Input device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11016570-B2
Application number	US-201916561897-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2019
Priority date	Dec 18, 2017
Publication date	May 25, 2021
Grant date	May 25, 2021

Abstract

An input device includes a movable section having a touch sensor, and an actuator that is mechanically fixed to the touch sensor and vibrates in a lateral direction; a support that supports the movable section via an elastic component; and a pressure sensor that (i) is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which the support supports the movable section and (ii) detects a pressing operation to the touch sensor. At least one of the movable section and the support transmits a force from the pressing operation to the pressure sensor due to the movable section and the support moving integrally and as a whole in a direction of the pressing operation when the pressing operation is performed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An input device, comprising:
a movable section including a touch sensor, and an actuator that is fixed to the touch sensor and vibrates in a predetermined vibration direction;
a support that is connected to the movable section via an elastic component and supports the movable section, the elastic component including at least two flat springs;
a pressure sensor that (i) is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which the support supports the movable section and (ii) detects a pressing operation to the touch sensor; and
a main body that supports the support, wherein
each of the at least two flat springs is disposed across a corresponding one of two portions in the movable section that face each other in the predetermined vibration direction of the actuator and a corresponding one of two portions in the support that face each other in the vibration direction of the actuator,
the at least two flat springs extending in a direction parallel to a pressing operation direction and extending perpendicular to a touch surface of the touch sensor, the pressing operation direction being perpendicular to the predetermined vibration direction,
when the pressing operation is performed on the moveable section to apply pressure in the pressing operation direction, the movable section, the at least two flat springs, and the support integrally move together and as a whole in the pressing operation direction with respect to the main body, and
when the actuator vibrates in the predetermined vibration direction, the moveable section moves with respect to the support to cause warping of the at least two flat springs.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the pressure sensor includes a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a conductive rubber sensor.

3. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the pressure sensor includes a press switch.

4. The input device according to claim 3 , wherein
the press switch includes a metal dome.

5. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the touch sensor is capacitive, optical, or resistive.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
a display is disposed on an operation surface of the touch sensor or a surface opposite to the operation surface.

7. The input device according to claim 6 , wherein
the display is a screen.

8. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the actuator is piezoelectric or electromagnetic.

9. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the predetermined vibration direction of the actuator differs from a detection direction of the pressure sensor.

10. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least two flat springs include a plurality of columnar or cylindrical components, and axial directions of the plurality of columnar or cylindrical components coincide with the pressing operation direction.

11. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
a damper is disposed between (i) the at least one of the movable section and the support that transmits the force from the pressing operation to the pressure sensor and (ii) the pressure sensor.

12. The input device according to claim 11 , wherein
the damper includes rubber.

13. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
a conductive plate is disposed between the touch sensor and the actuator.

14. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least two flat springs remain linear when the pressing operation is performed.

15. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
both longitudinal ends of each of the at least two flat springs include a fitting hole, and
each of the at least two flat springs is fixed to the movable section and provides support in the predetermined vibration direction with a fastener that passes through the fitting hole.

16. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
each of the at least two flat springs is formed in a shape of a rectangular flat plate, and a length of each of the at least two flat springs in the pressing operation direction is longer than a length in a direction orthogonal to both the pressing operation direction and the predetermined vibration direction.

Assignees

• Panasonic Ip Man Co Ltd

Inventors

• Togawa Hiroyuki
• Sonoda Sho
• Masamoto Kai

Classifications

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06F3/044

  by capacitive means · CPC title

• G06F3/03547

  Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface · CPC title

• G06F2203/04105

  Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position · CPC title

• G06F3/045

  using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact · CPC title