Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a tactile sensation providing apparatus.

Apparatuses for providing a tactile sensation to a user touching a vibration object such as a touch sensor by causing the vibration object to vibrate by a piezoelectric element are conventionally known. As such apparatuses, an apparatus for preventing damage of the piezoelectric element is known (<CIT> (PTL <NUM>)).

Moreover, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> each disclose an apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides a tactile sensation providing apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, an improved structure and tactile sensation providing apparatus can be provided.

<FIG> is an appearance diagram of a tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an XY-plane sectional diagram of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> along line L-L in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram of the configuration illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in appearance. In <FIG>, the thickness direction of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is an X-axis direction, the longitudinal direction of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is a Y-axis direction, and the transverse direction of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is a Z-axis direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a vibration object <NUM> (structure), and an actuator <NUM>. The tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> provides a tactile sensation to a user touching a main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>, by vibrating the vibration object <NUM>. Examples of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> include vehicle-mounted devices such as a car navigation system and switches of a steering wheel and a power window. Examples of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> also include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), and a laptop PC. The tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is not limited to such. The tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> may be any of various electronic devices such as a desktop PC, a household appliance, an industrial device (factory automation (FA) device), and a dedicated terminal.

The housing <NUM> may be made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like. The housing <NUM> protects the internal structure of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may contain the actuator <NUM>, a controller, a memory, and the like. The controller may include a processor, a microcomputer, or the like capable of executing application software. The controller is connected to the actuator <NUM>. The controller outputs a drive signal for vibrating the actuator <NUM>, to the actuator <NUM>. The drive signal may be a voltage signal or a current signal. The memory may include a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or the like. The memory stores various information, programs for operating the controller, and the like. The controller and the memory may be provided outside the housing <NUM>.

The vibration object <NUM> vibrates as a result of the vibration of the actuator <NUM> being transmitted. The vibration object <NUM> may be a touch sensor provided in a display panel. The vibration object <NUM> is not limited to a touch sensor, and may be, for example, a switch.

The vibration direction of the vibration object <NUM> includes, for example, an in-plane direction and an out-of-plane direction. The in-plane direction is a direction substantially parallel to the main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. In <FIG>, for example, the in-plane direction is a direction parallel to the ZY plane. Hence, in <FIG>, vibration in the in-plane direction is, for example, vibration in the Z-axis direction. The out-of-plane direction is a direction orthogonal to the main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. Hence, in <FIG>, vibration in the out-of-plane direction is vibration in the X-axis direction. Hereafter, vibration in the in-plane direction is also referred to as "horizontal vibration", and vibration in the out-of-plane direction is also referred to as "vertical vibration".

The vibration direction of the vibration object <NUM> may be set as appropriate depending on, for example, the use of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>. For example, in the case where the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is a vehicle-mounted device, the vibration object <NUM> may be a display of a car navigation system. The traveling direction of the vehicle in which the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is mounted can be approximately the X-axis direction. In this case, the vibration direction of the vibration object <NUM> may be determined as the out-of-plane direction. In the case where the vibration direction of the vibration object <NUM> is set to the out-of-plane direction, the actuator <NUM> can be incorporated in the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The vibration object <NUM> has the main surface <NUM>, a main surface <NUM>, and an abutment <NUM>. The vibration object <NUM> further has a guide <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be formed integrally with the vibration object <NUM>. Alternatively, the guide <NUM> may be formed separately from the vibration object <NUM>. In the case where the guide <NUM> is formed separately from the vibration object <NUM>, the guide <NUM> may be provided on the main surface <NUM> using an adhesive or the like.

The main surface <NUM> faces the outside of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The main surface <NUM> is touched by the user. The main surface <NUM> faces the inside of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The main surface <NUM> faces the bottom of the housing <NUM>.

The abutment <NUM> can abut a holder <NUM> of the actuator, as illustrated in <FIG>. The abutment <NUM> may be a region of part of the main surface <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The shape of the abutment <NUM> may be the same as the shape of the surface of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> facing the vibration object <NUM>. As a result of the abutment <NUM> abutting the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, the vibration of the actuator <NUM> can be transmitted to the vibration object <NUM>.

The abutment <NUM> is non-adherent to the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The abutment <NUM> may be removable from the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. With such a configuration, when an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM>, the holder <NUM> can separate from the abutment <NUM>, so that damage of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented. This will be described in detail later with reference to <FIG>.

The guide <NUM> guides the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> to the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be provided on the main surface <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The guide <NUM> may be formed along the whole periphery of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, the guide <NUM> may be formed along part of the periphery of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be made of metal, resin, or a composite material of metal, resin, and the like.

The inner wall of the guide <NUM> can be in contact with the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The inner wall of the guide <NUM> may be treated so that friction will occur between the inner wall of the guide <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. As a result of friction occurring between the inner wall of the guide <NUM> and the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, the vibration of the actuator <NUM> can be efficiently transmitted to the vibration object <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> converts a voltage signal output from the controller of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>, into vibration. The actuator <NUM> may be located at four corners of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> having a rectangular parallelepiped shape illustrated in <FIG>. The actuator <NUM> may be located between the bottom surface of the housing <NUM> and the vibration object <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The actuator <NUM> has the piezoelectric element <NUM>, a vibration plate <NUM>, supports 33A and 33B, and fixed portions 34A and 34B, as illustrated in <FIG>. The vibration plate <NUM>, the supports 33A and 33B, and the fixed portions 34A and 34B may be formed integrally by, for example, bending one thin plate. Alternatively, the vibration plate <NUM>, the supports 33A and 33B, and the fixed portions 34A and 34B may be formed separately from one another. In the case where the vibration plate <NUM>, the supports 33A and 33B, and the fixed portions 34A and 34B are formed separately from one another, the vibration plate <NUM>, the supports 33A and 33B, and the fixed portions 34A and 34B may be integrated by welding or the like.

The piezoelectric element <NUM> has, for example, a rectangular shape, as illustrated in <FIG>. A voltage signal output from the controller of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is applied to the piezoelectric element <NUM>. The piezoelectric element <NUM> undergoes expansion and contraction displacement in the longitudinal direction according to the applied voltage signal. The piezoelectric element <NUM> may be a piezoelectric film or piezoelectric ceramic. Piezoelectric ceramic can generate vibration having greater vibration energy than a piezoelectric film.

The piezoelectric element <NUM> may be replaced with a magnetostrictor. A magnetostrictor expands and contracts according to an applied magnetic field. In the case where the piezoelectric element <NUM> is replaced with a magnetostrictor, the actuator <NUM> may further have a coil or the like for converting a drive signal output from the controller into a magnetic field.

The vibration plate <NUM> is, for example, an elastic thin plate such as a shim plate, as illustrated in <FIG>. The vibration plate <NUM> may be a platy member with a predetermined thickness. The vibration plate <NUM> may be made of metal, resin, or a composite material of metal, resin, and the like. Hereafter, of two surfaces of the vibration plate <NUM>, the surface facing the housing <NUM> is referred to as "main surface 32a", and the surface facing the vibration object <NUM> is referred to as "main surface 32b", as illustrated in <FIG>.

The piezoelectric element <NUM> is provided on the main surface 32a, as illustrated in <FIG>. The piezoelectric element <NUM> is provided on the main surface 32a so that the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element <NUM> will match the longitudinal direction of the vibration plate <NUM>. The piezoelectric element <NUM> may be joined to the main surface 32a using an adhesive or the like.

A structure in which the piezoelectric element <NUM> is provided on the main surface 32a, i.e. a structure in which the piezoelectric element <NUM> is provided on one surface of the vibration plate <NUM>, is a unimorph. In the unimorph, the expansion and contraction displacement of the piezoelectric element <NUM> induces bending vibration of the vibration plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, both ends of the vibration plate <NUM> are supported by the supports 33A and 33B. In the case where both ends of the vibration plate <NUM> are supported in this way, the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates with the amplitude in the normal direction of the main surface 32a around the center of the vibration plate <NUM> being largest. As a result of the vibration plate <NUM> vibrating with the amplitude in the normal direction of the main surface 32a, i.e. the X-axis direction, being largest, the vibration object <NUM> can vibrate in the out-of-plane direction.

The support 33A is provided at one end of the vibration plate <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in <FIG>. One end of the support 33A is connected to the vibration plate <NUM>. The other end of the support 33A is connected to the fixed portion 34A. The support 33B is provided at the other end of the vibration plate <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in <FIG>. One end of the support 33B is connected to the vibration plate <NUM>. The other end of the support 33B is connected to the fixed portion 34B.

The supports 33A and 33B support the vibration plate <NUM> so as to create a gap between the piezoelectric element <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. As a result of a gap being created between the piezoelectric element <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, when the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates according to the displacement of the piezoelectric element <NUM>, the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented from colliding with the housing <NUM>. The supports 33A and 33B may be made of the same material as the vibration plate <NUM>, or made of a different material from the vibration plate <NUM>.

The fixed portions 34A and 34B are fixed to the housing <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The fixed portions 34A and 34B may be fixed to the housing <NUM> using a fastening member such as a screw, an adhesive, or the like. The fixed portions 34A and 34B may be made of the same material as the vibration plate <NUM>, or made of a different material from the vibration plate <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> abuts the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM> to hold the vibration object <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be made of metal, resin, or a composite material of metal, resin, and the like. The holder <NUM> is provided at or near the center of the main surface 32b of the vibration plate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be connected to the vibration plate <NUM> using an adhesive or the like.

For example, when the main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM> is pressed in the positive direction of the X-axis by the user's finger or the like as illustrated in <FIG>, the holder <NUM> abuts the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. As a result of the holder <NUM> abutting the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>, the vibration of the vibration plate <NUM> is transmitted to the vibration object <NUM> through the holder <NUM>. With such a configuration, the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> can provide a tactile sensation to the user touching the main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM> by vibrating the vibration object <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> is non-adherent to the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be removable from the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. When an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM>, the holder <NUM> separates from the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state when an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM> in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>. For example, in the case where the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a vehicle-mounted device installed in a vehicle, the traveling direction of the vehicle in which the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is mounted may be approximately the positive direction of the X-axis. In this case, when the vehicle starts suddenly, an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis can act on the vibration object <NUM>. In this embodiment, when an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM>, the holder <NUM> separates from the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>, so that the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> can be prevented from being pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis together with the vibration object <NUM>. By preventing the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> from being pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis, damage of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a tactile sensation providing apparatus 1X according to a comparative example. <FIG> corresponds to <FIG>. The tactile sensation providing apparatus 1X according to the comparative example includes the housing <NUM>, a vibration object 20X, and the actuator <NUM>.

In the comparative example, the vibration object 20X has a main surface 22X. The main surface 22X is adhered to the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> using an adhesive or the like.

In the tactile sensation providing apparatus 1X according to the comparative example, when an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object 20X, the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> may be pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis because the main surface 22X is adhered to the holder <NUM>. In the tactile sensation providing apparatus 1X according to the comparative example, the piezoelectric element <NUM> joined to the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> may be damaged as a result of the vibration plate <NUM> being pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis.

In the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment, on the other hand, when an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM>, the holder <NUM> separates from the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. With such a configuration, the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> can be prevented from being pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis in this embodiment. By preventing the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> from being pulled in the negative direction of the X-axis, damage of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention. The tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> includes the housing <NUM>, a vibration object <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM>. The vibration object <NUM> includes the main surface <NUM>, the main surface <NUM>, the abutment <NUM>, and a guide <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> guides the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> to the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be formed along the whole periphery of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. Alternatively, the guide <NUM> may be formed along part of the periphery of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be made of metal, resin, or a composite material of metal, resin, and the like.

The guide <NUM> is L-shaped in a sectional view. The guide <NUM> includes a portion 124a and a portion 124b.

The portion 124a extends along the outer surface of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The portion 124b extends along the main surface <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. As a result of the portion 124b extending along the main surface <NUM>, the guide <NUM> can be fixed to the vibration object <NUM> more stably.

The other configurations and effects of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> are the same as those of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> includes the housing <NUM>, a vibration object <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM>. The vibration object <NUM> includes the main surface <NUM>, the main surface <NUM>, the abutment <NUM>, and a guide <NUM>.

A portion of the guide <NUM> on the negative side of the Y-axis extends from the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> to the support 33A of the actuator <NUM>. A portion of the guide <NUM> on the positive side of the Y-axis extends from the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> to the support 33B of the actuator <NUM>.

The length of the guide <NUM> along the X-axis is shorter than the length of the holder <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> along the X-axis. With such a configuration, when the holder <NUM> abuts the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>, a gap can be created between the guide <NUM> and the main surface 32b of the vibration plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. As a result of a gap being created between the guide <NUM> and the main surface 32b of the vibration plate <NUM>, the vibration plate <NUM> can vibrate efficiently according to the expansion and contraction displacement of the piezoelectric element <NUM>.

In the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>, even when a force in the positive direction of the X-axis acts excessively on the vibration object <NUM>, damage of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state when an external force in the positive direction of the X-axis acts excessively on the vibration object <NUM> in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>. For example, an external force in the positive direction of the X-axis acts excessively on the vibration object <NUM> when the user presses the vibration object <NUM> excessively, or when, in the case where the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a vehicle-mounted device installed in a vehicle, the vehicle in which the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is mounted stops suddenly. When the vibration object <NUM> is displaced in the positive direction of the X-axis as a result of an external force in the positive direction of the X-axis acting on the vibration object <NUM>, the support 33A abuts one end of the guide <NUM>, and the support 33B abuts the other end of the guide <NUM>. With such a configuration, even when a force in the positive direction of the X-axis acts excessively on the vibration object <NUM>, the vibration plate <NUM> can be prevented from being displaced excessively in the positive direction of the X-axis. By preventing the vibration plate <NUM> from being displaced excessively in the positive direction of the X-axis, damage of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented.

The guide <NUM> is wedge-shaped in a sectional view. The holder <NUM> is located at a center part of the guide <NUM>. The center part of the guide <NUM> gradually increases in diameter toward the housing <NUM>. With such a configuration, in the case where an external force in the negative direction of the X-axis acts on the vibration object <NUM> and the holder <NUM> separates from the center part of the guide <NUM>, when the external force on the vibration object <NUM> is released, the holder <NUM> can be easily guided to the center part of the guide <NUM>. Since the holder <NUM> can be easily guided to the center part of the guide <NUM>, the holder <NUM> can be easily guided to the abutment <NUM> of the vibration object <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be flexible. As a result of the guide <NUM> being flexible, the holder <NUM> can be guided to the center part of the guide <NUM> more easily.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of drawings and examples, various changes or modifications may be easily made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the present disclosure. Such various changes or modifications are therefore included in the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claim. For example, the functions included in the functional units, etc. may be rearranged without logical inconsistency, and a plurality of functional units, etc. may be combined into one functional unit, etc. and a functional unit, etc. may be divided into a plurality of functional units, etc. Moreover, each of the embodiments according to the present invention is not limited to the strict implementation of the embodiment, and features may be combined or partially omitted as appropriate.

For example, although the foregoing embodiments describe the case where the fixed portions 34A and 34B of the actuator <NUM> are fixed to the housing <NUM> of the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM>, the fixed portions 34A and 34B of the actuator <NUM> may be fixed to a part other than the housing <NUM>. For example, in the case where the tactile sensation providing apparatus <NUM> is implemented in a vehicle, the fixed portions 34A and 34B of the actuator <NUM> may be fixed to a frame of the vehicle.

Claim 1:
A tactile sensation providing apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a structure (<NUM>) configured to provide a tactile sensation; and
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to cause the structure (<NUM>) to vibrate according to expansion and contraction displacement of a piezoelectric element (<NUM>),
wherein the structure (<NUM>) includes an abutment (<NUM>) configured to abut the actuator (<NUM>) and
the abutment (<NUM>) is non-adherent to the actuator (<NUM>),
characterised in that the structure (<NUM>) further comprises a guide (<NUM>) configured to guide the actuator (<NUM>) to the abutment (<NUM>).