KR20230138773A - Apparatus for generating tactility stimulation - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, among the tactile receptors in the skin, Meissner's corpuscles (pressure, tactile) respond to pressure in the 5 to 100 Hz frequency band, Pasini's corpuscles respond to pressure in the 100 to 300 Hz frequency band, and free nerve endings respond to pressure in the 300 Hz or higher frequency band ( Generally, it responds to pressure of 300 ~ 500 Hz), but the tactile stimulation generator (2) of the present invention generates tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 ~ 500 Hz that can be felt by tactile receptors on the skin, such as fingers, using a piezoelectric linear actuator. The tactile frequency generation control unit 30 controls the generation of the vibrating body 10, and at the same time, vibration exposure inside the elastic case 4 or the elastic bracket 8 is only allowed through the vibration exposure exclusive opening 5. The tactile stimulation vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is transmitted only to the skin-contacting local pad 20 outside the main body, so that the tactile stimulation vibration is directly transmitted to the skin of a specific area of the human body.

Description

Tactile stimulation generator {APPARATUS FOR GENERATING TACTILITY STIMULATION}

The present invention relates to a tactile stimulation system using a haptic device, and particularly to a tactile stimulation generating device that can realistically present tactile sensations to the human body.

These days, as virtual reality implementation technology has developed, users have come to want more specific and realistic information through virtual reality. One of the things developed to meet this goal is haptic technology, which delivers a sense of touch to the user through vibration. Simple haptic technology includes various notification functions using vibration means that are currently widely used in mobile phones. In addition, haptic technology is widely applied to various fields such as surgery simulators and game devices.

In particular, in the future, with the emergence of content in virtual spaces such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and Metaverse, haptic devices along with monitors and speakers are expected to be installed as output means for computing devices. This is because the advantage of installing a haptic device in a portable electronic device is that the user's tactile recognition rate is high and interoperability with IT devices is excellent.

Haptic devices (motor, actuator, etc.) in portable electronic devices attach a weight to a vibrating body and generate vibration due to gravitational acceleration in a rotational or linear direction. However, this method has the disadvantage of preventing the delicate sense of touch from being transmitted to the human body because it transmits vibration to the human body by shaking the entire portable electronic device equipped with the haptic device.

Therefore, if we can delicately present diverse and realistic tactile stimulation to the body where it is needed, we will receive a great response from the people involved.

WO 2014/104452 “Vibration generating device and method”

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a tactile stimulation generating device that can delicately directly deliver various and realistic tactile stimulation to a specific area of the human body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tactile stimulation generator that can directly deliver local, high, and precise tactile stimulation while using a piezoelectric element, which is one of the mechanical tactile stimulation methods.

The present invention according to the above object, in the tactile stimulation generating device, an elastic case providing a vibration exposure opening exclusively allowing limited vibration exposure to the outside and a vibration operation space therein, and at least one of both sides of the electrode plate. A piezoelectric element plate is integrally formed, the outer portion of the electrode plate is supported by an elastic case, a piezoelectric vibrating body is located in the vibration operation space inside the elastic case, and a connecting neck is provided on one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body. A skin-contacting local pad is fixed and exposed to the outside of the elastic case through a dedicated vibration exposure opening, and in response to an external tactile stimulation control request, tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor on the skin is applied to the piezoelectric device. It is characterized by being composed of a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the generation by the vibrating body.

In addition, in the tactile stimulation generating device according to another aspect of the present invention, an elastic bracket providing a vibration exposure opening and a vibration operating space that exclusively allows limited vibration exposure to the outside, and a piezoelectric device on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate. The element plate is formed as one piece, and the outer portion of the electrode plate is connected to a piezoelectric vibrator supported by an elastic bracket, a hard case containing the piezoelectric vibrator supported by an elastic bracket, and one or more sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrator. The neck is fixed and the skin-contact topical pad is exposed to the outside through a dedicated vibration exposure opening, and the tactile sensation within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the skin's tactile receptors according to the external tactile stimulation control request. It is characterized by consisting of a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the vibration frequency to be generated by the piezoelectric vibrating body.

In addition, in another aspect of the present invention, in a tactile stimulation generating device, an elastic case providing a vibration exposure opening exclusively allowing limited vibration exposure to the outside and a vibration operation space inside, and at least one of both sides of the electrode plate The piezoelectric element plate is formed as one body, the outer part of the electrode plate is supported on the elastic case, and is located in the vibration operation space inside the elastic case and connected to the piezoelectric vibrating body that linearly vibrates, and one or more sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body. At least one of a skin-contact topical pad with a fixed neck and exposed to the outside of the elastic case through a dedicated vibration exposure opening, a touch sensor installed on the skin-contact topical pad, and touch detection from an external tactile stimulation control element or touch sensor. In response, it is characterized by a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the piezoelectric vibrating body to generate tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin.

In another aspect of the present invention, in a tactile stimulation generating device, an elastic bracket providing a vibration exposure opening and a vibration operation space that exclusively allows limited vibration exposure to the outside, and a piezoelectric element plate on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate. A piezoelectric oscillator formed as a single piece and the outer portion of the electrode plate is supported on an elastic bracket to vibrate linearly, a hard case containing the piezoelectric oscillator supported on an elastic bracket, and one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric oscillator. The connection neck is fixed and the skin-contact topical pad is exposed to the outside through a dedicated vibration exposure opening, a touch sensor installed on the skin-contact topical pad, and touch detection from an external tactile stimulation control request or touch sensor. It is characterized by comprising a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the piezoelectric vibrating body to generate a tactile vibration frequency within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin in response to one or more of the following.

In addition, in the present invention, a cushioning member surrounding the connecting neck of the skin-contacting topical pad may be further provided,

An outer shell covering both the skin-contact topical pad and the upper side of the elastic case may be further provided.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the piezoelectric element plate of the piezoelectric vibrator and the connecting neck of the skin-contacting topical pad are bonded and fixed through a simple adhesive, and further, the adhesive is composed of an adhesive with a viscous characteristic having a tensile modulus of elasticity. It is characterized by .

In addition, in the present invention, the connecting neck portion of the skin-contact topical pad that is in surface contact with the electrode plate of the piezoelectric vibrator is configured so that the diameter size of the contact cross-sectional area is 30 to 60% of the diameter size of the electrode plate of the piezoelectric vibrator. do.

The present invention has the advantage of implementing a tactile stimulation generator to directly and delicately deliver diverse and realistic tactile stimulation locally to the human body.

1 is an external perspective configuration diagram of a tactile stimulation generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an external perspective configuration diagram of a tactile stimulation generating device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is an external perspective configuration diagram of a tactile stimulation generating device according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional configuration of a tactile stimulation generating device according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 is an external perspective configuration diagram of a tactile stimulation generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device of Figure 13;
Figures 16a and 16b are external perspective and exploded perspective configuration diagrams of a tactile stimulation generating device according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention;
17A and 17B are external perspective and exploded perspective configuration diagrams of a tactile stimulation generating device according to another modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 18 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a cross-sectional tactile stimulation generating device as a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a double-sided tactile stimulation generating device as a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 20 is an illustration of a state in which the cross-sectional tactile stimulation generating device according to the present invention is used;
Figure 21 is an illustration of a state in which the double-sided tactile stimulation generating device according to the present invention is used;
Figure 22 is a diagram of various attachment examples of the piezoelectric element plate constituting the piezoelectric vibrator of the present invention;
23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a tactile stimulation generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention;
Figures 24 to 26 are diagrams illustrating a modified form of a skin-contact topical pad in a tactile stimulation generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Touch is the most primal sense. Touch is a type of sense that responds to external stimulation and involves recognizing stimulation through touch when touching or rubbing an object. Through this sense, we can obtain the most basic information about objects and make judgments.

The human skin can read texture, weight, density, pressure, and temperature through tactile receptors. Tactile receptors distributed on the human skin are mainly distributed in the fingertips and palms. There are more than 20 types of touch receptors in the skin, but the most representative ones are Meissner's corpuscles, which are located in the dermal layer and sense light touch and pressure, and Pacini corpuscles, which are located in the deepest part of the dermis and sense strong pressure and vibration. , There are free nerve endings at the end of the epidermis that sense light touch, such as a tickling or itchy feeling. The tactile stimulation transmitted to the tactile receptors is transmitted through nerves to the brain area responsible for the sense of touch.

The inventor of the present application believes that Meissner's corpuscles (pressure and tactile sensations) respond to pressure in the 5 to 100 Hz frequency band, that Pasini's corpuscles respond to pressure in the 100 to 300 Hz frequency band, and that free nerve endings respond to pressure in the frequency band of 300 Hz or more (generally 300 to 500 Hz). ) was recognized to respond to pressure.

Accordingly, the tactile stimulation generator of the present invention controls the piezoelectric vibrating body to generate tactile vibrations within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptors of the skin, and at the same time, the vibration exposure, which is a passage exclusively allowing internal vibration exposure, It is provided with a skin-contacting local pad that allows the tactile stimulation vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator to be directly transmitted to the skin of a specific area of the human body through a dedicated opening.

The tactile stimulation generating device of the present invention is a tactile vibration means that generates tactile vibration using the piezo electric effect, and has a size about the size of an adult's thumb or index finger nail. In addition, the tactile stimulation generator 2 of the present invention has a skin-contact local pad 20 connected to the internal piezoelectric vibrator 10 as shown in the external view of Figure 23 (a) to 23 (c) through a dedicated vibration exposure opening. It is exposed to the outside through (5), but the body is in a somewhat flat cylindrical shape (first embodiment) [FIG. 23 (a)] or a flat square cylindrical shape (second embodiment) [FIG. 23 (b)]. Alternatively, it can be configured in a flat bander shape (third embodiment) [Figure 23 (c)].

As shown in Figure 23 (a), the external perspective drawings related to the first embodiment of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of the present invention in which the main body is implemented in a flat cylindrical shape are Figures 1, 4, and 7. , As shown in (b) of FIG. 23, the exterior perspective view of the second embodiment in which the body of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of the present invention is implemented in the form of a flat square cylinder is shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 23. As shown in (c), the exterior perspective view of the third embodiment of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of the present invention in which the main body is implemented in a flat bander shape is shown in Figures 13, 16a, and 17a.

1 to 10 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention implemented in the form of a flat cylindrical shape, Figures 11 to 12 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention implemented in the form of a flat rectangular cylinder, and Figure 13 17A and 17B relate to a third embodiment of the present invention implemented in the form of a flat bender (piezo bender).

First, the first embodiments of the present invention implemented in a flat cylindrical form will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

Figure 1 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 according to the first embodiment (flat cylindrical shape) of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 of Figure 1. , FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 in FIG. 4.

Figure 7 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is an exploded perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 of Figure 7. 9 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of FIG. 7. And, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The tactile stimulation generator (2) of the present invention integrally forms a piezoelectric element plate (14) on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate (12), and attaches the outer portion of the electrode plate (12) to an elastic case (4) or an elastic bracket ( It is provided with a piezoelectric vibrating body (10) supported by 8).

In addition, the tactile stimulation generator 2 of the present invention is a vibration exposure device that allows only limited vibration exposure to the outside in order to allow the tactile vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to be directly transmitted to the skin of a specific part of the human body. A skin-contact topical pad provided with an elastic case (4) or an elastic bracket (8) to have a dedicated opening (5) and a connecting neck portion (20a) fixed to one or more of the two sides of the core plate of the piezoelectric vibrating body (10). (20) is provided.

The elastic case (4) or the elastic bracket (8) is provided with a vibration operating space part (7) for vibration of the piezoelectric vibrating body (10) made of an electrode plate (12) and a piezoelectric element plate (14), and the piezoelectric vibrating body The tactile stimulation vibration of (10) is not radiated to the entire main body, but rather is isolated from vibration, and is provided with a vibration exposure exclusive opening (5) so that it is transmitted only to the skin-contacting local pad (20) exposed to the outside of the main body. In the present invention, when the elastic bracket 8 is provided, a protective hard case 24 is further included to ensure durability of the case (FIGS. 7 to 10).

Meanwhile, the tactile stimulation generator (2) according to the present invention is such that the piezoelectric vibrating body (10) generates tactile stimulation vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin in response to an external tactile stimulation control request. It is provided with a tactile frequency generation control unit 30 that controls it (see FIGS. 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, and 19). The tactile frequency generation control unit 30 applies a driving voltage of (-)/(+) or (+)/(-) corresponding to the tactile frequency band to the piezoelectric vibrator 10 through the wire 16.

The tactile frequency generation control unit 30 includes, for example, a dedicated controller that performs overall control related to tactile stimulation vibration in response to an external tactile stimulation control request, and a sound signal that receives sound in analog or digital form for conversion into a tactile vibration signal. It may include an input unit, a sound processor that amplifies the input sound signal and converts it into a signal most suitable for tactile vibration, and a driving circuit that drives the piezoelectric vibrator 10 using the tactile vibration signal converted through sound processing. Through the driving circuit, a driving voltage is generated so that the piezoelectric vibrator 10 generates a tactile stimulation vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin.

The piezoelectric vibrator 10 of the present invention is a piezoelectric element-operated actuator with a fast response time of 2 ms or less. Moreover, the piezoelectric element operation method of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 of the present invention not only allows sufficient vibration operation corresponding to the audible frequency band of 20 to 20,000 Hz, but also allows the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to be felt by the tactile receptors on the skin. Tactile stimulation vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz is also permitted.

In the present invention, the electrode plate 12 constituting the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is in the form of a thin plate in the form of a winnowing, square, or rectangular shape, and the piezoelectric element plate 14 is attached to either one side or both sides of the thin plate-shaped electrode plate 12. It is a structure formed as one piece.

Referring to the piezoelectric vibrating body 10 shown in FIG. 22, (a) of FIG. 22 is a unimorph-type structure in which the piezoelectric element plate 14 is formed integrally with one side of the thin electrode plate 12, and FIG. 22 (b) is a bimorph-type structure in which each piezoelectric element plate 14 is integrally formed on both sides of the thin plate-type electrode plate 12, and (c) in Figure 22 is a multi-layer structure on one side of the thin plate-type electrode plate 12. It is a multimorph type structure in which piezoelectric element plates 14 are formed as one body.

The piezoelectric vibrating body 10 including the electrode plate 12 and the piezoelectric element plate 14 according to embodiments of the present invention receives (-)/ from the tactile frequency generation control unit 30 through two wires 16. It is driven by applying a driving voltage of (+) or (+)/(-). The wire 16 is preferably made of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) cable.

When (-)/(+) or (+)/(-) voltage is applied alternately to the electrode plate 12 and the piezoelectric element plate 14, contraction and expansion phenomena occur repeatedly, but the elastic case (Figures 3 and 3) Since the 4 in Figure 6 or the elastic bracket (8 in Figures 9 and 10) holds the outer periphery or outer part of the disk-shaped electrode plate 12 through the fitting groove line 6, the upper and lower sides with the core side as the upper and lower vertices Room bending displacement creates tactile vibration.

In the present invention, among the components of the piezoelectric vibrator 10, the disk-shaped electrode plate 12 can be made of an alloy metal material such as brass or nickel that can accommodate vibration movement, or a carbon fiber material with a conductive film. there is.

And, among the components of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 of the present invention, it is preferable that the piezoelectric element plate 14 uses piezo ceramic, EAP (Electro Active Polymer), etc. Among piezoceramics, PZT-based, PT-based, and PZT composite systems are used, and among EAPs, IPMC (Ionic Polymer Metal Composite), EPAM (Electroactive Polymer Artificial Muscle), MFC (Macro Fiber Composite), and other polymers with conductive fillers are used. It is also possible to use a composite actuator or the like.

In addition, in the present invention, the piezoelectric element plate 14 is preferably installed as a unimorph type piezoelectric plate that is attached to only one side of the thin electrode plate 12 and expands and contracts in the plane direction, as shown in (a) of Figure 22. And, if necessary, it is also possible to use a bimorph-type piezoelectric plate in which piezoelectric element plates 14 are attached to both sides of the thin-plate electrode plate 12, as shown in (b) of FIG. 22. In addition, in order to generate a large force, it is also possible to install a multimorph-type piezoelectric plate with multiple piezoelectric element plate layers stacked on one side of the thin plate-type electrode plate 12, as shown in (c) of FIG. 22.

The disk diaphragm body constituting the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is connected to the electrode plate 12 through the fitting groove line 6 of the elastic case (4 in FIGS. 3 and 6) or the elastic bracket (8 in FIGS. 9 and 10). It is constructed so that the outer periphery or outer part of is inserted.

In the present invention, the elastic case 4 or the elastic bracket 8 made of an elastic material supporting the electrode plate 12 allows the disk-shaped electrode plate 12, to which the piezoelectric element plate 14 is integrally attached, to perform precise up and down vibration movement. In addition to having a space for vibration operation (7), it also provides an inner wall fitting groove line (6) into which the outer periphery or outer portion of the electrode plate (12) can be inserted. In addition, according to the present invention, the maximum vertical vibration force for each variable frequency band within the 5 to 500 Hz frequency range that can be felt by the skin's tactile receptor is limited to be transmitted only to the skin-contacting local pad 20 exposed to the outside of the body. It has a dedicated vibration exposure opening (5), and the main body itself is made of an elastic material with dustproof properties so that vibration is not radiated, but is preferably made of a resin material or a rubber material.

The disk-shaped electrode plate (12) with the piezoelectric element plate (14) integrated therein must be free of up and down reciprocating vibration movement while its outer periphery or outer portion is supported by the elastic case (4) or elastic bracket (8). This means that if the outer periphery or outer portion of the disk-shaped electrode plate 12 with which the piezoelectric element plate 14 is integrated is fixed in position by welding or gluing, etc., the resonance frequency band is fixed. If the resonance frequency band deviates even slightly, This is because the vibration force is drastically reduced. Therefore, the elastic case (4) or elastic bracket (8) of the present invention has a fitting groove line (6) on the inner wall and is configured to have a hardness value of Shore hardness of 20 to 80. That is, it has a hardness value of 20 to 80 based on the Shore A hardness scale, and has a hardness value of 30 to 70 based on the Shore D hardness scale.

In other words, the elastic case (4) or elastic bracket (8) made of elastic material has the advantage of reducing noise due to vibration as the shore hardness value is lower, but it also reduces the vibration transmission characteristics desired in the tactile stimulation vibration device (2) of the present invention. Disadvantages exist together. Taking this into account, the elastic case (4) or elastic bracket (8) of the present invention has a shore hardness value of 20 to 80, which is a desirable range to ensure good vibration transmission characteristics while reducing vibration noise.

Meanwhile, in the tactile stimulation generator 2 of the present invention, the skin-contacting local pad 20 is exposed to the outside of the main body as a means to directly transmit the tactile vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 to the human skin, The connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20 passing through the vibration exposure dedicated opening 5 provided by the elastic case 4 or the elastic bracket 8 is adhesively fixed to the core of the plate of the piezoelectric vibrating body 10. .

The skin-contact topical pad (20) can directly and sensitively transmit tactile vibration to a specific part of the fingertips or palm where many tactile receptors are distributed among the human skin, and has an appropriate local size, that is, the size of a fingernail or one or two fingers. It is desirable.

The skin-contact topical pad 20 is preferably made of a light, non-ferrous material such as hard plastic or aluminum.

In addition, the connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact local pad 20 that is in surface contact with the electrode plate 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10 has a diameter size of the contact cross-sectional area of the electrode plate 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10. ) is configured to be 30 to 60% of the diameter size. This is to ensure that the connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20 can be stably attached to the electrode plate 12 without interfering with the vertical vibration movement of the electrode plate 12.

The adhesive 26 interposed to fix the connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20 and the electrode plate 12 is composed of a viscous adhesive or adhesive tape having a tensile modulus of elasticity, thereby forming the electrode plate 12. Do not interfere with the vertical oscillation movement.

In addition, the tactile stimulation generating device (2) of the present invention is provided with a cushioning member (18) surrounding the connecting neck portion (20a) of the skin-contacting topical pad (20). The cushioning member 18 supports the skin-contact topical pad 20 wider than the connecting neck portion 20a, so that the skin-contact topical pad 20 has a sense of balance during use and also provides a cushioning feeling.

In a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, an outer shell film 22 covering the top side of the skin-contacting topical pad 20 and the elastic case 4 as a finishing film is further provided. do. The outer shell 22 forms a protective layer and prevents external foreign substances from entering the electrode plate 12 of the piezoelectric vibrator 10.

In the first embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 1 to 3) or a modified example of the first embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 6), it is configured to have an elastic case 4, and in order to reinforce durability, this configuration is equipped with a protective hard Other modifications of the first embodiment of the present invention that further include a case 24 are shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.

7 to 9 show an example in which an elastic bracket (8) is used instead of the elastic case (4), and the protective hard case (24) surrounding the elastic bracket (8) is composed of upper and lower cases (24a) and (24b). 10 shows another modified example of FIGS. 7 to 9 in which the protective hard case 24 surrounding the elastic bracket 8 is made of a cylindrical body.

Figure 7 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is an exploded perspective configuration diagram of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 of Figure 7. 9 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of FIG. 7. In the configuration of FIGS. 7 to 9, the configuration including the outer shell 22 is shown.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention implemented in the form of a flat square cylinder will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulus generating device 2 of FIG. 11.

The tactile stimulation generating device (2) according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 according to the present invention, except that the elastic case (4) is a flat rectangular cylinder and the skin-contact topical pad (20) is a square plate. The structure and function are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The four outer edges of the electrode plate 12 of the rectangular thin plate-shaped piezoelectric vibrating body 10 are inserted and supported in the fitting groove lines 6 formed on the inner walls of the four groups of the rectangular cylindrical elastic case 4.

Next, third embodiments of the present invention implemented in the form of a flat bander will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

Figure 13 is an external perspective view of the flat bander-shaped tactile stimulus generator 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the tactile stimulus generator 2 of Figure 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of FIG. 13.

The bander-shaped tactile stimulation generating device 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 includes an elongated rectangular flat elastic case 34 and an elongated rectangular piezoelectric vibrating body 10. Both left and right ends of the electrode plate 12 are supported by engaging grooves 6 at both ends of the elastic case 34.

One side of the elastic case 34 is closed and an opening is formed on the other side, and the piezoelectric vibrating body 10 and the stopper portion 34a formed with the fitting groove line 6 are fitted into the other side opening of the elastic case 34. Thus, the piezoelectric vibrator 10 is configured to be fastened to both ends of the elastic case 34.

As in the example shown in Figures 13 to 15, the connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20 is composed of two symmetrical left and right sides near the center point of the bottom surface of the skin-contact topical pad 20 in the form of stepping stones. It can be. Then, the bander-type tactile stimulation generating device 2 can be constructed without using the buffer member 18.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are external perspective and exploded perspective configuration diagrams of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 17A and 17B are other modified examples of the third embodiment of the present invention. This is an external perspective and disassembled perspective view of the tactile stimulation generator (2) according to .

In the tactile stimulation generating device 2 shown in FIGS. 16a, b and 17a, b, a skin-contacting local pad 20 is provided on the deep portion of one surface of the bander-type piezoelectric vibrating body 10 via the connecting neck portion 20a. It is glued and fixed. The connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20 may be configured in the shape of a square cap. At this time, it is desirable to place the cushioning member 18 below the skin-contact topical pad 20 and on the left and right sides of the connecting neck portion 20a of the skin-contact topical pad 20.

16A and 16B, the tactile stimulation generating device 2 is provided with left and right block-type elastic brackets 38a and 38b to support the left and right ends of the bander-type piezoelectric vibrating body 10, and the elastic bracket 38a ) shows an example equipped with a cap-type hard case (44a) (44b) that only fits (38b). 16A and 16B, an open vibration exposure-only opening 5 and a vibration operation space 7 are provided.

17A and 17B, the tactile stimulation generating device 2 is provided with left and right block-type elastic brackets 38a and 38b to support the left and right ends of the bander-type piezoelectric vibrating body 10, and the elastic bracket 38a ) It shows an example equipped with a boat-type hard case (54) that not only fits (38b) but also serves as floor protection. 17A and 17B, a boat-type hard case 54 includes a vibration exposure-only opening 5 and a vibration operation space 7.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a single-sided tactile stimulus generating device 2 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a double-sided tactile stimulus generating device 2 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. am.

As a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the upper part of the skin-contact topical pad (20) constituting the tactile stimulation generating device (2) according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention described above is touched as shown in Figures 18 and 19. This is an example implemented to further include a sensor 40.

In Figure 18, the skin-contact topical pad 20 is provided on only one side of the piezoelectric oscillator 10, and in Figure 19, the skin-contact topical pad 20 is provided on both sides of the piezoelectric oscillator 10. am.

The touch sensor 40 installed on the skin-contact topical pad 20 generates a touch detection signal when a person physically touches it, such as a finger, and sends the touch detection signal in response to touch, force, or pressure through a tactile frequency generation control unit ( 30) is provided.

The touch sensor 40 can be implemented using a capacitive or resistive sensing method.

The tactile frequency generation control unit 30 of the tactile stimulation generating device 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is configured to sense the tactile receptor of the skin according to an external tactile stimulation control request or touch detection from the touch sensor 40. Tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz is controlled to be generated by the piezoelectric vibrator 10.

For example, when the user touches or presses the touch sensor 40 installed on the skin-contact local pad 20, the tactile frequency generation control unit 30 responds to the touch and generates a preset frequency within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz. Tactile vibration is controlled so that it can occur in the piezoelectric vibrator 10. As a specific example, under the control of the tactile frequency generation control unit 30, a heavy tactile vibration is generated in the piezoelectric vibrating body 10 in proportion to the finger pressure applied to the touch sensor 40, and is transmitted to the skin-contacting local pad 20. It is delivered immediately, allowing the user's touching finger to feel it tactilely.

Figures 24 to 26 are diagrams illustrating a modified form of the skin-contact topical pad 20 in the tactile stimulation generating device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The skin-contacting topical pad 20 shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 has a structure in which an expanded outer portion is provided on a pad plate body in contact with the skin and a downward bending step is formed on the expanded outer portion to prevent penetration of foreign substances into the vibration exposure exclusive opening 5. It has the advantage of preventing damage and expanding the user's skin contact area. The skin-contacting topical pad 20 of the example shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 can also be applied to the tactile stimulation generating device 2 of various embodiments shown in (a) (b) (c) of FIG. 23. You must understand.

The tactile stimulation generator 2 according to embodiments of the present invention is a headset, gloves, and suit (clothes) required for content in virtual spaces such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and Metaverse. ), is mounted on shoes, etc., allowing users to directly feel the delicate sense of touch.

In particular, the tactile stimulation generator 2 of the present invention is useful for implementing haptic effects in input/output devices that are held directly by hand and perform user interface, such as a computer mouse, joystick, or game pad.

In the above description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined by the described embodiments, but by the claims and equivalents to the claims.

The present invention, as a haptic technology, can be used in the medical field, military field, simulation field for virtual training, game industry field, mobile device field, wearable device field, home appliance field, marine and aircraft vehicle field, robot industry field, etc.

(2)-- Tactile stimulation generator (4)-- Elastic case
(5)-- Vibration exposure dedicated opening (6)-- Fitting groove line
(7)-- Vibration operating space (8)-- Elastic bracket
(10)-- Piezoelectric vibrator (12)-- Electrode plate
(14)-- Piezoelectric element plate (16)-- Wire
(18)-- Cushioning member (20)-- Skin contact topical pad
(20a)-- Connecting xylem (22)-- Integument
(24)-- Case (24a)(24b)-- Top and bottom case
(26)-- Adhesive
(30)-- Tactile frequency generation control unit (40)-- Touch sensor

Claims (11)

In the tactile stimulation generating device,
An elastic case that provides a vibration exposure opening that allows limited vibration exposure to the outside and a vibration operating space inside,
A piezoelectric vibrator formed integrally with a piezoelectric element plate on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate, the outer portion of the electrode plate supported by an elastic case, and located in the vibration operation space inside the elastic case;
A skin-contacting local pad is fixed to one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body and is exposed to the outside of the elastic case through a dedicated vibration exposure opening,
Tactile stimulation, characterized in that it consists of a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the piezoelectric vibrator to generate tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin in response to an external tactile stimulation control request. Generating device.
In the tactile stimulation generating device,
An elastic bracket that provides a vibration exposure opening and a vibration operating space that allows limited vibration exposure to the outside,
A piezoelectric vibrator in which a piezoelectric element plate is integrally formed on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate and the outer portion of the electrode plate is supported by an elastic bracket;
A hard case containing a piezoelectric vibrator supported on an elastic bracket,
A skin-contact topical pad in which a connecting neck is fixed to one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body and the skin-contact topical pad is exposed to the outside through a dedicated vibration exposure opening,
Tactile stimulation generation, characterized in that it consists of a tactile frequency generation control unit that controls the piezoelectric vibrating body to generate a tactile vibration frequency within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin in response to an external tactile stimulation control request. Device.
In the tactile stimulation generating device,
An elastic case that provides a vibration exposure opening that allows limited vibration exposure to the outside and a vibration operating space inside,
A piezoelectric vibrating body that integrally forms a piezoelectric element plate on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate, the outer portion of the electrode plate is supported by an elastic case, and is located in a vibration operation space inside the elastic case to vibrate linearly;
A skin-contacting local pad is fixed to one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body and is exposed to the outside of the elastic case through a dedicated vibration exposure opening,
A touch sensor installed on a skin-contact topical pad,
A tactile frequency that controls the piezoelectric vibrator to generate tactile vibration within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor on the skin in response to one or more of the external tactile stimulation control request or touch detection from the touch sensor. A tactile stimulation generating device characterized by consisting of a generation control unit.
In the tactile stimulation generating device,
An elastic bracket that provides a vibration exposure opening and a vibration operating space that allows limited vibration exposure to the outside,
A piezoelectric vibrator that integrally forms a piezoelectric element plate on one or more of both sides of the electrode plate and the outer portion of the electrode plate is supported on an elastic bracket to vibrate linearly;
A hard case containing a piezoelectric vibrator supported on an elastic bracket,
A skin-contact topical pad in which a connecting neck is fixed to one or more of the two sides of the plate core of the piezoelectric vibrating body and the skin-contact topical pad is exposed to the outside through a dedicated vibration exposure opening,
A touch sensor installed on a skin-contact topical pad,
Tactile frequency generation that controls the piezoelectric vibrating body to generate a tactile vibration frequency within the frequency range of 5 to 500 Hz that can be felt by the tactile receptor of the skin in response to one or more of the external tactile stimulation control request or touch detection from the touch sensor. A tactile stimulation generating device characterized by consisting of a control unit.
The tactile stimulation generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cushioning member surrounding the connecting neck portion of the skin-contact topical pad.
The tactile stimulation generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an outer shell covering both the skin-contact topical pad and the upper side of the elastic case.
The tactile stimulus generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the piezoelectric element plate of the piezoelectric vibrator and the connecting neck of the skin-contact topical pad are bonded and fixed via a simple adhesive.
The tactile stimulus generating device according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive is made of a viscous adhesive having a tensile modulus of elasticity.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting neck portion of the skin-contact topical pad that is in surface contact with the electrode plate of the piezoelectric vibrator has a diameter size of the contact cross-sectional area of 30 to 60% of the diameter size of the electrode plate of the piezoelectric vibrator. A tactile stimulation generating device characterized in that it is configured to be.
The tactile stimulus generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body is formed in one of a flat cylindrical shape, a flat square cylindrical shape, and a flat bander shape.
The tactile stimulation generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the skin-contacting topical pad is provided with an expanded outer portion on a pad plate body in contact with the skin, and a downward bending step is formed on the expanded outer portion.

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