VIBRATION GENERATING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

Abstract

A vibration generating device includes: a vibrator; and a piezoelectric actuator. The vibrator has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface. The piezoelectric actuator is joined to the second main surface. A plurality of recessions and projections is formed at equal intervals on the first main surface. The vibration generating device is configured to be capable of presenting a haptic sensation while preventing a contact sound from being generated.

Claims

1. A vibration generating device, comprising: a vibrator that has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface; and a piezoelectric actuator joined to the second main surface, wherein a plurality of recessions and projections is formed at equal intervals on the first main surface.

2. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recessions and projections has a depth of 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less and a width of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

3. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recessions and projections includes a plurality of recessed portions that extends in a first direction parallel to the first main surface and a plurality of projecting portions that extends in the first direction, the plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of projecting portions including a recessed portion and a projecting portion alternately formed.

4. The vibration generating device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of recessions and projections further includes a plurality of recessed portions that extends in a second direction and a plurality of projecting portions that extends in the second direction, the plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of projecting portions including a recessed portion and a projecting portion alternately formed, the second direction being parallel to the first main surface and different from the first direction.

5. The vibration generating device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of recessions and projections has a cross-sectional shape of a sine-wave shape on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator is formed of glass or a resin material having a flexural modulus of 3.0 GPa or more.

7. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator includes a base material and a film attached to a surface of the base material, and the recessions and projections are formed on a surface of the film.

8. The vibration generating device according to claim 6, wherein the vibrator has optical transparency.

9. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a vibration generating device that includes a vibrator that has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface, and a piezoelectric actuator joined to the second main surface, wherein a plurality of recessions and projections is formed at equal intervals on the first main surface.

10. A vibration generating device, comprising: a vibrator that has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface; a piezoelectric actuator that is joined to the second main surface; and a drive device that supplies a drive signal of a frequency of 60 kHz or more to the piezoelectric actuator.

11. The vibration generating device according to claim 10, wherein the vibrator is formed of glass or a resin material having a flexural modulus of 3.0 GPa or less.

12. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a vibration generating device that includes a vibrator that has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface, a piezoelectric actuator that is joined to the second main surface, and a drive device that supplies a drive signal of a frequency of 60 kHz or more to the piezoelectric actuator.

13. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device that supplies a drive signal of a frequency of 60 kHz or more to the piezoelectric actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vibration generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibration generating device.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view of the vibration generating device.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vibrator included in the vibration generating device.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the vibrator.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a side view of the vibrator.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of a vibrator according to a Comparative Example.

[0040] FIG. 8 a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator according to the Comparative Example.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of the vibrator included in the vibration generating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a side view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a side view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a side view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vibrator in which recessions and projections are provided along two directions according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the vibrator.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the vibrator having another configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of the vibrator included in the vibration generating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0054] A vibration generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that in each of the drawings below, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are three directions orthogonal to each other.

[0055] [Configuration of Vibration Generating Device]

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vibration generating device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the vibration generating device 100 includes a vibrator 101, a piezoelectric actuator 102, and a drive device 103. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibration generating device 100, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the vibration generating device 100. Note that illustration of the drive device 103 is omitted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0057] The vibrator 101 presents a haptic sensation to a user who touches the vibrator 101. The vibrator 101 can be a plate-shaped member formed of glass or a resin material and includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel or a casing of an electronic apparatus. In the case where the vibrator 101 is formed of a resin material, a resin material having a flexural modulus of 3.0 GPa or more is suitable. The shape and size of the vibrator 101 are not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one main surface of the vibrator 101 is a first main surface 101a and a main surface on the side opposite to the first main surface 101a is a second main surface. Recessions and projections described below are formed on the first main surface 101a.

[0058] The piezoelectric actuator 102 is joined to a second main surface 101b of the vibrator 101 and generates a vibration. The piezoelectric actuator 102 includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer, and when a voltage is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the piezoelectric material layer is deformed due to the reverse piezoelectric effect, so that a vibration is generated. In FIG. 1, a positive electrode terminal 102a connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode terminal 102b connected to the negative electrode are shown.

[0059] A positive electrode wiring 104 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 102a, and a negative electrode wiring 105 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 102b. As shown in FIG. 1, the positive electrode wiring 104 and the negative electrode wiring 105 are connected to the drive device 103, and when a drive signal is supplied from the drive device 103, a vibration is generated in the piezoelectric actuator 102.

[0060] The piezoelectric actuator 102 may have a stacked structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately stacked with a piezoelectric material layer interposed therebetween, or may have another structure. The piezoelectric actuator 102 can be joined to the second main surface 101b with an epoxy resin or the like. Further, two or more piezoelectric actuators 102 may be joined to the second main surface.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, in the vibration generating device 100, a finger F of a user is used in contact with the first main surface 101a. At this time, the piezoelectric actuator 102 joined to the second main surface 101b generates a vibration, thereby causing the user to feel a haptic sensation with the finger F.

[0062] The drive device 103 includes, for example, an amplifier, is connected to the piezoelectric actuator 102 via the positive electrode wiring 104 and the negative electrode wiring 105, and supplies a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator 102. Although the frequency of the drive signal is not particularly limited, 60 kHz or more is suitable.

[0063] [Regarding Vibrator]

[0064] Regular recessions and projections are formed on the first main surface 101a of the vibrator 101. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vibrator 101 and is a diagram showing recessions and projections 101c formed on the first main surface 101a. Note that illustration of the recessions and projections 101c is omitted in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the first main surface 101a. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vibrator 101 and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0065] As shown in these figures, a plurality of recessed portions 101d and a plurality of projecting portions 101e are provided on the first main surface 101a. Each of the recessed portions 101d extends in one direction (X direction) parallel to the first main surface 101a as viewed from a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the first main surface 101a, and each of the projecting portions 101e extends in the direction (X direction) in which the recessed portions 101d extend.

[0066] The plurality of recessed portions 101d and the plurality of projecting portions 101e are alternately provided on the first main surface 101a, thereby forming the recessions and projections 101c. As shown in FIG. 6, the recessions and projections 101c can have a cross-sectional shape of a sine-wave shape in a plane (Y-Z plane) perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e.

[0067] The intervals between the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are equal over the entire recessions and projections, and a width W is suitable 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, the width W being a distance between peaks of the projecting portions 101e in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the extending direction (X direction) of the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e as shown in FIG. 6. Further, a depth D is suitably 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less, the depth D being a height difference between the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the vibrator 101. Note that in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the depth direction (Z direction) of the recessions and projections 101c is magnified 10 times for convenience of illustration.

[0068] By forming the recessions and projections 101c on the first main surface 101a that the finger F of a user touches as described above, it is possible to suppress an abnormal sound (contact sound) generated between the finger F and the first main surface 101a. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of a vibrator in which recessions and projections are not provided as a comparison, and FIG. 8 is a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator in the case where a finger has come into contact with this vibrator.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when a finger has come into contact with the vibrator, it is heard as a contact sound because there are vibration peaks at frequencies of ½ and ¼ of the input frequency to a piezoelectric actuator and the peak of the ¼ frequency is in the audible range.

[0070] Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of a vibrator 100 in which the recessions and projections 101c are provided according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator in the case where the finger F has come into contact with this vibrator. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the vibrator 100, it is possible to eliminate the peak of the ¼ frequency and reduce the contact sound. This is because the contact between the finger F touching the first main surface 101a and the first main surface 101a does not continue due to the provision of the recessions and projections 101c.

[0071] Further, in the vibrator 101, the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are provided at regular intervals as described above, and in the case where the vibrator 101 has optical transparency, the recessions and projections 101c can be formed without impairing the optical transparency of the vibrator 101. For example, in the case of making the surface of the vibrator rougher, the vibrator becomes frosted glass and it is difficult to maintain the optical transparency. However, in the vibrator 101, it is possible to maintain the optical transparency.

[0072] Here, the width W is suitably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less as described above. This is because the visibility via the vibrator 101 is reduced when the width W is less than 1 mm, and there is a possibility that the recessions and projections 101c do not come into contact with the finger F when the width W exceeds 10 mm. Further, the depth D is suitably 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. This is because the effects of providing the recessions and projections 101c cannot be achieved when the depth D is less than 0.01 mm, and the recessions and projections 101c affect the haptic sensation even during non-vibration when the depth D exceeds 0.1 mm.

[0073] Note that although the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are provided parallel to the lateral direction (X direction) of the vibrator 101 in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are each a plan view showing another configuration of the recessions and projections 101c. As shown in FIG. 11, the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e may be provided parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vibrator 101. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e do not necessarily need to be provided parallel to the lateral direction (X direction) and the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vibrator 101 and may extend in an oblique direction.

[0074] Further, the recessions and projections 101c do not necessarily need to have a cross-sectional shape of a sine-wave shape. FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 are each a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the recessions and projections 101c. As shown in FIG. 13, the recessions and projections 101c may have a cross-sectional shape of a square-wave shape in a plane (Y-Z plane) perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e.

[0075] Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the recessions and projections 101c may have a cross-sectional shape of a triangular-wave shape in a plane (Y-Z plane) perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the recessions and projections 101c may be formed by grooves extending in one direction. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the groove is not limited to the triangular shape as shown in FIG. 15 and may be a square shape, a semicircular shape, or the like.

[0076] Further, the recessions and projections 101c may include the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e that extend in two directions. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vibrator 101 in which the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e extend in two directions, and FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the first main surface 101a. The cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 is the same as that in FIG. 6.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the plurality of recessed portions 101d and the plurality of projecting portions 101e are provided on the first main surface 101a. The respective recessed portions 101d extend along two directions (the X direction and the Y direction) parallel to the first main surface 101a as viewed from the direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the first main surface 101a, and the respective projecting portions 101e extend along the directions (the X direction and the Y direction) in which the recessed portions 101d extend.

[0078] In the first main surface 101a, the plurality of recessed portions 101d and the plurality of projecting portions 101e are alternately formed, thereby forming the recessions and projections 101c. As shown in FIG. 6, the recessions and projections 101c may have a cross-sectional shape of a sine-wave shape in planes (the Y-Z plane and the X-Z plane) perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e.

[0079] The intervals between the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are equal over the entire recessions and projections, and the width W that is the distance between the peaks of the projecting portions 101e in the Y direction is suitably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the width W that is the distance between the peaks of the projecting portions 101e in also the X direction is suitably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. This is because the visibility via the vibrator 101 is reduced when the width W is less than 1 mm, and there is a possibility that the finger F does not come into contact with the recessions and projections 101c when the width W exceeds 10 mm.

[0080] Further, the depth D that is a height difference between the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the vibrator 101 is suitably 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. This is because the effects of providing the recessions and projections 101c cannot be achieved when the depth D is less than 0.01 mm, and the recessions and projections 101c affect the haptic sensation even during non-vibration when the depth D exceeds 0.1 mm. Note that in FIG. 16, the depth direction (Z direction) of the recessions and projections 101c is magnified 10 times for convenience of illustration.

[0081] By forming the recessions and projections 101c in which the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e extend along two directions (the X direction and the Y direction) parallel to the first main surface 101a as described above, it is possible to further suppress an abnormal sound (contact sound) generated between the finger F and the first main surface 101a.

[0082] By providing the recessions and projections 101c in two directions in the vibrator 101, it is possible to eliminate the peak of the ¼ frequency (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) and reduce the contact sound, similarly to the case of providing the recessions and projections 101c in one direction. Further, in the vibrator 101, the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are provided at regular intervals as described above, and in the case where the vibrator 101 has optical transparency, the recessions and projections 101c can be formed without impairing the optical transparency of the vibrator 101.

[0083] Note that although the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e are provided parallel to the lateral direction (X direction) and the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vibrator 101 in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are each a plan view showing another configuration of the recessions and projections 101c. As shown in FIG. 18, the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e do not necessarily need to be provided parallel to the lateral direction (X direction) and the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vibrator 101 and may extend in an oblique direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the two directions in which the recessed portions 101d and the projecting portions 101e extend do not necessarily need to be orthogonal to each other.

[0084] Further, also the cross-sectional shape of the recessions and projections 101c is not limited to a sine-wave shape and may be a square-wave shape or a triangular-wave shape as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, and the recessions and projections 101c may include grooves as shown in FIG. 15. Also the cross-sectional shape of the groove is not limited to the triangular shape as shown in FIG. 15 and may be a square shape, a semicircular shape, or the like.

[0085] Further, although the vibrator 101 is formed of glass or a resin material and provided with the recessions and projections 101c, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vibrator 101 may be formed of glass or a resin material having a flexural modulus of 3.0 GPa or more and may be obtained by attaching a film in which the recessions and projections 101c has been provided to a base material having a smooth surface.

[0086] [Regarding Drive Signal]

[0087] In the vibration generating device 100, it is also possible to prevent a contact sound from being generated by a drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric actuator 102. In the following configuration, the first main surface 101a of the vibrator 101 may be flat or include a plurality of recessions and projections formed at equal intervals as described above.

[0088] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics of the vibrator 101 in the case where the finger F has come into contact with the vibrator 101 and in the case where the finger F is not in contact with the vibrator 101. As shown in the figure, when the finger F has come into contact with the vibrator 101, there are vibration peaks at frequencies of ½ and ¼ of the frequency of the drive signal and the peak of the ¼ frequency is heard as a contact sound.

[0089] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the vibration displacement amount of the vibrator 101 in the case where the finger F has come into contact with the vibrator 101. Similarly to the sound pressure characteristics, in the vibration of the vibrator 101, there are peaks at ½ and ¼ of the frequency of a drive signal and the vibrator 101 vibrates at the frequency when a finger has come into contact with the vibrator 101.

[0090] Here, when the drive device 103 generates a drive signal of 60 kHz or more as described above, the vibration of a ¼ frequency generated in the vibrator 101 is 15 kHz or more. Since the vibration of 15 kHz or more is out of the audible range of humans, a contact sound is inaudible.

[0091] As described above, in the vibration generating device 100, the drive device 103 supplies a drive vibration of 60 kHz or more to a piezoelectric actuator, thereby making it possible to present a haptic sensation to a user while preventing a contact sound from being generated.

[0092] The vibration generating device 100 has the configuration as described above. The vibration generating device 100 can be mounted on various electronic apparatuses such as a smartphone and a haptic function device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0093] 100 vibration generating device

[0094] 101 vibrator

[0095] 101a first main surface

[0096] 101b second main surface

[0097] 101c recessions and projections

[0098] 101d recessed portion

[0099] 101e projecting portion

[0100] 102 piezoelectric actuator

[0101] 103 drive device