VORIZON MOTOR

Abstract

A voice coil motor according to the present disclosure comprises: a cylindrical or columnar inner yoke; a cylindrical outer yoke surrounding the inner yoke, such that a cylindrical gap is formed between the inner yoke and the inner yoke itself; a cylindrical coil arranged in the gap; a magnet arranged inside the coil in a state of contact with the inner yoke or outside the coil in a state of contact with the outer yoke; a first connecting yoke connecting one end in the axial direction of the inner yoke and one end in the axial direction of the outer yoke; and a second connecting yoke connecting the other end in the axial direction of the inner yoke and the other end in the axial direction of the outer yoke.At least one of the first and second connecting yokes has a plurality of yoke sections arranged in a cylindrical shape, connecting the inner and outer yokes. These plurality of yoke sections are formed from links separate from the inner and outer yokes, allowing them to be attached to them. A gap for the output of the voice coil motor is provided between adjacent yoke sections.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a voice coil motor. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] A conventional voice coil motor has a configuration in which a solid circular column-shaped inner yoke and a circular cylindrical outer yoke are arranged such that a circular cylindrical space is formed between them. An end section of the solid column-shaped inner yoke and an end section of the cylindrical outer yoke are axially connected by a connecting yoke at one end. The connecting yoke is integrally formed with the outer yoke and blocks an opening at one end of the space in the axial direction. An opening at the other end of the space in the axial direction is open, allowing output to be extracted from a coil that is axially movable within the space.

[0003] In the case of a voice coil motor with the configuration described above, to improve axial thrust, it is advantageous to connect the other end section of the inner yoke and the other end section of the outer yoke axially by an end-connecting yoke. This end-connecting yoke is integrally formed with the outer yoke and blocks an opening at the other end of the space in the axial direction. However, since the other end of the space must remain open axially, as mentioned above, the end-connecting yoke has a through-hole for extracting the coil output. Typically, a coupling element passes through this through-hole of the end-connecting yoke to couple the coil to a drive component driven by the voice coil motor output.

[0004] When mounting the voice coil motor with the through-hole, it is necessary to ensure that the coupling element penetrates the through-hole. Since the coupling element must be able to pass through the through-hole, it is necessary to design it with this requirement in mind. This means that the coupling element used in conventional voice coil motors has a limited degree of design freedom. List of cited patent documents

[0005] Patent document 1: Unexamined Japanese patent application, publication no. 2000-23442 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problem, a voice coil motor is desirable that can improve one degree of freedom in the design, while an improvement in thrust is sought. Means to solve the problems

[0007] A voice coil motor of the present disclosure comprises an inner yoke having a cylindrical or solid column shape, an outer yoke having a cylindrical shape and surrounding the inner yoke, such that a cylindrical space is formed between the outer yoke and the inner yoke, a coil having a cylindrical shape and arranged in the space, a magnet arranged inside the coil in a state in contact with the inner yoke or outside the coil in a state in contact with the outer yoke, a first connecting yoke connecting an end section of the inner yoke in an axial direction and an end section of the outer yoke in the axial direction, and a second connecting yoke connecting another end section of the inner yoke in the axial direction and another end section of the outer yoke in the axial direction.At least one of the first connecting yoke or the second connecting yoke has a plurality of yoke pieces arranged in a cylindrical shape so that they connect the inner yoke and the outer yoke; the plurality of yoke pieces are formed from links separate from the inner yoke and the outer yoke so that they are attached to the inner yoke and the outer yoke; and a gap for extracting an output from the voice coil motor is provided between adjacent yoke pieces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line AA' in Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line BB' in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line CC' in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention and shows a state before yoke pieces are attached to an inner yoke and an outer yoke; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention and shows a state in which yoke pieces are attached to an inner yoke and an outer yoke; Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example 1 of a voice coil motor of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example 2 of a voice coil motor of the present invention. PREFERRED OPERATING MODE FOR REALIZING THE INVENTION

[0008] A voice coil motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the figures. A voice coil motor 1 according to the present embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. The voice coil motor 1 is described in sections 1 to 6. It comprises an inner yoke 2, an outer yoke 3, a coil 4, a magnet 5, a first connecting yoke 6, a second connecting yoke 7, and a coupling element 8. It should be noted that in the following, an axial direction J1 is defined as the top-bottom direction. One end face in the axial direction J1 is defined as the bottom J11, and the other end face in the axial direction J1 is defined as the top J12.

[0009] The inner yoke 2 has a cylindrical or solid column shape. In the example shown, the inner yoke 2 has a solid circular column shape and an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. The inner yoke 2 can have a cylindrical shape. In this case, the inner yoke 2 typically has a circular cylindrical shape.

[0010] The outer yoke 3 has a cylindrical shape. In the example shown, the outer yoke 3 has a circular cylindrical shape and an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. The inner diameter of the outer yoke 3 is larger than the diameter of the solid circular column-shaped inner yoke 2. As shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the outer yoke 3 is arranged coaxially to the inner yoke 2, such that it surrounds the inner yoke 2. A cylindrical space 9 is formed between the outer yoke 3 and the inner yoke 2 in a state in which the outer yoke 3 surrounds the inner yoke 2. The space 9 has a circular cylindrical shape and is a space between an inner circumferential surface 10 of the outer yoke 3 and an outer circumferential surface 11 of the inner yoke 2. The circular cylindrical space 9 has an opening that is closer to the top J12 and opens upwards, and an opening that is closer to the bottom J11 and opens downwards.

[0011] The coil 4 is cylindrical. In the example shown, the coil 4 has a circular cylindrical shape and an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. An inner diameter of the coil 4 is larger than the diameter of the inner yoke 2, and an outer diameter of the coil 4 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer yoke 3. As shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the coil 4 is arranged in the space 9 between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 and is positioned coaxially to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3.

[0012] Magnet 5 is cylindrical. In the example shown, magnet 5 has a circular cylindrical shape and an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. The outer diameter of magnet 5 is smaller than the inner diameter of coil 4. As shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the magnet 5 is fixed to the inner yoke 2 in a state in which the inner circumferential surface 12 of the magnet 5 and the outer circumferential surface 11 of the inner yoke 2 are in contact with each other. In this state, the magnet 5 is arranged coaxially with the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. In this state, the magnet 5 is surrounded by the coil 4 arranged in the space 9. Thus, the magnet 5 is located inside the coil 4 while in contact with the inner yoke 2. The magnet 5 of the present embodiment is a permanent magnet.

[0013] The first connecting yoke 6 has a disc shape and connects the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 at a position that is closer to the bottom J11 relative to the magnet 5 provided on the inner yoke 2. Specifically, the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 are fixed to the first connecting yoke 6 in a state in which a surface 13 of the inner yoke 2 and a surface 14 of the outer yoke 3, both located closer to the bottom J11, are in contact with a plate surface 15 of the first connecting yoke 6 located closer to the top J12. For example, the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 are fixed to the first connecting yoke 6 by screws. The gap 9 between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 is formed in a state in which the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 are fixed to the first connecting yoke 6.In this way, the first connecting yoke 6 connects an end section of the inner yoke 2 in the axial direction J1 and an end section of the outer yoke 3 in the axial direction J1.

[0014] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the second connecting yoke 7 has a plurality of yoke sections 16 arranged in a cylindrical shape, connecting the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. The plurality of yoke sections 16 are formed from links separate from the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, so that they are attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. In the example shown, each of the plurality of yoke sections 16 has the shape of a substantially fan-shaped plate in a plan view. Specifically, each yoke section 16 has a plate surface 17 located closer to the top J12, a plate surface 18 located closer to the bottom J11, and four end surfaces 19, 20, 21, and 22, respectively, which connect the plate surface 17 located closer to the top J12 and the plate surface 18 located closer to the bottom J11.

[0015] End surface 19 connects one end of plate surface 17 and one end of plate surface 18 in the circumferential direction. End surface 20 connects the other end of plate surface 17 and the other end of plate surface 18 in the circumferential direction. End surfaces 19 and 20 are inclined such that they diverge from each other in a radial direction K1. In other words, the circumferential length between end surface 19 and end surface 20 increases outwards in the radial direction K1. End surface 21 connects an inner end of plate surface 17 and an inner end of plate surface 18 in the radial direction K1. End surface 22 connects an outer end of plate surface 17 and an outer end of plate surface 18 in the radial direction K1. The end surface 21 is a curved surface which, in a top view, is concave in an arc shape towards the outside in the radial direction K1.The end surface 22 is a curved surface which, in a top view, is convex outwards in the radial direction K1 in an arc shape.

[0016] The majority of yoke pieces 16 are positioned between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 at a location closer to the top surface J12 relative to the magnet 5 located on the inner yoke 2. Specifically, the yoke piece 16 is fixed to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 in a state where the end face 21 of each yoke piece 16 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 11 of the inner yoke 2, and in a state where the end face 22 of each yoke piece 16 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface 10 of the outer yoke 3. For example, the yoke piece 16 is press-fitted between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 and attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 with an adhesive. In this way, the second connecting yoke 7 connects the other end section of the inner yoke 2 in the axial direction J1 and the other end section of the outer yoke 3 in the axial direction J1.

[0017] In a state where the second connecting yoke 7 is attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, the end face 22 of each yoke section 16 is positioned closer to the outer yoke 3, and the end face 21 of each yoke section 16 is positioned closer to the inner yoke 2. Therefore, for each yoke section 16, the end section closer to the outer yoke 3 has a greater circumference than the end section closer to the inner yoke 2. As stated above, the yoke sections 16 are arranged between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. Therefore, when fixing the yoke pieces 16, the end surface 22 of each yoke piece 16 that is closer to the outer yoke 3 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 10 of the outer yoke 3, and the end surface 21 of each yoke piece 16 that is closer to the inner yoke 2 is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface 11 of the inner yoke 2.

[0018] Adjacent yoke pieces 16, 16 are not in contact with each other in a state where the second connecting yoke 7 is attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. In other words, the end faces 19, 20 of the adjacent yoke pieces 16, 16 are spaced apart. Therefore, gaps 23, which penetrate in the top-bottom direction, are provided between the adjacent yoke pieces 16, 16. The gaps 23 serve to extract an output from the voice coil motor 1. In the example shown, the coupling element 8, which couples the coil 4 and a drive element (not shown) driven by the output of the voice coil motor 1, passes through the gaps 23 between the adjacent yoke pieces 16, 16.

[0019] The coupling element 8 includes a drive-side connector 24, positioned closer to the top J12, a motor-side connector 25, positioned closer to the bottom J11, and a plurality of connectors 26 that connect the drive-side connector 24 and the motor-side connector 25. The drive-side connector 24 is disc-shaped and arranged such that its plate surfaces face upwards and downwards. The drive unit is connected to the drive-side connector 24. The motor-side connector 25 is short and circularly cylindrical, opening towards the bottom J11. An upper wall 27 of the motor-side connector 25 has a circular through-hole 28 that penetrates it in the upward direction. The coil 4 is supported at an end of the motor-side connecting piece 25 that is closer to the underside J11.In a state where the coil 4 is supported by the motor-side connector 25, the coil 4 has an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. Each of the plurality of connectors 26 has a plate shape. An end of each connector 26 closer to the top J12 is connected to the drive-side connector 24, and an end of each connector 26 closer to the bottom J11 is connected to the upper wall 27 of the motor-side connector 25.

[0020] The drive-side connecting piece 24 and the motor-side connecting piece 25 are spaced apart in the top-bottom direction when the drive-side connecting piece 24 and the motor-side connecting piece 25 are connected by the connecting pieces 26. The majority of the connecting pieces 26 are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the drive-side connecting piece 24 and a circumferential direction of the motor-side connecting piece 25 when the majority of the connecting pieces 26 are connected to the drive-side connecting piece 24 and the motor-side connecting piece 25. In other words, there is a distance between adjacent connecting pieces 26.Due to the configuration described above, the coupling member 8 has yoke receiving cavities 29, each surrounded by the drive-side connecting piece 24, the upper wall 27 of the motor-side connecting piece 25, and the adjacent connecting pieces 26, 26. Each yoke receiving cavity 29 is open outwards in the radial direction K1 of the drive-side connecting piece 24 and outwards in the radial direction K1 of the motor-side connecting piece 25. The yoke pieces 16 are arranged in the yoke receiving cavities 29. In the present embodiment, the coupling member 8 is a one-piece molded part made of a suitable material.

[0021] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the coupling element 8 couples the drive unit and the coil 4 in a state where the coupling element 8 penetrates the gap 23. In this state, where the connecting pieces 26 of the coupling element 8 penetrate the gap 23, the drive unit-side connecting piece 24 is positioned closer to the top J12 relative to the second connecting yoke 7, and the motor-side connecting piece 25 is positioned within the space 9 and closer to the bottom J11 relative to the second connecting yoke 7. The coil 4 is provided at the end of the motor-side connecting piece 25 closer to the bottom J11 such that the coil 4 extends towards the bottom J11. In a state where the coil 4 is supported by the motor-side connecting piece 25, the coil 4 is arranged between the outer yoke 3 and the magnet 5 provided at the inner yoke 2.

[0022] The voice coil motor 1 with the configuration described above can move the coil 4 in the axial direction J1 by energizing the coil 4. Moving the coil 4 in the axial direction J1 causes the coupling element 8, which is carried by the coil 4, to move in the axial direction J1. Thus, the voice coil motor 1 can drive the drive element connected to the coupling element 8.

[0023] Next, the manufacture of the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. As described in section 6, to manufacture the voice coil motor 1, the outer yoke 3 and the inner yoke 2 are first fixed to the first connecting yoke 6, and the magnet 5 is fixed to the inner yoke 2. In the example shown, the outer side of the magnet 5 in the radial direction K1 is an N-pole, and the inner side of the magnet 5 in the radial direction K1 is an S-pole. The yoke sections 16 are then inserted from the outside in the radial direction K1 into the yoke receiving cavities 29 of the coupling element 8, which is supported by the coil 4. The yoke sections 16 are temporarily attached to the coupling element 8 while in their insertion into the yoke receiving cavities 29. In this state, in which the yoke pieces 16 have been inserted into the yoke receiving cavities 29, the coil 4 carried by the coupling element 8 is inserted into the space 9 through the opening of the space 9 that is closer to the top side J12.After the coil 4 is inserted into the space 9, the yoke pieces 16 are fixed to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. With the yoke pieces 16 fixed to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, the inner yoke 2 penetrates the through-hole 28 of the coupling element 8. It should be noted that, with the yoke pieces 16 temporarily attached to the coupling element 8, the yoke piece 16 and the outer yoke 3 are preferably in a positional relationship such that the end faces 22 of the yoke pieces 16 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 10 of the outer yoke 3 when the coupling element 8 is moved towards the underside J11. In this way, the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment is manufactured.

[0024] The voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment includes the first connecting yoke 6 and the second connecting yoke 7. Therefore, the voice coil motor 1 includes, as in Fig. Figure 4 shows a magnetic circuit 30 formed by the inner yoke 2, the outer yoke 3, and the first connecting yoke 6, and a magnetic circuit 31 formed by the inner yoke 2, the outer yoke 3, and the second connecting yoke 7. Therefore, according to the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the thrust of the coil 4 can be improved. Furthermore, in the case of the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the second connecting yoke 7 is attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3. Therefore, according to the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the coupling element 8 to penetrate the second connecting yoke 7, which is attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, thus improving the design freedom of the coupling element 8.

[0025] In the case of the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, since each yoke piece 16 has the shape of a substantially fan-shaped plate in a top view, the end section of each yoke piece 16 located closer to the outer yoke 3 has a greater circumferential length than the end section located closer to the inner yoke 2. Therefore, according to the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the greatest circumferential length among the circumferential lengths of each gap 23 is less than the radial length of the gap 23, thus ensuring a cross-sectional area for each gap 23 while preventing a situation in which the flow of a magnetic flux through each gap 23 is impeded. Ensuring the cross-sectional area of ​​each gap 23 leads to a thickening of the connecting pieces 26 of the coupling element 8, thereby increasing the strength of the coupling element 8.

[0026] In the case of the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the coupling element 8 is a one-piece molded part. Therefore, according to the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the stiffness of the coupling element 8, which is a movable element, can be improved. Consequently, wobbling of the coupling element 8 during movement can be prevented, thereby improving the performance of the voice coil motor 1. Furthermore, in the case of the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, the coupling element 8 has yoke receiving cavities 29 into which the yoke pieces 16 are inserted. Consequently, during the manufacture of the voice coil motor 1, the yoke pieces 16 can be attached to the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3 in a state in which the yoke pieces 16 have been inserted into the yoke receiving cavities 29.Therefore, according to the voice coil motor 1 of the present embodiment, simple assembly of the voice coil motor 1 can be ensured.

[0027] According to the embodiment described above, the voice coil motor 1 includes the first connecting yoke 6 and the second connecting yoke 7, which comprises the plurality of yoke sections 16 as separate links from the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, and the gaps 23 are provided between adjacent yoke sections 16, 16. Therefore, the voice coil motor 1 can be provided, which can improve one degree of freedom in its design while aiming for an improvement in thrust.

[0028] Although the present disclosure is described in detail, it is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, and partial deletions may be made to the embodiment, provided that they do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure or from the content of the present disclosure as described in the claims and their equivalents. In the embodiment described above, the sequence of operations and the processing sequence are described as non-limiting examples. The same applies to any case in which numbers or formulas are used in the description of the embodiment above.

[0029] For example, the magnet 5 can be provided on the outer yoke 3, as shown in Fig. 7 Modified Example 1 shown. It should be noted that the components marked with the same reference numerals as in the embodiment above have the same functions and therefore a description of them can be omitted below.

[0030] In one case of a voice coil motor 1a of the modified example 1, the inner diameter of the circular cylindrical magnet 5 is larger than the outer diameter of the coil 4. As in Fig. Figure 7 shows that magnet 5 is fixed to the outer yoke 3 in a state where the outer circumferential surface 32 of magnet 5 and the inner circumferential surface 10 of the outer yoke 3 are in contact. In this example, the outer surface of magnet 5 in the radial direction K1 is an N-pole, and the inner surface of magnet 5 in the radial direction K1 is an S-pole. The coil 4, located in the space 9, is surrounded by magnet 5 in a state where magnet 5 is fixed to the outer yoke 3. In other words, coil 4 is located between the inner yoke 2 and magnet 5, which is fixed to the outer yoke 3. Thus, magnet 5 is located outside coil 4 in a state where it is in contact with the outer yoke 3.

[0031] Furthermore, the magnet 5 and the inner yoke 2 can be used as in the one shown in Fig.The modified Example 2 shown in Figure 8 should be configured as shown. It should be noted that the components marked with the same reference numerals as in the embodiment above have the same functions, and therefore a description of them is unnecessary below.

[0032] In the case of a voice coil motor 1b of modified example 2, the magnet 5 has a solid column shape. In the example shown, the solid circular column-shaped magnet 5 has an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. The magnet 5 is fixed to the first connecting yoke 6. Specifically, the magnet 5 is fixed to the first connecting yoke 6 in a state in which a surface 33 of the magnet 5 located closer to the bottom J11 is in contact with the plate surface 15 of the first connecting yoke 6 located closer to the top J12. In a state in which the magnet 5 is fixed to the first connecting yoke 6, it extends from the first connecting yoke 6 towards the top J12. In a state in which the magnet 5 is fixed to the first connecting yoke 6, it is arranged coaxially with the outer yoke 3.It should be noted that a section of magnet 5 located closer to the top J12 is an N-pole and a section of magnet 5 located closer to the bottom J11 is an S-pole.

[0033] In the case of the voice coil motor 1b of modified example 2, the inner yoke 2 has a solid column shape. In the example shown, the solid circular column-shaped inner yoke 2 has an axial direction J1 along the top-bottom direction. The inner yoke 2 is fixed to the first connecting yoke 6 via the magnet 5. Specifically, the inner yoke 2 is fixed to the magnet 5 in a state in which the surface 13 of the inner yoke 2, located closer to the bottom J11, is in contact with a surface 34 of the magnet 5, located closer to the top J12. In this state, the inner yoke 2 is arranged coaxially with the magnet 5 and the outer yoke 3.

[0034] The diameter of the inner yoke 2 and the diameter of the magnet 5 are smaller than the inner diameter of the outer yoke 3. Therefore, a circular cylindrical gap 9, continuous in the top-bottom direction, is formed between the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3, as well as between the magnet 5 and the outer yoke 3. The coil 4, supported by the coupling element 8, is arranged in the gap 9. The coil 4 is arranged coaxially with the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3.

[0035] In the embodiment described above, the second connecting yoke 7 has a plurality of yoke sections 16 beneath the first connecting yoke 6 and the second connecting yoke 7. However, the first connecting yoke 6 can have a plurality of yoke sections 16 beneath both the first connecting yoke 6 and the second connecting yoke 7, or both the first connecting yoke 6 and the second connecting yoke 7 can have a plurality of yoke sections 16. In other words, at least one of the first connecting yoke 6 or the second connecting yoke 7 can have a plurality of yoke sections 16 arranged in a cylindrical shape, connecting the inner yoke 2 and the outer yoke 3.

[0036] In the embodiment described above, as a non-limiting example, each gap 23 has the shape of a substantially fan-shaped plate in a top view. Each gap 23 can, for example, have a rectangular shape in a top view or a circular shape in a top view. In this case, the inner yoke 2, the outer yoke 3, and the yoke pieces 16 each have suitable shapes.

[0037] Further remarks regarding the preceding embodiment are disclosed below. (Additional Note 1)

[0038] A voice coil motor (1) comprises an inner yoke (2) having a cylindrical or solid column shape, an outer yoke (3) having a cylindrical shape and surrounding the inner yoke (2) such that a cylindrical space (9) is formed between the outer yoke (3) and the inner yoke (2), a coil (4) having a cylindrical shape and arranged in the space (9), a magnet (5) arranged inside the coil (4) in a state in contact with the inner yoke (2) or outside the coil (4) in a state in contact with the outer yoke (3), a first connecting yoke (6) connecting an end section of the inner yoke (2) in an axial direction (J1) and an end section of the outer yoke (3) in the axial direction (J1), and a second connecting yoke (7).which connects another end section of the inner yoke (2) in the axial direction (J1) and another end section of the outer yoke (3) in the axial direction (J1). At least one of the first connecting yoke (6) or the second connecting yoke (7) has a plurality of yoke pieces (16) arranged in a cylindrical shape so that they connect the inner yoke (2) and the outer yoke (3). The plurality of yoke pieces (16) are formed from links separate from the inner yoke (2) and the outer yoke (3) so that they are attached to the inner yoke (2) and the outer yoke (3). A gap (23) for extracting an output from the voice coil motor (1) is provided between adjacent yoke pieces (16, 16). (Additional Note 2)

[0039] In the voice coil motor (1) according to additional note 1, it is preferred that in each of the plurality of yoke pieces (16) an end section located closer to the outer yoke (3) has a greater circumferential length than an end section located closer to the inner yoke (2). (Additional Note 3)

[0040] In the voice coil motor (1) according to additional note 1 or 2, it is preferred that an end face or surface (22) of each yoke piece (16) located closer to the outer yoke (3) is in contact with an inner circumferential surface (10) of the outer yoke (3) and that an end face or surface (21) of each yoke located closer to the inner yoke (2) is in contact with an outer circumferential surface (11) of the inner yoke (2). (Additional note 4)

[0041] Preferably, the voice coil motor (1) according to one of the additional notes 1 to 3 further comprises a coupling element (8) which couples the coil (4) to a drive part configured to be driven by an output of the voice coil motor (1) in a state in which the coupling element (8) penetrates the gap (23), and the coupling element (8) has yoke receiving cavities (29) in which the yoke pieces (16) are arranged, and is formed from a one-piece molded part. Reference symbol list 1 voice coil motor 2 inner yoke 3 outer yoke 4 coils 5 Magnet 6 first connecting yoke 7 second connecting yoke 8 Coupling element 9 spaces 10 Inner circumferential area of ​​the outer yoke 11 Outer circumferential area of ​​the inner yoke 16 Yoke piece 21 End surface of the yoke piece 22 End surface of the yoke piece 23 gap 29 Yoke cavity QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2000-23442

[0005]

Claims

[1] Voice coil motor, comprising: an inner yoke that has a cylindrical or solid column shape; an outer yoke that has a cylindrical shape and surrounds the inner yoke, so that a cylindrical space is formed between the outer yoke and the inner yoke; a coil which has a cylindrical shape and is arranged in the space between; a magnet which is arranged inside the coil in a state in contact with the inner yoke or which is arranged outside the coil in a state in contact with the outer yoke; a first connecting yoke that connects an end section of the inner yoke in an axial direction and an end section of the outer yoke in the axial direction; and a second connecting yoke that connects another end section of the inner yoke in the axial direction and another end section of the outer yoke in the axial direction, wherein at least one of the first connecting yokes or the second connecting yoke has a plurality of yoke pieces arranged in a cylindrical shape so that they connect the inner yoke and the outer yoke, the majority of yoke pieces are formed from links separate from the inner yoke and the outer yoke, so that they are attached to the inner yoke and the outer yoke, and A gap is provided between adjacent yoke pieces for extracting an output from the voice coil motor. [2] Voice coil motor according to claim 1, wherein in each yoke section an end section closer to the outer yoke has a greater circumferential length than an end section closer to the inner yoke. [3] Voice coil motor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an end face or surface of each yoke part located closer to the outer yoke is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the outer yoke and an end face or surface of each yoke located closer to the inner yoke is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the inner yoke. [4] Voice coil motor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a coupling element that couples the coil to a drive element configured to be driven by an output of the voice coil motor in a state in which the coupling element penetrates the gap, wherein The coupling element has yoke receiving cavities in which the yoke pieces are arranged and is formed from a one-piece molded part.

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