Vibration actuator
The vibration actuator design with a specific joint surface configuration for the elastic body in the damper unit addresses attachment strength issues, preventing peeling and ensuring stable operation under reversing loads.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024034886
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
AI Technical Summary
The elastic bodies in vibration actuators, typically made of rubber, face attachment strength issues due to repeated vibration loads, leading to potential peeling over time.
A vibration actuator design with a first and second body portion, each equipped with a support piece, where the elastic body is joined to these support pieces with a specific joint surface configuration to prevent peeling, using a damper unit with stator and mover support pieces and a rubber damper.
Prevents the elastic body from peeling off, ensuring stable operation of the vibration actuator even under reversing loads, maintaining effective tactile feedback.
Smart Images
Figure 2025136366000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to vibration actuators. [Background technology]
[0002] Devices such as smartphones, tablets, and touchpads have a feedback function that provides users with a tactile sensation through vibration. To achieve this feedback function, a vibration generator that vibrates a vibrator supported by an elastic body has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-94561 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The elastic body incorporated into a vibration generator, i.e., a vibration actuator, is generally made of a polymeric material such as rubber. Furthermore, while the elastic body is attached using adhesive tape or glue, it is difficult to ensure sufficient attachment strength for an elastic body made of rubber or other materials. Furthermore, because reversing vibration loads are repeatedly applied to the elastic body within the vibration actuator, there is a risk that the elastic body may peel off over time depending on the attachment strength. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] According to the present disclosure, a vibration actuator has a first unit including a first body portion and a coil provided in the first body portion. The vibration actuator has a second unit including a second body portion facing the first body portion and a magnet provided in the second body portion. The vibration actuator has an elastic body joined to a first support piece extending from the first body portion toward the second body portion and joined to a second support piece extending from the second body portion toward the first body portion. The elastic body has a first joint surface joined to the first support piece and a second joint surface joined to the second support piece. The first joint surface is located closer to the second body portion than the second joint surface. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] According to the present disclosure, peeling of the elastic body can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a smartphone equipped with a vibration actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the vibration actuator. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the stator unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the mover unit. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a damper unit. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing the damper unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the disassembled state of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the stator cover and the mover unit removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operating state of the vibration actuator. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operating state of the vibration actuator. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer equipped with a vibration actuator. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an exploded state of a vibration actuator according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, identical or substantially identical configurations and elements will be designated by the same reference numerals and repeated description will be omitted.
[0009] <Devices equipped with vibration actuators> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a smartphone 11 equipped with a vibration actuator 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the vibration actuator 10 is attached to a display 12 of the smartphone 11. By using this vibration actuator 10 to control the vibration pattern of the display 12, a user who touches the display 12 can be given a tactile sensation such as a clicking sensation due to vibration.
[0010] In the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is attached to the display 12, but this is not limiting and the vibration actuator 10 may also be attached to the housing 13 of the smartphone 11. In this case, the vibration pattern of the housing 13 can be controlled using the vibration actuator 10, and a tactile sensation can be given to a user touching the housing 13 through vibration. This type of vibration feedback technology is also called haptics technology. The vibration actuator 10 is also called a linear vibration motor.
[0011] An electronic control unit (not shown) consisting of a microcontroller, a drive circuit, etc. is connected to the vibration actuator 10. By using this electronic control unit to control the current flowing through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 (described later), the vibration actuator 10 can be made to vibrate in a predetermined vibration pattern.
[0012] In the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is incorporated into a smartphone 11, but this is not limiting and the vibration actuator 10 may be incorporated into other devices. For example, the vibration actuator 10 may be incorporated into the touchpad of a notebook computer, or into a mobile device such as a tablet. The vibration actuator 10 may also be incorporated into an in-vehicle display installed in a vehicle.
[0013] <Vibration Actuator> Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator 10, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the vibration actuator 10. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the stator unit 20, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the mover unit 30.
[0014] 2 and 3, the vibration actuator 10 has a stator unit 20 equipped with plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23, which are air-core coils, and a mover unit 30 equipped with plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, which are permanent magnets. The stator unit 20 has a stator housing 26 consisting of a stator plate 24 and a stator cover 25. The mover unit 30 is housed within the stator housing 26 of the stator unit 20.
[0015] 4, the stator unit (first unit) 20 has a stator main body (first main body) 27 made up of a stator plate 24, a flexible printed circuit board 28 attached to the stator plate 24, and three plate-shaped coils (coils) 21, 22, and 23 attached to the flexible printed circuit board 28. The plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the flexible printed circuit board 28 by adhesive or the like, and the flexible printed circuit board 28 is attached to the stator plate 24 by adhesive or the like. The stator unit 20 also has a stator cover 25 attached to the stator plate 24. This stator cover 25 is attached to the stator plate 24 by welding or the like.
[0016] The plate-shaped coil 21 has a pair of straight portions 40, 41 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 42 that connect the straight portions 40, 41. Similarly, the plate-shaped coil 22 has a pair of straight portions 43, 44 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 45 that connect the straight portions 43, 44. Similarly, the plate-shaped coil 23 has a pair of straight portions 46, 47 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 48 that connect the straight portions 46, 47. The plate-shaped coils 21, 22, 23 are air-core coils formed by winding an electric wire, and each plate-shaped coil 21, 22, 23 has an elongated hole-shaped space in its center.
[0017] 5, the mover unit (second unit) 30 has a mover body portion (second body portion) 39 consisting of a mover plate 37 and a weight 38, and six plate-shaped magnets (magnets) 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 attached to the mover plate 37 of the mover body portion 39. The weight 38 is attached to the mover plate 37 by adhesive or the like, and the plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 are attached to the mover plate 37 by adhesive or the like.
[0018] The stator plate 24 and the mover plate 37 can be made of a ferromagnetic or non-magnetic material. For example, ferritic stainless steel such as SUS430 or martensitic stainless steel such as SUS410 can be used as the ferromagnetic material. Furthermore, austenitic stainless steel such as SUS301 or SUS304 can be used as the non-magnetic material. Iron or nickel can be used as the ferromagnetic material, and titanium, copper, aluminum, or the like can be used as the non-magnetic material.
[0019] <Damper unit> The damper unit 50 incorporated into the vibration actuator 10 will now be described. Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing the damper unit 50, and Fig. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing the damper unit 50. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator 10 taken along line AA in Fig. 2, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator 10 shown in Fig. 7 in an exploded state.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, four damper units 50 are provided between the stator body 27 and the mover body 39. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, each damper unit 50 has a stator support piece (first support piece) 51 bent in a generally Z shape and a mover support piece (second support piece) 52 bent in a generally Z shape. Furthermore, each damper unit 50 has a rubber damper (elastic body) 60 attached to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52. The rubber damper 60 may be, for example, an elastic body that is a polymer material such as silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or natural rubber. The rubber damper 60 is also called an elastic member or a support member.
[0021] 6A, 6B, 7, and 8, the stator support piece 51 includes a base end plate portion (first base end plate portion) 51a provided on the stator body portion 27, an intermediate plate portion (first intermediate plate portion) 51b extending from the base end plate portion 51a toward the mover body portion 39, and a tip plate portion (first tip plate portion) 51c bending from the intermediate plate portion 51b and joined to the rubber damper 60. Similarly, the mover support piece 52 includes a base end plate portion (second base end plate portion) 52a provided on the mover body portion 39, an intermediate plate portion (second intermediate plate portion) 52b extending from the base end plate portion 52a toward the stator body portion 27, and a tip plate portion (second tip plate portion) 52c bending from the intermediate plate portion 52b and joined to the rubber damper 60.
[0022] 7 and 8, the stator body 27 includes a stator inner surface (first inner surface) 27a facing the mover body 39 and a stator outer surface (first outer surface) 27b located on the opposite side of the stator inner surface 27a. The mover body 39 also includes a mover inner surface (second inner surface) 39a facing the stator body 27 and a mover outer surface (second outer surface) 39b located on the opposite side of the mover inner surface 39a. A base end plate 51a of the stator support piece 51 is joined to the stator outer surface 27b of the stator plate 24 that constitutes the stator body 27. A base end plate 52a of the mover support piece 52 is joined to the mover outer surface 39b of the weight 38 that constitutes the mover body 39. As shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 7, a gap G1 is provided between the rubber damper 60 and the intermediate plate portion 51b, and a gap G2 is provided between the rubber damper 60 and the intermediate plate portion 52b.
[0023] The stator support piece 51, the stator plate 24, the mover support piece 52, and the weight 38 can be made of, for example, a metal material. This allows the stator support piece 51 to be firmly joined to the stator plate 24, which are separate members, by welding, adhesive, or the like, and the mover support piece 52 to be firmly joined to the weight 38, which are separate members, by welding, adhesive, or the like. Note that the metal materials used to make the stator support piece 51, the stator plate 24, the mover support piece 52, and the weight 38 can be, for example, ferromagnetic metal materials such as ferritic stainless steel and martensitic stainless steel, or non-magnetic metal materials such as austenitic stainless steel. Furthermore, the stator plate 24 and the stator support piece 51, which form the stator main body 27, are separate members, and the weight 38 and the mover support piece 52, which form the mover main body 39, are separate members. This allows the damper unit 50 to be assembled independently, simplifying the assembly process of the vibration actuator 10.
[0024] The damper unit 50, which is made up of the stator support piece 51, the mover support piece 52, and the rubber damper 60, is manufactured using vulcanization bonding, also known as insert molding. Vulcanization bonding is a joining method in which the unvulcanized rubber that is the material for the rubber damper 60 is bonded to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52 while the rubber is vulcanized in a mold. In this vulcanization bonding, the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52, to which an adhesive has been applied, are assembled in a mold, and the unvulcanized rubber that is the material for the rubber damper 60 is placed in the mold. The mold is then closed and pressurized, and the mold is heated, thereby firmly bonding the rubber damper 60 to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52.
[0025] As a result, a first end surface (first bonding surface) 61 of the rubber damper 60 is bonded to the tip plate portion 51 c of the stator support piece 51. Furthermore, a second end surface (second bonding surface) 62 of the rubber damper 60 is bonded to the tip plate portion 52 c of the mover support piece 52. For example, if a rubber damper 60 made of silicone rubber is used, it is difficult to ensure the bonding strength of the rubber damper 60. However, even in this case, it is possible to firmly bond the rubber damper 60 to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52. Note that the method of bonding the rubber damper 60 to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52 is not limited to the vulcanization bonding described above, and it goes without saying that the molded rubber damper 60 may also be bonded to the stator support piece 51 and the mover support piece 52 using adhesive tape, adhesive, or the like.
[0026] As described above, by joining the damper unit 50 to the stator body 27 and the mover body 39, the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are connected to each other via the damper unit 50. In this state in which the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are connected, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 7 , the first end face 61 of the rubber damper 60 joined to the stator support piece 51 is located closer to the mover body 39 than the second end face 62 of the rubber damper 60 joined to the mover support piece 52. In other words, in the opposing direction D1 between the stator body 27 and the mover body 39, the first end face 61 of the rubber damper 60 is located closer to the mover body 39 than the second end face 62 of the rubber damper 60. In other words, the opposing direction D1 between the stator body 27 and the mover body 39 is the thickness direction of the vibration actuator 10 and the axial direction of the rubber damper 60 that penetrates the end faces 61, 62.
[0027] <Operation of the vibration actuator> Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator 10 with the stator cover 25 and the mover unit 30 removed. Figs. 10 and 11 are views showing the operating state of the vibration actuator 10. Also, Figs. 10 and 11 show a portion of a cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 2, i.e., the plate magnets 31, 32, and 33 and their vicinity. To facilitate explanation of the operation of the vibration actuator 10, Figs. 10 and 11 show the vibration actuator 10 enlarged in the thickness direction. Also, Fig. 10 shows a state in which current is passed through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 in the direction of arrow A1 in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 shows a state in which current is passed through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 in the direction of arrow A2 in Fig. 9.
[0028] 10, plate-shaped magnets 31 and 33 are magnetized so that the south pole appears on surfaces 31a and 33a, and plate-shaped magnet 32 is magnetized so that the north pole appears on surface 32a. In this way, each of plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 is magnetized with an opposite polarity to the adjacent plate-shaped magnet. Alternatively, plate-shaped magnets 31 and 33 may be magnetized so that the north pole appears on surfaces 31a and 33a, and plate-shaped magnet 32 may be magnetized so that the south pole appears on surface 32a.
[0029] 10, by magnetizing the plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, and 33, a magnetic field H1 directed from the stator plate 24 to the mover plate 37 is generated in the straight portion 40 of the plate-shaped coil 21, and a magnetic field H2 directed from the mover plate 37 to the stator plate 24 is generated in the straight portion 41 of the plate-shaped coil 21. In addition, a magnetic field H3 directed from the stator plate 24 to the mover plate 37 is generated in the straight portion 43 of the plate-shaped coil 22.
[0030] When current flows through the straight portions 40, 41, and 43 of the plate coils 21 and 22 in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Fig. 9 while magnetic fields H1 to H3 are being generated, a Lorentz force F1a is generated in the straight portion 40, which generates a reverse thrust force F1b in the plate magnet 31 as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 10. A Lorentz force F2a is generated in the straight portion 41, which generates a reverse thrust force F2b in the plate magnet 32 as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 10. A Lorentz force F3a is generated in the straight portion 43, which generates a reverse thrust force F3b in the plate magnet 32 as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 10. In this manner, thrust forces F1b, F2b, and F3b act on the mover unit 30, causing the mover unit 30 to deform the rubber damper 60 and displace in the direction indicated by arrow X1.
[0031] On the other hand, when current flows through the straight portions 40, 41, and 43 of the plate coils 21 and 22 as shown by arrow A2 in Fig. 9, a Lorentz force F1c is generated in the straight portion 40, and a reaction force F1d in the opposite direction is generated in the plate magnet 31, as shown in Fig. 11. A Lorentz force F2c is generated in the straight portion 41, and a reaction force F2d in the opposite direction is generated in the plate magnet 32. A Lorentz force F3c is generated in the straight portion 43, and a reaction force F3d in the opposite direction is generated in the plate magnet 32. In this way, thrusts F1d, F2d, and F3d act on the mover unit 30, and the mover unit 30 is displaced in the direction of arrow X2 while deforming the rubber damper 60.
[0032] In other words, by switching the direction of current flow through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23, the thrust acting on the mover unit 30 can be switched between the direction of arrow X1 and the direction of arrow X2. This allows the mover unit 30 to reciprocate at a predetermined stroke, causing the vibration actuator 10 to vibrate. By using this vibration actuator 10 to control the vibration pattern of the display 12, for example, it is possible to provide a tactile sensation such as a clicking sensation due to the vibration to a user touching the display 12.
[0033] As shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 7, a gap G1 is provided between the rubber damper 60 and the intermediate plate portion 51b, and a gap G2 is provided between the rubber damper 60 and the intermediate plate portion 52b. By providing the gaps G1 and G2 in this manner, even when the mover unit 30 is vibrated, the rubber damper 60 does not interfere with the intermediate plate portions 51b and 52b, and the rubber damper 60 can be appropriately deformed in response to the thrust. This allows the mover unit 30 to reciprocate appropriately, and the vibration actuator 10 to vibrate appropriately.
[0034] <Supporting the mover unit with rubber dampers> As described above, the first end surface 61 of the rubber damper 60 joined to the stator support piece 51 is located closer to the mover body 39 than the second end surface 62 of the rubber damper 60 joined to the mover support piece 52. This prevents the rubber damper 60 from peeling off from the stator support piece 51 or the mover support piece 52, even when a load acts on the mover body 39 in a direction away from the stator body 27, and prevents the rubber damper 60 from falling off. For example, when a rubber damper 60 made of silicone rubber is used, it is difficult to ensure the bonding strength of the rubber damper 60, but even in this case, it is possible to prevent the rubber damper 60 from peeling off from the stator support piece 51 or the mover support piece 52.
[0035] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer 70 equipped with a vibration actuator 10, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator 10 taken along line CC in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 12, the vibration actuator 10 is attached to the back side of a touchpad 71 of the notebook computer 70. By using the vibration actuator 10 to control the vibration pattern of the touchpad 71, a tactile sensation such as a clicking sensation can be given to a user touching the touchpad 71 due to vibration.
[0036] 13, when the vibration actuator 10 is attached to the touchpad 71 of the notebook computer 70, the mover unit 30 is disposed below the stator body 27 of the stator unit 20. In other words, since the mover unit 30 is disposed below the stator body 27 in the vertical direction D2, gravity acts on the mover unit 30 in a direction away from the stator body 27, as shown by the arrow Fx1.
[0037] 13, when gravity acts on the mover unit 30 in the direction of arrow Fx1, the second end surface 62 of the rubber damper 60 is pressed downward by the tip plate portion 52c of the mover support piece 52, as shown by arrow Fx2. At this time, the first end surface 61 of the rubber damper 60 presses the tip plate portion 51c downward, but the tip plate portion 51c of the stator support piece 51 joined to the stator main body 27 maintains its position, so the rubber damper 60 is compressed between the tip plate portions 52c and 51c. In other words, because a load acts on the rubber damper 60 in the compression direction, the rubber damper 60 does not peel off from the mover support piece 52 or the stator support piece 51, preventing the rubber damper 60 from falling off and enabling the vibration actuator 10 to operate properly.
[0038] Furthermore, the base end plate portion 51a of the stator support piece 51 is joined to the stator outer surface 27b of the stator main body 27, and the base end plate portion 52a of the mover support piece 52 is joined to the mover outer surface 39b of the mover main body 39. That is, as indicated by symbol α1, the mover outer surface 39b presses the base end plate portion 52a downward, and as indicated by symbol α2, the base end plate portion 51a presses the stator outer surface 27b downward. This prevents the base end plate portion 51a from peeling off from the stator outer surface 27b or the base end plate portion 52a from peeling off from the mover outer surface 39b, and makes it possible to maintain an appropriate attachment state of the damper unit 50 to the vibration actuator 10.
[0039] Although the vibration actuator 10 attached to the touchpad 71 of the notebook computer 70 has been described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, even when the vibration actuator 10 is attached to a device such as a smartphone 11 or a tablet, gravity acts in a direction that moves the stator body 27 and the mover body 39 away from each other depending on the orientation of the smartphone 11, and therefore the vibration actuator 10 of the present disclosure can be effectively applied.
[0040] <Modification> Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an exploded state of a modified vibration actuator 80. In Figure 14, the same members and parts as those shown in Figure 8 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.
[0041] 14, the vibration actuator 80 has a stator unit 81 and a mover unit 90. The stator unit (first unit) 81 has a stator main body (first main body) 83 made up of a stator plate 82. The mover unit (second unit) 90 has a mover main body (second main body) 93 made up of a mover plate 91 and a weight 92.
[0042] The stator main body 83 includes a stator inner surface (first inner surface) 83a facing the mover main body 93, and a stator outer surface (first outer surface) 83b located on the opposite side of the stator inner surface 83a. The mover main body 93 also includes a mover inner surface (second inner surface) 93a facing the stator main body 83, and a mover outer surface (second outer surface) 93b located on the opposite side of the mover inner surface 93a. The base end plate 51a of the stator support piece 51 is joined to the stator inner surface 83a of the stator plate 82 that constitutes the stator main body 83. The base end plate 52a of the mover support piece 52 is joined to the mover inner surface 93a of the mover plate 91 that constitutes the mover main body 93.
[0043] In this manner, the base end plate portion 51a of the stator support piece 51 may be joined to the stator inner surface 83a of the stator main body 83, and the base end plate portion 52a of the mover support piece 52 may be joined to the mover inner surface 93a of the mover main body 93. The stator support piece 51, stator plate 82, mover support piece 52, and weight 92 are formed using, for example, a metal material such as a non-magnetic or ferromagnetic material. This allows the stator support piece 51 to be firmly joined to the stator plate 82, which are separate members, by welding, adhesive, or the like, and the mover support piece 52 to be firmly joined to the mover plate 91, which are separate members, by welding, adhesive, or the like. In other words, the base end plate portion 51a will not peel off from the stator inner surface 83a, and the base end plate portion 52a will not peel off from the mover inner surface 93a, so the damper unit 50 can be properly maintained attached to the vibration actuator 80.
[0044] Furthermore, the stator plate 82, which constitutes the stator main body 83, and the stator support piece 51 are separate members, and the weight 92, which constitutes the mover main body 93, and the mover support piece 52 are separate members. This allows the damper unit 50 to be assembled independently, simplifying the assembly work of the vibration actuator 80.
[0045] <Other variations> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, plate coils 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the stator unit 20, and plate magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 are attached to the mover unit 30, but this is not limiting. For example, plate magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 may be attached to the stator unit 20, and plate coils 21, 22, and 23 may be attached to the mover unit 30. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the stator cover 25 is attached to the stator unit 20, but this is not limiting, and the stator cover 25 may be removed from the stator unit 20.
[0046] In the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is provided with four damper units 50, but this is not a limitation and the number of damper units 50 may be changed. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, all of the damper units 50 are provided with stator support pieces 51 and mover support pieces 52, but this is not a limitation and it is sufficient that at least one damper unit 50 is provided with a stator support piece 51 and a mover support piece 52. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the mover support piece 52 is attached to the weight 38, but this is not a limitation and the mover support piece 52 may be attached to the mover plate 37. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the mover main body 39 and the mover support piece 52 are configured as separate members, but this is not a limitation and the mover support piece 52 may be formed integrally with the mover plate 37 by press working or the like. In addition, in the example shown in the figure, the stator main body 27 and the stator support piece 51 are configured as separate members, but this is not limited to this, and the stator support piece 51 may be formed integrally with the stator plate 24 by press processing or the like.
[0047] In the illustrated example, the rubber damper 60 is formed in a rectangular column shape, but this is not a limitation, and the rubber damper 60 may be formed in other shapes. For example, the rubber damper 60 may be formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape. In addition, in the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is configured using three plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23 and six plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, but this is not a limitation, and the number of plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 and plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23 that configure the vibration actuator 10 may be changed. In addition, in the illustrated example, the weight 38 is attached to the mover plate 37, but this is not a limitation, and the weight 38 may be removed from the mover plate 37 if the mover plate 37 and the plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 have sufficient mass.
[0048] The present technology can be configured as follows. [1] a first unit including a first body portion and a coil provided in the first body portion; a second unit including a second body portion facing the first body portion and a magnet provided in the second body portion; an elastic body joined to a first support piece extending from the first body portion toward the second body portion and joined to a second support piece extending from the second body portion toward the first body portion; and the elastic body has a first joint surface joined to the first support piece and a second joint surface joined to the second support piece, The first bonding surface is located closer to the second main body portion than the second bonding surface. Vibration actuator. [2] In the vibration actuator according to the above [1], the first main body portion and the first support piece are separate members, The second main body portion and the second support piece are separate members. Vibration actuator. [3] In the vibration actuator according to the above [1] or [2], the first support piece includes a first base end plate portion provided on the first main body portion, a first intermediate plate portion extending from the first base end plate portion toward the second main body portion, and a first tip end plate portion bent from the first intermediate plate portion and joined to the elastic body, The second support piece includes a second base end plate portion provided on the second main body portion, a second intermediate plate portion extending from the second base end plate portion toward the first main body portion, and a second tip end plate portion bent from the second intermediate plate portion and joined to the elastic body. Vibration actuator. [4] In the vibration actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [3], A gap is provided between the elastic body and the first intermediate plate portion, A gap is provided between the elastic body and the second intermediate plate portion. Vibration actuator. [5] In the vibration actuator according to the above [3], the first main body portion includes a first inner surface facing the second main body portion and a first outer surface located on the opposite side of the first inner surface, the second main body portion includes a second inner surface facing the first main body portion and a second outer surface located on the opposite side of the second inner surface, the first base end plate portion is joined to the first outer surface, The second base end plate portion is joined to the second outer surface. Vibration actuator. [6] In the vibration actuator according to the above [3], the first main body portion includes a first inner surface facing the second main body portion and a first outer surface located on the opposite side of the first inner surface, the second main body portion includes a second inner surface facing the first main body portion and a second outer surface located on the opposite side of the second inner surface, the first base end plate portion is joined to the first inner surface, The second base end plate portion is joined to the second inner surface. Vibration actuator. [7] In the vibration actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [6], The elastic body is made of silicone rubber. Vibration actuator. [Explanation of symbols]
[0049] 10... vibration actuator, 20... stator unit (first unit), 21, 22, 23... plate-shaped coil (coil), 27... stator main body portion (first main body portion), 27a... stator inner surface (first inner surface), 27b... stator outer surface (first outer surface), 30... mover unit (second unit), 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36... plate-shaped magnet (magnet), 39... mover main body portion (second main body portion), 39a... mover inner surface (second inner surface), 39b... mover outer surface (second outer surface), 51... stator support piece (first support piece), 51a... base end plate portion (first base end plate portion), 51b... intermediate plate portion (first intermediate plate portion), 51c... tip plate portion (first tip plate portion) ), 52... mover support piece (second support piece), 52a... base end plate portion (second base end plate portion), 52b... intermediate plate portion (second intermediate plate portion), 52c... tip plate portion (second tip plate portion), 60... rubber damper (elastic body), 61... first end surface (first joint surface), 62... second end surface (second joint surface), 80... vibration actuator, 81... stator unit (first unit), 83... stator main body portion (first main body portion), 83a... stator inner surface (first inner surface), 83b... stator outer surface (first outer surface), 90... mover unit (second unit), 93... mover main body portion (second main body portion), 93a... mover inner surface (second inner surface), 93b... mover outer surface (second outer surface)
Claims
1. a first unit including a first body portion and a coil provided in the first body portion; a second unit including a second body portion facing the first body portion and a magnet provided in the second body portion; an elastic body joined to a first support piece extending from the first body portion toward the second body portion and joined to a second support piece extending from the second body portion toward the first body portion; and the elastic body includes a first joint surface joined to the first support piece and a second joint surface joined to the second support piece, The first bonding surface is located closer to the second main body portion than the second bonding surface. Vibration actuator.
2. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, the first main body portion and the first support piece are separate members, The second main body portion and the second support piece are separate members. Vibration actuator.
3. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, the first support piece includes a first base end plate portion provided on the first main body portion, a first intermediate plate portion extending from the first base end plate portion toward the second main body portion, and a first tip end plate portion bent from the first intermediate plate portion and joined to the elastic body, The second support piece includes a second base end plate portion provided on the second main body portion, a second intermediate plate portion extending from the second base end plate portion toward the first main body portion, and a second tip end plate portion bent from the second intermediate plate portion and joined to the elastic body. Vibration actuator.
4. 4. The vibration actuator according to claim 3, a gap is provided between the elastic body and the first intermediate plate portion, A gap is provided between the elastic body and the second intermediate plate portion. Vibration actuator.
5. 4. The vibration actuator according to claim 3, the first main body portion includes a first inner surface facing the second main body portion and a first outer surface located on the opposite side of the first inner surface, the second main body portion includes a second inner surface facing the first main body portion and a second outer surface located on the opposite side of the second inner surface, the first base end plate portion is joined to the first outer surface, The second base end plate portion is joined to the second outer surface. Vibration actuator.
6. 4. The vibration actuator according to claim 3, the first main body portion includes a first inner surface facing the second main body portion and a first outer surface located on the opposite side of the first inner surface, the second main body portion includes a second inner surface facing the first main body portion and a second outer surface located on the opposite side of the second inner surface, the first base end plate portion is joined to the first inner surface, The second base end plate portion is joined to the second inner surface. Vibration actuator.
7. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, The elastic body is made of silicone rubber. Vibration actuator.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Vibration generator
JP2021094561A