WO2012111350A1 - Electronic device - Google Patents

Electronic device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012111350A1
WO2012111350A1 PCT/JP2012/001082 JP2012001082W WO2012111350A1 WO 2012111350 A1 WO2012111350 A1 WO 2012111350A1 JP 2012001082 W JP2012001082 W JP 2012001082W WO 2012111350 A1 WO2012111350 A1 WO 2012111350A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
touch panel
vibration
piezoelectric element
electronic device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2012/001082
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
財津　雅之
Original Assignee
京セラ株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 京セラ株式会社 filed Critical 京セラ株式会社
Priority to JP2012557851A priority Critical patent/JP5563106B2/en
Publication of WO2012111350A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012111350A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/016—Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic device that includes a panel that forms an appearance and vibrates the panel.
  • touch panels and touch pads are widely used as input devices for electronic devices.
  • a device that feeds back a feeling of operation to an operator's fingertip by vibrating the touch panel or the touch pad is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
  • the above-mentioned problem is a problem that is expected to occur in common in an electronic device that includes a panel that configures the appearance and vibrates the panel.
  • a predetermined electrical signal (audio signal) is applied to vibrate the panel, and vibration is applied to a part of the user's body (for example, the cartilage of the outer ear) that contacts the panel.
  • an electronic device that vibrates the panel there is an electronic device having a function of removing water droplets and dirt attached to the panel due to the vibration of the panel.
  • the invention of the electronic device according to the first aspect of achieving the above object is as follows: A panel, A vibrating portion disposed on the panel and causing the panel to bend and vibrate; An electronic device comprising a support member for supporting the panel, The support member is composed of at least two parts of a hard part and a soft part having different hardnesses, The edge of the panel is attached to the soft part.
  • the invention according to a second aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
  • the vibrating portion is a piezoelectric element disposed on the panel.
  • the invention according to a third aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
  • the length of the soft part is longer than the length of the edge of the touch panel attached to the soft part.
  • the invention according to a fourth aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
  • the panel is of a size that can cover the entire user's ear.
  • an electronic device that includes a panel that constitutes an external appearance, and that can prevent the vibration of the panel from being hindered and can improve the dustproof and waterproof properties of the electronic device that vibrates the panel.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side regarding the upper housing
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along AA shown in FIG. 2 and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 2 and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view. It is a figure explaining the vibration surface in the curved vibration of a touch panel. It is a perspective view which shows an upper housing
  • FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along DD shown in FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an upper housing assembly from the back surface side and a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line EE with respect to an electronic device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
  • (A) is a front view of another electronic device to which the present invention can be applied
  • (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. 9 (a). It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of another electronic device which can apply this invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the electronic device 1 is a combination of a lower housing 10 and an upper housing assembly 20 that are integrated.
  • an appropriate waterproof and dust-proof measure can be taken, for example, by using a sealed structure with rubber packing.
  • the upper housing assembly 20 is obtained by attaching a touch panel or the like to the upper housing, and the lower housing 10 and the upper housing are made of a material that can withstand a certain degree of impact, such as a resin case, for example. It is preferable to constitute by the following.
  • the upper housing corresponds to the “support member” described above.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of the upper housing assembly 20 constituting the electronic device 1 shown in FIG.
  • the upper housing assembly 20 includes a vibrating portion 22 and a dustproof gasket member 23 on the back surface side of the touch panel 21, and supports the touch panel 21 with the upper housing 24.
  • the touch panel 21 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin material.
  • the touch panel 21 has a rectangular shape in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, but may have a square shape.
  • “rectangular shape” and “square shape” are not limited to a rectangular shape, but also include those in which each side and corner are formed in an arc shape.
  • the two vibrating portions 22 extend substantially in parallel in the direction along the edge 21 a on the short side in the vicinity of the short side of the touch panel 21.
  • it is fixed to the touch panel 21 with a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like.
  • the vibration unit 22 presents a tactile sensation to the contact object in contact with the touch panel 21 by generating vibration according to a predetermined vibration pattern.
  • the vibration unit 22 is a piezoelectric element, for example, and is expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction based on a drive signal supplied from a control unit (not shown).
  • the active area 21b inside of the broken line shown in FIG. 2 of the touch panel 21 can be curved and vibrated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, that is, the direction in which the short side is bent more greatly than the long side.
  • the “active area” refers to an operation area that is an inner portion of the touch panel and vibrates.
  • the touch panel 21 is disposed, for example, on the front surface of a display unit (not shown) disposed in the electronic device 1, and an operator's finger, stylus pen, or the like (hereinafter simply “contact object”) for the object displayed on the display unit.
  • contact object an operator's finger, stylus pen, or the like
  • the “touch panel” is described on the assumption that a member is provided on the front surface of a display unit that can be an LCD or the like, that is, provided separately from the display unit.
  • the touch panel 21 detects the position of contact of the contact object with respect to the active area 21b, and notifies the detected position of the contact to a control unit (not shown).
  • the touch panel 21 may be a touch panel configured by a known system such as a resistance film system, a capacitance system, and an optical system.
  • a known system such as a resistance film system, a capacitance system, and an optical system.
  • the touch panel 21 it is not essential that the contact object physically touch the touch panel 21.
  • the touch panel 21 is an optical type, the touch panel 21 detects a position where infrared rays on the touch panel 21 are blocked by the contact object, and thus it is not necessary for the contact object to touch the touch panel 21.
  • the display unit described above displays an object such as a push button switch (push button switch) such as a key as an image.
  • This object is an image that suggests to the operator an area to be touched on the active area 21 b of the touch panel 21.
  • the push button switch is a button, key, or the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as “key, etc.”) used by an operator for input operation.
  • the display unit is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic EL display panel, or the like.
  • the touch panel 21 has an active area 21b that is transparent, and can visually recognize an object on the display unit through the active area 21b.
  • the outside of the active area 21b is non-transparent due to printing or the like and can cover the vibration portion 22 and the like, so that the appearance is not impaired.
  • detailed description of display-related matters is omitted.
  • the dust-proof gasket member 23 fills a gap between the touch panel 21 and, for example, the display unit, and reduces dust and dust from entering between the touch panel 21 and the display unit.
  • a foamed material such as sponge or a non-foamed material with low hardness is used so as not to disturb the bending vibration of the touch panel 21.
  • the dust-proof gasket member 23 has a frame shape having an opening at the center.
  • the “frame shape” is not limited to the one formed integrally, and includes, for example, those formed by combining those separated for each side. As shown in FIG.
  • the dust-proof gasket member 23 is fixed to a region outside the active area 21 b and inside the two vibrating portions 22 with a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like.
  • the hardness is a hardness measured by, for example, a method (JIS K 6253) using a “durometer” based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or a new JIS standard as a measuring instrument.
  • the upper housing 24 is composed of at least two parts, ie, a hard part 24a and a soft part 24b having different hardnesses.
  • the hard part 24a is made of a material having high hardness such as polycarbonate (PC) resin or acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS) resin, and the soft part 24b is harder than the hard part 24a such as silicone. It is made of a low material.
  • the upper casing 24 has an opening at the center of the hard part 24a, and the opening edge 24a1 on the short side of the edges of the opening is coupled to the soft part 24b. Yes.
  • the soft part 24b is couple
  • the “vibration surface” of the curved vibration indicates a surface along the direction in which the amplitude fluctuates when the touch panel is curved and vibrated, as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the touch panel 21 is curved and vibrated in a direction in which the short side is bent more greatly than the long side, the direction along the vibration surface of the curved vibration is a direction along the short side. .
  • the extending direction of the piezoelectric element is a direction along the vibration surface of the curved vibration.
  • the opening edge 24a2 on the long side of the hard part 24a is directly coupled to the edge 21c on the long side of the touch panel 21 where the vibrating part 22 is not disposed.
  • the entire circumference of the touch panel 21 is connected to the upper housing 24 without a gap, so that the intrusion of water and the entry of dust from each other can be reduced.
  • the touch panel 21, the hard part 24 a, and the soft part 24 b may be connected to each other by separately bonding members using, for example, an adhesive or the like. It is also possible to manufacture by a two-color molding in which the material for the hard portion 24a and the material for the soft portion 24b are sequentially injection-molded. According to the two-color molding, the components can be firmly coupled to each other, and the efficiency of the operation of coupling the components can be greatly increased.
  • the electronic device 1 configured as described above displays a key or the like on a display unit such as an LCD, for example, so that the key or the like is visually recognized through the active area 21b of the touch panel 21.
  • a display unit such as an LCD
  • the vibration unit 22 acts, and the active area 21b is more than the long side indicated by an arrow in FIG. Curved vibrations in the direction in which the short side is greatly bent.
  • the long side of the touch panel 21 where the vibration part 22 is not disposed is firmly supported by the hard part 24a, while the short side of the touch panel 21 where the vibration part 22 is disposed and vibrates greatly.
  • the soft part 24b Is flexibly supported by the soft part 24b, so that the vibration attenuation of the touch panel 21 can be reduced. Thereby, the tactile sensation as if, for example, the push button switch was pressed can be presented to the contact object touching the active area 21b while taking measures against water and dust. Moreover, since the touch panel 21 is fixed over the entire circumference by the hard part 24a and the soft part 24b, the possibility that the touch panel 21 is peeled off from the upper casing 24 even when a strong impact is applied from the outside due to dropping or the like is reduced. can do.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many variations or modifications are possible.
  • the number of vibration units 22 is not limited to two, and can be any number according to the amplitude of the required bending vibration.
  • the soft part 24b when the length L1 of the soft part 24b is longer than the length L2 of the active area 21b of the adjacent touch panel 21 (the length on the short side in the illustrated example), that is, the soft part
  • the node of the bending vibration is located outside the long side of the active area 21b, so the long side of the active area 21b Can also be vibrated sufficiently. Thereby, sufficient amplitude can be obtained over the whole active area 21b.
  • the length L1 of the soft part 24b shown in FIG. 6 is longer than the length L3 of the edge of the touch panel 21 coupled to the soft part 24b (the length on the short side in the illustrated example), that is, the soft part
  • the nodes of the curved vibration are located outside the long sides of the touch panel 21, and thus the long side of the active area 21b is also more. It can be further vibrated. Thereby, a further sufficient amplitude can be obtained over the entire active area 21b.
  • the soft part 24b may be provided so as to cover not only the edge 21a on the short side of the touch panel 21 but also the entire surface of the hard part 24a. In this case, not only can the strength at the joint between the soft part 24b, the hard part 24a and the touch panel 21 be ensured, but since these seams do not appear on the surface, the appearance is not impaired. Moreover, since the entire casing is covered with the soft part 24b, it is possible to absorb an impact caused by, for example, dropping.
  • the degree of freedom of movement on the long side of the touch panel 21 is further increased, so that it is possible to further ensure the amplitude of the active area 21 b when bending vibration occurs.
  • the entire periphery of the touch panel 21 is coupled with the soft part 24b.
  • the four corners of the soft part 24b are arranged so as to be divided by the hard part 24a, and the four sides of the touch panel 21 are coupled with the soft part 24b.
  • the four corners may be coupled by the hard portion 24a.
  • the dust-proof gasket member 23 is disposed inside the two vibration units 22, but depending on the size of a display unit or the like that is a target for filling a gap with the touch panel 21, the two vibration units 22 are provided. You may arrange
  • the area where the dust-proof gasket member 23 is disposed is not limited to the inner side of the touch panel 21 and the upper casing 24 is less affected by bending vibration depending on the size of the target display unit or the like. You may get in.
  • the present invention is mainly characterized in that the touch panel 21 is supported by the upper casing 24 in which the hard part 24a and the soft part 24b are combined.
  • the other components are described in this specification.
  • various configurations can be employed.
  • the upper casing 24 that is a member of the casing of the electronic device 1 has been described as a support member.
  • the support member of the present invention is not limited to the members described above, and can be various members.
  • the hard portion of the support member may be an LCD or various substrates
  • the soft portion may be an elastic body such as silicone that is fixed to the LCD or the like.
  • an aspect has been described in which an object is displayed on a display unit (not shown) disposed on the back side of the touch panel 21 and the touch panel 21 detects an operator's contact.
  • the present invention is not limited to such an aspect.
  • the contact with respect to the active area 21b of the said touch panel 21 was detected using the touch panel 21.
  • the touch panel used in the electronic device according to the present invention may be any as long as it can be touched by a contact object such as an operator's finger or a stylus pen.
  • the touch panel 21 used in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention may be a member such as a simple “panel” that does not detect the position of contact of the contact object with the active area (that is, does not have a sensing function).
  • the electronic device having such a configuration for example, it is possible to determine that contact with the touch panel has been made based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit by further providing a pressure detection unit that detects pressure on the touch panel. it can.
  • the touch panel 21 is used to detect contact with the active area of the touch panel. However, it is also possible to determine that the touch detection unit detects a press on the touch panel 21 and that the touch panel 21 is contacted based on the press.
  • the above-described press detection unit detects a press on the touch surface of the touch panel 21.
  • a strain gauge sensor that changes physical or electrical characteristics (strain, resistance, voltage, etc.) according to the press.
  • An arbitrary number of piezoelectric elements or the like can be used.
  • the vibration unit is a piezoelectric element
  • the piezoelectric element can also be used as a press detection unit.
  • the piezoelectric element of the pressure detection unit is a load (force) magnitude (or a load (force) magnitude) related to the pressure on the touch surface of the touch panel 21.
  • the magnitude (voltage value) of the voltage which is an electrical characteristic, changes according to the speed (acceleration) at which the voltage changes.
  • the pressure detection unit can notify the control unit of the magnitude of the voltage (voltage value (hereinafter simply referred to as data)).
  • the control unit acquires the data when the press detection unit notifies the control unit of the data, or when the control unit detects data related to the piezoelectric element of the press detection unit.
  • the control unit acquires data based on the pressure on the touch surface of the touch panel 21. That is, a control part acquires the data based on a press from a press detection part. Then, when the data based on the press satisfies a predetermined standard, the control unit can determine that contact has been made and generate a predetermined vibration.
  • the predetermined reference can be set as appropriate according to the load characteristic when the push button switch is to be expressed.
  • such a pressure detection unit can be configured according to a contact detection method on the touch panel 21.
  • a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like is used by associating the magnitude of resistance corresponding to the magnitude of the contact area with the load (force) of pressing against the touch surface of the touch panel 21. It can be configured without.
  • the capacitance is configured without using a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like by associating the size of the capacitance with a load (force) of pressing against the touch surface of the touch panel 21. Can do.
  • the vibration unit 22 can be configured by providing a transparent piezoelectric element on the entire surface of the touch panel 21, or can be configured by rotating the eccentric motor once in one cycle of the drive signal.
  • the pressure detection unit and the vibration unit are configured using a piezoelectric element
  • the pressure detection unit / vibration unit may be configured by sharing the piezoelectric element. This is because the piezoelectric element generates a voltage when pressure is applied and deforms when the voltage is applied.
  • the vibration unit 22 vibrates by driving the piezoelectric element when the magnitude of the voltage (voltage value (data)) of the piezoelectric element that also serves as the pressure detection unit satisfies a predetermined reference. Can also be generated.
  • the voltage value (data) may reach a predetermined reference value, It may be when the value (data) exceeds a predetermined reference value or when a voltage value (data) equal to the predetermined reference value is detected.
  • the electronic apparatus according to the present invention does not necessarily have such a configuration, and the touch panel and the display unit can be separated from each other.
  • the configuration in which the touch panel is arranged so as to overlap the upper surface of the display unit allows the operator to easily recognize the correspondence between the displayed image and the generated vibration.
  • the display unit and the touch panel in the description of the present embodiment may be configured by an integrated device, for example, by providing both functions of the display unit and the contact detection unit on a common substrate.
  • a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes are regularly arranged in a matrix electrode array of pixel electrodes included in the liquid crystal panel.
  • This device displays an image with a liquid crystal panel structure, while reflecting the light of a backlight for liquid crystal display at the tip of a pen that touches and inputs a desired position on the surface of the panel. The reflected light is reflected by peripheral photoelectric conversion elements.
  • the touch position can be detected by receiving the light.
  • the vibration unit 22 may be configured to indirectly vibrate the touch panel by vibrating the electronic device based on a vibration motor (eccentric motor) or the like.
  • a vibration motor eccentric motor
  • a mobile phone terminal that includes a touch panel having a sensing function and feeds back a feeling of operation has been described.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied will be described.
  • the electronic device generates vibration on a panel by applying an electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined audio signal to a piezoelectric element attached to a panel such as a touch panel or a cover panel that protects a display unit.
  • a panel such as a touch panel or a cover panel that protects a display unit.
  • It may be an electronic device.
  • Such an electronic device can transmit sound to the user even when a part of the user's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear) is brought into contact with the vibrated panel.
  • the mobile phone 100 described below is given as an example of an electronic device to which the present invention can be applied, and is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure.
  • the configuration of the mobile phone 100 can be appropriately changed within a range that does not hinder the application of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
  • FIG. 9A is a front view
  • FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. 9A.
  • a mobile phone 100 as another electronic device to which the present invention can be applied includes a casing 110, a panel 120, a display unit 130, and a piezoelectric element 140.
  • the display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are each bonded to the panel 120 by a bonding member 150.
  • the panel 120, the display unit 130, and the piezoelectric element 140 are each substantially rectangular.
  • the contact area of the piezoelectric element 140 with the bonding member 150 may be substantially the entire main surface on one side of the piezoelectric element.
  • vibrations in the piezoelectric element 140 are efficiently transmitted to the panel 120 and the panel 120 is brought into contact with the human body.
  • the panel 120 can be curved and vibrated with sufficient strength so as not to be attenuated.
  • the display unit 130 is disposed substantially at the center of the panel 120 in the short direction.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 is disposed at a predetermined distance from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the panel 120, and is disposed in the vicinity of the end portion so that the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element 140 is along the short side of the panel 120.
  • the display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the panel 120. For example, when the panel 120 and the display unit 130 are configured not to overlap each other, the piezoelectric element 140 may be disposed at the center of the panel 120.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 When the piezoelectric element 140 is disposed at the center of the panel 120, the vibration of the piezoelectric element 140 is evenly transmitted to the entire panel 120, and even when the user touches the ear to various positions of the panel 120, the voice is recognized. be able to. Similar to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of piezoelectric elements may be mounted.
  • the housing 110 has a hard part 110a and a soft part 110b.
  • the hard part 110a is made of a material having high hardness such as polycarbonate (PC) resin or acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS) resin, and the soft part 110b is harder than the hard part 110a such as silicone. It is made of a low material.
  • the hard part 110a and the soft part 110b may be manufactured by two-color molding.
  • casing 110 is equipped with the opening in the center part of the hard part 110a, and is couple
  • the panel 120 detects contact of a finger, a pen, a stylus pen, or the like with respect to the touch panel.
  • the touch panel detection method may be any method such as a capacitance method, a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method (or an ultrasonic method), an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a load detection method.
  • the panel 120 may be a protective panel for protecting the display unit 130.
  • the material of the panel 120 is made of, for example, glass or synthetic resin, and may be a plate-like body.
  • the display unit 130 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an inorganic EL display.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 is an element that expands and contracts according to the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the constituent material when a voltage is applied.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 may be a unimorph, bimorph, or multilayer piezoelectric element.
  • the stacked piezoelectric element includes a stacked bimorph element in which bimorphs are stacked (for example, 16 layers or 24 layers are stacked).
  • a laminated piezoelectric element it is composed of a laminated structure of a plurality of dielectric layers made of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and electrode layers arranged between the dielectric layers.
  • the bonding member 150 is an adhesive or double-sided tape having thermosetting property or ultraviolet curable property.
  • an optical elastic resin which is a colorless and transparent acrylic ultraviolet curable adhesive may be used.
  • the panel 120 is fixed to the soft part 110b of the casing 110 over the entire circumference, the intrusion of dust or water into the mobile phone 100 is reduced, and the vibration of the panel 120 is reduced. Attenuation can be reduced.
  • the cellular phone 100 having the above configuration can transmit sound to the user even if a part of the user's body comes into contact with the panel 120 that vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element 140.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 expands and contracts (curves) in the longitudinal direction based on, for example, an electric signal output from a control unit (not shown). Since the piezoelectric element 140 is attached to the panel 120 by the bonding member 150, the panel 120 vibrates as the piezoelectric element 140 expands and contracts. The panel 120 vibrates not only in the attachment region to which the piezoelectric element 140 is attached, but also in a region away from the attachment region. At a certain moment, the panel 120 vibrates in such a manner that a portion having a relatively large vibration amplitude and a portion having a relatively small vibration amplitude are randomly distributed throughout the panel. That is, vibrations of a plurality of waves are detected over the entire panel.
  • the mobile phone 100 generates a vibration in a panel such as a cover panel that protects the touch panel or the display unit by applying a predetermined electrical signal (audio signal) to the piezoelectric element, and is used for the panel that has been vibrated.
  • a sound can be transmitted to the user by contacting a part of the person's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear).
  • the output sound from the panel of the mobile phone 100 is the voice of the other party, the incoming melody or music including music.
  • the music may be played based on music data stored in an internal memory, or music data stored in an external server or the like may be played back via a network.
  • the amplifier may be controlled to amplify only the low sound range.
  • a dynamic speaker may be provided separately.
  • the sound outlet of the dynamic speaker may be closed by a waterproof sheet that allows gas to pass but not liquid, such as Gore-Tex (trademark).
  • Piezoelectric element vibrates not only the attachment area of the panel where the piezoelectric element is attached, but also the area away from the attachment area of the panel. Therefore, the user can hear the sound by touching the ear to an arbitrary position on the panel.
  • the user can attach an electronic device having a panel that is almost the same size as the user's ear or larger than the user's ear to the entire ear. By making contact so as to be covered, it is possible to hear the sound output from the electronic device while reducing ambient sound (noise) from entering the ear canal.
  • the panel may oscillate in a region wider than a region having a length corresponding to the distance from the earring to the tragus and the antitragus and a width corresponding to the distance from the earring leg to the antitragus.
  • the average ear size can be found, for example, by referring to the Japanese human body size database (1992-1994) created by the Human Life Engineering Research Center (HQL). In general, if a panel is made with the size of Japanese ears as a guide, it can be applied to foreigners.
  • the mobile phone 100 described above can transmit sound to the user by vibration through a part of the user's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear). There is little sound transmitted to. Therefore, it is suitable for listening to a recorded message on a train or the like.
  • the mobile phone 100 transmits sound by the vibration of the panel 120, for example, even if the user wears an earphone or a headphone, the user can contact the electronic device with the earphone or the headphone. You can hear sound through your body part.
  • the display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the panel 120. Since the display unit 130 is attached to the panel 120, the rigidity of the lower part (lower side in FIG. 9) of the panel 120 is increased, and the vibration of the upper part (upper side in FIG. 9) of the panel 120 to which the piezoelectric element 140 is attached. Can be vibrated greatly in comparison with the lower part of the panel 120. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration of the panel 120 to the user.
  • the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is higher than the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element mounted on a normal so-called panel speaker. Should be set higher.
  • the support structure for the panel housing is greatly different.
  • the panel speaker disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-1114866, the panel itself is not greatly deformed, and the entire panel is moved in parallel in the thickness direction of the panel. It is supported on the housing at both ends in the direction by a film-like member, a stretchable rubber member, a spring member, or the like.
  • the mobile phone 100 has a structure in which the entire outer periphery of the panel 120 is supported by being bonded to the casing 110 by the joining member 150. That is, the panel 120 of the mobile phone 100 is firmly fixed to the housing as compared with the panel speaker panel described in the above document. That is, a material having a sufficient hardness is selected for the soft portion 110b of the housing, such as a film-like member that holds a so-called panel speaker, a rubber member that can be expanded and contracted, a spring member, and the like. Therefore, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 140 of the mobile phone 100 is higher than the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element mounted on a normal so-called panel speaker.
  • FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
  • 10 (a) is a front view
  • FIG. 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. 10 (a)
  • FIG. 10 (c) is taken along line cc in FIG. 10 (a). It is sectional drawing.
  • an intermediate member 160 may be disposed between the piezoelectric element 140 and the panel 120.
  • the piezoelectric element 140 and the intermediate member 160 may be bonded by the bonding member 150
  • the intermediate member 160 and the panel 120 may be bonded by the bonding member 150.
  • the joining member 150 may be the above-described various adhesives or double-sided tape.
  • the intermediate member 160 is, for example, a resin plate, a sheet metal, or a resin plate containing glass fiber.
  • the piezoelectric element is attached to the panel, but may be attached to a location different from the panel.
  • the piezoelectric element may be attached to a battery lid that is attached to the housing and covers the battery. Since the battery lid is often attached to a surface different from the panel in the mobile phone, according to such a configuration, the user listens to the sound by touching a part of the body (for example, an ear) to a surface different from the panel. Can do.
  • Electronic devices that transmit sound to the user through a part of the user's body are conducted through the part of the user's body that contacts the vibrating panel. It is also possible to transmit to the user both the sound to be heard (human body conduction sound) and the vibration of the air in the vicinity of the panel (air conduction sound) caused by the vibration of the panel.

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Abstract

Provided is an electronic device which vibrates said panel and is provided with a panel configuring the outer appearance; said electronic device makes vibration of the panel less likely to be impeded and has improved dustproof and waterproof properties. This electronic device is provided with a touch panel (21), vibration units arranged on the touch panel (21) for flexure vibration of said touch panel (21), and a support member which supports the touch panel (21), wherein the upper frame body (the support member) (24) is configured from at least two portions of differing hardness, a hard portion (24a) and a soft portion (24b), and that edge (21a) of the touch panel (21) which is disposed along the flexure-vibration vibrating surface is joined to the soft portion (24b).

Description

電子機器Electronics 関連出願へのクロスリファレンスCross-reference to related applications
　本出願は、日本国特許出願２０１１－０３３９８３号（２０１１年２月１８日出願）の優先権を主張するものであり、当該出願の開示全体を、ここに参照のために取り込む。 This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-033983 (filed on Feb. 18, 2011), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
　本発明は、外観を構成するパネルを備え、当該パネルを振動させる電子機器に関する。 The present invention relates to an electronic device that includes a panel that forms an appearance and vibrates the panel.
　現在、電子機器の入力装置として、タッチパネルやタッチパッドなどが広く採用されている。そのような入力装置において、操作者がタッチパネルやタッチパッドなどを操作した際に、タッチパネルやタッチパッドを湾曲振動させることにより、操作者の指先などに操作感をフィードバックするものが提案されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 Currently, touch panels and touch pads are widely used as input devices for electronic devices. In such an input device, when an operator operates a touch panel, a touch pad, or the like, a device that feeds back a feeling of operation to an operator's fingertip by vibrating the touch panel or the touch pad is proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
特開２０１０－４４４９７号公報JP 2010-44497 A
　ところで、特許文献１の電子機器では、機器への埃や水の侵入に対しては対策が講じられていない。このため、例えばタッチパネルとタッチパネルが固定される部材との間の隙間から埃や水分が侵入することが想定される。 By the way, in the electronic device of Patent Document 1, no measures are taken against the intrusion of dust and water into the device. For this reason, it is assumed that dust and moisture enter from a gap between the touch panel and a member to which the touch panel is fixed.
　上記の課題は、外観を構成するパネルを備え、当該パネルを振動させる電子機器においては共通して発生し得ると想定される課題である。パネルを振動させる他の電子機器としては、例えば所定の電気信号（音声信号）を印加することでパネルを振動させ、パネルに接触する利用者の体の一部（例えば外耳の軟骨）に振動が伝わることにより利用者に音を伝える電子機器がある。また、パネルを振動させる他の電子機器としては、パネルの振動によってパネルに付着した水滴や汚れを除去する機能を有する電子機器もある。 The above-mentioned problem is a problem that is expected to occur in common in an electronic device that includes a panel that configures the appearance and vibrates the panel. As other electronic devices that vibrate the panel, for example, a predetermined electrical signal (audio signal) is applied to vibrate the panel, and vibration is applied to a part of the user's body (for example, the cartilage of the outer ear) that contacts the panel. There are electronic devices that transmit sounds to users by being transmitted. As another electronic device that vibrates the panel, there is an electronic device having a function of removing water droplets and dirt attached to the panel due to the vibration of the panel.
　それゆえ、この発明の目的は、外観を構成するパネルを備え、当該パネルを振動させる電子機器につき、パネルの振動を阻害しにくくし、且つ防塵性、防水性を向上させることにある。 Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a panel that constitutes the appearance of an electronic device that vibrates the panel, making it difficult to inhibit the vibration of the panel, and improving the dustproof and waterproof properties.
　上記目的を達成する第１の観点に係る電子機器の発明は、
　パネルと、
　前記パネルに配設されて当該パネルを湾曲振動させる振動部と、
　前記パネルを支持する支持部材と、を備えた電子機器であって、
　前記支持部材は、硬度の異なる硬部と軟部との少なくとも２つの部位で構成され、
　前記パネルの端縁が、前記軟部に取り付けられることを特徴とするものである。 The invention of the electronic device according to the first aspect of achieving the above object is as follows:
A panel,
A vibrating portion disposed on the panel and causing the panel to bend and vibrate;
An electronic device comprising a support member for supporting the panel,
The support member is composed of at least two parts of a hard part and a soft part having different hardnesses,
The edge of the panel is attached to the soft part.
　第２の観点に係る発明は、第１の観点に係る電子機器において、
　前記振動部は、前記パネルに配設された圧電素子である、ことを特徴とするものである。 The invention according to a second aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
The vibrating portion is a piezoelectric element disposed on the panel.
　第３の観点に係る発明は、第１の観点に係る電子機器において、
　前記軟部の長さは、当該軟部に取り付けられる前記タッチパネルの端縁の長さよりも長い、ことを特徴とするものである。 The invention according to a third aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
The length of the soft part is longer than the length of the edge of the touch panel attached to the soft part.
　第４の観点に係る発明は、第１の観点に係る電子機器において、
　前記パネルは、利用者の耳全体を覆うことができる程度の大きさである、ことを特徴とするものである。 The invention according to a fourth aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect,
The panel is of a size that can cover the entire user's ear.
　本発明よれば、外観を構成するパネルを備え、当該パネルを振動させる電子機器につき、パネルの振動を阻害しにくくし、且つ防塵性、防水性を向上させることができる電子機器が提供される。 According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic device that includes a panel that constitutes an external appearance, and that can prevent the vibration of the panel from being hindered and can improve the dustproof and waterproof properties of the electronic device that vibrates the panel.
本発明の一実施の形態に係る電子機器の全体を示す斜視図である。1 is a perspective view showing an entire electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図１に示す電子機器を構成する上部筐体アセンブリに関し、裏面側を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side regarding the upper housing | casing assembly which comprises the electronic device shown in FIG. 図２に示すＡ－Ａに沿う断面図、及び部分拡大断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along AA shown in FIG. 2 and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view. 図２に示すＢ－Ｂに沿う断面図、及び部分拡大断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 2 and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view. タッチパネルの湾曲振動における振動面を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the vibration surface in the curved vibration of a touch panel. 本発明の他の実施の形態に係る電子機器に関し、上部筐体アセンブリを裏面側から示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows an upper housing | casing assembly from the back surface side regarding the electronic device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 本発明のさらに他の実施の形態に係る電子機器に関し、上部筐体アセンブリを裏面側から示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the upper housing | casing assembly from the back surface side regarding the electronic device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. 図７Ａに示すＣ－Ｃに沿う部分拡大断面図である。FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 7A. 図７Ａに示すＤ－Ｄに沿う部分拡大断面図である。FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along DD shown in FIG. 7A. 本発明のまたさらに他の実施の形態に係る電子機器に関し、上部筐体アセンブリを裏面側から示す斜視図、及びＥ－Ｅに沿う部分拡大断面図である。FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an upper housing assembly from the back surface side and a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line EE with respect to an electronic device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. （ａ）は、本発明を適用できる別の電子機器の正面図であり、（ｂ）は、図９（ａ）中のｂ－ｂ線に沿った断面図である。(A) is a front view of another electronic device to which the present invention can be applied, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. 9 (a). 本発明を適用できる別の電子機器の変形例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of another electronic device which can apply this invention.
　以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図を参照して説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　図１は、本発明の一実施の形態に係る電子機器の全体を示す斜視図である。本実施の形態に係る電子機器１は、下部筐体１０と、上部筐体アセンブリ２０とを一体に組み合わせたものである。下部筐体１０と上部筐体アセンブリ２０との間は、これらが一体に組み合わされた状態においては、例えばゴム製のパッキンを介した密閉構造にする等して、適当な防水及び防塵の措置がなされている。上部筐体アセンブリ２０は、後述するように、上部筐体にタッチパネル等を取り付けたものであり、下部筐体１０及び上部筐体は、例えば樹脂製のケースなどとして、ある程度の衝撃に耐えうる素材により構成するのが好適である。なお、以下の説明においては、下部筐体１０と上部筐体との組み合わせ構造については、詳細な説明を省略する。また本実施の形態においては、上部筐体が、上述した「支持部材」に該当する。 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment is a combination of a lower housing 10 and an upper housing assembly 20 that are integrated. When the lower housing 10 and the upper housing assembly 20 are combined together, an appropriate waterproof and dust-proof measure can be taken, for example, by using a sealed structure with rubber packing. Has been made. As will be described later, the upper housing assembly 20 is obtained by attaching a touch panel or the like to the upper housing, and the lower housing 10 and the upper housing are made of a material that can withstand a certain degree of impact, such as a resin case, for example. It is preferable to constitute by the following. In the following description, detailed description of the combined structure of the lower housing 10 and the upper housing is omitted. In the present embodiment, the upper housing corresponds to the “support member” described above.
　図２は、図１に示す電子機器１を構成する上部筐体アセンブリ２０に関し、裏面側を示す斜視図である。本実施の形態において上部筐体アセンブリ２０は、タッチパネル２１の裏面側に、振動部２２と、防塵ガスケット部材２３とを備えるとともに、このタッチパネル２１を上部筐体２４で支持するものである。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of the upper housing assembly 20 constituting the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the upper housing assembly 20 includes a vibrating portion 22 and a dustproof gasket member 23 on the back surface side of the touch panel 21, and supports the touch panel 21 with the upper housing 24.
　本実施の形態においてタッチパネル２１は、例えば透明の樹脂材によって形成されている。タッチパネル２１は、図２に示す例では長方形状となっているが、正方形状のものであってもよい。なお、本明細書において「長方形状」、「正方形状」とは、矩形状に限らず、各辺及び角部が、円弧状に形成されたものも含むものである。 In the present embodiment, the touch panel 21 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin material. The touch panel 21 has a rectangular shape in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, but may have a square shape. In the present specification, “rectangular shape” and “square shape” are not limited to a rectangular shape, but also include those in which each side and corner are formed in an arc shape.
　また本実施の形態においては、図２に示すように、２個の振動部２２が、タッチパネル２１の短辺側の近傍において、その短辺側の端縁２１ａに沿う向きにほぼ並行に延在していて、例えば両面テープや接着剤等によってタッチパネル２１に固着されている。 Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the two vibrating portions 22 extend substantially in parallel in the direction along the edge 21 a on the short side in the vicinity of the short side of the touch panel 21. For example, it is fixed to the touch panel 21 with a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like.
　この振動部２２は、所定の振動パターンによる振動を発生させることにより、タッチパネル２１に接触している接触物に対して触感を呈示する。本実施の形態において、振動部２２は、例えば圧電素子であって、図示しない制御部から供給される駆動信号に基づいて長手方向に伸縮変位する。これにより、タッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂ（図２に示す破線の内側）を、図３に矢印で示す向き、すなわち、長辺側よりも短辺側が大きく撓む向きに湾曲振動させることができる。なお、本明細書において「アクティブエリア」とは、タッチパネルの内側部分であって湾曲振動する操作領域を示す。 The vibration unit 22 presents a tactile sensation to the contact object in contact with the touch panel 21 by generating vibration according to a predetermined vibration pattern. In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 22 is a piezoelectric element, for example, and is expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction based on a drive signal supplied from a control unit (not shown). Thereby, the active area 21b (inside of the broken line shown in FIG. 2) of the touch panel 21 can be curved and vibrated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, that is, the direction in which the short side is bent more greatly than the long side. In the present specification, the “active area” refers to an operation area that is an inner portion of the touch panel and vibrates.
　タッチパネル２１は、例えば電子機器１内に配置される表示部（図示せず）の前面に配置して、表示部に表示したオブジェクトに対する操作者の指やスタイラスペン等（以下、単に「接触物」と総称する）による接触を、対応するタッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂにおいて検出する。したがって、本実施の形態において、「タッチパネル」とは、例えばＬＣＤ等とすることができる表示部の前面に配置する、すなわち当該表示部とは別に設けられる部材を想定して説明する。また、タッチパネル２１は、アクティブエリア２１ｂに対する接触物の接触の位置を検出し、当該検出した接触の位置を制御部（図示せず）に通知する。 The touch panel 21 is disposed, for example, on the front surface of a display unit (not shown) disposed in the electronic device 1, and an operator's finger, stylus pen, or the like (hereinafter simply “contact object”) for the object displayed on the display unit. In the active area 21b of the corresponding touch panel 21 is detected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “touch panel” is described on the assumption that a member is provided on the front surface of a display unit that can be an LCD or the like, that is, provided separately from the display unit. The touch panel 21 detects the position of contact of the contact object with respect to the active area 21b, and notifies the detected position of the contact to a control unit (not shown).
　このタッチパネル２１は、例えば抵抗膜方式、静電容量方式、光学式等の公知の方式のもので構成されたタッチパネルを用いることができる。なお、タッチパネル２１が接触物による接触を検出する上で、接触物がタッチパネル２１に物理的に触れることは必須ではない。例えば、タッチパネル２１が光学式である場合は、タッチパネル２１は当該タッチパネル２１上の赤外線が接触物で遮られた位置を検出するため、接触物がタッチパネル２１に触れることは不要である。 The touch panel 21 may be a touch panel configured by a known system such as a resistance film system, a capacitance system, and an optical system. In addition, for the touch panel 21 to detect contact with a contact object, it is not essential that the contact object physically touch the touch panel 21. For example, when the touch panel 21 is an optical type, the touch panel 21 detects a position where infrared rays on the touch panel 21 are blocked by the contact object, and thus it is not necessary for the contact object to touch the touch panel 21.
　上述した表示部は、例えばキーのような押しボタンスイッチ（プッシュ式ボタンスイッチ）等のオブジェクトを画像で表示する。このオブジェクトは、タッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂ上において接触すべき領域を操作者に示唆する画像である。また、押しボタンスイッチとは、操作者が入力の操作に用いるボタンやキー等（以下、単に「キー等」と総称する）である。この表示部は、例えば、液晶表示パネル（ＬＣＤ）や有機ＥＬ表示パネル等を用いて構成される。本実施の形態においてタッチパネル２１は、アクティブエリア２１ｂが透明となっていて、アクティブエリア２１ｂを通して表示部のオブジェクトを視認することができる。一方、アクティブエリア２１ｂの外側は、印刷等によって非透明となっていて、振動部２２等を覆い隠すことができるので、見栄えが損なわれることがない。なお本明細書においては、表示関連の事項については、詳細な説明を省略する。 The display unit described above displays an object such as a push button switch (push button switch) such as a key as an image. This object is an image that suggests to the operator an area to be touched on the active area 21 b of the touch panel 21. The push button switch is a button, key, or the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as “key, etc.”) used by an operator for input operation. The display unit is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic EL display panel, or the like. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 21 has an active area 21b that is transparent, and can visually recognize an object on the display unit through the active area 21b. On the other hand, the outside of the active area 21b is non-transparent due to printing or the like and can cover the vibration portion 22 and the like, so that the appearance is not impaired. In the present specification, detailed description of display-related matters is omitted.
　防塵ガスケット部材２３は、タッチパネル２１と、例えば表示部等との隙間を埋めて、埃や塵がタッチパネル２１と表示部との間に侵入することを低減するものである。防塵ガスケット部材２３としては、タッチパネル２１の湾曲振動を妨げないように、例えばスポンジ等の発泡材や硬度の低い非発泡材が用いられる。本実施の形態において防塵ガスケット部材２３は、中央部に開口を有する枠状となっている。ここで「枠状」とは、一体に形成されたものに限られず、例えば辺毎に分離したものを組み合わせて形成されるものも含む。防塵ガスケット部材２３は、図２に示すように、アクティブエリア２１ｂよりも外側であって、かつ２個の振動部２２よりも内側となる領域に、両面テープや接着剤等で固着されている。尚、本明細書において、硬度は、例えばISO（国際標準化機構）や新JIS規格に基づいた“デュロメータ”を計測器に用いた方法（JIS  K　6253）にて、測定される硬度である。 The dust-proof gasket member 23 fills a gap between the touch panel 21 and, for example, the display unit, and reduces dust and dust from entering between the touch panel 21 and the display unit. As the dust-proof gasket member 23, for example, a foamed material such as sponge or a non-foamed material with low hardness is used so as not to disturb the bending vibration of the touch panel 21. In the present embodiment, the dust-proof gasket member 23 has a frame shape having an opening at the center. Here, the “frame shape” is not limited to the one formed integrally, and includes, for example, those formed by combining those separated for each side. As shown in FIG. 2, the dust-proof gasket member 23 is fixed to a region outside the active area 21 b and inside the two vibrating portions 22 with a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like. In the present specification, the hardness is a hardness measured by, for example, a method (JIS K 6253) using a “durometer” based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or a new JIS standard as a measuring instrument.
　上部筐体２４は、硬度の異なる硬部２４ａと軟部２４ｂとの少なくとも２つの部位で構成されている。硬部２４ａは、例えばポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）樹脂やアクリロニトリル・ブタジエン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）樹脂等の硬度の高い材料で形成されており、軟部２４ｂは、例えばシリコーン等の、硬部２４ａと比較して硬度の低い材料で形成されている。また上部筐体２４は、図３に示すように、硬部２４ａの中央部に開口を備えていて、その開口の端縁のうち、短辺側の開口端縁２４ａ１が軟部２４ｂと結合している。さらに軟部２４ｂは、タッチパネル２１の端縁のうち、湾曲振動の振動面に沿う端縁である、端縁２１ａと結合している。ここで湾曲振動の「振動面」とは、図５に示すように、タッチパネルが湾曲振動する際に、振幅の変動する向きに沿う面を示す。すなわち、図３に示すように、タッチパネル２１が長辺側よりも短辺側が大きく撓む向きに湾曲振動する場合には、湾曲振動の振動面に沿う向きとは、短辺に沿う向きとなる。なお、振動部２２に圧電素子を用いる場合においては、当該圧電素子の延在する向きが、湾曲振動の振動面に沿う向きとなる。 The upper housing 24 is composed of at least two parts, ie, a hard part 24a and a soft part 24b having different hardnesses. The hard part 24a is made of a material having high hardness such as polycarbonate (PC) resin or acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS) resin, and the soft part 24b is harder than the hard part 24a such as silicone. It is made of a low material. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper casing 24 has an opening at the center of the hard part 24a, and the opening edge 24a1 on the short side of the edges of the opening is coupled to the soft part 24b. Yes. Furthermore, the soft part 24b is couple | bonded with the edge 21a which is an edge along the vibration surface of curved vibration among the edges of the touch panel 21. FIG. Here, the “vibration surface” of the curved vibration indicates a surface along the direction in which the amplitude fluctuates when the touch panel is curved and vibrated, as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the touch panel 21 is curved and vibrated in a direction in which the short side is bent more greatly than the long side, the direction along the vibration surface of the curved vibration is a direction along the short side. . In addition, when using a piezoelectric element for the vibration part 22, the extending direction of the piezoelectric element is a direction along the vibration surface of the curved vibration.
　一方、図４に示すように、硬部２４ａの長辺側の開口端縁２４ａ２は、振動部２２が配置されていないタッチパネル２１の長辺側の端縁２１ｃと直接結合している。これにより、タッチパネル２１の全周が、上部筐体２４と隙間なくつながることになるので、これら相互間からの水の浸入や埃の入り込みを低減することができる。 On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening edge 24a2 on the long side of the hard part 24a is directly coupled to the edge 21c on the long side of the touch panel 21 where the vibrating part 22 is not disposed. As a result, the entire circumference of the touch panel 21 is connected to the upper housing 24 without a gap, so that the intrusion of water and the entry of dust from each other can be reduced.
　ここで、タッチパネル２１、硬部２４ａ、及び軟部２４ｂのそれぞれの結合は、別個に形成した各部材を、例えば接着剤等で結合させてもよいが、例えば予め形成したタッチパネル２１を上部筐体２４の成形金型にインサートしておき、硬部２４ａ用の材料と軟部２４ｂ用の材料を順次に射出成形する２色成形で製造してもよい。２色成形によれば、部品同士を強固に結合することができる上、各部品を結合する作業の効率を大幅に高めることができる。 Here, the touch panel 21, the hard part 24 a, and the soft part 24 b may be connected to each other by separately bonding members using, for example, an adhesive or the like. It is also possible to manufacture by a two-color molding in which the material for the hard portion 24a and the material for the soft portion 24b are sequentially injection-molded. According to the two-color molding, the components can be firmly coupled to each other, and the efficiency of the operation of coupling the components can be greatly increased.
　上記のように構成される本実施の形態における電子機器１は、例えばＬＣＤ等の表示部にキー等を表示させることで、タッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂを通して、そのキー等が視認される。ここで操作者が、接触物によって、キー等が視認される部位のアクティブエリア２１ｂに触れると、振動部２２が作用して、アクティブエリア２１ｂが、図３に矢印で示す、長辺側よりも短辺側が大きく撓む向きに湾曲振動する。ここで、振動部２２が配設されていないタッチパネル２１の長辺側は、硬部２４ａで強固に支持されている一方で、振動部２２が配設されて大きく振動するタッチパネル２１の短辺側は、軟部２４ｂによって柔軟に支持されているので、タッチパネル２１の振動の減衰を低減することができる。これにより、防水、防塵対策を施しつつ、アクティブエリア２１ｂに触れている接触物に対して、例えば押しボタンスイッチを押した如き触感を呈示することができる。しかも、タッチパネル２１は、硬部２４ａ及び軟部２４ｂによってその全周に亘って固着されているので、落下等によって外から強い衝撃が加わる場合にも、タッチパネル２１が上部筺体２４から剥離するおそれを低減することができる。 The electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above displays a key or the like on a display unit such as an LCD, for example, so that the key or the like is visually recognized through the active area 21b of the touch panel 21. Here, when the operator touches the active area 21b of the part where the key or the like is visually recognized by the contact object, the vibration unit 22 acts, and the active area 21b is more than the long side indicated by an arrow in FIG. Curved vibrations in the direction in which the short side is greatly bent. Here, the long side of the touch panel 21 where the vibration part 22 is not disposed is firmly supported by the hard part 24a, while the short side of the touch panel 21 where the vibration part 22 is disposed and vibrates greatly. Is flexibly supported by the soft part 24b, so that the vibration attenuation of the touch panel 21 can be reduced. Thereby, the tactile sensation as if, for example, the push button switch was pressed can be presented to the contact object touching the active area 21b while taking measures against water and dust. Moreover, since the touch panel 21 is fixed over the entire circumference by the hard part 24a and the soft part 24b, the possibility that the touch panel 21 is peeled off from the upper casing 24 even when a strong impact is applied from the outside due to dropping or the like is reduced. can do.
　なお、本発明は、上記実施の形態にのみ限定されるものではなく、幾多の変形または変更が可能である。例えば、振動部２２は２個に限られず、所要の湾曲振動の振幅に応じて任意の個数とすることができる。 It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many variations or modifications are possible. For example, the number of vibration units 22 is not limited to two, and can be any number according to the amplitude of the required bending vibration.
　また、図６に示すように、軟部２４ｂの長さＬ１を、隣接するタッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂの長さ（図示の例では短辺側の長さ）Ｌ２よりも長くする場合、すなわち、軟部２４ｂの両端部がアクティブエリア２１ｂの両長辺よりも外側に位置する場合は、湾曲振動の節がアクティブエリア２１ｂの長辺よりも外側に位置することになるので、アクティブエリア２１ｂの長辺側も十分に振動させることができる。これにより、アクティブエリア２１ｂの全域に亘って、十分な振幅を得ることができる。 Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the length L1 of the soft part 24b is longer than the length L2 of the active area 21b of the adjacent touch panel 21 (the length on the short side in the illustrated example), that is, the soft part When both ends of 24b are located outside both long sides of the active area 21b, the node of the bending vibration is located outside the long side of the active area 21b, so the long side of the active area 21b Can also be vibrated sufficiently. Thereby, sufficient amplitude can be obtained over the whole active area 21b.
　さらに、図６に示す軟部２４ｂの長さＬ１を、この軟部２４ｂと結合するタッチパネル２１の端縁の長さ（図示の例では短辺側の長さ）Ｌ３よりも長くする場合、すなわち、軟部２４ｂの両端部がタッチパネル２１の両長辺よりも外側に位置する場合は、湾曲振動の節がタッチパネル２１の長辺よりも外側に位置することになるので、アクティブエリア２１ｂの長辺側もより一層振動させることができる。これにより、アクティブエリア２１ｂの全域に亘って、さらに十分な振幅を得ることができる。 Further, when the length L1 of the soft part 24b shown in FIG. 6 is longer than the length L3 of the edge of the touch panel 21 coupled to the soft part 24b (the length on the short side in the illustrated example), that is, the soft part When both ends of 24b are located outside both long sides of the touch panel 21, the nodes of the curved vibration are located outside the long sides of the touch panel 21, and thus the long side of the active area 21b is also more. It can be further vibrated. Thereby, a further sufficient amplitude can be obtained over the entire active area 21b.
　また、図７Ａ～図７Ｃに示すように、軟部２４ｂを、タッチパネル２１の短辺側の端縁２１ａと結合させるだけでなく、硬部２４ａの表面全体を覆うように設けてもよい。この場合は、軟部２４ｂと、硬部２４ａ及びタッチパネル２１との結合部における強度を確保できるだけでなく、これらの継ぎ目が表面に現れないので、見栄えも損なわれることがない。しかも軟部２４ｂによって筐体全体が覆われるので、例えば落下等による衝撃を吸収することもできる。 Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the soft part 24b may be provided so as to cover not only the edge 21a on the short side of the touch panel 21 but also the entire surface of the hard part 24a. In this case, not only can the strength at the joint between the soft part 24b, the hard part 24a and the touch panel 21 be ensured, but since these seams do not appear on the surface, the appearance is not impaired. Moreover, since the entire casing is covered with the soft part 24b, it is possible to absorb an impact caused by, for example, dropping.
　そして、上述したタッチパネル２１の短辺側だけでなく、図８に示すように、硬部２４ａの長辺側の開口端縁２４ａ２とタッチパネル２１の長辺側の端縁２１ｃとを、軟部２４ｂを介して結合する場合には、タッチパネル２１の長辺側の動きの自由度がより増すので、湾曲振動する際のアクティブエリア２１ｂの振幅をさらに確保することができる。なお、図８に示す例ではタッチパネル２１の全周が軟部２４ｂで結合されているが、軟部２４ｂの四隅を硬部２４ａで分断するように配置して、タッチパネル２１の四辺は軟部２４ｂと結合するとともに、その四隅については硬部２４ａで結合するようにしてもよい。このように、タッチパネル２１の四隅を硬部２４ａで結合する場合は、振動の減衰を極力おこすことなく、必要な剛性も確保される。 Then, not only the short side of the touch panel 21 described above but also the opening edge 24a2 on the long side of the hard part 24a and the end edge 21c on the long side of the touch panel 21 are replaced with the soft part 24b as shown in FIG. In the case of coupling via the touch panel 21, the degree of freedom of movement on the long side of the touch panel 21 is further increased, so that it is possible to further ensure the amplitude of the active area 21 b when bending vibration occurs. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the entire periphery of the touch panel 21 is coupled with the soft part 24b. However, the four corners of the soft part 24b are arranged so as to be divided by the hard part 24a, and the four sides of the touch panel 21 are coupled with the soft part 24b. At the same time, the four corners may be coupled by the hard portion 24a. Thus, when the four corners of the touch panel 21 are coupled by the hard portion 24a, the necessary rigidity is ensured without causing vibration attenuation as much as possible.
　また、防塵ガスケット部材２３は、上述した例では２個の振動部２２の内側に配置したが、タッチパネル２１との隙間を埋める対象となる表示部等の大きさによっては、２個の振動部２２よりも外側に配置してもよい。これにより、防塵ガスケット部材２３による振動の減衰を極力抑えることができる。なお、防塵ガスケット部材２３の配設域は、タッチパネル２１の内側に限定されることはなく、対象となる表示部等の大きさによっては、より湾曲振動の減衰に対する影響が少なくなる上部筐体２４まで入り込ませてもよい。 In addition, in the above-described example, the dust-proof gasket member 23 is disposed inside the two vibration units 22, but depending on the size of a display unit or the like that is a target for filling a gap with the touch panel 21, the two vibration units 22 are provided. You may arrange | position outside. Thereby, attenuation of the vibration by the dustproof gasket member 23 can be suppressed as much as possible. The area where the dust-proof gasket member 23 is disposed is not limited to the inner side of the touch panel 21 and the upper casing 24 is less affected by bending vibration depending on the size of the target display unit or the like. You may get in.
　さらに、本発明は、タッチパネル２１を、硬部２４ａと軟部２４ｂとを組み合わせた上部筐体２４で支持することを中心に特徴を有するものであり、その他の構成要素については、本明細書において説明した以外にも、種々の構成を採用することができる。例えば、上述した各実施の形態では、電子機器１の筐体の一部材である上部筐体２４を支持部材として説明した。しかしながら、本発明の支持部材は上述した部材に限定されるものではなく、種々の部材とすることができる。例えば、支持部材の硬部をＬＣＤや各種基板とし、軟部をＬＣＤ等に固着させたシリコーン等の弾性体としてもよい。 Further, the present invention is mainly characterized in that the touch panel 21 is supported by the upper casing 24 in which the hard part 24a and the soft part 24b are combined. The other components are described in this specification. In addition to the above, various configurations can be employed. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the upper casing 24 that is a member of the casing of the electronic device 1 has been described as a support member. However, the support member of the present invention is not limited to the members described above, and can be various members. For example, the hard portion of the support member may be an LCD or various substrates, and the soft portion may be an elastic body such as silicone that is fixed to the LCD or the like.
　また、上述した各実施の形態においては、タッチパネル２１の裏側に配置した表示部（図示せず）にオブジェクトを表示してタッチパネル２１が操作者の接触を検出する態様について説明した。しかしながら、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば表示部を有さずに、タッチパネルのアクティブエリア上にオブジェクトがインクなどにより直接印刷されているような態様を想定することもできる。 Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an aspect has been described in which an object is displayed on a display unit (not shown) disposed on the back side of the touch panel 21 and the touch panel 21 detects an operator's contact. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, it is possible to assume an aspect in which an object is directly printed with ink or the like on the active area of the touch panel without having a display unit. it can.
　そして、上記実施の形態では、タッチパネル２１を用いて、当該タッチパネル２１のアクティブエリア２１ｂに対する接触を検出した。すなわち、上記実施の形態において、「タッチパネル２１」は、いわゆるタッチセンサのような部材を想定して説明した。しかしながら、本発明による電子機器に用いるタッチパネルは、操作者の指やスタイラスペンなどの接触物により接触されるものであれば任意のものとすることができる。 And in the said embodiment, the contact with respect to the active area 21b of the said touch panel 21 was detected using the touch panel 21. FIG. That is, in the above embodiment, the “touch panel 21” has been described assuming a member such as a so-called touch sensor. However, the touch panel used in the electronic device according to the present invention may be any as long as it can be touched by a contact object such as an operator's finger or a stylus pen.
　例えば、本発明による電子機器に用いるタッチパネル２１は、アクティブエリアに対する接触物の接触の位置を検出しない（つまりセンシング機能を有さない）、単なる「パネル」のような部材とすることもできる。このような構成の電子機器においては、例えば、タッチパネルに対する押圧を検出する押圧検出部をさらに設けることにより、押圧検出部が検出する押圧に基づいて、タッチパネルに対する接触がなされたものと判定することができる。 For example, the touch panel 21 used in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention may be a member such as a simple “panel” that does not detect the position of contact of the contact object with the active area (that is, does not have a sensing function). In the electronic device having such a configuration, for example, it is possible to determine that contact with the touch panel has been made based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit by further providing a pressure detection unit that detects pressure on the touch panel. it can.
　また、上記実施の形態では、タッチパネル２１を用いて、当該タッチパネルのアクティブエリアに対する接触を検出した。しかしながら、押圧検出部がタッチパネル２１に対する押圧を検出して、当該押圧に基づいて、タッチパネル２１に対する接触がなされたものと判定することもできる。 In the above embodiment, the touch panel 21 is used to detect contact with the active area of the touch panel. However, it is also possible to determine that the touch detection unit detects a press on the touch panel 21 and that the touch panel 21 is contacted based on the press.
　上述のような押圧検出部は、タッチパネル２１のタッチ面に対する押圧を検出するもので、例えば、押圧に応じて物理的または電気的な特性（歪み、抵抗、電圧等）が変化する歪みゲージセンサや圧電素子等を任意の個数用いて構成することができる。また、振動部を圧電素子とした場合には、当該圧電素子を押圧検出部としても用いることができる。このような構成を採用して、押圧によるタッチパネル２１の歪みを検出することにより、当該歪みからタッチパネル２１に対する押圧を算出するなどの構成を想定することができる。 The above-described press detection unit detects a press on the touch surface of the touch panel 21. For example, a strain gauge sensor that changes physical or electrical characteristics (strain, resistance, voltage, etc.) according to the press, An arbitrary number of piezoelectric elements or the like can be used. Further, when the vibration unit is a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element can also be used as a press detection unit. By adopting such a configuration and detecting the distortion of the touch panel 21 due to the press, it is possible to assume a configuration such as calculating the pressure on the touch panel 21 from the distortion.
　例えば、押圧検出部が圧電素子等を用いて構成された場合、押圧検出部の圧電素子は、タッチパネル２１のタッチ面に対する押圧に係る荷重（力）の大きさ（または、荷重（力）の大きさが変化する速さ（加速度））に応じて、電気的な特性である電圧の大きさ（電圧値）が変化する。この場合、押圧検出部は、この電圧の大きさ（電圧値（以下、単にデータと称する））を制御部に通知することができる。制御部は、押圧検出部がデータを制御部に通知することにより、または、制御部が押圧検出部の圧電素子に係るデータを検出することにより、当該データを取得する。つまり、制御部は、タッチパネル２１のタッチ面に対する押圧に基づくデータを取得する。すなわち、制御部は、押圧検出部から押圧に基づくデータを取得する。そして、制御部は、押圧に基づくデータが所定の基準を満たした場合に、接触がなされたものと判定し、所定の振動を発生することができる。ここで、上記所定の基準は、表現したい押しボタンスイッチの押圧時の荷重特性に応じて適宜設定することができる。 For example, when the pressure detection unit is configured using a piezoelectric element or the like, the piezoelectric element of the pressure detection unit is a load (force) magnitude (or a load (force) magnitude) related to the pressure on the touch surface of the touch panel 21. The magnitude (voltage value) of the voltage, which is an electrical characteristic, changes according to the speed (acceleration) at which the voltage changes. In this case, the pressure detection unit can notify the control unit of the magnitude of the voltage (voltage value (hereinafter simply referred to as data)). The control unit acquires the data when the press detection unit notifies the control unit of the data, or when the control unit detects data related to the piezoelectric element of the press detection unit. That is, the control unit acquires data based on the pressure on the touch surface of the touch panel 21. That is, a control part acquires the data based on a press from a press detection part. Then, when the data based on the press satisfies a predetermined standard, the control unit can determine that contact has been made and generate a predetermined vibration. Here, the predetermined reference can be set as appropriate according to the load characteristic when the push button switch is to be expressed.
　さらに、このような押圧検出部は、タッチパネル２１における接触検出方式に応じて構成することができる。例えば、抵抗膜方式の場合には、接触面積の大きさに応じた抵抗の大きさを、タッチパネル２１のタッチ面に対する押圧の荷重（力）に対応付けることにより、歪みゲージセンサや圧電素子等を用いることなく構成することができる。あるいは、静電容量方式の場合には、静電容量の大きさを、タッチパネル２１のタッチ面に対する押圧の荷重（力）に対応付けることにより、歪みゲージセンサや圧電素子等を用いることなく構成することができる。 Furthermore, such a pressure detection unit can be configured according to a contact detection method on the touch panel 21. For example, in the case of the resistive film method, a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like is used by associating the magnitude of resistance corresponding to the magnitude of the contact area with the load (force) of pressing against the touch surface of the touch panel 21. It can be configured without. Alternatively, in the case of the capacitance method, the capacitance is configured without using a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like by associating the size of the capacitance with a load (force) of pressing against the touch surface of the touch panel 21. Can do.
　また、振動部２２は、タッチパネル２１の全面に透明圧電素子を設けて構成したり、偏心モータを駆動信号の１周期で１回転させるようにして構成したり、することもできる。さらに、押圧検出部および振動部は、圧電素子を用いて構成する場合に、圧電素子を共用して押圧検出部兼振動部を構成することもできる。圧電素子は、圧力が加わると電圧を発生し、電圧が加えられると変形するためである。 Further, the vibration unit 22 can be configured by providing a transparent piezoelectric element on the entire surface of the touch panel 21, or can be configured by rotating the eccentric motor once in one cycle of the drive signal. Furthermore, when the pressure detection unit and the vibration unit are configured using a piezoelectric element, the pressure detection unit / vibration unit may be configured by sharing the piezoelectric element. This is because the piezoelectric element generates a voltage when pressure is applied and deforms when the voltage is applied.
　また、上述したように、振動部２２は、押圧検出部も兼ねる圧電素子の電圧の大きさ（電圧値（データ））が所定の基準を満たした際に、当該圧電素子を駆動することにより振動を発生するようにもできる。ここで、圧電素子の電圧の大きさ（電圧値（データ））が所定の基準を満たした際とは、電圧値（データ）が所定の基準値に達した際であってもよいし、電圧値（データ）が所定の基準値を超えた際でもよいし、所定の基準値と等しい電圧値（データ）が検出された際でもよい。 Further, as described above, the vibration unit 22 vibrates by driving the piezoelectric element when the magnitude of the voltage (voltage value (data)) of the piezoelectric element that also serves as the pressure detection unit satisfies a predetermined reference. Can also be generated. Here, when the voltage level (voltage value (data)) of the piezoelectric element satisfies a predetermined reference, the voltage value (data) may reach a predetermined reference value, It may be when the value (data) exceeds a predetermined reference value or when a voltage value (data) equal to the predetermined reference value is detected.
　上述した実施の形態においては、タッチパネル２１を表示部の上面に重ねて配置した構成を想定して説明した。本発明による電子機器は、このような構成にすることは必須ではなく、タッチパネルと表示部とを離間した構成にすることもできる。しかしながら、タッチパネルを表示部の上面に重ねて配置した構成とする方が、表示される画像と発生する振動との対応関係を、操作者に容易に認識させることができる。 In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made assuming a configuration in which the touch panel 21 is placed on the upper surface of the display unit. The electronic apparatus according to the present invention does not necessarily have such a configuration, and the touch panel and the display unit can be separated from each other. However, the configuration in which the touch panel is arranged so as to overlap the upper surface of the display unit allows the operator to easily recognize the correspondence between the displayed image and the generated vibration.
　また、本実施の形態の説明における表示部およびタッチパネルは、表示部と接触検出部との両機能を共通の基板に持たせる等により、一体化した装置によって構成されるようにしてもよい。このように表示部と接触検出部との両機能を一体化した装置の構成の一例としては、液晶パネルが有するマトリクス状配列の画素電極群に、フォトダイオード等の複数の光電変換素子を規則的に混在させたものを挙げることができる。この装置は、液晶パネル構造によって画像を表示する一方で、パネル表面の所望位置をタッチ入力するペンの先端で液晶表示用のバックライトの光を反射し、この反射光を周辺の光電変換素子が受光することによって、タッチ位置を検出することができる。 Further, the display unit and the touch panel in the description of the present embodiment may be configured by an integrated device, for example, by providing both functions of the display unit and the contact detection unit on a common substrate. As an example of the configuration of the device in which both functions of the display unit and the contact detection unit are integrated as described above, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes are regularly arranged in a matrix electrode array of pixel electrodes included in the liquid crystal panel. Can be mentioned. This device displays an image with a liquid crystal panel structure, while reflecting the light of a backlight for liquid crystal display at the tip of a pen that touches and inputs a desired position on the surface of the panel. The reflected light is reflected by peripheral photoelectric conversion elements. The touch position can be detected by receiving the light.
　なお、振動部２２は、振動モータ（偏心モータ）などに基づいて電子機器を振動させることにより、タッチパネルを間接的に振動させるように構成してもよい。 The vibration unit 22 may be configured to indirectly vibrate the touch panel by vibrating the electronic device based on a vibration motor (eccentric motor) or the like.
　また、上記実施形態では、センシング機能を有するタッチパネルを備え、操作感をフィードバックする携帯電話端末を挙げたが、本発明はこれに限定されない。以下、本発明を適用できる別の電子機器について説明する。 In the above embodiment, a mobile phone terminal that includes a touch panel having a sensing function and feeds back a feeling of operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied will be described.
　例えば、本発明に係る電子機器は、タッチパネルや表示部を保護するカバーパネル等のパネルに貼り付けられた圧電素子に所定の音声信号に応じた電気信号を印加することで、パネルに振動を発生させる電子機器でもよい。このような電子機器は、当該振動させたパネルに、利用者の体の一部（例えば外耳の軟骨）を接触させても、利用者に対して音を伝えることができる。 For example, the electronic device according to the present invention generates vibration on a panel by applying an electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined audio signal to a piezoelectric element attached to a panel such as a touch panel or a cover panel that protects a display unit. It may be an electronic device. Such an electronic device can transmit sound to the user even when a part of the user's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear) is brought into contact with the vibrated panel.
　以下に述べる携帯電話機１００は、本発明を適用することができる電子機器の例として挙げたものであるから、図に示す構成に限定されない。携帯電話機１００の構成は、本発明を適用するのに支障がない範囲内で適宜変更され得る。 The mobile phone 100 described below is given as an example of an electronic device to which the present invention can be applied, and is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure. The configuration of the mobile phone 100 can be appropriately changed within a range that does not hinder the application of the present invention.
　図９は、本発明を適用できる別の電子機器を示す図である。図９（ａ）は正面図、図９（ｂ）は図９（ａ）におけるｂ－ｂ線に沿った断面図である。 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 9A is a front view, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. 9A.
　図９に示すように、本発明を適用できる別の電子機器としての携帯電話機１００は、筺体１１０と、パネル１２０と、表示部１３０と、圧電素子１４０とを備える。表示部１３０および圧電素子１４０は、それぞれ接合部材１５０によりパネル１２０に接着されている。パネル１２０、表示部１３０および圧電素子１４０は、それぞれ略長方形状である。圧電素子１４０における接合部材１５０との接触領域は、圧電素子の一方側主面のほぼ全面であってもよい。この場合、例えば圧電素子の両端だけを圧電素子における接合部材との接触領域とした場合に比較して、圧電素子１４０における振動が、効率よくパネル１２０に伝達され、パネル１２０を人体に接触させても減衰してしまわない十分な強度で、パネル１２０を湾曲振動させることができる。 As shown in FIG. 9, a mobile phone 100 as another electronic device to which the present invention can be applied includes a casing 110, a panel 120, a display unit 130, and a piezoelectric element 140. The display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are each bonded to the panel 120 by a bonding member 150. The panel 120, the display unit 130, and the piezoelectric element 140 are each substantially rectangular. The contact area of the piezoelectric element 140 with the bonding member 150 may be substantially the entire main surface on one side of the piezoelectric element. In this case, for example, compared with a case where only both ends of the piezoelectric element are used as contact regions with the bonding member in the piezoelectric element, vibrations in the piezoelectric element 140 are efficiently transmitted to the panel 120 and the panel 120 is brought into contact with the human body. The panel 120 can be curved and vibrated with sufficient strength so as not to be attenuated.
　図９（ａ）に示すように、表示部１３０は、パネル１２０の短手方向におけるほぼ中央に配置される。圧電素子１４０は、パネル１２０の長手方向の端部から所定の距離だけ離間して、当該端部の近傍に、圧電素子１４０の長手方向がパネル１２０の短辺に沿うように配置される。表示部１３０と圧電素子１４０とは、パネル１２０の内部側の面に平行な方向において並んで配置される。例えばパネル１２０と表示部１３０とが重畳しない構成である場合、圧電素子１４０は、パネル１２０の中央に配設されてもよい。圧電素子１４０がパネル１２０の中央に配設された場合、圧電素子１４０の振動がパネル１２０全体に均等に伝わり、利用者が耳をパネル１２０の様々な位置に接触させた場合でも音声を認識することができる。尚、上述の実施形態と同様に、圧電素子は複数個搭載してもよい。 As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the display unit 130 is disposed substantially at the center of the panel 120 in the short direction. The piezoelectric element 140 is disposed at a predetermined distance from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the panel 120, and is disposed in the vicinity of the end portion so that the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element 140 is along the short side of the panel 120. The display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the panel 120. For example, when the panel 120 and the display unit 130 are configured not to overlap each other, the piezoelectric element 140 may be disposed at the center of the panel 120. When the piezoelectric element 140 is disposed at the center of the panel 120, the vibration of the piezoelectric element 140 is evenly transmitted to the entire panel 120, and even when the user touches the ear to various positions of the panel 120, the voice is recognized. be able to. Similar to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of piezoelectric elements may be mounted.
　図９に示すように、筺体１１０は、硬部１１０ａと軟部１１０ｂとを有する。硬部１１０ａは、例えばポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）樹脂やアクリロニトリル・ブタジエン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）樹脂等の硬度の高い材料で形成されており、軟部１１０ｂは、例えばシリコーン等の、硬部１１０ａと比較して硬度の低い材料で形成されている。硬部１１０ａと軟部１１０ｂとは、２色成形により製造されてもよい。また、筐体１１０は、硬部１１０ａの中央部に開口を備えていて、その開口の端縁に軟部１１０ｂと結合している。そして、パネル１２０は、その端縁が、軟部１１０ｂに取り付けられている。 As shown in FIG. 9, the housing 110 has a hard part 110a and a soft part 110b. The hard part 110a is made of a material having high hardness such as polycarbonate (PC) resin or acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS) resin, and the soft part 110b is harder than the hard part 110a such as silicone. It is made of a low material. The hard part 110a and the soft part 110b may be manufactured by two-color molding. Moreover, the housing | casing 110 is equipped with the opening in the center part of the hard part 110a, and is couple | bonding with the soft part 110b at the edge of the opening. And the edge of the panel 120 is attached to the soft part 110b.
　パネル１２０は、例えばタッチパネルの場合、タッチパネルに対する指、ペン、又はスタイラスペン等の接触を検出する。タッチパネルの検出方式は、静電容量方式、抵抗膜方式、表面弾性波方式（又は超音波方式）、赤外線方式、電磁誘導方式、及び荷重検出方式等の任意の方式でよい。パネル１２０は、表示部１３０を保護するための保護パネルでもよい。またパネル１２０の材質は、例えばガラスや合成樹脂からなり、板状体からなればよい。 For example, in the case of a touch panel, the panel 120 detects contact of a finger, a pen, a stylus pen, or the like with respect to the touch panel. The touch panel detection method may be any method such as a capacitance method, a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method (or an ultrasonic method), an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a load detection method. The panel 120 may be a protective panel for protecting the display unit 130. The material of the panel 120 is made of, for example, glass or synthetic resin, and may be a plate-like body.
　表示部１３０は、液晶ディスプレイ、有機ＥＬディスプレイ、又は無機ＥＬディスプレイ等の表示デバイスである。 The display unit 130 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an inorganic EL display.
　圧電素子１４０は、電圧を印加することで、構成材料の電気機械結合係数に従い伸縮する素子である。圧電素子１４０は、ユニモルフ、バイモルフまたは積層型圧電素子であってよい。積層型圧電素子には、バイモルフを積層した（例えば１６層または２４層積層した）積層型バイモルフ素子が含まれる。積層型の圧電素子の場合、例えばPZT（チタン酸ジルコン酸鉛）からなる複数の誘電体層と、該誘電体層間に配置された電極層との積層構造体から構成される。 The piezoelectric element 140 is an element that expands and contracts according to the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the constituent material when a voltage is applied. The piezoelectric element 140 may be a unimorph, bimorph, or multilayer piezoelectric element. The stacked piezoelectric element includes a stacked bimorph element in which bimorphs are stacked (for example, 16 layers or 24 layers are stacked). In the case of a laminated piezoelectric element, it is composed of a laminated structure of a plurality of dielectric layers made of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and electrode layers arranged between the dielectric layers.
　接合部材１５０は、熱硬化性あるいは紫外線硬化性等を有する接着剤や両面テープ等である。例えば無色透明のアクリル系紫外線硬化型接着剤である光学弾性樹脂でもよい。 The bonding member 150 is an adhesive or double-sided tape having thermosetting property or ultraviolet curable property. For example, an optical elastic resin which is a colorless and transparent acrylic ultraviolet curable adhesive may be used.
　上記の携帯電話機１００によれば、パネル１２０がその全周にわたって筺体１１０の軟部１１０ｂに固着されるので、携帯電話機１００の内部に埃または水が侵入することを低減するとともに、パネル１２０の振動の減衰を低減することができる。 According to the mobile phone 100 described above, since the panel 120 is fixed to the soft part 110b of the casing 110 over the entire circumference, the intrusion of dust or water into the mobile phone 100 is reduced, and the vibration of the panel 120 is reduced. Attenuation can be reduced.
　以上の構成を有する携帯電話機１００は、圧電素子１４０の伸縮に起因して振動するパネル１２０に利用者の体の一部が接触しても利用者に対して音を伝えることができる。 The cellular phone 100 having the above configuration can transmit sound to the user even if a part of the user's body comes into contact with the panel 120 that vibrates due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element 140.
　圧電素子１４０は、例えば不図示の制御部から出力される電気信号に基づいて長手方向に伸縮（湾曲）する。圧電素子１４０は接合部材１５０によりパネル１２０に貼り付けられているため、パネル１２０は圧電素子１４０の伸縮に伴って振動する。パネル１２０は、圧電素子１４０が取り付けられた取付領域だけでなく、取付領域から離れた領域も振動する。パネル１２０は、ある瞬間において、振動の振幅が相対的に大きい部分と振動の振幅が相対的に小さい部分とがパネル全体にランダムに分布した振動をする。即ちパネル全域にわたって、複数の波の振動が検出される。 The piezoelectric element 140 expands and contracts (curves) in the longitudinal direction based on, for example, an electric signal output from a control unit (not shown). Since the piezoelectric element 140 is attached to the panel 120 by the bonding member 150, the panel 120 vibrates as the piezoelectric element 140 expands and contracts. The panel 120 vibrates not only in the attachment region to which the piezoelectric element 140 is attached, but also in a region away from the attachment region. At a certain moment, the panel 120 vibrates in such a manner that a portion having a relatively large vibration amplitude and a portion having a relatively small vibration amplitude are randomly distributed throughout the panel. That is, vibrations of a plurality of waves are detected over the entire panel.
　上記の携帯電話機１００は、圧電素子に所定の電気信号（音声信号）を印加することで、タッチパネルや表示部を保護するカバーパネル等のパネルに振動を発生させ、当該振動させたパネルに、利用者の体の一部（例えば外耳の軟骨）を接触させることにより、利用者に対して音を伝えることができる。 The mobile phone 100 generates a vibration in a panel such as a cover panel that protects the touch panel or the display unit by applying a predetermined electrical signal (audio signal) to the piezoelectric element, and is used for the panel that has been vibrated. A sound can be transmitted to the user by contacting a part of the person's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear).
　上記の携帯電話機１００のパネルによる出力音は、通話相手の音声または着信メロディもしくは音楽を含む楽曲等であることが想定される。楽曲は、内部メモリに記憶された音楽データに基づいて再生されるものでもよいし、外部サーバ等に記憶されている音楽データがネットワークを介して再生されるものであってもよい。 It is assumed that the output sound from the panel of the mobile phone 100 is the voice of the other party, the incoming melody or music including music. The music may be played based on music data stored in an internal memory, or music data stored in an external server or the like may be played back via a network.
　圧電素子の伸縮に起因するパネルの振動に基づいて音を出力する場合、高音域に比べて低音域が聞こえにくいことが多い。そのため、低音域のみを増幅するようアンプを制御してよい。 When outputting sound based on panel vibration caused by expansion and contraction of piezoelectric elements, it is often difficult to hear the low range compared to the high range. Therefore, the amplifier may be controlled to amplify only the low sound range.
　パネルの振動により利用者に音を伝える場合、別途ダイナミックスピーカを備える必要がなければ、音声伝達のための開口部（放音口）を筐体に形成する必要がなく、電子機器の防水・防塵構造が簡素化できる。尚、ダイナミックスピーカを別途備えてもよい。この場合、ダイナミックスピーカの放音口は、気体は通すが液体は通さない防水シート、例えばゴアテックス（商標）等により閉鎖されるとよい。 When transmitting sound to the user by vibration of the panel, if it is not necessary to provide a separate dynamic speaker, it is not necessary to form an opening (sound outlet) for sound transmission in the housing, and waterproof and dustproof electronic equipment The structure can be simplified. A dynamic speaker may be provided separately. In this case, the sound outlet of the dynamic speaker may be closed by a waterproof sheet that allows gas to pass but not liquid, such as Gore-Tex (trademark).
　圧電素子は、パネルにおける圧電素子が取り付けられた取付領域だけでなく、パネルにおける当該取付領域から離れた領域も振動させる。そのため、利用者は、パネルの任意の位置に耳を接触させて音を聞くことができる。ここで、利用者の耳よりも広い面積を有するパネルを採用することで、利用者は、利用者の耳とほぼ同じ大きさあるいは利用者の耳よりも大きさのパネルを備える電子機器を、耳全体が覆われるように接触させることで、周囲音（ノイズ）が外耳道に入ることを低減しつつ、電子機器から出力される音を聞くことができる。パネルは、耳輪から耳珠および対耳珠までの間の距離に相当する長さと、耳輪脚から対耳輪までの間の距離に相当する幅とを有する領域よりも広い領域が振動すればよい。平均的な耳の大きさは、例えば日本人であれば、社団法人　人間生活工学研究センター（ＨＱＬ）作成の日本人の人体寸法データベース（１９９２－１９９４）等を参照すれば知ることができる。尚、概ね、日本人の耳の大きさを目安にパネルを作製すれば、外国人にも適用可能と考えられる。 Piezoelectric element vibrates not only the attachment area of the panel where the piezoelectric element is attached, but also the area away from the attachment area of the panel. Therefore, the user can hear the sound by touching the ear to an arbitrary position on the panel. Here, by adopting a panel having a larger area than the user's ear, the user can attach an electronic device having a panel that is almost the same size as the user's ear or larger than the user's ear to the entire ear. By making contact so as to be covered, it is possible to hear the sound output from the electronic device while reducing ambient sound (noise) from entering the ear canal. The panel may oscillate in a region wider than a region having a length corresponding to the distance from the earring to the tragus and the antitragus and a width corresponding to the distance from the earring leg to the antitragus. The average ear size can be found, for example, by referring to the Japanese human body size database (1992-1994) created by the Human Life Engineering Research Center (HQL). In general, if a panel is made with the size of Japanese ears as a guide, it can be applied to foreigners.
　上記の携帯電話機１００は、利用者の体の一部（例えば外耳の軟骨）を介して振動によって利用者に音を伝えることができるものであるため、ダイナミックスピーカと比較して空気の振動により周囲へ伝わる音が少ない。したがって、例えば録音されたメッセージを電車内等で聞く場合に適している。 The mobile phone 100 described above can transmit sound to the user by vibration through a part of the user's body (for example, cartilage of the outer ear). There is little sound transmitted to. Therefore, it is suitable for listening to a recorded message on a train or the like.
　また、上記の携帯電話機１００は、パネル１２０の振動によって音を伝えるため、例えば利用者がイヤホンまたはヘッドホンを身につけていても、それらに電子機器を接触させることで、利用者はイヤホンまたはヘッドホンおよび体の一部を介して音を聞くことができる。 In addition, since the mobile phone 100 transmits sound by the vibration of the panel 120, for example, even if the user wears an earphone or a headphone, the user can contact the electronic device with the earphone or the headphone. You can hear sound through your body part.
　また、上記の携帯電話機１００においては、表示部１３０と圧電素子１４０とは、パネル１２０の内部側の面に平行な方向において並んで配置される。表示部１３０がパネル１２０に取り付けられていることで、パネル１２０の下部（図９において下側）の剛性が上がり、圧電素子１４０が貼り付けられたパネル１２０の上部（図９において上側）の振動をパネル１２０の下部に比して大きく振動させることが可能となる。そのため、パネル１２０の振動を利用者に効率よく伝えることが可能となる。 Further, in the mobile phone 100 described above, the display unit 130 and the piezoelectric element 140 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the panel 120. Since the display unit 130 is attached to the panel 120, the rigidity of the lower part (lower side in FIG. 9) of the panel 120 is increased, and the vibration of the upper part (upper side in FIG. 9) of the panel 120 to which the piezoelectric element 140 is attached. Can be vibrated greatly in comparison with the lower part of the panel 120. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration of the panel 120 to the user.
　尚、このように振動しているパネルを人体に接触させて音を伝えようとする場合、圧電素子に印加される電圧は、通常の所謂パネルスピーカに搭載される圧電素子に印加される電圧よりも高く設定するとよい。これは、パネルの筺体に対する支持構造が大きく異なることに起因する。例えば、日本国特許公開公報：特開２０１０－１１４８６６に開示されたパネルスピーカの場合、パネル自体は大きく変形せず、パネルの板厚方向に、パネル全体が一体として平行移動をするように、長手方向の両端で筺体に、フィルム状部材や伸び縮み可能なゴム部材、スプリング部材等により支持される。これに対して、上記の携帯電話機１００は、パネル１２０の外周部全体が接合部材１５０により筺体１１０に接着されて支持される構造である。すなわち、携帯電話機１００のパネル１２０は、上記文献に記載されたパネルスピーカのパネルに比して、筺体に対して強固に固定されている。即ち、筺体の軟部１１０ｂは、所謂パネルスピーカを保持するフィルム状部材や伸び縮み可能なゴム部材、スプリング部材等によりも、十分な硬度を有する材料が選択される。したがって、携帯電話機１００の圧電素子１４０に印加される電圧は、通常の所謂パネルスピーカに搭載される圧電素子に印加される電圧よりも高い。 In addition, when transmitting a sound by bringing the vibrating panel into contact with the human body, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is higher than the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element mounted on a normal so-called panel speaker. Should be set higher. This is due to the fact that the support structure for the panel housing is greatly different. For example, in the case of the panel speaker disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-1114866, the panel itself is not greatly deformed, and the entire panel is moved in parallel in the thickness direction of the panel. It is supported on the housing at both ends in the direction by a film-like member, a stretchable rubber member, a spring member, or the like. On the other hand, the mobile phone 100 has a structure in which the entire outer periphery of the panel 120 is supported by being bonded to the casing 110 by the joining member 150. That is, the panel 120 of the mobile phone 100 is firmly fixed to the housing as compared with the panel speaker panel described in the above document. That is, a material having a sufficient hardness is selected for the soft portion 110b of the housing, such as a film-like member that holds a so-called panel speaker, a rubber member that can be expanded and contracted, a spring member, and the like. Therefore, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 140 of the mobile phone 100 is higher than the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element mounted on a normal so-called panel speaker.
　以上、携帯電話機１００について説明したが、当該携帯電話機１００は、上述した構成に限られることなく、構成に関して種々の変更が可能である。図１０は、本発明を適用できる別の電子機器の変形例を示す図である。図１０（ａ）は正面図、図１０（ｂ）は図１０（ａ）におけるｂ－ｂ線に沿った断面図、図１０（ｃ）は図１０（ａ）におけるｃ－ｃ線に沿った断面図である。 The mobile phone 100 has been described above, but the mobile phone 100 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various changes can be made regarding the configuration. FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of another electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. 10 (a) is a front view, FIG. 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. 10 (a), and FIG. 10 (c) is taken along line cc in FIG. 10 (a). It is sectional drawing.
　図１０に示すように、圧電素子１４０とパネル１２０との間には、中間部材１６０が配置されてもよい。この場合、圧電素子１４０と中間部材１６０とが接合部材１５０により接着され、さらに中間部材１６０とパネル１２０とが接合部材１５０で接着される構造であってもよい。接合部材１５０は、上記した各種接着剤または両面テープであってよい。 As illustrated in FIG. 10, an intermediate member 160 may be disposed between the piezoelectric element 140 and the panel 120. In this case, the piezoelectric element 140 and the intermediate member 160 may be bonded by the bonding member 150, and the intermediate member 160 and the panel 120 may be bonded by the bonding member 150. The joining member 150 may be the above-described various adhesives or double-sided tape.
　中間部材１６０は、例えば樹脂製の板、板金またはガラス繊維を含む樹脂製の板である。圧電素子１４０とパネル１２０との間に中間部材１６０を配置することで、例えばパネル１２０に外力が加わった場合に、その外力が圧電素子に伝達され圧電素子が破損する可能性を低減することができる。また、圧電素子１４０とパネル１２０との間に中間部材１６０を配置することで、パネル１２０の共振周波数が下がり、低周波帯域の音響特性が向上する。尚、中間部材１６０に換えて、板状の錘を接合部材１５０により圧電素子１４０に取り付けてもよい。これにより、人体にパネルを強く接触させても、パネルの振動が減衰しにくくできる。 The intermediate member 160 is, for example, a resin plate, a sheet metal, or a resin plate containing glass fiber. By disposing the intermediate member 160 between the piezoelectric element 140 and the panel 120, for example, when an external force is applied to the panel 120, the possibility that the external force is transmitted to the piezoelectric element and the piezoelectric element is damaged can be reduced. it can. Further, by disposing the intermediate member 160 between the piezoelectric element 140 and the panel 120, the resonance frequency of the panel 120 is lowered, and the acoustic characteristics in the low frequency band are improved. Instead of the intermediate member 160, a plate-like weight may be attached to the piezoelectric element 140 by the joining member 150. Thereby, even if the panel is brought into strong contact with the human body, the vibration of the panel can be hardly attenuated.
　また、上記の携帯電話機１００においては、圧電素子はパネルに貼り付けられているが、パネルと異なる場所に取り付けられてもよい。例えば、圧電素子は、筺体に取り付けられてバッテリを覆うバッテリリッドに貼り付けられてもよい。バッテリリッドは携帯電話機においてパネルと異なる面に取り付けられることが多いため、そのような構成によれば、利用者はパネルと異なる面に体の一部（例えば耳）を接触させて音を聞くことができる。 Further, in the mobile phone 100 described above, the piezoelectric element is attached to the panel, but may be attached to a location different from the panel. For example, the piezoelectric element may be attached to a battery lid that is attached to the housing and covers the battery. Since the battery lid is often attached to a surface different from the panel in the mobile phone, according to such a configuration, the user listens to the sound by touching a part of the body (for example, an ear) to a surface different from the panel. Can do.
　上記のような、利用者の体の一部（例えば外耳の軟骨）を介して利用者に対して音を伝える電子機器は、振動するパネルに接触する利用者の体の一部を介して伝導する音（人体伝導音）およびパネルの振動に起因するパネル近傍の空気の振動（気導音）の両方を利用者に伝えるものであってもよい。 Electronic devices that transmit sound to the user through a part of the user's body (for example, the cartilage of the outer ear) as described above are conducted through the part of the user's body that contacts the vibrating panel. It is also possible to transmit to the user both the sound to be heard (human body conduction sound) and the vibration of the air in the vicinity of the panel (air conduction sound) caused by the vibration of the panel.
　ここまで、本発明の複数の実施形態について説明したが、当然ながら各実施形態の構成同士を適宜組み合わせることは可能である。 So far, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described, but it is naturally possible to appropriately combine the configurations of the embodiments.
　１　　　電子機器
　１０　　下部筐体
　２０　　上部筐体アセンブリ
　２１　　タッチパネル
　２１ａ　タッチパネルの短辺側の端縁
　２１ｂ　アクティブエリア
　２１ｃ　タッチパネルの長辺側の端縁
　２２　　振動部
　２３　　防塵ガスケット部材
　２４　　上部筐体（支持部材）
　２４ａ　硬部
　２４ｂ　軟部
　２４ａ１　短辺側の開口端縁
　２４ａ２　長辺側の開口端縁
　１００　携帯電話機
　１１０　筺体
　１１０ａ　硬部
　１１０ｂ　軟部
　１２０　パネル
　１３０　表示部
　１４０　圧電素子
　１５０　接合部材
　１６０　中間部材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Lower housing | casing 20 Upper housing | casing assembly 21 Touch panel 21a The edge of the short side of a touch panel 21b Active area 21c The edge of the long side of a touch panel 22 Vibrating part 23 Dust-proof gasket member 24 Upper housing (support member)
24a Hard part 24b Soft part 24a1 Open edge on the short side 24a2 Open edge on the long side 100 Cellular phone 110 Housing 110a Hard part 110b Soft part 120 Panel 130 Display part 140 Piezoelectric element 150 Joining member 160 Intermediate member

Claims (4)

  1. 　パネルと、
    　前記パネルに配設されて当該パネルを湾曲振動させる振動部と、
    　前記パネルを支持する支持部材と、を備えた電子機器であって、
    　前記支持部材は、硬度の異なる硬部と軟部との少なくとも２つの部位で構成され、
    　前記パネルの端縁が、前記軟部に取り付けられることを特徴とする電子機器。     A panel,
    A vibrating portion disposed on the panel and causing the panel to bend and vibrate;
    An electronic device comprising a support member for supporting the panel,
    The support member is composed of at least two parts of a hard part and a soft part having different hardnesses,
    An electronic device, wherein an edge of the panel is attached to the soft part.
  2. 　前記振動部は、前記パネルに配設された圧電素子である、ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の電子機器。 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is a piezoelectric element disposed on the panel.
  3. 　前記軟部の長さは、当該軟部に取り付けられる前記パネルの端縁の長さよりも長い、ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の電子機器。 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the soft part is longer than a length of an edge of the panel attached to the soft part.
  4. 　前記パネルは、利用者の耳全体を覆うことができる程度の大きさである
    　請求項１に記載の電子機器。     The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the panel is large enough to cover an entire user's ear.
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