Vibration actuator and electronic device

Abstract

This vibration actuator comprises a fixed body including a coil, a movable body disposed inside in the radial direction of the coil and including a magnet disposed so as to be relatively movable in an vibration direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the coil, and an elastic support part that supports the movable body so as to be freely moveable with respect to the fixed body, wherein the coil to which power is supplied and the magnet cooperate to cause the movable body to vibrate with respect to the fixed body. The elastic support part has an outer circumferential part fixed to the fixed body, an inner circumferential part disposed inside in the radial direction of the outer circumferential part and fixed to the movable body, and a deforming arm part disposed between the outer circumferential part and the inner circumferential part and coupling the outer circumferential part and the inner circumferential part, the deforming arm part being elastically deformable. An attenuation part is provided across the outer circumferential part and a portion of the deforming arm part on an outer circumferential part side thereof, the attenuation part attenuating vibrations in the elastic support part when the movable body moves.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration actuator and an electronic device equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices with vibration functions are equipped with vibration actuators as vibration generation sources. By driving the vibration actuators and transmitting vibrations to the user to allow the user to experience them, electronic devices can notify the user of incoming calls and improve the sense of operation and realism. Here, electronic devices include portable devices that can be carried, such as portable game terminals, controllers (game pads) for stationary game consoles, portable communication terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones, portable information terminals such as tablet PCs, and wearable terminals that can be attached to clothing, the arm, etc.

[0003] As an example of a vibration actuator having a structure that can be miniaturized and mounted on a portable device, a vibration actuator used in a pager or the like is known, as shown in Patent Document 1.

[0004] This vibration actuator has a pair of plate-like elastic bodies supported by the opening edge of a cylindrical frame so as to face each other. Each of the plate-like elastic bodies is arranged with one end fixed to a fixed body and the other end fixed to a movable body. One of the pair of plate-like elastic bodies has a spiral shape, with its outer peripheral portion, which is one end, located at the bottom of the frame, and its central portion, which is the other end, rising from this outer peripheral portion. A yoke with a magnet attached is fixed to this central portion, and the yoke is supported within the frame.

[0005] The yoke and the magnet constitute a magnetic field generator, and the coil is attached to the other plate-like elastic body and placed in the magnetic field of the magnetic field generator. The coil is made of enameled wire, which is copper wire with resin baked onto its surface, and is a so-called air-core coil using self-bonding wire, and requires a small space for placement. By switching between currents of different frequencies and applying them through an oscillator circuit to this coil, the pair of plate-like elastic bodies are selectively resonated to generate vibration, and the yoke vibrates within the frame in the direction of the center line of the frame. In this vibration actuator, when adjusting the reciprocating movement range of the yoke, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, a configuration in which a damping portion is provided on the plate-shaped elastic body to suppress vibration of the plate-shaped elastic body can be considered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3748637 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-191427 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the configuration of a conventional vibration actuator, when the movable body moves, the plate-shaped elastic body itself also deforms. When the movable body vibrates, the fluctuation of the part where the damping part is attached increases, and if the fluctuation time becomes long, there is a problem that the damping part may become misaligned depending on the mounting position of the damping part. This causes variation in the damping of vibration in the plate-shaped elastic body, that is, variation in the vibration performance of the vibration actuator, and there is a risk that the vibration actuator will not vibrate stably.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator and electronic device that generate suitable vibrations with stable, high output even when the vibrations are damped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the vibration actuator of the present invention is The device has a fixed body including a coil, a movable body including a magnet arranged radially inside the coil and arranged so as to be movable relative to the coil in a vibration direction perpendicular to the radial direction, and an elastic support part that supports the movable body movably relative to the fixed body, and the coil and the magnet cooperate to supply power to the movable body. The above The moving body The above A vibration actuator that vibrates relative to a fixed body, The elastic support portion has an outer periphery fixed to the fixed body, an inner circumferential portion disposed radially inward from the outer circumferential portion and fixed to the movable body; A connecting member is disposed between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion and connects the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion. In the vibration direction, An elastically deformable deformation arm portion; having The outer periphery and the deformable arm portion most The outer peripheral area The deformable arm portion is formed so as to straddle and cover a curved gap between the outer periphery and the outermost portion of the deformable arm portion. A damping section is provided to damp vibrations in the elastic support section when the movable body moves. And, The distance of the gap in which the damping portion is arranged is greater than two times and not greater than six times the thickness dimension of the elastic support portion. Adopt a configuration.

[0011] One aspect of the electronic device of the present invention is A configuration is adopted in which the vibration actuator having the above configuration is mounted. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, even if the vibration is damped, it is possible to generate suitable vibration with stable high output. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vibration actuator. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support portion is fixed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body and an elastic support portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the coil assembly with the electromagnetic shield portion removed. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram illustrating an attachment state of the damping portion. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram illustrating an attachment state of the damping portion. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Figure 14] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a magnetic circuit configuration of the vibration actuator. [Figure 16] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relative movement state between a coil and a magnet. [Figure 17] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the relative movement state between a coil and a magnet. [Figure 18] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of an electronic device in which the vibration actuator is mounted. [Figure 19] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of an electronic device in which the vibration actuator is mounted. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Figure 23] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 24]FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Figure 27] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support portion is fixed. [Diagram 31] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body and an elastic support portion. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the coil assembly with the electromagnetic shield portion removed. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Diagram 34] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support portion is fixed. [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body and an elastic support portion. [Figure 39] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the coil assembly with the electromagnetic shield portion removed. [Diagram 40] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Diagram 41] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 43] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Diagram 44] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Diagram 45] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 46] 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between a drive unit and a case in a vibration actuator according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. [Figure 49] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. [Figure 50] 4 is a perspective view of the lid portion as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 51] 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between a drive unit and a case in a vibration actuator according to Embodiment 7. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> [Overall configuration of vibration actuator] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support part is fixed, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the elastic support part. FIG. 6 is a view showing a coil assembly with an electromagnetic shield part removed, FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the coil assembly, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the drive unit shown in FIG. 3. Note that the terms "upper" and "lower" in the present embodiment are given for the sake of convenience to facilitate understanding, and refer to one side and the other side of the vibration direction of the movable body in the vibration actuator. In other words, when the vibration actuator is mounted on an electronic device (see FIG. 18 and FIG. 19), it does not matter if the top and bottom are reversed or the left and right are reversed.

[0016] The vibration actuator 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted as a vibration generating source in electronic devices such as a portable game terminal device (for example, a game controller GC shown in FIG. 18) and realizes the vibration function of the electronic device. Such electronic devices include mobile devices such as smartphones (for example, a mobile terminal M shown in FIG. 19). The vibration actuator 1 is mounted in each device such as a portable game terminal device or a mobile device, and vibrates when driven to notify the user of an incoming call and to provide a sense of operation and realism.

[0017] 1 and 2, the vibration actuator 1 of this embodiment accommodates a movable body 20 within a hollow case 10 so that the movable body 20 can vibrate between the upper and lower end faces with the vibration direction being the axial direction (vertical direction) of the case 10. When the movable body 20 inside the case 10 vibrates, the vibration actuator 1 itself functions as a vibrating body.

[0018] The vibration actuator 1 has a movable body 20 having a magnet 30 and movable body cores 41, 42, a fixed body 50 having a pair of annular coils 61, 62, and elastic support parts 81, 82 that support the movable body 20 so that it can move back and forth relative to the fixed body 50.

[0019] In the vibration actuator 1, the coils 61, 62, the magnet 30, and the movable body cores 41, 42 form a magnetic circuit that vibrates the movable body 20. When electricity is applied to the coils 61, 62 from a power supply unit (for example, the drive control unit 203 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19), the coils 61, 62 and the magnet 30 cooperate to cause the movable body 20 to reciprocate in the vibration direction within the case 10.

[0020] In vibration actuator 1 of this embodiment, movable body 20 moves back and forth in the axial direction of coils 61, 62, i.e., the vibration direction, inside coils 61, 62 held by coil bobbin part 52, due to bobbin body part (coil protection wall part) 522 arranged between movable body 20 and the coils 61, 62. The axial direction of coils 61, 62 is the vibration direction of movable body 20, the magnetization direction of magnet 30, and also the axial direction of coil bobbin part 52.

[0021] The movable body 20 is disposed such that the center of the length in the vibration direction faces the center of the length in the vibration direction of the coil bobbin part 52 at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the movable body 20 via the elastic support parts 81, 82. At this time, it is preferable that the movable body 20 is located at a position balanced with the coils 61, 62 so as not to contact the bobbin main body part 522 of the coil bobbin part 52. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the center of the length in the vibration direction of the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42 is disposed at a position facing the center of the length in the vibration direction between the coils 61, 62 separated vertically in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. Note that a magnetic fluid may be interposed between the bobbin main body part 522 and the movable body 20.

[0022] 3, in this embodiment, the vibration actuator 1 has a drive unit 13 in a case 10 having a case body 11 and a lid portion 12. The drive unit 13 has coils 61, 62, a coil bobbin portion 52, a movable body 20, and elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0023] <Movable body 20> The movable body 20 is supported by elastic support parts 81, 82 connected at the upper and lower ends inside the cylindrical coil bobbin part 52 of the fixed body 50 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the inner surface of the coil bobbin part 52 (the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body part 522). In other words, the movable body 20 is supported within the vibration actuator 1 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the direction in which the lid part 12 and the bottom part 114 face each other. The movable body 20 is provided in the drive unit 13 shown in FIG. 3.

[0024] 2, 4 and 5, the movable body 20 has a magnet 30, movable body cores 41, 42, spring stop portions 22, 24, and fixed pins 26, 28. In this embodiment, the movable body cores 41, 42 and the spring stop portions 22, 24 are continuously provided on both sides in the vibration direction (the up and down directions shown in Figs. 1 to 5) centered on the magnet 30. In the movable body 20, the outer peripheral surfaces 20a of the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween inside the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body portion 522.

[0025] When the movable body 20 moves in the vibration direction, the outer circumferential surface 20a moves back and forth along the inner circumferential surface 522a without coming into contact with it.

[0026] The magnet 30 is magnetized in the vibration direction. In this embodiment, the magnet 30 is formed in a disk shape, and the front and back surfaces 30a and 30b, which are separated in the vibration direction, have different polarities. The front and back surfaces 30a and 30b of the magnet 30 are two magnetized surfaces that are separated in the extension direction of the axes of the coils 61 and 62.

[0027] The magnet 30 is disposed so as to be positioned at a distance from the coils 61, 62 (details of which will be described later) on the radially inner side of the coils 61, 62. Here, the "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the axes of the coils 61, 62 and also perpendicular to the vibration direction. This "spacing" in the radial direction is the spacing between the coils 61, 62 including the bobbin body 522 and the magnet 30, and is a spacing that allows them to move in the vibration direction of the movable body 20 without contacting each other. That is, in this embodiment, the "spacing" refers to a predetermined spacing between the bobbin body 522 and the magnet 30.

[0028] In this embodiment, the magnet 30 is disposed radially outwardly so as to face the center of the bobbin main body 522. The magnet 30 may have a shape other than a disk shape, such as a cylindrical shape or a plate shape, as long as it is disposed inside the coils 61, 62 with two magnetized surfaces facing the direction in which the axes of the coils 61, 62 extend. In addition, it is desirable that the axial center of the magnet 30 coincides with the axial center of the movable body 20.

[0029] Movable cores 41 and 42 are provided on the front and back surfaces 30a and 30b of the magnet 30, respectively.

[0030] The movable body cores 41 and 42 are magnetic bodies and function as a yoke, and together with the magnet 30 and the coils 61 and 62, they form a magnetic circuit. The movable body cores 41 and 42 form a movable body side magnetic circuit together with the magnet 30. The movable body cores 41 and 42 concentrate the magnetic flux of the magnet 30, allowing it to flow efficiently without leakage, and effectively distribute the magnetic flux flowing between the magnet 30 and the coils 61 and 62.

[0031] In addition to functioning as part of the magnetic circuit, the movable body cores 41 and 42 also function as a main body part of the movable body 20, a function for fixing the spring stop parts 22 and 24, and a function as a weight.

[0032] In this embodiment, the movable body cores 41, 42 are formed in the shape of annular flat plates having the same surface shape as the magnet 30. The movable body cores 41, 42 are fixed to the magnet 30 so that their outer circumferential surfaces are flush with the outer circumferential surface of the magnet, and together with the outer circumferential surface of the magnet, form the outer circumferential surface 20a of the movable body 20.

[0033] In this embodiment, the movable body cores 41 and 42 are the same member formed in the same way, and in this embodiment, they are provided symmetrically above and below the magnet 30, with the magnet 30 at the center, sandwiching the magnet 30. The movable body cores 41 and 42 are attracted to the magnet 30, and are fixed to the magnet 30 by, for example, a thermosetting adhesive such as epoxy resin or an anaerobic adhesive.

[0034] The movable body cores 41, 42 are provided at their respective central portions with fitting openings 411, 421 into which the upper and lower spring stop parts 22, 24 fit. The upper and lower spring stop parts 22, 24 are inserted into the fitting openings 411, 421.

[0035] Movable body cores 41, 42 support spring stop parts 22, 24 such that the axes of upper and lower spring stop parts 22, 24 (here, coinciding with the centers of elastic support parts 81, 82) are positioned on the central axis of movable body 20 by contacting with fitting openings 411, 421 at three or four points. By adjusting the degree of opening of fitting openings 411, 421 in movable body cores 41, 42, the weight of movable body 20 can be adjusted and a suitable vibration output can be set.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the movable body 20 is not vibrating, the movable body cores 41, 42 are positioned inside (radially inside) the coils 61, 62 so as to face each of the coils 61, 62 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the coils 61, 62.

[0037] In the movable body cores 41 and 42, it is preferable that the height position of the upper surface of the movable body core 41 above the magnet 30 faces the center position in the height direction (vertical direction) of the upper coil 61. In addition, it is preferable that the height position of the lower surface of the movable body core 42 below the magnet 30 faces the center position in the height direction (vertical direction) of the lower coil 62.

[0038] The spring stop parts 22, 24 have a function of fixing the movable body side magnetic circuit to the elastic support parts 81, 82, and also function as a weight for the movable body 20. The spring stop parts 22, 24 are provided symmetrically so as to sandwich the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42, and increase the vibration output of the movable body 20.

[0039] In this embodiment, the spring stop portions 22, 24 are shaft-shaped bodies arranged along the central axis of the movable body 20, and are interposed between the movable body cores 41, 42 and the elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0040] In this embodiment, the spring stop portions 22, 24 are formed in the same shape and have joint portions 222, 242 and spring fixing portions 224, 244. The joint portions 222, 242 and the spring fixing portions 224, 244 are each connected in the vibration direction (specifically, the vertical direction).

[0041] The spring stop parts 22 and 24 have a through hole penetrating therethrough. The spring stop parts 22 and 24 may function as weight adjustment parts by adding weights to the through holes. By adding weights to the through holes, the movable body 20 can be made heavier, and the vibration output of the movable body 20 can be increased.

[0042] The joint parts 222, 242 are joined to the movable body cores 41, 42, respectively. Specifically, the other end parts of the joint parts 222, 242 are inserted into and fitted into the fitting openings 411, 421 of the movable body cores 41, 42, respectively. In this embodiment, the spring stop parts 22, 24 are fixed to the movable body cores 41, 42 by press-fitting, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be fixed by adhesion using, for example, a thermosetting adhesive such as epoxy resin or an anaerobic adhesive.

[0043] The upper spring fixing part 224 constitutes one end of the movable body 20 in the vibration direction, i.e., the upper end of the movable body 20, and is joined to an inner periphery 802 which is the end (other end) on the inner diameter side of the upper leaf spring which is the elastic support part 81. The spring fixing part 224 is provided in the spring stop part 22 so as to protrude upward from the joint part 222, and its tip is joined to the inner periphery 802 of the elastic support part 81 via the fixing pin 26.

[0044] On the other hand, the lower spring fixing part 244 constitutes the other end of the movable body 20 in the vibration direction, that is, the lower end of the movable body 20, and is joined to an inner periphery 802 which is the end on the inner diameter side of the lower leaf spring which is the elastic support part 82. The spring fixing part 244 is provided in the spring stop part 24 so as to protrude downward from the joint part 242, and its tip is joined to the inner periphery 802 of the elastic support part 82 via the fixing pin 28. A detailed description of the elastic support part 81 will be given later together with the elastic support part 82.

[0045] The fixing pins 26, 28 firmly fix the elastic support parts 81, 82 and the movable body 20 so that they do not come off due to vibration of the movable body 20.

[0046] In this embodiment, the fixing pins 26, 28 are formed in the same shape and each have an axial pin body 262, 282 that can be press-fitted into the spring fixing portion 224, 244, and a flange 264, 284 provided on the edge portion on one end side of the pin body 262, 282.

[0047] Specifically, the pin bodies 262, 282 of the fixing pins 26, 28 are fixed by press-fitting into the through holes of the spring fixing parts 224, 244 via the openings of the inner periphery 802, with the inner periphery 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 overlapping the spring fixing parts 224, 244. As a result, the flanges 264, 284 and the spring fixing parts 224, 244 hold the inner periphery 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 between them, firmly joining the elastic support parts 81, 82.

[0048] The inner periphery 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 and the spring fixing parts 224, 244 may be joined by welding, adhesion, crimping or the like, or may be joined by a combination of welding, adhesion and crimping.

[0049] Since the spring stop parts 22, 24 are arranged at both ends (upper and lower ends) of the movable body 20 that are spaced apart from the movable body side magnetic circuit in the vibration direction, the weights in the movable body 20 are not arranged on the outer periphery of the movable body side magnetic circuit. This does not restrict the arrangement space of the coils 61, 62 that are positioned opposite each other on the outer periphery of the movable body side magnetic circuit, i.e., on the outer periphery of the movable body 20. The arrangement space of the weights does not increase the distance between the movable body side magnetic circuit and the coils 61, 62, and the efficiency of electromagnetic conversion does not decrease. Therefore, the weight of the movable body 20 can be suitably increased, and high vibration output can be achieved.

[0050] In addition, because spring stop parts 22, 24 have both a weight function and a spring fixing function, there is no need to assemble the members having each function separately. By simply providing spring stop parts 22, 24 in the movable body side magnetic circuit, the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring which are elastic support parts 81, 82 can be easily attached to movable body 20 together with the weight, improving the ease of assembly.

[0051] Spring stop parts 22, 24 may be made of a magnetic material, but are preferably made of a non-magnetic material. If spring stop parts 22, 24 are made of a non-magnetic material, the magnetic flux from movable body core 41 will not flow upward, and the magnetic flux from movable body core 42 will not flow downward, and can flow efficiently to the coils 61, 62 located on the outer periphery of movable body cores 41, 42.

[0052] Moreover, the spring stop parts 22, 24 are preferably formed from a material (for example, a specific gravity of about 16 to 19) having a higher specific gravity than materials such as silicon steel plate (specific gravity of steel plate is 7.70 to 7.98). For example, tungsten can be used as the material of the spring stop parts 22, 24. This allows the mass of the movable body 20 to be increased relatively easily even when the outer dimensions of the movable body 20 are set in the design or the like, and allows the desired vibration output to be sufficiently felt by the user to be realized.

[0053] <Fixed body 50> Fixed body 50 holds coils 61, 62, and supports movable body 20 radially inside coils 61, 62 via elastic support portions 81, 82 so as to be freely movable in the vibration direction (coil axial direction, axial direction of movable body 20).

[0054] Fixed body 50 has case 10, coils 61, 62, coil bobbin portion 52, and electromagnetic shield portion 58. Coils 61, 62 and coil bobbin portion 52 form a coil assembly. In this embodiment, vibration actuator 1 is formed by connecting almost all of the components that generate vibration, such as movable body 20 and case 10, via elastic support portions 81, 82, to the coil assembly.

[0055] The coil bobbin portion 52 holds the coils 61, 62 wound around its outer circumferential surface, surrounds the magnet 30 with its inner circumferential surface 522a, and guides the movement of the movable body 20 having the magnet 30.

[0056] The coil bobbin portion 52 is a cylindrical body formed of a resin such as a phenol resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), etc. In the present embodiment, the coil bobbin portion 52 is made of a material containing a phenol resin such as bakelite, which has high flame retardancy.

[0057] The coil bobbin portion 52 is made of a material containing phenolic resin, which increases flame retardancy and improves safety during operation even if heat is generated by Joule heat when a current flows through the coils 61 and 62. In addition, the dimensional accuracy is improved, and the positional accuracy of the coils 61 and 62 is also improved, which reduces variation in vibration characteristics.

[0058] The coil bobbin portion 52 has a cylindrical bobbin main body portion 522, a central flange portion 526 and flange portions 527, 528 protruding radially from the outer periphery of the bobbin main body portion 522, a terminal entanglement portion (coil wiring portion) 53, a movable range forming portion 54, and a connecting groove portion 55.

[0059] Coils 61, 62 are wound around the coil bobbin portion 52. The coils 61, 62 are covered by an electromagnetic shield portion 58. For convenience, the terminal winding portion (coil connection portion) 53 may be illustrated and described as terminal winding portions (coil connection portions) 53-1, 53-2.

[0060] The bobbin body 522 functions as a protective wall that protects the coils 61, 62 from collisions when the movable body 20 arranged inside is driven. The thickness of the bobbin body 522 is set to a thickness that provides a strength that does not affect the coils 61, 62 on the outer periphery even if the moving movable body 20 comes into contact with the bobbin body 522.

[0061] On the outer periphery of the bobbin main body 522, coils 61, 62 are arranged in line in the coil axis direction between the central flange 526 and each flange 527, 528 (coil mounting portions 52b, 52c) so as to surround the outer periphery of the movable body cores 41, 42 of the movable body 20 (the magnet 30 and the outer periphery of the movable body cores 41, 42).

[0062] Specifically, the outer circumferential surface of bobbin body 522 is partitioned into central flange 526 and flanges 527, 528, and is provided with concave coil attachment portions 52b, 52c on the outer circumferential side that open radially outward.

[0063] 6 and 7, the terminal winding portion 53 winds the coil windings of the coils 61, 62 and functions as a connector wire connection portion that connects to an external device. The coils 61, 62 are connected to the external device via the terminal winding portion 53, and power is supplied to the coils 61, 62 and the coils 61, 62.

[0064] Terminal lashing portion 53 is a conductive member protruding from the outer periphery of bobbin body portion 522. In this embodiment, terminal lashing portion 53 is press-fitted into the outer periphery of central flange portion 526, which is disposed at the center in the vibration direction on the outer periphery of bobbin body portion 522. Thus, terminal lashing portion 53 is provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of central flange portion 526.

[0065] The flange portions 527, 528 are provided at both ends spaced apart in the axial direction of the bobbin body portion 522 (which is the vibration direction and also the vertical direction in this embodiment), and constitute the upper and lower ends of the coil bobbin portion 52.

[0066] Elastic support portions 81, 82 are fixed to flange portions 527, 528 at their ends (upper and lower ends in this embodiment) that are located away from central flange portion 526.

[0067] The movable range forming portions 54 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the coil bobbin portion 52, and form a vibration range between the lid portion 12 and bottom portion 114 of the case 10 and the movable body 20 when the coil bobbin portion 52 is housed within the case 10.

[0068] Movable range forming portions 54 are protruding sides protruding in the vibration direction (vertical direction) from each of flange portions 527, 528. Movable range forming portions 54 are provided at a predetermined interval on upper and lower circular opening end faces (also referred to as "upper end face" and "lower end face") 527a, 528a of flange portions 527, 528. Upper end face 527a is the opening end face on one side, and lower end face 528a is the opening end face on the other side.

[0069] Flange portion 527 has protruding movable range forming portion 54 protruding in the vibration direction on one opening end face. One opening end face functions as a top surface receiving portion that receives lid portion 12 via movable range forming portion 54. Flange portion 528 has protruding movable range forming portion 54 protruding in the vibration direction on the other opening end face. The other opening end face functions as a bottom surface receiving portion that receives bottom portion 114 via movable range forming portion 54.

[0070] 3 and 8, the movable range forming portion 54 fits into a positioning groove 808 provided in the elastic support portions 81 and 82 to position the elastic support portions 81 and 82 in the radial direction. The movable range forming portion 54 is formed in an arc shape as viewed from the axial direction, with a predetermined radial thickness and a circumferential length longer than the radial length. The positioning groove 808 is also formed corresponding to the shape of the movable range forming portion 54.

[0071] In this embodiment, the movable range forming portion 54 is fitted into the positioning groove 808 to restrict the radial and circumferential movement of the elastic support portions 81, 82, thereby positioning the elastic support portions 81, 82 relative to the coil bobbin portion 52.

[0072] By fitting the movable range forming portion 54 into the positioning groove 808, the mounting positions of the elastic support portions 81, 82 can be uniformly set relative to the coil bobbin portion 52 in each individual drive unit 13, thereby enabling stable positioning of the elastic support portions 81, 82 relative to the coil bobbin portion 52.

[0073] As a result, the elastic support parts 81 and 82 are not fixed to the fixed body via multiple component parts, which results in a structure that is less susceptible to part tolerances, restricting circumferential and radial movement such as rotation, suppressing variation in the elastic support parts 81 and 82 as a product, and achieving stable characteristics.

[0074] The movable range forming portions 54 are provided at equal intervals around the axis of the coil bobbin portion 52. In the present embodiment, three movable range forming portions 54 are provided at equal intervals around the axis of the coil bobbin portion 52, but any number of movable range forming portions 54 may be provided as long as they can position the elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0075] In addition, by receiving each of the elastic support portions 81, 82 via the positioning grooves 808 at the three movable range forming portions 54, snagging and friction when inserting the movable body 20 into the coil bobbin portion 52 are reduced, making it easy to assemble and position the movable body 20 and the coil bobbin portion 52.

[0076] The coil bobbin portion 52 is accommodated in the case 10 with the movable range forming portions 54 on the upper and lower end surfaces abutting the edges of the lid portion 12 and the edges of the bottom portion 114, and is fixed to the edges of the lid portion 12 and the edges of the bottom portion 114.

[0077] Flange portions 527 and 528 have positioning engagement portions 529 (see FIG. 3) for positioning the electromagnetic shield portion, which engage with electromagnetic shield portion 58. Positioning engagement portions 529 are provided on the outer peripheries of flange portions 527 and 528, i.e., on the outer diameter portion of coil bobbin portion 52, and position electromagnetic shield portion 58 at a position surrounding coils 61 and 62.

[0078] Positioning engagement portion 529 engages with engaged portion 589 of electromagnetic shield portion 58. In this embodiment, positioning engagement portion 529 is a concave groove that opens toward central flange portion 526 on the outer periphery of each of flange portions 527, 528, and engages with engaged portion 589 that is convex.

[0079] By engaging the positioning engaging portion 529 with the engaged portion 589, the electromagnetic shield portion 58 can be positioned without misalignment with respect to the coils 61, 62 wound around the coil bobbin portion 52, thereby obtaining stable magnetic characteristics.

[0080] Note that adhesive parts may be provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the central flange part 526 and the flange parts 527, 528, which have the same outer diameter, and the electromagnetic shield part 58 may be fixed to the central flange part 526 and the flange parts 527, 528 via the adhesive parts. This makes it possible to achieve even more stable vibration characteristics.

[0081] <Coil> In the vibration actuator 1, the coils 61, 62 vibrate in the axial direction of the coils 61, 62 (the magnetization direction of the magnet 30), and are used, together with the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42, to generate a drive source for the vibration actuator 1. When driven (vibrating), current is passed through the coils 61, 62, and together with the magnet 30, they form a voice coil motor.

[0082] Coils 61, 62 are disposed on the coil attachment portion, and in this embodiment, coils 61, 62 are disposed at positions facing movable body cores 41, 42 in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0083] The coils 61 and 62 are held in the coil bobbin part 52 so that the center position of the length in the coil axis direction (vibration direction) is substantially the same position (including the same position) in the vibration direction as the center position of the length in the vibration direction of the movable body 20 (the center position in the vibration direction of the magnet 30). Note that the coils 61 and 62 in this embodiment are configured to be wound in opposite directions to each other, and configured so that currents flow in opposite directions when energized.

[0084] Respective ends of the coils 61, 62 are wound and connected to the terminal winding portion 53 of the central flange portion 526. The coils 61, 62 are connected to a power supply unit (for example, the drive control unit 203 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) via the terminal winding portion 53. For example, each end of the coils 61, 62 is connected to an AC supply unit, and an AC power source (AC voltage) is supplied from the AC supply unit to the coils 61, 62. This allows the coils 61, 62 to generate thrust between the magnet and each other that allows them to move toward and away from each other in the axial direction.

[0085] The coil axes of the coils 61 and 62 are preferably arranged coaxially with the axis of the coil bobbin portion 52 or the axis of the magnet 30 . The coils 61, 62 are formed into a cylindrical shape by winding a coil wire around the coil attachment portion from the outside of the coil bobbin portion 52. With this configuration, the coil bobbin portion 52 having the coils 61, 62 can be assembled without using a self-bonding wire in order to maintain the cylindrical bodies of the coils 61, 62. In other words, since there is no need to use an air-core coil as the coil, the cost of the coils 61, 62 themselves can be reduced, and therefore the cost of the entire vibration actuator can be reduced.

[0086] Furthermore, inside the case 10, the coils 61 and 62 have their outer circumferential surfaces surrounded by the electromagnetic shielding portion 58, are sealed within the coil mounting portion, and are fixed within the coil mounting portion by adhesion or the like. In this embodiment, the coils 61 and 62 are fixed to the bobbin body portion 522, the central flange portion 526, and all of the flange portions 527 and 528 by adhesion. Therefore, the joining strength between the coils 61 and 62 and the coil bobbin portion 52 can be increased, and even when a large impact is applied, the coils 61 and 62 are not damaged as compared to a configuration in which the movable body is in direct contact with the coil.

[0087] The electromagnetic shield part 58 is a cylindrical magnetic body that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the coil bobbin part 52 and is disposed at a position that covers the coils 61, 62 radially outward. The electromagnetic shield part 58 is positioned on the coil bobbin part 52 via a terminal lead-out part 90 and a positioning engagement part 529 of the coil bobbin part 52. In this embodiment, the terminal lead-out part 90 is engaged with an opening part 582 of the electromagnetic shield part 58. As a result, the terminal lead-out part 90 functions as a rotation stopper for the electromagnetic shield part 58. The electromagnetic shield part 58 constitutes a fixed body side magnetic circuit together with the coils 61, 62, and prevents leakage of magnetic flux to the outside of the vibration actuator 1 in the movable body side magnetic circuit, that is, in the magnetic circuit constituted together with the magnet 30 and the movable body cores 41, 42.

[0088] The electromagnetic shield section 58 is disposed so that the center of the length of the electromagnetic shield section 58 in the vibration direction is at the same height as the center of the vibration direction of the magnet 30 disposed inside. The shielding effect of this electromagnetic shield section 58 can reduce magnetic flux leaking to the outside of the vibration actuator.

[0089] Furthermore, the electromagnetic shielding portion 58 can increase the thrust constant in the magnetic circuit to improve the electromagnetic conversion efficiency. The electromagnetic shielding portion 58 utilizes the magnetic attraction force of the magnet 30 to function as a magnetic spring together with the magnet 30. The magnetic spring can reduce the stress when the elastic support portions 81, 82 are made into mechanical springs, and can improve the durability of the elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0090] <Elastic support parts 81, 82> The elastic support portions 81 and 82 support the movable body 20 so as to be capable of reciprocating movement relative to the fixed body 50 in the vibration direction.

[0091] The elastic support parts 81, 82 are disposed to sandwich the movable body 20 in the vibration direction of the movable body 20, and are bridged between both the movable body 20 and the fixed body 50 so as to intersect with the vibration direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are disposed spaced apart from each other at both ends (upper and lower ends) of the movable body 20 that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, and are connected to the fixed body 50. In this embodiment, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are disposed facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0092] In the elastic support parts 81 and 82, the inner peripheral parts 802 are fitted to both ends (spring fixing parts 224 and 244) that are separated in the axial direction (vibration direction) of the movable body 20. In addition, the outer peripheral fixing part 806 side is attached to the movable body 20 so as to protrude radially outward (radial direction). The elastic support parts 81 and 82 are a pair of elastic support parts that support the movable body 20 so that it can vibrate back and forth in a vibration direction along the axial direction of the magnet 30. Each of the elastic support parts 81 and 82 is joined to the fixed body 50 at the outer peripheral fixing part (outer peripheral part), and joined to the spring stop parts 22 and 24 at the inner peripheral part 802.

[0093] The elastic support parts 81, 82 support the movable body 20 so as not to come into contact with the fixed body 50 when the movable body 20 is not vibrating and when it is vibrating. Even if the elastic support parts 81, 82 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 522a of the bobbin main body part 522 of the movable body 20 when the movable body 20 is driven (vibrating), the magnetic circuit, specifically, the coils 61, 62 are not damaged. The elastic support parts 81, 82 may be configured with any material as long as they elastically support the movable body 20 so as to be freely movable. In this embodiment, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are the same members having the same configuration.

[0094] The elastic support parts 81, 82 may be made of a non-magnetic material or a magnetic material (specifically, a ferromagnetic material). If the elastic support parts 81, 82 are non-magnetic leaf springs, they may be made of stainless steel plates such as SUS304 and SUS316. If the elastic support parts 81, 82 are magnetic, stainless steel plates such as SUS301 can be used. As the material for the elastic support parts 81, 82, for example, it is known that magnetic materials (e.g., SUS301) are more durable and less expensive than non-magnetic materials (e.g., SUS304, SUS316). In this embodiment, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are made of SUS301.

[0095] The elastic support parts 81 and 82 are each a plurality of flat leaf springs. The movable body 20 may have three or more leaf springs as the plurality of elastic support parts 81 and 82. The plurality of leaf springs are attached along a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

[0096] The elastic support members 81 and 82, which are leaf springs, have a shape in which an annular inner circumferential portion 802, which is the inner spring end, and an outer circumferential fixed portion 806, which is the outer spring end, are joined by a deforming arm portion 804 that is an arc-shaped portion in a plan view and elastically deforms. In each of the elastic support members 81 and 82, the inner circumferential portion 802 is displaced in the axial direction relative to the outer circumferential fixed portion 806 due to deformation of the deforming arm portion 804.

[0097] In this embodiment, the leaf springs serving as elastic support members 81 and 82 are formed by sheet metal processing using stainless steel plate, and more specifically, are thin, flat, disk-shaped spiral springs. Because elastic support members 81 and 82 are flat, it is possible to improve positional accuracy, i.e., improve processing accuracy, compared to conical springs.

[0098] In this embodiment, the multiple elastic support members 81, 82 are oriented in the same spiral direction, and one end of each of them, the outer periphery fixed portion 806, is fixed to the fixed body 50, and the other end of them, the inner periphery portion 802, is fixed to the movable body 20.

[0099] Fig. 9 is a plan view of elastic support part 81, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 8. Note that elastic support part 82 has the same configuration as elastic support part 81, so elastic support part 81 will be described in detail and a description of elastic support part 82 will be omitted.

[0100] The inner circumferential portion 802 is formed in a circular ring shape. The deformable arm portion 804 is elastically deformable, and is disposed between the outer circumferential fixed portion 806 and the inner circumferential portion 802. The deformable arm portion 804 is coupled to the outer circumferential fixed portion 806 at one end, and is coupled to the inner circumferential portion 802 at the other end. The deformable arm portion 804 connects the outer circumferential fixed portion 806 and the inner circumferential portion 802.

[0101] 9, the deforming arm portion 804 extends so as to intersect with a virtual line along the radial direction at a plurality of positions on the virtual line. The portion on the outer periphery side of the deforming arm portion 804 means the portion located at the outermost position among the plurality of positions.

[0102] In this embodiment, a plurality of deforming arms 804 are arranged in a spiral shape at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the inner periphery portion 802. The deforming arms 804 extend along the outer periphery of the inner periphery portion 802 and are arranged so as to face the outer periphery of the inner periphery portion 802 in the radial direction with a gap therebetween.

[0103] In this embodiment, three deforming arms 804 are provided between the outer circumferential fixing part 806 and the inner circumferential part 802 to connect them, but this is not limiting and one deforming arm formed in a spiral shape may be used. Also, two or four or more deforming arms 804 may be provided as the elastic support part 81.

[0104] In this manner, in this embodiment, a plurality of spiral leaf springs are used as the plurality of elastic support parts 81, 82. These plurality of spiral leaf springs (elastic support parts 81, 82) are attached to both ends (upper and lower end faces 527a, 528a, which are the opening end faces of the opening edge part) of the movable body 20 that are spaced apart in the vibration direction, respectively, and elastically support the movable body 20 with respect to the fixed body 50. As a result, when the amount of movement of the movable body 20 increases, the movable body moves in a translation direction (here, a direction on a plane perpendicular to the vibration direction) while rotating slightly. If the spiral directions of the plurality of leaf springs are opposite to each other, the plurality of leaf springs will move in a buckling direction or a pulling direction, which will hinder smooth movement.

[0105] In this embodiment, the elastic support members 81, 82 are fixed to the movable body 20 so that the spiral directions are the same. Therefore, even if the amount of movement of the movable body 20 increases, the elastic support members 81, 82 can move smoothly, i.e., deform, resulting in a larger amplitude and increasing the vibration output. However, depending on the desired vibration range of the movable body 20, the multiple elastic support parts 81, 82 may be designed so that their spiral directions are opposite to each other.

[0106] The plate-like elastic support parts 81, 82 are disposed with respect to the movable body 20 such that the inner circumferential parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 are overlapped with the spring fixing parts 224, 244 that constitute the end parts of the movable body 20 in the vibration direction. As described above, the inner circumferential parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 are fixed by being clamped between the flanges 264, 284 of the fixing pins 26, 28 and the spring fixing parts 224, 244.

[0107] On the other hand, the outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the upper elastic support portion 81 is fixed, at the radially outer side, to the upper end portion of the coil bobbin portion 52. Specifically, the outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 81 is fixed to a portion of the annular upper end surface 527a of the upper flange portion 527 forming the upper end portion of the coil bobbin portion 52, avoiding the movable range forming portion 54.

[0108] The outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 81 is sandwiched and fixed between the annular upper end surface 527a of the flange portion 527 and the pressing portion 128 of the lid portion 12 within the case 10. Note that the upper end surface 527a means the end surface of the upper side (one side) of the upper flange portion 527, avoiding the movable range forming portion 54.

[0109] Furthermore, the outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the lower elastic support portion 82 is fixed to the lower end portion of the coil bobbin portion 52, radially outward of the movable body 20 in the vibration actuator 1. Specifically, the outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 82 is fixed to a portion of the annular lower end surface 528a of the lower flange portion 528 that forms the lower end portion of the coil bobbin portion 52, avoiding the movable range forming portion 54.

[0110] The outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portion 82 is sandwiched and fixed between the annular lower end surface 528a of the flange portion 528 and a step portion 118 provided on the peripheral portion of the bottom portion 114 within the case 10. Note that the lower end surface 528a refers to the upper (other side) end surface of the portion avoiding the movable range forming portion 54 on the lower (other side) side of the lower flange portion 528.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9, the outer periphery fixing portion 806 has an outermost portion 806a and an inner protruding portion 806b protruding inwardly from the outermost portion 806a at the elastic support portions 81 and 82. The outermost periphery portion 806a is sandwiched and fixed between the upper and lower end faces 527a, 528a, the pressing portion 128, and the step portion 118. The inward protruding portion 806b is a portion of the outer periphery fixing portion 806 to which the damping portion 72 is attached.

[0112] In this manner, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are sandwiched between the upper and lower end faces (opening end faces) 527a, 528a of the upper and lower opening edge parts of the coil bobbin part 52 and the lid part 12 and the bottom part 114 of the case 10 in a state of being arranged in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. In addition, the movable body 20 is accommodated in the coil bobbin part 52 around which the coils 61, 62 are wound, and the inner peripheral parts 802 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 are fixed to the upper and lower ends of the movable body 20, and the outer peripheral fixing parts 806 of the elastic support parts 81, 82 are fixed to the upper end of the coil bobbin part 52. As a result, the drive unit 13 is configured with a defined positional relationship between the coils 61, 62 and the movable body 20, which makes it easy to arrange the drive unit 13 in the case 10.

[0113] <Attenuation section 72> The damper 72 is attached to the elastic support parts 81 and 82, and effectively damps vibrations occurring in the elastic support parts 81 and 82. The damping portion 72 is attached to the elastic support portions 81 and 82 so as not to come off from the elastic support portions 81 and 82 .

[0114] The damping portion 72 damps sharp spring resonance in the elastic support portion 81 (82) and prevents the vibration near the resonance frequency from becoming significantly large, which results in a large difference in vibration due to frequency. This allows the movable body 20 to suppress the resonance peak before plastic deformation and generate stable vibration over a wide range without contacting the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114, and no abnormal noise is generated due to contact. The damping portion 72 may be formed of any shape, material, etc., as long as it prevents the generation of sharp vibration in the elastic support portion 81 (82).

[0115] The damping section 72 is provided across the outermost portion of the multiple deformable arm sections 804 that face each other in the radial direction and the outer periphery fixed section 806. More specifically, the damping section 72 is attached so as to straddle the inward protruding portion 806b of the outer periphery fixed section 806 and the portion of the deformable arm section 804 adjacent to the outer periphery fixed section 806 on the radially inner side, on the outer periphery fixed section 806 side.

[0116] The damping portion 72 is attached to the inward protruding portion 806b of the outer periphery fixed portion 806 and is also attached to a portion of the deforming arm portion 804 adjacent to the outer periphery fixed portion 806, and is located on the fixed body 50 side rather than the movable body 20 side in the elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0117] As a result, even when the movable body 20 is driven, the inward protruding portion 806b does not cause the damping section 72 itself to move significantly, reducing the risk of the damping section coming off when driven, resulting in a highly reliable vibration actuator.

[0118] 8 to 10, the damping section 72 is joined by adhesive or the like to a side surface (side surface of the inward protruding portion 806b) 8062 (see FIG. 11) of the outer periphery fixing section 806 and a side surface 8042 (see FIG. 11) of the deforming arm section 804. The damping section 72 is also joined by adhesive or the like on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces (top and bottom surfaces of the inward protruding portion 806b) 8064, 8066 of the outer periphery fixing section 806 and the top and bottom surfaces 8044, 8046 of the deforming arm section 804.

[0119] 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining the mounting state of the damping portion. The damping portion 72 shown in Figures 10 to 12 has an interposed portion 722 interposed between the inward protruding portion 806b and the deforming arm portion 804, and damping protrusions 724, 726 that protrude from the interposed portion 722 to the front and back surfaces (the upper and lower surfaces that are separated in the vibration direction) of the elastic support portions 81, 82, respectively. The interposed portion 722 is provided in the gap between the outer periphery fixing portion 806 and the outer periphery side portion of the deforming arm portion 804, and is joined to each of the radially opposing side surfaces of the outer periphery fixing portion 806 and the outer periphery side portion of the deforming arm portion 804.

[0120] The intermediate portion 722 joins the damping protrusions 724, 726 to each other so that the damping protrusions 724, 726 do not separate from the elastic support portions 81, .

[0121] As shown in FIG. 11, on both side surfaces thereof, the intervening portion 722 is joined to the side surface 8062 of the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 (the side surface of the inner protruding portion 806b) and the side surface 8042 of the deformable arm portion 804. For example, the side surface 8062 of the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 and the side surface 8042 of the deformable arm portion 804 are closely joined to the intervening portion 722 with an adhesive layer S therebetween.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 12, the radial length of the intervening portion 722, that is, the distance L3 between the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portions 81 and 82 and the deformable arm portion 804 adjacent to the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 is greater than twice (2t) the thickness dimension t of the elastic support portions 81 and 82 and is equal to or less than six times (6t). The distance L3 is provided so as to satisfy 2t < L3 < 6t.

[0123] That is, when the distance L3 is narrower than twice (2t) the thickness dimension t of the elastic support portions 81 and 82, the manufacturability of the leaf springs that become the elastic support portions 81 and 82 is poor, and when the movable body 20 is driven, a shearing force is likely to be applied to the joint portion between the damping portion 72 and the elastic support portions 81 and 82. This shearing force may cause the damping portion 72 to peel off from the elastic support portions 81 and 82. Further, when the distance L3 is made wider than six times (6t) the thickness dimension t of the elastic support portions 81 and 82, the damping portion 72 itself becomes large, resulting in increased cost and processes, and there is a risk that the damping force will decrease. For example, in the elastic support portion 81 shown in FIG. 9, the elastic support portion 81 is formed such that the gap G1 is 2t and the gap G2 satisfies 2t < L3 < 6t.

[0124] The damping protrusions 724 and 726 are formed integrally with the intervening portion 722 and protrude in the thickness direction of the elastic support portions 81 and 82 from the intervening portion 722. The damping protrusions 724 and 726 protrude from both the front and back surfaces of the elastic support portions 81 and 82.

[0125] It can also be said that the damping protrusions 724 and 726 are fixed to the elastic support portions 81 and 82 while sandwiching the elastic support portions 81 and 82. Note that the damping protrusions 724 and 726 and the intervening portion 722 may be integrally formed as separate members.

[0126] The damping protrusion (one-side protrusion) 724 is disposed on one side (upper side) of the elastic support members 81, 82 in the vibration direction of the vibration actuator 1. The damping protrusion (other-side protrusion) 726 is disposed on the other side (lower side) of the vibration direction of the movable body of the vibration actuator.

[0127] The damping protrusions 724, 726 are fixed to the inwardly extending portion 806b and the deforming arm portion 804 of the elastic support portions 81, 82, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, in the damping protrusion 724, the length L1 protruding from the surface of the elastic support portions 81, 82 (the inward protruding portion 806b and the deformable arm portion 804) is greater than the thickness t of the elastic support portions 81, 82 (L1>t).

[0128] Further, the length L2 of the damping protrusion 726 protruding from the rear surface of the elastic support portions 81, 82 (the inward protruding portion 806b and the deformable arm portion 804) is greater than the thickness t of the elastic support portions 81, 82 (L2>t).

[0129] As shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that the bottom surfaces (surfaces facing the interposed portion 722) 7242, 7262 of the damping protrusions 724, 726 are tightly joined to at least one of the front and back surfaces (front and back surfaces of the inward protruding portion 806b) 8064, 8066 of the outer periphery fixing portion 806 and the front and back surfaces 8044, 8046 of the deformed arm portion 804.

[0130] In this embodiment, bottom surfaces (surfaces on the interposed portion 722 side) 7242, 7262 of the damping protrusions 724, 726 are closely joined to both the front and back surfaces (front and back surfaces of the inward protruding portion 806b) 8064, 8066 of the outer periphery fixing portion 806 and the front and back surfaces 8044, 8046 of the deforming arm portion 804. In this way, by also joining the front and back surfaces (top and bottom surfaces) of the elastic support portions 81, 82, the damping portion 72 can be prevented from coming off the elastic support portions 81, 82, and the movable body can be vibrated in an appropriate manner, thereby achieving a more reliable vibration actuator.

[0131] 9, the damping protrusions 724, 726 (particularly, the damping protrusion 726) extend linearly in the elastic support portion 81 so as to intersect with the imaginary line and to cover the curved gap. In this manner, the damping portion 72 is disposed across the portion of the deformation arm portion 804 located on the outermost periphery among the deformation arm portions 804 in the elastic support portions 81, 82 and the outer periphery fixing portion 806 disposed so as to surround the portion on the radially outward side.

[0132] That is, the damping protrusions 724, 726 of the damping portion 72 are located on the outermost periphery of the elastic support portions 81, 82, and are arranged linearly along the tangential direction of the deforming arm portion 804 that faces the outer periphery fixing portion 806 on the radially inner side. For example, the damping portion 72 is formed from a viscous material that hardens with time or a material that has thixotropy.

[0133] In this case, when placing the pre-hardened material on the elastic support part 81, it is not necessary to place it in a curved line along the curve of the gap between the deforming arm part 804 and the outer periphery fixing part 806, and it can be easily placed if it is placed in a straight line. This is because, when the placement work of the damping part 72 is automated and performed by a machine, it is not necessary to perform complex control to place it in a curved line, and it can be easily placed by simple control to place it in a straight line.

[0134] The damping portion 72 may be made of any material as long as it damps vibrations generated in the elastic support portions 81 and 82. The damping portion 72 may be made of, for example, an elastomer, a thermosetting resin, an adhesive, or the like. When the damping portion 72 is formed by an adhesive, an adhesive having thixotropy, which has a low viscosity when agitated and a high viscosity under normal conditions, may be used.

[0135] For example, the damping section 72 is preferably configured as a single member that is fixed while sandwiching the elastic support sections 81, 82 from both sides, and may be, for example, an elastomer with a T-shaped cross section and a rib suspended from the center of a flange-shaped member. In this case, the rib is inserted between the outer periphery fixing section 806 and the deformable arm section 804 from one of the front and back surfaces of the elastic support sections 81, 82, and the flange-shaped member is engaged with the one surface. Then, to prevent the rib from slipping out of the gap from the other surface side, the rib exposed on the other surface side may be integrally bonded with an adhesive or a separate member to the other surface.

[0136] In this way, the damping portion 72 is partially provided at the deformed locations of the elastic support portions 81, 82 by joining both side surfaces 8062, 8042 in the gap between the outer circumferential fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portions 81, 82 and the deformed arm portion 804 adjacent to the outer circumferential fixing portion 806.

[0137] The outer peripheral fixing part 806 is attached to the fixed body 50 (coil bobbin part 52) ​​at the outermost peripheral part 806a, and the damping part 72 is attached to the inner protruding part 806b. The damping part 72 is provided in a part of the elastic support parts 81, 82 close to the fixed body 50 side, where the assembly dimensions are stable. In this way, the damping part 72 does not move significantly itself, and the risk of the damping part 72 coming off the elastic support parts 81, 82 during driving is suppressed. The damping part 72 is unlikely to shift in position relative to the elastic support parts 81, 82, and variations in vibration damping can be prevented. In addition, the damping part 72 is prevented from coming off the elastic support parts 81, 82, and changes in the initial vibration characteristics can be suppressed.

[0138] In other words, due to the structure of the elastic support members 81, 82, the damping member 72 is provided at the location where its shape and position are most stable, thereby realizing stable vibration damping characteristics of the movable body 20 and improving the reliability of the operation of the vibration actuator 1.

[0139] In addition, the damping portion 72 has a small mass, can suppress the deformation of the elastic support portions 81 and 82, and can secure a damping force for the vibration generated in the elastic support portions 81 and 82, thereby achieving cost reduction and process simplification. Further, by damping the vibration, it is possible to achieve quiet operation when the movable body 20 is driven.

[0140] Further, the damping portion 72 is joined to both side surfaces 8062 and 8042 that face each other in the gap between the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 of the elastic support portions 81 and 82 and the deformation arm portion 804 adjacent to the outer peripheral fixing portion 806. In addition, the damping portion 72 is joined (adhered) to either or both of the front and back surfaces 8064, 8044, 8066, and 8046 of the elastic support portions 81 and 82. Thereby, the detachment of the damping portion 72 from the elastic support portions 81 and 82 can be further suppressed, and a more suitable vibration can be achieved to realize a reliable vibration actuator.

[0141] Further, the distance L3 (the size of the gap) between the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 where the damping portion 72 is disposed and the deformation arm portion 804 adjacent to the outer peripheral fixing portion 806 is greater than twice the thickness dimension t of the elastic support portions 81 and 82 and is 6t or less.

[0142] Since the distance L3 is greater than twice the thickness of the elastic support portions 81 and 82, it is possible to preferably dispose the damping portion 72 by providing a gap while maintaining the manufacturability of the leaf springs as the elastic support portions 81 and 82. Further, since the distance L3 is 6 times or less the thickness of the elastic support portions 81 and 82, the damping portion 72 does not become too large, and the demerits in terms of cost and process (tact) can be suppressed. For example, the distance L3 is more preferably set so as to satisfy 4t < L3 < 5t, and a stable damping force can be obtained while maintaining the manufacturability of the elastic support portions 81 and 82.

[0143] Further, in the damping portion 72, the dimensions (projection dimensions) L1 and L2 in which the damping protrusions 724 and 726 protrude from the elastic support portions 81 and 82 are larger than the thickness dimension t of the elastic support portions 81 and 82.

[0144] As a result, the amount of protrusion of the damping portion 72 from the elastic support portions 81, 82 is not smaller than the thickness of the elastic support portions 81, 82, so that the damping portion 72 is less likely to peel off from the elastic support portions 81, 82, and it is possible to ensure long-term stability in the bonded state of the damping portion 72 to the elastic support portions 81, 82. This makes it possible to prevent fluctuations in the characteristics of the elastic support portions 81, 82 that occur due to changes in the damping force of the damping portion 72 at the elastic support portions 81, 82.

[0145] <Case 10> FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the case body, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lid from the back side. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 13, and 14, the case 10 has a bottomed cylindrical case body 11 having a peripheral wall 112 and a bottom 114, and a lid 12 closing an opening 115 of the case body 11. The case 10 is columnar having a height (movable range of the movable body 20) that can reciprocate the movable body 20 in the vibration direction in cooperation with the coils 61 and 62 provided inside the case 10 and generate a sufficient thrust. For example, the case 10 of the present embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape by the bottomed cylindrical case body 11 and the lid 12, but is not limited to this shape and may be an elliptical columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape, and the length in the vibration direction may be longer or shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. The ellipse in the elliptical columnar shape and elliptical shape in the present embodiment mainly refers to an ellipse including parallel straight line portions, and means an oval shape. The ellipse may also be an oval.

[0146] The lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 constitute the top surface portion 122 and the bottom surface portion (bottom portion 114) of the vibration actuator 1 in this embodiment, and are disposed opposite the movable body 20 of the drive unit 13 at a predetermined distance in the vibration direction of the movable body 20. The lid portion 12 is provided hanging down from a part of the outer periphery of the top surface portion 122, and has a hanging portion 124 that engages with the notch 102 of the case body 11.

[0147] The lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 each restrict the range of movement of the movable body 20. The lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 function as a movement range restricting portion that serves as a hard stop for the movable body 20 (limiting the range of movement).

[0148] Specifically, the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 regulate the movable range formed by the movable range forming portion 54. That is, the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 regulate the length from the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114 to the edges (open end faces 527a, 528a of the upper and lower flange portions 527, 528) of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13 (coil bobbin portion 52). As a result, the hollow of the case 10 forms a movable body space, which is a space in which the movable body 20 moves.

[0149] In this way, the length of the movable body space is set to a range in which the elastic support parts 81, 82 are not plastically deformed. Therefore, even if a force exceeding the movable range of the movable body 20 is applied to the movable body 20, the elastic support parts 81, 82 come into contact with the fixed body 50 (at least one of the lid part 12 and the bottom part 114) without being plastically deformed. As a result, the elastic support parts 81, 82 are not damaged, and the reliability of the vibration actuator 1 can be improved.

[0150] The cover 12 and the bottom 114 are provided with vent holes 126, 116, respectively, which penetrate therethrough. The vent holes 126, 116 each discharge compressed air generated by the reciprocating vibration of the movable body 20 inside the case 10 to the outside.

[0151] <Operation of vibration actuator 1> Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the magnetic circuit configuration of the vibration actuator, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 are diagrams showing the relative movement state between the coils 61, 62 and the magnet 30.

[0152] The operation of the vibration actuator 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 15 as an example in which the magnet 30 is magnetized so that the front surface 30a on one side in the magnetization direction (the upper side in this embodiment) is an N pole and the back surface 30b on the other side in the magnetization direction (the lower side in this embodiment) is an S pole.

[0153] In vibration actuator 1, movable body 20 is considered to correspond to the mass part in a vibration model of a spring-mass system, so when resonance is sharp (has a steep peak), the steep peak is suppressed by damping the vibration. By damping the vibration, the resonance becomes less steep, and the maximum amplitude value and maximum movement amount of movable body 20 at resonance do not vary, and vibration with an appropriate and stable maximum movement amount is output.

[0154] In the vibration actuator 1, a magnetic circuit as shown in Fig. 15 is formed. Furthermore, in the vibration actuator 1, the coils 61, 62 are arranged so that their coil axes are perpendicular to the magnetic flux of the movable body cores 41, 42 which sandwich the magnet 30 in the vibration direction.

[0155] Specifically, a magnetic flux flow mf is formed, which is emitted from the surface 30a side of the magnet 30, radiated from the movable body core 41 toward the coil 61 side, passes through the electromagnetic shield portion 58, and enters the magnet 30 from the movable body core 42 on the lower side of the magnet 30 via the coil 62.

[0156] Therefore, when electricity is applied as shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic field of magnet 30 interacts with the current flowing through coils 61 and 62, generating a Lorentz force in the -f direction in coils 61 and 62 according to Fleming's left-hand rule.

[0157] The Lorentz force in the -f direction is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the current flowing through coils 61 and 62. Since coils 61 and 62 are fixed to fixed body 50 (coil bobbin portion 52), in accordance with the law of action and reaction, a force opposite to the Lorentz force in the -f direction is generated as a thrust in the F direction in movable body 20 having magnet 30. As a result, movable body 20 having magnet 30 moves in the F direction, that is, toward lid portion 12 (top surface portion 122 of lid portion 12) (see FIG. 16).

[0158] Furthermore, when the current flow direction of coils 61, 62 is switched to the opposite direction and current is passed through coils 61, 62, a Lorentz force is generated in the opposite direction, that is, in the F direction. Due to the generation of this Lorentz force in the F direction, in accordance with the law of action and reaction, a force opposite to this Lorentz force in the F direction is generated as a thrust (thrust in the -F direction) in movable body 20, and movable body 20 moves in the -F direction, that is, toward bottom 114 of fixed body 50 (see FIG. 17).

[0159] When vibration actuator 1 is not energized and not driven (not vibrating), a magnetic attractive force acts between magnet 30 and electromagnetic shield portion 58, functioning as a magnetic spring. The magnetic attractive force generated between magnet 30 and electromagnetic shield portion 58 and the restoring forces of elastic support portions 81, 82 that attempt to return to their original shapes cause movable body 20 to return to its original position.

[0160] The vibration actuator 1 comprises a fixed body 50 having coils 61, 62, and a movable body 20 having a magnet 30 arranged radially inside the coils 61, 62 and magnetized in the axial direction of the coils 61, 62. In addition, the vibration actuator 1 comprises flat elastic support members 81, 82 that elastically hold the movable body 20 movably in the vibration direction, which is the coil axial direction.

[0161] In addition, the coils 61, 62 are arranged on the outer periphery of the bobbin main body portion 522 of the coil bobbin portion 52, and the outer periphery 20a of the movable body 20 is arranged on the inner periphery of the bobbin main body portion 522 with a gap therebetween, and the outer periphery of the coils 61, 62 is surrounded by the electromagnetic shield portion 58.

[0162] The elastic support portions 81 and 82 support the movable body 20 at a predetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body portion 522 so as not to come into contact with the movable body 20 when the movable body 20 is not vibrating or when the movable body 20 is vibrating.

[0163] Also, since the coils 61, 62 are arranged on the outer periphery of the bobbin body 522, that is, the coils 61, 62 are wound around the outer periphery of the bobbin body 522, it is possible to reduce costs compared to a configuration using an air-core coil. Furthermore, the vibration actuator 1 has a structure in which the drive unit 13 is housed inside the case 10, and the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 112 of the case 10 can be made smooth. This makes it possible to reliably and easily attach a cushioning material such as a sponge between the vibration actuator 1 and the mounting location when the vibration actuator 1 is attached to an electronic device.

[0164] The coils 61, 62 are disposed on the outer periphery of the coil bobbin portion 52, which is a coil holding portion disposed within the case 10. Therefore, in a configuration in which the coils 61, 62 are disposed on the inner periphery of the coil holding portion, there is no need to carry out the work of bringing out the ends of the coil wires to the outside in order to connect to an external device during assembly.

[0165] Furthermore, since the vibration actuator 1 is constructed by disposing the drive unit 13 inside the case 10, the elastic support parts 81, 82, which require high dimensional accuracy, can be fixed by assembling them to the coil bobbin part 52. This allows the arrangement of the movable body 20, including the fixing of the elastic support parts 81, 82, to be determined based on the coil bobbin part 52, thereby improving the accuracy of the vibration generation direction as a product. Specifically, simply by increasing the dimensional accuracy of the coil bobbin part 52, which is formed as a single component from, for example, resin, it is possible to easily position the coils 61, 62 and the movable body 20 (magnet 30) attached via the elastic support parts 81, 82 in an accurate positional relationship.

[0166] Furthermore, by attaching the electromagnetic shielding part 58 to the coil bobbin part 52 arranged inside the case 10 so as to surround the coils 61, 62, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall part 112 of the case 10 becomes a smooth surface made of resin with good surface accuracy. This improves the bonding state of the member for attaching the cushioning material, for example, double-sided tape, and increases the bonding strength.

[0167] Furthermore, since the coil bobbin portion 52 is provided with the terminal entangling portion 53 protruding outward, entangling and soldering of the coil wire of the coil can be facilitated, and the coils 61, 62 can be easily connected to an external device.

[0168] Moreover, case 10 is formed of a bottomed cylindrical, i.e., cup-shaped, case body 11 and lid 12. This allows for a reduction in the number of parts and improved assembly as well as improved impact resistance compared to a configuration in which peripheral wall 112 and bottom 114 are separate.

[0169] The lid portion 12 is fixed to the opening 115 of the cup-shaped case body 11 by welding or crimping. For example, the lid portion 12 is fitted into the opening 115 of the case body 11 so as to close the opening 115 after the coil bobbin portion 52 to which the movable body 20 is attached is accommodated in the case body 11 via the elastic support portions 81 and 82. The lid portion 12 is fixed to the case body 11 by welding the fitting portion between the lid portion 12 and the opening 115, or by providing the opening 115 so as to extend on the lid portion 12 around the periphery of the lid portion 12, and by crimping and bending the open end of the opening 115 extending on the lid portion 12 to the lid portion 12.

[0170] In the vibration actuator 1, the movable body 20 is supported with a gap between the bobbin body 522 when it is not moving relative to the fixed body 50 and is not vibrating, and when it is moving, i.e., vibrating. The movable body 20 is always supported with a gap between the bobbin body 522 and the fixed body 50. This prevents the movable body 20 from coming into contact with the fixed body 50 while it is moving, i.e., vibrating. Even when an impact is received, the movable body 20 and the bobbin body 522 move relatively within the range between the outer circumferential surface 20a of the movable body 20 and the inner circumferential surface 522a of the bobbin body 522, and the movable body 20 does not come into contact with the coils 61 and 62.

[0171] In this way, the vibration actuator 1 has shock resistance and can output a suitable bodily sensation vibration with high vibration expression.

[0172] The vibration actuator 1 is driven by an AC wave input to the coils 61, 62 from a power supply unit (for example, the drive control unit 203 shown in Figs. 18 and 19). In other words, the current flow direction of the coils 61, 62 switches periodically, and a thrust in the F direction on the top surface 122 side of the lid 12 and a thrust in the -F direction on the bottom surface 114 side act alternately on the movable body 20. This causes the movable body 20 to vibrate in a vibration direction (the direction of the winding axis of the coils 61, 62 perpendicular to the radial direction of the coils 61, 62, or the magnetization direction of the magnet 30).

[0173] The following is a brief explanation of the driving principle of the vibration actuator 1. In the vibration actuator 1 of this embodiment, the mass of the movable body 20 is m [kg], the spring constant of the spring (elastic support members 81 and 82 which are springs) is K sp In this case, the movable body 20 has a resonance frequency F r Vibrates at [Hz].

[0174]

number

[0175] Since the movable body 20 is considered to constitute a mass part in a vibration model of a spring-mass system, the resonance frequency F of the movable body 20 is applied to the coils 61 and 62. r When an AC wave having a frequency equal to F is input, the movable body 20 enters a resonant state. r By inputting an AC wave having a frequency substantially equal to that of the movable body 20, the movable body 20 can be vibrated efficiently.

[0176] Below are equations of motion and circuit equations that show the driving principle of the vibration actuator 1. The vibration actuator 1 is driven based on the equation of motion shown in the following equation (2) and the circuit equation shown in the following equation (3).

[0177]

number

[0178]

number

[0179] That is, the mass m [kg], the displacement x(t) [m], and the thrust constant K f [N / A], current i(t) [A], spring constant K sp [N / m], damping coefficient D [N / (m / s)], etc. can be changed as appropriate within the range that satisfies formula (2). In addition, voltage e(t) [V], resistance R [Ω], inductance L [H], back electromotive force constant K e [V / (rad / s)] can be changed as appropriate within the range that satisfies formula (3).

[0180] In this way, in the vibration actuator 1, the mass m of the movable body 20 and the spring constant K sp The resonant frequency F is determined by r When the coils 61 and 62 are energized with an AC wave corresponding to the above, a large vibration output can be efficiently obtained.

[0181] Furthermore, the vibration actuator 1 satisfies equations (2) and (3) and is driven by a resonance phenomenon using the resonance frequency shown in equation (1). As a result, in the vibration actuator 1, the only power consumed in a steady state is the loss due to the damping section 72, and the actuator can be driven with low power consumption, that is, the movable body 20 can be vibrated in a linear reciprocating manner with low power consumption. Furthermore, by increasing the damping coefficient D, vibrations can be generated over a wide frequency range.

[0182] According to this embodiment, plate-shaped elastic support members 81, 82 are arranged above and below (in the vibration direction) the movable body 20, so that the movable body 20 can be stably driven in the vertical direction, and at the same time, the magnetic flux of the coils 61, 62 can be efficiently distributed from the upper and lower elastic support members 81, 82 of the magnet 30. This makes it possible for the vibration actuator 1 to achieve high-output vibration.

[0183] In this embodiment, damping section 72 is disposed between outer periphery fixing section 806 of elastic support sections 81, 82 and deformable arm section 804 adjacent to outer periphery fixing section 806. The area between outer periphery fixing section 806 attached to coil bobbin section 52 serving as a coil holding section and deformable arm section 804 adjacent to outer periphery fixing section 806 is a section whose shape and position are stable due to the structure of elastic support sections 81, 82, and whose assembly dimensions are stable.

[0184] As a result, the damping section 72 is less likely to shift in position relative to the elastic support sections 81, 82, and variations in damping due to positional deviations can be suppressed, resulting in stable vibration damping characteristics. The damping section 72 is attached to the inner protruding portion 806b of the outer periphery fixing section 806, which includes a portion (outermost periphery portion 806a) that is fixed to the fixed body 50, and is in a state of being attached to the fixed body 50 side. As a result, the damping section 72 itself does not move significantly, and the risk of it coming off the elastic support sections 81, 82 during driving can be suppressed, thereby improving the reliability of driving.

[0185] In this way, according to the present invention, even if the vibration is damped, it is possible to generate a suitable bodily vibration with a stable high output. Also, it is possible to realize a vibration actuator 1 that is small in size at low cost, has shock resistance, is quiet, and has stable performance.

[0186] Furthermore, the fixed body 50 has a coil bobbin portion 52 that serves both to hold the coils 61, 62 and to protect the coils 61, 62 from the movable body 20. As a result, even if the fixed body 50 receives an impact, it can withstand the impact and does not cause damage such as deformation to the elastic support portions 81, 82. Furthermore, since the impact is transmitted to the coils 61, 62 via the resin bobbin main body portion 522, damage can be suppressed, resulting in a vibration actuator 1 with high reliability.

[0187] (electronic equipment) Figures 18 and 19 are diagrams showing an example of a mounting form of the vibration actuator 1. Figure 18 shows an example in which the vibration actuator 1 is mounted on a game controller GC, and Figure 19 shows an example in which the vibration actuator 1 is mounted on a mobile terminal M.

[0188] The game controller GC is connected to the game console via wireless communication, for example, and is used by the user by grasping or holding it. The game controller GC here has a rectangular plate shape, and is operated by the user grasping the left and right sides of the game controller GC with both hands.

[0189] The game controller GC notifies the user of commands from the game machine main unit by vibration. Although not shown, the game controller GC also has functions other than command notification, such as an input operation unit for the game machine main unit.

[0190] The mobile terminal M is, for example, a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, etc. The mobile terminal M notifies the user of an incoming call from an external communication device by vibration, and realizes each function of the mobile terminal M (for example, a function that provides a sense of operation and a sense of realism).

[0191] 18 and 19, the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M each have a communication unit 201, a processing unit 202, a drive control unit 203, and vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206 which are vibration actuators 1 serving as drive units. Note that a plurality of vibration actuators 204, 205 are implemented in the game controller GC.

[0192] In the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M, the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206 are preferably mounted so that the main surface of the terminal and a surface perpendicular to the vibration direction of the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206, in this case the bottom surface of the bottom part 114, are parallel. The main surface of the terminal is the surface that contacts the user's body surface, and in this embodiment means the vibration transmission surface that contacts the user's body surface and transmits vibrations. Note that the main surface of the terminal and the bottom surface of the bottom part 114 of the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206 may be arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other.

[0193] Specifically, in the game controller GC, vibration actuators 204 and 205 are mounted so that the vibration direction is perpendicular to the surface that the operating user's fingertips, finger pads, or hand contacts, or the surface on which the operation unit is provided. In addition, in the case of the portable terminal M, vibration actuator 206 is mounted so that the vibration direction is perpendicular to the display screen (touch panel surface). As a result, vibrations in a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the game controller GC and the portable terminal M are transmitted to the user.

[0194] The communication unit 201 is connected to an external communication device via wireless communication, receives a signal from the communication device, and outputs it to the processing unit 202. In the case of a game controller GC, the external communication device is a game console main unit as an information communication terminal, and communication is performed according to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the case of a mobile terminal M, the external communication device is, for example, a base station, and communication is performed according to a mobile communication standard.

[0195] The processing unit 202 converts the input signal into a drive signal for driving the vibration actuators 204, 205, 206 using a conversion circuit unit (not shown), and outputs the drive signal to the drive control unit 203. In the mobile terminal M, the processing unit 202 generates a drive signal based on the signal input from the communication unit 201 as well as signals input from various functional units (not shown, for example, an operation unit such as a touch panel).

[0196] The drive control unit 203 is connected to the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206, and is equipped with circuits for driving the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206. The drive control unit 203 supplies drive signals to the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206.

[0197] The vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206 are driven in accordance with a drive signal from the drive control unit 203. Specifically, in the vibration actuators 204, 205, and 206, the movable body 20 vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M.

[0198] The movable body 20 may be configured to come into contact with the top surface 122 or the bottom surface 114 of the lid 12 via a damper every time it vibrates. In this case, an impact on the top surface 122 or the bottom surface 114 of the lid 12 caused by the vibration of the movable body 20, that is, an impact on the housing, is directly transmitted to the user as vibration. In particular, since the game controller GC is equipped with a plurality of vibration actuators 204, 205, one or both of the plurality of vibration actuators 204, 205 can be simultaneously driven according to an input drive signal.

[0199] The vibrations perpendicular to the body surface are transmitted to the body surface of the user in contact with the game controller GC or the mobile terminal M, so that the user can be given a sufficient bodily sensation. In the game controller GC, the bodily sensation of the vibration can be given to the user by one or both of the vibration actuators 204, 205, and highly expressive vibrations can be given, such as at least selectively giving strong and weak vibrations.

[0200] In this way, by using the vibration actuator of this embodiment, it is possible to stably obtain excellent vibration characteristics in the game controller GC or the mobile terminal M, and to realize quiet operation.

[0201] <Embodiment 2> Fig. 20 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed, Fig. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the case body, and Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the lid as seen from the back side.

[0202] A vibration actuator 1A according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the vibration actuator 1, except for the external shape of the case 10A. Therefore, in the following description, similar components will be given the same names and the same reference numerals with the suffix A, as appropriate.

[0203] The vibration actuator 1A has a drive unit 13A having a similar configuration to the drive unit 13 of the vibration actuator 1, and a case 10A that houses the drive unit 13A. The drive unit 13A has a coil bobbin section 52A that is covered with an electromagnetic shield section 58A and has a coil wound therearound, the same configuration as the coil bobbin section 52. The movable body 20A has a similar configuration to the movable body 20, and is suspended inside the coil bobbin section 52A via an elastic support section (only the elastic support section 81A is shown in FIG. 21). The elastic support section 81A is provided with a damping section 72 that damps vibrations at the elastic support sections 81 and 82 when the movable body 20A moves, similar to the elastic support section 81, over the outer periphery and the area on the outer periphery side of the deformation arm section. The elastic support parts of the following respective embodiments (elastic support parts 81, 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E, 81F, 82, 82C, 82D, and 82E are shown in the drawings) are also provided with damping parts in the same manner.

[0204] Case 10A is formed in an elliptical cylinder (for example, an "oval shape") and is composed of case body 11A and lid 12A. Case 10A is a cylinder having a height (movable range of movable body 20) that can reciprocate movable body 20 in the vibration direction in cooperation with a coil installed inside case 10, thereby generating sufficient thrust. The same applies to the cylinder shapes of cases 10B to 10F described later.

[0205] The case body 11A has a peripheral wall portion 112A and a bottom portion 114A, which have flat outer peripheral surfaces and flat portions 113A and 117A that are provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening 115A when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction. The case body 11A has flat portions 113A and 117A that are elliptical in shape and extend parallel to the vibration direction in this embodiment. The flat portions 113A and 117A are arranged parallel to each other on the outer periphery of the case body 11A. The case body 11A is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at a circular opening 115A by the peripheral wall portion 112A and the bottom portion 114A.

[0206] The flat surfaces 113A and 117A have, for example, outer surfaces parallel to each other and an arc-shaped inner surface. Since the case body 11A has the flat surfaces 113A and 117A, when the case body 11A is attached to the housing, it is easy to attach it to the mounting surface of the housing side, which is the mounting destination. Furthermore, the vibration actuator 1A can vibrate along the mounting surface. The flat surface 117A is provided with a notch 102A that continues to the opening 115A. The notch 102A is formed in a shape that can be engaged with the hanging part 124A of the cover part 12A.

[0207] Case body 11A has an elliptical outer shape when viewed in the axial direction, and a circular inner diameter. Case body 11A has a circular space inside, which opens at opening 115A. Cylindrical drive unit 13A is housed in this space, and a terminal binding part (coil connection part) (not shown) is exposed to the outside through cutout part 102A. If the terminal binding part is disposed on flat part 117A, it becomes easier to mount on an external board and to connect to the outside.

[0208] The lid 12A and the bottom 114A constitute the top surface 122A and the bottom surface (bottom 114A) of the vibration actuator 1, and are disposed opposite the movable body 20A of the drive unit 13A housed in the case 10A at a predetermined distance in the vibration direction (axial direction) of the movable body 20A. The lid 12A and the bottom 114A function as a movement range suppressing part that serves as a hard stop (movable range limiting) for the movable body 20A, and regulate the movement range of the movable body 20A.

[0209] Specifically, lid portion 12A and bottom portion 114A regulate the movable range of movable body 20A formed by movable range forming portion 54A of drive unit 13A. In other words, lid portion 12A and bottom portion 114A regulate the length from lid portion 12A and bottom portion 114A to the edges of the upper and lower ends of drive unit 13A (the upper and lower end faces (opening end faces) of upper and lower flange portions 527A, 528A).

[0210] As a result, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to the movable body 20A, the elastic support part 81A contacts the fixed body 50A (at least one of the lid part 12A and the bottom part 114A) without undergoing plastic deformation, so that the elastic support part 81A is not damaged and reliability can be improved.

[0211] When cover 12A is attached to case body 11A, hanging portion 124A engages with cutout 102A of case body 11A to close cutout 102A. Hanging portion 124A has a flat outer surface and an arc-shaped inner surface with a central axis facing the hanging direction. As a result, hanging portion 124A engages with cutout 102A so that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of flat portion 117A, and the arc-shaped inner surface positions and houses drive unit 13A. Note that cutout 102A has a step at open end 103A in the vibration direction.

[0212] The step of the opening end 103A forms a recess that opens to the top surface 122A side when the lid 12A is attached to the case body 11A. Since the recess is composed of a part of the case body 11A and a part of the lid 12A, it functions as a joint that reliably joins the two, for example, by applying an adhesive to the recess or welding the recess. That is, the step of the opening end 103A can be used to reliably join the two by adhesion, welding, etc. This allows the adhesive to be piled up on the top surface 122A, etc., and the two can be suitably joined without the adhesive spilling out from the outer surface of the case 10.

[0213] Furthermore, lid portion 12A and bottom portion 114A are provided with vent holes 126A, 116A that have the same functions as vent holes 126, 116, respectively, penetrating therethrough.

[0214] In the vibration actuator 1A, a drive unit 13A having a circular outer shape is housed in a case body 11A having an elliptical (oval) outer shape and a circular inner shape when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction. The center of the outer diameter of the case body 11A coincides with the center of the outer diameter of the drive unit 13A and the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20.

[0215] The outer shape of the vibration actuator 1A is an ellipse (oval shape) when viewed from the vibration direction (axial direction of the vibration actuator). This allows the vibration actuator 1A to be easily attached to the housing by abutting the flat surfaces 113A and 117A constituting a part of the side surface of the case body 11A against the mounting surface (flat surface portion) of the housing to which the vibration actuator 1A is to be attached. In this way, the vibration actuator 1A is easily attached to the housing. Furthermore, if the drive unit 13A is the same as the drive unit 13 of the first embodiment, the cover 12A is also the same as the cover 12, and by changing only the corresponding case body 11A, it is possible to obtain the same effect while maintaining the same vibration feel as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the case 10A has flat surfaces 113A and 117A parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and the stalk length of the vibration along these flat surfaces 113A and 117A can be secured.

[0216] <Embodiment 3> Fig. 24 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed, Fig. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the case body, and Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the lid as seen from the back side.

[0217] Compared to the vibration actuator 1, the vibration actuator 1B has a case 10B and a drive unit 13B that have similar functions but different external shapes of the case 10 and the drive unit 13. Therefore, in the following, similar components will be given the same names and the same reference numerals with the letter B added, and explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0218] The vibration actuator 1B has a drive unit 13B which is similar to the drive unit 13 of the vibration actuator 1, and a case 10B which houses the drive unit 13B. The electromagnetic shield part 58B of the drive unit 13B is a cylindrical magnetic body arranged to surround the outer circumferential surface of the coil bobbin part 52B around which a coil is wound. The electromagnetic shield part 58B is formed into a cylindrical shape by engaging engagement parts 583, 584 at both ends of a plate-like magnetic body in the circumferential direction. The outer surface of the electromagnetic shield part 58B is arranged so as to be flush with the edges of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13B (the outer surfaces of the upper and lower flange parts 527B, 528B).

[0219] Case 10B has a flat surface 117B extending parallel to the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface. Case 10B is composed of case body 11B and lid 12B, and has a D-shaped outer shape when viewed from the vibration direction. Specifically, case body 11B has an arc-shaped peripheral wall portion 112B, a flat portion 117B having a flat outer surface disposed as a part of peripheral wall portion 112B, and a bottom portion 114B. Case body 11B is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at opening 115B between peripheral wall portion 112B and bottom portion 114B.

[0220] Flat surface portion 117B is provided with cutout portion 102B that is continuous with opening 115B. Cutout portion 102B is formed to correspond to and be able to engage with hanging portion 124B of lid portion 12B.

[0221] The case body 11B has a D-shaped outer shape when viewed from the axial direction. The case body 11B has a cylindrical space inside that opens at an opening 115B. The cylindrical drive unit 13B is housed in this space, and terminal binding parts (coil connection parts) 53B-1 and 53B-2 are exposed to the outside through the cutout parts 102B.

[0222] The lid 12B and bottom 114B are the top surface 122B and bottom surface (bottom 114B) of the vibration actuator 1, and are disposed opposite the movable body 20B of the drive unit 13B housed in the case 10B at a predetermined distance in the vibration direction of the movable body 20B. The lid 12B and bottom 114B function as a movement range suppressing part that serves as a hard stop (movable range limiting) for the movable body 20B, and regulate the movement range of the movable body 20B.

[0223] Specifically, lid portion 12B and bottom portion 114B regulate the movable range of movable body 20B formed by movable range forming portion 54 of drive unit 13B. In other words, lid portion 12B and bottom portion 114B regulate the length from lid portion 12B and bottom portion 114B to the upper and lower end faces (open end faces) of flange portions 527B and 528B, which are both ends separated in the vibration direction of drive unit 13B.

[0224] As a result, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to movable body 20B, elastic support part 81B comes into contact with fixed body 50B (at least one of lid part 12B and bottom part 114B) without plastic deformation, and therefore elastic support part 81B is not damaged, and reliability can be improved. The function and effect of hanging part 124B are similar to those of hanging part 124A, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0225] Furthermore, lid portion 12B and bottom portion 114B are provided with vent holes 126B, 116B that have the same function as vent holes 126, 116, respectively, penetrating therethrough.

[0226] In the vibration actuator 1B, a drive unit 13B having a circular outer shape is housed in a case body 11B having a D-shaped outer shape and a circular inner shape when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction.

[0227] In addition, the center of the outer diameter arc of case body 11B, the center of the outer diameter arc of drive unit 13B, and the vibration center of gravity of movable body 20 are aligned.

[0228] The external shape of the vibration actuator 1B is a shape (e.g., D-shaped) having a flat surface 117B extending parallel to the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface when viewed from the vibration direction (axial direction of the vibration actuator). This allows the flat surface 117B constituting a part of the side surface of the case body 11B to be attached to the mounting surface (flat surface portion) of the mounting housing when the vibration actuator 1B is attached to the housing. The vibration actuator 1B can also vibrate along the mounting surface. Furthermore, since the terminal binding portion 53B is disposed on the flat surface 117B, when mounting the vibration actuator 1B on an external board, electrical connection between the terminal binding portion 53B and external equipment can be easily performed in addition to mounting the vibration actuator 1B to the housing.

[0229] In this way, the vibration actuator 1B can be easily attached to a housing. Also, if the external dimensions of the drive unit 13B are the same as those of the drive unit 13 in the first embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained while maintaining the same vibration sensation as in the first embodiment by using the same cover 12B as the cover 12 and changing only the corresponding case body 11B.

[0230] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 28 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support part is fixed, and Fig. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the elastic support part. Fig. 32 is a diagram showing a coil assembly with the electromagnetic shield part removed, Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the case main body, and Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the lid part seen from the back side.

[0231] The vibration actuator 1C has a different external shape of a case 10C and a drive unit 13C compared to the vibration actuator 1, but has similar functions. Therefore, in the following, similar components are given the same names and the same reference numerals with the letter C added, and explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0232] 28, vibration actuator 1C has a drive unit 13C and a case 10C which have different shapes but similar basic functions to drive unit 13C and case 10 of vibration actuator 1. Case 10C has a flat surface 117C on its outer circumferential surface that extends parallel to the vibration direction, and vibration actuator 1C further has another flat surface 113C on its outer circumferential surface that is parallel to flat surface 117C.

[0233] Drive unit 13C and case 10C differ from drive unit 13 and case 10 of embodiment 1 only in their external shapes, with drive unit 13C having an elliptical (oval) external shape that is accommodated within the elliptical interior of case 10C, which is elliptical (oval).

[0234] The drive unit 13C has a cylindrical coil bobbin portion (coil holding portion) 52C that holds the coils 61C, 62C, a movable body 20C, an electromagnetic shield portion 58C, and elastic support portions 81C, 82C. The drive unit 13C has a pair of unit planar portions 134 extending in the vibration direction on its outer circumferential surface. The pair of unit planar portions 132, 134 are formed corresponding to the planar portions 113C, 117C of the case 10C, and are disposed at positions facing the planar portions 113C, 117C.

[0235] The movable body 20C is supported by elastic support members 81C, 82C connected at the upper and lower ends inside the cylindrical coil bobbin portion 52C so as to be capable of reciprocating along the inner surface of the coil bobbin portion 52C (the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body portion 522C). As a result, the movable body 20C is supported by the vibration actuator 1C so as to be capable of reciprocating in the direction in which the lid portion 12C and the bottom portion 114C face each other.

[0236] The movable body 20C has a magnet 30C, movable body cores 41C, 42C, spring stop parts 22C, 24C, and fixed pins 26C, 28C. In this embodiment, the movable body cores 41C, 42C, and the spring stop parts 22C, 24C are connected in series on both sides of the vibration (axial) direction, centered on the magnet 30C. In the movable body 20C, the outer peripheral surfaces of the magnet 30C and the movable body cores 41C, 42C face each other at a predetermined interval inside the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body 522.

[0237] The movable body 20C has a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the case 10C. The movable body 20C has a movable body side flat portion 20b on the outer periphery, and has, for example, an elliptical plate (or elliptical cylinder) shape having a pair of parallel movable body side flat portions 20b.

[0238] The movable body side flat portion 20b is formed by positioning the outer peripheral flat portion 303 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 30C and the core flat portions 413, 423 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the movable body cores 41C, 42C so as to overlap in the vibration (axial) direction (see FIG. 31).

[0239] The elastic support members 81C and 82C have an inner periphery portion 802C, an outer periphery fixed portion 806C, and a deformable arm portion 804C that have similar functions to the inner periphery portion 802, the outer periphery fixed portion 806, and the deformable arm portion 804 of the elastic support members 81 and 82, respectively.

[0240] The outer periphery fixing part 806C has a straight line part 810, and is different in configuration from the outer periphery fixing part 806 in that it is provided with this. Two straight line parts 810 are provided on the outer edge of the outer periphery fixing part 806C in parallel with the center of the axis, and each can be arranged on the same plane as the movable body side flat part 20b of the movable body 20C. Note that, on this outer edge, one of the parts having the straight line part 810 has a notched positioning groove 808C formed therein.

[0241] Coil bobbin portion (coil holding portion) 52C has the same basic configuration as coil bobbin portion 52. As shown in Fig. 32, coil bobbin portion 52C holds coils 61C, 62C, surrounds magnet 30C with inner circumferential surface 522a, and guides the movement of movable body 20C having magnet 30C.

[0242] The coil bobbin portion 52C has a cylindrical bobbin body portion 522C, a central flange portion 526C and flange portions 527C and 528C protruding radially from the outer periphery of the bobbin body portion 522C, a terminal entangling portion (coil connection portion) 53C, a movable range forming portion 54C, and a communication groove portion 55C.

[0243] In the coil bobbin portion 52C, coil attachment portions 5201C and 5202C are provided on the outer periphery of the bobbin body portion 522C between the central flange portion 526C and the flange portions 527C and 528C. A pair of coils 61C and 62C are wound and disposed on the coil attachment portions 5201C and 5202C. The coils 61C and 62C are covered by an electromagnetic shield portion 58C. Terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53C-1 and 53C-2 are provided to protrude from a flat portion of the central flange portion 526C.

[0244] The inner peripheral surface of the coil bobbin portion 52C, i.e., the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin body portion 522C, includes an inner peripheral flat surface portion 5222. The inner peripheral flat surface portion 5222 is disposed opposite to the movable body side flat surface portion 20b of the movable body 20C. The inner peripheral flat surface portion 5222 and the movable body side flat surface portion 20b are disposed at positions corresponding to the flat surfaces 113C and 117C of the case 10C.

[0245] The movable body side flat portion 20b (outer peripheral flat portion 303) is narrower in the direction perpendicular to the vibration direction than the inner peripheral flat portion 5222. Therefore, the movable body side flat portion 20b including the outer peripheral flat portion 303 and the inner peripheral flat portion 5222 can be disposed close to each other, which allows the vibration actuator 1C to be made even smaller and thinner.

[0246] The case 10C is configured in an elliptical cylindrical shape by a case body 11C and a cover portion 12C, and houses a drive unit 13C. Specifically, case body 11C has a peripheral wall portion 112C and a bottom portion 114C having flat portions 113C and 117C that are symmetrically arranged around the center of the circle when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction. Case body 11C is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at an elliptical opening 115C by peripheral wall portion 112C including flat portions 113C and 117C and bottom portion 114C.

[0247] The flat surfaces 113C and 117C each have a parallel outer surface and inner surface. The flat surface 117C is provided with a notch 102C that is continuous with the opening 115C. The notch 102C is formed in a shape that corresponds to the hanging portion 124C of the lid 12C so as to be able to engage with the hanging portion 124C.

[0248] Case body 11C has an elliptical shape with flat surfaces 113C and 117C on the outer circumferential surface when viewed in the axial direction, and has an elliptical (oval) internal space that opens at opening 115C. Drive unit 13C having unit flat surfaces 132 and 134 that are elliptical when viewed in the vibration direction is housed in this space. Terminal binding parts (coil connection parts) 53C-1 and 53C-2 are exposed to the outside through cutout part 102C.

[0249] The lid portion 12C and the bottom portion 114C constitute the top surface portion 122C and the bottom surface portion (bottom portion 114C) of the vibration actuator 1. Like the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114, the lid portion 12C and the bottom portion 114C function as a movement range suppressing portion that serves as a hard stop (movable range limiting) for the movable body 20C, and restrict the movement range of the movable body 20C.

[0250] The cover 12C and the bottom 114C regulate the length to the edges of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13C (the upper and lower end faces (opening end faces) of the upper and lower flanges 527C, 528C) as the movable range.

[0251] Thereby, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to movable body 20C, elastic support members 81C, 82C will not be damaged, similar to movable body 20, and reliability can be improved.

[0252] When cover 12C is attached to case body 11C, hanging portion 124C engages with notch 102C of case body 11C to close notch 102C. Hanging portion 124C has a flat outer surface and an arc-shaped inner surface with a central axis facing in the hanging direction. As a result, hanging portion 124C engages with notch 102C, and its outer surface becomes flush with the outer surface of flat portion 117C, and the arc-shaped inner surface becomes an arc-shaped surface continuous with the inner surface of flat portion 117C, positioning and housing drive unit 13C.

[0253] Furthermore, lid portion 12C and bottom portion 114C are provided with vent holes 126C, 116C that have the same functions as vent holes 126, 116, respectively, penetrating therethrough.

[0254] In the vibration actuator 1C, an elliptical drive unit 13C having an outer shape corresponding to the inner shape of the case body 11C is housed in an elliptical, bottomed, cylindrical case body 11C whose outer and inner shapes are elliptical when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction. Also, in the vibration actuator 1C, the center of the outer diameter of the case body 11C coincides with the center of the outer diameter of the drive unit 13C and the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20C.

[0255] The external shape of the vibration actuator 1C is elliptical (for example, "oval") when viewed in the vibration direction (axial direction of the vibration actuator). This makes it possible to attach the vibration actuator 1C to a housing by abutting the flat surfaces 113C, 117C that form part of the side surface of the case body 11C against a flat surface of the housing to which the vibration actuator 1C is to be attached. In this way, the vibration actuator 1C is easy to attach to a housing.

[0256] In addition, the outer shape of the drive unit 13C is made to correspond to the shape of the case body 11C. This makes it possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, and also makes it possible for the case body 11C to have the same outer diameter as the circular case body (case body 11 in the first embodiment) having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the case body, making it possible to miniaturize the vibration actuator. In addition, the case 10C has flat surfaces 113C and 117C parallel to the outer peripheral surface, so that the stalk length of vibration along these flat surfaces 113C and 117C can be ensured.

[0257] <Embodiment 5> Fig. 35 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. Fig. 37 is a perspective view showing a movable body to which an elastic support part is fixed, and Fig. 38 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the elastic support part. Fig. 39 is a diagram showing a coil assembly with the electromagnetic shield part removed, Fig. 40 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the case main body, and Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the lid part seen from the back side.

[0258] Although the vibration actuator 1D has a different outer shape in terms of a case 10D and a drive unit 13D compared to the vibration actuator 1, it has the same functions. Therefore, in the following, similar components are given the same names and the same reference numerals with the letter D added, and explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0259] As shown in FIG. 36, the vibration actuator 1D has a drive unit 13D and a case 10D which have different shapes from the drive unit 13 and case 10 of the vibration actuator 1 but have similar basic functions.

[0260] Case 10D differs from case 10 in that it has a flat surface 117D extending parallel to the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface. Drive unit 13D can be housed in case 10D and has a shape corresponding to the shape of case 10D.

[0261] The drive unit 13D has an electromagnetic shield part 58D, coils 61D, 62D, a coil bobbin part 52D, a movable body 20D, an electromagnetic shield part 58D, and elastic support parts 81D, 82D. As shown in Fig. 36, the drive unit 13D has a unit flat part 134 extending in the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface. With this configuration, the outer shape of the drive unit 13D is D-shaped. The unit flat part 134 is provided on the outer shape of the coil bobbin part 52D and the electromagnetic shield part 58D. Terminal binding parts 53C-1, 53C-2 are arranged on the unit flat part 134.

[0262] The movable body 20D is supported by elastic support members 81D, 82D connected at the upper and lower ends inside the cylindrical coil bobbin portion 52D so as to be capable of reciprocating along the inner surface of the coil bobbin portion 52D (the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body portion 522D). As a result, the movable body 20D is supported by the vibration actuator 1D so as to be capable of reciprocating in the direction in which the lid portion 12D and the bottom portion 114D face each other.

[0263] The movable body 20D has a magnet 30D, movable body cores 41D, 42D, spring stop parts 22D, 24D, and fixed pins 26D, 28D. In this embodiment, the movable body cores 41D, 42D, and spring stop parts 22D, 24D are connected in series on both sides of the vibration (axial) direction, centered on the magnet 30D. In the movable body 20D, the outer peripheral surfaces of the magnet 30D and the movable body cores 41D, 42D face each other at a predetermined interval inside the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin main body 522D as the outer peripheral surface on the movable body side.

[0264] The movable body 20D has a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the case 10D. The movable body 20D has one movable body side flat portion 20b (including the outer peripheral flat portion 303 of the magnet) on the outer periphery, and has, for example, a D-shaped plate (or D-shaped column) shape when viewed from the vibration direction having the movable body side flat portion 20b.

[0265] The movable body side flat portion 20b is composed of an outer circumferential flat portion 303 and core flat portions 413, 423 formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 30D and the movable body cores 41D, 42D (see FIG. 38). The outer circumferential flat portion 303 and the core flat portions 413, 423 are positioned so as to overlap each other in the vibration (axial) direction.

[0266] Elastic support members 81D, 82D have inner periphery portion 802D, outer periphery fixed portion 806D, and deformable arm portion 804D that have similar functions to inner periphery portion 802, outer periphery fixed portion 806, and deformable arm portion 804 of elastic support members 81, 82 of the first embodiment.

[0267] Outer periphery fixed part 806D has straight line part 810, and is different in configuration from outer periphery fixed part 806 in that it is provided with this. Straight line part 810 is provided on a part of the outer edge of outer periphery fixed part 806D, and can be arranged on the same plane as movable body side flat part 20b of movable body 20D. Note that, in one of the parts of this outer edge having straight line part 810, a notched positioning groove 808D is formed.

[0268] Coil bobbin portion (coil holding portion) 52D has a basic configuration similar to that of coil bobbin portion 52. As shown in Fig. 39, coil bobbin portion 52D holds coils 61D, 62D, surrounds magnet 30D (see Fig. 38) with inner circumferential surface 522a, and guides the movement of movable body 20D having magnet 30D.

[0269] The coil bobbin portion 52D has a cylindrical bobbin body portion 522D, a central flange portion 526D and flange portions 527D and 528D protruding radially from the outer periphery of the bobbin body portion 522D, terminal entangling portions (coil connection portions) 53D-1 and 53-2, a movable range forming portion 54D, and a connecting groove portion 55D.

[0270] In the coil bobbin portion 52D, coil attachment portions 5201D and 5202D are provided on the outer periphery of the bobbin body portion 522D between a central flange portion 526D and each of the flange portions 527D and 528D. A pair of coils 61 and 62 are wound and disposed on the coil attachment portions 5201D and 5202D. The coils 61D and 62D are covered by an electromagnetic shield portion 58D. Terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53D-1 and 53D-2 are provided to protrude from a flat portion of the central flange portion 526D.

[0271] The coil bobbin portion 52D has a flat portion 5224 extending parallel to the vibration direction. An inner peripheral surface of the flat portion 5224, i.e., a part of the inner peripheral surface 522a of the bobbin body portion 522D, is an inner peripheral flat portion. The inner peripheral flat portions of the flat portion 5224 are arranged to face each other in correspondence with the movable body side flat portion 20b of the movable body 20D and are arranged close to each other.

[0272] The flat surface portion 5224 and the movable body side flat surface portion 20b are disposed at a position corresponding to the flat surface portion 117D of the case 10D.

[0273] The case 10D is configured in a D-shaped columnar shape from the case body 11D and the lid portion 12D when viewed from the vibration direction. The case 10D houses the drive unit 13D. Specifically, the case body 11D has a peripheral wall portion 112D having a flat portion 117D on one side, and a bottom portion 114D. The case body 11D is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at a D-shaped opening portion 115D by the peripheral wall portion 112D and the bottom portion 114D.

[0274] Planar portion 117D has a flat outer surface, and is provided with cutout portion 102D that penetrates from the outer surface to the inner surface and continues to opening 115D. Cutout portion 102D is formed in a shape that corresponds to and can be engaged with hanging portion 124D of lid portion 12D.

[0275] The case body 11D has a D-shaped outer shape when viewed from the axial direction, and its inner shape (the shape of the inner peripheral surface when viewed from the vibration direction) also has a D-shaped shape corresponding to the outer shape. The inside of the case body 11D has a D-shaped space that opens at an opening 115D, and this space houses a cylindrical drive unit 13D that has a movable body side flat surface portion 20b on its outer peripheral surface. Terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53D-1 and 53D-2 are exposed to the outside through a cutout portion 102D.

[0276] The lid portion 12D and the bottom portion 114D constitute the top surface portion 122D and the bottom portion 114D of the vibration actuator 1. The lid portion 12D and the bottom portion 114D, like the lid portion 12 and the bottom portion 114, function as a movement range suppressing portion that serves as a hard stop (movement range limiting) for the movable body 20D.

[0277] The cover portion 12D and the bottom portion 114D restrict the length to the edges of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13D (the upper and lower end faces (opening end faces) of the upper and lower flange portions 527D, 528D) as the movable range. As a result, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to the movable body 20D, the elastic support portions 81D, 82D will not be damaged, as with the movable body 20, and reliability can be improved.

[0278] When lid 12D is attached to case body 11D, hanging portion 124D engages with notch 102D of case body 11D to close notch 102D. Hanging portion 124D has a flat outer surface and an arc-shaped inner surface with a central axis facing in the hanging direction. As a result, hanging portion 124D engages with notch 102D, and its outer surface becomes flush with the outer surface of flat portion 117D, and the arc-shaped inner surface becomes an arc-shaped surface continuous with the inner surface of flat portion 117D, positioning and accommodating drive unit 13D.

[0279] Furthermore, lid portion 12D and bottom portion 114D are provided with vent holes 126D, 116D that have the same functions as vent holes 126, 116, respectively, penetrating therethrough.

[0280] In the vibration actuator 1D, a bottomed cylindrical case body 11D having D-shaped outer and inner shapes when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction houses a D-shaped drive unit 13D whose outer shape corresponds to the inner shape of the case body 11D.

[0281] Furthermore, in the vibration actuator 1D, the center of the outer diameter of the case body 11D coincides with the center of the outer diameter of the drive unit 13D and the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20D.

[0282] The external shape of the vibration actuator 1D, when viewed in the vibration direction (the axial direction of the vibration actuator), is a shape (D-shape) having a flat surface 117D on the outer circumferential surface. This makes it possible to attach the flat surface 117D of the case body 11D that constitutes the outer circumferential surface to a flat portion of the housing to which it is to be attached, thereby joining the flat surfaces together, and the vibration actuator 1D can be attached to the housing.

[0283] In this way, the vibration actuator 1D can be easily attached to a housing. Also, the outer shape of the drive unit 13D corresponds to the shape of the case body 11D. This makes it possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, and also makes it possible for the case body 11D to have the same outer diameter as the circular case body (case body 11 in the first embodiment) having the same outer diameter, thereby enabling the vibration actuator to be made smaller.

[0284] <Sixth embodiment> Fig. 42 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed, and Fig. 44 is a bottom perspective view of the case body. Also, Fig. 45 is a perspective view of the lid seen from the back side, and Fig. 46 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the drive unit and the case in the vibration actuator of embodiment 6.

[0285] The vibration actuator 1E has a similar basic configuration to the vibration actuator 1A of the second embodiment, but differs in the width of the planar portion 117E and the positional relationship between the drive unit 13E and the case 10E. In particular, the vibration actuator 1E differs from the vibration actuator 1A in that the center of the drive unit 13E and the center of the movable body 20E are disposed at positions eccentric to the center of the case 10E when viewed from the vibration direction (axial direction). In other words, the vibration actuator 1E differs from the vibration actuator 1A in that the center of the outer arc of the drive unit 13E and the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20E are shifted in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction with respect to the center of the outer arc part of the case 10E. In the following, similar components are given the same names, with the reference numerals A changed to E, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0286] The vibration actuator 1E has a drive unit 13E having a similar configuration to the drive unit 13, and a case 10E that houses the drive unit 13E.

[0287] Case 10E is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape (oval shape) having flat portion 117E extending in the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface. Case 10E is composed of case main body 11E and cover portion 12E.

[0288] Case body 11E has a peripheral wall portion 112E having a flat outer circumferential surface and a pair of flat portions 117E disposed opposite each other, and a bottom portion 114E, when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction. The case body 11E is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom, which is open at an elliptical (oval) opening 115E, by a peripheral wall portion 112E and a bottom portion 114E.

[0289] The flat surface portion 117E is, for example, a portion of the peripheral wall portion 112E that has parallel outer and inner surfaces. Case body 11E is provided with cutout portion 102E that is continuous with opening 115E at a location on the side where the center of drive unit 13E (coil bobbin portion 52E) accommodated therein is eccentric to the center of the case body when viewed in the vibration direction. Cutout portion 102E is formed in a shape that corresponds to and can be engaged with hanging portion 124E of lid portion 12E.

[0290] The case body 11E has an internal space that is open at an elliptical opening 115E. A cylindrical drive unit 13E is housed in this internal space, and terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53E-1 and 53E-2 are exposed to the outside through a cutout portion 102E.

[0291] Terminal winding parts (coil connection parts) 53E-1 and 53E-2 are arranged in the cutout part 102E. By arranging the terminal winding parts (coil connection parts) 53E-1 and 53E-2 at this position, when the terminal winding parts (coil connection parts) 53E-1 and 53E-2 are mounted on a housing via the flat part 117E, the terminal winding parts (coil connection parts) 53E-1 and 53E-2 can be easily electrically connected to the outside, such as an external terminal, when the terminal winding parts (coil connection parts) 53E-1 and 53E-2 are mounted on a housing via the flat part 117E.

[0292] The lid 12E and the bottom 114E have the same configuration and function as the lid 12 and the bottom 114 of the first embodiment. The lid 12E and the bottom 114E function as a movable range suppressing part that becomes a hard stop (limiting the movable range) of the movable body 20E, and restrict the movable range of the movable body 20E. The lid 12E and the bottom 114E also restrict the movable range to the space of the length from the lid 12E and the bottom 114E to the edge of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13E (the upper and lower end faces (opening end faces) of the upper and lower flanges 527E and 528E). As a result, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to the movable body 20E, the elastic support 81E contacts the fixed body 50E (at least one of the lid 12E and the bottom 114E) without plastic deformation, so that the elastic support 81E is not damaged and the reliability can be improved.

[0293] When cover 12E is attached to case body 11E, hanging portion 124E engages with notch 102E of case body 11E to close notch 102E while exposing terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53E-1 and 53E-2 to the outside.

[0294] Hanging part 124E has an outer surface that is an arc-shaped curved surface, and an inner surface that is formed in an arc shape with a central axis facing the hanging direction. As a result, hanging part 124E is disposed so that its outer surface is substantially flush with the outer surface of case 10E (peripheral wall part 112E), and drive unit 13E is positioned and housed by the arc surface of its inner surface. Note that vents 126E, 116E having the same function as vents 126, 116, respectively, are provided penetrating lid part 12E and bottom part 114E.

[0295] In the vibration actuator 1E, a drive unit 13E having a circular outer shape is housed in a circular case body 11E having an elliptical (oval) outer shape when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction so as to be disposed at an eccentric position. That is, the outer shape center C11 of the case body 11E is shifted by a distance Q1 from the outer diameter arc center of the drive unit 13E and the vibration center of gravity C12 of the movable body 20. Here, movement in one direction perpendicular to the vibration direction and perpendicular to each other is restricted, and the drive unit 13E is housed shifted by Q1 in the other direction.

[0296] The external shape of the vibration actuator 1E is an ellipse (oval shape) having a flat surface 117E on a peripheral wall 112E when viewed from the vibration (axial) direction. This allows the vibration actuator 1E to be attached to a housing by abutting the flat surface of the flat surface 117E of the case body 11E against a flat portion of the housing to which it is to be attached. This makes it easy to attach the vibration actuator 1E to a housing.

[0297] Furthermore, if the drive unit 13E has the same external shape as the drive unit 13 of the first embodiment, the lid 12E can also be the same as the lid 12. In this case, in the vibration actuator 1E, by changing only the corresponding case body 11E, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first embodiment while maintaining the same vibration sensation.

[0298] In addition, the outer shape center C11 of the case body 11E is offset by a distance Q1 from the outer diameter arc center of the drive unit 13E and the vibration center of gravity C12 of the movable body 20E. That is, the coil bobbin portion (coil holding portion) 52E is disposed eccentrically with respect to the center of the case 10E.

[0299] This makes it possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, and allows the drive unit 13E to be housed in the case body 11E without forming a flat portion of the drive unit 13E in a shape corresponding to the flat portion 117E of the case body 11E. Therefore, the vibration actuator 1E can vibrate stably and provide a stable vibration sensation.

[0300] <Embodiment 7> Fig. 47 is an external perspective view showing a vibration actuator according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, and Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing the vibration actuator with the case removed. Also, Fig. 49 is a bottom perspective view of the case body, Fig. 50 is a perspective view of the lid part seen from the back side, and Fig. 51 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the drive unit and the case in the vibration actuator of embodiment 7.

[0301] The vibration actuator 1F has a similar basic configuration to the vibration actuator 1B of the third embodiment, but differs in the width of the planar portion 117F and the positional relationship between the drive unit 13F and the case 10F. In particular, the vibration actuator 1F differs from the vibration actuator 1B in that the center of the drive unit 13F and the center of the movable body 20F are arranged at positions eccentric to the center of the case 10F when viewed from the vibration direction (axial direction). In other words, the vibration actuator 1F differs from the vibration actuator 1B in that the center of the circumference (arc portion) of the outer shape of the drive unit 13F and the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20F are shifted in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction with respect to the center of the arc portion of the outer shape of the case 10F. In the following, similar components are given the same names, with the reference numerals B replaced with F, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0302] The vibration actuator 1F has a drive unit 13F and a case 10F that has a flat surface 117F on part of its outer periphery and that houses the drive unit 13F. The drive unit 13F has a circular outer shape when viewed in the vibration direction, similar to the drive unit 13 of the vibration actuator 1, and has the same function.

[0303] Case 10F is composed of case body 11F and lid portion 12F, and has a D-shaped outer shape when viewed in the vibration direction, with flat portion 117F extending in the vibration direction on the outer circumferential surface.

[0304] Specifically, case body 11F has an arc-shaped peripheral wall portion 112F and a bottom portion 114F, and a part of peripheral wall portion 112F includes a flat portion 117F. Flat portion 117F has a flat outer surface. Case body 11F is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at opening 115F by peripheral wall portion 112F having flat portion 117F and bottom portion 114F.

[0305] The flat surface portion 117F is provided with a notch portion 102F that is continuous with the opening portion 115F. The notch portion 102F is formed to correspond to and be engageable with the hanging portion 124F of the lid portion 12F. The terminal binding portions (coil connection portions) 53F-1 and 53F-2 are disposed in the notch portion 102F in a state where they are exposed to the outside.

[0306] Case body 11F has an elliptical outer diameter when viewed in the axial direction, but a circular inner diameter. Case body 11F has a cylindrical space inside, which opens at opening 115F. Cylindrical drive unit 13F is housed in this space.

[0307] The lid 12F and the bottom 114F have the same configuration and function as the lid 12D and the bottom 114D of the embodiment 3. The lid 12F and the bottom 114F are the top surface 122F and the bottom surface (bottom 114F) of the vibration actuator 1, and are disposed opposite the movable body 20F of the drive unit 13F housed in the case 10F with a predetermined gap therebetween in the vibration direction of the movable body 20F. The lid 12F and the bottom 114F function as a movement range suppressing part that serves as a hard stop (movable range limiting) for the movable body 20F, and regulate the movement range of the movable body 20F.

[0308] When the lid 12F and the bottom 114F engage with the movable range forming portion 54F of the drive unit 13F, the space with the length from the lid 12F and the bottom 114F to the edge of the upper and lower ends of the drive unit 13F (the upper and lower end faces of the upper and lower flanges 527F and 528F) is restricted as the movable range. As a result, even if a force exceeding the movable range is applied to the movable body 20F, the elastic support 81F contacts the fixed body 50F (at least one of the lid 12F and the bottom 114F) without plastic deformation. Therefore, the elastic support 81F is not damaged, and the reliability of the vibration actuator 1F can be improved. The function and effect of the hanging part 124F are the same as those of the hanging part 124B, so a description thereof will be omitted. The lid 12F and the bottom 114 are provided with vents 126F and 116F penetrating therethrough, which have the same function as the vents 126 and 116, respectively.

[0309] In the vibration actuator 1F, the outer shape is D-shaped and the inner shape is circular when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction.

[0310] The vibration actuator 1F has an outer diameter shape (e.g., D-shaped) with a flat surface 117F on the outer circumferential surface when viewed in the vibration (axial) direction, and the drive unit 13F with a circular outer shape is housed inside the case body 11F. When the vibration actuator 1F is attached to a housing, the flat surface 117F constituting a part of the side surface of the case body 11F can be abutted against a flat surface of the housing to which it is attached. In this way, the vibration actuator 1F can be easily attached to the housing. In addition, if the drive unit 13F is the same as the drive unit 13 of the first embodiment, the cover part 12F is also the same as the cover part 12, and by changing only the corresponding case body 11F, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment while maintaining the same vibration feeling.

[0311] In addition, in the vibration actuator 1F, as shown in Fig. 51, the outer diameter arc center C21 of the case body 11F (corresponding to the peripheral wall portion 112F) and the outer diameter arc center C22 of the drive unit 13F (which is also the vibration center of gravity of the movable body 20) are offset by a distance Q2 in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. That is, the coil bobbin portion 52 (corresponding to the drive unit 13F) having a circular outer shape is arranged so as to be eccentrically disposed with respect to the outer diameter arc center of the case (case body 11F) when viewed from the vibration (axial) direction. The case body 11F has a housing portion shape that houses the coil bobbin portion 52 (corresponding to the drive unit 13F) having a circular outer shape so as to be eccentrically disposed with respect to the outer diameter arc center of the case body 11F when viewed from the vibration (axial) direction. Therefore, even if the drive unit 13F does not have a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the case body 11F, it can be housed in the case body 11F. The vibration actuator 1F can vibrate stably and can provide a stable vibration sensation.

[0312] Vibration actuators 1A to 1F of embodiments 2 to 7 have movable bodies 20A to 20F, fixed bodies 50A to 50F, and elastic support portions 81A to 81F, 82A to 82F. It goes without saying that vibration actuators 1A to 1F have the same basic components and functions as embodiment 1, and therefore can provide the same effects.

[0313] In addition, in the vibration actuators 1A to 1D, the outer diameter arc center of the case main bodies 11A to 11D is aligned with the outer diameter arc center of the drive units 13A to 13D and the vibration center of gravity of the movable bodies 20A to 20D, but this does not have to be the case. For example, the vibration actuators 1A to 1D may be configured, like the vibration actuators 1E and 1F, such that the centers of the respective coil bobbin parts (coil holding parts) 52A to 52D are positioned eccentrically relative to the center of the cases 10A to 10D.

[0314] Like the vibration actuator 1, any of the vibration actuators 1A to 1F of the above-mentioned embodiments 2 to 7 are mounted as a vibration generating source in electronic devices such as a portable game terminal device (for example, a game controller GC shown in FIG. 18) to realize the vibration function of the electronic device. Such electronic devices include portable devices such as smartphones, and may be used, for example, in the portable terminal M shown in FIG. 19.

[0315] Although the cases 10, 10A to 10F are configured with a case body 11, 11A to 11F having a bottomed cylindrical shape and a lid portion 12, 12A to 12F, the shapes are not limited to these and may be any shape as long as they are capable of accommodating a drive unit. The case body 11, 11A to 11F may be a first case, and the lid portion 12, 12A to 12F may be a second case, each of which may be formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape or may be configured with three or more divided pieces such as a top plate portion, a bottom portion, and a peripheral wall portion.

[0316] In addition, when the external shape of the drive unit (the external shape of the coil bobbin part (coil holding part) 52) is circular and the drive unit is arranged eccentrically with respect to the external center of the case having a flat surface formed on the outer peripheral surface as viewed in the vibration direction, it is preferable that the terminal entanglement part (coil connection part) is arranged on the external side of the case on the side where the center of the coil holding part is located with respect to the external center of the case. Alternatively, it is preferable that the terminal entanglement part (coil connection part) is arranged on the flat surface side formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case. In either configuration, when the vibration actuator is mounted on a housing or the like to be mounted, it can be easily mounted in a stable state via the flat surface that constitutes a part of the side surface of the case main body. Furthermore, when the terminal entanglement part (coil connection part) is arranged on the flat surface side that constitutes a part of the side surface of the case main body, it is also easy to connect to external wiring via the terminal entanglement part.

[0317] The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0318] The vibration actuator according to the present invention is also suitable for application to mobile devices (for example, mobile information terminals such as tablet PCs, mobile game terminals, and wearable terminals worn by the user) other than the game controller GC and the mobile terminal M. The vibration actuator 1 of this embodiment can also be used in electric beauty appliances such as facial massagers that require vibration, in addition to the mobile devices described above.

[0319] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-032246, filed on February 27, 2020, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Industrial Applicability]

[0320] The vibration actuator according to the present invention can generate suitable vibrations with stable, high output even when the vibrations are damped, and is useful for incorporation in electronic devices such as game console terminals or mobile terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0321] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Vibration Actuator 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F Case 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F Case body 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F Lid 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F Drive unit 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F Movable body 20a Outer surface 20b Movable body side flat part 30, 30C, 30D Magnets 30a surface 30b back side 41, 42 Movable core 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E, 50F Fixed body 52, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 52F Coil bobbin part (coil holding part) 52b, 52c Coil mounting section 53, 53-1, 53-2, 53C-1, 53C-2, 53D-1, 53D-2, 53E-1, 53E-2, 53F-1, 53F-2 Terminal binding part 54, 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D, 54E, 54F Movable range forming part (protrusion) 55 Connecting groove (groove) 58 Electromagnetic shielding section 61, 62 Coil 72 Damping section 81, 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E, 81F, 82, 82C, 82D, 82E Elastic support part 103A Open end 112, 112A, 112C, 112D, 112E, 112F peripheral wall 113A, 113C, 117, 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, 117E, 117F, 5224 Flat section 114 Bottom 115 Opening 116, 126 Ventilation holes 118 Step 122 Top section 124, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 124E, 124F hanging part 128 Pressing part 132, 134 Unit plane section 201 Communications Department 202 Processing section 203 Drive control unit 204, 205, 206 Vibration actuator 222, 242 joint 224, 244 Spring fixing part 303 Outer peripheral plane part 413, 423 Core plane 522 Bobbin body (coil protection wall) 522a Inner surface 526 Central flange section (central wall section) 527, 527A, 527B, 527C, 527D, 527E, 527F, 528, 528A, 528B, 528C, 528D, 528E, 528F flange part 527a Top surface 528a Lower end surface 529 Positioning engagement part 582 Opening 589 Engaged part 722 Interposition part 724, 726 Damping protrusion (protrusion) 802 Inner circumference 804 Transformable Arm 806 Periphery fixing part (periphery) 806a outermost part 806b Inner overhang 808 Positioning groove 810 Straight section 5222 Inner peripheral plane part 8042, 8062 Side 8044, 8064 surface 8046, 8066 back side

Claims

1. a movable body including a magnet arranged radially inside the coil and movable relative to the coil in a vibration direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the coil; and an elastic support section supporting the movable body movably relative to the fixed body, wherein the movable body vibrates relative to the fixed body through cooperation between the coil and the magnet when power is supplied, The elastic support portion has an outer periphery fixed to the fixed body, an inner circumferential portion disposed radially inward from the outer circumferential portion and fixed to the movable body; a deformation arm portion disposed between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, connecting the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, and elastically deformable in the vibration direction; having a damping section that damps vibrations in the elastic support section when the movable body moves is provided so as to span the outer periphery and the outermost portion of the deformable arm section and cover a gap that extends in a curved shape between the outer periphery and the outermost portion of the deformable arm section, The distance of the gap in which the damping portion is arranged is greater than two times and less than six times the thickness dimension of the elastic support portion. Vibration actuator.

2. The elastic support portion is a spiral leaf spring, The deformation arm portion is disposed to extend along a circumferential direction with the gap between the outer circumferential portion and the deformation arm portion in the radial direction, and is joined to the outer circumferential portion at one end and to the inner circumferential portion at the other end.

2. The vibration actuator according to claim 1.

3. the deformation arm portion extends so as to intersect with a virtual line along the radial direction at a plurality of positions on the virtual line, The portion of the deformable arm portion on the outer periphery side is located at the outermost position among the plurality of positions.

3. The vibration actuator according to claim 2.

4. The attenuation portion is an intermediate portion provided in the gap between the outer circumferential portion and a portion of the deformation arm portion on the outer circumferential portion side and joined to each of the radially opposing side surfaces of the outer circumferential portion and the portion of the deformation arm portion on the outer circumferential portion side; a protruding portion that is integrally formed with the intermediate portion and protrudes from the intermediate portion in a thickness direction of the elastic support portion; having The protrusion extends linearly so as to intersect with the virtual line and to cover the gap extending in a curved shape.

4. The vibration actuator according to claim 3.

5. the damping portion has an intermediate portion provided in the gap and joined to each of the outer circumferential portion and the side surface of the deformation arm portion facing each other in the radial direction, 3. The vibration actuator according to claim 2.

6. The attenuation portion is The protruding portion has a protruding dimension from the intermediate portion that is greater than a thickness dimension of the elastic support portion.

5. The vibration actuator according to claim 4.

7. The distance between the side of the outer periphery forming the gap and the side of the deformable arm portion is greater than twice the thickness dimension of the elastic support portion and less than six times the thickness dimension of the elastic support portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

8. The damping portion is joined to at least one of the outer peripheral portion and the front and back surfaces of the deformable arm portion that are spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction of the elastic support portion. A vibration actuator according to claim 1 .

9. The fixed body includes a cylindrical coil holding portion that holds the coil, and a case that houses the coil holding portion, The case has a flat surface on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the flat surface extending parallel to the vibration direction.

9. A vibration actuator according to claim 1.

10. A coil connection portion is disposed on the planar portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 9.

11. The case has another flat surface on the outer circumferential surface thereof, the flat surface extending parallel to the flat surface. The vibration actuator according to claim 9 or 10.

12. At a position corresponding to the flat portion, an inner peripheral surface of the coil holding portion and an outer peripheral surface of the magnet have an inner peripheral flat portion and an outer peripheral flat portion that face each other, The outer circumferential flat portion is narrower than the inner circumferential flat portion in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction.

12. A vibration actuator according to claim 9.

13. The coil holding portion has a circular outer shape when viewed in the vibration direction, When viewed from the vibration direction, the coil holding portion is eccentrically disposed with respect to the outer center of the case or the outer diameter arc center of the case.

13. A vibration actuator according to claim 9.

14. a coil connection portion is disposed on an outer side of the case on a side where a center of the coil holding portion is located with respect to an outer center of the case of the coil holding portion; The vibration actuator according to claim 13.

15. A coil connection portion is disposed on the flat portion side of the coil holding portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case. The vibration actuator according to claim 13.

16. A vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is mounted on the device. electronic equipment.

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