Vibration driver and electronic device

Abstract

The invention provides a vibration driver and an electronic apparatus, which can prevent invasion of foreign matters such as garbage and can output proper somatosensory vibration without attenuation. The vibration driver includes: a fixed body having a hollow housing and a coil disposed in the housing; a movable body that has a magnet disposed on the inside of the coil in the radial direction and is disposed so as to be movable in a vibration direction orthogonal to the radial direction within the housing; and an elastic support part that supports the movable body so as to be movable with respect to the fixed body in the housing, and that vibrates the movable body with respect to the fixed body by the cooperation of the coil and the magnet, in which the housing restricts the movement range of the movable body in the housing at both end surface parts that are disposed so as to face each other so as to be separated from each other in the vibration direction of the movable body, and the elastic support part supports the movable body so as to be movable with respect to the fixed body. The housing has one or more vent holes, and the vent holes are provided in at least one of the two end surface portions at positions where the movable body does not interfere with each other.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the invention application with application number 202010351577.2, invention name “Vibration driver and electronic device” and application date April 28, 2020. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a vibration driver and an electronic device equipped with the vibration driver. Background Art

[0003] In the past, in electronic devices with vibration functions, a vibration driver was installed as a vibration source. The electronic device can notify incoming calls and improve the sense of operation and presence by driving the vibration driver and transmitting the vibration to the user to make him feel it. Here, the electronic device includes portable devices that can be carried, such as portable game terminals, controllers (handles) of fixed game consoles, mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones or smart phones, mobile information terminals such as tablet PCs, and wearable terminals worn on clothes or arms.

[0004] As a vibration actuator of a miniaturized structure that can be mounted on a portable device, for example, a vibration actuator used for a pager or the like as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0005] The vibration driver supports a pair of plate-like elastic bodies in a mutually opposed manner on the opening edge of a cylindrical frame. In addition, the driver fixes a yoke of a magnet on the protruding central portion of a spiral-shaped plate-like elastic body of one of the pair of plate-like elastic bodies, and supports the yoke in the frame.

[0006] The yoke and the magnet together constitute a magnetic field generator, and the coil is arranged in a state of being mounted on the other plate-like elastic body in the magnetic field of the magnetic field generator. The oscillation circuit switches and applies currents of different frequencies to the coil, thereby causing a pair of plate-like elastic bodies to selectively resonate and vibrate, and the yoke vibrates in the frame in the center line direction of the frame. In addition, in Patent Document 1, as a second embodiment, the following structure is also disclosed: an axis for slidingly moving a movable body in the vibration direction is provided on a fixed body, and even if an impact is received from the outside, the yoke as a movable body is prevented from colliding with the inner peripheral surface of the frame by the axis.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3748637 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] Furthermore, in conventional vibration actuators, in order to prevent foreign matter such as garbage from entering the range where the movable body vibrates, the movable body is generally vibrated in a space that is as closed as possible by being surrounded by a frame or the like.

[0012] However, when the movable body is vibrated in a closed space, the following problems arise depending on the magnitude of the vibration of the movable body: the pressure inside the frame increases due to the air compressed in the frame due to the vibration, the vibration of the movable body is attenuated, and the vibration expression of the vibration driver itself is reduced.

[0013] The present invention is proposed in view of this point, and its purpose is to provide a vibration driver and electronic equipment that prevents the intrusion of foreign matter such as garbage and generates suitable body-felt vibration with high output without attenuation.

[0014] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0015] One embodiment of the vibration actuator of the present invention adopts the following structure:

[0016] A vibration driver comprising:

[0017] A fixed body having a hollow shell and a coil disposed in the shell;

[0018] a movable body having a magnet disposed radially inward of the coil and disposed in the housing so as to be movable in a vibration direction orthogonal to the radial direction; and

[0019] an elastic support portion that supports the movable body in the housing so as to be movable relative to the fixed body,

[0020] Through the cooperation of the coil and the magnet, the movable body vibrates relative to the fixed body.

[0021] In the vibration driver,

[0022] The housing limits the movement range of the movable body in the housing at both end surfaces, and the two end surfaces are disposed opposite to each other and separated in the vibration direction of the movable body.

[0023] The shell has more than one vent hole.

[0024] The ventilation hole is provided in a portion of at least one of the end surface portions of the two end surface portions where the movable body does not interfere.

[0025] One embodiment of the vibration actuator of the present invention adopts the following structure:

[0026] A vibration driver comprising:

[0027] A fixed body having a hollow shell and a coil disposed in the shell;

[0028] a movable body having a magnet disposed radially inward of the coil and disposed in the housing so as to be movable in a vibration direction orthogonal to the radial direction; and

[0029] an elastic support portion that supports the movable body in the housing so as to be movable relative to the fixed body,

[0030] Through the cooperation of the coil and the magnet, the movable body vibrates relative to the fixed body.

[0031] In the vibration driver,

[0032] The housing limits the movement range of the movable body in the housing at both end surfaces, and the two end surfaces are disposed opposite to each other and separated in the vibration direction of the movable body.

[0033] The shell has more than one vent hole.

[0034] The vent hole is provided in a portion of at least one of the end surface portions of the two end surface portions that overlaps with an outer peripheral portion of the elastic support portion in the vibration direction.

[0035] One embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention adopts a structure in which the vibration actuator of the above structure is installed.

[0036] Effects of the Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as garbage, and to generate appropriate body-feeling vibration with high output without attenuation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vibration actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vibration driver.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a state in which a casing is removed in the vibration actuator.

[0041] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support portion is fixed.

[0042] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the elastic support portion.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the coil assembly with the electromagnetic shielding portion removed.

[0044] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the coil assembly.

[0045] Figure 8 It is a bottom side perspective view of the housing body.

[0046] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the cover as viewed from the back side.

[0047] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vent hole of the cover.

[0048] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the vent hole of the cover.

[0049] Fig.12 This is a diagram schematically showing the magnetic circuit structure of the vibration actuator.

[0050] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing the relative movement state of the coil and the magnet.

[0051] Fig.14 It is a diagram showing the relative movement state of the coil and the magnet.

[0052] Fig.15 This is a graph showing the ratio of the surface area of ​​the cover portion to the opening area of ​​the vent hole according to the vibration amount.

[0053] Fig.16 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device in which the vibration actuator is mounted.

[0054] Fig.17 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device in which the vibration actuator is mounted.

[0055] In the figure:

[0056] 1—vibration actuator, 10—housing, 11—housing body, 12, 12A—cover, 13—driving unit, 14—buffer, 20—movable body, 20a—outer peripheral surface, 30—magnet, 30a—surface, 30b—back surface, 41, 42—movable body core, 50—fixed body, 52—coil skeleton portion (coil holding portion), 52b, 52c—coil mounting portion, 53—terminal bundling portion (coil connection portion), 54—movable range forming portion, 58—electromagnetic shielding portion, 61, 62—coil, 72—attenuation portion, 81, 82—elastic support portion, 112—peripheral wall portion (cylindrical portion), 114—bottom, 115—opening Mouth, 116, 126, 126A—vent, 118—step portion, 122, 122A—top portion, 128—pressing portion, 129—rib, 201—communication portion, 202—processing portion, 203—drive control portion, 204, 205, 206—vibration driver, 222, 242—joining portion, 224, 244—spring fixing portion, 522—skeleton main body portion (coil protection wall portion), 522a—inner peripheral surface, 526, 527, 528—flange portion, 527a—upper end surface, 528a—lower end surface, 802—inner peripheral portion, 804—deformation arm, 806—peripheral fixing portion, 807—peripheral portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0058] [Overall structure of the vibration driver]

[0059] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vibration actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vibration driver, Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing a state where the housing is removed from the vibration actuator. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional diagram showing a movable body to which an elastic support portion is fixed, Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the elastic support portion. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a coil assembly with the electromagnetic shielding portion removed. Figure 7 : is an exploded view of the coil assembly. In addition, the "upper" side and the "lower" side in this embodiment are marked for ease of understanding and convenience, and refer to one side and the other side of the vibration direction of the movable body of the vibration driver. That is, when the vibration driver is mounted on an electronic device (refer to Fig.16 and Fig.17 ), up and down can be reversed, or left and right.

[0060] The vibration actuator 1 of the first embodiment is installed as a vibration source in a portable game terminal device (for example, Fig.16The electronic device also includes a portable device such as a smart phone (for example, a game controller GC) and the like, which realizes the vibration function of the electronic device. Fig.17 The vibration driver 1 is installed in various devices such as a portable game terminal device or a portable device, and is driven to vibrate to notify the user of an incoming call or to give a sense of operation or a sense of presence.

[0061] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vibration actuator 1 of this embodiment accommodates the movable body 20 in the hollow housing 10 so as to be able to vibrate at the upper and lower end surfaces with the axial direction (up and down direction) of the housing 10 as the vibration direction. The vibration actuator 1 itself functions as a vibrating body by the movement of the movable body 20 inside the housing 10.

[0062] The vibration actuator 1 includes a movable body 20 having a magnet 30 and movable body cores 41 and 42 , a fixed body 50 having coils 61 and 62 , and plate-like elastic support parts 81 and 82 that support the movable body 20 to be reciprocatable relative to the fixed body 50 .

[0063] In the vibration actuator 1, the coils 61, 62, the magnet 30, and the movable body cores 41, 42 constitute a magnetic circuit for vibrating the movable body 20. In the vibration actuator 1, the power supply unit (for example, Fig.16 and Fig.17 The drive control unit 203 shown in the figure supplies electricity to the coils 61 and 62, and the coils 61 and 62 cooperate with the magnet 30 to reciprocate the movable body 20 in the vibration direction within the housing 10.

[0064] In the vibration actuator 1 of the present embodiment, the movable body 20 reciprocates in the axial direction of the coils 61 and 62, that is, in the vibration direction, through the frame body portion (coil protection wall portion) 522 disposed inside the coils 61 and 62 held by the coil frame portion (coil holding portion) 52 and between the movable body 20. The axial direction of the coils 61 and 62 is the vibration direction of the movable body 20, the magnetization direction of the magnet 30, and the axial direction of the coil frame portion 52.

[0065] The movable body 20 is configured so that, when not in motion and not vibrating, the center of the length in the vibration direction and the center of the length in the vibration direction of the coil skeleton portion 52 are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the movable body 20 via the elastic support portions 81 and 82. At this time, it is ideal that the movable body 20 is located at a balanced position between the coils 61 and 62 in a manner that does not contact the skeleton main body portion 522 of the coil skeleton portion 52. In the present embodiment, it is preferred to be configured at a position where the center of the length in the vibration direction of the magnet 30 and the movable body core 41 and 42 is opposed to the center of the length in the vibration direction between the upper and lower separated coils 61 and 62 in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction. In addition, a magnetic fluid may be sandwiched between the skeleton main body 522 and the movable body 20.

[0066] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the vibration actuator 1 is configured by arranging a drive unit 13 including coils 61 , 62 , a coil bobbin 52 , a movable body 20 , and elastic support portions 81 , 82 in a housing 10 including a housing body 11 and a cover 12 .

[0067] <Movable body 20>

[0068] The movable body 20 is supported by elastic support parts 81 and 82 connected at the upper and lower ends inside the cylindrical coil frame part 52 of the fixed body 50 so as to be able to reciprocate along the inner peripheral surface 522a of the frame main body part 522. In other words, the movable body 20 is supported in the vibration actuator 1 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction opposite to the cover part 12 and the bottom part 114. The movable body 20 is provided at Figure 3 The drive unit 13 is shown.

[0069] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the movable body 20 has a magnet 30, a movable body core 41, 42, a spring locking portion 22, 24, and a fixing pin 26, 28. In this embodiment, the movable body core 41, 42 and the spring locking portion 22, 24 are respectively continuously arranged on both sides (up and down directions in the figure) in the vibration direction with the magnet 30 as the center. In the movable body 20, the outer peripheral surface 20a of the magnet 30 and the movable body core 41, 42 is opposite to each other at a predetermined interval on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface 522a of the skeleton main body 522.

[0070] When the movable body 20 moves in the vibration direction, the outer peripheral surface 20 a reciprocates along the inner peripheral surface 522 a without contact.

[0071] The magnet 30 is magnetized in the vibration direction. In the present embodiment, the magnet 30 is formed in a disk shape, and the front and back surfaces 30a and 30b separated in the vibration direction have different polarities. The front and back surfaces 30a and 30b of the magnet 30 are two magnetized surfaces separated in the extending direction of the axes of the coils 61 and 62.

[0072] The magnet 30 is arranged to be spaced apart from the coils 61 and 62 (details will be described later) and located radially inside the coils 61 and 62. Here, the "radial direction" is a direction orthogonal to the axis of the coils 61 and 62, and is also a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction. The "interval" in the radial direction is the interval between the coils 61 and 62 including the skeleton body 522 and the magnet 30, and is set to an interval that can move without contacting each other in the vibration direction of the movable body 20. That is, in this embodiment, the "interval" refers to the predetermined interval between the skeleton body 522 and the magnet 30.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the magnet 30 is arranged to be opposite to the center of the skeleton main body 522 on the radially outer side. In addition, the magnet 30 may be in a shape other than a disc such as a cylindrical shape or a plate shape, as long as it is arranged inside the coils 61 and 62 so that the two magnetized surfaces are respectively oriented in the extending direction of the axis of the coils 61 and 62. In addition, it is ideal that the axial center of the magnet 30 coincides with the axial center of the movable body 20.

[0074] Movable cores 41 and 42 are provided on the front and back surfaces 30 a and 30 b of the magnet 30 , respectively.

[0075] The movable cores 41 and 42 are magnetic bodies and function as yokes, and form a magnetic circuit together with the magnet 30 and the coils 61 and 62. The movable cores 41 and 42 concentrate the magnetic flux of the magnet 30, allowing it to flow efficiently without leakage, and effectively distribute the magnetic flux flowing between the magnet 30 and the coils 61 and 62.

[0076] In addition to the function as a part of the magnetic circuit, movable cores 41 and 42 also function as a main body portion of movable body 20 , a function of fixing spring lock portions 22 and 24 , and a function as a weight in movable body 20 .

[0077] In this embodiment, the movable cores 41 and 42 are formed into annular flat plates having the same surface shape as the magnet 30. The movable cores 41 and 42 are fixed to the magnet 30 so that their outer peripheral surfaces are flush with the outer peripheral surface of the magnet and constitute the outer peripheral surface 20a of the movable body 20 together with the outer peripheral surface of the magnet.

[0078] In this embodiment, the movable cores 41 and 42 are identical components formed in the same manner, and in this embodiment, they are symmetrically arranged above and below the magnet 30 with the magnet 30 as the center so as to sandwich the magnet 30. In addition, the movable cores 41 and 42 are attracted by the magnet 30 and fixed to the magnet 30 using, for example, a thermosetting adhesive such as epoxy resin or an anaerobic adhesive.

[0079] Fitting openings 411 and 421 are provided at the center of each of the movable body cores 41 and 42. In the fitting openings 411 and 421, the upper and lower spring lock parts 22 and 24 are provided so that their respective axes (equivalent to the center axes of the elastic support parts 81 and 82) are located on the center axis of the movable body 20. The fitting openings 411 and 421 are in contact at three or four points in order to accurately fix the inserted spring lock parts 22 and 24 on their axes, and support the upper and lower spring lock parts 22 and 24 to be located on the axis of the movable body 20. The fitting openings 411 and 421 adjust the degree of opening on the movable body cores 41 and 42, thereby adjusting the weight of the movable body 20, and can set an appropriate vibration output.

[0080] In the present embodiment, when movable body 20 is not vibrating, movable body cores 41 , 42 are located inside (radially inside) coils 61 , 62 so as to face coils 61 , 62 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of coils 61 , 62 .

[0081] The movable body cores 41 and 42 constitute a movable body side magnetic circuit together with the magnet 30. In the present embodiment, it is preferred that the height position of the upper surface of the movable body core 41 on the upper side of the magnet 30 is opposite to the position of the center of the height direction (up and down direction) of the upper coil 61. Furthermore, it is preferred that the height position of the lower surface of the movable body core 42 on the lower side of the magnet 30 is opposite to the position of the center of the height direction (up and down direction) of the lower coil 62.

[0082] The spring locks 22 and 24 have the function of fixing the movable body side magnetic circuit to the elastic support parts 81 and 82, and have the function of serving as a counterweight for the movable body 20. The spring locks 22 and 24 are provided on the objects so as to sandwich the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41 and 42, so as to increase the vibration output of the movable body 20.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the spring lock portions 22 and 24 are shaft-shaped bodies arranged along the central axis of the movable body 20 , and are interposed between the movable body cores 41 and 42 and the elastic support portions 81 and 82 .

[0084] In this embodiment, the spring locking parts 22 and 24 are formed in the same shape and have engaging parts 222 and 242 and spring fixing parts 224 and 244. These engaging parts 222 and 242 and spring fixing parts 224 and 244 are respectively provided continuously in the vibration direction (specifically, the up-down direction).

[0085] The spring locking parts 22 and 24 have through holes. In addition, the spring locking parts 22 and 24 can also function as weight adjustment parts by adding weights in the through holes. By adding weights in the through holes, the movable body 20 can be weighted and the vibration output of the movable body 20 can be increased.

[0086] The joint parts 222 and 242 are respectively joined to the movable cores 41 and 42. Specifically, the joint parts 222 and 242 are respectively inserted into the fitting openings 411 and 421 of the movable cores 41 and 42 by inserting one end side. In the present embodiment, the spring locking parts 22 and 24 are fixed to the movable cores 41 and 42 by press-fitting, but are not limited to this. For example, they may be fixed by bonding using a thermosetting adhesive such as epoxy resin or an anaerobic adhesive.

[0087] The upper spring fixing portion 224 constitutes one end portion in the vibration direction of the movable body 20, that is, the upper end portion of the movable body 20, and is joined to the inner peripheral portion 802 as the inner diameter side end portion of the upper leaf spring as the elastic support portion 81. On the other hand, the lower spring fixing portion 244 constitutes the other end portion in the vibration direction of the movable body 20, that is, the lower end portion of the movable body 20, and is joined to the inner peripheral portion 802 as the inner diameter side end portion of the lower leaf spring as the elastic support portion 82.

[0088] The spring fixing portions 224 and 244 are provided so as to protrude upward and downward from the engaging portions 222 and 242 , respectively, and are engaged at their front ends with the inner peripheral portions 802 and 802 of the elastic supporting portions 81 and 82 via the fixing pins 26 and 28 , respectively.

[0089] The fixing pins 26 and 28 firmly fix the elastic support parts 81 and 82 and the movable body 20 so as not to fall off due to vibration of the movable body 20 .

[0090] In the present embodiment, the fixing pins 26 and 28 are formed in the same shape and respectively include shaft-shaped pin bodies 262 and 282 that can be press-fitted into the spring fixing portions 224 and 244 and flanges 264 and 284 provided at the edges of one ends of the pin bodies 262 and 282 .

[0091] Specifically, in a state where the inner circumference 802 of each of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 overlaps with the spring fixing parts 224 and 244, the pin bodies 262 and 282 of each of the fixing pins 26 and 28 are pressed into and fixed to the through holes of the spring fixing parts 224 and 244 through the openings of the inner circumference 802. Thus, the flanges 264 and 284 clamp the inner circumference 802 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 through the spring fixing parts 224 and 244 and are firmly joined. In addition, the inner circumference 802 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 and the spring fixing parts 224 and 244 may also be joined by welding, bonding or riveting, or may be joined by combining welding, bonding and riveting.

[0092] The spring locking parts 22 and 24 are arranged in the movable body 20 at the two ends (upper and lower ends) separated in the vibration direction relative to the movable body side magnetic circuit, so that the weight in the movable body 20 is not arranged on the outer peripheral side of the movable body magnetic circuit. As a result, the arrangement space of the coils 61 and 62 located oppositely on the outer peripheral side of the movable body side magnetic circuit, that is, on the outer peripheral side of the movable body 20 is not limited. Therefore, the distance between the movable body magnetic circuit and the coils 61 and 62 is not separated, and the efficiency of electromagnetic conversion is not reduced. As a result, the weight of the movable body 20 can be appropriately increased, and high vibration output can be achieved.

[0093] In addition, the spring locking parts 22 and 24 have the weight function and the spring fixing function, so there is no need to assemble the parts having each function separately. Simply by providing the spring locking parts 22 and 24 in the movable body side magnetic circuit, the upper and lower leaf springs as the elastic support parts 81 and 82 can be easily assembled with the weight relative to the movable body 20, which can improve the assemblability.

[0094] In addition, the spring locking parts 22 and 24 may be made of magnetic material, but are preferably made of non-magnetic material. If the spring locking parts 22 and 24 are made of non-magnetic material, the magnetic flux from the movable core 41 will not flow upward, and the magnetic flux from the movable core 42 will not flow downward, and can efficiently flow to the coils 61 and 62 on the outer peripheral side of the movable cores 41 and 42.

[0095] In addition, the spring lock parts 22 and 24 are preferably formed of a material (for example, a specific gravity of about 16 to 19) having a higher specific gravity than a material such as a silicon steel plate (the specific gravity of the steel plate is 7.70 to 7.98). For example, tungsten can be used as the material of the spring lock parts 22 and 24. Thus, even if the outer dimensions of the movable body 20 are set in the design, the mass of the movable body 20 can be increased relatively easily, and the desired vibration output that is a sufficient physical vibration for the user can be achieved.

[0096] <Fixed body 50>

[0097] The fixed body 50 holds the coils 61 and 62 and supports the movable body 20 via the elastic support portions 81 and 82 radially inside the coils 61 and 62 so as to be movable in the vibration direction (the coil axial direction, the axial direction of the movable body 20 ).

[0098] The fixed body 50 includes a housing 10 , coils 61 , 62 , a coil bobbin portion 52 , and an electromagnetic shielding portion 58 .

[0099] The coil bobbin portion 52 holds the coils 61 and 62 wound on the outer peripheral surface, surrounds the magnet 30 with the inner peripheral surface 522 a , and guides the movement of the movable body 20 having the magnet 30 .

[0100] The coil bobbin part 52 is a cylindrical body formed of a resin such as phenol resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), etc. In the present embodiment, the coil bobbin part 52 is made of a material containing a phenol resin such as bakelite having high flame retardancy.

[0101] The coil skeleton part 52 is made of a raw material containing phenol resin, thereby improving the flame retardancy, and even if the current flows to the retained coils 61 and 62 and generates heat due to Joule heat, it is possible to improve the safety during driving. In addition, because the dimensional accuracy is improved and the positional accuracy of the coils 61 and 62 is improved, the deviation of the vibration characteristics can be reduced.

[0102] The coil bobbin portion 52 includes a cylindrical bobbin body portion 522 , flange portions 526 to 528 protruding in radial directions from the outer periphery of the bobbin body portion 522 , a terminal binding portion (coil connection portion) 53 , and a movable range forming portion 54 .

[0103] The inner circumferential surface 522a of the skeleton main body 522 is arranged to face the outer circumferential surface of the movable body 20 at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval is an interval at which the movable body 20 can move in the axial direction, which is the vibration direction, without contacting the inner circumferential surface 522a when moving in the vibration direction. The skeleton main body 522 is configured to prevent the contact between the magnet 30 and the coils 61 and 62, and the movable body 20 can reciprocate along the inner circumferential surface 522a without contact.

[0104] The frame body 522 functions as a protective wall to protect the inner movable body 20 from collision with the coils 61 and 62 when the movable body 20 is driven. The thickness of the frame body 522 is such that even if the movable body 20 contacts the outer coils 61 and 62, the thickness will not have any influence.

[0105] On the outer peripheral side of the bobbin body 522 , the coils 61 , 62 are arranged side by side in the coil axial direction so as to surround the outer peripheral surfaces of the movable cores 41 , 42 of the movable body 20 (the outer peripheral surfaces of the magnet 30 and the movable cores 41 , 42 ).

[0106] Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the bobbin body portion 522 is provided with concave coil mounting portions 52b and 52c that are open radially outward on the outer peripheral side together with the flange portions 526 to 528 .

[0107] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the terminal binding portion 53 binds the coil windings of the coils 61 and 62 and functions as a connector connection portion connected to an external device. The coils 61 and 62 are connected to the external device via the terminal binding portion 53, and power is supplied to the coils 61 and 62.

[0108] The terminal binding portion 53 is a conductive member protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the frame body portion 522. In the present embodiment, the terminal binding portion 53 is pressed into the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 526 disposed at the center of the vibration direction on the outer periphery of the frame body portion 522. Thus, the terminal binding portion 53 is designed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 526.

[0109] The flange portions 527 and 528 are provided at both ends of the bobbin body portion 522 separated in the axial direction (in the present embodiment, the vibration direction, and also the up-down direction), and constitute the upper and lower ends of the coil bobbin portion 52 .

[0110] The flange portions 527 and 528 fix the elastic support portions 81 and 82 at the ends (the upper and lower ends in the present embodiment) in the direction away from the flange portion 526 .

[0111] The movable range forming portion 54 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the coil bobbin portion 52 , and forms a vibration range between the cover portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 of the housing 10 and the movable body 20 when the coil bobbin portion 52 is accommodated in the housing 10 .

[0112] The movable range forming portion 54 is a protruding edge portion protruding from the flange portions 527 and 528 in the vibration direction (vertical direction), and is provided at a predetermined interval on the annular upper and lower end surfaces 527 a and 528 a of the flange portions 527 and 528 .

[0113] The bobbin portion 52 is housed in the housing 10 with the movable range defining portions 54 at the upper and lower ends contacting the edges of the cover 12 and the bottom 114 , and is fixed to the edge of the bottom 114 .

[0114] <Coil>

[0115] In the vibration actuator 1, the axial direction of the coils 61 and 62 (the magnetization direction of the magnet 30) is set as the vibration direction, and the coils 61 and 62 are used together with the magnet 30 and the movable cores 41 and 42 to generate the driving source of the vibration actuator 1. The coils 61 and 62 are energized when driven (when vibrating), and together with the magnet 30, they constitute a voice coil motor.

[0116] The coils 61 and 62 are arranged on the coil mounting portions 52 b and 52 c . In the present embodiment, the coils 61 and 62 are arranged at positions facing the movable cores 41 and 42 in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0117] The coils 61 and 62 are held on the coil frame portion 52 in such a manner that the center position of the length in the axial direction (vibration direction) of the coil and the center position of the length in the vibration direction of the movable body 20 (the center position in the vibration direction of the magnet 30) are approximately at the same position (including the same position) in the vibration direction. In addition, the coils 61 and 62 of the present embodiment are wound in opposite directions to each other, and are configured so that currents flow in opposite directions when energized.

[0118] The ends of the coils 61 and 62 are bundled and connected to the terminal bundled portion 53 of the flange portion 526. The coils 61 and 62 are connected to a power supply unit (for example, Fig.16 and Fig.17 For example, the ends of the coils 61 and 62 are connected to an AC supply unit, and an AC power supply (AC voltage) is supplied from the AC supply unit to the coils 61 and 62. Thus, the coils 61 and 62 can generate thrust between the magnets to move in the direction of contact or separation with each other in the axial direction.

[0119] The coil axes of the coils 61 and 62 are preferably arranged coaxially with the axis of the coil bobbin portion 52 or the axis of the magnet 30 .

[0120] The coils 61 and 62 are formed into a cylindrical shape by winding the coil wire around the coil mounting parts 52b and 52c from the outside of the coil frame part 52. With this structure, the coil frame part 52 having the coils 61 and 62 respectively maintains the cylindrical bodies of the coils 61 and 62, so that the coils can be assembled without using self-adhesive wire. That is, as the coil, it is not necessary to use an air-core coil, so the cost of the coils 61 and 62 themselves can be reduced, and the cost of the vibration driver itself can be reduced.

[0121] In addition, the coils 61 and 62 are surrounded by the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 on the inner side of the housing 10, are sealed in the coil mounting portions 52b and 52c, and are fixed in the coil mounting portions 52b and 52c by bonding or the like. In the present embodiment, the coils 61 and 62 are fixed by bonding to the skeleton main body 522 and flange portions 526 to 528 constituting the coil mounting portions 52b and 52c. As a result, the coils 61 and 62 can increase the bonding strength with the coil skeleton portion 52, and even when a large impact is applied, the coils 61 and 62 will not be damaged compared to a structure in which the movable body and the coil are in direct contact.

[0122] The electromagnetic shielding portion 58 is a cylindrical magnetic body that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the coil skeleton portion 52 and is arranged at a position that covers the coils 61 and 62 on the radial outside. The electromagnetic shielding portion 58 constitutes a fixed body side magnetic circuit together with the coils 61 and 62, and prevents leakage of magnetic flux to the outside of the vibration actuator 1 in the magnetic circuit constituted together with the movable body side magnetic circuit, that is, the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41 and 42.

[0123] The electromagnetic shield 58 is arranged so that the center of the length in the vibration direction of the electromagnetic shield 58 is at the same height as the center of the vibration direction of the magnet 30 arranged inside. The shielding effect of the electromagnetic shield 58 can reduce the leakage flux to the outside of the vibration actuator.

[0124] In addition, the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 can increase the thrust constant in the magnetic circuit and improve the electromagnetic conversion efficiency. The electromagnetic shielding portion 58 utilizes the magnetic attraction of the magnet 30 and functions as a magnetic spring together with the magnet 30. The stress of the elastic supporting portions 81 and 82 when the elastic supporting portions 81 and 82 are set as mechanical springs can be reduced, and the durability of the elastic supporting portions 81 and 82 can be improved.

[0125] <Elastic Supporting Parts 81, 82>

[0126] The elastic support portions 81 and 82 support the movable body 20 so as to be reciprocally movable in the vibration direction relative to the fixed body 50 .

[0127] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 sandwich the movable body 20 in the vibration direction of the movable body 20, and are provided on both the movable body 20 and the fixed body 50 in a manner intersecting the vibration direction. Figure 2 to Figure 4 As shown, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are disposed at both ends of the movable body 20 separated from each other in the vibration direction and connected to the fixed body 50. In this embodiment, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are disposed to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0128] As for the elastic support parts 81 and 82, their respective inner peripheral parts 802 are embedded in the two end parts (spring fixing parts 224 and 244) of the movable body 20 separated in the axial direction (vibration direction), and are installed on the movable body 20 in a manner that the outer peripheral fixing part 806 side extends radially outward (radial direction).

[0129] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 support the movable body 20 so as not to contact the fixed body 50 when the movable body 20 is not vibrating or vibrating. In addition, when the movable body 20 is driven (vibrated), even if the elastic support parts 81 and 82 contact the inner peripheral surface 522a of the skeleton main body 522 of the movable body 20, the magnetic circuit, specifically, the coils 61 and 62 will not be damaged. The elastic support parts 81 and 82 can be composed of any parts as long as they elastically support the movable body 20 to move freely. In the present embodiment, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are the same parts with the same structure.

[0130] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 are respectively a plurality of flat plate-shaped leaf springs. The movable body 20 may also include three or more leaf springs as the plurality of elastic support parts 81 and 82. These plurality of leaf springs are attached in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0131] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 as leaf springs have a shape formed by joining an annular inner peripheral part 802 as an inner spring end and an outer peripheral fixing part 806 as an outer spring end by elastically deforming a circular arc-shaped deformation arm 804 in a plan view. The outer peripheral part 807 of each of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 is constituted by the deformation arm 804 and the outer peripheral fixing part 806. In each of the elastic support parts 81 and 82, the inner peripheral part 802 is displaced in the axial direction relative to the outer peripheral fixing part 806 by the deformation of the deformation arm 804.

[0132] In the elastic support portions 81 and 82 , the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 is joined to the fixed body 50 , and the inner peripheral portion 802 is joined to the movable body 20 .

[0133] In this embodiment, the leaf springs serving as the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are formed by sheet metal processing using stainless steel plates, more specifically, thin flat disc-shaped spiral springs. The elastic support parts 81 and 82 are flat-plate-shaped, so compared with conical springs, it is possible to achieve improved positional accuracy, that is, improved processing accuracy.

[0134] In the present embodiment, the plurality of elastic support portions 81 and 82 have the same spiral orientation, and the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 at one end on the outer peripheral side is fixed to the fixed body 50 , and the inner peripheral portion 802 at the other end on the inner peripheral side is fixed to the movable body 20 .

[0135] Thus, in the present embodiment, a plurality of spiral leaf springs are used as the plurality of elastic support parts 81 and 82, which are respectively mounted on both ends of the movable body 20 separated in the vibration direction, and elastically support the movable body 20 relative to the fixed body 50. Thus, if the amount of movement of the movable body 20 increases, the movable body moves in the translation direction (here, the direction on the plane perpendicular to the vibration direction) while rotating, although it is not noticeable. If the directions of the vortices of the plurality of leaf springs are opposite, the plurality of leaf springs move in the flexion direction or the tension direction, hindering smooth movement.

[0136] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 of this embodiment are fixed to the movable body 20 in the same spiral direction. Therefore, even if the movable body 20 moves a lot, it can move smoothly, that is, deform to a larger amplitude, and can increase the vibration output.

[0137] However, depending on the desired vibration range of the movable body 20 , the spiral directions of the plurality of elastic support portions 81 and 82 may be designed to be opposite to each other.

[0138] The plate-shaped elastic support parts 81 and 82 are arranged with respect to the movable body 20 so that the inner peripheral parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 overlap with the spring fixing parts 224 and 244 constituting the end parts in the vibration direction of the movable body 20. As described above, the inner peripheral parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are fixed by being sandwiched between the flanges 264 and 284 of the fixing pins 26 and 28 and the spring fixing parts 224 and 244.

[0139] On the other hand, the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the upper elastic support portion 81 is fixed radially outward to the upper end portion of the coil frame portion 52. Specifically, the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 81 is fixed to the annular upper end surface 527a of the flange portion 527 on the upper side of the upper end portion of the coil frame portion 52, at a position avoiding the movable range forming portion 54.

[0140] The outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 81 is fixed in the housing 10 by being sandwiched between the annular upper end surface 527a of the flange portion 527 and the pressing portion 128 of the cover portion 12. In addition, the pressing portion 128 is provided in a manner protruding from the outer edge of the back surface of the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12, and is formed into an arc shape when viewed from above.

[0141] In addition, the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the lower elastic support portion 82 is fixed radially outward to the lower end portion of the coil frame portion 52. Specifically, the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 82 is fixed to the annular lower end surface 528a of the flange portion 528 on the lower side of the lower end portion of the coil frame portion 52, at a position avoiding the movable range forming portion 54.

[0142] The outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 82 is sandwiched and fixed in the housing 10 by the annular lower end surface 528 a of the flange portion 528 and the step portion 118 provided on the peripheral portion of the bottom portion 114 .

[0143] In this way, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction and are sandwiched by the end faces 527a and 528a of the upper and lower opening edges of the coil frame part 52 and the cover part 12 and the bottom part 114 of the housing 10. In addition, the movable body 20 is accommodated in the coil frame part 52 on which the coils 61 and 62 are wound, and the inner peripheral parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are fixed to the upper and lower ends of the movable body 20, and the outer peripheral fixing parts 806 of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are fixed to the upper end of the coil frame part 52. The elastic support parts 81 and 82 are mounted on the coil frame part 52 in a manner that closes the upper and lower openings of the coil frame part 52.

[0144] Thus, the drive unit 13 is configured in which the positional relationship between the coils 61 and 62 and the movable body 20 is limited, and can be easily arranged in the housing 10 .

[0145] In the present embodiment, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are provided with a damping part (damper) 72 as a damping unit for damping the vibration generated in the elastic support part 81, either on the deformable arm 804 or on the deformable arm 804 and the peripheral fixing part 806. The damping unit suppresses the resonance peak in the elastic support part 81 and generates stable vibration in a wide range.

[0146] The attenuation part 72 of this embodiment is partially inserted from one side of the elastic support part 81 (82) between the spring parts, specifically, between the outer peripheral fixing part 806 and the deformable arm 804, so that the main body of the attenuation part is located between the spring parts. The attenuation part is fixed to the elastic support part 81 (82) by a thermosetting resin or an adhesive that does not adhere to the elastic support part 81 so as not to fall off from the spring parts in the deformable arm 804. With this structure, the attenuation part 72 attenuates the sharp spring resonance of the elastic support part 81 (82), and can prevent the vibration near the resonance frequency from becoming significantly larger and the difference in vibration caused by the frequency from becoming larger.

[0147] <Casing 10>

[0148] Figure 8 is a bottom side perspective view of the housing body 11, Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the cover 12 as viewed from the back side. Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view of the cover portion 12 showing the vent hole 126 of the top surface portion 122 .

[0149] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10As shown, the housing 10 includes: a bottomed cylindrical housing body 11 having a peripheral wall portion 112 and a bottom portion 114 ; and a cover portion 12 that closes an opening portion 115 of the housing body 11 .

[0150] The housing 10 has at least one vent hole for releasing compressed air generated by the reciprocating vibration of the movable body 20 to the outside. In the present embodiment, the housing 10 has a plurality of vent holes 126 and 116 penetrating the lid 12 and the bottom 114, respectively.

[0151] The cover 12 and the bottom 114 constitute the top surface 122 and the bottom surface (bottom 114) of the housing 10 of the vibration actuator 1 of the present embodiment. The bottom 114 is integrated with the peripheral wall 112 as the housing body 11, and the cover 12 is positioned by engaging the hanging portion 124 hanging down from a part of the outer periphery of the top surface 122 with the notch 102 provided on the upper end side of the housing body 11. The cover 12 is fixed by welding to close the opening of the peripheral wall 112 as the cylindrical portion of the housing body 11.

[0152] The top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114 are arranged to face the movable body 20 of the drive unit 13 at a predetermined interval in the vibration direction of the movable body 20 , and each functions as a movable range suppressing portion for limiting the moving range of the movable body 20 , that is, performing a hard stop (limiting the movable range).

[0153] Specifically, the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114 limit the movable range formed by the movable range forming portion 54, that is, the length from the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114 to the edge of the upper and lower ends of the coil skeleton portion 52 (the end surfaces 527a, 528a of the upper and lower flange portions 527, 528). The housing 10 forms a movable body space as a space for suppressing the movement of the movable body 20. The top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114 limit the movable body space to a length within a range that does not cause the elastic support portions 81, 82 to be plastically deformed. Thus, even when a force exceeding the movable range is applied to the movable body 20, the elastic support portions 81, 82 will not be plastically deformed and contact the fixed body 50 (at least one of the cover portion 12 and the bottom portion 114), so that the elastic support portions 81, 82 will not be damaged, which can improve reliability.

[0154] <Vent holes 116, 126>

[0155] The vent holes 116 and 126 only need to be provided on at least one of the end surface portions (the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 ) of the housing 10 .

[0156] The ventilation holes 116 and 126 are provided in a portion (region OR overlapping with the outer periphery) which does not interfere with the movable body 20 on at least one of the end surfaces (the cover 12 and the bottom 114) of the housing 10 (in the present embodiment, both the cover 12 and the bottom 114).

[0157] Here, the part where the movable body 20 does not interfere (the area OR that overlaps with the outer periphery) refers to a part that the movable body 20 that is reciprocating linearly driven in the housing 10 does not touch even if a large load is applied to the housing 10 from the outside, such as the fall of the actuator itself. In the present embodiment, the movable body 20 is supported by the elastic support parts 81 and 82 in the housing 10 so as to be suspended in the central part of the housing 10 so as to be movable up and down. Thus, when a large load is applied to the housing 10 from the outside, the movable body 20 that is supported to be movable in the vibration direction moves greatly in the vibration direction and collides with the bottom 114 or the top face part 122 that is the movable range suppression part. At this time, the movable body 20 does not touch, that is, does not interfere with, the outer periphery of the bottom 114 or the top face part 122 that is the elastic deformation area of ​​the elastic support parts 81 and 82, but collides with the central part (interference area CR) of the bottom 114 or the top face part 122. As described above, the portion where the movable body 20 does not interfere refers to a portion where the moving movable body 20 does not (is unlikely to) collide even if the movable body 20 moves due to an external impact.

[0158] The vent holes 116 and 126 release compressed air generated in the housing 10 by the reciprocating vibration of the movable body 20 to the outside.

[0159] The vent hole 116 is provided at the bottom 114 at a position that overlaps with the outer peripheral portion 807 of the elastic support portion 82 when viewed from above in the moving direction of the movable body 20 (specifically, mainly the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42). In other words, the vent hole 116 is provided at the bottom 114 of the two end surface portions (the cover portion 12 and the bottom 114) at a position that overlaps with the outer peripheral portion 807 of the elastic support portion 82 in the vibration direction.

[0160] The vent hole 126 is provided in the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12 at a position overlapping with the outer peripheral portion 807 of the elastic support portion 81 when viewed from above in the moving direction of the movable body 20 (specifically, mainly the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42). In other words, the vent hole 126 is provided in the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12 at both end surface portions (the cover portion 12 and the bottom portion 114) at a position overlapping with the outer peripheral portion 807 of the elastic support portion 81 in the vibration direction (the region OR overlapping with the outer peripheral portion).

[0161] In the housing 10, the ventilation holes 116 and 126 are provided in the bottom 114 and the top surface 122 which are opposite to each other in the vibration direction and are located at a position which does not interfere with the movable body 20, that is, outside the center of the bottom 114 and the top surface 122 which are end surfaces when viewed from above (the interference region CR of the movable body 20).

[0162] If the vent holes 116 and 126 are provided in the bottom 114 and the top surface 122, the mechanical rigidity of the portion where the vent holes 116 and 126 are provided is reduced. However, with respect to the vent holes 116 and 126 of the present embodiment, even if the vibration actuator is impacted from the outside and the movable body 20 moves beyond the normal vibration range and collides with the bottom 114 and the top surface 122 as the end surface, the movable body 20 will not interfere. Therefore, the bottom 114 and the top surface 122 as the end surface will not be damaged (cracks, etc.) due to the impact.

[0163] Regarding the vent holes 116 and 126, the total opening area (total opening area) of the vent holes (126, 116) provided in the housing 10 is at least 2% and less than 20% of the surface area of ​​at least one of the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114. More preferably, it is at least 4% and less than 20% of the surface area of ​​at least one of the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114. In addition, the vent holes 116 and 126 of the present embodiment are arc-shaped holes formed along the circumference of the respective centers (approximately located on the action center axis of the vibration actuator 1) on the disc-shaped top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114, and a plurality of vent holes are formed in the radial direction, but the shape may be any shape.

[0164] When the total opening area of ​​the vent holes 116 and 126 is less than 2% of the surface area of ​​one of the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114, the air in the housing 10 is difficult to be discharged to the outside when the movable body 20 is driven, and the internal compressed air is difficult to reduce, so that the movement of the movable body 20 is attenuated.

[0165] In addition, when the total opening area of ​​the vent holes 116 and 126 is larger than 20% of the surface area of ​​one of the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114, it is easy for dust to enter the housing 10 from the outside through the vent holes. This may hinder the movement of the movable body 20, and the total opening area of ​​the vent holes 116 and 126 is preferably set to a maximum of 20% of the surface area of ​​one of the top surface portion 122 and the bottom portion 114.

[0166] In addition, sometimes a magnetic fluid or the like is provided in the "gap" between the inner peripheral surface 522a of the skeleton main body 522 and the magnet 30, so that air is difficult to flow into the "gap" when the movable body 20 vibrates. In this case, it is more effective to set the total opening area of ​​the vent holes 126 of the top surface portion 122 to be 2% or more and 20% or less of the surface area of ​​the top surface portion 122, and more preferably to be 4% or more and 20% or less. At this time, the total opening area of ​​the vent holes 116 of the bottom 114 is 2% or more and 20% or less of the surface area of ​​the bottom 114, and preferably to be 4% or more and 20% or less.

[0167] Fig.15 Graph showing the ratio of the surface area of ​​the cover to the opening area of ​​the vent hole corresponding to the vibration amount. Fig.15 In the embodiment, the ratio of the surface area of ​​the cover 12, more specifically, the top surface 122, to the total opening area of ​​the plurality of vents 116, 126 provided in the top surface 122 and the bottom 114 is expressed as a "vent opening ratio (%)" based on the measurement result. Fig.15 It can be seen that when the "vent opening ratio (%)" is 3% or less, the vibration ratio is attenuated from 100% to a vibration ratio of about 99.5%. On the other hand, if the "vent opening ratio (%)" is 4% or more, the "vent opening ratio (%)" is about 100%, and it can be seen that the vibration force of the movable body 20 is not attenuated.

[0168] The top surface 122 is provided with ribs 129 so as to surround the vent holes 126, thereby preventing the strength of the top surface 122 from being reduced due to the formation of the vent holes 126. In addition, the bottom 114 has a plurality of radial ribs 129 on the surface opposite to the top surface 122, similarly to the top surface 122, and is configured so that a plurality of vent holes 116 are arranged between these plurality of ribs 129, but the plurality of ribs may not be required.

[0169] At least the top surface portion 122 of the bottom portion 114 and the top surface portion 122 provided with the vent holes 116 and 126 has a plurality of ribs arranged in a radial pattern. A plurality of vent holes 126 are provided between the plurality of ribs in the top surface portion 122. According to this structure, even if the vent holes 126 are provided in the top surface portion 122, the strength of the outer periphery of the top surface portion 122 can be uniformly improved by the ribs arranged in a radial pattern, and the strength of the top surface portion 122 will not be reduced.

[0170] In addition, the vent holes 116 and 126 may be provided with a mesh-like cushioning member having air permeability on at least one side of the top surface 122 and the bottom 114. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the ventilation holes 126 of the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12 are covered by the air-permeable cushioning member 14 which is provided on the back side of the top surface portion 122 .

[0171] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The buffer member 14 shown is preferably made of a sponge material, for example, and in the present embodiment, has a function as a damper capable of absorbing the impact force caused by the collision of the movable body 20. In the present embodiment, the buffer member 14 is formed in an annular shape on the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12 and is provided in a manner covering the vent hole 126, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the buffer member 14 may be provided in the central portion of the top surface portion 122, that is, in the interference region CR of the movable body 20. In this case, the buffer member disposed in the central portion functions as a damper when the movable body 20 collides due to falling or the like.

[0172] In addition, the vent hole 126 can also be Fig.11 The vent holes 126A shown in the figure are provided in a cross-sectional labyrinth shape on the top surface 122A of the cover portion 12A. Thus, on the top surface 122A, if the vent holes 126A are not formed in a straight line in the up-down direction (vibration direction), but are formed in a shape bent within the thickness of the top surface 122A, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter such as garbage to further intrude from the outside to the inside through the top surface 122A. At this time, the vent holes 126A are provided in the disc-shaped top surface 122A in a region OR overlapping with the outer periphery, in a radially arranged plurality of slits centered on the center of the top surface 122A. Thus, the planar shape of the vent holes 126A is formed in a straight line in the radial direction, but may also be formed in a circular arc along the circumferential direction as in the vent holes 126 of the present embodiment. Alternatively, Fig.11 The structure of the vent hole 126A shown is applied to the vent hole 116 of the bottom 114 of the housing 10, and the vent hole of the bottom 114 is formed into a cross-sectional labyrinth shape to achieve the same effect as the vent hole 126A. In addition, when the vent hole is provided in the peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing body 11, it can also be covered with a breathable cushioning member and formed into a cross-sectional labyrinth shape.

[0173] <Operation of vibration actuator 1>

[0174] The operation of the vibration actuator 1 is described by taking the following as an example: the magnet 30 is magnetized so that the surface 30a side on one side of the magnetization direction (the upper side in this embodiment) is the N pole, and the back surface 30b side on the other side of the magnetization direction (the lower side in this embodiment) is the S pole.

[0175] In the vibration actuator 1, the movable body 20 is considered to be equivalent to the mass part in the vibration model of the spring-mass system. Therefore, in the case of sharp resonance (with a steep peak), the steep peak is suppressed by attenuating the vibration. By attenuating the vibration, the resonance is no longer steep, the maximum amplitude value and the maximum movement amount of the movable body 20 at the time of resonance will not deviate, and an appropriate vibration based on a stable maximum movement amount is output.

[0176] In the vibration driver 1 is formed Fig.14 In the vibration actuator 1, the coils 61 and 62 are arranged so that the coil axes are orthogonal to the magnetic fluxes from the movable cores 41 and 42 sandwiching the magnet 30 in the vibration direction.

[0177] Specifically, the magnetic flux mf is emitted from the surface 30 a side of the magnet 30 , radiates from the movable core 41 toward the coil 61 side, passes through the electromagnetic shield 58 , and enters the magnet 30 from the movable core 42 below the magnet 30 via the coil 62 .

[0178] However, if Fig.12 When electricity is supplied as shown, the magnetic field of the magnet 30 and the current flowing through the coils 61 and 62 interact with each other, and thus a Lorentz force in the −f direction is generated in the coils 61 and 62 according to Fleming's left-hand rule.

[0179] The Lorentz force in the -f direction is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the current flowing through the coils 61 and 62. The coils 61 and 62 are fixed to the fixed body 50 (coil frame portion 52). Therefore, according to the law of action and reaction, a force opposite to the Lorentz force in the -f direction is generated as a thrust in the F direction on the movable body 20 having the magnet 30. As a result, the movable body 20 having the magnet 30 moves laterally in the F direction, that is, in the cover portion 12 (the top surface portion 122 of the cover portion 12) (refer to Fig.13 ).

[0180] In addition, if the energizing direction of the coils 61 and 62 is switched to the opposite direction and the coils 61 and 62 are energized, a Lorentz force in the opposite direction F is generated. Due to the generation of the Lorentz force in the F direction, according to the law of action and reaction, a force opposite to the Lorentz force in the F direction is generated as a thrust (thrust in the -F direction) on the movable body 20, and the movable body 20 moves in the -F direction, that is, to the bottom 114 side of the fixed body 50 (refer to Fig.14 ).

[0181] In the vibration actuator 1, when not powered and not driven, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 30 and the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 acts as a working magnetic spring. The movable body 20 returns to its original position by the magnetic attraction generated between the magnet 30 and the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 and the restoring force of the elastic supporting portions 81 and 82 that want to return to their original state.

[0182] The vibration actuator 1 includes a fixed body 50 having coils 61 and 62, and a movable body 20 having a magnet 30 disposed radially inside the coils 61 and 62 and magnetized in the axial direction of the coils 61 and 62. The vibration actuator 1 also includes flat elastic support portions 81 and 82 that elastically hold the movable body 20 so that it can move freely in the axial direction of the coils, i.e., in the vibration direction.

[0183] The coils 61 and 62 are arranged on the outer periphery of the bobbin body 522 of the coil bobbin 52 . The outer peripheral surface 20 a of the movable body 20 is arranged at a distance on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin body 522 . The coils 61 and 62 are surrounded by the electromagnetic shield 58 on the outer peripheral surface.

[0184] The elastic support portions 81 and 82 support the movable body 20 at a predetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface 522 a of the frame main body portion 522 so as not to contact the movable body 20 when the movable body 20 is not vibrating or when the movable body 20 is vibrating.

[0185] In addition, the hollow housing 10 has two end surfaces (top surface 122 and bottom 114) disposed separately and oppositely in the vibration direction of the movable body 20, respectively, to limit the movement range of the movable body 20 in the housing 10, and the housing 10 has one or more vent holes 126 (116). The total opening area of ​​the vent holes 126 is at least 2% to 20% of the surface area of ​​at least one of the top surface 122 and the bottom 114.

[0186] Thus, it is possible to prevent the lost air from being compressed during the vibration of the movable body 20 in the housing 10 and the vibration of the movable body 20 itself from being attenuated. That is, in the housing 10, the air pressed between the movable body 20 and the top surface portion 122 and between the movable body 20 and the bottom portion 114 due to the vibration of the movable body 20 is discharged to the outside through the vents 126 and 116. Thus, the driving of the movable body 20 is not attenuated, and the intrusion of garbage is prevented, so that appropriate body vibration can be generated with high output.

[0187] In addition, the vibration actuator 1 is formed by disposing the driving unit 13 in the housing 10, so the elastic support parts 81 and 82, which require high dimensional accuracy, can be fixed by assembling them to the coil frame part 52. Thus, the configuration of the fixed movable body 20 including the elastic support parts 81 and 82 can be determined based on the coil frame part 52, and the accuracy of the vibration generation direction of the product can be improved.

[0188] In addition, the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 is installed in the coil skeleton portion 52 disposed in the housing 10 in a manner of surrounding the coils 61 and 62, thereby eliminating the need to provide an electromagnetic shield on the outer peripheral side of the housing 10. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 10 is made of a resin with good surface accuracy and is a smooth surface, and the bonding state of the components such as double-sided tape to which the buffer material is mounted is good, which can improve the bonding strength.

[0189] In addition, the shell 10 is formed by a shell body 11 with a bottom cylinder, that is, a cup-shaped shell body 11 and a cover 12. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the peripheral wall portion 112 and the bottom portion 114 are set as separate bodies, the number of parts can be reduced, the assembly efficiency can be improved, and the impact resistance can be improved.

[0190] In addition, the cover 12 is fixed by being welded to the opening 115 of the cup-shaped shell body 11. Therefore, even if a plurality of vent holes 126 are provided on the top surface 122 of the cover 12, durability will not be reduced. In addition, compared with fixing by bonding, the fixing strength is improved, and even if it is impacted from the outside, the cover 12 is difficult to fall off from the shell body 11, which can improve the impact resistance. In this way, according to the vibration actuator 1, the intrusion of foreign matter such as garbage can be prevented, and appropriate body vibration can be output without attenuation, so that vibration can be imparted to the user.

[0191] The vibration actuator 1 is powered by a power supply unit (e.g. Fig.16 and Fig.17 The drive control unit 203 shown in FIG. 1 is driven by an AC wave input to the coils 61 and 62. That is, the current supply direction of the coils 61 and 62 is periodically switched, and the thrust in the F direction on the top surface 122 side of the cover 12 and the thrust in the -F direction on the bottom 114 side are alternately applied to the movable body 20. As a result, the movable body 20 vibrates in the vibration direction (the winding axis direction of the coils 61 and 62 orthogonal to the radial direction of the coils 61 and 62 or the magnetization direction of the magnet 30).

[0192] The driving principle of the vibration actuator 1 is briefly described below. In the vibration actuator 1 of the present embodiment, when the mass of the movable body 20 is set to m [kg] and the spring constant of the spring (elastic support parts 81 and 82 as springs) is set to Ksp, the movable body 20 moves relative to the fixed body 50 at a resonance frequency F calculated by the following formula (1): r [Hz] vibration.

[0193]

【number

[0194]

[0195] It can be considered that the movable body 20 constitutes the mass part in the vibration model of the spring-mass system. Therefore, if the resonance frequency F of the movable body 20 is input to the coils 61 and 62,r The movable body 20 is in a resonant state when an AC wave with the same frequency as the resonant frequency F of the movable body 20 is input from the power supply unit to the coils 61 and 62. r The AC waves of substantially equal frequency can efficiently vibrate the movable body 20 .

[0196] The following are motion equations and circuit equations that represent the driving principle of the vibration actuator 1. The vibration actuator 1 is driven based on the motion equation shown in the following equation (2) and the circuit equation shown in the following equation (3).

[0197]

Number 2

[0198]

[0199] m: mass [kg]

[0200] x(t): displacement [m]

[0201] K f :Thrust constant [N / A]

[0202] i(t): current [A]

[0203] Ksp: Spring constant [N / m]

[0204] D: Attenuation coefficient [N / (m / s)]

[0205]

Number 3

[0206]

[0207] e(t): voltage [V]

[0208] R: resistance [Ω]

[0209] L: Inductance [H]

[0210] K e : Back electromotive force constant [V / (rad / s)]

[0211] That is, the mass m [kg], displacement x (t) [m], thrust constant K of the vibration actuator 1 f [N / A], current i(t)[A], spring constant K sp [N / m], attenuation coefficient D [N / (m / s)], etc. can be appropriately changed within the range that satisfies equation (2). In addition, voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], back electromotive force constant K e [V / (rad / s)] can be changed appropriately within the range satisfying the formula (3).

[0212] Thus, in the vibration actuator 1, the mass m of the movable body 20 and the spring constants K of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 as leaf springs are used. sp Determined resonant frequency F r When the coils 61 and 62 are energized with corresponding alternating current waves, a large vibration output can be obtained effectively.

[0213] In addition, the vibration actuator 1 satisfies equations (2) and (3) and is driven by a resonance phenomenon using the resonance frequency shown in equation (1). Therefore, in the vibration actuator 1, the power consumed in a stable state is only the loss caused by the attenuation unit 72, and it can be driven with low power consumption, that is, the movable body 20 can be made to reciprocate linearly with low power consumption. In addition, by increasing the attenuation coefficient D, it is possible to generate a transition vibration in a high frequency band.

[0214] According to the present embodiment, plate-shaped elastic support parts 81 and 82 are arranged above and below (in the vibration direction) the movable body 20, so that the movable body 20 can be stably driven in the up and down directions, and the magnetic flux of the coils 61 and 62 can be effectively distributed from the upper and lower elastic support parts 81 and 82 of the magnet 30. As a result, as the vibration actuator 1, high-output vibration can be achieved.

[0215] In addition, the fixed body 50 has a coil frame portion 52 that has both a holding function for the coils 61 and 62 and a protection function for the coils 61 and 62 relative to the movable body 20. Thus, even if the fixed body 50 is impacted, it can withstand the impact and will not cause deformation or other damage to the elastic support portions 81 and 82. In addition, since the fixed body 50 transmits the impact to the coils 61 and 62 via the resin frame main body 522, damage can be suppressed, and the vibration actuator 1 with high reliability is obtained.

[0216] (Electronic equipment)

[0217] Fig.16 and Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of how the vibration actuator 1 is mounted. Fig.16 An example of installing the vibration driver 1 in the game controller GC is shown. Fig.17 An example in which the vibration actuator 1 is mounted on the mobile terminal M is shown.

[0218] The game controller GC is connected to the game machine body by wireless communication, and is used by the user holding or gripping it. Here, the game controller GC is set to have a rectangular plate shape, and the user grasps the left and right sides of the game controller GC with both hands and operates it.

[0219] The game controller GC notifies the user of the command from the game machine body by vibration. In addition, although not shown, the game controller GC has functions other than the command notification, for example, an input operation unit for the game machine body.

[0220] The mobile terminal M is a mobile communication terminal such as a cell phone or a smart phone. The mobile terminal M notifies the user of an incoming call from an external communication device by vibration and implements various functions of the mobile terminal M (for example, functions that provide a sense of operation and a sense of presence).

[0221] like Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M each include a communication unit 201, a processing unit 202, a drive control unit 203, and a vibration driver 1 as a drive unit, that is, vibration drivers 204, 205, and 206. In addition, a plurality of vibration drivers 204 and 205 are installed in the game controller GC.

[0222] In the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M, the vibration drivers 204, 205, 206 are preferably installed in a manner that the main surface of the terminal and the surface of the vibration drivers 204, 205, 206 that is orthogonal to the vibration direction, that is, the bottom surface of the bottom 114, are parallel. The main surface of the terminal refers to the surface that contacts the body surface of the user, and in the present embodiment, refers to the vibration transmission surface that contacts the body surface of the user and transmits vibration. In addition, it can also be configured that the main surface of the terminal and the bottom surface of the bottom 114 of the vibration drivers 204, 205, 206 are orthogonal.

[0223] Specifically, in the game controller GC, vibration drivers 204 and 205 are installed in such a manner that the surface contacted by the fingertips, finger pulps, palms, etc. of the user who performs the operation or the surface provided with the operating unit is orthogonal to the vibration direction. In addition, in the case of the mobile terminal M, a vibration driver 206 is installed in such a manner that the display screen (touch panel surface) is orthogonal to the vibration direction. Thus, vibrations in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M can be transmitted to the user.

[0224] The communication unit 201 is connected to an external communication device through wireless communication, receives a signal from the communication device, and outputs it to the processing unit 202. In the case of a game controller GC, the external communication device is a game console as an information communication terminal, and communication is performed according to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the case of a mobile terminal M, the external communication device is, for example, a base station, and communication is performed according to a mobile communication standard.

[0225] The processing unit 202 converts the input signal into a drive signal for driving the vibration drivers 204, 205, and 206 through a conversion circuit unit (not shown), and outputs the signal to the drive control unit 203. In addition, in the mobile terminal M, the processing unit 202 generates a drive signal based on signals input from various functional units (not shown, such as an operation unit such as a touch panel) in addition to the signal input from the communication unit 201.

[0226] The drive control unit 203 is connected to the vibration drivers 204, 205, and 206, and is provided with a circuit for driving the vibration drivers 204, 205, and 206. The drive control unit 203 supplies the vibration drivers 204, 205, and 206 with a drive signal.

[0227] The vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206 are driven according to the drive signal from the drive control unit 203. Specifically, in the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206, the movable body 20 vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M.

[0228] The movable body 20 may also contact the top surface 122 or the bottom 114 of the cover 12 via the damper each time it vibrates. In this case, the impact on the top surface 122 or the bottom 114 of the cover 12, that is, the impact on the frame body, generated by the vibration of the movable body 20 is directly transmitted to the user as vibration. In particular, in the game controller GC, since a plurality of vibration drivers 204 and 205 are installed, one or both of the plurality of vibration drivers 204 and 205 can be driven simultaneously according to the input drive signal.

[0229] Vibration in a direction perpendicular to the body surface is transmitted to the body surface of the user in contact with the game controller GC or the mobile terminal M, so that sufficient physical vibration can be given to the user. In the game controller GC, physical vibration can be given to the user by using one or both of the vibration drivers 204 and 205, at least highly expressive vibration such as selectively giving strong and weak vibrations can be given.

[0230] As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventors has been specifically described based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be modified within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0231] In addition, for example, the vibration driver of the present invention is suitable for application to portable devices other than the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M shown in the embodiment. Portable devices other than the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M are, for example, mobile information terminals such as tablet PCs, portable game terminals, and wearable terminals that users carry with them. In addition, the vibration driver 1 of this embodiment can also be used for electric beauty instruments such as beauty massagers that require vibration in addition to the above-mentioned portable devices.

[0232] Industrial Applicability

[0233] The vibration actuator of the present invention can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as garbage, and output appropriate body-feeling vibration without attenuation, and can be used as a component mounted on electronic devices such as game terminals or mobile terminals that impart vibration to users.

Claims

1. A vibration driver, characterized in that: have: a fixed body having a wound coil; a movable body which is accommodated in the fixed body, has a magnet and a yoke, and is supported so as to vibrate inside the coil when power is supplied to the coil; and a pair of end members, which are arranged at the ends of the fixed body, do not contact the movable body in the normal vibration range of the movable body, and abut against the movable body to limit the movement range of the movable body when impact occurs, The pair of end members have an interference region that abuts against the movable body to limit the moving range of the movable body during an impact. At least one of the pair of end members has a vent hole region located outside the interference region and having a plurality of vent holes arranged therein.

2. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of end members have ribs for reinforcement, The vent holes are arranged in the vent hole region outside the region of the rib.

3. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of end members includes a buffer member in the interference region.

4. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vent hole has a curved shape to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter.

5. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The total opening area of ​​the ventilation holes in each of the pair of end members is 2% or more and 20% or less of the surface area of ​​each of the pair of end members.

6. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed body has an electromagnetic shielding portion, The magnetic attractive force generated between the magnet and the electromagnetic shielding portion functions as a magnetic spring.

7. The vibration driver according to claim 1, characterized in that: The yoke is fixed to the magnet so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the magnet, and constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the movable body together with the outer peripheral surface of the magnet.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is mounted.

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