Vibration generator

Abstract

To provide a power generator having a low mechanical attenuation ratio and high power generation performance.SOLUTION: A vibration generator comprises: a first integral elastic support body in which a beam part and a support part supporting the beam part are integrally formed; a second integral elastic support body in which a beam part and a support part supporting the beam part are integrally formed; an oscillator that is nipped by the first integrally elastic support body and the second integrally elastic support body to be supported so as to be capable of oscillating and that has a magnet and a magnetic substance; and a coil that is supported by being nipped by the first integrally elastic support body and the second integrally elastic support body and is positioned inside the oscillator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vibration power generator. [Background technology]

[0002] Vibration power generators generate electricity by utilizing environmental vibrations (e.g., vibrations from cars or trains, or vibrations from rain hitting the ground). Electricity generated by vibration power generators is expected to replace power sources (e.g., batteries) used in devices such as sensors. To improve the power generation performance of vibration power generators, it is essential to reduce the mechanical damping ratio. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-229118 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a generator having a small mechanical damping ratio and high power generation performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The vibration power generator of the embodiment includes a first support body in which a first beam portion and a first support portion supporting the first beam portion are integrated, a second support body in which a second beam portion and a second support portion supporting the second beam portion are integrated, a vibrator supported between the first support body and the second support body so as to be vibrated and equipped with a magnet, and a coil supported by a coil support body supported by being sandwiched between the first support body and the second support body and located inside the vibrator. The first support body and the second support body each have two or more cylindrical surfaces with different radii. At least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first support body is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second support body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a vibration-based power generator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the vibration power generator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the top housing and the upper integrated elastic support removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the vibration power generator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the top housing, the upper integrated elastic support, and the stator removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view that illustrates a schematic diagram of the upper integrated elastic support member according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration power generator according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration power generator according to the first embodiment taken along the line BB shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the beam portion shown in FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment and the beam portion shown in FIG. 6 superimposed on each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a vibration-based power generator according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating the main steps of manufacturing the upper integrated elastic support member according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the main steps of manufacturing the upper integrated elastic support according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Throughout the embodiments described below, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual.

[0008] [First embodiment] A vibration power generator 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration power generator 100. Figs. 2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional perspective views of the vibration power generator 100. For ease of explanation, cylindrical coordinates are set as shown in Fig. 1. In the following explanation, the +Z side or +Z direction is referred to as the upper side or upward, and the -Z side or -Z direction is referred to as the lower side or downward.

[0009] The vibration power generator 100 includes a housing 130, a vibrator 120 supported within the housing 130 so as to be capable of vibrating, and a stator 110 supported immovably within the housing 130. The vibration power generator 100 also includes an upper integrated elastic support 140, a top housing 150, a lower integrated elastic support 160, and a bottom housing 170.

[0010] The housing 130 has a cylindrical external shape. The housing 130 is composed of a part of an upper integrated elastic support 140, a top housing 150, a part of a lower integrated elastic support 160, and a bottom housing 170.

[0011] The integrated elastic supports 140 and 160 each have a beam portion 141 and 161, a cylindrical support portion 142 and 162, and a vibrator support portion 143 and 163. The beam portion 141 and 161, the support portion 142 and 162, and the vibrator support portion 143 and 163 are each integrally formed. For example, the integrated elastic supports 140 and 160 are produced by performing an appropriate process, such as cutting or cutting, on a single base material.

[0012] The beam portions 141, 161 are each continuous with one end of the cylindrical support portions 142, 162. In other words, the beam portion 141 of the upper integrated elastic support 140 is continuous with the upper end of the support portion 142. The beam portion 161 of the lower integrated elastic support 160 is continuous with the lower end of the support portion 162.

[0013] Both of the vibrator support parts 143, 163 are cylindrical. The vibrator support parts 143, 163 are located at the centers of the beam parts 141, 161, respectively. More specifically, the vibrator support part 143 of the upper integrated elastic support 140 is located on the lower surface of the beam part 141. The vibrator support part 163 of the lower integrated elastic support 160 is located on the upper surface of the beam part 161. The vibrator support parts 143, 163 support the vibrator 120.

[0014] The support parts 142, 162 and the vibrator support parts 143, 163 do not substantially deform. On the other hand, the beam parts 141, 161 elastically deform relatively easily along the central axis, i.e., the Z-axis, of the integrated elastic support parts 140, 160. In other words, the rigidity of the support parts 142, 162 and the vibrator support parts 143, 163 against the vibration of the vibrator 120 is higher than the rigidity of the beam parts 141, 161, respectively.

[0015] The support portions 142, 162 each have a step at the upper end and the lower end. Therefore, the support portions 142, 162 each have an inner upper end surface 146a, 166a, an outer upper end surface 146b, 166b, an inner lower end surface 147a, 167a, and an outer lower end surface 147b, 167b. The inner upper end surface 146a, 166a and the outer upper end surface 146b, 166b have a concentric circular ring shape, and the inner lower end surface 147a, 167a and the outer lower end surface 147b, 167b have a concentric circular ring shape.

[0016] In addition, the support portions 142 and 162 each have four cylindrical surfaces with different radii. That is, the support portions 142 and 162 each have inner cylindrical surfaces 145a and 165a, outer cylindrical surfaces 145b and 165b, upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 145c and 165c, and lower intermediate cylindrical surfaces 145d and 165d.

[0017] The radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 145c, 165c and the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 145d, 165d are greater than the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 145a, 165a and less than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 145b, 165b.

[0018] The inner cylindrical surfaces 145a, 165a face inward, the outer cylindrical surfaces 145b, 165b face outward, the upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 145c, 165c and the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 165d face outward, and the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 145d faces inward.

[0019] The radius of the inner cylindrical surface 145a is equal to the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 165a, the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 145b is equal to the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 165b, and the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 145d is equal to the radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 165c.

[0020] The upper integrated elastic support 140 and the lower integrated elastic support 160 are fixed to each other with the lower middle cylindrical surface 145d and the upper middle cylindrical surface 165c connected, and also with the outer lower end surface 147b and the outer upper end surface 166b connected.

[0021] Both the top housing 150 and the bottom housing 170 have a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The top housing 150 has a disk-shaped top plate portion 151 and a cylindrical support portion 152. The top plate portion 151 is continuous with the upper end portion of the cylindrical support portion 152. The bottom housing 170 has a disk-shaped bottom plate portion 171 and a cylindrical support portion 172. The bottom plate portion 171 is continuous with the lower end portion of the cylindrical support portion 172.

[0022] Top plate portion 151 and support portion 152 are integrally formed. Bottom plate portion 171 and support portion 172 are integrally formed. For example, top housing 150 and bottom housing 170 are each produced by performing appropriate processing, such as cutting or cutting, on a single base material. Top housing 150 and bottom housing 170 are substantially undeformable.

[0023] The support portion 152 of the top housing 150 has a step at the bottom end. Therefore, the support portion 152 has an inner bottom end surface 154a and an outer bottom end surface 154b. The inner bottom end surface 154a and the outer bottom end surface 154b have a concentric circular ring shape.

[0024] In addition, the support portion 152 has three cylindrical surfaces with different radii. That is, the support portion 152 has an inner cylindrical surface 153a, an outer cylindrical surface 153b, and an intermediate cylindrical surface 153c. The radius of the intermediate cylindrical surface 153c is larger than the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 153a and smaller than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 153b. The inner cylindrical surface 153a and the intermediate cylindrical surface 153c face inward, and the outer cylindrical surface 153b faces outward.

[0025] The radius of the outer cylindrical surface 153b is equal to the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 145b of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated resilient support 140. The radius of the intermediate cylindrical surface 153c is equal to the radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 145c of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated resilient support 140.

[0026] The top housing 150 is fixed to the upper integrated elastic support 140. An intermediate cylindrical surface 153c of the support portion 152 of the top housing 150 is connected to an upper intermediate cylindrical surface 145c of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated elastic support 140. An inner lower end surface 154a and an outer lower end surface 154b of the support portion 152 of the top housing 150 are connected to an inner upper end surface 146a and an outer upper end surface 146b of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated elastic support 140, respectively.

[0027] The support portion 172 of the bottom housing 170 has a step at its upper end portion. Therefore, the support portion 172 has an inner upper end surface 174a and an outer upper end surface 174b. The inner upper end surface 174a and the outer upper end surface 174b have a concentric circular ring shape.

[0028] In addition, the support portion 172 has three cylindrical surfaces with different radii. That is, the support portion 172 has an inner cylindrical surface 173a, an outer cylindrical surface 173b, and an intermediate cylindrical surface 173c. The radius of the intermediate cylindrical surface 173c is larger than the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 173a and smaller than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 173b. The inner cylindrical surface 173a and the intermediate cylindrical surface 173c face inward, and the outer cylindrical surface 173b faces outward.

[0029] The radius of the outer cylindrical surface 173b is equal to the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 165b of the support portion 162 of the lower integrated resilient support 160. The radius of the intermediate cylindrical surface 173c is equal to the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 165d of the support portion 162 of the lower integrated resilient support 160.

[0030] The bottom housing 170 is fixed to the lower integrated elastic support 160. An intermediate cylindrical surface 173c of the support portion 172 of the bottom housing 170 is connected to a lower intermediate cylindrical surface 165d of the support portion 162 of the lower integrated elastic support 160. An inner upper end surface 174a and an outer upper end surface 174b of the support portion 172 of the bottom housing 170 are connected to an inner lower end surface 167a and an outer lower end surface 167b of the support portion 162 of the lower integrated elastic support 160, respectively.

[0031] The top housing 150, the upper integrated elastic support 140, the lower integrated elastic support 160, and the bottom housing 170 connected to each other in this manner constitute the housing 130. In detail, the top housing 150, the support portion 142 of the upper integrated elastic support 140, the support portion 162 of the lower integrated elastic support 160, and the bottom housing 170 constitute the housing 130. The top housing 150, the support portions 142, 162 of the integrated elastic supports 140, 160, and the bottom housing 170 form the outermost edge of the housing 130.

[0032] The vibrator 120 includes four magnets 121, 122, 123, and 124, and three yokes 126, 127, and 128. That is, the vibrator 120 includes an outer upper magnet 121, an outer lower magnet 122, an inner upper magnet 123, an inner lower magnet 124, an upper yoke 126, a lower yoke 127, and an intermediate yoke 128.

[0033] Both the upper yoke 126 and the lower yoke 127 are cylindrical with a bottom. That is, the yokes 126 and 127 have cylindrical portions 126a and 127a, and flat plate portions 126b and 127b that are continuous with one end of the cylindrical portions 126a and 127a, respectively. The upper yoke 126 is disposed inside the housing 130 with the flat plate portion 126b facing up. The lower yoke 127 is disposed inside the housing 130 with the flat plate portion 127b facing down.

[0034] The yokes 126 and 127 also have fixed portions 126c and 127c that are fixed to the transducer support portions 143 and 163 of the integrated elastic supports 140 and 160, respectively. The fixed portions 126c and 127c are both cylindrical. The fixed portion 126c is located at the center of the upper side of the flat plate portion 126b. The fixed portion 127c is located at the center of the lower side of the flat plate portion 127b.

[0035] The cylindrical portions 126a and 127a, the flat portions 126b and 127b, and the fixed portions 126c and 127c are integrally formed. For example, the yokes 126 and 127 are each produced by subjecting a single base material to an appropriate process, such as cutting or cutting. The yokes 126 and 127 are substantially undeformable.

[0036] Both of the outer magnets 121 and 122 are cylindrical. The outer magnets 121 and 122 are fixed to the inner peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portions 126a and 127a of the yokes 126 and 127, respectively. More specifically, the outer upper magnet 121 is fixed to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 126a of the upper yoke 126. The outer lower magnet 122 is fixed to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 127a of the lower yoke 127.

[0037] The inner upper magnet 123, the inner lower magnet 124, and the intermediate yoke 128 are all cylindrical. For example, the inner upper magnet 123, the inner lower magnet 124, and the intermediate yoke 128 have equal radii. The inner upper magnet 123 is fixed to the upper end of the intermediate yoke 128, and the inner lower magnet 124 is fixed to the lower end of the intermediate yoke 128.

[0038] Furthermore, the inner upper magnet 123 is fixed to the center of the flat plate portion 126b of the upper yoke 126. The inner lower magnet 124 is fixed to the center of the flat plate portion 127b of the lower yoke 127. The upper yoke 126 and the lower yoke 127 are connected to each other by the inner upper magnet 123, the inner lower magnet 124, and the intermediate yoke 128 with a certain gap between them.

[0039] Fixed portions 126c, 127c of yokes 126, 127 are inserted into through holes of vibrator support portions 143, 163 of integrated elastic supports 140, 160, respectively, and fixed to vibrator support portions 143, 163. As a result, vibrator 120 is sandwiched between integrated elastic supports 140, 160 and supported inside housing 130 so as to be vibrable along the Z-axis.

[0040] The stator 110 has two coils 111 and 112, and a coil support 114 that supports the coils 111 and 112. That is, the stator 110 has an upper coil 111, a lower coil 112, and a coil support 114.

[0041] The coil support 114 has a support portion 115 and a coil fixing portion 116. The support portion 115 is in the shape of an annular plate. The coil fixing portion 116 has a shape in which annular plates are provided on both ends of a cylinder. The center portion of the coil fixing portion 116 is continuous with the inner end of the support portion 115. The coil fixing portion 116 cooperates with the support portion 115 to form a pair of cylindrical grooves.

[0042] The coil support 114 has an electrical insulating property. For example, the support portion 115 and the coil fixing portion 116 are integrally formed from an electrically insulating material.

[0043] The coils 111 and 112 are each wound in a pair of grooves formed by the support part 115 and the coil fixing part 116. The coils 111 and 112 are wound in a cylindrical shape. Although not shown, the ends of the coils 111 and 112 pass through the inside of the support part 115 and are drawn out to the outside of the vibration power generator 100.

[0044] The outer periphery of the support portion 115 of the coil support 114 is fixed to the upper integrated elastic support 140 and the lower integrated elastic support 160. In detail, the outer periphery of the support portion 115 is sandwiched and held between the inner lower end surface 147a of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated elastic support 140 and the inner upper end surface 166a of the support portion 162 of the lower integrated elastic support 160.

[0045] The annular support portion 115 extends through the gap between the upper yoke 126 and the lower yoke 127. Therefore, the upper coil 111 and the lower coil 112 are located inside the vibrator 120.

[0046] The upper coil 111 faces the outer upper magnet 121, and the lower coil 112 faces the outer lower magnet 122. In detail, the outer peripheral surface of the upper coil 111 faces the inner peripheral surface of the outer upper magnet 121, and the outer peripheral surface of the lower coil 112 faces the inner peripheral surface of the outer lower magnet 122.

[0047] Fixing of the components of the vibration power generator 100 to each other is performed by known techniques such as adhesive bonding, press fitting, shrink fitting, welding, screw fastening, and the like.

[0048] In the vibration power generator 100, the vibrator 120 is supported inside the housing 130 by the upper integrated elastic support 140 and the lower integrated elastic support 160 so as to be vibrable along the Z-axis. Furthermore, the upper coil 111 and the lower coil 112 are supported immovably inside the vibrator 120. The outer upper magnet 121 and the inner upper magnet 123 generate a magnetic field that penetrates the upper coil 111. Furthermore, the outer lower magnet 122 and the inner lower magnet 124 generate a magnetic field that penetrates the lower coil 112.

[0049] When the vibrator 120 vibrates along the Z-axis, the outer upper magnet 121, the inner upper magnet 123, the outer lower magnet 122, and the inner lower magnet 124 reciprocate along the Z-axis relative to the upper coil 111 and the lower coil 112. This causes a magnetic field penetrating the upper coil 111 and the lower coil 112 to change. This causes a current to flow through each of the upper coil 111 and the lower coil 112. As a result, an induced electromotive force is generated between both ends of the upper coil 111 drawn out from the vibration power generator 100. Similarly, an induced electromotive force is generated between both ends of the lower coil 112 drawn out from the vibration power generator 100. In other words, electric power is generated.

[0050] In the integrated elastic supports 140, 160 in the vibration power generator 100 according to this embodiment, the beams 141, 161, the supports 142, 162, and the vibrator supports 143, 163 are each integrally formed.

[0051] In contrast, in a vibration-based power generator in which the beams and the support are made of different materials, if slippage occurs between the beams and the support at the connection surface between the beams and the support when the vibrator vibrates, friction occurs, significantly damping the vibration of the vibrator. In other words, the mechanical damping ratio of the vibration of the vibrator becomes large.

[0052] However, in the vibration power generator 100 according to this embodiment, the beams 141, 161 and the supports 142, 162 are integrally formed, respectively, so that no frictional force is generated between the beams 141, 161 and the supports 142, 162, and therefore the vibration of the vibrator 120 is not undesirably damped. In other words, the mechanical damping ratio in the vibration of the vibrator 120 is kept small. This allows the vibration power generator 100 to achieve high power generation performance.

[0053] Hereinafter, the upper integrated elastic support 140 and the lower integrated elastic support 160 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper integrated elastic support 140. Figs. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the vibration power generator 100 taken along lines AA and BB shown in Fig. 1, respectively. For convenience, hatching is omitted in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the beam portion 141 shown in Fig. 5 and the beam portion 161 shown in Fig. 6 superimposed on each other. In these figures, the angular direction, i.e., the θ direction, is the +θ direction in the counterclockwise direction around the +Z axis as viewed from the +Z side, and the -θ direction in the clockwise direction.

[0054] The beam portions 141 and 161 each have three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144 and 164. Although the shape of the S-shaped beam elastic portions 144 and 164 is not strictly an S shape, they are referred to as S-shaped beam elastic portions 144 and 164 here for convenience.

[0055] The beam portions 141, 161 having the three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 respectively support the vibrator 120 so that the vibrator 120 vibrates more easily than a beam portion formed of a simple disk.

[0056] The beam portion 141, 161 having three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 is merely an example. The number of S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 is not limited to three. The beam portion 141, 161 may have four or more S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164, respectively.

[0057] The three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 are disposed evenly in the angular direction, respectively. That is, the three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 are positioned at 120 degrees offset from each other in the angular direction, respectively.

[0058] Each S-beam elastic portion 144, 164 has an outer end portion 144a, 164a fixed to the support portion 142, 162, an inner end portion 144b, 164b fixed to the transducer support portion 143, 163, and an intermediate portion 144c, 164c extending between the outer end portion 144a, 164a and the inner end portion 144b, 164b. The intermediate portion 144c, 164c extends in an approximately angular direction.

[0059] Outer ends 144a, 164a extend radially inward from supports 142, 162, respectively. Inner ends 144b, 164b extend radially outward from transducer supports 143, 163, respectively. The angular positions of outer ends 144a, 164a are different from the angular positions of inner ends 144b, 164b, respectively.

[0060] In such S-shaped beam elastic parts 144, 164, the path from the outer end parts 144a, 164a to the inner end parts 144b, 164b via the intermediate parts 144c, 164c is longer than the path extending linearly from the support parts 142, 162 to the vibrator support parts 143, 163. Therefore, the beam parts 141, 161 having the S-shaped beam elastic parts 144, 164, respectively, support the vibrator 120 so that the vibrator 120 vibrates more easily than a beam part having a linear beam elastic member.

[0061] 5, in the S-beam elastic portion 144 of the upper integrated elastic support 140, the angular position of the inner end 144b is located on the +θ side with respect to the angular position of the outer end 144a. In other words, the middle portion 144c of the S-beam elastic portion 144 extends in the +θ direction from the outer end 144a to the inner end 144b.

[0062] 6, in the S-beam elastic portion 164 of the lower integrated elastic support 160, the angular position of the inner end 164b is located on the -θ side with respect to the angular position of the outer end 164a. In other words, the middle portion 164c of the S-beam elastic portion 164 extends in the -θ direction from the outer end 164a to the inner end 164b.

[0063] The positional relationship of the outer ends 144a, 164a, the inner ends 144b, 164b, and the intermediate parts 144c, 164c in the angular direction is reversed between the S-shaped beam elastic part 144 of the beam part 141 of the upper integrated elastic support 140 and the S-shaped beam elastic part 164 of the beam part 161 of the lower integrated elastic support 160. That is, the S-shaped beam elastic part 144 and the S-shaped beam elastic part 164 have shapes that are linearly symmetrical with respect to the R axis. In other words, the shape of the beam part 141 including the three S-shaped beam elastic parts 144 is the same as the shape of the beam part 161 including the three S-shaped beam elastic parts 164 rotated 180 degrees around the R axis, except for the angular position.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 7, the beam portion 141 and the beam portion 161 are arranged such that the outer end 144a and the inner end 144b of the S-beam elastic portion 144 do not overlap with the outer end 164a and the inner end 164b of the S-beam elastic portion 164, respectively, when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis. The outer end 164a of the S-beam elastic portion 164 is offset by α in the angular direction from the outer end 144a of the S-beam elastic portion 144. For example, α is 60 degrees. In this case, the outer ends 144a, 164a of the S-beam elastic portions 144, 164 are arranged at equal intervals in the angular direction.

[0065] Such an equally spaced arrangement of the outer ends 144a, 164a effectively suppresses the generation of undesired lateral vibrations of the transducer 120, that is, vibrations in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis.

[0066] The stiffness of the beam portion 141, 161 including the three S-shaped beam elastic portions 144, 164 around the Z axis differs between the +θ direction and the -θ direction. For example, in the S-shaped beam elastic portion 144, as shown in Fig. 5, the outer end portion 144a is located on the -θ side of the inner end portion 144b, so the stiffness of the beam portion 141 around the Z axis is higher in the +θ direction than in the -θ direction. On the other hand, in the S-shaped beam elastic portion 164, as shown in Fig. 6, the outer end portion 164a is located on the +θ side of the inner end portion 164b, so the stiffness of the beam portion 161 around the Z axis is higher in the -θ direction than in the +θ direction.

[0067] 7, beam portion 141 and beam portion 161 are in an upside-down arrangement relationship when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the Z axis. For this reason, rotation of oscillator 120 about the Z axis in the -θ direction, in which beam portion 141 has low rigidity about the Z axis, is suppressed by beam portion 161, which has high rigidity about the Z axis in the -θ direction. Conversely, rotation of oscillator 120 about the Z axis in the +θ direction, in which beam portion 161 has low rigidity about the Z axis, is suppressed by beam portion 141, which has high rigidity about the +θ direction about the Z axis. This suitably suppresses undesired rotation of oscillator 120 about the Z axis.

[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment, the vibration power generator 100 having a small mechanical damping ratio and high power generation performance is provided.

[0069] [Second embodiment] A vibration-based power generator 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration-based power generator 200. In Fig. 8, members with the same reference symbols as those shown in Fig. 1 are similar members, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The following description will focus on the differences. In other words, the parts not mentioned in the following description are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0070] The vibration power generator 200 includes a housing 230, a vibrator 120 supported within the housing 230 so as to be capable of vibrating, and a stator 110 supported immovably within the housing 230. The vibration power generator 200 also includes an upper integrated elastic support 240, an upper cylindrical housing 250, a top housing 150, a lower integrated elastic support 260, a lower cylindrical housing 270, and a bottom housing 170.

[0071] In other words, the vibration generator 200 has a configuration in which the upper integrated elastic support 140 in the vibration generator 100 is replaced with an upper integrated elastic support 240 and an upper cylindrical housing 250, and the lower integrated elastic support 160 in the vibration generator 100 is replaced with a lower integrated elastic support 260 and a lower cylindrical housing 270.

[0072] The integrated elastic supports 240 and 260 each have a beam portion 241 and 261, a cylindrical support portion 242 and 262, and a vibrator support portion 243 and 263. The beam portion 241 and 261, the support portion 242 and 262, and the vibrator support portion 243 and 263 are each integrally formed.

[0073] The beam portions 241 and 261 are each continuous with one end of the cylindrical support portions 242 and 262. The transducer support portions 243 and 263 are each continuous with the center of the beam portions 241 and 261. The details of the beam portions 241 and 261 and the transducer support portions 243 and 263 are similar to those of the beam portions 141 and 161 and the transducer support portions 143 and 163 in the first embodiment.

[0074] The support portions 242 and 262 each have a step at the upper end and the lower end, and therefore each have inner upper end surfaces 246a and 266a, outer upper end surfaces 246b and 266b, inner lower end surfaces 247a and 267a, and outer lower end surfaces 247b and 267b.

[0075] In addition, the support portions 242 and 262 each have four cylindrical surfaces with different radii. That is, the support portions 242 and 262 each have inner cylindrical surfaces 245a and 265a, outer cylindrical surfaces 245b and 265b, upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 245c and 265c, and lower intermediate cylindrical surfaces 245d and 265d.

[0076] The radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 245c, 265c and the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 245d, 265d are greater than the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 245a, 265a and less than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 245b, 265b.

[0077] The inner cylindrical surfaces 245a, 265a face inward, and the outer cylindrical surfaces 245b, 265b, the upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 245c, 265c, and the lower intermediate cylindrical surfaces 245d, 265d face outward.

[0078] The radius of the upper middle cylindrical surface 245c of the support portion 242 is equal to the radius of the middle cylindrical surface 153c of the top housing 150. The top housing 150 is fixed to the upper integrated elastic support 140. The middle cylindrical surface 153c of the support portion 152 of the top housing 150 is connected to the upper middle cylindrical surface 245c of the support portion 242 of the upper integrated elastic support 240. The inner lower end surface 154a and the outer lower end surface 154b of the support portion 152 of the top housing 150 are connected to the inner upper end surface 246a and the outer upper end surface 246b of the support portion 242 of the upper integrated elastic support 240, respectively.

[0079] The radius of the lower middle cylindrical surface 265d of the support 262 is equal to the radius of the middle cylindrical surface 173c of the bottom housing 170. The bottom housing 170 is fixed to the lower integrated elastic support 260. The middle cylindrical surface 173c of the support 172 of the bottom housing 170 is connected to the lower middle cylindrical surface 265d of the support 262 of the lower integrated elastic support 260. The inner upper end surface 174a and the outer upper end surface 174b of the support 172 of the bottom housing 170 are connected to the inner lower end surface 267a and the outer lower end surface 267b of the support 262 of the lower integrated elastic support 260, respectively.

[0080] Both cylindrical housings 250 and 270 are cylindrical. Each of cylindrical housings 250 and 270 has a step at the upper end and the lower end. Therefore, cylindrical housings 250 and 270 have inner upper end surfaces 256a and 276a, outer upper end surfaces 256b and 276b, inner lower end surfaces 257a and 277a, and outer lower end surfaces 257b and 277b, respectively.

[0081] In addition, the cylindrical housings 250 and 270 each have four cylindrical surfaces with different radii. That is, the cylindrical housings 250 and 270 each have inner cylindrical surfaces 255a and 275a, outer cylindrical surfaces 255b and 275b, upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 255c and 275c, and lower intermediate cylindrical surfaces 255d and 275d.

[0082] The radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 255c, 275c and the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 255d, 275d are greater than the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 255a, 275a and less than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 255b, 275b.

[0083] The inner cylindrical surfaces 255a, 275a face inward, the outer cylindrical surfaces 255b, 275b face outward, the upper intermediate cylindrical surfaces 255c, 275c and the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 275d face inward, and the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 255d faces outward.

[0084] The radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 255c of the upper cylindrical housing 250 is equal to the radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 245d of the upper integrated elastic support 240. The upper cylindrical housing 250 and the upper integrated elastic support 240 are fixed to each other. The upper intermediate cylindrical surface 255c of the upper cylindrical housing 250 is connected to the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 245d of the upper integrated elastic support 240. In addition, the inner upper end surface 256a and the outer upper end surface 256b of the upper cylindrical housing 250 are connected to the inner lower end surface 247a and the outer lower end surface 247b of the upper integrated elastic support 240, respectively.

[0085] The upper cylindrical housing 250 and the upper integrated elastic support 240 fixed to each other constitute a structure substantially equivalent to the upper integrated elastic support 140 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the details of the upper cylindrical housing 250 and the upper integrated elastic support 240 fixed to each other are similar to those of the upper integrated elastic support 140 in the first embodiment.

[0086] The radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 275d of the lower cylindrical housing 270 is equal to the radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 265c of the lower integrated elastic support 260. The lower cylindrical housing 270 and the lower integrated elastic support 260 are fixed to each other. The lower intermediate cylindrical surface 275d of the lower cylindrical housing 270 is connected to the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 265c of the lower integrated elastic support 260. In addition, the inner lower end surface 277a and the outer lower end surface 277b of the lower cylindrical housing 270 are connected to the inner upper end surface 266a and the outer upper end surface 266b of the lower integrated elastic support 260, respectively.

[0087] The lower cylindrical housing 270 and the lower integrated elastic support 260 fixed to each other constitute a structure substantially equivalent to the lower integrated elastic support 160 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the details of the lower cylindrical housing 270 and the lower integrated elastic support 260 fixed to each other are similar to those of the lower integrated elastic support 160 in the first embodiment.

[0088] The upper cylindrical housing 250 and the lower cylindrical housing 270 are fixed to one another. The radius of the lower intermediate cylindrical surface 255d of the upper cylindrical housing 250 is equal to the radius of the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 275c of the lower cylindrical housing 270. The upper cylindrical housing 250 and the lower cylindrical housing 270 are fixed to each other. The lower intermediate cylindrical surface 255d of the upper cylindrical housing 250 is connected to the upper intermediate cylindrical surface 275c of the lower cylindrical housing 270. In addition, the outer lower end surface 257b of the upper cylindrical housing 250 is connected to the outer upper end surface 276b of the lower cylindrical housing 270. The outer periphery of the support portion 115 of the stator 110 is sandwiched and held between the inner lower end surface 257a of the upper cylindrical housing 250 and the inner upper end surface 276a of the lower cylindrical housing 270.

[0089] The top housing 150, the upper integrated elastic support 240, the upper cylindrical housing 250, the lower cylindrical housing 270, the lower integrated elastic support 260, and the bottom housing 170 connected to each other in this manner constitute the housing 230. In detail, the top housing 150, the support portion 242 of the upper integrated elastic support 240, the upper cylindrical housing 250, the lower cylindrical housing 270, the support portion 262 of the lower integrated elastic support 260, and the bottom housing 170 constitute the housing 230. The top housing 150, the support portions 242, 262 of the integrated elastic supports 240, 260, the cylindrical housings 250, 270, and the bottom housing 170 form the outermost edge of the housing 230.

[0090] The vibration-based power generator 200 according to this embodiment configured in this manner has substantially the same configuration and advantages as the vibration-based power generator 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0091] Next, referring to Figures 9 and 10, the manufacture of the upper integrated elastic support 140 according to the first embodiment and the upper integrated elastic support 240 according to the second embodiment will be described in comparison. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the main manufacturing process of the integrated elastic support 140 according to the first embodiment, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the main manufacturing process of the upper integrated elastic support 240 according to the second embodiment. Although Figures 9 and 10 do not show the various parts of the finished product after manufacture, for convenience, the names of the various parts described above are retained.

[0092] The upper integrated elastic support 140 and the upper integrated elastic support 240 are produced by performing appropriate processing, such as cutting or cutting, on the base material 140A and the base material 240A, respectively.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 9, the base material 140A of the upper integrated elastic support 140 is a cylindrical body having a height dimension larger than the height dimension of the support portion 142 of the upper integrated elastic support 140, that is, the dimension along the Z axis.

[0094] In processing the base material 140A, the cylindrical region M0 is cut first, followed by the annular region M1. Next, the cylindrical region M2 is removed by cutting or cutting. After that, the beam portion 141, the support portion 142, and the transducer support portion 143 are formed by appropriate processing, which is not shown in the figure.

[0095] 10, the base material 240A of the upper integrated elastic support 240 is a cylindrical body having a height dimension larger than the height dimension of the support portion 242 of the upper integrated elastic support 240, i.e., the dimension along the Z axis. Therefore, the height dimension of the base material 240A is smaller than the height dimension of the base material 140A.

[0096] In processing the base material 240A, first, the annular region M1 is cut. Next, the cylindrical region M2 is removed by cutting or cutting. After that, the beam portion 241, the support portion 242, and the transducer support portion 243 are formed by performing appropriate processing (not shown).

[0097] As can be seen from these, in the main manufacturing process for creating the rough outer shapes of the upper integrated elastic supports 140 and 240, the base material 140A requires three machining operations, whereas the base material 240A requires only two machining operations.

[0098] Therefore, the upper integrated elastic support 240 according to the second embodiment is manufactured by less processing compared to the upper integrated elastic support 140 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the upper integrated elastic support 240 can be manufactured at a lower cost than the upper integrated elastic support 140 according to the first embodiment.

[0099] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 100…vibrator motor, 110…stator, 111…upper core, 112…lower core, 114…core support, 115…support portion, 116…core fixing portion, 120…vibrator, 121…outer upper magnet, 122…outer lower magnet, 123…inner upper magnet, 124…inner lower magnet, 126…upper Side yolk, 126a... cylindrical portion, 126b... flat plate portion, 126c... fixed portion, 127... lower yolk, 127a... cylindrical portion, 127b... flat plate portion, 127c... fixed portion, 128... middle yolk, 130... housing, 140... upper integrated elastic support, 140A... base material, 141... beam portion, 142... support portion, 1 43…vibrator support portion, 144…S-shaped beam elastic portion, 144a…outer end portion, 144b…inner end portion, 144c…middle portion, 145a…inner cylindrical surface, 145b…outer cylindrical surface, 145c…upper middle cylindrical surface, 145d…lower middle cylindrical surface, 146a…inner upper end surface, 146b…outer upper end surface, 147a… Inner lower end surface, 147b…outer lower end surface, 150…sky frame, 151…top plate, 152…support, 153a…inner cylindrical surface, 153b…outer cylindrical surface, 153c…middle cylindrical surface, 154a…inner lower end surface, 154b…outer lower end surface, 160…lower integrated elastic support, 161…beam, 162…support 163... vibrator support portion, 164... S-shaped beam elastic portion, 164a... outer end portion, 164b... inner end portion, 164c... middle portion, 165a... inner cylindrical surface, 165b... outer cylindrical surface, 165c... upper middle cylindrical surface, 165d... lower middle cylindrical surface, 166a... inner upper end surface, 166b... outer upper end surface, 16 7a…inner lower end surface, 167b…outer lower end surface, 170…bottom housing, 171…bottom plate, 172…supporting portion, 173a…inner cylindrical surface, 173b…outer cylindrical surface, 173c…middle cylindrical surface, 174a…inner upper end surface, 174b…outer upper end surface, 200…vibration motor, 230…housing, 240…upper integral body Elastic support, 240A...base material, 241...beam, 242...support, 243...vibrator support, 245a...inner cylindrical surface, 245b...outer cylindrical surface, 245c...upper middle cylindrical surface, 245d...lower middle cylindrical surface, 246a...inner upper end surface, 246b...outer upper end surface, 247a...inner lower end surface, 247 b…outer lower end surface, 250…upper cylindrical housing, 255a…inner cylindrical surface, 255b…outer cylindrical surface, 255c…upper middle cylindrical surface, 255d…lower middle cylindrical surface, 256a…inner upper end surface, 256b…outer upper end surface, 257a…inner lower end surface, 257b…outer lower end surface, 260…lower integrated elastic support,261…beam portion, 262…support portion, 263…vibrator support portion, 265a…inner cylindrical surface, 265b…outer cylindrical surface, 265c…upper middle cylindrical surface, 265d…lower middle cylindrical surface, 266a…inner upper end surface, 266b…outer upper end surface, 267a…inner lower end surface, 267b…outer lower end surface, 270… Lower cylindrical housing, 275a...Inner cylindrical surface, 275b...Outer cylindrical surface, 275c...Upper intermediate cylindrical surface, 275d...Lower intermediate cylindrical surface, 276a...Inner upper end surface, 276b...Outer upper end surface, 277a...Inner lower end surface, 277b...Outer lower end surface, M0...Pillar area, M1...Pillar ring area, M2...Pillar area.

Claims

1. a first support body in which a first beam portion and a first support portion that supports the first beam portion are integral with each other; a second support body in which a second beam portion and a second support portion that supports the second beam portion are integral with each other; a vibrator that is supported between the first support and the second support so as to be capable of vibrating, and that includes a magnet; a coil supported by a coil support supported by being sandwiched between the first support and the second support, and located inside the vibrator; The first support portion and the second support portion each have two or more cylindrical surfaces with different radii, At least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first support is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second support.

2. a first support body in which a first beam portion and a first support portion that supports the first beam portion are integral with each other; a second support body in which a second beam portion and a second support portion that supports the second beam portion are integral with each other; a vibrator that is supported between the first support and the second support so as to be capable of vibrating, and that includes a magnet; a coil supported by a coil support supported by being sandwiched between the first support and the second support, and located inside the vibrator; A vibration power generator, wherein at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first support portion is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second support portion, and the first support portion and the second support portion are fixed to each other.

3. The first support portion of the first support has a step at a lower end, an inner lower end surface and an outer lower end surface, the second support portion of the second support body has a step at an upper end portion thereof, and has an inner upper end surface and an outer upper end surface; the outer lower end surface of the first support portion of the first support body and the outer upper end surface of the second support portion of the second support body are connected to each other; The coil support is held by being sandwiched between the inner lower end surface of the first support portion of the first support and the inner upper end surface of the second support portion of the second support. The vibration power generator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A first cylindrical housing; A second cylindrical housing; a first support member supported by the first cylindrical housing, the first support member being integral with a first beam portion and a first support portion supporting the first beam portion; a second support member supported by the second cylindrical housing, the second support member being integral with a second beam portion and a second support portion supporting the second beam portion; a vibrator that is supported between the first support and the second support so as to be capable of vibrating, and that includes a magnet; a coil supported by a coil support supported by being sandwiched between the first cylindrical housing and the second cylindrical housing, the coil being located inside the vibrator; The first support portion and the second support portion each have two or more cylindrical surfaces with different radii, the first cylindrical housing and the second cylindrical housing each have two or more cylindrical surfaces with different radii; At least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first support is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first cylindrical housing; At least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second support is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second cylindrical housing; A vibration power generator, wherein at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the first cylindrical housing is connected to at least one of the cylindrical surfaces of the second cylindrical housing.

5. The first cylindrical housing has a step at a lower end, an inner lower end surface and an outer lower end surface, the second cylindrical housing has a step at an upper end thereof, an inner upper end surface and an outer upper end surface; the outer lower end surface of the first cylindrical housing and the outer upper end surface of the second cylindrical housing are connected to each other; The coil support is held by being sandwiched between the inner lower end surface of the first cylindrical housing and the inner upper end surface of the second cylindrical housing. The vibration power generator according to claim 4 .

6. The vibration power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are outermost edges of a housing that houses the vibrator and the coil.

7. the first support body has a first vibrator support portion that supports the vibrator, The vibration power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the second support body has a second vibrator support portion that supports the vibrator.

8. the first support portion and the second support portion are outermost edges of a housing that houses the vibrator and the coil, the first support body has a first vibrator support portion that supports the vibrator, The vibration power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the second support body has a second vibrator support portion that supports the vibrator.

9. The vibration power generator according to claim 1 , wherein a rigidity of the first support portion against vibration of the vibrator is higher than a rigidity of the first beam portion.

10. the first beam portion includes a first beam elastic portion having a rigidity against vibration of the vibrator lower than that of the first support portion, the second beam portion includes a second beam elastic portion having a rigidity against vibration of the vibrator lower than that of the second support portion, 10. The vibration power generator according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic beam portion is disposed rotated 180 degrees around an axis perpendicular to a vibration direction of the vibrator with respect to the first elastic beam portion.

11. The vibration generator according to claim 10, wherein the first beam elastic portion and the second beam elastic portion are arranged so that an end of the first beam elastic portion does not overlap an end of the second beam elastic portion when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the vibration direction of the vibrator.

12. The first beam elastic portion is An outer end portion fixed to the first support portion; an inner end portion fixed to a first transducer support portion that supports the transducer; an intermediate portion extending between the outer end and the inner end; The vibration power generator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the outer end portion and the inner end portion are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction.

13. The vibration power generator according to claim 10 , wherein the first elastic beam portion has an S-shape.

Images