Vibration generating device

Abstract

To improve the positioning accuracy of a magnet in a configuration for generating vibration by using the magnet.SOLUTION: The yoke holding the permanent magnet includes a flat plate-shaped portion on which the permanent magnet is placed, and a movable object hole formed in each of regions along both end sides of the flat plate-shaped portion in the first direction, An edge portion of the movable body hole on an end side of the flat plate-shaped portion along which the movable body hole extends in the second direction, a portion of the flat plate-shaped portion between the movable body hole and the end side along which the movable body hole extends is a movable body projection portion deformed so as to project upward in the third direction, and the permanent magnet is held between end surfaces of the movable body projection portions on the movable body hole side, the movable body projection portions being respectively provided on both end sides of the flat plate-shaped portion in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vibration generators that generate vibrations using magnets have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a dowel is formed in a soft magnetic sheet metal member from a magnet holding portion by doweling processing, and the magnet is positioned by the dowel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-161047 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when positioning a magnet using a dowel, there is a problem in that it is difficult to form a positioning shape so that the side surface of the dowel is vertical while ensuring that the height of the dowel is constant.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the conventional technology as described above, and aims to provide a vibration generating device that can improve the accuracy of magnet positioning in a configuration in which vibrations are generated using magnets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vibration device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first fixed body having a bottom plate portion extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first movable body including a first permanent magnet and a first yoke, the first movable body being disposed above and spaced apart from the bottom plate portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a support member that supports the first movable body so that the first movable body can vibrate relative to the first fixed body along the first direction; a coil that is attached directly or indirectly to the first fixed body and disposed above and spaced apart from the first movable body in the third direction, the coil having a main bundle portion including a plurality of conductors extending in the second direction, and a sub-bundle portion connecting two adjacent main bundle portions, the first permanent magnet is held by the first yoke and is disposed below the coil, generating a first magnetic flux from the first permanent magnet toward a bundled portion of the coil and a second magnetic flux from the bundled portion of the coil toward the first permanent magnet; The first yoke is and disposed on a lower surface of the first permanent magnet in the third direction, a first flat plate portion on which the first permanent magnet is placed; a first movable body hole formed in each of regions along both end sides in the first direction of the first flat plate-shaped portion, an edge portion of the first movable body hole on an end side of the first flat plate portion along which the first movable body hole is aligned extends in the second direction; the first flat plate-shaped portion is a first movable body protruding portion that is deformed so as to protrude upward in the third direction between the first movable body hole and the edge along which the first movable body hole is located, The first permanent magnet is held between the end faces of the first movable body hole of the first movable body protrusions provided on both end sides in the first direction of the first flat plate portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning of a magnet in a configuration in which vibration is generated using a magnet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a lower yoke and a base member. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a lower yoke and a base member. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a lower yoke and a base member. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between a lower yoke and a lower magnet. [Figure 14] 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 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the action of a protrusion provided on a base member. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each member constituting the vibration generator. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each member constituting the vibration generator. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the vibration generator, showing an example of the configuration of a lower yoke and a base member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A vibration generator VE including a vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration generator 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] The X-axis direction is an example of a first direction, and the Y-axis direction is an example of a second direction. The Z-axis direction is an example of a third direction.

[0012] The center indicates the central position of the vibration generator 101 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0013] The vibration device VE has a control unit CTR and a vibration generator 101. The vibration generator 101 has a housing HS, a vibration unit VP accommodated in the housing HS, and a non-vibration body NV held by 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] The cover member 1 is an example of a second fixed body in the present invention. In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 1A and a flat top plate portion 1T that is continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer wall portion 1A and extends in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[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 base member 2 is an example of a first fixed body in the present invention. The base member 2 has a flat bottom plate portion 2B extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and support portions 2P standing upright from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 2B. The support portions 2P include a first support portion 2P1 to a fourth support portion 2P4. The bottom plate portion 2B is formed with protrusions 31 that protrude in the Z1 direction in regions along both end edges in the X-axis direction, and a hole 32 that is formed adjacent to the protrusion 31. The protrusions 31 are an example of a fixed body protrusion in the present invention, and the hole 32 is an example of a fixed body hole in the present invention. The protrusions 31 and the hole 32 will be described in detail below. The bottom plate portion 2B is also formed with a yoke joining hole 33 that is used when assembling the vibration generator 101.

[0019] 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 arithmetic circuit and a memory, and is configured to supply an AC current to the vibration unit VP to vibrate the vibration unit VP. 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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, first direction).

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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, and supports the vibrating body VB so that it can vibrate along the X-axis direction relative to the housing HS.

[0025] Specifically, the vibrating unit VP and the non-vibrating body NV are 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 unit VB includes a vibrating body VB, a driving means DM, and an elastic support member ES, with the vibrating body VB being composed of a yoke 10 and a magnet 15, the driving means DM being composed of a coil 12 and a magnet 15, and the elastic support member ES being composed of a leaf spring 17. The non-vibrating body NV includes a bracket 11, a coil 12, and a wiring board 13, and does not vibrate together with the vibrating body VB. Because the non-vibrating body NV is held integrally by the housing HS, it vibrates together with the housing HS when the housing HS vibrates, but because it is connected to the vibrating body VB via the leaf spring 17, it does not vibrate together with the vibrating body VB.

[0026] The yoke 10 is a component that constitutes a magnetic circuit. In the embodiment, the yoke 10 is made of a magnetic material containing iron or the like. In the illustrated example, the yoke 10 is made of two components, an upper yoke 10U and a lower yoke 10D, and is made of cold-rolled steel plate (SPCC).

[0027] The upper yoke 10U is an example of the second yoke of the present invention. 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 in the lower yoke 10D. The top plate portion TW is an example of the second flat portion of the present invention. Holes 24, which are an example of second movable body holes, are formed in areas along both end edges in the X-axis direction of the top plate portion TW, and protrusions 23 are provided between both end edges in the X-axis direction and the holes 24. The protrusions 23 are an example of the second movable body protrusion of the present invention and are formed by deforming the top plate portion TW so as to protrude in a mountain-like shape in the Z2 direction. The shape of the protrusions 23 is not limited to a mountain-like shape and may be U-shaped or the like. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the hole 24 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, with the edge adjacent to the protrusion 23 extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0028] The lower yoke 10D is an example of the first yoke of the present invention. 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 side) and Y2-side (right side) end faces of the lower yoke 10D so as to be able to engage with the protrusion PR formed on the upper yoke 10U. The bottom plate portion BW is an example of the first flat portion of the present invention. Holes 22, which are an example of first movable body holes, are formed in the bottom plate portion BW in regions along both end edges in the X-axis direction, and protrusions 21 are provided between both end edges in the X-axis direction and the holes 22. The protrusions 21 are an example of the first movable body protrusion of the present invention, and are formed by deforming the bottom plate portion BW so as to protrude in a mountain-like shape in the Z1 direction, i.e., toward the side where the first permanent magnet is located. The shape of the protrusions 21 is not limited to a mountain-like shape and may be U-shaped or the like. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the hole 22 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, with the edge adjacent to the protrusion 21 extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0029] The bracket 11 is an example of a conductive member 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 that supports the coil 12. The bracket 11 is attached and 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 an attachment plate portion 11A and a main body plate portion 11B. Specifically, the bracket 11 is fixed to the base member 2 by fastening members, welding, adhesive, crimping, or the like via the four attachment 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.

[0030] 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 (first coil winding portion 12A, second coil winding portion 12B, and third coil winding portion 12C) connected in series. The first coil winding portion 12A, second coil winding portion 12B, and third coil winding portion 12C each have a substantially elliptical shape (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 also fixed to the Z2-side (lower side) surface of the bracket 11 with an adhesive or the like. Therefore, the coil 12 is disposed above the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D in the Z-axis direction and is indirectly disposed on the base member 2 via the bracket 11. In other words, the coil 12 is indirectly disposed on the base member 2 on the side opposite to the bottom plate portion 2B side (lower side) of the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D, i.e., above the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D. The conductive wire (wire material made of copper or a copper alloy, etc.) constituting the coil 12 has an insulating coating on its surface. In FIG. 3, for clarity, the coil 12 is illustrated in a simplified state, and the detailed winding state is not shown. This is also true in the other figures.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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. Ends of the left wiring board 13L and the right wiring board 13R are fixed to an end of the bracket 11 on the X1 side (front side) with an 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 left wiring board 13L 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 right wiring board 13R 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Magnet 15 is an example of a magnetic flux generating member and, together with coil 12, constitutes driving means DM. In the illustrated example, magnet 15 includes upper magnet 15U and lower magnet 15D, as shown in FIG. 3. Upper magnet 15U is an example of a second permanent magnet in the present invention, and lower magnet 15D is an example of a first permanent magnet in the present invention. Upper magnet 15U and lower magnet 15D are each eight-pole magnetized permanent magnets having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Specifically, upper magnet 15U includes first upper magnet portion 15U1 to fourth upper magnet portion 15U4 formed along the X-axis direction, and lower magnet 15D includes first lower magnet portion 15D1 to fourth lower magnet portion 15D4 formed along the X-axis direction. 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 on the top and bottom. 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 north poles, 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 south poles. Note that in FIG. 3, for clarity, 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 in the Z-axis direction 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.

[0038] The lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D constitute an example of a first movable body in the present invention, and the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U constitute an example of a second movable body in the present invention.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 5, connecting portion 17A of leaf spring 17 includes first connecting portion 17A1 to fourth connecting portion 17A4, and elastic arm portion 17C of leaf spring 17 includes first elastic arm portion 17C1 to fourth elastic arm portion 17C4. Also, notches 41 are provided by cutting out part of the region along both end sides in the X-axis direction of vibrating body support portion 17B.

[0041] 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. At this time, the notch 41 of the leaf spring 17 and the hole 32 of the bottom plate portion 2B partially overlap with each other. 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 and the non-vibrating body NV. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vibrating portion VP and the non-vibrating body NV (the elastic support member ES, the vibrating body VB, and the magnet 15) with the non-vibrating body NV (the bracket 11, the coil 12, and the wiring board 13) omitted from the illustration, and the lower diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-vibrating body NV and the vibrating portion VP. In the lower diagram of FIG. 6, a dot pattern is applied to the vibrating portions (the vibrating body VB and the elastic support member ES) for clarity. 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. Note that the lower diagram of FIG. 1 shows the non-vibrating body NV fixed to the base member 2 so as not to come into contact with the vibrating body VB.

[0042] 6, the vibrating body VB is composed of an upper yoke 10U, an upper magnet 15U, a lower magnet 15D, and a lower yoke 10D. The Z2-side (lower) surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D is welded to the Z1-side (upper) surface of the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17. As a result, the leaf spring 17 is fixed to the base member 2 such that the vibrating body support portion 17B is positioned between the base member 2 and the lower yoke 10D in the Z-axis direction.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] When no current flows through coil 12, coil 12 is not subjected to the Lorentz force. Therefore, magnet 15 is positioned in a neutral position so that its center faces the center of coil 12, 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.

[0046] When a current flows from the first end 12S of the coil 12 toward the second end 12E, the current flows through the first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, and the third coil winding portion 12C in the direction indicated by the arrow DR1 in the central diagram of Figure 7, and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) receives a reaction force of the Lorentz force and moves toward the X2 side (rear side) as indicated by the arrow AR1 in the upper diagram of Figure 7.

[0047] Conversely, when current flows from the second end 12E of the coil 12 toward the first end 12S, current flows through the first coil winding portion 12A, the second coil winding portion 12B, and the third coil winding portion 12C in the direction indicated by the arrow DR2 in the central diagram of Figure 7, and the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) receives a reaction force from the Lorentz force and moves toward the X1 side (front side) as indicated by the arrow AR2 in the lower diagram of Figure 7.

[0048] The control unit CTR can alternately reverse the direction of the Lorentz force that the main flux portion MW of the coil 12 receives by alternately reversing the direction of the current flowing through the coil 12 (for example, by passing a sinusoidal or rectangular wave current), thereby vibrating the vibrating body VB (magnet 15) along the vibration axis VA (X-axis direction).

[0049] 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).

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 6, the Z1 side (upper side) surface of upper magnet 15U is held by magnetic force against 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 held by magnetic force against the Z1 side (upper side) surface of bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D. At this time, upper magnet 15U is positioned at a predetermined position between two protrusions 23 formed on top plate portion TW of upper yoke 10U, and lower magnet 15D is positioned at a predetermined position between two protrusions 21 formed on bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D. Details will be described later. In the space surrounded by the upper yoke 10U and the lower yoke 10D, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, a coil 12 fixed to the bracket 11 is installed on the Z2 side of the upper magnet 15U and on the Z1 side of the lower magnet 15D, without contacting the upper magnet 15U or the lower magnet 15D.

[0056] 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.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 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. The mounting plate 11A and the supporting portion 2P may be joined by welding. Specifically, a through hole 11H is formed in each of the first mounting plate 11A1 to the fourth mounting plate 11A4, and a protrusion 2Q protruding upward is formed in each of the first supporting portion 2P1 to the fourth supporting portion 2P4. The first mounting plate 11A1 and the first support 2P1 may be joined by irradiating a laser onto the protrusion 2Q of the first support 2P1 while the protrusion 2Q is inserted into the through-hole 11H in the first mounting plate 11A1. The same applies to the joining of the second mounting plate 11A2 and the second support 2P2, the joining of the third mounting plate 11A3 and the third support 2P3, and the joining of the fourth mounting plate 11A4 and the fourth support 2P4. However, the mounting plate 11A and the support 2P may be joined by a fastening member, an adhesive, or caulking, or the bracket 11 may be attached to the housing HS by sandwiching the mounting plate 11A between the support 2P and the cover member 1.

[0058] Here, the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 will be described. FIGS. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing configuration examples of lower yoke 10D and base member 2. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of lower yoke 10D, the center view of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of base member 2, and the lower view of FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2. The upper view of FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 as viewed from the Y2 direction, the center view of FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between protrusions 21 and holes 22 of lower yoke 10D and protrusions 31 and holes 32 of base member 2 as viewed from the Y2 direction, and the lower view of FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 as viewed from the X1 direction. The upper diagram in Fig. 12 shows the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 as viewed from the Z1 direction, and the lower diagram in Fig. 12 shows the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 as viewed from the Z2 direction. Note that leaf spring 17 is not shown in Figs. 10 to 12 to make the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 easier to understand. Also, Figs. 10 to 12 show the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and base member 2 when no current flows through coil 12, that is, when vibrating body VB is in the neutral position as shown in the center diagram in Fig. 7.

[0059] Holes 22 are formed in the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D in regions along both end edges in the X-axis direction, and protrusions 21 are provided between the both end edges in the X-axis direction and the holes 22. The protrusions 21 are formed by deforming the regions between the both end edges of the bottom plate portion BW in the X-axis direction and the holes 22 into a mountain shape in the Z1 direction. Therefore, the height of the protrusions 21 is greatest in the center in the Y-axis direction and gradually decreases toward both ends in the Y-axis direction, with the portions adjacent to both end edges of the holes 22 in the Y-axis direction forming skirts. The edges of the holes 22 on the end side of the bottom plate portion BW along which the holes 22 are aligned, i.e., the edges 22a on the protrusion 21 side, extend in the Y-axis direction and are rectangular with rounded corners.

[0060] Meanwhile, protrusions 31 are formed in the bottom plate portion 2B of the base member 2 in regions along both end edges in the X-axis direction, protruding in the Z1 direction, and holes 32 are formed adjacent to the protrusions 31. The protrusions 31 are formed by deforming the regions between the hole 32 and both end edges of the bottom plate portion 2B in the X-axis direction into a mountain shape in the Z1 direction. Therefore, the protrusions 31 are highest in the center in the Y-axis direction and gradually decrease in height toward both ends in the Y-axis direction, with the portions adjacent to both ends of the hole 32 in the Y-axis direction forming skirts. The hole 32 has a rounded rectangular shape with the edge portion on the end side of the bottom plate portion 2B along which the hole 32 runs, i.e., the edge portion 32a on the protrusion 31 side, extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0061] Lower yoke 10D is attached to base member 2 via leaf spring 17. Specifically, leaf spring 17 is attached to base member 2 via connection portion 17A, and lower yoke 10D is attached onto vibrating body support portion 17B of leaf spring 17 by welding or the like.

[0062] In this case, when the lower yoke 10D is attached to the base member 2 via the leaf spring 17, the protrusions 21 and 31 configured as described above have a height relationship such that the protrusion 31 can fit under the protrusion 21, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11 . This height relationship between the protrusions 21 and 31 allows the protrusion 31 to fit under the protrusion 21. Therefore, when no current flows through the coil 12 and no repulsive or attractive force is generated between the coil 12 and the magnet 15, as shown in FIG. 11 , a portion of the protrusion 31 fits under the protrusion 21, and the protrusions 21 and 31 partially overlap in the Z-axis direction. That is, the protrusion 31 is located in a region where it at least partially overlaps the protrusion 21 in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the height of the protrusion 31 is such that it can abut against the end surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11 . Furthermore, the width W2 of the protrusion 31 in the X-axis direction is greater than the width W1 of the protrusion 21 in the X-axis direction.

[0063] 12, holes 22 and 32 are provided so that their outer shapes partially overlap each other when lower yoke 10D is attached to base member 2 via leaf spring 17. Specifically, holes 22 and 32 are positioned so that they will overlap each other when lower yoke 10D is attached to base member 2 via leaf spring 17. This state is a state in which no current flows through coil 12 and no repulsive or attractive force is generated between coil 12 and magnet 15. In terms of size and shape, holes 22 and 32 are both rounded rectangular shapes with rounded corners, and their longitudinal and lateral lengths are approximately equal, so that holes 22 and 32 have partially the same shape. Holes 22 and 32 may also have the same shape.

[0064] A lower magnet 15D is placed on the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D configured in this manner.

[0065] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between lower yoke 10D and lower magnet 15D. Specifically, the upper diagram of Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which lower magnet 15D is placed on bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D as viewed from the Z1 direction, and the lower diagram of Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which lower magnet 15D is placed on bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D as viewed from the Y2 direction.

[0066] Lower magnet 15D is placed on the upper surface of bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D so as to fit between two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW. The distance between end faces 21a of the two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW of lower yoke 10D on the hole 22 side is preferably equal to the length of lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 , lower magnet 15D is aligned with lower yoke 10D by the end faces 21a of the two protrusions 21 on the hole 22 side, i.e., aligned to a predetermined position determined by the positions of the two protrusions 21. Note that alignment to a predetermined position does not only refer to alignment (determination) at a specific point, but also includes alignment within a specific range.

[0067] The lower magnet 15D is held by magnetic force to the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D while being aligned between two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D. Note that the lower magnet 15D may be held to the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D using an adhesive or the like.

[0068] The lower magnet 15D is held between the end faces 21a on the hole 22 side (the center side of the vibration generator) of the two protrusions 21 provided on both end sides of the bottom plate portion BW in the X-axis direction.

[0069] Here, protrusion 21 is formed by deforming a portion of bottom plate portion BW so that it protrudes in a mountain-like shape in the Z1 direction. Therefore, compared to the conventional rod-like dowel-shaped protrusions extending in the Z-axis direction, protrusion 21 is less likely to tilt obliquely in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, because protrusion 21 is mountain-shaped and leaves a space below, even if the height in the Z-axis direction is increased, lower magnet 15D is supported only by the higher portion in the X-axis direction (the vibration direction), improving the positioning accuracy of lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction. This improves the positioning accuracy of magnet 15 in the X-axis direction relative to coil 12 and increases the Lorentz force. Furthermore, because protrusion 21 is formed by deforming a portion of bottom plate portion BW so that it protrudes in a mountain-like shape in the Z1 direction, increasing the width W1 of protrusion 21 in the X-axis direction easily improves its strength. Furthermore, since the protrusion 21 is mountain-shaped, with the height being greatest in the center in the Y-axis direction and gradually decreasing toward both sides in the Y-axis direction, and the parts adjacent to both ends of the hole 22 in the Y-axis direction forming the base, the strength can be improved compared to a protrusion 21 whose both ends in the Y-axis direction are connected perpendicularly to the bottom plate portion 2B.

[0070] Similarly, the upper magnet 15U is held at a predetermined position determined according to the positions of the two protrusions 23 by the end surfaces of the two protrusions 23 of the upper yoke 10U on the hole 24 side.

[0071] Next, the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 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 diagram of FIG. 14 is a top view of the base member 2, bracket 11, and vibrating body VB. The lower diagram of FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the base member 2, bracket 11, coil 12, and vibrating body VB. Specifically, the lower diagram of FIG. 14 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 diagram of FIG. 14, as seen from the Y2 side. More specifically, the lower diagram of Fig. 14 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. 14. In the example shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 14, the magnetic field lines MF include a first magnetic field line MF1 to a sixth magnetic field line MF6.

[0072] 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. That is, the lower magnet 15D generates a first magnetic flux from the lower magnet 15D toward the bundled portion of the coil 12 by the first magnetic field line MF1, the fourth magnetic field line MF4, and the fifth magnetic field line MF5, and generates a second magnetic flux from the bundled portion of the coil 12 toward the lower magnet 15D by the second magnetic field line MF2, the third magnetic field line MF3, and the sixth magnetic field line MF6. Furthermore, the upper magnet 15U generates a third magnetic flux from the upper magnet 15U toward the bundled portion of the coil 12 by the second magnetic field line MF2, the third magnetic field line MF3, and the sixth magnetic field line MF6, and generates a fourth magnetic flux from the bundled portion of the coil 12 toward the upper magnet 15U by the first magnetic field line MF1, the fourth magnetic field line MF4, and the fifth magnetic field line MF5.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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 is a non-magnetic, conductive member located 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.

[0076] 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, the vibrating body VB is vibrated by the Lorentz force generated by the driving means DM, and 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. Furthermore, even after the supply of the sinusoidal wave current or square wave current to the coil 12 is stopped, the vibrating body VB continues to vibrate while being damped by inertial force, but is quickly stopped by the damping force.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] Here, if a large impact, such as a drop impact, is applied to the vibration generator 101, and the vibrating body VB collides with the elastic arm portion 17C of the leaf spring 17 with a large force, an excessive load may be applied to the leaf spring 17, which may cause deformation of the leaf spring 17. Therefore, in this embodiment, the projection 31 of the base member 2 is configured to receive the impact from the vibrating body VB. The action of the projection 31 provided on the base member 2 will be described below.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the action of the protrusion 31 provided on the base member 2. As shown in FIG.

[0081] 11, the protrusion 31 provided on the base member 2 is positioned and positioned at a height that allows it to fit under the protrusion 21 when the lower yoke 10D is attached to the base member 2 via the leaf spring 17. The height of the protrusion 31 is also set so that it can come into contact with the end surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D.

[0082] In this configuration, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 15, the protrusion 31 provided on the base member 2 is inserted below the protrusion 21 provided on the lower yoke 10D.

[0083] In this state, if a large impact, such as a drop impact, is applied to the vibration generator 101, the vibrating body VB moves significantly in the direction of arrow AR4 in the lower diagram of FIG. 15. Because the height of the protrusion 31 allows it to abut against the end surface of the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D, the inner edge surface 22b of the hole 22 on the opposite side of the protrusion 21 in the lower yoke 10D abuts against the end surface 31a of the protrusion 31 on the hole 32 side, which is toward the center of the base member 2 in the X-axis direction. When the inner edge surface 22b and the end surface 31a are in abutment, the vibrating body VB and the elastic arm portion 17C are positioned so as to leave a gap in the X-axis direction without abutting against each other. Furthermore, in the vibrating state, the inner edge surface 22b and the end surface 31a do not abut against each other.

[0084] The abutment between inner edge surface 22b and end face 31a prevents vibrating body VB including lower yoke 10D from moving any further in the X1 direction, preventing excessive load from being applied to leaf spring 17 and causing deformation of leaf spring 17. In this way, the abutment between inner edge surface 22b on the side opposite protrusion 21 of hole 22 provided in lower yoke 10D and end face 31a of protrusion 31 provided in base member 2 on the hole 32 side, which is the center side of base member 2 in the X axis direction, restricts movement of vibrating body VB including lower yoke 10D in the X axis direction.

[0085] Furthermore, because lower magnet 15D is held in a predetermined aligned position by protrusion 21 of lower yoke 10D, movement of lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction relative to lower yoke 10D is also restricted by protrusion 21 of lower yoke 10D. Similarly, because upper magnet 15U is held in a predetermined position by protrusion 23 of upper yoke 10U, movement of upper magnet 15U in the X-axis direction relative to upper yoke 10U is also restricted by protrusion 23 of upper yoke 10U.

[0086] Here, the restriction on movement of lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction relative to lower yoke 10D only needs to be able to support the weight of lower magnet 15D alone. Similarly, the restriction on movement of upper magnet 15U in the X-axis direction relative to upper yoke 10U only needs to be able to support the weight of upper magnet 15U alone. On the other hand, the restriction on movement of vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction needs to support the weight of lower yoke 10D, lower magnet 15D, upper yoke 10U, and upper magnet 15U, which constitute vibrating body VB. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 11 , width W2 of protrusion 31 in the X-axis direction is wider than width W1 of protrusion 21 in the X-axis direction.

[0087] This ensures that movement of the vibrating body VB, including the lower yoke 10D, in the X-axis direction is restricted even if the vibration generator 101 is subjected to a large impact, such as a drop impact, and the vibrating body VB moves significantly in the direction of arrow AR4 in the lower diagram of FIG. 15 . Furthermore, the protrusion 31 is formed by deforming a portion of the bottom plate 2B so that it protrudes in a mountain-like shape in the Z1 direction. This allows for more accurate setting of the limit position at which the vibrating body VB cannot move in the X-axis direction, and also facilitates improved strength, compared to restricting movement of the vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction by bending the end edge of the bottom plate 2B in the X-axis direction in the Z1 direction. Furthermore, the inner edge surface 22b of the hole 22 provided in the lower yoke 10D opposite the protrusion 21 comes into contact with the end surface 31a of the protrusion 31 provided in the base member 2 on the hole 32 side, thereby restricting movement of the vibrating body VB, including the lower yoke 10D, in the X-axis direction. This allows the size of vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction to be smaller than in a configuration in which stopper mechanisms for restricting movement of vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction are provided outside both end edges of lower yoke 10D in the X-axis direction. Also, the movement of vibrating body VB including lower yoke 10D in the X-axis direction is restricted by the abutment between inner edge surface 22b of hole 22 and end surface 31a of protrusion 31 on the hole 32 side, i.e., the abutment between the end surfaces of the plate members restricts the movement of vibrating body VB including lower yoke 10D in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the strength of the stopper mechanism for restricting movement of vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction can be improved.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to restrict movement of the vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction, the base member 2 has protrusions 31 in regions along both end edges in the X-axis direction. A portion of each protrusion 31 overlaps with and extends below the protrusion 21 provided on the lower yoke 10D in the Z-axis direction. This allows the space generated below the protrusion 21 to be effectively utilized, improving space efficiency. Furthermore, the protrusion 31 has a mountain shape that is highest in the center in the Y-axis direction, gradually decreases toward both ends in the Y-axis direction, and has skirts adjacent to both ends of the hole 32 in the Y-axis direction. This improves strength compared to a structure in which both ends of the protrusion 31 in the Y-axis direction are perpendicularly connected to the bottom plate portion 2B.

[0089] Furthermore, similar to the hole 22 in the lower yoke 10D, a hole 32 is provided adjacent to the protrusion 31, and therefore, the hole 22 provided in the lower yoke 10D and the hole 32 provided in the base member 2 can be used to easily align the lower yoke 10D with the base member 2, as described below.

[0090] Next, a method for assembling the electromagnetic exciter 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 are perspective views of the components constituting the electromagnetic exciter 101. For clarity, newly attached components are indicated by dot patterns in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17.

[0091] Specifically, the upper view of Figure 16 is a perspective view of leaf spring 17, the center view of Figure 16 is a perspective view of leaf spring 17 with lower yoke 10D attached, and the lower view of Figure 16 is a perspective view of the state in which lower magnet 15D is further attached.

[0092] The top view in Figure 17 is a perspective view of the state in which a bracket 11 and a coil 12 are further attached, the center view in Figure 17 is a perspective view of the state in which an upper magnet 15U, an upper yoke 10U and a wiring board 13 are further attached, and the bottom view in Figure 17 is a perspective view of the state in which a cover member 1 and a base member 2 are further attached, i.e., a perspective view of the vibration generating device 101.

[0093] First, as shown in the center diagram of FIG. 16 , 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. Then, the lower yoke 10D is joined by welding from the leaf spring 17 side. At this time, the leaf spring 17 and the lower yoke 10D are joined in a state where part of the outer shape of the notch 41 formed in the vibrating body support portion 17B of the leaf spring 17 overlaps with the hole 22 formed in the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D, thereby facilitating the alignment of the leaf spring 17 and the lower yoke 10D. A vibration-damping steel plate (not shown) may be attached to the outer surface of the upright portion EP of the elastic arm portion 17C of the leaf spring 17 as a reinforcing material to suppress deflection of the upright portion EP.

[0094] Next, as shown in the bottom diagram of FIG. 16 , 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, thereby holding the lower magnet 15D to the lower yoke 10D; therefore, they are not joined by laser welding or adhesive. However, the lower yoke 10D and the lower magnet 15D may also be held together by laser welding or adhesive. In this case, the lower magnet 15D is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion BW so as to fit between two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D. This allows the lower magnet 15D to be aligned with the lower yoke 10D. Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between the opposing end faces of the two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D be equal to the length of the lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction. In consideration of tolerances, the distance between the opposing end faces of the two protrusions 21 formed on the bottom plate portion BW of the lower yoke 10D may be slightly wider than the length of the lower magnet 15D in the X-axis direction.

[0095] Next, as shown in the top diagram of Fig. 17, the non-vibrating body NV is attached to the lower magnet 15D. 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, 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.

[0096] Next, as shown in the center diagram of FIG. 17 , the upper yoke 10U to which the upper magnet 15U is attached is placed on the bracket 11. At this time, the recessed portion RC formed in the lower yoke 10D engages with the protruding portion PR of the upper yoke 10U. The upper magnet 15U is placed on the lower surface of the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U, similar to when 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. The upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U are attracted to each other by magnetic force, which holds the upper magnet 15U to the upper yoke 10U. Therefore, the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U are not joined by laser welding or adhesive. However, the upper yoke 10U and the upper magnet 15U may be held by laser welding or adhesive. In this case, the upper magnet 15U is placed on the underside of the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U so as to fit between the two protrusions 23 formed on the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U. This allows the upper magnet 15U to be aligned with the upper yoke 10U. Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between the opposing end faces of the two protrusions 23 formed on the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U is equal to the length of the upper magnet 15U in the X-axis direction. Note that, taking tolerances into consideration, the distance between the opposing end faces of the two protrusions 23 formed on the top plate portion TW of the upper yoke 10U may be slightly wider than the length of the upper magnet 15U in the X-axis direction.

[0097] 17, the members stacked as described above are then housed within the cover member 1 and covered with the base member 2. At this time, the support portion 2P of the base member 2 and the mounting plate portion 11A of the bracket 11 are engaged with each other, so before housing them within the cover member 1, the support portion 2P of the base member 2 and the mounting plate portion 11A of the bracket 11 may be joined together using a fastening member, caulking, laser welding, an adhesive, or the like.

[0098] Then, upper yoke 10U and lower yoke 10D are joined at a position where they do not come into contact with non-vibrating body NV. Specifically, upper yoke 10U and lower yoke 10D are joined by welding or the like through yoke joining holes 33 of base member 2 at the portion where recessed portion RC formed in lower yoke 10D and protruding portion PR of upper yoke 10U engage with each other.

[0099] Furthermore, connecting portion 17A of leaf spring 17 is joined by laser welding to the upper surface of bottom plate portion 2B of base member 2 at a joining position provided on base member 2. At this time, leaf spring 17 and base member 2 are joined in a state in which part of the outline of notch 41 formed in vibrating body support portion 17B of leaf spring 17 overlaps part of the outline of hole 32 formed in bottom plate portion 2B of base member 2, thereby facilitating alignment of leaf spring 17 and base member 2 on the XY plane, and further facilitating alignment of base member 2 and lower yoke 10D joined to leaf spring 17.

[0100] Additionally, 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. The cover member 1 and the base member 2 may also be joined by a fastening member, an adhesive, or by caulking, etc.

[0101] 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.

[0102] Furthermore, the placement of the base member 2 and the laser welding of the leaf spring 17 to the connection portion 17A can also be performed between the step shown in the center drawing of FIG. 16 and the step shown in the bottom drawing of FIG.

[0103] In addition, the protrusion 21 provided on the lower yoke 10D and the protrusion 23 provided on the upper yoke 10U may be configured as multiple mountain-shaped structures lined up in the Y-axis direction, in which case the heights of the multiple mountain-shaped structures may be different from each other.

[0104] Furthermore, as described above, the first movable body hole is not limited to rectangular hole 22 with rounded corners whose edge on the protrusion 21 side extends in the Y-axis direction, but may also be a slit extending in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the second movable body hole is not limited to rectangular hole 24 with rounded corners whose edge on the protrusion 23 side extends in the Y-axis direction, but may also be a slit extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0105] Furthermore, a configuration similar to the protrusion 31 provided on the base member 2 may be provided on the cover member 1 to restrict movement of the vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction. In this case, the protrusion provided on the cover member 1 protrudes in the Z2 direction and has a height that allows it to fit over the protrusion 23 of the upper yoke 10U. In this case, movement of the vibrating body VB in the X-axis direction can be restricted at two locations, one above the other, thereby increasing strength.

[0106] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a modified example of a vibration generator, illustrating an example of the configuration of the lower yoke and base member, and corresponding to Fig. 10. In the vibration generator shown in Fig. 10 described above, the protrusion 31 provided on the base member 2 has a mountain-like shape with the central portion protruding in the Y-axis direction. However, in this modified example, the protrusion 31' is formed by cutting out a portion of the base member 2 to form a vertical plate surface. Also in this modified example, the end face of the protrusion 31' on the central side in the X-axis direction abuts against the inner edge surface 22b, thereby restricting movement of the vibrator VB in the X-axis direction.

[0107] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Cover member 1A Outer peripheral wall portion 1A1 First side plate portion 1A2 Second side plate portion 1A3 Third side plate portion 1A4 Fourth side plate portion 1T Top plate portion 2 Base member 2B Bottom plate portion 2P Support portion 2P1 First support portion 2P2 Second support portion 2P3 Third support portion 2P4 Fourth support portion 10 Yoke 10D Lower yoke 10U Upper yoke 11 Bracket 11A Mounting plate portion 11A1 First mounting plate portion 11A2 Second mounting plate portion 11A3 Third mounting plate portion 11A4 Fourth mounting plate portion 11B Main body plate portion 12 Coil 12A First coil winding portion 12A1 Front main wiring portion 12A2 Rear main wiring portion 12A3 Left sub-wiring portion 12A4 Right sub-wiring portion 12B Second coil winding portion 12B1 Front main wiring portion 12B2 Rear main wiring portion 12B3 Left sub-wiring portion 12B4 Right sub-wiring portion 12C Third coil winding portion 12C1 Front main wiring portion 12C2 Rear main wiring portion 12C3 Left sub-wiring portion 12C4 Right sub-wiring portion 12E Second end portion 12S First end portion 13 Wiring board 13L... Left side wiring board 13R... Right side wiring board 15... Magnet 15D... Lower magnet 15D1... First lower magnet part 15D2... Second lower magnet part 15D3... Third lower magnet part 15D4... Fourth lower magnet part 15U... Upper magnet 15U1...First upper magnet part 15U2...Second upper magnet part 15U3...Third upper magnet part 15U4...Fourth upper magnet part 17...Leaf spring 17A...Connection part 17A1...First connection part 17A2...Second connection part 17A3...Third connection part 17A4...Fourth connection part 17B...Vibration body support part 17C...Elastic arm part 17C1 First elastic arm portion 17C2 Second elastic arm portion 17C3 Third elastic arm portion 17C4 Fourth elastic arm portion 21 Projection portion 21a End surface 22 Hole 22a Edge portion 22b Inner edge surface 23 Projection portion 24 Hole 31 Projection portion 31 End surface 32 Hole 32a Edge portion 33 Yoke joining hole 41 Notch 101 Vibration generatorAC···Air core section BW··Bottom plate section CP···Conductor section CP1···First conductor section CP2···Second conductor section CP3···Third conductor section CP4···Fourth conductor section CTR···Control section DM···Drive means EP···Upright section ES···Elastic support member GP···Gap HS···Housing LW···Left plate section 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 section NV··Non-vibrating body PE··Outer conductor pattern PI··Inner conductor pattern PR···Convex section RC···Concave section RW···Right plate section SW: Sub-wiring section TW: Top plate section VA: Vibration axis VB: Vibration body VE: Vibration device VP: Vibration section

Claims

1. a first fixed body having a bottom plate portion extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first movable body including a first permanent magnet and a first yoke, the first movable body being disposed above and spaced apart from the bottom plate portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a support member that supports the first movable body so that the first movable body can vibrate relative to the first fixed body along the first direction; a coil that is attached directly or indirectly to the first fixed body and disposed above and spaced apart from the first movable body in the third direction, the coil having a main bundle portion including a plurality of conductors extending in the second direction, and a sub-bundle portion connecting two adjacent main bundle portions, the first permanent magnet is held by the first yoke and disposed below the coil, generating a first magnetic flux from the first permanent magnet toward a bundled portion of the coil and a second magnetic flux from the bundled portion of the coil toward the first permanent magnet; The first yoke comprises: a lower surface of the first permanent magnet in the third direction, a first flat plate portion on which the first permanent magnet is placed; a first movable body hole formed in each of regions along both end sides of the first flat plate-shaped portion in the first direction, an edge portion of the first movable body hole on an end side of the first flat plate portion along which the first movable body hole is aligned extends in the second direction; the first flat plate-shaped portion is a first movable body protruding portion that is deformed so as to protrude upward in the third direction between the first movable body hole and the end side along which the first movable body hole is located, A vibration generating device in which the first permanent magnet is held between the end faces of the first movable body hole side of the first movable body protrusions provided on both end edges in the first direction of the first flat plate-shaped portion.

2. the first fixed body has a fixed body protruding portion in a region at least partially overlapping with the first movable body protruding portion in the third direction, the bottom plate portion of which is deformed so as to protrude upward in the third direction, A vibration generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the movement of the first movable body in the first direction is restricted by abutment between the inner edge surface of the first movable body hole opposite the first movable body protrusion and the end surface of the fixed body protrusion on the center side of the first fixed body in the first direction.

3. The first fixed body is a fixing body hole formed in each of the regions along both end sides in the first direction; an edge portion of the fixing body hole on an end side of the first fixing body along which the fixing body hole is aligned extends in the second direction; The vibration generator according to claim 2 , wherein the fixed body protrusion is a portion between the fixed body hole and the edge along which the fixed body hole extends.

4. The vibration generator according to claim 2 , wherein the fixed body protrusion has a larger width in the first direction than the first movable body protrusion.

5. a second fixed body extending in the first direction and the second direction and including a top plate portion fixed to the first fixed body; a second movable body including a second permanent magnet and a second yoke, the second movable body being disposed below the top plate portion in the third direction; the support member supports the first movable body and the second movable body so as to be vibrable along the first direction relative to the first fixed body and the second fixed body, the coil is disposed below the second movable body in the third direction, the second permanent magnet is held by the second yoke and disposed above the coil, and generates a third magnetic flux directed from the second permanent magnet toward a bundled portion of the coil and a fourth magnetic flux directed from the bundled portion of the coil toward the second permanent magnet; The second yoke is an upper surface of the second permanent magnet in the third direction, the upper surface being disposed on the opposite side to the coil; a second flat plate portion on which the second permanent magnet is placed; a second movable body hole formed in each of regions along both end sides of the second flat plate-shaped portion in the first direction, an edge portion of the second movable body hole on an end side of the second flat plate portion along which the second movable body hole is aligned extends in the second direction; the second flat plate-shaped portion is a second movable body protruding portion that is deformed so as to protrude downward in the third direction between the second movable body hole and the end side along which the second movable body hole is located, The vibration generating device described in claim 3, wherein the second permanent magnet is held between the end faces of the second movable body hole side of the second movable body protrusions provided on both end edges of the second flat plate-shaped portion in the first direction.

6. the support member is fixed to the first fixed body such that a portion of the support member is located between the first fixed body and the first yoke in the third direction, and has a notch in a portion located between the first fixed body and the first yoke, The vibration generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the first movable body hole, the fixed body hole, and the notch have at least a portion of the same shape in their outer shapes, and the portions of the same shape are arranged so as to overlap each other in the third direction.

7. The vibration generator according to claim 1 , wherein the first movable body hole is a slit.

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