JP7094088B2 - Operation input device - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiment relates to an operation input device.

Conventionally, there is an operation input device that gives a predetermined tactile sensation to a user who performs an input operation by vibrating an operation panel operated by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-170766

However, in the conventional operation input device, when the operation panel is vibrated in order to give a predetermined tactile sensation to the user, audible noise may be generated from the operation panel. The operation input device can reduce the audible noise by suppressing the vibration amount of the operation panel, but if the vibration amount is suppressed, the user cannot be given a predetermined tactile sensation.

One aspect of the embodiment is made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an operation input device capable of reducing audible noise generated by an operation panel while giving a predetermined tactile sensation to a user. And.

The operation input device according to one embodiment includes an operation unit and a drive unit. The operation unit has a vibrating element that vibrates the operation panel, and when the operation panel vibrates at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined vibration amount, a predetermined tactile sensation is generated on the operation surface. The drive unit inputs to the vibrating element a first drive signal that vibrates the operation panel at a predetermined frequency smaller than the predetermined vibration amount and a second drive signal that vibrates the operation panel at a frequency near the predetermined frequency. do.

The operation input device according to one aspect of the embodiment can reduce audible noise generated by the operation panel while giving a predetermined tactile sensation to the user.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the operation panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the operation panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the operation panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the operation panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the driving method according to the embodiment. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the driving method according to the embodiment. FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the driving method according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the response characteristics of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the response characteristics of the vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the operation input device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation input device 1 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation input device 1 includes an operation unit 2 operated by a user with a fingertip F, and a control unit 3 that controls the operation of the operation unit 2 and detects the operation of the operation unit 2 by the user. Be prepared.

The operation unit 2 is operated on an operation panel 21 whose front surface is an operation surface operated by a user, a vibration element 22 provided on the back surface of the operation panel 21 to vibrate the operation panel 21, a pedestal 23, and a pedestal 23. A holding member (adhesive layer) 24 for holding the panel 21 is provided.

The operation panel 21 has, for example, a three-layer structure in which a support plate 41, a contact sensor 42, and a protective layer 43 are laminated. The support plate 41 is, for example, a resin plate having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a uniform thickness. The contact sensor 42 includes, for example, a plurality of capacitive pressure-sensitive sensors arranged in the plane direction of the operation panel 21. The protective layer 43 is, for example, a thin film made of glass or resin.

The vibrating element 22 is, for example, a piezoelectric element that vibrates in response to a drive signal input from the control unit 3. The vibrating element 22 vibrates the operation panel 21 by vibrating at the frequency of the sine wave, for example, when a drive signal of a sine wave is input. Further, the vibrating element 22 vibrates with a vibration amount proportional to the signal level of the drive signal.

The control unit 3 includes a drive unit 31 and a detection unit 32. The drive unit 31 inputs a drive signal to the vibration element 22 to vibrate the vibration element 22 to vibrate the operation panel 21 at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined vibration amount, thereby causing a predetermined tactile sensation on the operation surface.

For example, the drive unit 31 vibrates the operation panel 21 at a frequency in the ultrasonic band when the user slides the fingertip F on the operation surface of the operation panel 21. As a result, a squeeze film is formed on the operation surface of the operation panel 21.

The squeeze film is a thin air layer formed by the operation panel 21 vibrating at a frequency in the ultrasonic band and air being drawn between the operation surface and the user's fingertip F. The operation panel 21 reduces the frictional resistance of the operation surface by forming a squeeze film between the operation surface and the fingertip F, thereby giving the user who operates the operation surface with the fingertip F a smooth feel. be able to.

The detection unit 32 determines the user's operation position on the operation panel 21 based on the signal input from the contact sensor 42. As described above, the contact sensor 42 includes a plurality of capacitive pressure-sensitive sensors arranged in the plane direction of the operation panel 21, and the voltage corresponding to the capacitance of each capacitive pressure-sensitive sensor. The signal is output to the detection unit 32. When the user operates the operation panel 21, the contact sensor 42 changes the capacitance of the capacitive pressure-sensitive sensor arranged at a position corresponding to the user's operation position on the operation surface.

Therefore, the detection unit 32 can determine the arrangement position of the capacitance type pressure-sensitive sensor whose capacitance has fluctuated as the operation position on the operation panel 21. The detection unit 32 outputs a signal indicating the user's operation position on the determined operation panel 21 to a controlled device (not shown) whose operation is controlled by the operation of the operation input device 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3B, an example of a driving method in which the driving unit 31 according to the embodiment vibrates the operation panel 21 will be described. 2A to 3B are explanatory views of a driving method of the operation panel 21 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the drive unit 31 operates the operation panel 21 by vibrating the operation panel 21 with a predetermined frequency f (hereinafter, referred to as “ultrasonic frequency”) and a predetermined vibration amount in the ultrasonic band. The above-mentioned squeeze film can be formed on the surface. As a result, the operation input device 1 can give a predetermined smooth tactile sensation to the user who operates the operation panel 21.

However, when the operation panel 21 is vibrated at the ultrasonic frequency, the operation input device 1 is a fractional order of the ultrasonic frequency (1 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more), typically 2 minutes. 1. In the following, audible noise (hereinafter, simply referred to as “noise”) having a frequency f / 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “fractional order frequency”) corresponding to N = 2) is generated. As shown in FIG. 2B, the noise of the fractional frequency is a sound having a frequency in the audible range, and when it is heard by the user, it causes discomfort to the user and needs to be reduced.

Here, human hearing has the characteristic that when a sound of a predetermined level is sounding, even if a sound of a frequency close to the sound of the sound is sounded, it does not respond (cannot be heard) if the sound pressure is less than the predetermined level. be. Therefore, for example, when the noise of the fractional order frequency is sounding, the user cannot hear the sound in the band shown by the substantially parabolic dotted line in FIG. 2B.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the drive unit 31 vibrates the operation panel 21 at a frequency close to the ultrasonic frequency and a first drive signal that vibrates the operation panel 21 at a frequency smaller than a predetermined vibration amount. The two drive signals are simultaneously input to the vibrating element 22.

The predetermined vibration amount here is an operation panel in which the operation panel 21 is vibrated at a single ultrasonic frequency shown in FIG. 2A, and a squeeze film is formed between the operation surface of the operation panel 21 and the user's fingertip F. It is the vibration amount of 21.

As a result, the drive unit 31 can reduce the sound pressure peak of the ultrasonic frequency as compared with the case shown in FIG. 2A, and as a result, the sound pressure peak of the noise of the fractional order frequency can be reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG. 2A. Since it can be reduced, noise at the fractional frequency can be reduced.

At this time, if the drive unit 31 simply inputs the first drive signal to the vibration element 22, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic frequency is weaker than that shown in FIG. 2A, so that the tactile sensation given to the user is weakened, but the second drive By inputting a signal to the vibrating element 22, the weakened sound pressure can be supplemented. Therefore, the operation input device 1 can give a predetermined tactile sensation to the user.

Further, the drive unit 31 is the sum of the vibration amount of the operation panel 21 by inputting the first drive signal to the vibration element 22 and the vibration amount of the operation panel 21 by inputting the second drive signal to the vibration element 22. Is equal to the predetermined vibration amount.

As a result, the drive unit 31 vibrates the operation panel 21 at a single ultrasonic frequency shown in FIG. 2A, and a squeeze film is formed between the operation surface of the operation panel 21 and the user's fingertip F. A similar tactile sensation can be given to the user.

Further, when the drive unit 31 inputs a second drive signal that vibrates the operation panel 21 at a frequency close to the ultrasonic frequency to the vibrating element 22, as shown in FIG. 3A, the frequency corresponding to the fractional order of each near frequency is used. Sound is generated from the operation panel 21.

Therefore, the drive unit 31 sets the near frequency to a frequency within the band in which the sound having a frequency corresponding to the fractional order of the nearby frequency is audibly masked by the sound having a frequency corresponding to the fractional order of the ultrasonic frequency.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, a sound having a frequency close to the fractional order frequency is actually sounded, but as shown in FIG. 3B, the sound is audibly masked by the sound having a fractional order frequency. , Not heard by the user. Therefore, the noise can be reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG. 2B. As described above, it is possible to reduce audible noise that causes discomfort to the user while giving the user a predetermined tactile sensation.

The driving method for vibrating the operation panel 21 described above is an example, and the driving method for the operation panel 21 performed by the driving unit 31 is not limited to this. Next, a modified example of the driving method in which the driving unit 31 according to the embodiment vibrates the operation panel 21 will be described. 4A to 4C are explanatory views of a modified example of the driving method according to the embodiment.

The operation panel 21 has a unique response characteristic when the thickness is uniform and the shape is rectangular in a plan view, for example, as shown by a substantially parabolic solid line in FIG. 4A. Such an operation panel 21 vibrates at a frequency in the resonance band where a substantially parabolic solid line exists in FIG. 4A, but cannot vibrate efficiently at a frequency outside the resonance band. Therefore, the drive unit 31 needs to input a drive signal having a frequency within the resonance band to the vibration element 22 in order to give a predetermined tactile sensation to the operation surface of the operation panel 21.

Therefore, the drive unit 31 inputs the first drive signal whose predetermined frequency is equivalent to the resonance frequency of the operation panel 21 to the vibrating element 22, and the second drive whose near frequency is a frequency within the resonance band of the operation panel 21. The signal is input to the vibration element 22.

As a result, for example, the drive unit 31 reduces the noise of the fractional order frequency by suppressing the signal level of the first drive signal of the ultrasonic frequency which is the resonance frequency to be low, and the second drive signal of the frequency near the resonance frequency. The vibration amount of the operation panel 21 can be increased. Therefore, the operation input device 1 can reduce the noise generated by the operation panel 21 while giving the user a predetermined tactile sensation.

Further, when the drive signal having a resonance frequency corresponding to the peak of the substantially parabolic solid line shown in FIG. 4A is input to the vibration element 22, the operation panel 21 has the largest vibration amount with respect to the signal level of the drive signal. Further, in the operation panel 21, the vibration amount of the drive signal with respect to the signal level becomes smaller as the frequency of the drive signal deviates from the resonance frequency in the resonance band.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the drive unit 31 has a plurality of signals whose signal level increases as the frequency near the resonance frequency, which is the frequency of the first drive signal, deviates from the resonance frequency in the resonance band of the operation panel 21. 2 The drive signal is output to the vibration element 22.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the drive unit 31 can vibrate the operation panel 21 as much as possible at a frequency corresponding to a fraction of the frequency near the resonance frequency, and the vibration at the resonance frequency by that amount. Noise can be reduced by reducing the amount.

As described above, when the operation panel 21 has a uniform thickness and a rectangular shape in a plan view, for example, the operation panel 21 has a unique response characteristic as shown by a substantially parabolic solid line in FIG. 4A, but has a resonance band. If the width can be increased, the noise of the fractional frequency can be further reduced.

Specifically, when the resonance band of the operation panel 21 is widened, the drive unit 31 inputs a second drive signal having a larger near frequency to the vibrating element 22 and vibrates the operation panel 21 at a larger near frequency. Thereby, the vibration amount of the operation panel 21 can be further increased.

Therefore, if the operation input device 1 can widen the width of the resonance band, the vibration amount of the operation panel 21 at the resonance frequency is further reduced to give a predetermined tactile sensation to the user, and the noise generated by the operation panel 21 is generated. Can be further reduced.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the resonance band of the operation panel 21 is widened by adopting a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane of the inner ear in a human body having a very wide resonance band for the operation unit 2. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the noise of the fractional order frequency of the resonance frequency can be further reduced.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the response characteristics of the basement membrane and the response characteristics of the vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane will be described. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the response characteristics of the basement membrane according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the response characteristics of the vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment.

The human basement membrane is an organ in which an elongated thin film is spirally wound, and has a structure in which the hardness (difficulty of deformation) gradually decreases from the base end to the tip. As a result, when a sound wave in the high frequency band arrives at the human ear, the basement membrane vibrates at a portion near the proximal end in the longitudinal direction. Further, when a sound wave in the middle frequency band arrives at the human ear, the basement membrane vibrates at a portion near the central portion in the longitudinal direction. When a low-frequency sound wave arrives at the human ear, the part near the tip in the longitudinal direction vibrates.

As described above, the basement membrane has a vibration site determined for each frequency of the applied vibration, and as shown in FIG. 5A, has a wide and uniform response characteristic (resonance characteristic) over the entire frequency band in the audible range.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by adopting a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane in the operation unit 2, the resonance band of the operation panel described later is shown by a substantially parabolic solid line in FIG. 5B, which is a rectangular shape in a plan view. It is wider than the resonance band of the flat plate-shaped operation panel (see the substantially parabolic dotted line shown in FIG. 5B).

Hereinafter, an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. 6 to 12 are explanatory views of an example of a vibration structure simulating the structure of the basement membrane according to the embodiment.

In the following description, among the components shown in FIGS. 6 to 12, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 will be described by assigning the same reference numerals to the components shown in FIG. Omit. In FIGS. 6 to 12, the control unit 3 is not shown.

First, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation unit 2a according to the first structural example will be described. The upper figure in FIG. 6 shows the plan view shape of the operation unit 2a. Further, the lower view of FIG. 6 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2a.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the operation panel 21a of the operation unit 2a has a plan view table shape, and the width in the plan view is continuously widened from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. be. Further, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 6, the operation panel 21a has a flat plate shape having a uniform thickness in a side view.

Due to such a structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21a gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction in the plan view, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the panel 21.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the end edge corresponding to the hypotenuse of the trapezoid in the plan view of the operation panel 21a is a straight line, but the width of the operation panel 21a in the plan view is directed from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. The edges may be curved as long as the shape is continuously widened.

Next, the operation unit 2b according to the second structural example will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The upper figure in FIG. 7 shows the plan view shape of the operation unit 2b. Further, the lower view of FIG. 7 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2b.

The operation panel 21b of the operation unit 2b has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 7, and as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 7, the thickness increases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. It is a shape that becomes thinner continuously. The operation unit 2b makes the operation surface of the operation panel 21b parallel to the surface of the pedestal 23 by making the thickness of one holding member 24b1 different from that of the other holding member 24b2.

Even with such a structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21b gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction in the plan view, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the operation panel 21.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation unit 2c according to the third structural example will be described. The upper figure in FIG. 8 shows the plan view shape of the operation unit 2c. Further, the lower view of FIG. 8 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2c. Although the vibration element 22 is not shown in FIG. 8, the vibration element 22 is provided on the back surface of the operation panel 21 in the operation unit 2c as well as the other operation units.

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, a rib (reinforcing member) 25 having a thickness continuously decreasing from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction is provided on the back surface of the operation panel 21 of the operation unit 2c. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, such ribs 25 are provided along each of the two long sides in the plan view of the operation panel 21. The operation unit 2c makes the operation surface of the operation panel 21 parallel to the surface of the pedestal 23 by making the thickness of one holding member 24c1 different from that of the other holding member 24c2.

Even with such a structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21 gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction in the plan view, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the operation panel 21.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the operation unit 2d according to the fourth structural example will be described. The left figure in FIG. 9 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2d on the long side. Further, the right figure of FIG. 9 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2d on the short side side.

The hatching of the holding member 24d shown on the left side of FIG. 9 indicates the hardness (rigidity) of the material of the holding member 24d, and the shorter the interval between the hatched diagonal lines, the higher the hardness (rigidity). .. As shown in FIG. 9, the hardness (rigidity) of the holding member 24d of the operating portion 2d gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction.

Even with such a structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21 gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction in the plan view, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the operation panel 21.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation unit 2e according to the fifth structural example will be described. The left figure in FIG. 10 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2e on the long side. Further, the right figure of FIG. 10 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2e on the short side side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the operation unit 2e is provided with a plurality of (here, five) holding members 24e1, 24e2, 24e3, 24e4 provided along the direction from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the operation panel 21. , 24e5.

As for the five holding members 24e1, 24e2, 24e3, 24e4, 24e5, the closer to one end of the operation panel 21 in the longitudinal direction, the longer the length of the operation panel 21 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the distance between the five holding members 24e1,24e2, 24e3, 24e4, 24e5 is larger as it is closer to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the operation panel 21.

Even with such a structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21 gradually decreases from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction in the plan view, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the operation panel 21.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the operation unit 2f according to the sixth structural example will be described. The upper figure in FIG. 11 shows the plan view shape of the operation unit 2f. Further, the lower view of FIG. 11 shows the side view shape of the operation unit 2f.

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 11, a pair of vibration elements 22f1,22f2 are provided on the back surface of the operation panel 21 of the operation unit 2f along each of the two long sides in the plan view of the operation panel 21.

Of the pair of vibrating elements 22f1,22f2, one vibrating element 22f1 has a larger area in a plan view than the other vibrating element 22f2. As a result, in the operation panel 21, the portion on the side where one of the vibrating elements 22f1 is provided is more likely to vibrate than the portion where the other vibrating element 22f2 is provided.

Even with such a structure, the operation panel 21 has a deformation characteristic similar to that of the basement membrane, so that the resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the operation panel 21 having a rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view. Although two vibrating elements 22f1,22f2 are provided here, three or more vibrating elements may be provided.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the operation panel 21g according to the seventh structural example will be described. FIG. 12 shows the plan view shape of the operation panel 21g. As shown in FIG. 12, the operation panel 21g has a shape in which a plan view band-shaped panel is spirally wound. The band-shaped panel has a shape in which the width gradually increases from the center of the vortex toward the outer circumference.

Even with this structure, the hardness of the operation panel 21g gradually decreases as the band-shaped panel moves from the center of the vortex toward the outer circumference, and the deformation characteristics are similar to the deformation characteristics of the basement membrane. The resonance frequency can be made wider than that of the panel 21.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, a case where the operation panel 21 is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency to give a slippery tactile sensation to the user's fingertip F has been described, but in the present embodiment, the user's fingertip F is used. It can also be applied to give a click feeling.

For example, when the user touches the operation panel 21, the operation input device 1 can give a click feeling to the user's fingertip F by vibrating the operation panel 21 at a low frequency in the audible range.

At this time, since the operation panel 21 vibrates at a frequency in the audible range, a useless sound is generated, and depending on the situation, the sound may cause annoyance to the surroundings. Therefore, the drive unit 31 can reduce the generated sound by vibrating the operation panel 21 by the same drive method as the above-mentioned drive method even when the user's fingertip F is given a click feeling.

Specifically, the drive unit 31 includes a first drive signal that vibrates the operation panel 21 at a predetermined low frequency while suppressing the amount of vibration, and a second drive signal that vibrates the operation panel 21 at a frequency close to the predetermined frequency. Is input to the vibrating element 22.

At this time, the drive unit 31 sets the near frequency to a frequency within the band in which the sound of the nearby frequency is audibly masked by the sound of the predetermined frequency. As a result, the operation input device 1 can reduce the unnecessary sound generated from the operation panel 21 by reducing the vibration amount of the operation panel 21 that vibrates at a predetermined low frequency.

Further, the operation input device 1 compensates for the reduced amount of vibration at a predetermined frequency by the amount of vibration at a frequency in the vicinity of the predetermined frequency, thereby giving a sufficient click feeling to the fingertip F of the user who touches the operation panel 21. Can be given. At this time, the sound generated by the vibration at a nearby frequency is masked by the sound at a predetermined frequency, so that it is not heard by the user or people around.

Although the above-mentioned driving method of the operation panel 21 is sufficiently effective by itself, it is possible to further reduce the noise generated from the operation panel 21 by using another driving method in combination.

For example, the operation input device 1 periodically increases or decreases the signal levels of the first drive signal and the second drive signal input to the vibrating element 22 while executing the drive method of the operation panel 21 described above, or the first drive. A control such as intermittently inputting a signal and a second drive signal may be used together.

By performing such control, the operation input device 1 can further reduce the noise generated by the operation panel 21 by shortening the total vibration time for vibrating the operation panel 21 within a unit time.

Further, for example, when the user taps the operation panel 21, the operation input device 1 inputs a rectangular wave drive signal to the vibrating element 22 instead of the sine wave drive signal, so that the user can use the operation input device 1. Gives a heavy touch to the fingertip F.

Then, the operation input device 1 inputs the above-mentioned first drive signal and the second drive signal of the sine wave to the vibration element 22 only when the user slides the fingertip F on the operation panel 21. Gives a slippery feel to the fingertip F.

As a result, the operation input device 1 can make it difficult for the user to notice the noise by reducing the frequency of giving a slippery tactile sensation to the user's fingertip F (frequency at which noise of a fractional frequency is generated). ..

Further, for example, the operation input device 1 may be used in combination with a control for generating a suppression sound for suppressing noise generated from the operation panel 21 from the operation panel 21 while executing the driving method of the operation panel 21 described above.

For example, the operation input device 1 satisfies the suppression conditions derived by experiments and calculations performed in advance, and generates a suppression sound from the operation panel 21 such that the noise and the suppression sound are canceled by superimposing the noise on the noise. As a result, the operation input device 1 can further reduce the noise generated by the operation panel 21.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments described and described above. Thus, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 Operation input device 2,2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f Operation unit 3 Control unit 21,21a, 21b, 21g Operation panel 22,22f1,22f2 Vibration element 23 Pedestal 24,24b1,24b2,24c1,24c2 24d, 24e1,24e2,24e3,24e4,24e5 Holding member 25 Rib 31 Drive unit 32 Detection unit 41 Support plate 42 Contact sensor 43 Protective layer F Fingertip

Claims (9)

An operation unit that has a vibrating element that vibrates the operation panel and that causes a predetermined tactile sensation on the operation surface when the operation panel vibrates at a predetermined frequency.
It includes a first drive signal that vibrates the operation panel at the predetermined frequency, and a drive unit that inputs a second drive signal that vibrates the operation panel at a frequency close to the predetermined frequency to the vibrating element.
The drive unit
The predetermined frequency and the vicinity frequency are set within the same resonance band of the operation panel.
It is characterized in that the first drive signal and the second drive signal are input to the vibrating element as a frequency in which the sound in the audible range generated by the vicinity frequency is audibly masked by the sound in the audible range generated by the predetermined frequency. Operation input device. In the operation unit, where the operation panel vibrates at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined vibration amount, a predetermined tactile sensation is generated on the operation surface.
The drive unit
The predetermined vibration amount is the sum of the vibration amount of the operation panel by inputting the first drive signal to the vibration element and the vibration amount of the operation panel by inputting the second drive signal to the vibration element. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input device is made equivalent to. The predetermined frequency is
Higher than the audible range,
The drive unit
1. The operation input device according to claim 2. The drive unit
The operation input according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the second drive signals whose signal levels increase as the near frequency deviates from the resonance frequency of the operation panel in the resonance band are output to the vibration element. Device. The operation unit is
The operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation input device has a vibration structure in which the hardness gradually decreases from one end to the other end. The operation panel is
The operation input device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the width and the thickness has the vibration structure continuously changing. The operation unit is
The operation input device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a rib having at least one of a width and a thickness continuously changing has the vibration structure provided in the operation panel. The operation unit is
The operation input device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the operation input device has the vibration structure in which the rigidity of the adhesive layer for adhering the operation panel and the substrate is continuously changed. The operation unit is
The operation input device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising the vibration structure in which at least two or more vibration elements having different vibration amounts are provided as the vibration element.

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