Patent Description:
In the related art, there is known a configuration in which a vibration actuator gives vibration as a contact operation feeling (a feeling of operation by contact) to a finger pulp or the like of an operator that comes into contact with a display screen displayed on a touch screen as a sensing screen (see Patent Literature (hereinafter, referred to as "PTL") <NUM>).

PTL <NUM> discloses a portable terminal apparatus in which a vibration actuator is attached to the rear surface of a touch screen via a vibration transmitting part. In the vibration actuator of the apparatus, a movable element is disposed inside a housing fixed to the vibration transmitting part so as to be reciprocatingly movable along a guide shaft disposed perpendicular to the touch screen. The vibration actuator gives vibration to a finger pulp that comes into contact with the touch screen via the vibration transmitting part by causing the movable element to collide with the housing in accordance with an operation on the touch screen although a sound of collision may be generated thereby. Document <CIT> discloses a load detector comprising a strain generating body that includes a first fixing part fixable to a device and a second fixing part fixable to an actuator giving vibration to the device, a strain sensor that detects strain generated in the strain part in accordance with the pressing operation and a regulating part provided at the first fixing part. Patent document <CIT> refers to a display screen of a touch panel, comprising a strain detector detecting strain of plate-shaped elastic parts when a user presses on the screen.

Incidentally, in a vibration presenting apparatus that presents vibration corresponding to a pressing operation, a strong vibration or a strong impact from outside may continue as vibration in accordance with an application and a use situation of an operation device. It is known, on the other hand, that a vibration presenting apparatus requires detection of a pressing operation on the screen. In a case where a strong impact on a vibration presenting apparatus continues, a sound of collision is frequently generated as well as an excessive stress is applied to a sensor, which may cause a failure and require maintenance such as repair and replacement in a short period.

An object of the present invention is to provide a load detector that is capable of achieving an improved impact resistance and a reduced sound.

To achieve the above-described object, a load detector is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an improved impact resistance and a reduced sound.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein one example is illustrated by way of example, in which;.

In the present embodiment, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) will be used for description. The drawings to be described later are also illustrated with the common orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z). Hereinafter, the width, height, and depth of vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> including vibration actuator <NUM> are lengths in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, and correspondingly the width, height, and length of vibration actuator <NUM> are also lengths in the X, Y, and Z direction, respectively. Further, the plus side in the Z direction is a direction in which vibration feedback is given to the operator, which will be described as "front surface side" (or "upper side"). The minus side in the Z direction is a direction in which the operator performs pressing when performing an operation, which will be described as "back surface side" (or "lower side"). Note that, in each part forming vibration actuator <NUM>, a surface on the "front surface side" (or "upper side") will be described as "front surface" (or "upper surface"), and a surface on the "back surface side" (or "lower side") will be described as "rear surface" (or "lower surface").

Vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes vibration actuator <NUM>, and an operation device (touch screen <NUM> in the present embodiment) as a vibration presenting part on which the operator performs a contact operation. Vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> is a tactile sense presenting apparatus that gives a contact operation feeling (also referred to as "tactile feeling" or "force sense") to the operator, who comes into contact with the operation device to perform an operation thereof in accordance with an application and a use situation of the operation device, via the operation device.

In the present embodiment, the operation device is touch screen <NUM> that displays a screen and is operated by a contact with the screen. Touch screen <NUM> is a touch screen of an electrostatic capacity type, a resistive film type, an optical type or the like. Note that, touch screen <NUM> detects a contact position of the operator and is controlled by a control part (including microcomputer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or the like, for example). In the present embodiment, touch screen <NUM> is a touch screen of an electrostatic capacity type. The control part is capable of obtaining information on a touch position of a user via a touch screen control part (not illustrated). Further, screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> is formed of a display part of a liquid crystal system, an organic EL system, an electronic paper system, a plasma system, or the like. Touch screen <NUM> may also be controlled by the touch screen control part. The touch screen control part controls display information (not illustrated) and presents an image in accordance with the type of presented vibration on the screen to the operator.

Vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> is used, for example, as a touch screen apparatus of a car navigation system as an electronic device. Vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> functions as an apparatus that presents vibration to the operator who comes into contact with screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> to perform an operation thereof. At this time, vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> may be any electronic device that gives a tactile feeling to the operator by presenting vibration to the operator who comes into contact with a vibration object. For example, vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> may be an image display apparatus such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a TV; a game machine with a touch screen; a game controller with a touch screen, or the like.

Specifically, in vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, when a pressing object such as a finger pulp or the like of the operator comes into contact with screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> to perform an operation, vibration actuator <NUM> is driven to vibrate in accordance with the operation. This vibration gives a tactile feeling to the operator.

Vibration actuator <NUM> of the present embodiment gives various types of tactile feelings in accordance with a display image operated by the operator. For example, vibration actuator <NUM> gives a tactile feeling as a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch, an alternate type switch, a momentary switch, a toggle switch, a sliding switch, a rotary switch, a DIP switch, and a rocker switch in accordance with an image to be brought into contact with and operated. Further, in a push type switch, vibration actuator <NUM> is also capable of giving tactile feelings of the switch with different push-in degrees.

Note that, in vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, an operation device, which does not have a display function and with which the operator can simply come into contact to perform an operation, may be used instead of touch screen <NUM> as the operation device.

In vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, vibration actuator <NUM> is disposed between touch screen <NUM> and a base (not illustrated) disposed on the rear surface side of touch screen <NUM>. Vibration actuator <NUM> is fixed to the base (not illustrated) by fixing body <NUM>.

Touch screen <NUM>, on the rear surface side thereof, is fixed to strain generating member <NUM> of load detecting part K1 provided in movable body <NUM> (see <FIG>) of actuator main body A1 in vibration actuator <NUM>. Thus, vibration actuator <NUM> is disposed between touch screen <NUM> and the base (not illustrated) so as to connect each other.

Touch screen <NUM> itself can be driven integrally with movable body <NUM>. A direction in which a finger or the like of the operator comes into contact with and presses screen 2a of touch screen <NUM>, for example, a direction perpendicular to the screen of touch screen <NUM> (also referred to as "surface perpendicular direction") is included in the same direction as the Z direction that is the vibration direction of movable body <NUM> in vibration actuator <NUM>. In vibration actuator <NUM>, the direction in which the finger or the like of the operator presses screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> is the minus Z direction.

Thus, according to vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> in which the control part, touch screen <NUM>, and vibration actuator <NUM> are mounted, touch screen <NUM> can be directly operated, that is, touch screen <NUM> is driven together with movable body <NUM> in the same direction as a contact direction of a finger so that touch screen <NUM> can be directly vibrated.

Accordingly, when an operation is performed by coming into contact with an image displayed on touch screen <NUM>, movable body <NUM> can be moved to give vibration serving as an operation feeling in accordance with the image to touch screen <NUM>. Note that, the image may be an image of an object or the like, which gives a tactile feeling to a finger or the like when the finger or the like comes into contact with the image, an image of an object that moves while giving a tactile feeling by a contact operation, or the like. Thus, touch screen <NUM> can present vibration to the operator and express a comfortable operation.

Touch screen <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a contact position detecting part capable of detecting, even in a non-contact manner, a position of a finger (pressing object) of the operator who performs a pressing operation on screen 2a of touch screen <NUM>. The contact position detecting part is a proximity sensor that electrically detects the presence of a pressing object in proximity. In the present embodiment, the contact position detecting part detects a position of a finger of the operator by detecting capacitive coupling between the contact position detecting part and the finger.

An electrostatic capacity sensor used in an ordinary touch screen of an electrostatic capacity type has a level of sensitivity that responds at a position of a finger that abuts on the screen. The contact position detecting part of the present embodiment, on the other hand, is capable of detecting a finger even in a state in which the finger does not come into contact with screen 2a and is separated from screen 2a by a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is set by setting the sensitivity of the contact position detecting part, which detects capacitive coupling, to be higher than the sensitivity of an electrostatic capacity sensor used for detecting a pressing object coming into contact with a screen in an ordinary touch screen. Thus, the contact position detecting part has detection sensitivity that allows detection of a contact position of a pressing object such as a finger or the like even in the case of contact via a material incapable of capacitive coupling. Thus, movable body <NUM> of vibration actuator <NUM> is driven by the control part to be described later based on a position of a finger detected by the contact position detecting part.

<FIG> is a front view of the vibration actuator. <FIG> is a front surface-side perspective view of the vibration actuator. <FIG> is a perspective view of an actuator main body and a load detecting part in the vibration actuator. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator. <FIG> is an exploded view of a coil assembly of the vibration actuator illustrated in <FIG>.

Vibration actuator <NUM> is a flat plate- or a thin plate-shaped vibration actuator, and is disposed so as to face the rear surface side of touch screen <NUM> in a thickness direction where the Z direction is the thickness direction.

Vibration actuator <NUM> includes actuator main body A1 and load detecting part K1. Load detecting part K1 is provided in movable body <NUM> of actuator main body A1 and functions as a movable part together with movable body <NUM>.

In vibration actuator <NUM>, strain detecting part <NUM> detects strain of strain generating member <NUM> when a pressing operation is performed on touch screen <NUM>, and vibration actuator <NUM> vibrates in accordance with the detection result of strain detecting part <NUM> to give vibration to touch screen <NUM>. First, actuator main body A1 will be described.

<FIG> is a front surface-side perspective view of the actuator main body of the vibration actuator. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B and seen in a direction of arrows B of <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, actuator main body A1 illustrated in <FIG> is mounted together with the control part in vibration presenting apparatus (electronic device) <NUM> and functions as a vibration generating part of touch screen <NUM> (see <FIG>) as an example of the operation device.

Actuator main body A1 functions as an electromagnetically driven electromagnetic actuator that causes linear reciprocating movement (vibration) of movable body <NUM> by driving movable body <NUM> in one direction and by moving movable body <NUM> in a direction opposite to the one direction by an urging force of members (plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>) that generates the urging force.

Vibrating touch screen <NUM> in accordance with a contact operation by the operator on screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> and transmitting the vibration of touch screen <NUM> to the operator such that the operator feels the vibration as a body feeling enable the operator who comes into contact with touch screen <NUM> to perform an intuitive operation. For example, in touch screen <NUM>, the contact position detecting part receives a contact operation by the operator on touch screen <NUM> and outputs the contact position thereof. In this case, the control part causes, based on contact position information outputted by the contact position detecting part and a driving timing, a driving current to be supplied to actuator main body A1 by output of an actuator driving signal such that vibration corresponding to the contact operation is generated.

Actuator main body A1 that receives the driving current supplied by the control part generates vibration corresponding to the contact position outputted from touch screen <NUM> and transmits the vibration to touch screen <NUM>, thereby vibrating touch screen <NUM> directly. Thus, actuator main body A1 receives an operation of the operator received by touch screen <NUM> and is driven in accordance therewith.

The actuator driving signal is inputted to actuator main body A1 via the control part so that actuator main body A1 moves movable body <NUM> in one direction, for example, to the minus side in the Z direction against the urging force. Further, the input of the actuator driving signal to actuator main body A1 is stopped so that actuator main body A1 releases the urging force and moves movable body <NUM> to a side of the other direction (the plus side in the Z direction) by the urging force. Actuator main body A1 vibrates movable body <NUM> and the operation device by inputting and stopping the actuator driving signal. Actuator main body A1 vibrates the operation device by driving movable body <NUM> without using a magnet.

Actuator main body A1 includes fixing body <NUM> including base part <NUM> and core assembly <NUM> in which coil <NUM> is wound around core <NUM>; movable body <NUM> including yoke <NUM> of a magnetic material; and plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>) as the elastic support part. Details of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>) that elastically supports movable body <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> is movable in the vibration direction with respect to fixing body <NUM> will be described later. Note that, although the elastic support part is configured to have a plate shape, the elastic support part may not have a plate shape as long as the elastic support part elastically supports movable body <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> is movable in the vibration direction with respect to fixing body <NUM>. Further, the number of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>) forming the elastic support part is not limited either. In the following description, "plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>" may also be collectively and simply referred to as "plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>".

Actuator main body A1 drives movable body <NUM> by energizing coil <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> moves in one direction (for example, to the minus side in the Z direction that is a direction approaching base part <NUM>) with respect to fixing body <NUM>. Further, the movement of movable body <NUM> in the direction opposite to the one direction (for example, the movement to the plus side in the Z direction) is performed by the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Actuator main body A1 vibrates yoke <NUM> of movable body <NUM> by energizing core assembly <NUM>. Specifically, movable body <NUM> is vibrated by an attraction force of core <NUM> excited by coil <NUM> to be energized, which electromagnetically attracts yoke <NUM>, and by the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>, which attempts to return yoke <NUM> displaced in the Z direction to the neutral position in the Z direction.

Actuator main body A1 is formed in a flat shape with the Z direction as the thickness direction. Actuator main body A1 vibrates movable body <NUM> with respect to fixing body <NUM> with the Z direction, that is, the thickness direction as the vibration direction.

In the present embodiment, actuator main body A1 moves movable body <NUM> in one direction, that is, to the minus side in the Z direction by the attraction force of core <NUM>, and moves movable body <NUM> in the opposite direction, that is, to the plus side in the Z direction by the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>. Note that, in actuator main body A1, a plurality of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM> is disposed along the direction orthogonal to the Z direction and elastically supports movable body <NUM> at positions of point symmetry with respect to the moving center of movable body <NUM>, but the configuration is not limited thereto.

Further, in the present embodiment, actuator main body A1 detects displacement of touch screen <NUM>, on which a pressing operation is performed, as strain of strain generating member <NUM> by strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> as strain detecting part <NUM>, and vibrates by moving movable body <NUM> in accordance with the detected strain.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, fixing body <NUM> includes: core assembly <NUM> including coil <NUM>, core <NUM>, and bobbin <NUM>; base part <NUM>; and engaged part <NUM>.

Core assembly <NUM> is fixed to base part <NUM>. Base part <NUM> is connected to movable body <NUM> via plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>, and movably supports movable body <NUM> in the vibration direction. Base part <NUM> is a flat-shape member, and forms the bottom surface of actuator main body A1, in other words, the bottom surface of vibration actuator <NUM>.

Base part <NUM> includes attachment parts 32a to which one end parts of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> are fixed, respectively, such that attachment parts 32a hold core assembly <NUM> therebetween in the width direction (the X direction). Each of attachment parts 32a is disposed with the same distance from core assembly <NUM> in the width direction (the X direction) and at a higher position (that is, on the front surface side) than bottom surface part 32b of base part <NUM> in the Z direction. Note that, the distance between each of attachment parts 32a and core assembly <NUM> serves as a deformation region of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, attachment part 32a includes fixing holes <NUM> for fixing plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>; and fixing holes <NUM> for fixing base part <NUM> on a side of the base (not illustrated).

Fixing holes <NUM> are provided in both end parts of attachment part 32a so as to hold fixing holes <NUM> therebetween in the height direction (the Y direction), and communicate with through-holes (not illustrated) of fixing leg parts <NUM> having a cylindrical shape and projected from the rear surface side of attachment part 32a. Thus, base part <NUM> is entirely and stably fixed to the base (not illustrated) by fastening members that fit into fixing holes <NUM> via fixing leg parts <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, base part <NUM> is formed of a processed sheet metal such that one side part and the other side part thereof as attachment parts 32a hold bottom surface part 32b therebetween and are located separated from each other in the width direction (the X direction).

A recessed part including bottom surface part 32b located on the back surface side rather than attachment parts 32a is provided between attachment parts 32a. The space inside the recessed part, that is, on the front surface side of bottom surface part 32b is a space for ensuring an elastic deformation stroke of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and further a movable stroke of movable body <NUM> supported by plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Bottom surface part 32b has a rectangular shape, opening part <NUM> is formed in the center thereof, and core assembly <NUM> is disposed inside opening part <NUM>.

Opening part <NUM> has a shape in accordance with the shape of core assembly <NUM>. In the present embodiment, opening part <NUM> is formed in a square shape. Thus, actuator main body A1 in its entirety can be configured to have a substantially square shape in a front view by disposing core assembly <NUM> and movable body <NUM> in a central portion of actuator main body A1. Note that, opening part <NUM> may have a rectangular shape (including a square shape).

A lower-side part of core assembly <NUM> (divided body 26b of bobbin <NUM> and a lower-side part of coil <NUM>) is inserted into opening part <NUM>, and is fixed such that core <NUM> is located on bottom surface part 32b in a side view. Thus, the length (depth, thickness) of actuator main body A1 in the Z direction is shorter by a part of core assembly <NUM> being disposed within opening part <NUM> in comparison with a configuration in which core assembly <NUM> in its entirety is disposed on bottom surface part 32b. Further, core assembly <NUM> is fixed by screws (not illustrated) as an example of the fastening members in a state in which a part, here, a lower-side part of core assembly <NUM> is fitted into opening part <NUM>. Thus, core assembly <NUM> is firmly fixed to bottom surface part 32b in a state in which core assembly <NUM> is not easily detached from bottom surface part 32b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, core assembly <NUM> is formed by winding coil <NUM> around the outer periphery of core <NUM> via bobbin <NUM>.

When coil <NUM> is energized, core assembly <NUM> vibrates yoke <NUM> of movable body <NUM> (linearly and reciprocatingly moves yoke <NUM> of movable body <NUM> in the Z direction) in cooperation with plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, core assembly <NUM> is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed in both side parts of the rectangular plate shape, which are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction (corresponding to the X direction in the present embodiment).

Magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed to face attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of movable body <NUM> with gap G therebetween in the Z direction (see <FIG>). In the present embodiment, opposite surfaces (opposite surface parts) 20a and 20b as the upper surfaces of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are in proximity to the rear surfaces of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of yoke <NUM> in the vibration direction (the Z direction) of movable body <NUM>. Specifically, the front surfaces of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed to be separated from and to face the rear surfaces of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> at portions other than notch <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, core assembly <NUM> is fixed to base part <NUM> in a state in which core assembly <NUM> is disposed with a winding axis of coil <NUM> toward the opposite direction (the X direction orthogonal to the vibration direction) of attachment parts 32a separated from each other in base part <NUM>. In the present embodiment, core assembly <NUM> is disposed in a central part of base part <NUM>, specifically in a central part of bottom surface part 32b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, core assembly <NUM> is fixed to bottom surface part 32b such that core <NUM> is located across opening part <NUM> above bottom surface part 32b while being parallel to bottom surface part 32b. Core assembly <NUM> is fixed in a state in which coil <NUM> and a portion (core main body <NUM>) to be wound around coil <NUM> are located within opening part <NUM> of base part <NUM>.

Specifically, core assembly <NUM> is fixed to bottom surface part 32b by fastening screws <NUM> as the fastening members through fixing holes <NUM> and fastening holes <NUM> (see <FIG>) of bottom surface part 32b in a state in which coil <NUM> is disposed within opening part <NUM>. Screws <NUM> are fastened at two positions on an axial center of coil <NUM>.

Coil <NUM> functions as a solenoid that is energized and generates a magnetic field when actuator main body A1 is driven. Coil <NUM>, core <NUM>, and movable body <NUM> form a magnetic circuit (magnetic path) that attracts and moves movable body <NUM>. A driving current is supplied to coil <NUM> from an external power supply via the control part. Actuator main body A1 is driven when the driving current is supplied to coil <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, core <NUM> includes core main body <NUM> around which coil <NUM> is wound, and magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> provided in both end parts of core main body <NUM> and excited by energizing coil <NUM>. Core <NUM> may have any structure as long as the structure has such a length that the both end parts of core <NUM> serve as magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> by energizing coil <NUM>. For example, core <NUM> of the present embodiment is formed in an H-type flat plate shape in a plan view although core <NUM> may be formed in a straight-type (I-type) flat plate shape.

In the case of the I-type core, in the both end parts (magnetic pole parts) of the I-type core, the areas of surfaces (air gap side surfaces) on sides of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> facing each other with air gap G therebetween become narrower. Thus, the magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit may increase and the conversion efficiency may decrease. Further, in a case where bobbin <NUM> is attached to core <NUM>, a protruding part, which is positioned such that the bobbin in the longitudinal direction of core <NUM> does not come off from the longitudinal direction, disappears or becomes smaller so that it is necessary to provide the protruding part separately. In contrast, since core <NUM> is of the H-type, the air gap side surfaces in the both end parts of core main body <NUM> can be longer than core main body <NUM>, around which coil <NUM> is wound, and can be enlarged in the height direction (the Y direction), and a decrease in the magnetic resistance and improvement in the efficiency of the magnetic circuit can be achieved. Further, coil <NUM> can be positioned by simply fitting bobbin <NUM> between portions of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>, where the portions project from core main body <NUM>, and it is unnecessary to separately provide a positioning member for bobbin <NUM> with respect to core <NUM>.

In core <NUM>, in the respective both end parts of core main body <NUM> having a plate shape, around which coil <NUM> is wound, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are provided to protrude in the direction (corresponding to the height direction (the Y direction) in the present embodiment) orthogonal to the winding axis of coil <NUM> (in short, the H-type core).

Core <NUM> is a magnetic material made of a soft magnetic material or the like, and is formed from, for example, a silicon steel sheet, permalloy, ferrite or the like. Further, core <NUM> may also be formed of electromagnetic stainless steel, a sintered material, an MIM (metal injection mold) material, a laminated steel sheet, an electrogalvanized steel sheet (SECC), or the like.

Magnetic pole parts (attraction part) <NUM> and <NUM> are magnetized by energizing coil <NUM>, attract and move yoke <NUM> of movable body <NUM>, which is separated from magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> in the vibration direction (the Z direction). Specifically, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> attract attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of movable body <NUM>, which are disposed to face magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> via gap G, by a generated magnetic flux, and move attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> to the minus side in the Z direction.

In the present embodiment, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are plate-shaped bodies extending in the Y direction that is a direction perpendicular to core main body <NUM> extending in the X direction. Magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> are long in the Y direction so that the areas of opposite surfaces 20a and 20b facing yoke <NUM> are wider than those of the configurations of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the both end parts of core main body <NUM>.

Bobbin <NUM> is disposed surrounding core main body <NUM> of core <NUM> while extending so as to be orthogonal to the vibration direction (the Z direction) along the XY plane on which core main body <NUM> extends. Bobbin <NUM> is formed from a resin material, for example, which makes it possible to ensure electrical insulation with other metallic members (for example, core <NUM>) so that the reliability of coil <NUM>, which is wound around bobbin <NUM>, improves as the electric circuit. Formability improves by using a resin of high fluidity as the resin material so that the thickness of bobbin <NUM> can be reduced while ensuring the strength of bobbin <NUM>. Note that, bobbin <NUM> is formed as a cylindrical body covering the periphery of core main body <NUM> by assembling divided bodies 26a and 26b such that divided bodies 26a and 26b hold core main body <NUM> therebetween. In bobbin <NUM>, flanges are provided in the both end parts of the cylindrical body. The flanges define the position where coil <NUM> surrounding the outer periphery of core main body <NUM> is disposed.

Movable body <NUM> is disposed so as to face core assembly <NUM> with gap G therebetween in the direction orthogonal to the vibration direction (the Z direction). Movable body <NUM> is provided to be reciprocatingly movable in the vibration direction with respect to core assembly <NUM>.

Movable body <NUM> includes yoke <NUM>, and includes movable-body side fixing part <NUM> of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> fixed to yoke <NUM>.

Movable body <NUM> is disposed in a state (reference normal position) of being movable in an approaching/separating direction (the Z direction) with respect to bottom surface part 32b via plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and being hanged separated substantially in parallel.

Yoke <NUM> is a magnetic path of a magnetic flux to be generated when coil <NUM> is energized, and is a plate-shaped body formed of a magnetic material such as electromagnetic stainless steel, a sintered material, an MIM (metal injection mold) material, a laminated steel sheet, an electrogalvanized steel sheet (SECC), or the like. In the present embodiment, yoke <NUM> is formed by processing an SECC sheet.

Yoke <NUM> is suspended so as to face core assembly <NUM> with gap G (see <FIG>) therebetween in the vibration direction (the Z direction) by plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> to be fixed to each of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> separated from each other in the X direction.

In order to attach yoke <NUM> to the operation device (see touch screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), yoke <NUM> includes surface-part fixing part <NUM> to be fixed to strain generating member <NUM>, and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> to be disposed to face magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Yoke <NUM> is formed in a rectangular frame shape including opening part <NUM> in a central part thereof with surface-part fixing part <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> function as a support-part side fixing part to which movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is fixed and which is supported by fixing body <NUM> via plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Opening part <NUM> faces coil <NUM>. In the present embodiment, opening part <NUM> is located right above coil <NUM>, and the opening shape of opening part <NUM> allows the part of coil <NUM> in core assembly <NUM> to be inserted thereto when yoke <NUM> moves to a side of bottom surface part 32b.

Yoke <NUM> is configured to include opening part <NUM> so that the thickness of actuator main body A1 and further of vibration actuator <NUM> in its entirety can be reduced in comparison with a case where there is no opening part <NUM>.

Further, core assembly <NUM> is located within opening part <NUM> so that yoke <NUM> is not disposed near coil <NUM>, a decrease in the conversion efficiency due to magnetic flux leakage leaked from coil <NUM> can be suppressed, and a high output can be achieved.

Surface-part fixing part <NUM> includes fixing surface 44a to be fixed to main body frame part 95a of strain generating member <NUM>. Surface-part fixing part <NUM> has a plate shape. In the present embodiment, surface-part fixing part <NUM> is disposed so as to face touch screen <NUM> at a portion surrounding the center of the operation surface of touch screen <NUM>. Surface-part fixing part <NUM> is fixed to touch screen <NUM> via strain generating member <NUM>.

Specifically, an edge part of fixing surface 44a of surface-part fixing part <NUM> is disposed along a long side part of main body frame part 95a and is fixed to the long side part in surface contact therewith. In the present embodiment, fixing surface 44a has a trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and is fixed to strain generating member <NUM> via fastening members such as screws <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to be inserted into surface-part fixing holes <NUM>.

In surface-part fixing part <NUM>, a center of movable body <NUM> in a front view, where the center extends in the vibration direction (the Z direction) of movable body <NUM>, is preferably disposed so as to be located on the same line as the center of the operation surface of touch screen <NUM>. Thus, the entire front-side surface of movable body <NUM> can receive displacement of touch screen <NUM> via strain generating member <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, surface-part fixing holes <NUM> are provided, in a front view, on outer sides of movable body <NUM> with core assembly <NUM> as the center and at diagonally located portions or near the diagonally located portions.

Attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> in a state of being disposed at positions facing magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> such that attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> are attracted to magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> when magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> are magnetized.

Movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are fixed in a stacked state to attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> are provided with notches <NUM> that escape from head parts of screws <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> when attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> move to a side of bottom surface part 32b.

Thus, even when movable body <NUM> moves to the side of bottom surface part 32b and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> approach magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>, attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> do not come into contact with screws <NUM> that fix magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> to bottom surface part 32b, and a movable region (movable stroke) of yoke <NUM> for that in the Z direction can be ensured.

Load detecting part K1 illustrated in <FIG> is provided integrally with movable body <NUM> of actuator main body A1, is interposed between a main body of movable body <NUM> and touch screen <NUM>, and is fixed to movable body <NUM> and touch screen <NUM>.

Load detecting part K1 includes strain generating member <NUM>, and strain detecting part <NUM> provided in strain generating member <NUM>, and detects strain generated in strain generating member <NUM> by strain detecting part <NUM> in accordance with a pressing operation on touch screen <NUM>. The detected strain is outputted to the control part, and the control part causes actuator main body A1 to be driven in accordance with the strain to generate vibration.

Strain generating member <NUM> functions as a strain generating body that generates strain by application of an external force by a pressing operation on touch screen <NUM>.

Strain generating member <NUM> includes movable-body side fixing part (support-part side fixing part) <NUM> (see <FIG>) to be fixed to surface-part fixing part <NUM> of movable body <NUM>, and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM> to be fixed to touch screen <NUM>. Strain generating member <NUM> further includes strain part <NUM> provided between movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>. Strain detecting part <NUM> is attached to strain part <NUM> and detects strain of strain part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, strain generating member <NUM> is formed in a rectangular frame-like plate shape by processing a sheet metal. This shape causes a portion subjected to a pressing operation in touch screen <NUM> (for example, a central part of the operation surface in touch screen <NUM>) to be disposed such that the portion is surrounded on the rear surface side of touch screen <NUM> when strain generating member <NUM> is fixed to touch screen <NUM>. In the present embodiment, strain generating member <NUM> is formed of a sheet metal harder than plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>. Note that, in the present embodiment, strain generating member <NUM> is a plate-shaped spring plate material. Thus, even when vibration is repeatedly given, metal fatigue can be mitigated and the reliability can be improved.

In strain generating member <NUM>, connecting-arm parts 95b are provided to protrude along the extending direction of a pair of long side parts <NUM>, which face each other, from four corners of main body frame part 95a having a flat rectangular frame shape and including long side parts <NUM>.

Strain generating member <NUM> includes movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> that are fixed to yoke <NUM> via screws <NUM> as the fastening members provided in each portion of main body frame part 95a to which base end parts of connecting-arm parts 95b are connected. Strain generating member <NUM> is fixed to surface-part fixing part <NUM> via movable-body side fixing parts <NUM>.

Connecting-arm part 95b is provided with strain part <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM> in this order from the base end part in the protruding direction.

Connecting-arm part 95b includes strain part <NUM> between long side part <NUM> of main body frame part 95a and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>. In strain part <NUM>, strain detecting part <NUM> is provided in a state of being stuck.

In strain generating member <NUM> of the present embodiment, main body frame part 95a is fixed to surface-part fixing part <NUM> of movable body <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM> is fixed to touch screen <NUM> so that the function as the strain generating body is exhibited by strain parts <NUM>. When presentation part-side fixing part <NUM> is displaced, strain generating member <NUM> (in particular strain parts <NUM>) and surface-part fixing part <NUM> are pushed in to a side of bottom surface part 32b, and are strained in accordance with deformation of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Strain generating member <NUM> includes ribs 95c provided along outer edge parts of long side parts <NUM> of main body frame part 95a and perpendicular to main body frame part 95a. Main body frame part 95a is in a state of being reinforced by ribs 95c.

In strain generating member <NUM>, presentation part-side fixing parts <NUM> are joined and fixed to touch screen <NUM> via fastening members <NUM> inserted through fixing holes <NUM>. Thus, presentation part-side fixing parts <NUM> are joined to touch screen <NUM> at portions surrounding the center of the operation surface of touch screen <NUM>. Further, the positions of movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> to be fixed to movable body <NUM> are in an inner region surrounded by presentation part-side fixing parts <NUM>.

Strain detecting part <NUM> is provided in strain parts <NUM> of strain generating member <NUM>, and detects strain generated by a load applied to strain generating member <NUM> as the strain generating body for driving actuator main body A1. Strain detecting part <NUM> includes, for example, a plurality of strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. Each of strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> is provided in strain part <NUM> and is therefore in a state of being disposed between movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, strain generating member <NUM> in which strain detecting part <NUM> is provided is formed of an integral spring plate material. Thus, it is possible to increase the positional accuracy of positions in connecting-arm parts 95b of strain generating member <NUM>, where strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed at the positions, and it is possible to achieve an improvement in the accuracy at the time of assembly. That is, unlike a case where connecting-arm parts 95b as the strain generating body serving as detection target portions in strain generating member <NUM> are configured by division thereof into a plurality of parts, no variation occurs at the time of assembly, and an improvement in the assemblability can be achieved.

Further, in the present embodiment, strain detecting part <NUM> is provided on each strain part <NUM> as the strain generating body whose strain is detected by strain detecting part <NUM>. That is, strain detecting part <NUM> and each strain part <NUM> are disposed between touch screen <NUM> as the vibration presenting part and movable body <NUM>, that is, between movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>.

Thus, strain detecting part <NUM> is not disposed within actuator main body A1 and the strain generating body is separated from plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> so that the strain detection object does not receive the mass of movable body <NUM> and the vibration specification of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is not affected either. Thus, the design of actuator main body A1 does not become difficult, and various specifications of actuator main body A1 can be realized.

Actuator main body A1 is fixed to touch screen <NUM> as the vibration presenting part via load detecting part K1 in which strain detecting part <NUM> and strain generating member <NUM> are integrated. Thus, load detecting part K1 and actuator main body A1 are assembled separately and in parallel, and then can be assembled with vibration actuator <NUM>. Thus, in comparison with a configuration in which the strain detecting part and the strain generating body are parts of the movable body of the actuator main body, it is not necessary to assemble actuator main body A1 after strain detecting part <NUM> is assembled, or to perform a reverse process thereof, and it is possible to achieve an improvement in the assembly efficiency.

Strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> detect, as the push-in amount of touch screen <NUM>, the strain amount of strain parts <NUM> that are displaced together with movable body <NUM> (yoke <NUM>) when touch screen <NUM> to which surface-part fixing part <NUM> is fixed via strain generating member <NUM> is operated. The detected strain is outputted to the control part or the like, and a driving current generated so as to serve as the moving amount of movable body <NUM> in accordance with the strain is energized to coil <NUM>, thereby core assembly <NUM> attracts and moves yoke <NUM>.

The present embodiment is configured to include the control part that determines the moving amount of touch screen <NUM> by using strain detected by strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> to realize vibration feedback for the contact, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The control part may also be configured to detect the push-in amount with respect to plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> in accordance with the actual moving amount of the operation device by using another sensor capable of detecting that the operator comes into contact with the operation device, and to realize expression of a more natural feeling by using the detection result.

Further, strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may be used to adjust the vibration period of movable body <NUM> (which may also include touch screen <NUM> as the operation device) when a driving current pulse is supplied by a current pulse supplying part of the control part based on a contact operation of the operator, that is, a detection result of the sensors that detect the push-in amount of movable body <NUM>. Further, apart from strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, an operation signal indicating an operation state may be outputted to the control part, in conjunction with a display form of a contact position of the operator detected by touch screen <NUM>, such that vibration corresponding to the display form is generated, and the control part may perform control in accordance with the operation signal.

In strain generating member <NUM>, strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided at one position in strain part <NUM>, that is, a portion between movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>, but are preferably provided at a plurality of positions. In the present embodiment, vibration actuator <NUM> is attached to the vibration presenting part (touch screen <NUM>) so that strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are preferably provided at at least three positions so as to radially surround the center of the operation surface of the vibration presenting part (touch screen <NUM>) at equal distances. Thus, vibration actuator <NUM> can receive displacement of touch screen <NUM>, on which a pressing operation is performed, by the surface and can detect the displacement. accurately.

In the present embodiment, strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are provided in four strain parts <NUM> near presentation part-side fixing parts <NUM> as the fixing positions to touch screen <NUM>. Thus, strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> detect strain of frame-shaped corner parts surrounding the center of the pressing operation region of touch screen <NUM>. Accordingly, in a case where a rectangular touch screen display is used as the vibration presenting part as in touch screen <NUM>, actuator main body A1 can be attached to the display via load detecting part K1 in a well-balanced manner. Thus, the strain direction of strain generating member <NUM> can be stably matched with the surface perpendicular direction.

<FIG> illustrates wiring of strain detecting part <NUM>.

Strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed on strain generating member <NUM> and are located on the same plane, respectively.

Each of strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> includes a plurality of strain gauge parts (R-A1 to R-A4, R-B1 to R-B4, R-C1 to R-C4, and R-D1 to R-D4), and is a full-bridge connection type strain sensor.

Strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are connected in parallel to power supply voltages Vcc and GND, are connected in parallel to each other, and are connected so as to output a change amount of an electrical resistance value that changes due to application of a load. Thus, outputs from strain sensor <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are averaged, and a stable behavior is obtained. Further, although the output value may vary depending on the temperature for each of strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, this temperature dependence can be mitigated by averaging so that the temperature stability of the behavior and further the reliability can be improved.

Movement regulating part <NUM> regulates relative movements of yoke <NUM> and base part <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> is not separated from fixing body <NUM>, that is, yoke <NUM> is not separated from base part <NUM> by a predetermined distance or more.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged front view of a movement regulating part of the vibration actuator. <FIG> is a partial right side view of the movement regulating part as viewed from C direction in <FIG>.

When movable body <NUM> moves in a direction separating from base part <NUM>, movement regulating part <NUM> regulates movement of movable body <NUM> in the direction separating from base part <NUM> by engaging with engaged part <NUM> of base part <NUM> via buffer member <NUM>.

In connecting-arm part 95b, movement regulating part <NUM> extends to a side of base part <NUM> (the inner side) from presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>, which is provided on a side of a leading end rather than strain part <NUM>, in the direction (the Y direction) orthogonal to the extending direction (the X direction) of connecting-arm part 95b in a plan view. More specifically, movement regulating part <NUM> is bent downward in an up-and-down direction corresponding to the vibration direction (the Z direction) at a position near presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>, is further bent to a side of base part <NUM> in the Y direction at a position downward from attachment part 32a, and extends to a position facing engaged part <NUM> of attachment part 32a on the back surface side of attachment part 32a. Accordingly, movable body <NUM> is configured such that when movable body <NUM> moves in the direction separating from base part <NUM>, movement regulating part <NUM> approaches engaged part <NUM> while moving in the same direction. Note that, in the present embodiment, engaged part <NUM> is provided in proximity to fixing hole <NUM> of fixing body <NUM>. More specifically, engaged part <NUM> is provided in each of both side parts of attachment part 32a, which are separated from each other in the Y direction. In attachment part 32a, engaged part <NUM> is provided to protrude in a flange shape in the Y direction rather than a position to which fixing leg part <NUM> is attached. Fixing leg part <NUM> functions as a base fixing part that fixes base part <NUM> on a side of the base (a predetermined position).

In other words, the direction (the Y direction) in which movement regulating part <NUM> extends from the position of presentation part-side fixing part <NUM> is not on the extension line of the direction (the X direction) in which connecting-arm part 95b extends from presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>. Further, movement regulating part <NUM> and strain part <NUM> are not in a positional relationship extending in directions opposite to each other with respect to presentation part-side fixing part <NUM>. In this configuration, even when movement regulating part <NUM> collides with engaged part <NUM> with impact due to generation of a strong vibration or a strong impact from outside, the impact or reaction is hardly transmitted to strain part <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid occurrence of plastic deformation in strain part <NUM> due to a steep stress applied to strain part <NUM>, and further it is possible to maintain the detection reliability of strain detecting part <NUM> (strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) on strain part <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to suppress a failure in the impact resistance of vibration actuator <NUM> (a failure that is generated when vibration actuator <NUM> receives an impact).

Movement regulating part <NUM> is provided with buffer member <NUM>. Buffer member <NUM> reduces an impact in a collision between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> by elastic deformation, and is formed of, for example, an elastomer such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber. Buffer member <NUM> formed of silicone rubber or butyl rubber is capable of preventing damage due to material deterioration and sustaining its effect in comparison with other materials such as a material including bubbles such as a sponge and a foam material.

Movement regulating part <NUM> engages with engaged part <NUM> on a side of fixing body <NUM> across buffer member <NUM>.

On the side of fixing body <NUM>, here, in attachment part 32a in base part <NUM>, on the other hand, engaged part <NUM> that engages with movement regulating part <NUM> to regulate movement in directions opposite to each other is projected.

In the Z direction, that is, in the thickness direction of base part <NUM>, engaged part <NUM> engages, via buffer member <NUM>, with movement regulating part <NUM> that moves.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, movement regulating part <NUM> when not driven is disposed such that gap G1 is formed between buffer member <NUM> and engaged part <NUM>. That is, buffer member <NUM> is provided in movement regulating part <NUM> while being separated from engaged part <NUM> so as to abut on engaged part <NUM> when movement regulating part <NUM> moves in the direction separating from base part <NUM>.

Thus, providing gap G1 and causing engaged part <NUM> to collide with movement regulating part <NUM> via buffer member <NUM> make it possible to prevent an impact on movement regulating part <NUM> in a state in which a tactile sense feeling presented by the vibration presenting part is not decreased but is maintained. Further, it is possible to suppress sound associated with a contact of both and to reduce noise.

That is, when a load is applied from outside, movement regulating part <NUM> is displaced so as to come in contact with engaged part <NUM> via buffer member <NUM> before core assembly <NUM> and movable body <NUM> (mainly yoke <NUM>) come into contact with each other so that occurrence of a sound of collision between core assembly <NUM> and movable body <NUM> can be prevented.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, movement regulating part <NUM> when not driven may be disposed such that a gap is formed between movement regulating part <NUM> and buffer member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates Variation <NUM> of the movement regulating part as viewed from C direction in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, buffer member <NUM> that is configured in the same manner as buffer member <NUM> is provided in engaged part <NUM> while being separated from movement regulating part <NUM> so as to abut on movement regulating part <NUM> when movement regulating part <NUM> moves in the direction separating from base part <NUM>.

Thus, providing gap G11 and causing engaged part <NUM> to collide with movement regulating part <NUM> via buffer member <NUM> make it possible to obtain the same effect as in the configuration in which gap G1 is provided between engaged part <NUM> and buffer member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Further, there may be no distance between buffer member <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> in directions opposite to each other as illustrated in <FIG> illustrates Variation <NUM> of the movement regulating part as viewed from C direction in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, buffer member 80A in a state of abutting on both movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> may be disposed between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM>. Note that, buffer member 80A illustrated in <FIG> is formed of the same material as buffer member <NUM>.

Buffer member 80A is disposed between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> without a gap. Accordingly, in a case where a force to strongly push up movable body <NUM> due to a strong vibration or a load from outside is applied to movable body <NUM> and movable body <NUM> moves a distance longer than a gap, the influence of its impact can be stably suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a sound of collision in a case where both come into direct contact with each other.

Further, since buffer member 80A is provided so as to fill a gap between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM>, it is easy to perform dimensional management between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> between which buffer member 80A is interposed.

Further, in yet another variation (not illustrated), a ring-shaped buffer member having such a diameter that an outer periphery part thereof is located between the movement regulating part and engaged part <NUM> may be externally fitted to fixing leg part <NUM>.

When an impact is applied to vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, touch screen <NUM> may move in the surface perpendicular direction, and following this, strain generating member <NUM> and movable body <NUM> may move to a side of touch screen <NUM>. In this case, movement regulating part <NUM> that moves along with the movement of strain generating member <NUM> engages with engaged part <NUM>.

Thus, movement of movement regulating part <NUM> can be suppressed, movement of movable body <NUM> via strain generating member <NUM> can also be suppressed, and a load can be prevented from being applied to strain part <NUM> of strain generating member <NUM>. Further, movement of movable body <NUM> to a side of fixing body <NUM> (the minus side in the Z direction) is suppressed by abutment of components of both, such as screws <NUM> on the side of fixing body <NUM> abutting on yoke <NUM>. On the other hand, movement of strain generating member <NUM> to the side of fixing body <NUM> (the minus side in the Z direction) when an impact is received in vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> is regulated by engagement of movement regulating part <NUM> of strain generating member <NUM> with engaged part <NUM> on the rear surface of engaged part <NUM>.

As described above, in vibration actuator <NUM> of the present embodiment, buffer member <NUM> (or buffer member 80A or <NUM>) is provided so that it is possible to more surely suppress a collision between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> with a strong impact and to more surely suppress plastic deformation of strain part <NUM> of strain generating member <NUM> even when a strong vibration occurs or there is a strong impact from outside. Thus, it is possible to improve the reliability of vibration actuator <NUM> and to give a long-term, stable contact operation feeling. That is, it is possible to suppress a failure in the impact resistance of vibration actuator <NUM>.

Further, since a sound of collision between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM> is less likely to occur by disposing buffer member <NUM> (or buffer member 80A or <NUM>) between movement regulating part <NUM> and engaged part <NUM>, it is possible to improve sound-reducing property. Further, a strong impact applied in the vibration direction can be directly cushioned by disposing buffer member <NUM> (or buffer member 80A or <NUM>) between engaged part <NUM> and movement regulating part <NUM> which, when movable body <NUM> moves in the direction separating from base part <NUM>, moves in the same direction and approaches engaged part <NUM>.

Further, touch screen <NUM> can be protected from a strong impact by vibration actuator <NUM> itself even without providing a stopper function in touch screen <NUM> itself as the vibration presenting part to which vibration actuator <NUM> is attached.

In the present embodiment, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> includes a pair of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Each of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> movably supports movable body <NUM> with respect to fixing body <NUM>. Plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> support the upper surface of movable body <NUM> (the upper surface of core assembly <NUM> in the present embodiment) so as to be parallel to each other at the same depth as the upper surface of fixing body <NUM> or on a lower surface side than the upper surface of fixing body <NUM>. Note that, plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have a symmetrical shape with respect to the center of movable body <NUM> and, in the present embodiment, are members formed in the same manner.

For example, plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed line symmetrically with respect to the center (the moving center) of movable body <NUM> on the XY plane, and the number thereof may be more than two. Each of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> is fixed to fixing body <NUM> on a side of one end thereof, is fixed to movable body <NUM> on a side of the other end thereof, and movably supports movable body <NUM> with respect to fixing body <NUM> in the vibration direction (the Z direction).

In order to ensure elasticity, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> includes a meander-shaped part having a meander shape, which is provided between movable body <NUM> and fixing body <NUM> and is elastically deformed. Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> elastically supports movable body <NUM> with respect to fixing body <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> is movable in the Z direction in which at least one of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of movable body <NUM> faces at least one end part (magnetic pole part <NUM> or magnetic pole part <NUM>) of the both end parts (magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>) of core <NUM>. For example, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> may elastically support movable body <NUM> with respect to fixing body <NUM> (core assembly <NUM>) such that movable body <NUM> is movable in the Z direction in which one of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> faces one end part of core <NUM>. Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is disposed to extend on the XY plane orthogonal to the vibration direction (the Z direction).

Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is disposed substantially parallel to magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> such that yoke <NUM> faces magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core <NUM> of fixing body <NUM> in the vibration direction (the Z direction) with gap G between yoke <NUM> and magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> movably supports the upper surface of movable body <NUM> in the vibration direction at a position on a side of bottom surface part 32b rather than a level that is substantially the same as the depth level of the upper surface of core assembly <NUM>.

Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is a plate spring (spring plate material), and includes fixing-body side fixing parts <NUM>, movable-body side fixing parts <NUM>, elastic arm parts <NUM> having a meander shape as a meander-shaped part that communicates fixing-body side fixing part <NUM> with movable-body side fixing part <NUM>.

Plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> attaches fixing-body side fixing parts <NUM> to the front surfaces of attachment parts 32a, attaches movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> to the front surfaces of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of yoke <NUM>, and attaches movable body <NUM> with elastic arm parts <NUM> parallel to bottom surface parts 32b.

Fixing-body side fixing parts <NUM> are joined and fixed to attachment parts 32a in surface contact therewith by screws <NUM>. Movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> are joined and fixed to attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> in surface contact therewith by screws <NUM>.

By including the meander-shaped part, elastic arm part <NUM> ensures a length that allows deformation required for vibration of movable body <NUM> between fixing-body side fixing part <NUM> and movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and on the plane (the XY plane formed in the X direction and the Y direction) orthogonal to the vibration direction.

Specifically, elastic arm part <NUM> has a shape that extends in directions opposite to fixing-body side fixing part <NUM> and movable-body side fixing part <NUM> and is folded back. In elastic arm part <NUM>, end parts to be joined to fixing-body side fixing part <NUM> and movable-body side fixing part <NUM>, respectively, are formed at positions shifted in the Y direction. Elastic arm parts <NUM> are disposed at positions of point symmetry or line symmetry with respect to the center of movable body <NUM>.

Thus, movable body <NUM> is supported on the both sides by elastic arm parts <NUM> having a meander-shaped spring so that stress dispersion at the time of elastic deformation is possible. That is, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is capable of moving movable body <NUM> in the vibration direction (the Z direction) without movable body <NUM> tilting with respect to core assembly <NUM>, and is capable of achieving an improvement in the reliability of the vibration state.

Each plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> includes at least two or more elastic arm parts <NUM>. Thus, in comparison with a case where each plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> includes one elastic arm part, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> enables a stress at the time of elastic deformation to be dispersed to achieve an improvement in the reliability, and enables the balance of the support with respect to movable body <NUM> to be improved to achieve an improvement in the stability.

In the present embodiment, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is made of a magnetic material. Further, movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> are disposed on the upper sides of the both end parts (magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>) of core <NUM>, and function as magnetic paths. In the present embodiment, movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> are fixed in a stacked state on the upper sides of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, thickness (the Z direction, the length in the vibration direction) H (see <FIG>) of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> facing magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the core assembly can be increased as the thickness of the magnetic material.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and the thickness of yoke <NUM> are the same so that the cross-sectional areas of portions of the magnetic material where the portions face magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> can be doubled. Thus, in comparison with a case where the plate spring is non-magnetic, it is possible to mitigate a decrease in characteristics due to magnetic saturation in the magnetic circuit by expanding the magnetic circuit to achieve an output improvement.

Further, movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> are disposed so as to cover, among portions of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> where the portions face magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>, portions, where notches <NUM> are formed, from above. Thus, movable-body side fixing parts <NUM> can receive magnetic fluxes passing through notches <NUM> when coil <NUM> is energized.

<FIG> illustrates a magnetic circuit in vibration actuator <NUM>. Note that, <FIG> is a perspective view of actuator main body A1 illustrating a portion cut by line B-B of <FIG>. The magnetic circuit includes magnetic flux flow M that is the same in a portion in which magnetic flux flow M is not illustrated as well as in a portion in which magnetic flux flow M is illustrated.

Further, <FIG> are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating the movement of movable body <NUM> by the magnetic circuit. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a state in which movable body <NUM> is held at a position separated from core assembly <NUM> by plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates movable body <NUM> that is attracted and moved to a side of core assembly <NUM> by a magnetomotive force by the magnetic circuit.

Specifically, when coil <NUM> is energized, core <NUM> is excited to generate a magnetic field, and the both end parts of core <NUM> become magnetic poles. For example, in <FIG>, magnetic pole part <NUM> is the N-pole and magnetic pole part <NUM> is the S-pole in core <NUM>. Thus, the magnetic circuit indicated by magnetic flux flow M is formed between core assembly <NUM> and yoke <NUM>. Magnetic flux flow M in the magnetic circuit flows from magnetic pole part <NUM> to attracted surface part <NUM> of yoke <NUM>, where attracted surface part <NUM> faces magnetic pole part <NUM>, passes through surface-part fixing part <NUM> of yoke <NUM>, and reaches magnetic pole part <NUM>, which faces attracted surface part <NUM>, from attracted surface part <NUM>. In the present embodiment, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> is also a magnetic material so that the magnetic flux (illustrated as magnetic flux flow M) flown to attracted surface part <NUM> passes through attracted surface part <NUM> of yoke <NUM> and movable-part side fixing parts <NUM> and reaches attracted surface part <NUM> and both end parts of movable-body side fixing part <NUM> of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>-<NUM> from both end parts of attracted surface part <NUM> via surface-part fixing part <NUM>.

Thus, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> generate attraction force F that attracts attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of yoke <NUM> by the principle of electromagnetic solenoid. Thereby, attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of yoke <NUM> are attracted to both of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM>. Thus, coil <NUM> is inserted into opening part <NUM> of yoke <NUM>, and movable body <NUM> including yoke <NUM> moves in the direction of attraction force F (the minus Z direction) against the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Further, when energization to coil <NUM> is stopped, the magnetic field disappears, attraction force F of core assembly <NUM> for movable body <NUM> is lost, and movable body <NUM> moves back to its original position (moves in the plus Z direction opposite to the direction of attraction force F) by the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

By repeating the above, in actuator main body A1, movable body <NUM> reciprocatingly moves so that vibration in the vibration direction (the Z direction) can be generated.

By linearly and reciprocatingly moving movable body <NUM>, touch screen <NUM> as the operation device to which movable body <NUM> is fixed, is also displaced in the Z direction following movable body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the displacement of movable body <NUM> due to driving, that is, the displacement amount of touch screen <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

This displacement amount range is a range that makes it possible to give vibration corresponding to a display pressed by the operator on screen 2a of touch screen <NUM> as the operation device. For example, in a case where a display to be pressed by the operator on screen 2a is a mechanical button or various switches, the displacement amount range is a range of amplitude that makes it possible to give the same tactile feeling as when the mechanical button or various switches are actually pressed. This range is set on the basis that a small displacement of the amplitude of movable body <NUM> results in an insufficient tactile feeling and a large displacement of the amplitude of movable body <NUM> results in a feeling of discomfort.

In actuator main body A1, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the magnetic circuit and to achieve a high output by disposing attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> of yoke <NUM> in proximity to magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM>. Further, actuator main body A1 uses no magnet and therefore has a low-cost structure.

The meander-shaped springs as plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> enable stress dispersion and makes it possible to achieve an improvement in the reliability. In particular, since movable body <NUM> is supported by the plurality of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, more effective stress dispersion is possible. Thus, by driving in the up-and-down direction, actuator main body A1 is capable of providing a direct feeling to the operator who comes into contact with screen 2a in the up-and-down direction.

Core assembly <NUM> including core <NUM> around which coil <NUM> is wound is fixed to fixing body <NUM>, and core assembly <NUM> is disposed within opening part <NUM> of yoke <NUM> of movable body <NUM> which is movably supported in the Z direction with respect to fixing body <NUM> by plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>. Thus, members provided in the fixing body and the movable body, respectively, in order to generate magnetism to drive the movable body in the Z direction are not required to be provided in an overlapping manner in the Z direction (for example, a coil and a magnet are disposed to face each other in the Z direction). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the thickness of actuator main body A1 as the electromagnetic actuator in the Z direction. Further, linearly and reciprocatingly moving movable body <NUM> without using a magnet makes it possible to give vibration as a tactile sense feeling to the operation device. Thus, since the support structure is simple, the design becomes simple, space reduction can be achieved, and a reduction in the thickness of actuator main body A1 can be achieved. Further, since it is not an actuator using a magnet (it is an actuator including no permanent magnet), cost reduction can be achieved in comparison with a configuration in which a magnet is used.

Hereinafter, the driving principle of actuator main body A1 will be briefly described. Actuator main body A1, that is, vibration actuator <NUM> can also be driven by generating a resonance phenomenon with a pulse by using the following motion equation and circuit equation. Note that, the operation does not involve resonance driving, but involves expressing an operational feeling of a mechanical switch displayed on the touch screen as the operation device. In the present embodiment, the driving is performed by inputting a plurality of current pulses via the control part (for example, microcomputer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>).

Note that, movable body <NUM> in actuator main body A1 performs reciprocating movement based on expressions <NUM> and <NUM>.

That is, mass m [kg], displacement x(t) [m], thrust constant Kf [N/A], current i(t) [A], spring constant Ksp [N/m], and attenuation coefficient D [N/(m/s)] in actuator main body A1 can be changed as appropriate within the range satisfying expression <NUM>. Further, voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], and counter electromotive force constant Ke [V/(rad/s)] can be changed as appropriate within the range satisfying expression <NUM>.

Thus, the driving of actuator main body A1 is determined based on mass m of movable body <NUM>, and spring constant Ksp of the metal springs (elastic bodies; plate springs in the present embodiment) as plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Further, in actuator main body A1, screws <NUM> and <NUM> as the fastening members are used for fixing base part <NUM> and plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and for fixing plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and movable body <NUM>. Thus, plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> required to be firmly fixed to fixing body <NUM> and movable body <NUM> for driving of movable body <NUM> can be mechanically and firmly fixed in a state that allows reworking.

Actuator main body A1 is controlled by the control part, and the control part causes the operation device, which is supported to be elastically vibratable, to be driven in one direction in the vibration direction thereof.

Vibration actuator <NUM> moves to the plus side in the Z direction by supplying a driving current to coil <NUM> in accordance with a contact operation to the operation device to generate a magnetic field, moving movable body <NUM>, which is elastically vibratable, in one direction with respect to fixing body <NUM>, here to the minus side in the Z direction, and eliminating the magnetic field. Thus, when the operator comes into contact with touch screen <NUM> (see <FIG>), the operator is given vibration as a tactile feeling. In the present embodiment, the contact operation is a signal detected by strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, but in addition to this, a signal indicating a contact state inputted from touch screen <NUM> may be used, for example.

In vibration actuator <NUM>, a single current pulse or a plurality of current pulses as an actuator driving signal for driving vibration actuator <NUM> is supplied to coil <NUM> by the control part. In the present embodiment, the actuator driving signal is formed of a plurality of current pulse trains.

By the current pulse supply to coil <NUM>, movable body <NUM> is displaced by being drawn to a side of coil <NUM>, that is, to the minus side in the Z direction by a magnetic attraction force against the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>. Following this, the touch screen (vibration presenting part) fixed to movable body <NUM> also moves to the minus side in the Z direction with respect to the base (not illustrated) to which fixing body <NUM> is fixed.

Further, by stopping the driving current supply to coil <NUM>, the urging force is released, and a holding state of movable body <NUM> at a position on the minus side in the Z direction with respect to the reference position is released. Thus, movable body <NUM> is urged to move from its maximum displacement position on the minus side in the Z direction to a direction (the plus side in the Z direction) opposite to a direction in which movable body <NUM> is drawn (the minus side in the Z direction) by the urging force of the plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>, and feeds back the vibration.

The actuator driving signal can be generated in various types of vibration forms by the amplitude of each pulse in a single current pulse or a plurality of current pulse trains, each wavelength, each supply timing, and the like, and can be supplied to actuator main body A1. Thus, the vibration of actuator main body A1 is given as a body feeling to the operator.

For example, the control part includes a current pulse supplying part and a voltage pulse applying part.

The current pulse supplying part supplies coil <NUM> of vibration actuator <NUM> with a plurality of driving current pulses as a driving current for driving the operation device (vibration presenting part) in accordance with a contact operation to the operation device.

The voltage pulse applying part intermittently applies a plurality of control voltage pulses, each of which generates a single current pulse or a plurality of current pulse trains that forms an actuator driving signal, to the current pulse supplying part.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a driving circuit of the actuator main body.

The driving circuit illustrated in <FIG> is included in the control part. The driving circuit includes switching element <NUM> as the current pulse supplying part formed of a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor), signal generation <NUM> as the voltage pulse applying part, resistors R1 and R2, and SBD (Schottky barrier diodes). This driving circuit is an example of a specific configuration of actuator driver <NUM> to be described later.

In the control part, signal generation <NUM> connected to power supply voltage Vcc is connected to a gate of switching element <NUM>. Switching element <NUM> is a discharge changeover switch. Switching element <NUM> is connected to actuator main body A1 (indicated by [Actuator] in <FIG>) and SBD, and is connected to a vibration actuator, specifically actuator main body A1, to which a voltage is supplied from power supply part Vact.

Note that, albeit not illustrated, the control part may include a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like for controlling operation of the components of vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>. The CPU reads a program corresponding to processing content from the ROM, develops the program in the RAM, and cooperates with the developed program to control operation of the components of vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> including vibration actuator <NUM>. At this time, reference is made to various data including various vibration attenuation period generation patterns stored in a storage part (not illustrated). The storage part (not illustrated) may be formed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or the like. For example, the storage part, the ROM, the RAM, or the like stores pulse waveform data of a plurality of various patterns of a plurality of pulse trains. The ROM stores various programs for controlling vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, which include a vibration presenting program for presenting vibration by driving actuator main body A1. Examples of the vibration presenting program include a program for reading pulse waveform data to generate an actuator driving signal that generates vibration corresponding to contact information when information indicating a contact state is inputted from strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>.

Further, examples of the vibration presenting program include a program for generating an actuator driving signal corresponding to contact information by combining read data, and a program for supplying a generated actuator driving signal to coil <NUM>. The actuator driving signal is applied as a combination of a plurality of current pulses to coil <NUM> via a driving circuit that drives actuator main body A1. The CPU (for example, microcomputer <NUM> to be described later) may use these programs and data to control operation of the components of vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>, and may control the current pulse supplying part and the voltage pulse applying part. For example, signals from strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are amplified by an amplification part (for example, amplification part (amplifier) <NUM> to be described later), are analog-to-digital converted by a conversion part (for example, conversion part (ADC) <NUM> to be described later), and are outputted to the CPU to vibrate vibration actuator <NUM> by the driving circuit illustrated in <FIG>.

The control part causes a current pulse to be supplied to coil <NUM> to drive movable body <NUM> such that movable body <NUM> is displaced in one direction (the minus Z direction and the minus side in the Z direction) of the vibration direction against the urging force of plate-shaped elastic parts <NUM>. During the current pulse supply, the displacement of movable body <NUM> in the one direction of the vibration direction is continued. By stopping the current pulse supply, that is, turning off the input of the current pulse to coil <NUM>, the force to displace movable body <NUM> in the one direction of the vibration direction is released. Turning off the input of the current pulse means that a timing when the voltage generating the current pulse is turned off. At the timing when the voltage is switched off, the current pulse is not completely switched off, but is in a state of being attenuated.

When the voltage is switched off, movable body <NUM> is displaced by moving to the other direction (the Z direction and the plus side in the Z direction) of the vibration direction by the urging force of plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> accumulated at a maximum displaceable position in a direction in which movable body <NUM> is drawn (the minus side in the Z direction). A strong vibration is propagated to touch screen (operation device) <NUM> via movable body <NUM> which has moved to a side of the other direction, which is a side of the operation device, and a tactile feeling is given to the operator.

The control part causes one or more current pulses to be supplied to coil <NUM> in accordance with the operator's contact with the screen of the touch screen based on information from strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. In the vibration of movable body <NUM>, the control part causes a first pulse to be supplied, and further adjusts vibration or the like that remains and continues after the stop of the supply of the first pulse by a pulse(s) to be supplied thereafter.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a control system of vibration presenting apparatus <NUM>.

Vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> includes tactile sense presenting part <NUM>, strain detecting part <NUM>, amplification part (amplifier) <NUM>, AD conversion part (ADC) <NUM>, microcomputer <NUM>, actuator driver <NUM>, and actuator main body A1. An example of tactile sense presenting part <NUM> is touch screen <NUM> described above.

For example, touch screen <NUM> as tactile sense presenting part <NUM> includes a contact position detecting part (not illustrated) that receives a contact operation of the operator on touch screen <NUM> and outputs a contact position thereof. A signal from the contact position detecting part (not illustrated) is outputted to microcomputer <NUM> or to the control part of the entire apparatus. Strain detecting part <NUM> detects strain of strain generating member <NUM> at load detecting part K1 by pressing of tactile sense presenting part <NUM>. The detected signal is inputted to microcomputer <NUM> included in the control part via amplification part <NUM> and ADC260.

Microcomputer <NUM> controls actuator driver <NUM> such that vibration corresponding to a contact operation is generated in accordance with inputted signals, that is, contact position information from the contact position detecting part, a driving timing, and a strain signal. That is, microcomputer <NUM> outputs an actuator driving signal to and supplies a driving current to the actuator (actuator main body A1) via actuator driver <NUM>.

Actuator main body A1 that has received the driving current supplied from actuator driver <NUM> transmits vibration to tactile sense presenting part <NUM> to cause vibration, thereby causing tactile sense presenting part <NUM> to present vibration corresponding to a contact position outputted from tactile sense presenting part <NUM>.

Thus, the operator's operation received by tactile sense presenting part <NUM> such as the touch screen is received, and actuator main body A1 is driven correspondingly.

When an actuator drive signal is inputted to actuator main body A1, actuator main body A1 moves movable body <NUM>, specifically yoke <NUM>, and strain generating member <NUM> by a magnetic attraction force in one direction, for example, to the minus side in the Z direction against the urging force.

Further, when the input of the actuator driving signal to actuator main body A1 is stopped, actuator main body A1 releases the urging force and moves movable body <NUM> to a side of the other direction (the plus side in the Z direction) by the urging force. Actuator main body A1 vibrates movable body <NUM> and the operation device by inputting and stopping the actuator driving signal. Actuator main body A1 drives movable body <NUM> without using a magnet to vibrate the operation device.

Note that, in the embodiment, the actuator driving signal corresponds to a plurality of driving current pulse (also referred to as "current pulse") trains that is supplied to coil <NUM> as a driving current for driving the movable body and the operation device. In actuator main body A1, when a current pulse is supplied to coil <NUM>, the movable body moves in one direction. By repeating this operation, the movable body vibrates.

Thus, vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment realizes a realistic tactile feeling expression such as a feeling of a switch by a realistic tactile feeling expression based on load detection.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part configuration of the vibration actuator according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. Note that, <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the center of the vibration actuator in the height direction (the Y direction) along the width direction (the X direction).

In vibration actuator 10B, the position at which buffer member <NUM> is provided is different and the other basic configurations are the same in comparison with vibration actuator <NUM> (see <FIG>). Accordingly, only different points will be described, and the same points will be denoted by the same reference signs and the same names, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, Embodiment <NUM> will also be described using the orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) in the same manner. In vibration presenting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, vibration actuator 10B can be applied in place of vibration actuator <NUM>.

Vibration actuator 10B includes actuator main body A2 and load detecting part K2. Load detecting part K2 includes strain generating member <NUM>, and strain detecting part <NUM> provided in strain generating member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, load detecting part K2 has the same function as load detecting part K1.

Actuator main body A2 includes: fixing body 30B including base part <NUM> and core assembly <NUM>; movable body 40B; and plate-shaped elastic part <NUM>.

Actuator main body A2 is provided with buffer member <NUM> between magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> are portions facing each other in fixing body <NUM> and movable body <NUM>. Magnetic pole part <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> and attracted surface part <NUM> face each other and magnetic pole part <NUM> and attracted surface part <NUM> face each other.

Buffer member <NUM> is formed of the same material, that is, an elastomer such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber, and has the same function as those of buffer member <NUM>.

Buffer member <NUM> formed of silicone rubber or butyl rubber is capable of preventing damage due to material deterioration and sustaining its effect in comparison with other materials.

Buffer member <NUM> is fixed to magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> or to attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. In the present embodiment, buffer member <NUM> is fixed to opposite surfaces 20a and 20b of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Note that, in base part <NUM>, core assembly <NUM> does not use screws <NUM>, but uses rivets. Thus, core assembly <NUM> is fixed to base part <NUM> in a state in which the surfaces of magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> opposite to attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> are flat. Further, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> and base part <NUM> may be fixed by adhesion.

Buffer member <NUM> has a thickness that causes gap G2 to be provided between buffer member <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, in vibration actuator 10B, even in a case where a force is applied to movable body <NUM> in a direction in which movable body <NUM> is pushed down with respect to a strong vibration or impact, magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> do not come into direct contact with each other, and no contact sound is sounded.

As illustrated in <FIG>, buffer member <NUM> may also be provided in magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> of core assembly <NUM> or in attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> the other way around. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of Variation <NUM> of the main part configuration of the vibration actuator according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. Buffer member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> which is configured in the same manner as buffer member <NUM> is fixed to portions of attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>, where the portions face opposite surfaces 20a and 20b, and gap G21 is provided between buffer member <NUM> and opposite surfaces 20a and 20b. This configuration makes it possible to obtain the same effect as in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, buffer member <NUM> may be disposed between magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM> without a gap. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of Variation <NUM> of the main part configuration of the vibration actuator according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. Buffer member 800A illustrated in <FIG> is fixed to magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> such that there is no gap between magnetic pole parts <NUM> and <NUM> and attracted surface parts <NUM> and <NUM>. This configuration makes it possible to obtain the same effect as in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described thus far. Note that, the above description is only examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the descriptions of the configuration of the apparatus and the shape of each portion of the apparatus are examples, and it is apparent that various modifications and additions to these examples are possible, within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the configurations of vibration actuator <NUM> and 10B of the embodiments described above, rivets may be used instead of screws <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (screw <NUM> is not used in vibration actuator 10B), and <NUM> as the fastening members. Each rivet includes a body part without a head part and a screw part, is inserted into holed members, and joins the holed members together when the opposite end part of each rivet is plastically deformed by caulking. Specifically, rivets may be used for fixing base part <NUM> or 32B and plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and for fixing plate-shaped elastic part <NUM> and movable body <NUM> or 40B, for example. The caulking may be performed using, for example, a press machine, a dedicated tool, or the like.

Further, based on strain data obtained by strain sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, the input pulse period may be corrected using individual differences among the components in vibration actuators <NUM> and 10B.

Claim 1:
A load detector (K1), comprising:
a strain generating body (<NUM>) that includes a plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) fixable to a device (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) receiving a pressing operation by an operator, a plate-shaped second fixing part (<NUM>) fixable to an actuator (A1) giving vibration to the device (<NUM>), and a strain part (<NUM>) provided continuously between the plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) and the plate-shaped second fixing part (<NUM>), and integral with the plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) and the plate-shaped second fixing part (<NUM>);
a strain sensor (<NUM>) that is disposed on the strain part (<NUM>) and is configured to detect strain generated in the strain part (<NUM>) due to displacement of the plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) in the plate thickness direction in accordance with the pressing operation;
characterised that it further comprises:
a regulating part (<NUM>) comprising:
a first portion extending from the plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the strain part (<NUM>) and the plate-shaped first fixing part (<NUM>) extend, and a second portion that extends from an end of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first portion.