating device 1, the pressing deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 may be different by the touch sensor switch 65 (α <β). Then, the vibration generation device 4 of the tactile sensation generation device 1 may make the amount of pressure deformation α, β with respect to the vibration member 3 different according to the distances L1, L2 from the touch sensor switch 65. In particular, as the vibration generating device 4 of the tactile sensation generating device 1 is closer to the distance L1, L2 from the touch sensor switch 65 (L1 <L2), the amount of pressure deformation α, β to the vibrating member 3 may be smaller ( The pressing deformation amount α at the distance L1 and the pressing deformation amount β) at the distance L2. The amount of pressure deformation on the vibrating member 3 is adjusted by the amount of projection of the movable iron core 21.

  Further, a portion provided with the touch sensor switch 65 of the instrument panel or the finisher is referred to as a display unit 66. The display unit 66 is designed to make it possible to understand the operation content of the touch sensor switch 65. In the display unit 66, an instrument panel is provided by providing a thin portion capable of transmitting light in a part of a finisher having a thickness which does not transmit light, or embedding a portion of transparent resin by two-color molding or the like. And formed in the finisher. When the touch sensor switch 65 is formed of a transparent electrode and the light source is disposed on the back surface 3 a side of the display unit 66 directly or through a light guide, the display unit 66 can perform transmissive illumination.

  However, the interior goods 2 which can provide the tactile sense generation device 1 in the vehicle 61 are not limited to the above, and can be, for example, the interior goods 2 such as a steering wheel and a seat. When the tactile sensation generating device 1 is provided on a sheet, the vibrating member 3 can be, for example, a sheet frame that forms a frame of the sheet. The seat frame can not be seen from the outside by being covered with a cushioning material or a cover. The vibration generated by the tactile sensation generator 1 is set to a magnitude that is transmitted to the surface of the sheet through the cushioning material and the cover.

(7) Hereinafter, a tactile sensation generation method using the tactile sensation generation device 1 will be described.
The tactile sensation generation method is to make the vibrating member 3 vibrate by using the vibration generating device 4 installed on the back surface 3 a side of the vibrating member 3 to feel tactile sensation.
As the vibration generating device 4, a solenoid 23 having a movable iron core 21 capable of approaching and moving away from the vibrating member 3 and a coil 22 for pressing the movable iron core 21 to the vibrating member 3 by energization is used.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, after the movable iron core 21 is pressed against the vibrating member 3 by energization and the vibratory member 3 is pressed and deformed, as shown in FIG. By causing the vibrating member 3 to return from its shape and causing the vibrating member 3 to return in shape, the vibrating member 3 is caused to generate a vibration due to an elastic return force.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable iron core 21 is in contact with the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 using the contact means 24 (for example, the elastic contact member 31) in the non-energized state before occurrence of vibration. You may be allowed to stand by in the state.

  In addition, when the energization of the coil 22 is stopped by the return assisting means 41 (for example, the elastic retraction member 51), the moving away of the movable iron core 21 from the vibrating member 3 may be accelerated.

  Then, the vibration (touch feeling) may be generated by the vibration member 3 with respect to the interior products 2 (for example, around the touch sensor switch 65) installed in the vehicle 61.

  <Operation> The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  The tactile sensation generation device 1 includes the vibration member 3 and the vibration generation device 4, and when the front surface 3b of the vibration member 3 is touched, the vibration generation device 4 installed on the back surface 3a side of the vibration member 3 It is a device that makes the vibration of the vibrating member 3 feel as a tactile sensation or generates an emphasis by generating the vibration. As a result, it is possible to artificially feel (a feeling of operation as if the user actually operated something) artificially to the person who touched the surface 3 b of the vibrating member 3.

  At this time, it is preferable to use an elastically deformable one as the vibrating member 3. As a result, the vibration of the vibrating member 3 by the vibration generating device 4 becomes large, and it becomes easy to feel the tactile sensation.

  The tactile sensation generation device 1 can be configured to obtain a tactile sensation (operation feeling) at the time of input to the touch sensor switch 65 by combining it with an input device such as the touch sensor switch 65 using the touch sensor switch 65, for example. In addition, the tactile sensation generation device 1 can be used, for example, to provide a warning using vibration by providing the tactile sensation generation device 1 alone.

  <Effects> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (Effect 1) The vibration generating device 4 is constituted by the solenoid 23 having the movable iron core 21 and the coil 22. By energizing the coil 22, the solenoid 23 moves (protrusively moves) the movable iron core 21 closer to the vibrating member 3 by the electromagnetic force to forcibly press the vibrating member 3 from the back surface 3a side to the front surface 3b side. Transform it. Further, by stopping energization of the coil 22, the solenoid 23 loses the electromagnetic force and the movable iron core 21 is moved away (retracted) from the vibrating member 3, so that the forced pressing deformation on the vibrating member 3 is instantaneous To be released. As described above, when the pressing force by the movable iron core 21 disappears instantaneously, the vibrating member 3 that has been pressed and deformed tends to be rapidly restored in shape by the elastic force of the vibrating member 3. Therefore, vibration is generated in the vibrating member 3, and a pseudo tactile sensation is generated by the vibration of the vibrating member 3.

  And the contact means 24 is provided, and the movable iron core 21 is made to stand by in the state which contact | abuts on the back surface 3a of the vibration member 3 before a vibration generate | occur | produces. With such a standby state, it is possible to generate vibration in the vibrating member 3 without directly hitting the vibrating member 3. At this time, since the movable iron core 21 operates without directly tapping the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3, the solenoid 23 can eliminate the occurrence of a large striking sound. Further, since the vibration of the vibrating member 3 is generated by the elastic return force of the vibrating member 3, more natural vibration and tactile sensation can be obtained as compared with the case where the vibration member 3 is forcibly hit to generate the vibration.

  As described above, when generating vibration in the vibrating member 3 without directly tapping the vibrating member 3 using shape return by the pressure deformation and elastic force of the vibrating member 3, a relatively large-sized solenoid 23 or the like is used. It is effective to use the vibration generating device 4.

  In addition, when installing the vibration generating device 4 on the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3, it is necessary to consider the influence of dimensional deviation (of the vibrating member 3 and the vibration generating device 4), but the solenoid 23 is relatively large Because the movable stroke of the movable iron core 21 is large, the vibration generating device 4 is less susceptible to dimensional deviations compared to the case where other small vibration generating devices with small amplitude are used. Becomes easy. Further, as described above, in order to install the vibration generating device 4 on the side of the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3, it is not necessary to provide special absorbing means with loose. Therefore, the use of the solenoid 23 eliminates the influence of dimensional deviation and provides stable operation, which is structurally advantageous.

  Then, the influence of dimensional deviation when installing the vibration generating device 4 on the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 is that the movable iron core 21 is abutted on the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 by the contact means 24 in the standby state. It is absorbed easily by setting it.

  (Effect 2) As the contact means 24, an elastic contact member 31 may be used. By utilizing the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31, it is possible to lightly press the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 in a state where the tip of the movable iron core 21 protrudes to the middle position of the movable range in the standby state. It can be easily and reliably set. Further, even when the solenoid 23 causes the vibrating member 3 to vibrate, the elastic contact member 31 does not easily disturb the vibration.

  At this time, by using an elastic contact member 31 such as a contact spring or an elastic contact member as the contact means 24, for example, another actuator is electrically used as the contact means 24. The configuration of the contact means 24 can be simplified as compared with the case of driving in the following manner.

  When the movable iron core 21 is retracted by stopping the energization in the middle of the operating state generating the vibration, the movable iron core 21 is temporarily separated from the back surface 3 a of the vibration member 3 and the back surface of the vibration member 3 is again A phenomenon that abuts on 3a may occur. However, due to this phenomenon, the distance at which the movable iron core 21 separates from the vibrating member 3 is small, and even when the movable iron core 21 abuts on the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 again after separation, the vibration generating device 4 (electromagnetic force by the Instead, the contact is due to the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31. Therefore, since the movable iron core 21 does not hit so strongly against the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3, the striking sound due to this contact becomes small and can be suppressed to a degree that it is not particularly annoying.

  (Effect 3) A return assisting means 41 may be provided to accelerate the separation of the movable iron core 21 from the vibrating member 3 when the energization of the coil 22 is stopped in the middle of the operating state for generating the vibration. As described above, when the energization of the coil 22 is stopped and the electromagnetic force disappears, the return assisting means 41 assists the movement of the movable iron core 21 in the direction of separating from the vibrating member 3 to vibrate the vibrating member 3. Timing (the response speed of the vibrating member 3) can be made faster.

  (Effect 4) The return assisting means 41 may be an elastic return member 51. The elastic retraction member 51 is bent along with the movement of the movable iron core 21 when the movable iron core 21 projects to the maximum projecting position by the electromagnetic force of the solenoid 23, and an elastic force is accumulated. The elastic retracting member 51 has a smaller elasticity than the elastic contact member 31 so that the movable iron core 21 is slightly bent even in a standby state in which the movable iron core 21 protrudes to an intermediate position by the pressing force of the elastic contact member 31. It may be a member (elastic return member 51 <elastic contact member 31).

  At this time, by using an elastic retraction member 51 such as a retraction spring or a retraction elastic body as the return assisting means 41, for example, another actuator is used as the return assisting means 41 to electrically operate another actuator. The configuration of the return assisting means 41 can be simplified as compared with the case of driving in the following manner.

  Specifically, when the movable iron core 21 is lightly abutted against the back surface 3a of the vibrating member 3 in advance by the elastic abutment member 31 in the standby state, the elastic retraction member 51 (return assisting means 41) is elastic. It is hardly accumulated or slightly bent by the elastic abutment member 31 so that the elastic force is slightly accumulated. At this time, when the movable iron core 21 is brought into contact with the vibrating member 3, most of the accumulated elastic force is used as the elastic contact member 31 (contact means 24).

  Then, when the movable iron core 21 is forcibly protruded by the energization of the coil 22, the elastic retraction member 51 is bent to be in a state where the elastic force is accumulated to the maximum. At this time, the elastic contact member 31 (contact means 24) is extended to a substantially natural length or near by the movable iron core 21 projecting to the maximum projecting position, and the accumulated elastic force hardly remains (Alternatively, the elastic force in the opposite direction may be accumulated by being extended than the natural length).

  Next, when energization of the coil 22 is stopped, shape return occurs in the vibrating member 3 and, at the same time, the elastic force accumulated in the elastic retraction member 51 is released at a stretch to move the movable iron core 21 away from the vibrating member 3 The elastic force of the elastic retraction member 51 is applied more than the response speed of the vibrating member 3 obtained by the restoring force of the vibrating member 3 itself or the self weight of the movable iron core The response speed of the vibrating member 3 is increased only by the difference between the elastic force of the elastic retraction member 51 and the elastic force of the elastic contact member 31 at the time of response (the response speed without the elastic retraction member 51 <elastic retraction Response speed when the return member 51 is provided). At this time, elastic force for causing the movable iron core 21 to abut on the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 is accumulated in the elastic contact member 31 (contact means 24) again.

  Thereafter, the movable iron core 21 is returned to the standby state (a state in which the movable iron core 21 lightly abuts on the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3) by the elastic force accumulated in the elastic contact member 31.

  (Effect 5) The vibration member 3 may be provided to the interior product 2 installed in the vehicle 61. As a result, the interior 2 of the vehicle 61 integrally has a touch generation function, and the interior 2 having the touch generation function can be easily obtained.

  Further, for example, by providing the tactile sensation generation device 1 alone on the interior products 2 such as the steering wheel and the seat of the vehicle 61, warning information detected by the vehicle 61 during driving (for example, jumping out of a pedestrian or a leading vehicle A warning can be sent to the occupant's body quickly via the interior product 2 by means of the interior product 2 to alert the driver of a sudden interruption or a sudden stop of the preceding vehicle. The warning information can use, for example, information obtained by processing information from various sensors and cameras provided in the vehicle 61 to perform automatic driving.

  (Effect 6) The vibration generating device 4 may be provided around the touch sensor switch 65 installed in the interior product 2. Thereby, according to the input to the touch sensor switch 65, a tactile sensation can be generated. Moreover, by providing the tactile sensation generating device 1 and the touch sensor switch 65 in combination on the back surface 3 a side of the vibrating member 3, a switch that can not see the interior goods 2 (by the touch sensor switch 65 installed on the back surface 3 a side) In addition to being provided, an invisible switch can be a high-performance switch panel having an operational feeling (similar to a switch button that can be actually pressed with a finger by the tactile sensation device 1).

  (Effect 7) As a tactile sensation generation method using the tactile sensation generation device 1, the movable iron core 21 is caused to stand by in the state of being in contact with the back surface 3 a of the vibrating member 3 using the contact means 24 before occurrence of vibration. After the movable iron core 21 is pressed against the vibrating member 3 to press and deform the vibrating member 3, the movable iron core 21 is separated from the vibrating member 3 to cause the vibrating member 3 to restore its shape, thereby causing the vibrating member 3 to generate vibration. You may do so. According to such a tactile sensation generation method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect 1.

  Furthermore, this embodiment has the following features.

(Effect 8) A plurality of touch sensor switches 65 for causing the vibration generating device 4 to generate vibration may be provided on the back surface side of the vibrating member 3. The vibration generating device 4 of this embodiment does not strike the vibrating member 3 directly, but uses the solenoid 23 to cause the vibrating member 3 to vibrate by the elastic return force, so a wide range of the vibrating member 3 is obtained. Vibration is easily transmitted to As a result, even with one vibration generating device 4, it is possible to simultaneously generate vibration (a tactile sensation due to haptic vibration) with respect to the plurality of touch sensor switches 65. Therefore, the number of vibration generating devices 4 can be reduced to reduce the installation space and cost of the vibration generating devices 4.
Further, in the vibration generating device 4, the pressing deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 may be different depending on the touch sensor switch 65 (α <β). This makes it possible to individually change the magnitude of the vibration of the vibrating member 3 for each touch sensor switch 65. Therefore, the vibration can be set and adjusted to a size that matches each touch sensor switch 65. Alternatively, depending on the difference in magnitude of vibration given to the vibrating member 3, it can be made to associate which touch sensor switch 65 is touched.

  (Effect 9) The vibration generating device 4 may be configured such that the amount of pressure deformation α, β with respect to the vibrating member 3 differs in accordance with the distances L1, L2 from the touch sensor switch 65. As a result, the amount of pressure deformation α, β with respect to the vibration member 3 can be set to be different based on the distances L1, L2 from the touch sensor switch 65. Therefore, the setting of the pressure deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 can be facilitated.

  (Effect 10) The vibration generating device 4 may be configured such that the pressing deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 become smaller as the distances L1 and L2 from the touch sensor switch 65 become closer (L1 <L2) (the distance L1 When the amount of pressure deformation α, the amount of pressure deformation β when the distance L2). Alternatively, the amount of pressure deformation on the vibrating member 3 may be increased as the distance from the touch sensor switch 65 increases. Thereby, regardless of the distances L1 and L2 from the vibration generating device 4, for example, it becomes possible to make the vibration of the vibrating member 3 feel a constant regardless of which touch sensor switch 65 is touched. Therefore, a stable touch can be obtained.

  (Effect 11) The tactile sensation generation method uses the vibration generation device 4 installed on the back surface side of the vibration member 3 when touching any of the plurality of touch sensor switches 65 installed on the back surface side of the vibration member 3 In the tactile sensation generation method in which the tactile sensation is felt by causing the vibration member 3 to vibrate, the movable iron core 21 capable of moving closer to and away from the vibration member 3 in the vibration generating device 4 and the movable iron core 21 by energization. After the movable iron core 21 is pressed against the vibrating member 3 by energization using the solenoid 23 having the coil 22 for pressing the vibrating member 3 and the vibrating member 3 is pressed and deformed, the movable iron core 21 is By causing the vibrating member 3 to return to its shape, thereby causing the vibrating member 3 to generate a vibration due to an elastic return force, and the vibration generating device 4 to Pressing deformation amount with respect to the vibrating member 3 by the sensor switch 65 alpha, it may be made different beta. According to such a tactile sensation generation method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect 8.

  The tactile sensation generation method may be such that the pressure deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 differ according to the distances L1 and L2 from the touch sensor switch 65. Thereby, the same effect as the effect 9 can be obtained.

  Further, the tactile sensation generation method may be such that the pressing deformation amounts α and β with respect to the vibrating member 3 become smaller as the distances L1 and L2 from the touch sensor switch 65 become closer (L1 <L2) (pressing at the time of the distance L1 Deformation amount α, pressing deformation amount β at the distance L 2). Thereby, the same effect as the effect 10 can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 tactile sense generator 2 interior goods 3 vibrating member 3a back surface 4 vibration generating device 21 movable iron core 22 coil 23 solenoid 24 contact means 31 elastic contact member 41 return urging member 51 elastic return member 61 vehicle 65 touch sensor switch α, β Amount of pressure deformation L1, L2 distance

Claims (3)

In the tactile sensation generating device in which the vibration generating device is installed on the back side of the vibrating member,
The vibration generating device displaces the movable iron core which can move close to and away from the vibrating member and the movable iron core toward the vibrating member by energization to press and deform the vibrating member, and the movable is stopped by stopping the energization. A solenoid having a coil for causing an iron core to move away from the vibrating member and causing the vibrating member to vibrate by an elastic return force of the vibrating member ;
On the back side of the vibrating member, a plurality of touch sensor switches for generating vibrations in the vibration generating device are disposed,
The tactile sensation generation device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration generation device has a pressure deformation amount with respect to the vibration member that is different according to a distance from the touch sensor switch. The tactile sensation device according to claim 1 , wherein
The tactile sensation generation device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration generation device has a smaller amount of pressure deformation on the vibration member as the distance from the touch sensor switch decreases. The tactile sensation is generated by causing the vibration member to vibrate using the vibration generating device installed on the back surface side of the vibration member when touching any of the plurality of touch sensor switches installed on the back surface side of the vibration member. In the touch generation method made to feel
The vibration generating device uses a solenoid having a movable iron core that can move close to and away from the vibrating member and a coil that causes the movable iron to press the vibrating member when energized.
After the movable iron core is pressed against the vibrating member by energization to press and deform the vibrating member, the movable iron core is separated from the vibrating member by stopping the energization to restore the shape of the vibrating member, whereby the vibration is generated. Generate vibration due to elastic return force on the member,
The tactile sensation generation method, wherein the vibration generation device makes the amount of pressure deformation on the vibrating member different according to the distance from the touch sensor switch.