Vibration generation device and production method of vibration generation device

Abstract

To provide a vibration generation device capable of firmly fixing a coil bracket to a housing without, using weld.SOLUTION: A vibration generation device 101 comprises: a bracket 11 comprising a fitting plate part 11A and a body plate part 11B, being fitted to the housing HS through the fitting plate part 11A and functioning as a coil bracket. The housing HS comprises: a bottom plate part 2B; a third side plate part 1A3 vertical to the bottom plate part 2B; and a support part 2P for supporting the fitting plate part 11A. The third side plate part 1A3 includes a beam plate part 1C provided so as to face the support part 2P in a Z-axis direction. The fitting plate part 11A is arranged so that a plate thickness direction (direction parallel to an XY plane) of the beam plate part 1C being a part of the third side plate part 1A3, and a plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the body plate part 11B of the bracket 11 are arranged vertically each other, and is held by the support part 2P and the beam plate part 1C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration generator and a method for manufacturing a vibration generator. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vibration motor (vibration generator) that generates vibrations has been known (see Patent Document 1). This vibration motor is composed of a stator including a coil supported by a coil holder fixed to a housing via an L-shaped support arm, and a vibrator including magnetic steel. The coil holder and the housing are fixed to each other by welding.

[0003] However, if the melting point of the material forming the coil holder is different from the melting point of the material forming the housing, it becomes difficult to fix the coil holder and the housing to each other by welding.

[0004] In contrast, an actuator (vibration generator) that does not use welding is known (see Patent Document 2). This actuator is composed of a support body including a coil supported by a plate fixed to a case, and a movable body including a magnet. The case formed from a metal plate is composed of a first case member and a second case member, and a part (protruding plate portion) of the plate formed from the metal plate is sandwiched between a first curved portion that protrudes upward and is provided on the first case member, and a second curved portion that protrudes downward and is provided on the second case member. A force (squeezing force) that tries to bring the first curved portion and the second curved portion that sandwich part of the plate closer to each other is realized by a substantially L-shaped hook formed by a part of the second case member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-028976 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-009796 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned hook generates a clamping force by bringing a plate-like portion extending parallel to a portion of the plate (the protruding plate portion) into contact with a plate-like portion of the first case member extending perpendicular to the portion of the plate (the protruding plate portion).As a result, the hook is prone to elastic deformation, and there is a risk that the case (housing) and the plate (coil bracket) may not be firmly fixed together.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a vibration generator in which the coil bracket can be firmly fixed to the housing without using welding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A vibration generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a movable body accommodated within the housing, a support member supporting the movable body so that it can vibrate, a main body plate portion, and a bracket having an attachment plate portion extending from the main body plate portion and attached to the housing via the attachment plate portion, a coil attached to the main body plate portion, and a permanent magnet attached to the movable body and generating a magnetic flux directed toward the coil, wherein the housing has a bottom plate portion, side plate portions perpendicular to the bottom plate portion, and a support portion supporting the attachment plate portion of the bracket, wherein the side plate portion includes a beam plate portion arranged to face the support portion in the thickness direction of the main body plate portion of the bracket, and the attachment plate portion is arranged so that the thickness direction of the beam plate portion, which is part of the side plate portion, and the thickness direction of the main body plate portion of the bracket intersect each other, and the attachment plate portion is sandwiched between the support portion and the beam plate portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the vibration generator described above, the coil bracket is firmly fixed to the housing without welding. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vibration generating device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vibrating section and a non-vibrating body. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of the configuration of a base member and an elastic support member. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vibrating portion and a non-vibrating body. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base member and a bracket. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of a base member, a bracket, a coil, and a vibrating body. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each member constituting the vibration generator. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each member constituting the vibration generator. [Figure 13] 1 shows three views and a cross-sectional view of a bracket. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base member, a bracket, a coil, and a vibrating body. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base member, a bracket, a coil, and a vibrating body. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of the bracket configuration. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another example of the bracket configuration. [Figure 18] 3A to 3C are a front view, a bottom view, and a left side view of a cover member. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a beam plate portion that is a part of the cover member. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the vibration generator. [Figure 21]FIG. 2 is a left side view of a portion of the vibration generator. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vibration generating device. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the vibration generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a vibration device VE including a vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration device VE including the vibration generator 101 and a control unit CTR. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration generator 101 connected to the control unit CTR, and the lower view of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration generator 101 with the cover member 1 removed. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration generator 101.

[0012] 1 and 2, X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Furthermore, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In this embodiment, the X1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the front side (front face) of the vibration generator 101, and the X2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the rear side (rear face) of the vibration generator 101. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the left side of the vibration generator 101, and the Y2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the right side of the vibration generator 101. Furthermore, the Z1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the top side of the vibration generator 101, and the Z2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the bottom side of the vibration generator 101. The same applies to the other figures.

[0013] The vibration device VE has a control unit CTR and a vibration generator 101. The vibration generator 101 has a housing HS and a vibration unit VP accommodated in the housing HS.

[0014] 1, the housing HS has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. In this embodiment, the housing HS is made of a non-magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel. The housing HS is composed of a cover member 1 and a base member 2.

[0015] 2, the cover member 1 is configured to form the side and top surfaces of the housing HS, and the base member 2 is configured to form the bottom surface of the housing HS. In the illustrated example, the base member 2 is configured to function as a base that supports the vibration unit VP.

[0016] In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 1A and a flat top plate portion 1T provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer wall portion 1A.

[0017] The outer peripheral wall 1A has four side plate portions formed in a flat plate shape. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the outer peripheral wall 1A has a first side plate portion 1A1 and a third side plate portion 1A3 that face each other, and a second side plate portion 1A2 and a fourth side plate portion 1A4 that are perpendicular to the first side plate portion 1A1 and the third side plate portion 1A3 and face each other.

[0018] The control unit CTR is configured to realize the movement of the vibration unit VP. In the illustrated example, the control unit CTR includes an electronic circuit and is configured to supply an alternating current to the vibration unit VP to vibrate the vibration unit VP. Note that in the illustrated example, the control unit CTR is installed outside the housing HS, but it may also be installed inside the housing HS. In this case, the control unit CTR may be one of the components of the vibration generator 101.

[0019] The vibrating part VP is configured to vibrate the housing HS by vibrating itself. In the illustrated example, the vibrating part VP is attached inside the housing HS and is configured to vibrate the housing HS.

[0020] Next, details of the vibrating part VP will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibrating part VP. The vibrating part VP is configured to include a vibrating body VB, a driving means DM, and an elastic support member ES.

[0021] The vibrating body VB as a movable body has a predetermined natural frequency and is configured to be able to vibrate relative to the housing HS along a vibration axis VA (see FIG. 2) extending in a predetermined direction. In the illustrated example, the vibrating body VB has a predetermined natural frequency and is configured to be able to vibrate relative to the base member 2 along the vibration axis VA (see FIG. 2) extending in the X-axis direction (front-back direction).

[0022] The driving means DM is an example of a vibration force generating unit, and is configured to vibrate the vibrating body VB along the vibration axis VA. In the illustrated example, the driving means DM is configured to vibrate the vibrating body VB, which is elastically supported by the elastic support member ES, along the vibration axis VA in response to an AC current supplied through the control unit CTR.

[0023] The elastic support member ES is an example of a support member, and is configured to be interposed between the housing HS and the vibrating body VB so as to elastically support the vibrating body VB.

[0024] Specifically, the vibrating section VP, which includes the vibrating body VB, driving means DM, and elastic support member ES, is composed of a yoke 10, a bracket 11, a coil 12, a wiring board 13, a magnet 15, and a leaf spring 17. The vibrating body VB is composed of the yoke 10 and the magnet 15, the driving means DM is composed of the coil 12 and the magnet 15, and the elastic support member ES is composed of the leaf spring 17. The bracket 11, the coil 12, and the wiring board 13 form a non-vibrating body NV that does not vibrate together with the vibrating body VB. The non-vibrating body NV vibrates together with the housing HS, but does not vibrate together with the vibrating body VB.

[0025] The yoke 10 is a component that constitutes a magnetic circuit. In this embodiment, the yoke 10 is made of a magnetic material including iron or the like. In the illustrated example, the yoke 10 is composed of two components, an upper yoke 10U and a lower yoke 10D, and is made of a cold-rolled steel plate (SPCC). The upper yoke 10U is a component that constitutes the upper surface of the vibrating body VB and includes a left plate portion LW, a right plate portion RW, and a top plate portion TW. Specifically, a protrusion PR is formed on the Z2-side end surface of each of the left plate portion LW and the right plate portion RW so as to engage with a recess RC formed on the lower yoke 10D. The lower yoke 10D is a component that constitutes the lower surface of the vibrating body VB and includes a bottom plate portion BW. Specifically, a recess RC is formed on each of the Y1-side (left) end surface and the Y2-side (right) end surface of the lower yoke 10D so as to engage with a protrusion PR formed on the upper yoke 10U.

[0026] The bracket 11 is an example of a conductive member that functions as a coil bracket for holding the coil 12 and is configured to support the coil 12 while the coil 12 faces the magnet 15 without contacting the magnet 15. That is, the bracket 11 is configured to function as a coil holder for supporting the coil 12. The bracket 11 is also fixed to the base member 2 so as not to come into contact with the vibrating body VB. In this embodiment, the bracket 11 is a plate-shaped member formed of a non-magnetic material such as copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof, and includes a mounting plate portion 11A and a main body plate portion 11B. Specifically, the bracket 11 is fixed to the housing HS via four mounting plate portions 11A protruding outward from the main body plate portion 11B at positions where the bracket 11 and the coil 12 do not come into contact with the vibrating body VB even when the vibrating body VB vibrates. That is, the bracket 11 to which the coil 12 is attached is configured not to vibrate together with the vibrating body VB.

[0027] The coil 12 is configured to generate a magnetic field when supplied with a current. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the coil 12 includes three coil winding portions (a first coil winding portion 12A, a second coil winding portion 12B, and a third coil winding portion 12C) connected in series. The first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, and the third coil winding portion 12C each have a substantially elliptical shape (a rounded rectangle) with a major axis along the Y-axis direction. The coil 12 has a first end portion 12S at the winding start side and a second end portion 12E at the winding end side. The coil 12 is fixed to the Z2 side (lower side) surface of the bracket 11 with an adhesive or the like. The conductive wire (a wire made of copper or a copper alloy or the like) constituting the coil 12 has an insulating coating on its surface. For clarity, the coil 12 is illustrated in a simplified state in FIG. 3, and detailed winding state illustrations are omitted. This is also true for other figures.

[0028] The wiring board 13 is a member to which the first end 12S and the second end 12E of the coil 12 are connected. In the illustrated example, the wiring board 13 is fixed with an adhesive to the Z2 side (lower side) surface of the bracket 11, as shown in the lower view of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the non-vibrating body NV. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the non-vibrating body NV, and the lower view of FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the non-vibrating body NV.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the wiring board 13 is a flexible wiring board having flexibility and includes a left wiring board 13L and a right wiring board 13R. The left wiring board 13L and the right wiring board 13R are fixed to the end of the bracket 11 on the X1 side (front side) with adhesive or the like. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4 , a first end 12S of the coil 12 is connected to the inner conductor pattern PI of the right wiring board 13R with solder or a conductive adhesive or the like, and a second end 12E of the coil 12 is connected to the inner conductor pattern PI of the left wiring board 13L with solder or a conductive adhesive or the like. The outer conductor patterns PE of the left wiring board 13L and the right wiring board 13R are connected to conductors from the control unit CTR with solder or a conductive adhesive or the like. The term "inside" refers to a side closer to the center of the vibration generator 101 than the "outside."

[0030] Each of the first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, and the third coil winding portion 12C has an air-core portion AC. The first end portion 12S, the first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, the third coil winding portion 12C, and the second end portion 12E are connected by a conductor portion CP. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the conductor portion CP includes a first conductor portion CP1 to a fourth conductor portion CP4. The first end portion 12S and the first coil winding portion 12A are connected by the first conductor portion CP1, the first coil winding portion 12A and the second coil winding portion 12B are connected by the second conductor portion CP2, the second coil winding portion 12B and the third coil winding portion 12C are connected by the third conductor portion CP3, and the third coil winding portion 12C and the second end portion 12E are connected by the fourth conductor portion CP4.

[0031] 4, the coil 12 includes a main bundle portion MW extending along the Y-axis direction and a sub-bundle portion SW connecting two adjacent main bundle portions MW. In the illustrated example, the main bundle portion MW has a rectangular shape in top view and includes a plurality of conductors extending in the Y-axis direction (left-right direction), and the sub-bundle portion SW has a substantially semicircular shape in top view and includes a plurality of conductors extending concentrically. Specifically, the first coil winding portion 12A has a front main bundle wire portion 12A1, a rear main bundle wire portion 12A2, a left sub-bundle wire portion 12A3, and a right sub-bundle wire portion 12A4, the second coil winding portion 12B has a front main bundle wire portion 12B1, a rear main bundle wire portion 12B2, a left sub-bundle wire portion 12B3, and a right sub-bundle wire portion 12B4, and the third coil winding portion 12C has a front main bundle wire portion 12C1, a rear main bundle wire portion 12C2, a left sub-bundle wire portion 12C3, and a right sub-bundle wire portion 12C4. The main bundle wire portion MW includes the front main bundle wire portion 12A1, a rear main bundle wire portion 12A2, a front main bundle wire portion 12B1, a rear main bundle wire portion 12B2, a front main bundle wire portion 12C1, and a rear main bundle wire portion 12C2. The sub-bundle portion SW includes a left sub-bundle portion 12A3, a right sub-bundle portion 12A4, a left sub-bundle portion 12B3, a right sub-bundle portion 12B4, a left sub-bundle portion 12C3, and a right sub-bundle portion 12C4. In the lower diagram of Fig. 4, for clarity, the main bundle portion MW of the coil 12 is indicated by a dotted pattern.

[0032] The magnet 15 is an example of a magnetic flux generating member, and together with the coil 12, constitutes the driving means DM. In the illustrated example, the magnet 15 includes an upper magnet 15U and a lower magnet 15D, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the upper magnet 15U and the lower magnet 15D is an eight-pole magnetized permanent magnet having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Specifically, the upper magnet 15U includes a first upper magnet portion 15U1 to a fourth upper magnet portion 15U4, and the lower magnet 15D includes a first lower magnet portion 15D1 to a fourth lower magnet portion 15D4. Each of the first upper magnet portion 15U1 to the fourth upper magnet portion 15U4 and the first lower magnet portion 15D1 to the fourth lower magnet portion 15D4 includes one north pole portion and one south pole portion. In the illustrated example, the top surfaces of the first upper magnet portion 15U1, the third upper magnet portion 15U3, the first lower magnet portion 15D1, and the third lower magnet portion 15D3 are each a north pole, and the top surfaces of the second upper magnet portion 15U2, the fourth upper magnet portion 15U4, the second lower magnet portion 15D2, and the fourth lower magnet portion 15D4 are each a south pole. For clarity, in FIG. 3, a dot pattern is applied to the north pole of the eight-pole magnetized permanent magnet, and a cross pattern is applied to the south pole. This is the same in other figures. Each of the upper magnet 15U and the lower magnet 15D may be a combination of four two-pole magnetized permanent magnets, or a combination of two four-pole magnetized permanent magnets.

[0033] The leaf spring 17 is an example of an elastic support member ES that is interposed between the housing HS and the vibrating body VB and is configured to elastically support the vibrating body VB. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 17 is made of a non-magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel, and has a connecting portion 17A, a vibrating body support portion 17B, and an elastic arm portion 17C, as shown in FIG.

[0034] Specifically, the leaf spring 17 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate made of austenitic stainless steel with a thickness of, for example, 0.2 mm. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the connection portion 17A of the leaf spring 17 is welded to the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2. The leaf spring 17 is attached to the base member 2 only via the connection portion 17A, with a gap GP formed between the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2 and the vibrating body support portion 17B so that the vibrating body support portion 17B and the elastic arm portion 17C do not come into contact with the base member 2.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the base member 2 and the elastic support member ES (leaf spring 17). Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base member 2 to which the elastic support member ES (leaf spring 17) is attached. The lower view of FIG. 5 is a front view of the base member 2 to which the elastic support member ES (leaf spring 17) is attached, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the area R1 surrounded by the dashed line in the upper view of FIG. 5. Note that in FIG. 5, a dot pattern is added to the elastic support member ES (leaf spring 17) for clarity.

[0036] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 17A of the leaf spring 17 includes a first connecting portion 17A1 to a fourth connecting portion 17A4, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5, and the elastic arm portion 17C of the leaf spring 17 includes a first elastic arm portion 17C1 to a fourth elastic arm portion 17C4.

[0037] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5, each of the first to fourth connection portions 17A1 to 17A4 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2 by welding. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the vibrating body VB is welded to the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vibrating portion VP. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vibrating portion VP (elastic support member ES and vibrating body VB) without illustrating the non-vibrating body NV (bracket 11, coil 12, and wiring board 13), and the lower diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vibrating portion VP with the non-vibrating body NV illustrated. For clarity, a dot pattern is applied to the vibrating parts (vibrating body VB and elastic support member ES) in the lower diagram of FIG. 6. The presence or absence of a dot pattern indicates that the non-vibrating body NV, which does not have a dot pattern, is fixed to the base member 2 (not shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 6) so as not to come into contact with the vibrating body VB, which has a dot pattern. The lower diagram in FIG. 1 shows a non-vibrating body NV fixed to a base member 2 so as not to come into contact with the vibrating body VB.

[0038] Specifically, the vibrating body VB is composed of an upper yoke 10U, an upper magnet 15U, a lower magnet 15D, and a lower yoke 10D, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 6. The Z2 side (lower side) surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D is welded to the Z1 side (upper side) surface of the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17.

[0039] When an alternating current is applied to the coil 12 via the wiring board 13 in the state shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 6, the vibrating body VB vibrates along the vibration axis VA.

[0040] Here, referring to FIG. 7, the positional relationship of the components of the driving means DM when the vibrating body VB vibrates along the vibration axis VA will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the components of the driving means DM. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the non-vibrating body NV (coil 12) and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) when current flows in one direction through coil 12 and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) moves all the way to the X2 side (rear side). The center diagram of FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the non-vibrating body NV (coil 12) and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) when no current flows through coil 12. The lower diagram of FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the non-vibrating body NV (coil 12) and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) when current flows in the other direction through coil 12 and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) moves all the way to the X1 side (front side).

[0041] When no current flows through coil 12, coil 12 does not generate a magnetic field, and therefore no repulsive or attractive force occurs between coil 12 and magnet 15. Therefore, magnet 15 is positioned in a neutral position so that its center faces the center of coil 12 (second coil winding portion 12B), as shown in the center of Fig. 7. Specifically, vibrating body VB (magnet 15) in a position other than the neutral position is urged by elastic support member ES (leaf spring 17) to return to the neutral position.

[0042] When current flows from the first end 12S to the second end 12E of the coil 12, the first coil winding portion 12A generates a magnetic field such that the Z1 side is the north pole and the Z2 side is the south pole, the second coil winding portion 12B generates a magnetic field such that the Z2 side is the north pole and the Z1 side is the south pole, and the third coil winding portion 12C generates a magnetic field such that the Z1 side is the north pole and the Z2 side is the south pole. As a result, the N-pole portion of the second upper magnet portion 15U2 is moved away from the first coil winding portion 12A and attracted toward the second coil winding portion 12B, the S-pole portion of the third upper magnet portion 15U3 is moved away from the second coil winding portion 12B and attracted toward the third coil winding portion 12C, the S-pole portion of the second lower magnet portion 15D2 is moved away from the first coil winding portion 12A and attracted toward the second coil winding portion 12B, and the N-pole portion of the third lower magnet portion 15D3 is moved away from the second coil winding portion 12B and attracted toward the third coil winding portion 12C, causing the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) to move toward the X2 side (rear side) as shown by arrow AR1 in the upper diagram of Figure 7.

[0043] Conversely, when current flows from the second end 12E of the coil 12 to the first end 12S, the first coil winding portion 12A generates a magnetic field such that the Z1 side is the south pole and the Z2 side is the north pole, the second coil winding portion 12B generates a magnetic field such that the Z2 side is the south pole and the Z1 side is the north pole, and the third coil winding portion 12C generates a magnetic field such that the Z1 side is the south pole and the Z2 side is the north pole. As a result, the N-pole portion of the second upper magnet portion 15U2 is moved away from the second coil winding portion 12B and attracted toward the first coil winding portion 12A, the S-pole portion of the third upper magnet portion 15U3 is moved away from the third coil winding portion 12C and attracted toward the second coil winding portion 12B, the S-pole portion of the second lower magnet portion 15D2 is moved away from the second coil winding portion 12B and attracted toward the first coil winding portion 12A, and the N-pole portion of the third lower magnet portion 15D3 is moved away from the third coil winding portion 12C and attracted toward the second coil winding portion 12B, causing the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) to move toward the X1 side (front side) as shown by arrow AR2 in the lower diagram of Figure 7.

[0044] The control unit CTR can alternately reverse the direction of the magnetic field generated by the coil 12 by alternately reversing the direction of the current flowing through the coil 12, and thus can vibrate the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) along the vibration axis VA (X-axis direction).

[0045] Next, the movement of the elastic arm portion 17C when the vibrating body VB vibrates will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the leaf spring 17. Specifically, the upper diagram of Fig. 8 shows the state of the leaf spring 17 when no current flows through the coil 12, that is, when the vibrating body VB is in a neutral position (not vibrating). The lower diagram of Fig. 8 shows the state of the leaf spring 17 when the vibrating body VB has moved to the X2 side (rear side).

[0046] 8, the elastic arm portion 17C is provided between the connection portion 17A and the vibrating body support portion 17B. Specifically, the first elastic arm portion 17C1 is provided between the first connection portion 17A1 and the vibrating body support portion 17B, the second elastic arm portion 17C2 is provided between the second connection portion 17A2 and the vibrating body support portion 17B, the third elastic arm portion 17C3 is provided between the third connection portion 17A3 and the vibrating body support portion 17B, and the fourth elastic arm portion 17C4 is provided between the fourth connection portion 17A4 and the vibrating body support portion 17B.

[0047] When the vibrator VB (not shown in FIG. 8) is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow AR3 by the driving means DM, the elastic arm 17C bends as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 8, allowing the vibrator VB to translate in the X2 direction. Note that in FIG. 8, for clarity, dot patterns are added to the parts of the elastic arm 17C that are bent relatively greatly.

[0048] Conversely, when the driving means DM moves the vibrator VB in the direction opposite (X1 direction) to the direction indicated by the arrow AR3 (X2 direction), the elastic arm portion 17C bends in the direction opposite to the bending direction shown in the lower diagram of Figure 8, allowing the vibrator VB to translate in the X1 direction.

[0049] Referring again to FIG. 3, the upper yoke 10U will be described in detail. The upper yoke 10U has a top plate portion TW, a right plate portion RW, and a left plate portion LW. Specifically, a left plate portion LW extending in the Z2 direction is formed at the Y1-side end of the top plate portion TW, and a right plate portion RW extending in the Z2 direction is formed at the Y2-side end of the top plate portion TW. Furthermore, a protrusion PR is formed at the lower end of each of the left plate portion LW and the right plate portion RW so as to engage with a recess RC formed in the lower yoke 10D. The upper view of FIG. 6 shows the recess RC formed in the lower yoke 10D engaged with the protrusion PR of the upper yoke 10U.

[0050] When assembling the vibrating body VB, the upper magnet 15U is attached to the top plate portion TW (see FIG. 3) of the upper yoke 10U, the lower magnet 15D is attached to the bottom plate portion BW (see FIG. 3) of the lower yoke 10D, and further, the convex portion PR of the upper yoke 10U and the concave portion RC of the lower yoke 10D are engaged with each other. In this way, in this embodiment, the upper yoke 10U and the lower yoke 10D surrounding the magnet 15 are separate members to simplify the assembly of the vibrating body VB.

[0051] 6, the Z1 side (upper side) surface of upper magnet 15U is magnetically joined to the Z2 side (lower side) surface of top plate portion TW of upper yoke 10U, and the Z2 side (lower side) surface of lower magnet 15D is magnetically joined to the Z1 side (upper side) surface of bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D. In the space surrounded by upper yoke 10U and lower yoke 10D, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 6, coil 12 fixed to bracket 11 is installed on the Z2 side of upper magnet 15U and on the Z1 side of lower magnet 15D, without contacting upper magnet 15U or lower magnet 15D.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 9, the bracket 11 is attached to the base member 2 by engaging an attachment plate portion 11A provided on the bracket 11 with a support portion 2P provided on the base member 2. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the base member 2 and the bracket 11. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket 11, the center view of Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the base member 2, and the lower view of Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket 11 attached to the base member 2.

[0053] 9, the mounting plate 11A includes a first mounting plate 11A1 to a fourth mounting plate 11A4. The support portion 2P includes a first supporting portion 2P1 to a fourth supporting portion 2P4. The first mounting plate 11A1 is engaged with the first supporting portion 2P1, the second mounting plate 11A2 is engaged with the second supporting portion 2P2, the third mounting plate 11A3 is engaged with the third supporting portion 2P3, and the fourth mounting plate 11A4 is engaged with the fourth supporting portion 2P4. Specifically, a through hole 11H is formed in each of the first mounting plate 11A1 to the fourth mounting plate 11A4, and a convex portion 2Q that protrudes upward is formed in each of the first supporting portion 2P1 to the fourth supporting portion 2P4. The engagement between the first mounting plate 11A1 and the first support portion 2P1 is achieved when the underside of the first mounting plate 11A1 is in contact with the two protruding support portions 2D of the first support portion 2P1 and the protruding portion 2Q of the first support portion 2P1 is inserted into the through-hole 11H in the first mounting plate 11A1. The same applies to the engagement between the second mounting plate 11A2 and the second support portion 2P2, the engagement between the third mounting plate 11A3 and the third support portion 2P3, and the engagement between the fourth mounting plate 11A4 and the fourth support portion 2P4. The details of the joining between the mounting plate 11A and the housing HS will be described later.

[0054] Next, the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the base member 2, bracket 11, coil 12, and vibrating body VB. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 10 is a top view of the base member 2, bracket 11, and vibrating body VB. In the upper view of FIG. 10, a dot pattern is added to the bracket 11 for clarity. The lower view of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, bracket 11, coil 12, and vibrating body VB. Specifically, the lower view of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, bracket 11, coil 12, and vibrating body VB taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the XZ plane including the dashed dotted line L2 in the upper view of FIG. 10, as viewed from the Y2 side. More specifically, the lower diagram of Fig. 10 shows a vibrating body VB configured by an upper yoke 10U, an upper magnet 15U, a lower magnet 15D, and a lower yoke 10D, and a coil 12 installed inside a space surrounded by the upper yoke 10U and the lower yoke 10D (the space sandwiched between the upper magnet 15U and the lower magnet 15D). The magnet 15 generates a magnetic flux represented by magnetic field lines MF as shown by dotted lines in the lower diagram of Fig. 10. In the example shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 10, the magnetic field lines MF include a first magnetic field line MF1 to a sixth magnetic field line MF6.

[0055] Specifically, when no current flows through the coil 12, the first magnetic field line MF1 exits from the north pole of the first lower magnet portion 15D1 of the lower magnet 15D, passes through the front main flux portion 12A1 of the first coil winding portion 12A, and enters the south pole of the first upper magnet portion 15U1 of the upper magnet 15U. The second magnetic field line MF2 exits from the north pole of the second upper magnet portion 15U2 of the upper magnet 15U, passes through the rear main flux portion 12A2 of the first coil winding portion 12A, and enters the south pole of the second lower magnet portion 15D2 of the lower magnet 15D. The third magnetic field line MF3 exits from the north pole of the second upper magnet portion 15U2 of the upper magnet 15U, passes through the front main flux portion 12B1 of the second coil winding portion 12B, and enters the south pole of the second lower magnet portion 15D2 of the lower magnet 15D. The fourth magnetic field line MF4 emerges from the north pole portion of the third lower magnet portion 15D3 of the lower magnet 15D, passes through the rear main flux portion 12B2 of the second coil winding portion 12B, and enters the south pole portion of the third upper magnet portion 15U3 of the upper magnet 15U. The fifth magnetic field line MF5 emerges from the north pole portion of the third lower magnet portion 15D3 of the lower magnet 15D, passes through the front main flux portion 12C1 of the third coil winding portion 12C, and enters the south pole portion of the third upper magnet portion 15U3 of the upper magnet 15U. The sixth magnetic field line MF6 emerges from the north pole portion of the fourth upper magnet portion 15U4 of the upper magnet 15U, passes through the rear main flux portion 12C2 of the third coil winding portion 12C, and enters the south pole portion of the fourth lower magnet portion 15D4 of the lower magnet 15D.

[0056] Therefore, in the space surrounded by upper yoke 10U and lower yoke 10D, magnetic field lines are concentrated in the partial space between upper magnet 15U and lower magnet 15D, increasing the magnetic flux density, and coil 12 is installed in this partial space. Therefore, with this configuration, by passing a current between first end 12S and second end 12E of coil 12, a Lorentz force can be efficiently generated, and vibrating body VB can be efficiently vibrated along the X-axis direction.

[0057] For example, when a current flows from the first end 12S to the second end 12E of the coil 12, the vibrating body VB moves toward the X2 side (rear side). When a current flows from the second end 12E to the first end 12S of the coil 12, the vibrating body VB moves toward the X1 side (front side). Therefore, the control unit CTR can vibrate the vibrating body VB along the vibration axis VA by passing a current through the coil 12 so that the direction of the current alternates. Note that the bracket 11 to which the coil 12 is attached is fixed to the base member 2, but not to the vibrating body VB, and therefore the bracket 11 and the coil 12 do not vibrate together with the vibrating body VB.

[0058] Furthermore, when vibrating body VB vibrates along vibration axis VA, magnetic flux (hereinafter referred to as "effective magnetic flux") extending in the Z-axis direction generated between upper magnet 15U and lower magnet 15D included in vibrating body VB also vibrates along vibration axis VA. That is, the effective magnetic flux that crosses bracket 11, which serves as a conductive member between upper magnet 15U and lower magnet 15D, vibrates along vibration axis VA while maintaining its cross-sectional relationship across bracket 11. As a result, eddy currents flow in main body plate portion 11B of bracket 11. In the illustrated example, upper magnet 15U, lower magnet 15D, and bracket 11 are arranged so that the effective magnetic flux and main body plate portion 11B are perpendicular to each other.

[0059] The vibrating body VB is constantly subjected to a damping force, which is a force caused by eddy currents and acts in the direction opposite to the vibration direction. Specifically, while the vibrating body VB is vibrated by the Lorentz force generated by the driving means DM, it is subjected to a damping force that acts to slow down the vibration. The damping force increases in proportion to the vibration velocity of the vibrating body VB. Therefore, the vibration acceleration at the natural frequency of the vibrating body VB and frequencies nearby is reduced by the damping force.

[0060] The braking force caused by eddy currents increases as the eddy currents increase. The eddy currents also increase as the resistivity of the conductive member (bracket 11) decreases, as the conductivity of the conductive member (bracket 11) increases, and as the thickness of the conductive member (bracket 11) (thickness of main body plate portion 11B) increases. Therefore, the material and thickness of bracket 11 are selected so that a desired braking force can be obtained. In the illustrated example, bracket 11 is made of tough-pitch copper, the same material as the wire material of coil 12, and has a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm.

[0061] This configuration improves the durability of the vibration generator 101 compared to when a viscoelastic member for generating a braking force is attached between the vibrating body VB and the non-vibrating body NV. This is because the bracket 11 is less susceptible to the effects of viscoelastic members, such as ambient temperature, dimensional variations, deterioration, peeling, or tearing.

[0062] 4, the bracket 11 is formed to have a plurality of openings (three first openings H1, three second openings H2, and six third openings H3), at least one of which may be a notch.

[0063] The first opening H1 is a non-circular (approximately teardrop-shaped) opening that prevents the upper surface of the coil 12 from tilting relative to the lower surface of the main body plate portion 11B due to interference between the main body plate portion 11B and the conductor portion CP when the coil 12 is attached to the lower surface of the main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11.

[0064] The second opening H2 is a substantially circular opening for receiving a jig (not shown) used to position the air-core portion AC of the coil 12. The jig (not shown) is, for example, a cylindrical rod member. In the illustrated example, the first opening H1 also functions as an opening for receiving the jig.

[0065] The third opening H3 is an approximately circular opening formed for inserting a jig to maintain an appropriate clearance between the bracket 11 and the coil 12 when supplying adhesive between the lower surface of the main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11 and the upper surface of the coil 12.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the first opening H1 to the third opening H3 are all formed at positions that avoid the locus TR. The locus TR is a locus on the main body plate portion 11B through which the central axis of the effective magnetic flux passes when the vibrating body VB vibrates. That is, the vibration generator 101 is configured so that the central axis of the effective magnetic flux extending along the Z-axis direction moves in the X-axis direction along the linear locus TR. In the illustrated example, the central axis of the effective magnetic flux includes the central axes of the effective magnetic flux generated by the first lower magnet portion 15D1, the second upper magnet portion 15U2, the third lower magnet portion 15D3, and the fourth upper magnet portion 15U4, as indicated by the magnetic field lines MF in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the locus TR is located on the vibration axis VA in a top view. Note that the central axis of the effective magnetic flux may be interpreted as the coil axes of the first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, and the third coil winding portion 12C.

[0067] In other words, the first opening H1 to the third opening H3 are all formed at positions that avoid the central region CR. The central region CR is a region in the center of the main body plate portion 11B that includes the locus TR. Specifically, the central region CR is a region through which eddy currents flow, which are generated by the effective magnetic flux generated by the magnet 15 and the conductive member (bracket 11) that is placed across the effective magnetic flux. In the upper diagram of FIG. 4, a dot pattern is added to the central region CR for clarity.

[0068] In the illustrated example, the electromagnetic exciter 101 has no openings such as the first opening H1 to the third opening H3 in the rectangular central region CR of the main body plate 11B, which allows eddy currents to flow more easily than when openings are formed in the central region CR. Also, the electromagnetic exciter 101 has a rectangular central region CR in the main body plate 11B that is flat and does not have any recesses or protrusions, which allows eddy currents to flow more easily than when the central region CR is not flat and has recesses or protrusions.

[0069] In addition, the central region CR is symmetrical in top view with respect to the vibration axis VA, and is also symmetrical in the front-rear direction with respect to a line segment L1 (see the upper diagram in FIG. 4) that represents the left-right axis passing through the center point of the bracket 11. This configuration brings about the effect that the magnitude of the braking force when the vibrating body VB moves forward (in the X1 direction) is the same as the magnitude of the braking force when the vibrating body VB moves backward (in the X2 direction).

[0070] Next, a method for assembling the electromagnetic exciter 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are perspective views of the components constituting the electromagnetic exciter 101. For clarity, newly attached components are indicated by dot patterns in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12.

[0071] Specifically, the upper view of Figure 11 is an oblique view of the leaf spring 17, the central view of Figure 11 is an oblique view of the leaf spring 17 with the lower yoke 10D attached, and the lower view of Figure 11 is an oblique view of the base member 2 with the leaf spring 17 attached in the state shown in the central view of Figure 11.

[0072] The top figure in Figure 12 is an oblique view of the base member 2 to which a lower magnet 15D is further attached, the second figure from the top in Figure 12 is an oblique view of the base member 2 to which a bracket 11 and a coil 12 are further attached, the third figure from the top in Figure 12 is an oblique view of the base member 2 to which an upper magnet 15U, an upper yoke 10U and a wiring board 13 are further attached, and the bottom figure in Figure 12 is an oblique view of the base member 2 to which a cover member 1 is further attached, i.e., an oblique view of the vibration generating device 101.

[0073] First, as shown in the center diagram of Fig. 11, the lower yoke 10D is placed on the upper surface of the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17. In the illustrated example, the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D is placed on the upper surface of the vibrating body support portion 17B without applying any adhesive. Note that a vibration-damping steel plate (not shown) may be attached to the outer surface of the standing portion EP of the elastic arm portion 17C of the leaf spring 17 as a reinforcing material to suppress deflection of the standing portion EP.

[0074] Thereafter, the leaf spring 17 on which the lower yoke 10D is placed is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 11. Then, the lower yoke 10D and the leaf spring 17 are joined, and the base member 2 and the leaf spring 17 are joined. In the illustrated example, the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D is joined to the upper surface of the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17 by laser welding, and the connection portion 17A of the leaf spring 17 is joined to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2 by laser welding.

[0075] Then, as shown in the top diagram of Fig. 12, the lower magnet 15D is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D. In the illustrated example, the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D are attracted to each other by magnetic force, and therefore are not joined by laser welding or adhesive. However, the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D may also be joined by laser welding or adhesive.

[0076] Thereafter, the non-vibrating body NV is attached to the base member 2 as shown in the second diagram from the top in Fig. 12. In the illustrated example, the non-vibrating body NV is composed of a bracket 11, a coil 12, and a wiring board 13. Before the non-vibrating body NV is attached to the base member 2, the coil 12 is bonded to the bracket 11 with an adhesive, and the wiring board 13 is bonded to the bracket 11 with double-sided tape.

[0077] Thereafter, the upper yoke 10U to which the upper magnet 15U is attached is joined to the lower yoke 10D at a position where it does not come into contact with the non-vibrating body NV, as shown in the third diagram from the top of Fig. 12. Specifically, the upper yoke 10U and the lower yoke 10D are joined by welding, adhesive, or the like at the portion where the recessed portion RC formed in the lower yoke 10D and the protruding portion PR of the upper yoke 10U engage with each other. In the illustrated example, the upper yoke 10U and the lower yoke 10D are joined by laser welding.

[0078] The upper magnet 15U is placed on the lower surface of the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U in the same way that the lower magnet 15D is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D before the upper yoke 10U is joined to the lower yoke 10D. Because the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U are attracted to each other by magnetic force, they are not joined by laser welding or adhesive. However, the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U may be joined by laser welding or adhesive.

[0079] 12, the cover member 1 is attached so as to cover the components other than the base member 2 and the wiring board 13. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the outer peripheral wall portion 1A of the cover member 1 and the peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2 are joined by laser welding. Note that the cover member 1 and the base member 2 may also be joined by a fastening member, an adhesive, caulking, or the like.

[0080] In this manner, the vibration generator 101 is assembled. The adhesive used in the above-described assembly process may be any of a thermosetting adhesive, a light-curing adhesive, a moisture-curing adhesive, or a hybrid adhesive that is a combination of these. In the illustrated example, the adhesive is a thermosetting adhesive.

[0081] Next, details of the reinforcing structure of the bracket 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows three views (top view, front view, and right side view) and a cross-sectional view of the bracket 11. Specifically, the bottom view of Fig. 13 is a view of the cross section of the base member 2 on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the dashed dotted line L3 in the top view of Fig. 13, as seen from the X1 side.

[0082] In the illustrated example, the bracket 11 is formed from a rolled copper plate. Therefore, the bracket 11 has rolling marks (roll marks RM). The dashed lines drawn on the upper surface of the main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11 in Fig. 13 represent the roll marks RM.

[0083] Furthermore, reinforcing portions RF are formed at the left and right ends of the main body plate portion 11B. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing portions RF are so-called Z-bent (step-bent) portions, and are configured so that the bend line FL on the lower side of the reinforcing portions RF is perpendicular to the roll groove RM. Specifically, a left-side reinforcing portion RFL is formed at the left end of the main body plate portion 11B, and a right-side reinforcing portion RFR is formed at the right end of the main body plate portion 11B.

[0084] As shown in the cross-sectional view, the left-side reinforcing part RFL has a first bent part FD1 bent upward from the left end of the main body plate part 11B, a first reinforcing plate part RP1 extending upward from the upper end of the first bent part FD1, a second bent part FD2 bent left from the upper end of the first reinforcing plate part RP1, and a second reinforcing plate part RP2 extending left from the left end of the second bent part FD2. The same is true for the right-side reinforcing part RFR.

[0085] 13, the mounting plate portion 11A extends outward from the outer end of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2. Specifically, the first mounting plate portion 11A1 is formed to extend rightward from the right rear end of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 of the right-side reinforcing portion RFR, and the second mounting plate portion 11A2 is formed to extend rightward from the right front end of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 of the right-side reinforcing portion RFR. Similarly, the third mounting plate portion 11A3 is formed to extend leftward from the left front end of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 of the left-side reinforcing portion RFL, and the fourth mounting plate portion 11A4 is formed to extend leftward from the left rear end of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 of the left-side reinforcing portion RFL.

[0086] Furthermore, bracket 11 has, on both sides of its front end, pedestal portions FP for placing the inner conductor patterns PI (see the lower diagram in FIG. 4) of wiring board 13. Specifically, bracket 11 includes a left pedestal portion FPL for placing the inner conductor patterns PI of left wiring board 13L and a right pedestal portion FPR for placing the inner conductor patterns PI of right wiring board 13R.

[0087] Next, the positional relationship between the base member 2, yoke 10, bracket 11, coil 12, and magnet 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, yoke 10, bracket 11, coil 12, and magnet 15. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of each component on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the dashed line L4 in the upper view of FIG. 10, as viewed from the X1 side. The lower view of FIG. 14 corresponds to an enlarged view of the area R2 surrounded by the dashed line in the upper view of FIG. 14. Note that in the lower view of FIG. 14, for clarity, a cross pattern is applied to the cross sections of the first bent portion FD1 and the second bent portion FD2 constituting the left reinforcing portion RFL, a dot pattern is applied to the cross sections of the first reinforcing plate portion RP1 and the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 constituting the left reinforcing portion RFL, and a diagonal line pattern is applied to the other cross sections, indicating that they are cross sections of metal components.

[0088] In the illustrated example, the reinforcing portion RF is arranged so that at least a portion thereof is located within the space SP, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 14 . The space SP corresponds to the portion of the space above the coil 12 that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U. Specifically, the space SP corresponds to the portion of the space above the sub-flux portion SW of the coil 12 that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U. No permanent magnet is arranged in this space SP. This is because, even if a permanent magnet were arranged, the permanent magnet would not be able to efficiently generate a driving force suitable for driving the vibrating body VB. Therefore, this space SP is suitable as a location for arranging at least a portion of the reinforcing portion RF without reducing the driving force of the driving means DM.

[0089] Specifically, the space SP includes a left space SPL for accommodating at least a portion of the left reinforcement portion RFL and a right space SPR for accommodating at least a portion of the right reinforcement portion RFR. As shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 14, the left space SPL includes a portion of the space located above the left sub-bundle portion 12C3 of the third coil winding portion 12C that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U, and the right space SPR includes a portion of the space located above the right sub-bundle portion 12C4 of the third coil winding portion 12C that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U.

[0090] With this configuration, the reinforcing portion RF is disposed in the space SP without protruding beyond the outline of the coil 12 in top view. Therefore, this configuration brings about the effect that the vibration generator 101 can be made smaller without reducing its driving force.

[0091] Next, referring to FIG. 15, a bracket 11V, which is another example of the configuration of the bracket 11, will be described. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, yoke 10, bracket 11 (bracket 11V), coil 12, and magnet 15. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of each member on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the dashed-dotted line L5 in the upper view of FIG. 10, as viewed from the X1 side. The lower view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, yoke 10, bracket 11V, coil 12, and magnet 15, and corresponds to the upper view of FIG. 15. In other words, the lower view of FIG. 15 corresponds to a view in which the bracket 11 in the upper view of FIG. 15 is replaced with the bracket 11V.

[0092] The bracket 11V differs from the bracket 11 having the reinforcing portion RF extending over substantially the entire length of the main body plate 11B in the X-axis direction in that the bracket 11V has a reinforcing portion RF extending between the two mounting plate portions 11A at both ends (left and right ends) of the main body plate 11B in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, in the bracket 11V, the right-side reinforcing portion RFR is formed to extend between the first mounting plate portion 11A1 and the second mounting plate portion 11A2, and the left-side reinforcing portion RFL is formed to extend between the third mounting plate portion 11A3 and the fourth mounting plate portion 11A4. In other words, in the bracket 11V, no reinforcing portion is formed at the left front end, left rear end, right front end, and right rear end of the main body plate 11B. However, the reinforcing portion RF of the bracket 11V may be formed to extend over substantially the entire length of the main body plate 11B in the X-axis direction.

[0093] Bracket 11V also differs from bracket 11 in that second bent portion FD2 and second reinforcing plate portion RP2 are omitted, and first reinforcing plate portion RP1 extends upward to near the lower surface (ceiling surface) of upper yoke 10U.

[0094] Bracket 11V also differs from bracket 11 in that mounting plate 11A is formed to extend outward from main body plate 11B without reinforcing portion RF in that mounting plate 11A is formed to extend outward from second reinforcing plate portion RP2 of reinforcing portion RF. That is, in bracket 11V, the upper surface of mounting plate 11A and the upper surface of main body plate 11B are substantially flush with each other.

[0095] Even when such a bracket 11V is provided instead of the bracket 11, the vibration generator 101 can be made smaller without reducing its driving force, just as when the bracket 11 is provided. This is because at least a portion of the left reinforcement part RFL is housed in the left space SPL, and at least a portion of the right reinforcement part RFR is housed in the right space SPR. In addition, the bracket 11V has the advantage of being easier to process than the bracket 11.

[0096] Next, referring to Fig. 16, a bracket 11W, which is yet another configuration example of the bracket 11, will be described. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the bracket 11W. The bracket 11W differs from the bracket 11, which has two pedestal portions FP, in that the bracket 11W has four pedestal portions FP and in that the third opening H3 (see the upper diagram in Fig. 4) is omitted, but is otherwise the same as the bracket 11.

[0097] Specifically, in the bracket 11W, the right-side reinforcing portion RFR is formed to extend between the first and second mounting plate portions 11A1 and 11A2, including the portions where the first and second mounting plate portions 11A1 and 11A2 are disposed. Similarly, the left-side reinforcing portion RFL is formed to extend between the third and fourth mounting plate portions 11A3 and 11A4, including the portions where the third and fourth mounting plate portions 11A3 and 11A4 are disposed. Each of the reinforcing portions RF of the bracket 11W is configured to include a first bent portion FD1, a first reinforcing plate portion RP1, a second bent portion FD2, and a second reinforcing plate portion RP2, similar to the reinforcing portion RF in the bracket 11 (see FIG. 14).

[0098] Even when such a bracket 11W is provided instead of the bracket 11, the vibration generator 101 can be made smaller without reducing its driving force, just as when the vibration generator 101 has the bracket 11. This is because at least a portion of the left reinforcement part RFL is housed in the left space SPL, and at least a portion of the right reinforcement part RFR is housed in the right space SPR.

[0099] Next, referring to FIG. 17, a bracket 11X, which is yet another configuration example of the bracket 11, will be described. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the bracket 11X. The bracket 11X differs from the bracket 11 in that it has reinforcing portions RF (a left-side reinforcing portion RFL and a right-side reinforcing portion RFR) that extend over the entire length in the X-axis direction of both ends (the left end and the right end) of the main body plate portion 11B in the Y-axis direction. However, it is otherwise the same as the bracket 11. Specifically, the left-side reinforcing portion RFL is formed to extend over the entire length of the left edge of the main body plate portion 11B in the X-axis direction, and the right-side reinforcing portion RFR is formed to extend over the entire length of the right edge of the main body plate portion 11B in the X-axis direction. Each of the reinforcing portions RF of the bracket 11X includes a first bent portion FD1, a first reinforcing plate portion RP1, a second bent portion FD2, and a second reinforcing plate portion RP2, similar to the reinforcing portion RF of the bracket 11 (see FIG. 14).

[0100] Even when such a bracket 11X is provided instead of the bracket 11, the vibration generator 101 can be made smaller without reducing its driving force, just as when the vibration generator 101 has the bracket 11. This is because at least a portion of the left reinforcement part RFL is housed in the left space SPL, and at least a portion of the right reinforcement part RFR is housed in the right space SPR.

[0101] Next, the cover member 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is a three-view diagram (front view, bottom view, and left side view) of the cover member 1. Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the beam plate portion 1C, which is part of the cover member 1. Specifically, the upper view of Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the beam plate portion 1C within the range R3 surrounded by the dashed line in Figure 18, and shows the beam plate portion 1C in an L-shaped bent state. The lower view of Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the beam plate portion 1C corresponding to the upper view of Figure 19, and shows the beam plate portion 1C, which was bent into an L-shape, in an extended state.

[0102] The beam portion 1C, which is a part of the cover member 1, is a portion that is bent toward the inside of the cover member 1. In the illustrated example, the beam portion 1C is a cantilever-shaped portion included in the outer peripheral wall portion 1A of the cover member 1, and includes a first beam portion 1C1 extending rearward from the rear edge of the first side plate portion 1A1, a second beam portion 1C2 extending forward from the front edge of the first side plate portion 1A1, a third beam portion 1C3 extending forward from the rear edge of the third side plate portion 1A3, and a fourth beam portion 1C4 extending rearward from the rear edge of the third side plate portion 1A3.

[0103] More specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 19 , the fourth beam plate portion 1C4 includes a root portion NR extending rearward along the plate surface direction (X-axis direction) of the third side plate portion 1A3, a bent portion NF bent from the tip (rear end) of the root portion NR toward the inside of the cover member 1, and an inner end portion NT extending from the tip (inner end) of the bent portion NF toward the inside of the cover member 1. The same applies to the first beam plate portion 1C1 to the third beam plate portion 1C3. Specifically, the fourth beam plate portion 1C4 and the first beam plate portion 1C1 are configured to be line-symmetrical with respect to the vibration axis VA in a bottom view, and the fourth beam plate portion 1C4 and the third beam plate portion 1C3 are configured to be line-symmetrical with respect to a dashed line L6 in a bottom view. The dashed line L6 is a line segment that passes through the center of the cover member 1 and is perpendicular to the vibration axis VA. The third beam plate portion 1C3 and the second beam plate portion 1C2 are configured to be linearly symmetrical about the vibration axis VA when viewed from below, and the first beam plate portion 1C1 and the second beam plate portion 1C2 are configured to be linearly symmetrical about the dashed line L6 when viewed from below.

[0104] In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 is formed by shearing, bending, etc. a single metal plate. The fourth beam plate portion 1C4 is cut into a shape as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 19, and then bent at a bending portion NF to form an L-shape in bottom view as shown in Fig. 18. The same applies to the first beam plate portion 1C1 to the third beam plate portion 1C3.

[0105] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 19, the fourth beam plate portion 1C4 is configured to have a protrusion NP at the lower tip of the inner end NT. The protrusion NP is the portion that comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A of the bracket 11. Note that in FIG. 19, for clarity, the protrusion NP is given a dot pattern. In the illustrated example, the protrusion NP includes a first corner NPR, which is a rounded corner, and a second corner NPS, which is a sharp corner. The first corner NPR, which is a rounded corner, is a structure that promotes (does not interfere with) the inward sliding of the protrusion NP on the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A when the protrusion NP of the beam plate portion 1C comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A of the bracket 11. On the other hand, the second corner NPS, which is an angular corner, is a structure for suppressing outward sliding of the protrusion NP on the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A when the protrusion NP of the beam plate 1C comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A of the bracket 11. Details of the contact between the protrusion NP and the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A will be described later.

[0106] Next, the connection relationship between the cover member 1, base member 2, and bracket 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23. FIG. 20 is a left side view of the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 20 is a left side view of the electromagnetic exciter 101, with components other than the cover member 1 and base member 2 omitted, and the lower view of FIG. 20 is a left side view of the electromagnetic exciter 101, with components other than the cover member 1, base member 2, and bracket 11 omitted. FIG. 21 is a left side view of a portion of the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion included in an area R4 surrounded by a dashed line in the upper view of FIG. 20, and the right view of FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion included in an area R5 surrounded by a dashed line in the lower view of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the left diagram in FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of each component on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane and including the dash-dotted line L7 shown in the left diagram in FIG. 21, as viewed from the X2 side. The right diagram in FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of each component on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane and including the dash-dotted line L8 shown in the right diagram in FIG. 21, as viewed from the X2 side. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the left rear part, which is a part of the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the upper diagram in FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic exciter 101 when the beam plate portion 1C is bent outward (when the mounting plate portion 11A is not sandwiched between the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and the support portion 2P of the base member 2). The lower diagram in FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic exciter 101 when the beam plate portion 1C is pressed inward (when the mounting plate portion 11A is sandwiched between the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and the support portion 2P of the base member 2).

[0107] As shown in Fig. 20, the bracket 11 is configured to be sandwiched between the cover member 1 and the base member 2 in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the mounting plate portion 11A (see the upper diagram in Fig. 20) of the bracket 11 is sandwiched between the cover member 1 (beam plate portion 1C) and the base member 2 (support portion 2P) with its upper surface in contact with the protruding portion NP (see the lower diagram in Fig. 20) of the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and its lower surface in contact with two protruding support portions 2D (see the lower diagram in Fig. 20) of the support portion 2P of the base member 2.

[0108] More specifically, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 22, the mounting plate 11A includes a flat plate portion KS extending parallel to the XY plane, a bent portion KF bending downward from the outer end of the flat plate portion KS, and a tip portion KD extending downward from the lower end of the bent portion KF. As shown in the left diagram of Fig. 21, the mounting plate 11A is formed with a through hole 11H spanning the flat plate portion KS, the bent portion KF, and the tip portion KD, and a protrusion 2Q of the support portion 2P of the base member 2 is inserted into the through hole 11H.

[0109] 2 and the lower diagram of Fig. 20, the base member 2 includes a bottom plate portion 2B extending parallel to the XY plane, bent portions 2F bending upward from the outer ends (left and right ends) of the bottom plate portion 2B, an upright plate portion 2E extending upward from the upper end of the bent portion 2F, and a support portion 2P provided on the upper part of the upright plate portion 2E. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the first support portion 2P1 is provided on the upper part of the first upright plate portion 2E1, and the first upright plate portion 2E1 is formed to extend upward from the upper end of the first bent portion 2F1, and the first bent portion 2F1 is formed to bend upward from the end portion on the right rear side of the bottom plate portion 2B. The second support portion 2P2 is provided on the upper part of the second standing plate portion 2E2, and the second standing plate portion 2E2 is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end of the second bent portion 2F2, and the second bent portion 2F2 is formed so as to bend upward from the end portion on the right front side of the bottom plate portion 2B. The third support portion 2P3 is provided on the upper part of the third standing plate portion 2E3, and the third standing plate portion 2E3 is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end of the third bent portion 2F3, and the third bent portion 2F3 is formed so as to bend upward from the end portion on the left front side of the bottom plate portion 2B. The fourth support portion 2P4 is provided on the upper part of the fourth standing plate portion 2E4, and the fourth standing plate portion 2E4 is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end of the fourth bent portion 2F4, and the fourth bent portion 2F4 is formed so as to bend upward from the outer end of the left rear side of the bottom plate portion 2B. Note that in Fig. 2, for clarity, a dot pattern is applied to each of the first support portion 2P1 to the fourth support portion 2P4.

[0110] 20, a reinforcing recess 2R is formed in the bent portion 2F, the standing plate portion 2E, and the support portion 2P so as to straddle these three portions. That is, the reinforcing recess 2R is provided to prevent the bent portion 2F, the standing plate portion 2E, and the support portion 2P from bending relative to each other.

[0111] As shown in the bottom diagram of Fig. 12, before the cover member 1 is joined to the base member 2, the cover member 1 is in a state in which the beam plate portion 1C is bent outward, as shown in the top diagram of Fig. 23. In this state, the mounting plate portion 11A is supported by the support portion 2P of the base member 2, but is not sandwiched between the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and the support portion 2P of the base member 2, and is therefore able to move upward. Thereafter, as shown in the bottom diagram of Fig. 23, when the beam plate portion 1C is pushed inward, the mounting plate portion 11A is sandwiched between the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and the support portion 2P of the base member 2, and movement in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) is restricted.

[0112] The upper view of FIG. 20, the left view of FIG. 21, and the left view of FIG. 22 show the state when the mounting plate portion 11A is sandwiched between the beam plate portion 1C and the support portion 2P that have been pushed inward in this manner.

[0113] In addition, in order to avoid interference between the beam plate portion 1C and the protrusion portion 2Q of the support portion 2P when the beam plate portion 1C is pushed inward, a notch portion NRC is formed in the lower edge portion of the base portion NR of the beam plate portion 1C, as shown in Figure 21.

[0114] Furthermore, when the beam plate portion 1C is pushed inward, the first corner NPR, which is a rounded corner of the protrusion NP (see the lower diagram of Figure 19), of the beam plate portion 1C comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A and slides on that upper surface. The first corner NPR, which is a rounded corner of the protrusion NP, has the effect of promoting the inward movement (sliding) of the protrusion NP due to its shape. On the other hand, the second corner NPS, which is a sharp corner of the protrusion NP, has the effect of suppressing the outward movement (sliding) of the protrusion NP due to its shape.

[0115] When the first corner NPR, which is a rounded corner, comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A and slides over the upper surface, the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A is partially scraped off or partially recessed by the first corner NPR. This is because, in the illustrated example, the mounting plate 11A is made of a material (copper) that is weaker than the material (stainless steel) that forms the beam plate 1C.

[0116] 21 and 22, the mounting plate 11A is configured so that its thickness TH1 in the Z-axis direction is greater than the distance DS2 in the Z-axis direction between the protruding portion NP of the beam plate 1C and the protruding support portion 2D of the support portion 2P. Therefore, when the beam plate 1C is pressed inward, the upper surface of the mounting plate 11A comes into contact with the protruding portion NP of the beam plate 1C and is partially scraped off or partially recessed.

[0117] When the beam plate portion 1C is pressed inward, the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A contacts the protruding portion NP of the beam plate portion 1C at a first contact point PT1, the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 11A contacts one of the two protruding support portions 2D of the support portion 2P at a second contact point PT2, and the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 11A contacts the other of the two protruding support portions 2D of the support portion 2P at a third contact point PT3. That is, the mounting plate portion 11A is supported at three points by the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1 and the support portion 2P of the base member 2. Note that, in the above explanation, the terms first contact point PT1 to third contact point PT3, which refer to point contact, are used for ease of understanding, but the contact between the mounting plate portion 11A and each of the cover member 1 and the base member 2 is actually surface contact.

[0118] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, when the beam plate portion 1C is pushed inward, the outer surface of the base portion NR of the beam plate portion 1C, the outer surface of the third side plate portion 1A3, and the outer surface of the tip portion KD of the mounting plate portion 11A are flush with each other, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 22. In other words, the beam plate portion 1C does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 1A (third side plate portion 1A3), and does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the tip portion KD of the mounting plate portion 11A. Therefore, this configuration does not make it difficult to control the dimensions of the vibration generator 101, compared to a configuration in which the bracket 11 and the housing HS are joined using welding, adhesive, or the like.

[0119] In this way, the bracket 11 and the housing HS are joined together by plastically deforming the flat plate portion KS, which is a part of the mounting plate portion 11A, due to contact with the beam portion 1C, i.e., by crimping a part of the mounting plate portion 11A. Crimping is a method of joining two parts by plastically deforming a part of a part. In other words, the bracket 11 is sandwiched and fixed between the cover member 1 (beam portion 1C) and the base member 2 (support portion 2P) by pressing the beam portion 1C, which is a part of the cover member 1, inward and deforming it, i.e., by crimping a part of the cover member 1.

[0120] 1 to 3, a vibration generator 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing HS, a movable body (vibrator VB) accommodated in the housing HS, a support member (elastic support member ES) that supports the movable body (vibrator VB) so that it can vibrate along a first direction (X-axis direction), a coil 12 having a main flux portion MW that extends along a second direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction), and a magnetic flux generator (magnet 15) that generates magnetic flux that passes through the main flux portion MW along a third direction (Z-axis direction) that is perpendicular to both the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction). The vibration generator 101 is configured so that the coil 12 is fixed to the housing HS and the magnetic flux generator (magnet 15) is fixed to the movable body (vibrator VB). The vibration generating device 101 also includes a conductive member (bracket 11) that is fixed to the coil 12, extends along a first direction (X-axis direction) so as to cross the magnetic flux, and is configured to generate eddy currents when the movable body (vibrator VB) moves along the first direction (X-axis direction), thereby reducing the acceleration (vibration acceleration) of the movable body (vibrator VB).

[0121] In this configuration, the magnetism generating member (magnet 15) and the conductive member (bracket 11) can generate a damping force (a force that suppresses vibration) in the same way as a gel-type damper member that generates viscous resistance. Furthermore, this configuration can suppress the resonance of the vibrating body VB by the damping force. Note that in this configuration, the damping force is generated by eddy currents. Therefore, this configuration, which does not include a deforming or sliding part like a gel-type damper member, has the effect of improving the durability of the vibration generator 101.

[0122] Furthermore, in a typical vibration generator, the braking force due to eddy currents can be an undesirable force that reduces vibration acceleration, but the vibration generator 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to suppress resonance of the vibrating body VB by actively utilizing the braking force due to eddy currents.

[0123] The conductive member (bracket 11) may be made of a non-magnetic metal. This configuration prevents a magnetic force (attraction force) from acting between the conductive member and magnet 15, as occurs when the conductive member (bracket 11) is made of a magnetic metal, and provides the effect of suppressing the interference with efficient use of the driving force by the driving means DM caused by such an attraction force.

[0124] Furthermore, the conductive member (bracket 11) may be made of a material with a higher conductivity than iron or iron alloy. This configuration has the effect of increasing the damping force (force that suppresses vibration) due to eddy currents. This is because the greater the conductivity, the greater the damping force due to eddy currents. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of suppressing resonance of, for example, a heavier vibrating body VB.

[0125] The conductive member (bracket 11) may be preferably made of copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof. This configuration has the advantage of reducing material costs compared to when the conductive member is made of a precious metal such as silver or an alloy thereof.

[0126] Furthermore, the conductive member (bracket 11) may be provided between the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) and the coil 12. This configuration allows the conductive member (bracket 11) to be located closer to the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) than when the coil 12 is located between the conductive member (bracket 11) and the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15), thereby providing the effect of increasing the braking force (the force that suppresses vibration). This is because the closer the conductive member (bracket 11) is to the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15), the higher the magnetic flux density passing through the conductive member (bracket 11), and therefore the higher the magnetic flux density passing through the conductive member (bracket 11), the greater the braking force.

[0127] The vibration generator 101 may also include a magnetic flux attracting member that attracts magnetic flux and is located at a position spaced apart from the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) along the third direction (Z-axis direction). In this case, the conductive member (bracket 11) may be disposed between the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) and the magnetic flux attracting member. In the illustrated example, the magnet 15 functions as both the magnetic flux generating member and the magnetic flux attracting member, and the yoke 10 functions as the magnetic flux attracting member. Specifically, when the upper magnet 15U functions as the magnetic flux generating member, the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D function as the magnetic flux attracting member. When the lower magnet 15D functions as the magnetic flux generating member, the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U function as the magnetic flux attracting member. Note that one of the upper magnet 15U and the lower magnet 15D may be omitted. When the upper magnet 15U is omitted, the lower magnet 15D functions as the magnetic flux generating member, and the upper yoke 10U functions as the magnetic flux attracting member. The same applies to the case where the lower magnet 15D is omitted. This configuration makes the angle (hereinafter referred to as the "magnetic flux angle") formed between the extension direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) of the conductive member (bracket 11) and the direction of the magnetic flux from the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) toward the magnetic flux attracting member (Z-axis direction) approximately a right angle, thereby providing the effect of increasing the braking force (the force that suppresses vibration) compared to when the magnetic flux angle is an angle other than a right angle. This is because, for the same magnetic flux density, the closer the magnetic flux angle is to a right angle, the greater the braking force.

[0128] For example, the magnetic flux generating member may be an upper magnet 15U serving as a first permanent magnet, and the magnetic flux attracting member may be a lower magnet 15D serving as a second permanent magnet. In this case, the first permanent magnet (upper magnet 15U) and the second permanent magnet (lower magnet 15D) may be arranged so that the opposing surfaces have different polarities, as shown in Fig. 7. This configuration brings the effect of further increasing the braking force (the force that suppresses vibration) by making the magnetic flux angle even closer to a right angle.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 4 , the vibration generator 101 may also include a bracket 11 having a main body plate 11B extending along planes parallel to the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction) and to which the coil 12 is attached, and a mounting plate 11A extending from the main body plate 11B and fixed to the housing HS. In this case, the coil 12 may be fixed to the housing HS (base member 2) via the bracket 11, and the magnetic flux generating member (magnet 15) may be fixed to the movable body (vibrator VB). The main body plate 11B may be made of copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof and configured to function as a conductive member. This configuration has the advantage of reducing the number of parts compared to when a member other than the bracket 11 (main body plate 11B) functions as a conductive member.

[0130] Furthermore, the conductive member (bracket 11) may be configured not to have an opening at a position corresponding to the locus TR (see the upper diagram in Figure 4) of the center of the magnetic flux when the movable body (vibrating body VB) vibrates. In other words, the conductive member (bracket 11) may be configured so that it always intersects with the magnetic flux at least in the central region CR when the movable body (vibrating body VB) is vibrating. This configuration has the effect of making it easier for eddy currents to flow compared to when there is an opening that intersects with the locus TR.

[0131] Furthermore, the coil 12 may have an air core portion AC, which is the innermost portion of the coil winding portion, and a conductor portion CP extending outward from the air core portion AC. The conductive member (bracket 11) may have an opening (see the first opening H1 in the upper diagram of FIG. 4) that prevents interference with the conductor portion CP when the coil 12 is attached. In this case, the opening (first opening H1) may be formed at a position that avoids the locus TR. In other words, the opening (first opening H1) may be formed at a position that avoids the central region CR. This configuration prevents interference between the conductor portion CP and the conductive member (bracket 11), while allowing eddy currents to flow more easily than when an opening (first opening H1) that intersects with the locus TR is provided.

[0132] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, the air-core portion AC may be formed as an elongated hole extending along the second direction (Y-axis direction). In this case, the conductor portion CP may be configured to extend outward from an end of the air-core portion AC in the second direction (Y-axis direction), as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4. In the example shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4, the first conductor portion CP1 is configured to extend forward (in the X1 direction) from the left end (end on the Y1 side) of the air-core portion AC. This configuration has the advantage of being able to form an opening (first opening H1) at a position farther away from the locus TR than when the first conductor portion CP1 is configured to extend outward from a portion other than the end of the air-core portion AC (e.g., the center). The same applies to the second conductor portion CP2 and the third conductor portion CP3.

[0133] 1 to 3, a vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing HS, a movable body (vibrator VB) accommodated in the housing HS, a support member (elastic support member ES, leaf spring 17) that supports the movable body (vibrator VB) so that the movable body can vibrate along a first direction (X-axis direction, front-rear direction), a main body plate portion 11B extending in a second direction (Y-axis direction, left-right direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction), and a first auxiliary support member FD1 extending from one end (Y1 end, left end) of the main body plate portion 11B in the second direction (Y-axis direction) via a first bent portion FD1 (see FIG. 14) in a third direction (Z-axis direction, up-down direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction). The bracket 11 has a reinforcing portion RF (see FIG. 14) including a strong plate portion RP1 (see FIG. 14) and is attached to the housing HS (base member 2) via an attachment plate portion 11A; a coil 12 has a main bundle wire portion MW (see FIG. 4) including a plurality of conductors extending in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and a sub-bundle wire portion SW (see FIG. 4) connecting two adjacent main bundle wire portions MW and is attached to one side (Z2 side, lower side) of the main body plate portion 11B in the third direction (Z-axis direction); and a permanent magnet (magnet 15) that is attached to the movable body (yoke 10) on the other side (Z1 side, upper side) of the coil 12 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) and generates a magnetic flux directed toward the main bundle wire portion MW. As shown in FIG. 14, one end (left end LE1) of the permanent magnet (magnet 15) in the second direction (Y-axis direction) is located inward (on the Y2 side) from one end (left end LE2) of the secondary bundle portion SW in the second direction (Y-axis direction) by a distance DS1 (see also the center diagram in FIG. 7). The fact that the left end LE1 is located inward (on the Y2 side) from the left end LE2 means that the left end LE1 is located closer to the center point of the vibrating body VB than the left end LE2. The first reinforcing plate portion RP1 is located inward (on the Y2 side) from one end (left end LE2) of the secondary bundle portion SW in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and extends from a position (point PS1) outer than one end (left end LE1) of the permanent magnet (magnet 15) in the second direction (Y-axis direction) toward the other side (Z1 side, upper side) in the third direction (Z-axis direction). The position outer than the left end LE1 means a position farther from the center point of the vibrating body VB than the left end LE1. In the illustrated example, the point PS1 corresponds to the position of the inner end and the lower end of the first reinforcing plate portion RP1.

[0134] This configuration, in which at least a portion of the reinforcing portion RF is provided within the space SP (see FIG. 14 ), has the advantage of making it easier to achieve miniaturization compared to a configuration in which the reinforcing portion is provided outside the coil. In the example shown in FIG. 14 , the space SP corresponds to the portion of the space above the coil 12 (the space having the same cross section as the coil 12 in the XY plane) that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U. Specifically, the space SP corresponds to the portion of the space above the secondary bundle portion SW of the coil 12 that is not occupied by the upper magnet 15U. No permanent magnet is disposed in this space SP. This is because, even if a permanent magnet were disposed therein, the permanent magnet would not be able to efficiently generate a driving force suitable for driving the vibrating body VB. Therefore, this space SP is suitable as a location for disposing at least a portion of the reinforcing portion RF without reducing the driving force of the driving means DM.

[0135] 14, the reinforcing portion RF may include a second reinforcing portion RP2 extending from the other end (Z1 end, upper end) of the first reinforcing portion RP1 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) via a second bent portion FD2 toward the outside (Y1 side, left side) in the second direction (Y-axis direction). In other words, the reinforcing portion RF may have a structure formed by so-called Z-bending.

[0136] This structure brings about the effect of further increasing the strength of the bracket 11 compared to a reinforcing portion RF having a portion that does not include the second reinforcing plate portion RP2 as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 14, the mounting plate portion 11A may extend outward (in the Y1 direction) from the outer end (left end LE3) of the second reinforcing plate portion RP2.

[0138] This configuration has the advantage of more reliably suppressing deformation of the main body plate portion 11B than the configuration in which the attachment plate portion 11A extends from the main body plate portion 11B as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0139] 13, the bracket 11 may be formed of a metal plate having a material grain such as rolled grain RM. In this case, the reinforcing portion RF may be configured to include a first bent portion FD1 formed so that the bend line FL extends in a direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the direction of the material grain (rolled grain RM) (Y-axis direction). In other words, the reinforcing portion RF may be configured so that the first bent portion is not formed so that the bend line extends in a direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the direction of the material grain (rolled grain RM). The bend line FL is a line formed by bending the metal plate to form the first bent portion FD1.

[0140] This configuration has the effect of making it easier for the bracket 11 to withstand loads from various directions.

[0141] Furthermore, bracket 11 may be formed of a metal (e.g., copper, aluminum, silver, or an alloy thereof) that is weaker than the material (e.g., austenitic stainless steel) that constitutes housing HS. In this case, bracket 11 may be configured to generate an eddy current to cancel out a change in magnetic flux when a permanent magnet (magnet 15) attached to the movable body (yoke 10) moves along the first direction (X-axis direction), thereby reducing the acceleration of the movable body (vibrator VB).

[0142] This configuration has the effect of realizing a bracket 11 made of a material that easily generates eddy currents.

[0143] Furthermore, in the vibration generating device 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing HS has, as shown in FIG. 2, a bottom plate portion 2B, side plate portions (first side plate portion 1A1 and third side plate portion 1A3) perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 2B, and a support portion 2P that supports the mounting plate portion 11A of the bracket 11. The side plate portions (first side plate portion 1A1 and third side plate portion 1A3) include a beam plate portion 1C provided to face the support portion 2P in the plate thickness direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis direction, direction perpendicular to the XY plane) of the main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11, and the mounting plate portion 11A is arranged so that the plate thickness direction (direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, direction parallel to the XY plane) of the beam plate portion 1C, which is part of the side plate portions (first side plate portion 1A1 and third side plate portion 1A3), and the plate thickness direction of the main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11 intersect (are perpendicular) each other, and is sandwiched between the support portion 2P and the beam plate portion 1C. In the illustrated example, the mounting plate portion 11A is arranged so that the plate thickness direction of the beam plate portion 1C and the plate thickness directions of the mounting plate portion 11A and main body plate portion 11B of the bracket 11 are perpendicular to each other.

[0144] With this configuration, in the electromagnetic exciter 101, the bracket 11, which functions as a coil bracket, is firmly fixed to the housing HS without welding. Therefore, in the electromagnetic exciter 101, the housing HS and the bracket 11 are firmly joined even if they are made of different metals. In the illustrated example, the bracket 11 and the housing HS are joined by pushing the beam plate portion 1C of the cover member 1, which is bent outward as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 23 , inward as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 23 . Therefore, joining the bracket 11 and the housing HS is easier than, for example, welding, and requires less space than using an adhesive. This is because using an adhesive requires providing an adhesive reservoir within the electromagnetic exciter 101. In the above-described embodiment, the beam plate portion 1C is part of the cover member 1, but it may also be part of the base member 2.

[0145] In addition, in this configuration, the housing HS clamps the bracket 11 using the elastic force in the plate surface direction (parallel to the Z-axis direction, perpendicular to the XY plane) that intersects with the thickness direction of the beam plate portion 1C (direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, direction parallel to the XY plane), so it can be stronger than when the elastic force in the thickness direction of the plate member is used.

[0146] In addition, in this configuration, the direction in which the beam plate portion 1C is bent (inward along the Y-axis direction) is different from the direction in which the beam plate portion 1C presses the mounting plate portion 11A (downward along the Z-axis direction). Therefore, this configuration has the effect that the beam plate portion 1C, which is bent with a relatively small force, can press the mounting plate portion 11A with a relatively large force.

[0147] Furthermore, the bracket 11 may be made of a metal material having a lower melting point than the metal material forming the housing HS. If the two metal materials to be joined have different melting points, joining by welding can be difficult, but in the above-described configuration, the housing HS and bracket 11 are joined without welding.

[0148] Furthermore, the bracket 11 may be made of a metal material having a strength lower than that of the metal material forming the housing HS. This is because, in the above-described configuration, the housing HS and the bracket 11 are joined without welding, although if the strengths of the two metal materials to be joined together are different, the joint formed by welding may be prone to fracture.

[0149] In addition, the bracket 11 may be configured to generate eddy currents by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet (magnet 15) when the movable body (vibrator VB) is vibrating, thereby reducing the acceleration of the movable body (vibrator VB).

[0150] This configuration brings about the effect that the damping force (force that can suppress vibration) caused by eddy currents can be utilized, and therefore this configuration brings about the effect that, for example, resonance of the vibrating body VB can be suppressed.

[0151] 2, the housing HS may include a base member 2. That is, the housing HS may be composed of two members (a cover member 1 and a base member 2). In this case, the base member 2 may include a bottom plate portion 2B, an upright plate portion 2E extending upward from the bottom plate portion 2B via a bent portion 2F, and a support portion 2P provided on the upper portion of the upright plate portion 2E.

[0152] This configuration has the advantage of facilitating the assembly of the electromagnetic exciter 101. This is because the electromagnetic exciter 101 is assembled by assembling the components in the order shown in Figures 11 and 12 and finally joining the cover member 1 to the base member 2.

[0153] Furthermore, one of the multiple mounting plate portions 11A (first mounting plate portion 11A1 to fourth mounting plate portion 11A4) in the bracket 11 may be supported at three points by one of the multiple beam plate portions 1C (first beam plate portion 1C1 to fourth beam plate portion 1C4) and one of the multiple support portions 2P (first support portion 2P1 to fourth support portion 2P4). In the illustrated example, the fourth mounting plate portion 11A4 is supported at three points (first contact point PT1 to third contact point PT3) by the fourth beam plate portion 1C4 and the fourth support portion 2P4, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0154] This configuration has the effect of suppressing rattle of the bracket 11 relative to the housing HS when the bracket 11 is clamped by the housing HS. This is because the housing HS supports each of the four mounting plate portions 11A at three points, i.e., supports the bracket 11 at a total of 12 points, four points on the upper surface and eight points on the lower surface, thereby firmly clamping the bracket 11.

[0155] 21 and 22, the beam plate portion 1C may include an upper contact portion (protruding portion NP) that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion 11A in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion 11A (the Z-axis direction) and contacts the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A. Also, the support portion 2P may include a lower contact portion (protruding support portion 2D) that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion 11A in the direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion 11A (the Z-axis direction) and contacts the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 11A. In this case, the distance DS2 between the upper contact portion (protruding portion NP) and the lower contact portion (protruding support portion 2D) in the direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion 11A (the Z-axis direction) may be smaller than the plate thickness TH1 of the mounting plate portion 11A.

[0156] This configuration allows the mounting plate 11A to withstand the downward force generated by the inwardly bent beam plate 1C. This force increases as the difference between the plate thickness TH1 and the distance DS2 (plate thickness TH1 - distance DS2) increases. In other words, this configuration has the effect of easily adjusting the magnitude of the downward force that the beam plate 1C exerts on the mounting plate 11A by adjusting the difference between the plate thickness TH1 and the distance DS2.

[0157] In addition, as shown in Figure 21, the support portion 2P may have a protrusion 2Q that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion 11A in a direction perpendicular to the flat plate portion KS of the mounting plate portion 11A (Z-axis direction) and is inserted into a through hole 11H formed in the mounting plate portion 11A.

[0158] This configuration has the effect of preventing the bracket 11 supported by the base member 2 from moving along the XY plane before the beam plate portion 1C is bent inward, i.e., before the bracket 11 is clamped between the cover member 1 and the base member 2.

[0159] Furthermore, the standing plate portion 2E may have a reinforcing recess 2R formed therein, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 20. The reinforcing recess 2R has the effect of preventing the bending portion 2F, the standing plate portion 2E, and the support portion 2P from bending relative to each other.

[0160] Furthermore, the beam plate portion 1C may be formed in a cantilever shape as shown in Fig. 19. With this configuration, the beam plate portion 1C, which is bent outward as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 23, can be pushed inward as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 23 without applying an excessively large force. However, the beam plate portion 1C may also be formed in a cantilever shape.

[0161] In addition, a manufacturing method of the vibration generating device 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a step of accommodating the bracket 11 in the housing HS with the beam plate portion 1C bent outward from the third side plate portion 1A3 as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 23, and a step of pushing the beam plate portion 1C toward the inside of the third side plate portion 1A3 to bring the beam plate portion 1C into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 11A as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 23.

[0162] In the electromagnetic exciter 101 produced by this manufacturing method, the bracket 11, which functions as a coil bracket, is firmly fixed to the housing HS without welding. Therefore, in the electromagnetic exciter 101 produced by this manufacturing method, the housing HS and the bracket 11 are firmly joined even if they are made of different metals. Furthermore, in the electromagnetic exciter 101 produced by this manufacturing method, the joining of the bracket 11 and the housing HS is achieved more easily than when welding is used, and in a smaller space than when an adhesive is used. This is because when an adhesive is used, an adhesive reservoir must be provided inside the electromagnetic exciter 101.

[0163] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications or substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate unless technically inconsistent.

[0164] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vibration generator 101 is configured to include a magnet 15 magnetized with eight poles and a coil 12 having three coil winding portions (six bundled wire portions), but it may also be configured to include a magnet 15 magnetized with a number of magnetic poles other than eight, such as two, four, six, ten, or twelve poles, and a coil 12 having a corresponding number of bundled wire portions. In other words, the coil 12 may be configured to have one, two, four or more coil winding portions.

[0165] In the above-described embodiment, the bracket 11 has a right reinforcing portion RFR and a left reinforcing portion RFL, but one of the right reinforcing portion RFR and the left reinforcing portion RFL may be omitted. Alternatively, the bracket 11 may have a front reinforcing portion formed at the front end of the main body plate portion 11B, or a rear reinforcing portion formed at the rear end of the main body plate portion 11B. In this case, at least one of the right reinforcing portion RFR, the left reinforcing portion RFL, the front reinforcing portion, and the rear reinforcing portion may be omitted.

[0166] In the above-described embodiment, the left-side reinforcement part RFL is formed to extend over substantially the entire length of the left edge of the main body plate part 11B in the X-axis direction, but it may be formed to extend along part of the left edge of the main body plate part 11B. Also, the left-side reinforcement part RFL may be formed to extend along multiple parts of the left edge of the main body plate part 11B. The same applies to the right-side reinforcement part RFR, the front reinforcement part, and the rear reinforcement part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 1···Cable member 1A···Outer wall portion 1A1···1st side plate portion 1A2···2nd side plate portion 1A3···3rd side plate portion 1A4···4th side plate portion 1C···Beam plate portion 1C1···1st beam plate portion 1C2···2nd beam plate portion 1C3···3rd beam plate portion 1C4···4th beam plate portion 1T···Top plate portion 2···Base member 2B···Bottom plate portion 2D···Protruding support portion 2E···Upright plate portion 2E1···1st upright plate portion 2E2···2nd upright plate portion 2E3···3rd upright plate portion 2E4···4th upright plate portion 2F···Bend portion 2F1···1st bend portion 2F2· ··2nd bending part 2F3···3rd bending part 2F4···4th bending part 2P···Supporting part 2P1···1st supporting part 2P2···2nd supporting part 2P3···3rd supporting part 2P4···4th supporting part 2Q···convex part 2R···reinforcing recessed part 10···ヨーク10D···lower side Tool 10U···Upper side tube 11···Tower 11A···Access board part 11A1···First access board part 11A2···Second access Accessory plate part 11A3... Third access plate part 11A4... Fourth access plate part 11B... Main body plate parts 11V, 11W, 11X... Pullet 12···Coil 12A···First coiled portion 12A1···Front main harness 12A2···Rear main harness 12A3···Left auxiliary harness 12A4···Right auxiliary harness 12B···Second coiled portion 12B1···Front main harness 12B2···Rear main harness 12B3···Left auxiliary harness 12B4···Right auxiliary harness 12C···Third coiled portion 12C1···Front main harness 12C2···Rear main harness 12C3···Left auxiliary harness 12C4···Right auxiliary harness 12E···Second end portion 12S···First end portion 13· ··Wiring substrate 13L···Left wiring substrate 13R···Right wiring substrate 15···Magnet 15D···Lower magnet 15D1···1st lower magnet portion 15D2···2nd lower magnet portion 15D3···3rd lower magnet portion 15D4···4th lower magnet portion 15U···Upper magnet 15U1···1st upper magnet portion 15U2···2nd upper magnet portion 15U3···3rd upper magnet portion 15U4···4th upper magnet portion 17···Board 17A···Connection portion 17A1···1st connecting portion 17A2···2nd connecting portion 17A3···3rd connecting portion17A4...Fourth connection part 17B...Vibrator support part 17C...Elastic arm part 17C1...First elastic arm part 17C2...Second elastic arm part 17C3...Third elastic arm part 17C4...Fourth elastic arm part 101...Vibration generator AC...Air core part BW...Bottom plate part CP...Conductor part CP1...First conductor part CP2...Second conductor part CP3...Third conductor part CP4...Fourth conductor part CR...Central area CTR...Control part DM...Drive means EP...Upright part ES...Elastic support member FD1...First bent part FD2...Second bent part FL...Bending line FP...Pedestal part FPL...Left side pedestal part FPR···Right side base GP···Gap H1···First opening H2···Second opening H3···Third opening HS···Housing LE1, LE2, LE3···Left end LW···Left side plate MF···Magnetic field line MF1···First magnetic field line MF2···Second magnetic field line MF3···Third magnetic field line MF4···Fourth magnetic field line MF5···Fifth magnetic field line MF6···Sixth magnetic field line MW···Main flux line NF···Bent part NP··Protruding part NPR···First corner NPS···Second corner NR···Root part NRC···Notched part NT··Inner end NV··Non-vibrating body PE··Outer conductor pattern PI··Inner conductor pattern PR···Protruding part PS1···Point RC...Concave part RF...Reinforcement part RFL...Left side reinforcement part RFR...Right side reinforcement part RM...Roll stitch RP1...1st reinforcement plate part RP2...2nd reinforcement plate part RW...Right side plate part SP...Space SPL...Left side space SPR...Right side space SW...Sub-bundle part TR...Trajectory TW...Top plate part VA...Vibration axis VB...Vibration body VE...Vibration device VP...Vibration part

Claims

1. Housing and A movable body accommodated in the housing; A support member that supports the movable body so that the movable body can vibrate; a bracket having a main body plate portion and an attachment plate portion extending from the main body plate portion, the bracket being attached to the housing via the attachment plate portion; A coil attached to the main body plate portion; a permanent magnet attached to the movable body and generating a magnetic flux toward the coil; the housing has a bottom plate portion, a side plate portion perpendicular to the bottom plate portion, and a support portion that supports the mounting plate portion of the bracket, The side plate portion includes a beam plate portion provided to face the support portion in a plate thickness direction of the main body plate portion of the bracket, The mounting plate portion is arranged so that the plate thickness direction of the beam plate portion, which is a part of the side plate portion, and the plate thickness direction of the main body plate portion of the bracket intersect with each other, and is sandwiched between the support portion and the beam plate portion. A vibration generating device characterized by:

2. The bracket is made of a metal material having a melting point lower than that of a metal material forming the housing. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

3. The bracket is made of a metal material having a strength lower than that of a metal material forming the housing. The vibration generating device according to claim 2 .

4. the bracket generates an eddy current by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet when the movable body is vibrating, thereby reducing the acceleration of the movable body. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

5. The housing includes a base member. The base member includes the bottom plate portion, an upright plate portion extending upward from the bottom plate portion via a bent portion, and the support portion provided on an upper portion of the upright plate portion. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

6. One of the plurality of mounting plate portions of the bracket is supported at three points by one of the plurality of beam plate portions and one of the plurality of support portions. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

7. the beam plate portion includes an upper contact portion that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion and contacts an upper surface of the mounting plate portion; the support portion includes a lower contact portion that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion and comes into contact with a lower surface of the mounting plate portion, A distance between the upper contact portion and the lower contact portion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion is smaller than a plate thickness of the mounting plate portion. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

8. The support portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the mounting plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate portion and is inserted into a through hole formed in the mounting plate portion. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

9. A reinforcing recess is formed in the upright plate portion. The vibration generating device according to claim 5 .

10. The beam plate portion is formed in a cantilever shape. The vibration generating device according to claim 1 .

11. a housing having a movable body accommodated in the housing, a support member supporting the movable body so that it can vibrate, a bracket having a main body plate portion and an attachment plate portion extending from the main body plate portion and attached to the housing via the attachment plate portion, a coil attached to the main body plate portion, and a permanent magnet attached to the movable body and generating a magnetic flux directed toward the coil, the housing having a bottom plate portion, a side plate portion perpendicular to the bottom plate portion, and a support portion supporting the attachment plate portion of the bracket, the side plate portion including a beam plate portion provided to face the support portion, the attachment plate portion being disposed such that a plate thickness direction of the beam plate portion which is a part of the side plate portion and a plate thickness direction of the attachment plate portion intersect with each other, and the attachment plate portion being sandwiched between the support portion and the beam plate portion, a step of accommodating the bracket in the housing with the beam plate portion bent outwardly of the side plate portion; and pressing the beam plate portion toward the inside of the side plate portion to bring the beam plate portion into contact with the upper surface of the mounting plate portion. A manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

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