JP2013008151A - Electronic apparatus and portable terminal with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device that can transmit a tactile sensation to a user, has a certain level of waterproofness and dustproofness, and realizes downsizing, and a portable terminal including the electronic device.
An electronic device X1 includes a base 3 having a main surface 3a, side portions 5 provided on the base portion 3, and side portions 5. The electronic device X1 includes a main surface 3a of the base portion 3 and a space S1. And the touch panel 6 disposed in the space S1 between the main surface 3a of the base 3 and the operation unit 4, the main surface 3a of the base 3 and the operation unit 4 A vibrating portion 8 that is disposed in the space S1 between and vibrates the operation portion 4, and a support portion 7 that is provided on the inner wall surface 52a side of the side portion 5 and supports the operation portion 4. Prepare.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of transmitting a tactile sensation to a user and a portable terminal including the same.

  In recent years, tactile transmission technology for transmitting various tactile sensations such as a feeling of pressing, a feeling of stroking, and a feeling of touch to an operated user when the user operates the operation unit in an electronic device equipped with an operation unit. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An electronic device to which such a tactile sensation transmission technology is applied is mainly provided in a mobile terminal, and thus is required to have waterproofness and dustproofness. In addition, with the miniaturization of portable terminals, miniaturization of electronic devices is also required.

JP 2003-122507 A

  The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of transmitting a tactile sensation to a user, having a certain degree of waterproofness and dustproofness, and realizing miniaturization, and a portable terminal equipped with the electronic device.

  One aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention includes a base portion having a main surface, a side portion provided in the base portion, and provided on the side portion, and opposed to the main surface of the base portion through a space. In the space between the main surface of the base portion and the operation portion, and the detection portion disposed in the space between the main surface of the base portion and the operation portion. And a vibration part that vibrates the operation part, and a support part that is provided on the inner wall surface side of the side part and supports the operation part.

  One aspect of the portable terminal of the present invention includes the electronic device according to the present invention, a sound output unit that outputs sound, and a housing that houses the electronic device and the sound output unit.

  The electronic device of the present invention and a portable terminal equipped with the electronic device can transmit a tactile sensation to the user, have a certain degree of waterproofness and dustproofness, and can realize downsizing. There is an effect that it is possible.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line II shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line II-II shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line III-III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of an electronic device. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the portable terminal which concerns on this embodiment. 11 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to Modification Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line VV shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  However, for convenience of explanation, the drawings to be referred to below show simplified main members necessary for explaining the present invention, among the constituent members of one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the electronic device according to the present invention and the mobile terminal including the electronic device can include arbitrary constituent members that are not shown in the drawings referred to in the present specification.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the electronic apparatus X <b> 1 according to this embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 2, a base portion 3, an operation portion 4, a side portion 5, a touch panel 6, a support portion 7, and a vibration portion 8. Yes.

  The liquid crystal display panel 2 is a display panel using a liquid crystal composition for display. Specifically, the liquid crystal display panel 2 includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate. And a display member layer that is interposed therebetween and contributes to display. Examples of the display member layer include a pixel electrode and an alignment film. Further, if the liquid crystal display panel 2 is a transmissive type, the liquid crystal display panel 2 includes a backlight that irradiates one substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and the other substrate. If the liquid crystal display panel 2 is a reflective type, the liquid crystal display panel 2 is interposed between the one substrate and the other substrate. A reflective film is provided. Further, if the liquid crystal display panel 2 is a semi-transmissive type, the liquid crystal display panel 2 includes a backlight and a semi-transmissive film interposed between one substrate and the other substrate.

  The driving method of the liquid crystal display panel 2 may be a simple matrix driving method or an active matrix driving method. Further, it may be a monochrome liquid crystal display panel 2 or a color liquid crystal display panel 2. Here, in reality, a retardation plate, a polarizing plate, and the like are provided on the front surface or the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 2, but illustration and description of these details are omitted.

  Instead of the liquid crystal display panel 2, a display panel such as a plasma display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper may be used.

  The base 3 has a main surface 3 a, and the liquid crystal display panel 2 is provided on the main surface 3 a of the base 3. Examples of the constituent material of the base 3 include resins such as polycarbonate, metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and magnesium alloys.

  The operation unit 4 has an operation surface 4a and a back surface 4b located on the opposite side of the operation surface 4a. The operation surface 4a is a surface on which an input operation is performed by a user with a finger or a pen. The back surface 4b is located on the opposite side of the operation surface 4a, and is a surface facing the main surface 3a of the base 3 via the space S1. That is, the operation unit 4 is disposed to face the main surface 3a of the base 3 via the space S1. The operation unit 4 is translucent. In addition, in this specification, translucency means having transparency with respect to visible light. The operation unit 4 is, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate formed in a film shape, or a glass, plastic, or the like formed thin.

The side portion 5 is provided on the base portion 3 so as to surround the liquid crystal display panel 2. In the present embodiment, the side part 5 has a first side part 51 and a second side part 52. The first side portion 51 is provided so as to protrude upward from the main surface 3 a of the base portion 3. The second side portion 52 is provided so as to protrude downward from the back surface 4 b of the operation portion 4. That is, the operation unit 4 is provided on the second side portion 52. The first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 are bonded to each other via a double-sided tape 5a. Here, the base portion 3 and the first side portion 51 may be formed integrally or separately. In the case where the base 3 and the first side 51 are integrally formed, the constituent material of the first side 51 may be the same as the constituent material of the base 3. Moreover, the operation part 4 and the 2nd side part 52 may be formed integrally, and may be formed separately independently. When the operation part 4 and the second side part 52 are integrally formed, the constituent material of the second side part 52 may be the same as the constituent material of the operation part 4.

  In addition, although the side part 5 demonstrated the example which has two of the 1st side part 51 and the 2nd side part 52 above, it is not limited to this. One side part 5 may be sufficient and the combination of three or more may be sufficient. In the above description, the example in which the first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 are bonded to each other via the double-sided tape 5a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the double-sided tape 5a, silicone rubber may be sandwiched between the first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 and screwed. Further, the first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 may be bonded by ultrasonic bonding. That is, it is only necessary that the first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 can be fixed so as to maintain hermeticity.

  The touch panel 6 is an input device that detects, as an input position, a place where an input operation has been performed via the operation unit 4. Moreover, the touch panel 6 has translucency. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the touch panel 6 is disposed in a space S <b> 1 between the main surface 3 a of the base 3 and the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 6 is provided on the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. The touch panel 6 may be provided on the liquid crystal display panel 2. That is, the touch panel 6 is protected by the operation unit 4, and the operation unit 4 has a function as a protective member that protects the touch panel 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 6 has a rectangular shape in plan view, but is not limited thereto. The touch panel 6 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel, a resistive touch panel, a surface acoustic wave touch panel, an infrared touch panel, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel. It is preferably a capacitive touch panel.

  In the present embodiment, a space S1 between the main surface 3a of the base portion 3 and the back surface 4b of the operation portion 4 is sealed by the base portion 3, the operation portion 4, the side portion 5, and the double-sided tape 5a. Since the space S <b> 1 is sealed by the base 3, the operation unit 4, the side part 5, and the double-sided tape 5 a, the electronic device X <b> 1 has waterproofness and dustproofness with respect to the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the touch panel 6. . In the present specification, “having waterproofness and dustproofness” does not mean having complete waterproofness and dustproofness, but may have some waterproofness and dustproofness. It means that. Here, in order to improve waterproofness, it is preferable to use a waterproof double-sided tape as the double-sided tape 5a.

  The support unit 7 is a member that plays a role of supporting the operation unit 4. Specifically, the support portion 7 is provided on the inner wall surface 52 a of the second side portion 52. That is, the support portion 7 is provided between the inner wall surface 52 a of the second side portion 52 and the back surface 4 b of the operation portion 4. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support portion 7 has a triangular shape in cross-sectional view, but is not limited thereto, and may have a rectangular shape.

Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the six support parts 7 are provided. Specifically, the support portion 7 supports each of the first corner portion C1, the second corner portion C2, the third corner portion C3, and the fourth corner portion C4 of the operation portion 4, and the first corner portion C1. The first end T1 located between the part C1 and the second corner C2 and the second end T2 located between the third corner C3 and the fourth corner C4 are supported. . Here, the support part 7 and the 2nd side part 52 may be formed integrally, and may be formed separately independently. When the support part 7 and the 2nd side part 52 are integrally formed, the thing similar to the constituent material of the 2nd side part 52 is mentioned as a constituent material of the support part 7. FIG. Moreover, the support part 7 and the operation part 4 may be integrally formed, and may be formed separately and independently. When the support part 7 and the operation part 4 are integrally formed, the constituent material of the support part 7 is the same as the constituent material of the operation part 4.

  The vibration unit 8 is a member that plays a role of vibrating the operation unit 4 when a predetermined input operation by the user is detected. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the vibration unit 8 is disposed in a space S <b> 1 between the main surface 3 a of the base 3 and the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 8 is provided on the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. The vibration unit 8 is, for example, a piezoelectric element that vibrates based on an applied voltage, but is not limited thereto, and may be an electromagnetic vibrator, a spring, a motor, or the like. Here, examples of the piezoelectric element include a bimorph type in which piezoelectric layers and metal layers are alternately stacked, or a unimorph type in which piezoelectric layers and metal layers are bonded together. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two vibrating portions 8 are arranged along the short sides in the vicinity of the opposing short sides of the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. The arrangement position, the number, and the like of the vibration unit 8 are not particularly limited.

  The vibration unit 8 vibrates due to a voltage supplied from a tactile transmission driver (not shown). The operation unit 4 is bent by the vibration of the vibration unit 8. Specifically, when the operation unit 4 is bent downward by the vibration of the vibration unit 8 with the support unit 7 as a fulcrum, the touch panel 6 is also bent downward. Further, when the operation unit 4 is bent upward by the vibration of the vibration unit 8 with the support unit 7 as a fulcrum, the touch panel 6 is also bent upward. In this manner, the support unit 7 serves as a fulcrum, and the operation unit 4 and the touch panel 6 repeat a bending motion in the vertical direction, so that the electronic device X1 transmits a tactile sensation to the user who has input the operation unit 4. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the support portion 7 is provided on the inner wall surface 52 a of the second side portion 52 and supports the operation portion 4. For this reason, compared with the aspect which the support part 7 is provided on the main surface 3a of the base 3, and supports the operation part 4 or the touch panel 6, thickness A1 of the electronic device X1 can be made small.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact area with the back surface 4b of the operation part 4 in the support part 7 which supports 1st edge part T1 in planar view is 1st-4th corner | angular part. It is smaller than the contact area with the back surface 4b of the operation part 4 in the support part 7 which supports C1-C4. Similarly, the contact area of the support portion 7 that supports the second end portion T2 with the back surface 4b of the operation portion 4 is the operation portion of the support portion 7 that supports the first to fourth corner portions C1 to C4. 4 is smaller than the contact area with the back surface 4b. Thus, the first to fourth corners C1 to C4 positioned at the four corners of the operation unit 4 are firmly supported by the support unit 7, and the first end T1 and the second end T2 are operated by the support unit 7. It will be supported to such an extent that the bending motion of the part 4 is not suppressed. As a result, the tactile sensation can be sufficiently transmitted to the user while supporting the operation unit 4.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the vibration unit 8 is provided on the back surface 4b of the operation unit 4, the vibration amount of the vibration unit 8 is reduced to some extent as compared with the mode in which the vibration unit 8 is provided on the touch panel 6. In addition, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the user. In other words, in the present embodiment, a sufficient tactile sensation can be transmitted to the user even if the voltage to be applied to the vibration unit 8 is small to some extent. This is because the vibration unit 8 is directly provided in the operation unit 4 that is input by the user. Moreover, since the vibration part 8 is provided in the operation part 4, compared with the aspect in which the vibration part 8 is provided in the touch panel 6, thickness A1 of the electronic device X1 can be made small by the thickness of the vibration part 8. it can.

  Next, an operation example of the electronic device X1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the following, an operation example of the electronic device X1 when transmitting a pressing feeling to the user in the tactile transmission will be described. The electronic device X1 is other than the pressing feeling, for example, a feeling of tracing, a feeling of touch, etc. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to transmitting various tactile sensations.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the user presses the operation surface 4 a of the operation unit 4, the vibration unit 8 detects a pressing load on the operation unit 4 (Op 1).

  Here, the load detection function of the vibration unit 8 will be described. That is, when the user presses the operation surface 4a of the operation unit 4, the support unit 7 serves as a fulcrum and the operation unit 4 is bent downward. The vibration unit 8 is also bent (flexed) in accordance with the downward curve of the operation unit 4. That is, the amount of deflection of the vibration unit 8 changes according to the pressing load on the operation unit 4. Here, when the vibration part 8 is a piezoelectric element, the vibration part 8 can be converted into a voltage corresponding to the amount of bending. As a result, the pressing load of the operation unit 4 can be detected by the vibration unit 8.

  If the support part 7 does not exist, even if the user presses the operation surface 4a of the operation part 4, the fulcrum is dispersed, and therefore the degree of bending in the downward direction of the operation part 4 becomes small. Therefore, the amount of bending of the vibration part 8 is also reduced. As a result, the pressing load of the operation unit 4 cannot be detected with high sensitivity by the vibration unit 8. On the other hand, when the support part 7 like this embodiment is provided, the support part 7 becomes a fulcrum and the operation part 4 is easily bent downward. For this reason, in this embodiment, the pressing load of the operation part 4 can be detected with high sensitivity by the vibration part 8. In addition, although the example which implement | achieved the load detection function with the vibration part 8 was demonstrated above, you may implement | achieve not only this but with load sensors, such as a strain sensor, for example.

  Then, the tactile transmission driver determines whether or not the pressing load detected in Op1 is equal to or greater than the threshold when the input operation by the user is an input operation on the input object displayed on the display screen ( Op2). Note that the tactile transmission driver is provided on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for applying a voltage to the touch panel 6 together with a position detection driver for controlling the touch panel 6, for example.

  If the tactile transmission driver determines that the pressing load detected at Op1 is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES at Op2), the tactile transmission driver vibrates the vibration unit 8 (Op3). And the operation part 4 curves in the up-down direction by the vibration part 8 vibrated by Op3. Thereby, a pressing feeling is transmitted to the user who pressed the operation surface 4 a of the operation unit 4. On the other hand, if the tactile sensation transmission driver determines that the pressing load detected at Op1 is less than the threshold (NO at Op2), the process of FIG. 6 ends.

  As described above, the electronic device X1 can transmit a tactile sensation to the user, has a certain degree of waterproofness and dustproofness, and can be downsized.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a portable terminal Y1 including the electronic device X1. The mobile terminal Y1 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a PDA. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable terminal Y <b> 1 includes an electronic device X <b> 1, a voice input unit 101, a voice output unit 102, a key input unit 103, and a housing 104.

  The voice input unit 101 includes, for example, a microphone or the like, and inputs a user's voice or the like. The audio output unit 102 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs audio from the other party. The key input unit 103 is constituted by, for example, a mechanical key. Note that the key input unit 103 may be an operation key displayed on the display screen. The housing 104 is a member that plays a role of housing the electronic device X1, the audio input unit 101, the audio output unit 102, and the key input unit 103.

In addition, the portable terminal Y1 may include a short-distance wireless communication unit such as a digital camera function unit, a one-segment broadcasting tuner, an infrared communication function unit, and various interfaces, depending on the required functions. The detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  Since the portable terminal Y1 includes the electronic device X1, it can transmit a tactile sensation to the user, has a certain degree of waterproofness and dustproofness, and can be downsized. .

  In addition, although the example which provided the audio | voice input part 101 in the portable terminal Y1 was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. That is, the voice input unit 101 may not be provided in the portable terminal Y1.

  Here, the electronic device X1 may be various devices such as a programmable display, an electronic notebook, a personal computer, a copying machine, a game terminal device, a television, a digital camera, etc. used for industrial purposes instead of the portable terminal Y1. The device may be provided.

  The above-described embodiment shows a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, some main modifications will be described.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus X2 according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VV shown in FIG. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 and 3, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The electronic device X2 includes a liquid crystal display panel 20 having a position detection function for detecting an input position instead of the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the touch panel 6 described above. That is, the liquid crystal display panel 20 is disposed in the space S <b> 1 between the main surface 3 a of the base 3 and the back surface 4 b of the operation unit 4. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 20 is provided on the main surface 3 a of the base 3.

  The liquid crystal display panel 20 includes one substrate, the other substrate disposed opposite to the one substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the one substrate and the other substrate, and interposed between the one substrate and the other substrate; A display member layer that contributes to display and a photodetection portion provided on one substrate are provided. This light detection unit corresponds to the position detection function according to the present embodiment. By placing a finger above the liquid crystal display panel 20 via the operation unit 4 while external light is incident on the light detection unit, the external light incident on the light detection unit corresponding to the finger is blocked. The Thereby, in the liquid crystal display panel 20, the input position is detected by comparing the detection level of the light detection unit to which external light is incident and the detection level of the light detection unit to which no external light is incident. Can do.

  In addition, although the example of the liquid crystal display panel provided with the light detection part was demonstrated as the liquid crystal display panel 20 provided with the position detection function above, it is not limited to this. For example, the liquid crystal display panel 20 having a position detection function may be a liquid crystal display panel in which detection electrodes in a capacitive touch panel are formed on the other substrate of the liquid crystal display panel 20.

[Modification 2]
Further, in the above, the support portion 7 supports the first corner portion C1, the second corner portion C2, the third corner portion C3, and the fourth corner portion C4, as well as the first end portion T1 and the first corner portion C1. Although the example which supports each of 2 edge part T2 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the support portion 7 does not support the first end portion T1 and the second end portion T2, and each of the first corner portion C1, the second corner portion C2, the third corner portion C3, and the fourth corner portion C4. May be supported. Moreover, the support part 7 is
Only the first corner C1 and the fourth corner C4 may be supported, or only the second corner C2 and the third corner C3 may be supported.

X1, X2 Electronic device Y1 Mobile terminal 2 Liquid crystal display panel (display panel)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Base 3a Main surface 4 of a base 4 Operation part 4a Operation surface 4b of an operation part Back 5 of an operation part Side part 51 1st side part 52 2nd side part 52a Inner wall surface 6 of a 2nd side part Touch panel (detection part)
7 Supporting part 8 Vibrating part 20 Liquid crystal display panel (display panel, detection part)
101 Audio Input Unit 102 Audio Output Unit 104 Case C1 First Corner C2 Second Corner C3 Third Corner C4 Fourth Corner T1 First End T2 Second End S1 Space

Claims (10)

A base having a main surface;
Side portions provided on the base;
An operation portion provided on the side portion and disposed to face the main surface of the base portion via a space;
A detection unit disposed in a space between the main surface of the base and the operation unit;
A vibration unit that is disposed in a space between the main surface of the base and the operation unit, and vibrates the operation unit;
An electronic device comprising: a support portion that is provided on an inner wall surface side of the side portion and supports the operation portion.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is provided on an inner wall surface of the side portion. The operation unit has an operation surface and a back surface located on the opposite side of the operation surface,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is provided on the back surface of the operation unit. The operation unit has a corner,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion supports the corner portion. The operation unit has a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner,
The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the support portion supports the first corner portion, the second corner portion, the third corner portion, and the fourth corner portion. The operation unit includes a first end located between the first corner and the second corner, and a second end located between the third corner and the fourth corner. In addition,
The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the support portion supports the first end portion and the second end portion, respectively. The detection unit is a touch panel,
The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a display panel arranged in a space between the main surface of the base and the operation unit. The detection unit is a display panel;
The said display panel is an electronic device as described in any one of Claims 1-6 provided with the position detection function which detects an input position.   The electronic device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An audio output unit for outputting audio;
A portable terminal comprising: a housing that houses the electronic device and the audio output unit.

Images