KR20200102783A - Apparatus and method for providing tactile sense converting sound signal into tactile signal - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tactile providing device can comprise: a medium that receives a digital sound signal from a portable terminal in a wired or wireless manner; a digital-analog converter that receives the digital sound signal from the medium to convert the same into an analog signal; a tactile actuator that is driven by receiving the analog signal; a main body that accommodates the tactile actuator; and a sub-body that is placed on one side of the main body and connected to the tactile actuator to move relative to the main body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TACTILE SENSE CONVERTING SOUND SIGNAL INTO TACTILE SIGNAL}

The following description relates to an apparatus and method for providing a tactile sense for converting an acoustic signal into a tactile signal.

The portable terminal transmits a video signal and an audio signal to a user.

An eccentric motor is provided inside a number of portable terminals. The portable terminal itself may vibrate according to the operation of the eccentric motor provided therein, and the user may receive a tactile signal through such vibration.

Such a tactile signal is controlled based on a digital signal generated by a controller of the portable terminal in response to a specific event.

In recent years, technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality have been developed, and the visual and auditory parts related thereto are highly advanced to a degree that they are quite realistic. However, the tactile part is information of a variety of tactile sensations that humans can feel, and the technology is outdated, so it does not match the reality and cannot express a rich tactile sensation.

The above-described background technology is possessed or acquired by the inventor in the process of deriving the present invention, and is not necessarily a known technology disclosed to the general public prior to filing the present invention.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus for providing tactile sensation includes: a medium receiving a digital sound signal from a portable terminal through a wired or wireless method; A digital-analog converter receiving the digital sound signal from the medium and converting it into an analog signal; A tactile actuator driven by receiving the analog signal; A main body accommodating the tactile actuator; And a sub-body positioned on one side of the main body and connected to the tactile actuator to move relative to the main body.

The device for providing tactile sensation may further include an adhesive pad positioned on the other side of the main body and having a detachable and detachable surface that is detachable to the portable terminal.

The tactile actuator may include a housing having an inner space; And a moving body that is relatively movable with respect to the housing, wherein the housing is fixed to the main body, and the moving body may be fixed to the sub-body.

One surface of the housing may be fixed to an inner wall of one surface of the main body.

The tactile sensation providing device may further include a cushion disposed to surround at least a portion of the housing and for attenuating a friction sound generated by the housing.

The sub-body may include a fixed boss protruding toward the moving body, and the moving body may include a protruding member protruding toward the sub-body and fixed to the fixed boss.

The tactile sensation providing device may further include a guide rod for guiding the movement of the sub-body with respect to the main body by being installed so that one side is fixed to the sub-body and the other side passes through a through hole formed in the main body. have.

The diameter of the other side of the guide rod is formed larger than the diameter of the through hole, so that the sub-body can be prevented from being deviated from the main body by a predetermined distance or more.

The sub-body includes: a transmission unit including the fixing boss and a plate on which the fixing boss is installed; And a flexible cover formed of a material that is more flexible than the transfer part and positioned on the opposite side of the fixing boss with respect to the plate.

The flexible cover may include a contact pad surrounding the front surface of the plate; And a wing part connected to the edge of the contact pad and preventing the delivery part from directly contacting the main body.

The transmission unit may have a thickness smaller than that of the plate and further include a flange extending outward from an edge of the plate, and the wing portion may have a shape bent inward to surround the flange.

The main body may include a stopper for preventing the sub-body from being inserted into the main body over a predetermined distance.

The main body may include a case having an inner wall to which one surface of the housing is fixed; And a bumper formed of a material more flexible than the case and surrounding at least a portion of the case.

The bumper may include an opening having an area smaller than that of the sub-body; And a stopper configured to have a stepped shape recessed from an outer surface along the edge of the opening and accommodate at least a portion of the sub-body, but prevent the sub-body from directly contacting the case.

The tactile actuator may include a left tactile actuator positioned to the left of the virtual center line passing through the tactile sensor; And a right tactile actuator positioned to the right with respect to the virtual center line passing through the tactile sense providing device.

The analog signal converted through the digital-analog converter is in a stereo format including a plurality of signals, and among the analog signals in the stereo format, a first signal is input to the left tactile actuator, and a second signal different from the first signal. 2 The signal may be input to the right tactile actuator.

The sub-body includes a left transmission part connected to the left tactile actuator; And a right transmission part connected to the right tactile actuator and disposed spaced apart from the left transmission part so as to independently move with respect to the left transmission part.

The tactile sensation providing device further includes a printed circuit board disposed inside the main body and on which the medium and the digital-analog converter are installed, and the tactile actuator may be inserted into a hole formed in the printed circuit board. have.

The tactile sensation providing device may further include a seal formed of a flexible material and for preventing foreign matters from flowing into a space spaced between the main body and the sub-body from the outside.

1 and 2 are views, respectively, viewed from the front and the rear of the use state of the tactile sensation providing apparatus according to an embodiment.
3 to 5 are block diagrams of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to exemplary embodiments.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
7 is a graph showing a frequency range for filtering an analog signal in a method for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
8 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
9 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
10 is a front exploded perspective view of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
11 is a rear exploded perspective view of a device for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
12 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.
13 is a cross-sectional view of a tactile actuator according to an embodiment.
14 is an exploded view of a tactile actuator according to an embodiment.
15 is a view showing the magnitude and direction of magnetic force formed by a tactile actuator according to an exemplary embodiment.
16 is a graph showing a vibration force formed according to a displacement amount of a moving body according to an exemplary embodiment.
17 is a graph showing a vibration force formed by driving frequency of a conventional linear resonance actuator and a tactile actuator according to an exemplary embodiment.
18 and 19 are views as viewed from the rear of a state of use of the tactile sensation providing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same numerals as possible even if they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the constituent elements of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but another component between each component It should be understood that may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same name in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, descriptions in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions in the overlapping range will be omitted.

1 and 2 are views respectively viewed from the front and the rear of a state of use of a tactile sensation providing device according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a tactile sensation providing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

1 to 3, the tactile sense providing apparatus 2 may receive an acoustic signal from the portable terminal P and provide a tactile sense corresponding to the acoustic signal to a user in real time. The user can receive information on the content provided from the portable terminal P tactilely through the tactile providing device 2, and the content includes, for example, sound signals such as games, movies, music, or voice. Various information provided may be included.

For example, the tactile sensor 2 may quickly provide a tactile signal to a user without having a central processing unit (CPU) that analyzes an acoustic signal and extracts characteristic information therefrom. In the case of extracting feature information from an acoustic signal through the central processing unit and generating a tactile signal accordingly, a time delay occurs in the process, and a step of synchronizing the timing of transmitting the acoustic signal and the tactile signal to the user is added. It has to be demanded. However, according to an embodiment, it is possible to quickly and efficiently provide a sense of touch to a user through a simple structure without such a time delay. On the other hand, unless there is a description to the contrary, it should be noted that a tactile sensor provided with a central processing unit is also included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user can use the tactile sensor 2 in a state in which the tactile sensor 2 is disposed on the opposite side of the display unit of the portable terminal P. According to this method of use, the user touches and manipulates the display of the portable terminal P with the thumb, and transmits the tactile sense provided by the tactile sense providing device 2 through at least some of the fingers other than the thumb. I can receive it.

For example, the tactile sensation providing device 2 can increase the immersion and fun of the game by transmitting a tactile sensation corresponding to a game background sound or a game sound effect according to a user's operation to the user. Further, the tactile sensation providing device 2 can increase musical sensibility by providing a user with a tactile sensation suitable for music in real time even when listening to music.

The tactile sensor 2 includes a medium M that receives a digital sound signal from the portable terminal P, and a digital-analog converter 21 that receives a digital sound signal from the medium M and converts it into an analog signal. to Analog Converter (DAC), a sound output unit 24 receiving an analog signal and outputting sound, and a tactile actuator 1 driven by receiving an analog signal.

The medium M may receive a digital sound signal from the portable terminal P through a wired method or a wireless method.

For example, the medium (M) may be a cable (M) detachable in a wired manner to the portable terminal (P). The cable M receives not only digital sound signals, but also power output from the battery of the portable terminal P, and the tactile actuator 1 may be driven by the power received through the cable M. In addition, not only the tactile actuator 1 but also other active elements provided in the tactile sensor 2 may be driven by receiving power output from the battery of the portable terminal P as well. According to this structure, since the tactile sensation providing device 2 does not have to have a battery, the tactile sensation providing device 2 can be provided more compactly, and the user does not need to charge the tactile sensation providing device 2. , The ease of use can be increased. On the other hand, it turns out that the case in which a battery is provided inside the tactile sensor 2 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, as the cable M, a universal serial bus on-the-go (USB OTG) cable may be used. According to the standard of a general portable terminal (P), the priority for sound signal output from the portable terminal (P) is ① USB OTG cable, ② the sound output terminal of the portable terminal (P), and ③ the built-in speaker of the portable terminal (P). In order. Therefore, when the USB OTG cable is used as the medium (M), there is a problem that the user cannot hear the sound through the sound output terminal of the portable terminal (P). However, the tactile sensation providing apparatus 2 according to an exemplary embodiment may solve such a problem by having a sound output unit 24 capable of providing the user with the sound signal transmitted through the medium M. . In other words, the tactile sensor 2 can be used universally through a method of connecting only one cable M to general portable terminals P without additional equipment or special structural changes.

The sound output unit 24 may be, for example, a sound output terminal into which an earphone E may be inserted. On the other hand, a speaker that generates sound transmitted to a user may be provided to the tactile sensation providing apparatus 2, and it should be understood that such a speaker is also included in the sound output unit 24 unless otherwise stated.

As the tactile actuator 1, for example, a broadband tactile actuator shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 can be used. On the other hand, it should be noted that the type of tactile actuator 1 is not necessarily limited in this way.

The tactile sensor 2 includes (i) an acoustic signal filter 22 that receives an analog signal from the digital-analog converter 21, filters it in a first set frequency range, and transmits it to the sound output unit 24, (ii) It may include a filter 26 for a tactile signal that receives an analog signal from the digital-analog converter 21, filters it to a second set frequency range, and transmits it to the tactile actuator 1.

For example, the maximum value of the second set frequency range may be set smaller than the maximum value of the first set frequency range. For example, the minimum value of the second set frequency range may be set lower than the minimum value of the first set frequency range. For example, the second set frequency range and the first set frequency range may include frequencies of a common band. For example, the acoustic signal filter 22 is a band pass filter (BPF) that passes only frequencies of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and, for example, the tactile signal filter 26 passes only a frequency of less than 800 Hz. It may be a low pass filter (LPF). The meaning of the first set frequency range and the second set frequency range will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

The tactile sensation providing device 2 includes: (i) an audio signal amplifier 23 that receives an analog signal from the digital-analog converter 21, amplifies it by a first gain, and transmits it to an audio output unit, and (ii) a digital-analog converter. It may include an amplifier 27 for a tactile signal that receives an analog signal from and amplifies it by a second gain and transmits it to the tactile actuator. For example, the first gain and/or the second gain may be preset to an appropriate level. As another example, the first gain and/or the second gain may be varied by the user as follows.

The tactile sensation providing apparatus 2 may include (i) a sound size control unit 25 capable of adjusting a first gain, and (ii) a tactile sensation size control unit 28 capable of adjusting a second gain. For example, the sound level control unit 25 and any one of the tactile size control unit 28 adjusts any one of the first gain and the second gain regardless of the adjustment operation of the other control unit. Can be adjusted independently. For example, when adjusting the sound by using the sound volume control function built into the portable terminal (P) itself, the size of the digital sound signal transmitted from the portable terminal (P) through the medium (M) and converted therefrom The size of the analog signal is reduced. In other words, when using the sound volume control function built into the portable terminal P itself, it is impossible to independently control the volume of the sound and the size of the tactile sense. However, according to an embodiment, each of the sound level control unit 25 and the tactile level control unit 28 may independently control the first gain or the second gain. Therefore, the user can change the amplification level of the sound (first gain) as necessary, while maintaining the optimum tactile amplification level (second gain) for himself It can be improved. Similarly, it goes without saying that the user can change the amplification level of the tactile sense (the second gain) as necessary while maintaining the amplification level of the sound (the first gain).

4 is a block diagram of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the tactile sensor 3 includes a medium M, a digital-analog converter 31, a filter for an acoustic signal 32, an amplifier for an acoustic signal 33, an audio output unit 34, and a sound level. It may include a control unit 35, a tactile signal filter (36L, 36R), a tactile signal amplifier (37L, 37R), a tactile size control unit 38, tactile actuators (1L, 1R).

The tactile actuators 1L and 1R include (i) a left tactile actuator 1L positioned on the left with respect to an imaginary center line passing through the tactile sensor 3, and (ii) a tactile sense similar to that shown in FIG. It may include a right tactile actuator 1R positioned to the right with respect to the virtual center line passing through the providing device 3. According to this structure, since the tactile actuators 1L and 1R can be located in a portion close to the location where the user's finger is located, it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency of the tactile sense transmitted from the tactile actuators 1L and 1R to the user. .

The digital-to-analog converter 31 may be, for example, a stereo digital-to-analog converter. In other words, the analog signal converted through the digital-analog converter 31 may be in a stereo format including a plurality of signals. In addition, of the stereo analog signals, a first signal may be input to the left tactile actuator 1L, and a second signal different from the first signal may be input to the right tactile actuator 1R. By allowing the left tactile actuator 1L and the right actuator 1R to be independently driven, the tactile sensor 3 can transmit tactile sense to the user in a stereo manner. Accordingly, the user may be provided with a richer and more realistic sense of touch in response to the content provided by the portable terminal P.

5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the tactile sensor 4 includes a medium (M), a digital-analog converter 41, a filter for an acoustic signal 42, an amplifier for an acoustic signal 43, an audio output unit 44, and a sound level. It may include a control unit 45, a tactile signal filter 46, a tactile signal amplifier 47, a tactile size control unit 48, and a tactile actuator 1.

The medium M may be a wireless communication module that receives digital sound signals from the portable terminal P in a wireless manner and transmits them to the digital-analog converter 41. In this case, in order to supply power for driving the tactile actuator 1, the tactile sensor 4 includes (i) a battery therein, or (ii) a power input terminal receiving power from an external power source. can do.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a frequency range for filtering an analog signal in a method of providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the method of providing tactile sensation includes receiving (910) a digital sound signal from the portable terminal (P) through a wired or wireless method, and converting the received digital sound signal into an analog signal. In step 920, the converted analog signal is provided to the sound output units 24, 34, 44 to output sound (950), and the converted analog signal is provided to the tactile actuators 1, 1L, 1R. It may include a step 960 of driving the tactile actuators 1, 1L, 1R.

The tactile sensation providing method is performed after step 920 and before step 950, and may include a step 930 of filtering the converted analog signal into a first preset frequency range.

In step 930, energy wasted in the sound output unit 24 may be reduced by removing a frequency band out of the human audible frequency band of 20Hz to 20kHz from the converted analog signal. The signal filtered through step 930 may be referred to as a “sound analog signal”. The size of the analog signal for sound may be adjusted before being output through the sound output unit 24 (940).

The method of providing tactile sensation is performed after step 920 and before step 980, and may include a step 960 of filtering the converted analog signal into a second preset frequency range.

Here, the maximum value of the second set frequency range may be set sufficiently lower than a band in which a person can sense a sense of touch. In general, it is known that the band in which humans can sense the sense of touch is 0 to 1 kHz. However, when a high-band tactile signal corresponding to 800Hz to 1kHz was repeated, a tingle feeling remained in the user's hand, and the fatigue of the user's hand increased. In addition, in this case, since the user's tactile threshold is increased, it has been confirmed that it is difficult to provide an efficient tactile sense through the tactile sense providing device 2. Accordingly, in step 960, by removing a frequency of 800 Hz or higher from the converted analog signal, such negative effects may be reduced, and an efficient tactile sense may be continuously provided to the user. The signal filtered through step 960 may be referred to as a “tactile analog signal”. The magnitude of the tactile analog signal may be adjusted before being input to the tactile actuator 1 (970).

8 is a front perspective view of a tactile sensation providing device according to an embodiment, FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a tactile sensation providing device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a front exploded perspective view of the tactile sensation providing device according to an embodiment, 11 is a rear exploded perspective view of a device for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.

8 to 11, the tactile sensor 2 includes a main body 201, 209, a sub-body 206, 207, a tactile actuator 1, a printed circuit board 202, and a digital-analog converter. (21, see FIG. 3), a sound size control unit 25, a tactile size control unit 28, an adhesive pad 208, and a medium (M).

The main bodies 201 and 209 can accommodate the tactile actuator 1. The main bodies 201 and 209 may include a case 201 and a bumper 209.

One surface of the housing 11 of the tactile actuator 1 may be fixed to the inner wall of the case 201. For example, the case 201 may be formed of a rigid material such as plastic.

The bumper 209 may wrap at least a part of the case 201. For example, the bumper 209 may be formed of a material that is more flexible than the case 201 to protect the parts inside the case 201 from external impact. For example, the bumper 209 may have a shape surrounding the rim of the case 201, and both sides of the case 201 may be exposed to the outside. On the other hand, unlike this, it is revealed that the bumper 209 and the case 201 may be of the same material or may be formed integrally.

The sub-body 206 and 207 may function as a part that directly transmits a tactile sense to a user. The sub bodies 206 and 207 are located on one side of the case 201 and may be installed to be relatively movable with respect to the case 201. According to this structure, since direct tactile sensation can be transmitted, compared to the indirect tactile sensation transmission method that vibrates the entire case provided outside through the motion of the vibrator provided inside, it can provide tactile sensation to the user more delicately and efficiently. I can. The sub-bodies 206 and 207 may include a delivery unit 206 and a flexible cover 207.

The transmission unit 206 includes a plate 2061, a fixing boss 2062 installed on the plate 2061 and fixed to the tactile actuator 1, and a transmission unit 206 installed on the plate 2061 and from the case 201. It may include a guide boss 2063 for preventing the 206 from being separated.

The flexible cover 207 is formed of a material that is more flexible than the transmission unit 206 and may be located on the opposite side of the fixing boss 2062 with respect to the plate 2061. According to the flexible cover 207, the user's sense of touch can be improved.

The tactile actuator 1 may include a housing 11 (see FIG. 12) having an inner space and a moving body 12 (see FIG. 12) that can be moved relative to the housing 11. Here, the housing 11 may be fixed to the case 201, and the moving body 12 may be fixed to the transmission unit 206. According to this structure, according to the operation of the tactile actuator 1, the sub-bodies 206 and 207 can move relative to the main bodies 201 and 209. Meanwhile, a cushion 205 is disposed outside the housing 11 to attenuate the frictional sound generated by the housing 11. For example, the cushion 205 may be positioned between the housing 11 and inner walls of the main bodies 201 and 209.

Meanwhile, the tactile sense providing device 2 may include a plurality of tactile actuators 1. For example, the plurality of tactile actuators 1 may include a left tactile actuator 1 and a right tactile actuator 1 respectively positioned on the left and right with respect to the virtual center line passing through the tactile sensor 2 I can.

The adhesive pad 208 may be positioned on a surface of the case 201 on which the transfer unit 206 is not located, and may have a detachable surface that is detachable to the portable terminal P. As the adhesive pad 208, for example, a gel pad formed of a silicone material that can be used semi-permanently through washing may be used.

The printed circuit board 202 may be disposed inside the case 201. On the printed circuit board 202, various electronic components such as a medium (M), a digital-to-analog converter (21, see FIG. 3), a sound size control unit 25, and/or a tactile size control unit 28 may be mounted. have. The case 201 and the printed circuit board 202 may be stably fixed to each other through the fastener 203.

For example, the printed circuit board 202 may be disposed to be spaced apart from inner walls of both sides of the case 201. For example, support protrusions for supporting both sides of the printed circuit board 202 may protrude on inner walls of both sides of the case 201. Using such a structure, it is possible to prevent the problem that the inner space of the case 201 acts as one large ringtone. In other words, since the vibration of the tactile actuator 1 vibrates the air in the inner space of the case 201, a problem of forming noise leaking to the outside can be prevented. In order to provide such a structure, for example, a hole is formed in the printed circuit board 202, and a tactile actuator 1 may be inserted into the hole.

The sound size control unit 25 and/or the tactile size control unit 28 may be provided in a dial shape, for example.

As the medium (M), for example, a USB OTG cable as shown may be used. For example, the wire of the medium (M) is inserted into a groove formed elongated along the edge of the bumper 209, and the terminal of the medium (M) is fitted into a groove (A) formed in the corner of the bumper 209, The portability of the tactile sensor 2 can be improved.

12 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of an apparatus for providing tactile sensation according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, one surface of the housing 11 of the tactile actuator 1 may be fixed to an inner wall of one surface of the case 201 using an adhesive 204. Here, as the adhesive 204, it is revealed that various known means, such as a tape form or a liquid form, can be used.

The housing 11 may be fixed to an inner wall of one side of the case 201 close to the delivery unit 206. According to this structure, vibration generated by the tactile actuator 1 is reduced to be transmitted to the portable terminal P located on the opposite surface of the case 201, and through the sub-body 206, 207, to the user. It is possible to improve the efficiency of transmitted tactile sensation.

The moving body 12 and the guide rod 210 are fixed to the fixed boss 2062 and the guide boss 2063 of the transmission unit 206, respectively, so that stable movement of the sub bodies 206 and 207 can be guaranteed.

The moving body 12 includes a protruding portion protruding toward the fixed boss 2062 of the transmission unit 206, and the protruding portion may be fixed to the fixed boss 2062.

One side of the guide rod 210 may be fixed to the guide boss 2063 and the other side may be installed to pass through a through hole formed in the case 201. In addition, the diameter of the other side of the guide rod 210 is formed larger than the diameter of the through hole, so that the transfer part 206 can be prevented from being separated from the case 201 by a predetermined distance or more.

The bumper 209 may include an opening 2091 having an area smaller than that of the sub bodies 206 and 207, and a stopper 2092 having a stepped shape recessed from the outer surface along the edge of the opening 2091. have.

The stopper 2092 may prevent the sub-bodies 206 and 207 from being inserted into the main bodies 201 and 209 over a certain distance. In addition, according to the stopper 2092, the main bodies 201 and 209 can accommodate at least a portion of the sub bodies 206 and 207, but the sub bodies 201 and 209 are in the case 201 of a rigid material. Direct contact can be avoided.

The flexible cover 207 may include a contact pad 2071 surrounding the front surface of the plate 2061 and a wing portion 2072 connected to an edge of the contact pad 2071.

The wing portion 2072 may prevent the transmission portion 206 from directly contacting the main bodies 201 and 209. For example, the delivery unit 206 may include a flange 2064 that has a thickness smaller than that of the plate 2061 and extends outward from the rim of the plate 2061. At this time, the wing portion 2072 has a shape bent inward to surround the flange 2064, thereby preventing the main bodies 201 and 209 from directly contacting the transfer portion 206 of a rigid material. I can.

On the other hand, the tactile sensation providing device 2 is disposed along the rim of the flexible cover 207 and may include a seal 211 connecting the flexible cover 207 and the bumper 209. The seal is formed of a flexible material, allowing the sub bodies 206 and 207 to move relative to the main bodies 201 and 209 while being spaced apart between the sub bodies 206 and 207 and the main bodies 201 and 209 It can prevent foreign matters from entering the space.

13 is a cross-sectional view of a tactile actuator according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a tactile actuator according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a view showing the magnitude and direction of magnetic force formed by the tactile actuator according to an exemplary embodiment And FIG. 16 is a graph showing a vibration force formed according to a displacement amount of a moving body according to an embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a graph showing a vibration force formed by driving frequency of a conventional linear resonance actuator and a tactile actuator according to an embodiment. It is a graph.

13 to 17, the tactile actuator 1 can provide various haptic effects driven in a broadband from an ultra-low frequency band of less than 20 Hz to a high frequency band of 500 Hz or 1 KHz or more. In consideration of such performance, the tactile actuator 1 may be referred to as a broadband tactile actuator. For example, the tactile actuator 1 may include a housing 11, a yoke member 14, a radial magnet 15, a moving body 12, and an elastic member 13.

The housing 11 may be a cylindrical member having an inner space. For example, the shape of the inner space of the housing 11 may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the housing 11 may include a lower housing 111, a guide housing 112, and an upper housing 113.

The lower housing 111 may surround the yoke member 14. For example, the lower housing 111 may have an open cylindrical shape, and the yoke member 14 may be accommodated from the upper side.

The guide housing 112 may be a hollow member connected to the lower housing 111 and the yoke member 14 coupled to each other to the lower side and protruding upward. For example, the lower end 1122 of the guide housing 112 may have a structure that fits into the groove formed in the coupling portion of the lower housing 111 and the upper side of the yoke member 14, so that it can be fitted into the groove. . For example, the guide housing 112 may include a step portion 1121 recessed in the inner peripheral surface of the upper side.

The upper housing 113 may be connected to the upper side of the guide housing 112. The upper housing 113 may be a member having a hollow shape that is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the step 1121. For example, the upper housing 113 may have a shape that is open upward. For example, the upper housing 113 may be installed on the step 1121 after the edge of the elastic member 13 is installed on the lower side of the step 1121, and in this case, the upper housing 113 is elastic from the upper side. The edge of the member 13 can be pressed and fixed.

The yoke member 14 may be installed under the inner space of the housing 11 to induce the flow of the magnetic field. For example, the yoke member 14 may distribute magnetic lines of force emitted from the radial magnet 15 to be concentrated on the coil portion 122 accommodated in the yoke member 14. For example, the yoke member 14 is a lower yoke 144 installed on the lower side of the lower housing 111, an inner yoke 141 and a lower housing 111 protruding from the lower side of the lower housing 111 to the upper side. It may include an outer yoke 142 installed along the circumference of the inner peripheral surface.

The inner yoke 141 may be a cylindrical member protruding upward from the center of the lower side of the inner space. For example, the centerline of the cylindrical inner yoke 141 may be located on the same line as the centerline of the cylindrical inner space.

The outer yoke 142 may be installed to surround the inner circumferential surface of the lower housing 111. According to the above structure, an annular receiving space 143 may be formed between the outer yoke 142 and the inner yoke 141, and the receiving space 143 includes a radial magnet 15 and a pole piece 16. ) And the coil unit 122 may be accommodated. For example, a step that is recessed from the upper side of the outer circumferential surface of the outer yoke 142 may be formed, and the step is, together with the upper end of the lower housing 11, the lower end 1122 of the guide housing 112 It is possible to form a mounting groove 145 to be coupled.

According to the yoke member 14 and the pole piece 16, the flow of magnetic force formed from the radial magnet 15 as shown in FIG. 3 does not leak to the outside of the yoke member 14, and the coil part 122 is located. Since it is possible to induce it to pass through concentrated in the accommodation space 143, a large and uniform magnetic force can be applied along the entire portion of the coil unit 122.

The radial magnet 15 may be a hollow magnetic body installed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the inner yoke 141. For example, the radial magnet 15 may be magnetized in a radial direction. In other words, the magnetism of the inner portion and the magnetism of the outer portion may be opposite to each other with respect to the central axis of the radial magnet 15. For example, the length of the radial magnet 15 measured along the vibration direction of the moving body 12 may be longer than a distance between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the radial magnet 15.

The pole piece 16 is installed to cover the upper surface of the radial magnet 15 to induce magnetic force so that the magnetic force of the radial magnet 15 does not leak upward. For example, the upper surface of the pole piece 16 may be located on the same plane as the upper surface of the inner yoke 141. According to this structure, as well as forming a soft magnetic path, it is possible to reduce the overall volume of the tactile actuator 1 in comparison with the moving distance of the moving body 12. For example, a cushion or a damper may be installed on at least one or more surfaces of both sides of the pole piece 16 to mitigate an impact caused by a collision with the moving body 12.

The moving body 12 is installed in the inner space of the housing 11 and may move in the vertical direction by magnetic force flowing inside the receiving space 143. For example, the moving body 12 includes a cylindrical mass body 121 installed to surround the radial magnet 15 and the inner yoke 141, and a coil unit 122 installed along the circumference of the mass body 121 It may include.

The mass body 121 has a cylindrical insertion member 1212 having a groove capable of receiving the radial magnet 15 and the inner yoke 141 downward, and a protrusion protruding upward from the insertion member 1212 It may include a member 1211. For example, the mass body 121 may be formed of a material having a light weight such as brass for driving the tactile frequency band. For example, the mass body 121 may be formed of a material having a lower density than the yoke member 14. For example, the mass body 121 may move up and down along the protruding direction of the inner yoke 141.

The insertion member 1212 may have a circular groove recessed from the lower side, and the lower edge portion may be inserted into the accommodation space 143. In other words, at least a part of the radial magnet 15 and the inner yoke 141 may be inserted into the groove of the insertion member 1212.

The protruding member 1211 may be formed to protrude upward from the upper side of the insertion member 1212. For example, the protrusion member 1211 may be formed to protrude upward from the center of the circular insertion member 1212. For example, the upper end of the protruding member 1211 may be exposed to the upper side of the housing 11. For example, the upper end of the protruding member 1211 may be located on the same vertical plane as the upper surface of the upper housing 113 in a state in which no current is applied to the coil unit 122.

The coil part 122 may be installed along a circular circumference of the insertion member 1212. The coil unit 122 may receive a current in the form of an analog signal converted through a digital-analog converter 21 (refer to FIG. 3) and form a magnetic field in which polarity alternately changes along the vertical direction.

The elastic member 13 may elastically support the moving body 12 from one side of the inner space. For example, the elastic member 13 may be formed of a flat elastic material connecting the mass body 121 from the inner circumferential surface of the housing 11 along a plane direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the elastic member 13 may connect the upper housing 113 and the protruding member 1211. In this case, one side of the elastic member 13, that is, an edge portion, may be inserted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the step 1121 described above. For example, the upper side of the edge of the elastic member 13 installed in the step 1121 may be connected to the lower end of the upper housing 113, and as a result, the edge portion of the elastic member 13 is attached to the upper housing 113. Can be fixed.

Meanwhile, the other side of the elastic member 13 horizontally extending from one side of the elastic member 13 fixed to the upper housing 113 may be fixed by contacting the outer circumferential surface of the protruding member 1211.

According to the elastic member 13, the moving body 12 may elastically support the moving body 12 in a state spaced apart so that it does not contact other components except for the inner wall of the housing 11 and the elastic member 13. For example, the elastic member 13 can maintain a state in which the side of the coil unit 122 is completely inserted into the accommodation space 143 even when the moving body 12 is moved with the maximum displacement in the upward movement direction. So that it can have a sufficiently high modulus of elasticity.

Meanwhile, based on an initial state in which electricity is not applied to the coil unit 122, the center of the coil unit 122 may be positioned higher than the center of the radial magnet 15. In addition, the upper end of the coil unit 122 may be positioned lower than the upper end of the pole piece 16. According to such a structure, while sufficiently increasing the efficiency of providing the vibration force of the moving body 12 in comparison with the magnitude of the applied current, the lower moving distance of the moving body 12 is secured, and the entire tactile actuator 1 is It can be provided compactly.

Referring to FIG. 16, based on an initial state in which no current is applied to the coil unit 122, the force (N) applied to the coil unit 122 according to the size of the driving width (mm) in the upward movement direction of the moving body 12 You can check the size of ). According to the result of the graph of FIG. 16, when the driving width in the upward motion direction is about 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm (in FIG. 4 -0.5 mm to -0.7 mm) based on the initial state, the applied to the coil unit 122 It can be seen that the magnitude of the force appears to be the largest.

Therefore, based on the initial state, the maximum displacement amount in the upward movement direction of the moving body may be 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. In this case, the driving width of the moving body 12 in the vertical direction may also be 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm.

When current is not applied to the coil unit 122, the position of the center point of the coil unit 122 based on the vertical direction may be located above the position of the center point of the radial magnet 15 by a predetermined distance (d). have.

According to the structure in which the coil part 122 is positioned to be deflected upward of the radial magnet 15, magnetic force for moving the coil part 122 whose polarity changes in the vertical direction when the current is initially applied is moved upward or downward. Since it has an advantageous structure to largely form, it can effectively increase the response speed.

When an alternating current is applied to the coil unit 122, the moving body 12 may linearly move in the vertical direction while connected to the elastic member 13, and the magnetic flux direction of the radial magnet 15 and the moving body 12 The movement direction can be formed vertically.

As shown in FIG. 17, the tactile actuator 1 can form a vibration force of 0.2 G or more, which is the magnitude of a general vibration force capable of sensing a tactile sense in a wide frequency band between 100 Hz and 1 KHz. I could confirm.

18 and 19 are views as viewed from the rear of a state of use of the tactile sensation providing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments.

18 and 19, the tactile sensation providing apparatus 5 and 6 may include a plurality of separated delivery units. For example, the sub-body of the tactile sensor 5 and 6 includes a left transmission part connected to a left tactile actuator (1L, see FIG. 4) and a right transmission connected to a right tactile actuator 1R (see FIG. 4). May contain wealth. For example, the left transmission unit and the right transmission unit may be disposed spaced apart from the right transmission unit so that they can move independently of each other. According to this structure, the tactile sense providing devices 5 and 6 can more delicately deliver the tactile sense to the user in a stereo manner.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded in the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment, or may be known and usable to a person skilled in computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -A hardware device specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the embodiment, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described by the limited drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order from the described method, and/or components such as the described structure, device, etc. are combined or combined in a form different from the described method, or in other components or equivalents. Even if substituted or substituted by, appropriate results can be achieved.

Claims (19)

A medium receiving digital sound signals from a portable terminal in a wired or wireless manner;
A digital-analog converter receiving the digital sound signal from the medium and converting it into an analog signal;
A tactile actuator driven by receiving the analog signal;
A main body accommodating the tactile actuator; And
A tactile sensation providing device comprising a sub-body located on one side of the main body and connected to the tactile actuator to move relative to the main body.
The method of claim 1,
An apparatus for providing tactile sensation further comprising an adhesive pad positioned on the other side of the main body and having a detachable surface detachable to the portable terminal.
The method of claim 1,
The tactile actuator,
A housing having an inner space; And
It includes a moving body that can be moved relative to the housing,
The housing is fixed to the main body,
The moving body is a tactile sense providing device, characterized in that fixed to the sub-body.
The method of claim 3,
One surface of the housing is a tactile sense providing device, characterized in that fixed to the inner wall of the one surface of the main body.
The method of claim 3,
Arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the housing, the tactile sensation providing device further comprising a cushion for attenuating the friction sound generated by the housing.
The method of claim 3,
The sub-body includes a fixed boss protruding toward the moving body,
The moving body protrudes toward the sub-body and includes a protruding member fixed to the fixed boss.
The method of claim 3,
One side is fixed to the sub-body, the other side is installed to pass through the through hole formed in the main body, the tactile sense providing device further comprising a guide rod for guiding the movement of the sub-body with respect to the main body.
The method of claim 7,
A tactile sensation providing device, characterized in that the diameter of the other side of the guide rod is formed larger than the diameter of the through hole to prevent the sub-body from being deviated from the main body by a predetermined distance or more.
The method of claim 6,
The sub-body,
A transmission unit including the fixing boss and a plate on which the fixing boss is installed; And
A tactile sensation providing device comprising a flexible cover formed of a material that is more flexible than the transfer unit and positioned on the opposite side of the fixed boss with respect to the plate.
The method of claim 9,
The flexible cover,
A contact pad surrounding the front surface of the plate; And
An apparatus for providing tactile sensation comprising a wing part connected to an edge of the contact pad and preventing the delivery part from directly contacting the main body.
The method of claim 10,
The transmission unit further includes a flange having a thickness smaller than that of the plate and extending outward from an edge of the plate,
The device for providing tactile sensation, wherein the wing portion has a shape bent inward to surround the flange.
The method of claim 3,
The main body, a tactile sensation providing apparatus including a stopper for preventing the sub-body from being inserted into the main body over a predetermined distance.
The method of claim 3,
The main body,
A case having an inner wall to which one surface of the housing is fixed; And
An apparatus for providing tactile sensation including a bumper formed of a material that is more flexible than the case and surrounding at least a portion of the case.
The method of claim 13,
The bumper,
An opening having an area smaller than that of the sub-body; And
A tactile sensation providing apparatus including a stopper for preventing the sub-body from directly contacting the case, having a stepped shape recessed from an outer surface along an edge of the opening, and capable of accommodating at least a portion of the sub-body.
The method of claim 1,
The tactile actuator,
A left tactile actuator positioned to the left of the virtual center line passing through the tactile sense providing device; And
A tactile sensation providing device comprising a right tactile actuator positioned on a right side with respect to a virtual center line passing through the tactile sensation providing device.
The method of claim 15,
The analog signal converted through the digital-analog converter is a stereo format including a plurality of signals,
Among the analog signals in stereo format,
The first signal is input to the left tactile actuator,
A tactile sense providing device, characterized in that the second signal different from the first signal is input to the right tactile actuator.
The method of claim 16,
The sub-body,
A left transmission part connected to the left tactile actuator; And
A tactile sensation providing device comprising a right transmission unit connected to the right tactile actuator and spaced apart from the left transmission unit so as to independently move with respect to the left transmission unit.
The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a printed circuit board disposed inside the main body and on which the medium and the digital-analog converter are installed,
The tactile sensation providing apparatus, wherein the tactile actuator is inserted into a hole formed in the printed circuit board.
The method of claim 1,
A tactile sensation providing device formed of a flexible material and further comprising a seal for preventing foreign substances from flowing into a space spaced between the main body and the sub-body from the outside.

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