Vibration actuator

Abstract

To provide a vibration actuator to which a spring can be properly joined.SOLUTION: A vibration actuator 10 comprises: a first unit provided with a first main body part and a coil provided on the first main body part; a second unit provided with a second main body part opposing to the first main body part and a magnet provided on the second main body part; and a spring 67 provided with a first joined plate part 61 jointed to the second main body part and a second joined plate part 62 joined to the first main body part. The spring comprises a folded plate part 63 that is extended from the first joined plate part and is folded, and an intermediate plate part 64 extending from the folded plate part to lead to the second joined plate part. The second main body part joined with the first joined plate part and the intermediate plate part leading to the first joined plate part through the folded plate part are arranged separately from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12A

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. A linear motor that vibrates a moving part supported by a leaf spring has been proposed as a vibration actuator to realize this feedback function (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 / 050285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to reduce the cost of vibration actuators, it is possible to relax the dimensional tolerances of the mover and stator that make up the vibration actuator. However, if the dimensional tolerances of the mover and stator are relaxed, there is a risk that when joining springs such as leaf springs to the mover and stator, the springs may be significantly deformed depending on the dimensional variations. For this reason, even if the dimensional tolerances of the mover and stator are relaxed, it is necessary to properly join the springs to the mover and stator so that the springs are not significantly deformed. [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 on 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 on the second body portion. The vibration actuator has a spring including a first bonding plate portion joined to the second body portion and a second bonding plate portion joined to the first body portion. The spring includes a bent plate portion extending from the first bonding plate portion and bent, and an intermediate plate portion extending from the bent plate portion and connected to the second bonding plate portion. The second body portion to which the first bonding plate portion is joined and the intermediate plate portion connected to the first bonding plate portion via the bent plate portion are separated from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the spring can be appropriately joined to the first body portion and the second body portion. [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 mover unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration actuator taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the disassembled state of the vibration actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the mover plate removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operating state of the vibration actuator. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operating state of the vibration actuator. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view showing the spring and its vicinity. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the spring and its vicinity. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the expanded state of a spring, which is a sheet metal part. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a view showing the vibration actuator from the direction of arrow α in FIG. 10B. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a view showing the vibration actuator from the direction of arrow β in FIG. 10B. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a portion of a vibration actuator that is a modified example of the present disclosure. 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 the vibration actuator 10 to control the vibration pattern of the display 12, it is possible to provide a user who touches the display 12 with a tactile sensation such as a clicking sensation due to vibration.

[0010] An electronic control unit (not shown) consisting of a microcontroller, a drive circuit, etc. is connected to the vibration actuator 10. By using the electronic control unit to control the current flowing through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 (described below), the vibration actuator 10 can be made to vibrate in a predetermined vibration pattern. This vibration feedback technology using the vibration actuator 10 is also known as haptics technology. The vibration actuator 10 is also known as a linear vibration motor.

[0011] 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, by using the vibration actuator 10 to control the vibration pattern of the housing 13, it is possible to provide a tactile sensation through vibration to a user who touches the housing 13.

[0012] <Vibration Actuator Structure> Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing vibration actuator 10, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing vibration actuator 10, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing mover unit 30. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing vibration actuator 10 taken along line AA in Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the exploded state of vibration actuator 10 shown in Fig. 5.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the vibration actuator 10 has a stator unit 20 including plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23, which are air-core coils, and a mover unit 30 including plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34, which are permanent magnets. As shown in Fig. 3, the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are connected to each other via two springs 40 and 41 and two rubber dampers 42 and 43. The springs 40 and 41 are made of metal plates such as stainless steel and include a joining plate portion 61 joined to the mover unit 30 and a pair of joining plate portions 62 joined to the stator unit 20. The rubber dampers 42 and 43 are made of a polymer such as silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or natural rubber.

[0014] As described above, the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are connected via the elastically deformable springs 40, 41 and rubber dampers 42, 43. In other words, the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are capable of relative movement in the direction of arrow D1 by a stroke corresponding to the amount of elastic deformation of the springs 40, 41 and the rubber dampers 42, 43. The relative movement direction D1 is perpendicular to the thickness direction D2 of the vibration actuator 10 and perpendicular to the straight portions 50, 51, 53, 54, 56, and 57 of the plate coils 21, 22, and 23, which will be described later.

[0015] 3, the stator unit (first unit) 20 has a stator main body (first main body) 26 consisting of a stator plate 24 and four blockers 25, a flexible printed circuit board 27 attached to the stator plate 24, and three plate-shaped coils (coils) 21, 22, and 23 attached to the flexible printed circuit board 27. The plate-shaped coils 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the flexible printed circuit board 27 by adhesive or the like, and the flexible printed circuit board 27 is attached to the stator plate 24 by adhesive or the like. The stator main body 26 also has four joining pieces 28 extending from the stator plate 24 and bent at approximately right angles.

[0016] The plate-shaped coil 21 has a pair of straight portions 50, 51 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 52 that connect the straight portions 50, 51. Similarly, the plate-shaped coil 22 has a pair of straight portions 53, 54 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 55 that connect the straight portions 53, 54. Similarly, the plate-shaped coil 23 has a pair of straight portions 56, 57 that are parallel to each other and a pair of bent portions 58 that connect the straight portions 56, 57. These plate-shaped coils 21, 22, 23 are air-core coils formed by winding electric wire.

[0017] 4, the mover unit (second unit) 30 has a mover body portion (second body portion) 37 consisting of a mover plate 35 and a frame-shaped weight 36, and four plate-shaped magnets (magnets) 31, 32, 33, and 34 attached to the mover plate 35 of the mover body portion 37. The weight 36 is attached to the mover plate 35 by adhesive or the like, and the plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34 are attached to the mover plate 35 by adhesive or the like.

[0018] The stator plate 24 and the mover plate 35 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] 5 and 6, the stator body 26 of the stator unit 20 and the mover body 37 of the mover unit 30 face each other. That is, the mover unit 30 has a mover body 37 that faces the stator body 26. Furthermore, the plate coil 21 is housed in the space between the plate magnets 31 and 32, the plate coil 22 is housed in the space between the plate magnets 32 and 33, and the plate coil 23 is housed in the space between the plate magnets 33 and 34. As a result, the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 do not overlap with the plate magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34 in the thickness direction D2 of the vibration actuator 10, and the vibration actuator 10 can be made thinner.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, an opening 44 facing the rubber damper 42 is formed in the flexible printed circuit board 27. As a result, even if the flexible printed circuit board 27 and the rubber damper 42 face each other in the thickness direction D2, the rubber damper 42 can be attached directly to the stator plate 24, thereby achieving a thinner vibration actuator 10. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the joining plate portions 61 of the springs 40, 41 are joined to the weight 36 rather than the mover plate 35. As a result, the vibration actuator 10 can be made thinner than if the joining plate portions 61 of the springs 40, 41 were joined to the mover plate 35.

[0021] <Operation of the vibration actuator> Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator 10 with the mover plate 35 removed. Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the operating state of the vibration actuator 10. Also, Figs. 8 and 9 show a portion of a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 2, i.e., the plate magnets 31 and 32 and their vicinity. To facilitate explanation of the operation of the vibration actuator 10, Figs. 8 and 9 show the vibration actuator 10 enlarged in the thickness direction. Also, Fig. 8 shows a state in which current is passed through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 in the direction of arrow A1 in Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 shows a state in which current is passed through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 in the direction of arrow A2 in Fig. 7.

[0022] 8, plate-shaped magnet 31 is magnetized so that the north pole appears on surface 31a, and plate-shaped magnet 32 ​​is magnetized so that the south pole appears on surface 32a. In this way, each of plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34 is magnetized with an opposite polarity to the adjacent plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34. Alternatively, plate-shaped magnet 31 may be magnetized so that the south pole appears on surface 31a, and plate-shaped magnet 32 ​​may be magnetized so that the north pole appears on surface 32a.

[0023] 8, by magnetizing the plate-shaped magnets 31, 32, a magnetic field H1 directed from the stator plate 24 to the mover plate 35 is generated in the straight portion 50 of the plate-shaped coil 21, and a magnetic field H2 directed from the mover plate 35 to the stator plate 24 is generated in the straight portion 51 of the plate-shaped coil 21. In addition, a magnetic field H3 directed from the stator plate 24 to the mover plate 35 is generated in the straight portion 53 of the plate-shaped coil 22.

[0024] When current flows through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 as shown by arrow A1 in Fig. 7 while magnetic fields H1 to H3 are being generated, a Lorentz force F1a is generated in the straight portion 50, which in turn generates a reverse thrust force F1b in the plate magnet 31 as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 8. A Lorentz force F2a is generated in the straight portion 51, which in turn generates a reverse thrust force F2b in the plate magnet 32 ​​as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 8. A Lorentz force F3a is generated in the straight portion 53, which in turn generates a reverse thrust force F3b in the plate magnet 32 ​​as a reaction, as shown in Fig. 8. In this way, thrust forces F1b, F2b, and F3b act on the mover unit 30, causing the mover unit 30 to elastically deform the springs 40 and 41 and the rubber dampers 42 and 43, and thus the mover unit 30 is displaced in the direction of arrow B1.

[0025] On the other hand, when current flows through the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 as shown by arrow A2 in Fig. 7, a Lorentz force F1c is generated in the straight portion 50, and a reaction force F1d in the opposite direction is generated in the plate magnet 31, as shown in Fig. 9. A Lorentz force F2c is generated in the straight portion 51, 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 53, 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 B2 while elastically deforming the springs 40 and 41 and the rubber dampers 42 and 43.

[0026] 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 B1 and the direction of arrow B2. This allows the mover unit 30 to reciprocate over a predetermined stroke while elastically deforming the springs 40 and 41 and the rubber dampers 42 and 43, thereby vibrating the vibration actuator 10. 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.

[0027] <Spring structure> The spring 60 that connects the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 to each other will now be described. Fig. 10A is an exploded perspective view showing the spring 60 and its vicinity, and Fig. 10B is a perspective view showing the spring 60 and its vicinity. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the spring 60, which is a sheet metal part, in an expanded state. The dashed-dotted lines in Fig. 11 indicate the boundaries between the various parts that make up the spring 60. Fig. 12A is a diagram showing the vibration actuator 10 from the direction of arrow α in Fig. 10B, and Fig. 12B is a diagram showing the vibration actuator 10 from the direction of arrow β in Fig. 10B.

[0028] In the above explanation, the spring provided on one side of the vibration actuator 10 is given the symbol 40, and the spring provided on the other side of the vibration actuator 10 is given the symbol 41. However, since both springs 40, 41 have the same structure, in the following explanation, both springs 40, 41 will be given the common symbol 60.

[0029] 10A and 10B, the spring 60, which is a sheet metal part, includes a joining plate portion (first joining plate portion) 61 joined to the weight 36 of the mover body portion 37, and a pair of joining plate portions (second joining plate portions) 62 joined to the joining pieces 28 of the stator plate 24 that constitute the stator body portion 26. The joining plate portion 61 of the spring 60 is joined to the weight 36 by spot welding, laser welding, or the like, and the joining plate portion 62 of the spring 60 is joined to the joining pieces 28 by spot welding, laser welding, or the like.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11, the spring 60 includes a bent plate portion 63 extending from a joining plate portion 61 and bent therein, and an intermediate plate portion 64 extending from the bent plate portion 63 and connecting to the joining plate portion 62. The joining plate portion 62 of the spring 60 includes a distal end portion 65 connected to the joining piece 28, a proximal end portion 66 connecting to the intermediate plate portion 64, and an elastically deformable portion 67 connecting to the distal end portion 65 and the proximal end portion 66. The surfaces of the intermediate plate portion 64 and the joining plate portion 62 are arranged on the same plane. As shown in FIGS. 6, 10A, and 10B, the bent plate portion 63 of the spring 60 is bent in an L-shape, i.e., at a right angle or approximately a right angle. This allows the angle between the joining plate portion 61 and the joining plate portion 62 of the spring 60 to be set to a right angle or approximately a right angle.

[0031] In this way, by setting the angle between the joining plate portions 61 and 62 to a right angle or approximately a right angle, the joining plate portion 61 can be brought into close contact with the weight 36 and the joining plate portion 62 can be brought into close contact with the joining piece 28 during the manufacturing process of the vibration actuator 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B , by moving the spring 60 in the direction of arrow α toward the weight 36, the joining plate portion 61 can be brought into close contact with the weight 36. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10B , by moving the spring 60 in the direction of arrow β toward the joining piece 28, the joining plate portion 62 can be brought into close contact with the joining piece 28 while maintaining the close contact of the joining plate portion 61 with the weight 36. In this way, the joining plate portion 61 can be brought into close contact with the weight 36 and the joining plate portion 62 can be brought into close contact with the joining piece 28, thereby firmly joining the spring 60 to the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30.

[0032] 12A, the side surface 36a of the weight 36 and the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60 are spaced apart by a predetermined gap G. This allows the spring 60 to be moved in the direction of arrow β without interfering with the weight 36, even if dimensional errors occur in the stator plate 24 or the weight 36 during the manufacturing process of the vibration actuator 10. This allows the joining plate portion 62 to be tightly attached to the joining piece 28 without significantly deforming the spring 60. In other words, even if the dimensional tolerances of the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30 are relaxed, the joining plate portion 62 can be tightly attached to the joining piece 28 without significantly deforming the spring 60, allowing the spring 60 to be properly attached to the stator unit 20 and the mover unit 30. In this way, the spring 60 can be assembled into the vibration actuator 10 without applying a load to it, allowing the spring 60 to be elastically deformed appropriately when the mover unit 30 vibrates, stabilizing the vibration characteristics of the vibration actuator 10.

[0033] <Spring dimensions> Next, a description will be given of the dimensions of each part of spring 60. In Figures 10A, 10B, and 11, the direction of relative movement between stator body 26 and mover body 37 is indicated by arrow D1, the opposing direction between stator body 26 and mover body 37, i.e., the thickness direction, is indicated by arrow D2, and a reference direction perpendicular to both relative movement direction D1 and opposing direction D2 is indicated by arrow D3.

[0034] 11 , the spring 60 includes a bent plate portion 63 extending from a joint plate portion 61 and bent, and a joint plate portion 62 connected to the bent plate portion 63 via an intermediate plate portion 64. The joint plate portion 62 of the spring 60 includes a base end portion 66 connected to the intermediate plate portion 64, and a tip end portion 65 connected to the base end portion 66 via an elastic deformation portion 67. Here, the dimension X1 of the bent plate portion 63 along the reference direction D3 is smaller than the dimension X2 of the joint plate portion 61 along the reference direction D3. In other words, the minimum dimension X1 of the bent plate portion 63 along the reference direction D3 is smaller than the maximum dimension X2 of the joint plate portion 61 along the reference direction D3.

[0035] By making the dimension X1 of the bent plate portion 63 smaller than the dimension X2 of the joining plate portion 61, the bent plate portion 63 of the spring 60 can function as a constricted portion. This allows the bent plate portion 63 to be bent without deforming the joining plate portion 61 or the intermediate plate portion 64. In other words, because the joining plate portion 61 can be formed flat, the joining plate portion 61 can be brought into close contact with the weight 36, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the weight 36 and the joining plate portion 61. Furthermore, because the intermediate plate portion 64 is formed flat, the joining plate portion 62 can be extended from the intermediate plate portion 64 without twisting. This allows the joining plate portion 62 to be arranged parallel to the joining piece 28 during the manufacturing process of the vibration actuator 10, and the joining plate portion 62 can be brought into close contact with the joining piece 28, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the joining piece 28 and the joining plate portion 62.

[0036] Furthermore, by making the dimension X1 of the bent plate portion 63 smaller than the dimension X2 of the joining plate portion 61, the joining plate portion 62 can be disposed closer to the center of the spring 60. This makes it possible to ensure the overall length of the joining plate portion 62 including the elastic deformation portion 67 while preventing the spring 60 from becoming larger. In other words, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of elastic deformation of the spring 60, and therefore a sufficient vibration stroke of the mover unit 30.

[0037] Furthermore, the dimension X3 of the intermediate plate portion 64 along the facing direction D2 is smaller than the dimension X4 of the base end portion 66 along the facing direction D2. In other words, the minimum dimension X3 of the intermediate plate portion 64 along the facing direction D2 is smaller than the maximum dimension X4 of the base end portion 66 along the facing direction D2. By making the dimension X3 of the intermediate plate portion 64 smaller than the dimension X4 of the base end portion 66 in this way, the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60 can function as a constricted portion. This makes it possible to perform bending processing on the bent plate portion 63 without deforming the joining plate portion 62 connected to the intermediate plate portion 64. In other words, because the joining plate portion 62 can be extended from the intermediate plate portion 64 without being deformed, the joining plate portion 62 can be closely attached to the joining piece 28 during the manufacturing process of the vibration actuator 10, thereby increasing the joining strength between the joining piece 28 and the joining plate portion 62. Furthermore, if the height of the bent plate portion 63 in the facing direction D2 is sufficient, the intermediate plate portion 64 is less susceptible to the effects of the bending process, and therefore a structure without forming a constricted portion in the intermediate plate portion 64 is acceptable. Note that, by forming a constricted portion in the intermediate plate portion 64, the spring 60 can be made thinner, i.e., smaller, in the facing direction D2.

[0038] Furthermore, the dimension X5 of the elastically deforming portion 67 along the facing direction D2 is smaller than the dimension X4 of the base end 66 along the facing direction D2, and is also smaller than the dimension X6 of the tip end 65 along the facing direction D2. In other words, the minimum dimension X5 of the elastically deforming portion 67 along the facing direction D2 is smaller than the maximum dimension X4 of the base end 66 along the facing direction D2, and is also smaller than the maximum dimension X6 of the tip end 65 along the facing direction D2. In this way, by making the dimension X5 of the elastically deforming portion 67 smaller than the dimensions X4, X6 of the base end 66 and the tip end 65, it is possible to actively elastically deform the elastically deforming portion 67, rather than the base end 66 or the tip end 65. This allows the spring constant of the spring 60 to be designed with precision, thereby reducing variation in the vibration characteristics of mass-produced vibration actuators 10.

[0039] <Auxiliary plate> 10A, 10B, and 12B, a resin auxiliary plate 70 is joined to the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60 using adhesive tape, glue, or the like. The auxiliary plate 70 is not only joined to and overlaps the intermediate plate portion 64, but also joined to and overlaps the bent plate portion 63 and a part of the base end portion 66. By joining the auxiliary plate 70 to the spring 60 in this way, the stress acting on the intermediate plate portion 64 can be dispersed, and stress concentration in the intermediate plate portion 64 can be alleviated.

[0040] Furthermore, because the auxiliary plate 70 is joined to the spring 60, it is possible to adjust the characteristics of the spring 60 by using the auxiliary plate 70. In other words, by adjusting the material, size, thickness, etc. of the auxiliary plate 70, it is possible to change the spring constant, damping characteristics, natural frequency, etc. of the spring 60. This makes it possible to adjust the resonant frequency, vibration amount, start time, stop time, etc. of the vibration actuator 10, allowing the characteristics of the vibration actuator 10 to be designed appropriately.

[0041] In the above description, the auxiliary plate 70 is formed using a resin material, but this is not limiting, and the auxiliary plate 70 may be formed using a metal material such as stainless steel. When a metal auxiliary plate 70 is used, the auxiliary plate 70 may be joined to the spring 60 with adhesive tape or the like, or may be joined to the spring 60 by spot welding, laser welding or the like.

[0042] <Modification> In the example shown in Fig. 12A, the gap G between the side surface 36a of the weight 36 and the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60 is filled with air, but this is not limited thereto, and a damping material may be provided in the gap G between the side surface 36a of the weight 36 and the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60. Here, Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a portion of a vibration actuator 80 according to a modified example of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 shows the same parts as in Fig. 12A. Note that in Fig. 13, components similar to those shown in Fig. 12A are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 13 , a damping material 81 made of a polymer such as silicone gel or silicone rubber is provided in the gap G between the side surface 36a of the weight 36 and the intermediate plate portion 64 of the spring 60. During the manufacturing process of the vibration actuator 80, the damping material 81, which is pre-formed into a plate shape, is attached to one or both of the spring 60 and the weight 36. Alternatively, instead of using a pre-formed plate-shaped damping material 81, a liquid agent that is the material for the damping material may be injected into the gap G between the spring 60 and the weight 36 and the damping material may be hardened between the weight 36 and the spring 60. By providing the damping material 81 between the weight 36 and the spring 60 in this way, the resonant frequency, vibration magnitude, start-up time, stop time, etc. of the vibration actuator 80 can be adjusted, thereby enabling the characteristics of the vibration actuator 80 to be appropriately designed.

[0044] <Other variations> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the stator body 26, and the plate magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34 are attached to the mover body 37, but this is not limiting. For example, the plate magnets 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be attached to the stator body 26, and the plate coils 21, 22, and 23 may be attached to the mover body 37. In other words, the stator body 26 may function as a second body, and the mover body 37 may function as a first body.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the auxiliary plate 70 is joined to the spring 60, but this is not a limitation and the auxiliary plate 70 may be detached from the spring 60. In the illustrated example, the joining plate portion 61 of the spring 60 is joined to the weight 36, but this is not a limitation and the joining plate portion 61 of the spring 60 may be joined to the mover plate 35. In addition, the joining plate portion 62 of the spring 60 is joined to the stator plate 24, but this is not a limitation and the joining plate portion 62 of the spring 60 may be joined to the blocker 25. In addition, in the illustrated example, the metal blocker 25 is provided on the stator unit 20 to prevent the mover unit 30 from falling off due to dropping or the like, but this is not a limitation and the blocker 25 may be detached from the stator unit 20.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is incorporated into a smartphone 11, but this is not a limitation and the vibration actuator 10 may also be incorporated into a mobile device such as a tablet, the vibration actuator 10 may be incorporated into the touchpad of a notebook computer, or the vibration actuator 10 may be incorporated into an in-vehicle display installed in a vehicle. In the illustrated example, the rubber dampers 42, 43 are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but this is not a limitation and the rubber dampers 42, 43 may also be formed in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the rubber dampers 42, 43 are provided in the vibration actuator 10, but this is not a limitation and the rubber dampers 42, 43 may be removed from the vibration actuator 10.

[0047] In the illustrated example, the vibration actuator 10 is configured using three plate coils 21, 22, 23 and four plate magnets 31, 32, 33, 34, but this is not limited to this and it is also possible to change the number of plate magnets 31, 32, 33, 34 and plate coils 21, 22, 23 that configure the vibration actuator 10. Also, in the illustrated example, the weight 36 is attached to the mover plate 35, but this is not limited to this and the weight 36 may be removed from the mover plate 35 if the mover plate 35 and the plate magnets 31, 32, 33, 34 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; a spring including a first joining plate portion joined to the second body portion and a second joining plate portion joined to the first body portion; and the spring includes a bent plate portion extending from the first joint plate portion and bent, and an intermediate plate portion extending from the bent plate portion and continuing to the second joint plate portion, The second main body portion to which the first joining plate portion is joined and the intermediate plate portion connected to the first joining plate portion via the bent plate portion are spaced apart from each other. Vibration actuator. [2] In the vibration actuator according to the above [1], The first body portion and the second body portion are movable relative to each other, When a direction perpendicular to both the relative movement direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion and the opposing direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion is set as a reference direction, a dimension of the bent plate portion along the reference direction that is smaller than a dimension of the first joining plate portion along the reference direction; Vibration actuator. [3] In the vibration actuator according to the above [1] or [2], the second joining plate portion includes a tip portion joined to the first main body portion, a base portion connected to the intermediate plate portion, and an elastic deformation portion connected to the tip portion and the base portion, a dimension of the intermediate plate portion along the opposing direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion is smaller than a dimension of the base end portion along the opposing direction; Vibration actuator. [4] In the vibration actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [3], An auxiliary plate is attached to and overlapped with the intermediate plate portion. Vibration actuator. [5] In the vibration actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [4], A damping material is provided between the second main body portion and the intermediate plate portion. Vibration actuator. [6] In the vibration actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [5], The spring includes a pair of the second joining plate portions. Vibration actuator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10... vibration actuator, 20... stator unit (first unit), 21, 22, 23... plate-shaped coil (coil), 26... stator main body (first main body), 30... mover unit (second unit), 31, 32, 33, 34... plate-shaped magnet (magnet), 37... mover main body (second main body), 40, 41... spring, 60... spring, 61... joining plate portion (first joining plate portion), 62... joining plate portion (second joining plate portion), 63... bent plate portion, 64... intermediate plate portion, 65... tip portion, 66... ​​base end portion, 67... elastic deformation portion, 70... auxiliary plate, 80... vibration actuator, 81... damping material, D1... relative movement direction, D2... opposing direction, D3... reference direction

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; a spring including a first joining plate portion joined to the second body portion and a second joining plate portion joined to the first body portion; and the spring includes a bent plate portion extending from the first joint plate portion and bent, and an intermediate plate portion extending from the bent plate portion and continuing to the second joint plate portion, The second main body portion to which the first joining plate portion is joined and the intermediate plate portion connected to the first joining plate portion via the bent plate portion are spaced apart from each other. Vibration actuator.

2. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, The first body portion and the second body portion are movable relative to each other, When a direction orthogonal to both the relative movement direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion and the opposing direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion is set as a reference direction, a dimension of the bent plate portion along the reference direction is smaller than a dimension of the first joining plate portion along the reference direction; Vibration actuator.

3. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, the second joining plate portion includes a tip portion joined to the first main body portion, a base portion connected to the intermediate plate portion, and an elastic deformation portion connected to the tip portion and the base portion, a dimension of the intermediate plate portion along an opposing direction between the first main body portion and the second main body portion is smaller than a dimension of the base end portion along the opposing direction; Vibration actuator.

4. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An auxiliary plate is attached to and overlapped with the intermediate plate portion. Vibration actuator.

5. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, a damping material is provided between the second main body portion and the intermediate plate portion; Vibration actuator.

6. 2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, The spring includes a pair of the second joining plate portions. Vibration actuator.

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