DESCRIPTION JP2016192776

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DESCRIPTION JP2016192776
Abstract: To provide an electronic device in which the position of a volume generation area is
controlled. An electronic device has an exterior portion exposed to the outside, a piezoelectric
vibration element located inside the exterior portion, and the piezoelectric vibration element on
the main surface, and the piezoelectric vibration element is used to generate sound. The vibration
unit includes: a vibration unit that vibrates; and a buffer unit that is in contact with the main
surface and is separated from the periphery of the main surface, and the piezoelectric vibration
element is interposed between the vibration unit and the periphery. The electronic device may
further include a proximity detection unit and a display unit inside the exterior unit, and the
buffer unit may be located between the proximity detection unit and the display unit. [Selected
figure] Figure 11
Electronics
[0001]
The present invention relates to an electronic device that transmits sound to a user.
[0002]
Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for electronic devices.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for transmitting a sound to a user of a
telephone by attaching a piezoelectric vibration element to a cover panel of a telephone such as a
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mobile phone or a fixed telephone and vibrating the piezoelectric vibration element. Have been
described.
[0003]
Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2013-131987
[0004]
In the case of an electronic device in which a piezoelectric vibration element is attached to a
cover panel, sound is generated from the entire surface of the cover panel.
However, the sound generated from the cover panel as the vibration unit has a variation in
volume distribution at each location of the cover panel.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to
provide an electronic device in which the position of the volume generation area is controlled.
[0006]
An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an exterior
portion exposed to the outside, a piezoelectric vibration element positioned inside the exterior
portion, and the piezoelectric vibration element on the main surface, and the piezoelectric
vibration for sound generation. The vibration unit includes: a vibration unit that vibrates by an
element; and a buffer unit that is in contact with the main surface and is separated from the
periphery of the main surface, and the piezoelectric vibration element is interposed between the
periphery and the periphery.
[0007]
A proximity detection unit and a display unit may be further provided inside the exterior unit,
and the buffer unit may be located between the proximity detection unit and the display unit.
[0008]
The buffer unit may be configured such that a portion that comes out between the proximity
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detection unit and the display unit is in contact with the vibration unit.
[0009]
The electronic device may further include a wireless communication antenna at a lower portion.
[0010]
The buffer may include a cushioning material.
[0011]
The vibrating portion may be a cover panel.
[0012]
When an application that generates sound is activated, an image may be displayed informing a
place where sound can be easily heard.
[0013]
As described above, by disposing the buffer section at a specific position of the vibrating section,
the position of the sound generation area can be controlled to an appropriate position.
[0014]
It is a figure showing the front among the appearances of electronic equipment.
It is a figure which shows the back surface among the external appearances of an electronic
device.
It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an electronic device.
It is a top view which shows a piezoelectric vibration element.
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It is a side view showing a piezoelectric vibration element.
It is a figure which shows a mode that a piezoelectric vibration element bends.
It is a figure which shows a mode that a piezoelectric vibration element bends.
It is a figure for demonstrating air conduction sound and conduction sound.
(A) is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device.
(B) is a figure which shows the cover panel 1, the buffer part 6, the touch panel 53, and the
piezoelectric vibration element 55 when planarly viewing (a) from the back surface side of the
cover panel 1. FIG. (A) And (b) shows the modification of FIG. 9, and all are figures which show
the cover panel 1, the buffer part 6, the touch panel 53, and the piezoelectric vibration element
55 when planarly viewing from the back surface side of the cover panel 1. It is. (A) And (b) is a
figure which shows the modification of (a) and (b) of FIG. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the
comparative example of the electronic device shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the sound
volume maximum point with respect to the distance from the upper end of an electronic device
about each of the electronic device shown to FIG. 11 and FIG. It is a figure which shows the
screen in process of telephone call of an electronic device.
[0015]
<External Appearance of Electronic Device> The electronic device 100 according to the present
embodiment shown in the drawings is, for example, a mobile phone.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 includes a cover panel 1 as a vibrating portion and
a case portion 2 as an exterior portion, and the cover panel 1 and the case portion 2 are
combined to obtain a plan view. A substantially rectangular plate-like device case 3 is configured.
[0017]
The cover panel 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and constitutes a portion
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of the front portion of the electronic device 100 other than the peripheral portion.
[0018]
The cover panel 1 is transparent, and is made of, for example, glass, acrylic resin, sapphire
crystal or the like.
Here, "transparent" means that the transmittance to visible light is 70% to 100%.
Moreover, the above-mentioned sapphire crystal consists of an aluminum oxide (AlO3) crystal |
crystallization, and means what was manufactured industrially.
[0019]
The case portion 2 constitutes a peripheral portion, a side portion and a back portion of the front
portion of the electronic device 100.
Case part 2 is formed, for example with polycarbonate resin. As resin which forms case 3,
polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, or nylon resin is adopted, for example. Case part 2 may be
constituted only by one member, and a plurality of members may be combined and constituted.
[0020]
The cover panel 1 is provided with a display portion 1a on which various information such as
characters, symbols and figures are displayed. The display portion 1a has, for example, a
rectangular shape in plan view. The peripheral portion 1b surrounding the display portion 1a in
the cover panel 1 is black, for example, by sticking a film or the like, and is a non-display portion
where no information is displayed. A touch panel 53 described later is attached to the inner main
surface of the cover panel 1, and the user gives various instructions to the electronic device 100
by operating the display portion 1 a of the cover panel 1 with a finger or the like. be able to.
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[0021]
The device case 3 is provided with an operation unit 54 such as an operation button. The
operation button is a so-called "hard key". The surface of the operation button is exposed from
the lower end of the outer major surface 10 of the cover panel 1. The operation unit 54 may be
plural.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, a piezoelectric vibration element 55 described later is provided inside the
device case 3.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the device case 3 is provided with a microphone hole 20.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, a speaker hole 21 is provided on the back surface 101 of the electronic
device 100, in other words, on the back surface of the device case 3.
Further, from the back surface 101 of the electronic device 100, an imaging lens 58a included in
an imaging unit 58 described later is exposed.
[0025]
In addition, although the speaker hole 21 is shown as an example of FIG. 2 in order to output the
sound of a speaker, when the film speaker etc. which provided the piezoelectric vibration element
as a speaker are employ | adopted, even if it does not provide the speaker hole 21. Good.
[0026]
Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the microphone hole 20 is provided to collect sound in the
microphone, but it is not necessary to provide the microphone hole 21 as long as the sound can
be converted into an electric signal without providing the hole.
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[0027]
Electrical Configuration of Electronic Device FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical
configuration of the electronic device 100. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 includes a control unit 50, a wireless
communication unit 51, a display panel 52 as a display unit, a touch panel 53 as a proximity
detection unit, an operation unit 54, a piezoelectric vibrating element 55, and an external
speaker 56. , A microphone 57, an imaging unit 58, and a battery 59, and these components are
housed in the device case 3.
[0028]
The control unit 50 includes a CPU 50a, a storage unit 50b, and the like, and centrally controls
the operation of the electronic device 100 by controlling other components of the electronic
device 100.
The storage unit 50 b is configured of a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
In the control unit 50, various functional blocks are formed by the CPU 50a executing various
programs in the storage unit 50b.
[0029]
The wireless communication unit 51 receives a signal from a communication apparatus such as a
mobile phone different from the electronic device 100 or a web server connected to the Internet
via the base station via the antenna 51a. The wireless communication unit 51 performs
amplification processing and down conversion on the received signal and outputs the result to
the control unit 50. The control unit 50 performs demodulation processing and the like on the
received signal to be input, and acquires a sound signal and the like indicating voice, music and
the like included in the received signal. The wireless communication unit 51 performs upconversion and amplification processing on the transmission signal including the sound signal
and the like generated by the control unit 50, and wirelessly transmits the processed
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transmission signal from the antenna 51a. A transmission signal from the antenna 51a is
received through a base station by a portable telephone different from the electronic device 100
or a communication device connected to the Internet.
[0030]
The display panel 52 as a display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic
EL panel, and is controlled by the control unit 50 to display various information such as
characters, symbols, and figures. The information displayed on the display panel 52 is displayed
on the display portion 1 a of the cover panel 1 so that the information can be viewed by the user
of the electronic device 100.
[0031]
The touch panel 53 as the proximity detection unit is, for example, a projected capacitance type
touch panel, and detects a user's operation on the display portion 1 a of the cover panel 1. The
touch panel 53 is attached to the inner main surface of the cover panel 1 and includes two sheetlike electrode sensors disposed to face each other. The two electrode sensors are bonded
together by a transparent adhesive sheet.
[0032]
On one electrode sensor, a plurality of elongated X electrodes extending in the X-axis direction
(for example, the left-right direction of the electronic device 100) and arranged in parallel with
each other are formed. The other electrode sensor is formed with a plurality of elongated Y
electrodes which extend in the Y-axis direction (for example, the vertical direction of the
electronic device 100) and are arranged in parallel with each other. When the user's finger
contacts the display portion 1 a of the cover panel 1, the capacitance between the X electrode
and the Y electrode under the contact point changes to display the cover panel 1 on the touch
panel 53. An operation on the part 1a is detected. The capacitance change between the X
electrode and the Y electrode occurring in the touch panel 53 is transmitted to the control unit
50, and the control unit 50 is performed on the display portion 1a of the cover panel 1 based on
the capacitance change. Identify the content of the operation and perform the operation
according to it.
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[0033]
In addition, although the touch panel was mentioned as above-mentioned as a proximity
detection part, this Embodiment is not limited to it. For example, the proximity detection unit also
includes a tactile sensor that vibrates or gives a tactile sensation such as a protrusion to a finger
when the user's finger touches. Further, the proximity detection unit is not limited to a touch
panel that detects a touch, and may include a proximity detection unit that detects proximity
without touching. For example, a proximity sensor etc. are mentioned. In addition, it may be a
capacitance type proximity detection device that can more sensitively receive a change in
capacitance than a capacitance touch panel.
[0034]
When the user presses the operation button, the operation unit 54 outputs, to the control unit
50, an operation signal indicating that the operation button has been pressed. The control unit
50 specifies whether the operation button has been operated based on the input operation signal,
and performs an operation according to the operated operation button.
[0035]
The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is for transmitting a receiving sound to the user of the
electronic device 100. The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is vibrated by the drive voltage
supplied from the control unit 50. The control unit 50 generates a drive voltage based on a
sound signal indicating a reception sound, and applies the drive voltage to the piezoelectric
vibration element 55. The piezoelectric vibration element 55 is vibrated by the control unit 50
based on the sound signal indicating the receiving sound, whereby the receiving sound is
transmitted to the user of the electronic device 100. As described above, the control unit 50
functions as a drive unit that vibrates the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 based on the sound
signal. The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 will be described in detail later.
[0036]
The external speaker 56 converts the electrical sound signal from the control unit 50 into a
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sound and outputs it. The sound output from the external speaker 56 is output to the outside
from the speaker hole 20 provided on the back surface 101 of the electronic device 100.
[0037]
The microphone 57 converts a sound input from the outside of the electronic device 100 into an
electric sound signal and outputs the electric sound signal to the control unit 50. Sound from the
outside of the electronic device 100 is taken into the inside of the electronic device 100 from the
microphone hole 21 provided on the back surface 101 of the electronic device 100, and is input
to the microphone 57.
[0038]
The imaging unit 58 includes an imaging lens 58 a and an imaging element, and captures a still
image and a moving image based on control by the control unit 50.
[0039]
The battery 59 outputs the power of the electronic device 100.
The power source output from the battery 59 is supplied to each electronic component included
in the control unit 50, the wireless communication unit 51, and the like included in the electronic
device 100.
[0040]
<Details of Piezoelectric Vibrating Element> FIGS. 4 and 5 are a top view and a side view showing
the structure of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 has an elongated shape in one direction. Specifically, the
piezoelectric vibrating element 55 has a rectangular elongated plate shape in a plan view.
[0041]
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The thickness of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is 0.5 to 0.8 mm. When the piezoelectric
vibrating element 55 is viewed in plan, the length of the long side is 10 to 20 mm, and the length
of the short side is 2 to 5 mm.
[0042]
The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 has, for example, a bimorph structure, and includes a first
piezoelectric plate 55a and a second piezoelectric plate 55b bonded to each other via a shim 55c.
[0043]
In the piezoelectric vibrating element 55, when a positive voltage is applied to the first
piezoelectric plate 55a and a negative voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric plate 55b,
the first piezoelectric plate 55a extends in the longitudinal direction, and The two piezoelectric
plates 55b shrink in the longitudinal direction.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is bent in a mountain shape
with the first piezoelectric plate 55a being outside.
[0044]
On the other hand, in the piezoelectric vibrating element 55, when a negative voltage is applied
to the first piezoelectric plate 55a and a positive voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric
plate 55b, the first piezoelectric plate 55a extends along the longitudinal direction. The second
piezoelectric plate 55b is stretched along the longitudinal direction. As a result, as shown in FIG.
7, the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is bent in a mountain shape with the second
piezoelectric plate 55b outside.
[0045]
The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 performs flexural vibration by alternately taking the state
of FIG. 6 and the state of FIG. 7. The control unit 50 bends and vibrates the piezoelectric
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vibrating element 55 by applying an alternating voltage in which a positive voltage and a
negative voltage alternately appear between the first piezoelectric plate 55a and the second
piezoelectric plate 55b.
[0046]
In the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, only one structure including the
first piezoelectric plate 55a and the second piezoelectric plate 55b bonded together with the
shim 55c interposed therebetween is provided. A plurality of such structures may be stacked.
[0047]
The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 may be made of a piezoelectric ceramic material or an
organic piezoelectric material such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polylactic acid.
Specifically, in the case of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 made of an organic piezoelectric
material, for example, a polylactic acid film is used as the first piezoelectric plate 55a and the
second piezoelectric plate 55b, and they are laminated. In addition, it is also possible to use
transparent electrodes, such as ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide, ie, indium tin oxide), as an electrode, for
example.
[0048]
<Generation of Received Sound Due to Vibration of Piezoelectric Vibrating Element> In the
present embodiment, when the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 vibrates the cover panel 1, air
conducted sound and conducted sound are transmitted from the cover panel 1 to the user. It has
become so. In other words, when the vibration of the piezoelectric vibration element 55 itself is
transmitted to the vibration portion such as the cover panel 1, the air conduction sound and the
conduction sound are transmitted from the cover panel 1 to the user.
[0049]
Here, the air conduction sound is a sound that is recognized by the human brain when a sound
wave (air vibration) that has entered the ear canal hole (so-called "ear hole") vibrates the
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tympanic membrane. On the other hand, the conduction sound is a sound that is recognized by
the human brain when the auricular cartilage is vibrated and the vibration of the auricular
cartilage is transmitted to the tympanic membrane to vibrate the tympanic membrane. The air
conduction sound and the conduction sound will be described in detail below.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a figure for demonstrating air conduction sound and conduction sound. The structure of
the ear of the user of the electronic device 100 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, a broken line 400
indicates a conduction path of a sound signal (sound information) when air conduction sound is
recognized by the brain, and a solid line 410 indicates the sound signal of when the conduction
sound is recognized by the brain. The conduction path is shown.
[0051]
When the piezoelectric vibration element 55 attached to the cover panel 1 is vibrated based on
an electrical sound signal indicating a reception sound, the cover panel 1 vibrates and a sound
wave is output from the cover panel 1. When the user holds the electronic device 100 and brings
the cover panel 1 of the electronic device 100 close to the pinnae 200 of the user, or the cover
panel 1 of the electronic device 100 is in the pinnae 200 of the user. Sound waves emitted from
the cover panel 1 enter the ear canal hole 210. The sound wave from the cover panel 1 travels in
the ear canal hole 210 and vibrates the tympanic membrane 220. The vibration of the tympanic
membrane 220 is transmitted to the ossicles 230 and the ossicles 230 vibrate. Then, the
vibration of the earlobe 230 is transmitted to the cochlea 240 and converted into an electrical
signal in the cochlea 240. This electrical signal is transmitted to the brain through the auditory
nerve 250, and the received sound is recognized in the brain. Thus, the air conduction sound is
transmitted from the cover panel 1 to the user.
[0052]
Further, when the user holds the electronic device 100 in hand and applies the cover panel 1 of
the electronic device 100 to the pinnae 200 of the user, the pinna cartilage 200 a is vibrated by
the piezoelectric vibrating element 55. It is vibrated by the cover panel 1. The vibration of the
auricular cartilage 200a is transmitted to the tympanic membrane 220, and the tympanic
membrane 220 vibrates. The vibration of the tympanic membrane 220 is transmitted to the
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ossicles 230 and the ossicles 230 vibrate. Then, the vibration of the earlobe 230 is transmitted to
the cochlea 240 and converted into an electrical signal in the cochlea 240. This electrical signal
is transmitted to the brain through the auditory nerve 250, and the received sound is recognized
in the brain. Thus, the conductive sound is transmitted from the cover panel 1 to the user.
[0053]
Note that the conduction sound here is different from bone conduction sound (also called "bone
conduction sound"). Bone conduction sound is a sound recognized in human brain by vibrating
the skull and the vibration of the skull directly stimulates the inner ear such as cochlea. In FIG. 8,
for example, when the mandible 300 is vibrated, a plurality of arcs 420 indicate transmission
paths of sound signals when bone conduction sound is recognized by the brain.
[0054]
As described above, in the electronic device 100 according to the present embodiment, the
piezoelectric vibrating element 55 vibrates the cover panel 1 on the front surface appropriately,
in other words, the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 itself is properly applied to
the front cover panel 1 The air conduction sound and the conduction sound can be transmitted
from the cover panel 1 to the user of the electronic device 100 by transmitting the information.
The structure of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 according to the present embodiment is
devised so as to appropriately transmit the air conduction sound and the conduction sound to the
user. By configuring the electronic device 100 to transmit air conduction sound and conduction
sound to the user, various advantages occur.
[0055]
In addition, when the ambient noise is large, the user can make it difficult to hear the ambient
noise while pressing the ear against the cover panel 1 to increase the volume of the conducted
sound. Therefore, the user can appropriately make a call even when the surrounding noise is
loud.
[0056]
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In addition, even when the user attaches the earplug or the earphone to the ear, the user can
recognize the reception sound from the electronic device 100 by applying the cover panel 1 to
the ear (more specifically, the pinnae). Can. In addition, even when the user attaches a headphone
to his / her ear, the user can recognize a received sound from the electronic device 100 by
placing the cover panel 1 on the headphone.
[0057]
<Arrangement of Piezoelectric Vibrating Element> FIG. 9A is a view showing a cross-sectional
structure of the electronic device 100 in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). The lower
part of the electronic device 100 is omitted. FIG. 9 (b) is a plan view of the cover panel 1 as the
vibrating portion as viewed from the back side of the cover panel 1. A touch panel 53 as a
proximity detection unit is attached to the back surface of the cover panel 1 so as to face the
display portion 1 a (see FIG. 1) of the cover panel 1. The display panel 52 is disposed to face the
cover panel 1 and the touch panel 53. Although not shown, the display panel 52 is fixed inside
the electronic device 100. On the surface of the cover panel 1, a portion overlapping with the
display panel 52 when viewed in a plan view becomes a display portion 1a (see FIG. 1).
[0058]
The touch panel 53 may have a gap with the display panel 52, or may be in contact with the
display panel 52. When a gap is provided between the touch panel 53 and the display panel 52
as in the present embodiment, the cover panel 1 is pushed by the user with a finger or the like,
and the cover panel 1 is bent to the display panel 52 side. The display panel 52 can be prevented
from being disturbed by the fact that the cover panel 1 hits the display panel 52 (more precisely,
the touch panel strikes the display panel 52).
[0059]
Inside the device case 3, a printed circuit board on which various components such as the CPU
50 a and the microphone 57 are mounted is provided (not shown). The printed circuit board is
disposed to face the display panel 52 inside the electronic device 1.
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[0060]
The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is attached to the back surface of the cover panel 1 by a
member such as a double-sided tape or an adhesive.
[0061]
The buffer portion 6 is in contact with the back surface (main surface) of the cover panel 1.
It should be noted that "in contact" means that nothing may be interposed between the back
surface of the cover panel 1 and the buffer portion 6, or a double-sided tape or an adhesive may
be provided. The buffer portion 6 is located apart from the peripheral edge of the back surface of
the cover panel 1 (the upper side of the cover panel 1 in the case of FIG. 9B). A piezoelectric
vibrating element 55 is provided between the buffer portion 6 and the peripheral edge of the
back surface of the cover panel 1. By arranging the buffer portion 6 in this manner, the position
of the point at which the sound volume is maximum in the cover panel 1 is on the upper side in
the longitudinal direction of the electronic device, as compared with the case where the buffer
portion 6 is not provided. Can be controlled.
[0062]
For example, in the case where an antenna that performs wireless communication is provided
below the electronic device, there is a problem of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), and it is
preferable that the point where the volume is maximum be located as high as possible above the
electronic device.
[0063]
In addition, when the user puts his ear on the electronic device and listens to a sound when
talking, etc., it is preferable that there is a point where the volume is maximum at the top of the
electronic device as much as possible, considering the position of the ear.
[0064]
Therefore, as described above, the buffer 6 is positioned such that the piezoelectric vibrating
element 55 is positioned between the buffer 6 and the peripheral edge of the back surface of the
cover panel 1, so that the volume maximum point in the cover panel 1 is It moves to the upper
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side in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device than in the conventional case.
Thus, the point at which the sound volume is maximum can be located on the top of the
electronic device as much as possible.
[0065]
As the buffer part 6, a cushion material (elastic material) is mentioned, for example.
The buffer portion 6 may be attached to the inner main surface of the cover panel 1 by a doublesided tape attached to one side. Also, the buffer portion 6 may be attached to the inner surface of
the case portion 2 by a double-sided tape attached to the other surface. In addition to the doublesided tape, an adhesive may be used.
[0066]
For example, a foam is employed as a cushioning material included in the buffer 6. As this foam,
for example, a polyolefin foam, a polyester foam or a urethane foam is used. Moreover, as a
double-sided tape contained in the buffer part 6, the double-sided tape in which the acrylic
adhesive was provided with respect to both surfaces of the base material consisting of polyester
is employ | adopted, for example.
[0067]
The buffer portion 6 may be provided from end to end of the cover panel 1 so as to divide the
cover panel 1 into two or more regions, as shown in FIG. 9 (b).
[0068]
Usually, not only the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 but also other members such as the
touch panel 53 are provided on the back surface of the cover panel 1.
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Therefore, those members may affect the vibration from the piezoelectric vibration element 55.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the piezoelectric vibration element 6 is provided on the back
surface of the cover panel 1 so that the piezoelectric vibration element 55 is interposed between
the piezoelectric vibration element 55 and the peripheral edge of the cover panel 1. The vibration
of the cover panel 1 produced by this may be made difficult to be transmitted to other members
such as the touch panel 53.
[0069]
Further, as a modification of FIG. 9B, as shown in FIG. 10A, the piezoelectric vibrating element 55
is surrounded by the buffer section 6 and a region having the piezoelectric vibrating element 55
and a region outside the piezoelectric vibrating element 55; May be configured. By arranging the
buffer portion 6 as shown in FIG. 10A, the volume maximum point due to the vibration of the
cover panel 1 can be controlled to the upper end of the electronic device and to the center side of
the cover panel 1. In addition, it is also possible to suppress the entry of dust and the like into the
area where the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is provided. In the example of FIG. 10A, three
sides around the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 are surrounded by the buffer section 6, but
for example, four sides around may be surrounded.
[0070]
Moreover, although the specific example which divided the cover panel 6 into the some area |
region was mentioned in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 (a) as the buffer part 6, For example, as shown in
FIG.10 (b), the buffer part 6 The end of the cover panel 6 may not be provided.
[0071]
As the buffer unit 6, another specific example shown in FIG. 11 may be used.
In FIG. 11A, the lower part of the electronic device 100 is omitted. In the case of the electronic
device illustrated in FIG. 11, the buffer unit 6 is interposed between the touch panel 53 and the
display panel 52 and in contact with the back surface of the cover panel 1. In the case of FIG. 11,
the touch panel 53 is pressed against the buffer unit 6 attached to the display panel 52 so that
pressure is applied to the buffer unit 6 so that it comes out from between the touch panel 53 and
the display panel 52 A part of the buffer 6 is in contact with the back surface of the cover panel
1. The dotted line shown in FIG. 11B indicates the outer shape of the touch panel 53. Actually,
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the outer shape of the touch panel 53 is covered by the buffer portion 5 and can not be seen.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 11, since the buffer portion 6 is positioned between the display panel 52 and
the touch panel 53, the cover panel 1 is pushed by the user with a finger or the like, and the
cover panel 1 faces the display panel 52. It is possible to prevent the touch panel from being
distorted and the display on the display panel 52 being disturbed. Further, the buffer portion 6 is
in contact with the back surface of the cover panel 1 so as to interpose the piezoelectric vibrating
element 55 between the buffer panel 6 and the upper end of the cover panel 1. It is possible to
shift to the upper end side in the longitudinal direction of
[0073]
Here, in order to show the effect of the buffer 6, an experiment was conducted using the mobile
communication terminals of FIG. 11 and FIG. In the mobile communication terminal of FIG. 12,
buffer unit 6 is not in contact with the back surface of cover panel 1.
[0074]
In the case of the example of FIG. 11, the data which measured the sound volume in the position
in the specific distance from the upper end of the cover panel 1 are shown as a continuous line in
FIG. Further, in the case of the example of FIG. 12 as a comparison, similarly, data obtained by
measuring the volume at a specific distance from the upper end of the cover panel 1 is shown as
a dotted line in FIG.
[0075]
The measurement of the data in FIG. 13 is shown below.
[0076]
The cover panel 1 in FIGS. 11 and 12 is made of tempered glass.
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The cover panel 1 had a vertical length of 118 mm, a horizontal length of 60 mm, and a
thickness of 0.55 mm. The piezoelectric vibrating element 55 had a vertical length of 3.3 mm
and a thickness of 0.88 mm. The center of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is located 8.8
mm from the upper end of the mobile communication terminal. The upper end of the buffer 6
was located 14.3 mm from the upper end of the mobile communication terminal. The width of
the buffer unit 6 in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the mobile communication
terminal was 5.5 mm.
[0077]
Moreover, as an example of FIG. 12, it was the same as that of the example of FIG. 11 except the
buffer part 6 not contacting the back surface of the cover panel 1. FIG.
[0078]
The volume of each point of the cover panel was measured using the electronic device of FIG. 11
and FIG.
The measurement position of the volume was measured from a point of 15.8 mm from the upper
end of the cover panel 1 to a point of 23 mm from the upper end of the cover panel 1 every 0.2
mm.
[0079]
In addition, FIG. 11 was obtained by plotting each volume point by setting the maximum volume
point to 0 dB from the value obtained by performing RLR measurement in an anechoic
environment using HATS manufactured by B & K as a measurement device. . The RLR
measurement is the Receive Loudness Rating, which is based on the 3GPP2 definition.
[0080]
In the example of FIG. 13 (solid line), the distance from the upper end of the terminal is -2.66 dB
when the distance is 15 mm, -1.16 dB when 16 mm, -0.13 dB when 17 mm, 0 dB when 18 mm It
was -0.26 dB at 19 mm, -0.57 dB at 20 mm, -0.82 dB at 21 mm, -1.16 dB at 22 mm, and -1.56 dB
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at 23 mm.
[0081]
In the specific example of FIG. 13 (dotted line), -2.91 dB when the distance from the upper end of
the terminal is 15 mm, -1.35 dB when 16 mm, -0.64 dB when 17 mm, -18 when 18 mm. In the
case of 350 dB and 19 mm, it was -0.16 dB, in the case of 20 mm, it was 0 dB, in the case of 21
mm, it was -0.28 dB, in the case of 22 mm -0.53 dB, and it was -1.17 dB.
[0082]
According to the data in FIG. 13, when the buffer unit 6 is not in contact with the cover panel as
shown in FIG. 12, the maximum value of the sound volume is a point 20 mm from the upper end
of the mobile communication terminal.
On the other hand, since the buffer unit 6 is in contact with the cover panel, the maximum value
of the sound volume is 18 mm from the upper end of the cover panel 1, and the maximum sound
volume is closer to the upper end side of the mobile communication terminal.
[0083]
As described above, since the buffer section 6 is in contact with the back surface of the cover
panel 1, it is possible to set the point where the distance from the upper end of the cover panel 1
is closer to the maximum volume point. It becomes possible to set the position to be set to an
appropriate position.
Further, as described above, the distance of the maximum sound volume point from the upper
end of the cover panel 1 is reduced, so that the antenna provided at the lower part of the
electronic device is usually separated from the head, thereby reducing the influence of SAR.
[0084]
The buffer unit 6 has, for example, an effect of alleviating an impact at the time of dropping, etc.,
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in addition to the effect of controlling the position of the maximum volume point. In order to
obtain these effects sufficiently, for example, the distance from the upper end of the cover panel
1 to the buffer 6 (the central part of the buffer 6) is equal to the distance from the upper end of
the cover panel 1 to the piezoelectric vibrating element 55. The distance to (the central portion
of the piezoelectric vibrating element 55) may be two to four times.
[0085]
In the above-described example, the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 uses the cover panel 1 as
the vibrating unit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the
vibrating unit is provided separately from the cover panel 1 The piezoelectric vibration element
55 and the buffer unit 6 may be disposed on the In the present invention, the vibrating portion is
not limited to the cover panel.
[0086]
Examples of the vibration unit include a resin panel, a resin film, a glass panel, and a glass film,
as long as the vibration generated by the piezoelectric vibration element 55 can be sufficiently
transmitted to the cover panel 1. It is preferable to use a resin material as the vibrating portion
and also use a resin material as the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 because the adhesive
strength is high when sticking with an adhesive or a double-sided tape.
[0087]
FIG. 13 shows a display screen when a call is started after an incoming call, as an application
related to voice generation. The image 60 is an image for notifying the user of a place where the
sound is easy to hear. The image 60 is displayed at a position overlapping the piezoelectric
vibrating element 55 when viewed in plan from the cover panel 1 side because the voice
immediately above the piezoelectric vibrating element 55 is most easily heard. Therefore, it is
possible to notify the user of the point of high volume in the cover panel 1.
[0088]
In the example of FIG. 13, the voice call is mentioned as the application related to voice
generation, but in the present embodiment, the application is not limited to this application, and
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any application that generates voice such as music reproduction and video reproduction may be
used. .
[0089]
<About the hole of the earpiece (hole for receiver)> In an electronic device such as a portable
telephone, in order to take out the sound outputted from a receiver (speaker for reception)
provided inside the electronic device to the outside of the electronic device In some cases, a hole
in the earpiece may be made in the front cover panel 1.
[0090]
In the electronic device 100 according to the present embodiment, the hole (the hole for the
receiver) of the earpiece is not made in the cover panel 1 that outputs the sound.
That is, on the surface of the electronic device 100, the hole of the earpiece is not provided.
Therefore, the process of making the hole of the earpiece in the cover panel 1 becomes
unnecessary. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the electronic device 100 can be reduced,
and the cost of the electronic device 100 can be reduced. In particular, when the cover panel 1 is
formed of glass, sapphire, or the like, it is difficult to make a hole in the cover panel 1, so that the
receiver panel is not drilled with the hole in the earpiece. The manufacturing cost can be further
reduced. Further, by not forming the hole of the earpiece in the cover panel 1, the strength of the
cover panel 1 can be improved. Further, by not forming the hole in the earpiece in the cover
panel 1, the degree of freedom in design of the front surface of the cover panel 1 is improved. In
particular, when the cover panel 1 occupies most of the front surface of the electronic device
100 as in the present embodiment, it is very effective from the viewpoint of design that the cover
panel 1 is not provided with the hole of the earpiece. is there. Further, in the present
embodiment, since there is no hole in the earpiece on the surface of the electronic device 100,
the problem that water, dust or the like enters from the hole in the earpiece does not occur.
Therefore, in the electronic device 100, the waterproof structure and the dustproof structure for
the problem are not required, and the cost of the electronic device 100 can be further reduced.
[0091]
In the present embodiment, since the receiving sound is generated by the vibration of the cover
panel 1, the receiving sound can be properly transmitted to the user even if the electronic device
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100 does not have the hole of the receiving port.
[0092]
Although the cover panel 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the hole 12
for exposing the operation button 54 a, the hole for exposing the operation button 54 a is
provided in the case portion 2, and the hole 12 is formed in the cover panel 1. You do not have
to
Further, the operation button 54 a may be eliminated and the hole 12 may not be provided in the
cover panel 1. As a result, there is no hole in the cover panel 1, and it is possible to further
reduce the cost of the electronic device 100 and further improve the design freedom of the front
surface of the cover panel 1.
[0093]
In the above-described example, although the present invention is applied to a portable
telephone as an example, the present invention can be applied to electronic devices other than
the portable telephone. For example, the present invention can be applied to game machines,
notebook computers, portable navigation systems, and the like.
[0094]
In the above example, the mobile phone having the touch panel 53 is shown as the electronic
device 100. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the electronic device
100 can be input only by the hard key without providing the touch panel 53. It is also possible to
make an input.
[0095]
Reference Signs List 1 cover panel 2 case portion 50 control unit 52 display panel 53 touch
panel 55 piezoelectric vibration element 6 buffer unit 100 electronic device
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