Actuator

Abstract

To position a coil precisely without using a resin component in an actuator including a magnetic driving circuit.SOLUTION: An actuator 1 includes: a movable body 5 including a magnet 16; a support 3 including a case 2 and a coil set 13; connection bodies connected to the movable body 5 and the support 3; and a magnetic driving circuit 8. The coil set 13 includes a first plate 11 overlapping with a coil 10 from a Z1 direction. The case 2 includes a first case member 31 and a second case member 32 attached to the first case member 31 from the Z1 direction. Each protruding plate part 56, protruding from an edge of the first plate 11 to the outer periphery side, is fitted in a first cutout recessed part 51 provided at an edge of the first case member 31 and a second cutout recessed part 52 provided at an edge of the second case member 32 and curved parts provided at edges of the respective cutout recessed part are placed in contact with the protruding plate part from both sides as seen in a Z direction to position the coil set 13 in the Z direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator that vibrates a movable body. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator that includes a movable body with a magnet and a support body with a coil, and that vibrates the movable body relative to the support body by passing a drive current through the coil. This type of actuator uses an elastic or viscoelastic body as a connector that connects the support body and the movable body. When the movable body is vibrated, a reaction force corresponding to the vibration of the movable body is applied to the support body via the connector. As a result, a user who touches the support body can feel the vibration.

[0003] In the actuator of Patent Document 1, the support body includes a resin coil holder. The coil is an air-core coil and is placed in a coil placement hole provided in the plate portion of the coil holder. The coil faces a magnet fixed to a first yoke facing the plate portion from one side, and a magnet fixed to a second yoke facing the plate portion from the other side. A metal plate is fixed to the coil holder so as to overlap the coil placement hole and the coil. This plate prevents the coil and magnet from coming into contact when the movable body vibrates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-102901 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the coil holder is made of resin, so a coil placement hole shaped to fit the coil can be provided, and the coil is positioned by fitting the coil into the coil placement hole. However, resin parts require a certain thickness for each part to ensure strength. Therefore, if the outer dimensions of the coil holder cannot be increased, there is a limit to how much the coil can be increased. If the coil cannot be increased in size, the acceleration of the moving body cannot be increased, and large vibrations cannot be generated.

[0006] Therefore, instead of using a resin coil holder, it has been proposed to fix the coil directly to a metal plate that was previously fixed to a resin coil holder. However, since eliminating the resin coil holder also eliminates the coil positioning structure, a structure that positions the coil via the plate is required. In particular, when the gap between the coil and the magnet is set small due to requirements such as actuator miniaturization and increased magnetic driving force, a structure that accurately positions the coil in the direction of the gap with the magnet is required.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of resin coil holders and to position the coil with high precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an actuator of the present invention includes a movable body, a support having a case that houses the movable body, a connector connected to the movable body and the support, a coil, and a magnet that faces the coil in a first direction, and a magnetic drive circuit that vibrates the movable body relative to the support in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, wherein the support includes a first metal plate that overlaps the coil from one side in the first direction, the coil is fixed to the case via the first plate, and the case is connected to the movable body in front of the movable body. The movable body has a first case member having a first end plate portion facing from one side in the first direction, and a second case member having a second end plate portion facing from the other side in the first direction, wherein the first case member has a first case side plate portion extending from the first end plate portion to the other side in the first direction, the first case side plate portion has a first cutout recess cut out toward one side in the first direction, and the edge of the first cutout recess has a first curved portion curved in a shape that protrudes toward the other side in the first direction, and the first plate has a protruding plate portion that fits into the first cutout recess and abuts against the apex of the first curved portion.

[0009] According to the present invention, the protruding plate portion provided on the first plate supporting the coil fits into the first notched recess formed by cutting out the edge of the first case side plate portion. Therefore, the first plate can be positioned in a direction intersecting the first direction. Furthermore, since the protruding plate portion abuts against the apex of the first curved portion protruding to the other side of the first direction, the first plate can be positioned with high precision in the first direction using the first case member as a reference. Therefore, the first plate can be positioned with high precision in the first direction without using a resin coil holder. Therefore, the positional accuracy in the first direction of the coil and magnet supported by the first plate can be improved.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second case member includes a second case side plate extending from the second end plate toward one side in the first direction, one of the first case side plate and the second case side plate being disposed inside the other of the first case side plate and the second case side plate, the second case side plate being provided with a second notched recess cut out toward the other side in the first direction, the edge of the second notched recess being provided with a second curved portion curved in a shape that protrudes toward the one side in the first direction, and the protruding plate portion fits into the second notched recess and abuts against the apex of the second curved portion on the one side in the first direction. In this way, the apex of the second curved portion 54 provided on the second case member and the apex of the first curved portion 53 provided on the first case member abut against the protruding plate portion 56 in opposite directions in the Z direction, thereby enabling the first plate, the first case member, and the second case member to be positioned in the first direction with high positional accuracy. This makes it possible to improve the dimensional accuracy of the actuator in the first direction, and also improve the dimensional accuracy of the gap in which the connector is disposed, allowing the connector to be disposed properly.

[0011] In the present invention, the first plate preferably includes a first plate portion to which the coil is fixed and a pair of first plate side plate portions extending from both ends of the first plate portion in the second direction to one side in the first direction, the pair of first plate side plate portions being disposed inside the pair of first case side plate portions extending from both ends of the first end plate portion of the first case member in the second direction to the other side in the first direction, and the first plate side plate portions elastically contact the first case side plate portions. This ensures reliable contact between the first plate and the first case member in the X direction, allowing the coil set to be positioned in the vibration direction of the actuator. Furthermore, the first plate and the first case can be assembled by inserting the first plate side plate portions into the inside of the first case side plate portions while bending them, thereby facilitating assembly work.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that each of the pair of first case side plates includes a case-side protrusion that protrudes toward the center of the first case in the second direction, and the first plate side plate is in elastic contact with the case-side protrusion. This ensures reliable contact between the first case side plate and the first plate side plate.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first case side plate portion is disposed inside the second case side plate portion, and a tip of the second case side plate portion is provided with a hook that is inserted inside the first case side plate portion and engaged with the first plate side plate portion. In this way, the case can be assembled without welding.

[0014] In the present invention, the protruding plate portion penetrates the first plate side plate portion to the first plate portion. It is preferable that the protruding plate portion protrude from the edge of the widening plate opening. This makes it easier to secure space for arranging the protruding plate portion. Also, since the first plate side plate portion is more likely to bend appropriately, it is easier to bring the tip end of the first plate side plate portion into elastic contact with the first case side plate portion.

[0015] In the present invention, when a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, it is preferable that a pair of protruding plate portions extending from the first plate portion to both sides in the second direction be provided at both ends of the first plate in the third direction, the first case member be provided with first notched recesses at positions facing each protruding plate portion in the first direction, and the second case member be provided with second notched recesses at positions facing each protruding plate portion in the first direction. In this way, both edges of the first plate in the second direction are supported at two points, one at each end in the third direction. This makes it possible to suppress tilting of the first plate and improve the positional accuracy of the coil. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the protruding plate portion provided on the first plate supporting the coil fits into the first notched recess formed by cutting out the edge of the first case side plate portion. Therefore, the first plate can be positioned in a direction intersecting the first direction. Furthermore, since the protruding plate portion abuts against the apex of the first curved portion protruding to the other side of the first direction, the first plate can be positioned with high precision in the first direction using the first case member as a reference. Therefore, the first plate can be positioned with high precision in the first direction without using a resin coil holder. Therefore, the positional accuracy in the first direction of the coil and magnet supported by the first plate can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an actuator to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the Z2 direction and the Z1 direction. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator cut in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator as viewed from the Z2 direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator as viewed from the Z1 direction. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first plate and a coil. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator cut in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a yoke and a magnet. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the actuator. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first notched recess, a second notched recess, and a protruding plate portion. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator taken at a position where the case and the first plate come into contact in the Z direction (a cross-sectional view taken at the position AA in FIG. 10). [Figure 13]11 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator taken at a position where the hook of the second case member is engaged with the first case member and the first plate (a cross-sectional view taken at position BB in FIG. 10). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an actuator to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Overall composition) FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of an actuator 1 to which the present invention is applied, as seen from the Z2 direction. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of an actuator 1 to which the present invention is applied, as seen from the Z1 direction. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 1 cut in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator 1, as seen from the Z2 direction. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator 1, as seen from the Z1 direction. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the coil set 13. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first plate 11 and the coil 10. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the actuator 1 cut in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the yoke 17. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the yoke 17 and the magnet 16. FIG.

[0020] The actuator 1 is used as a tactile device that transmits information by vibration. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the outer shape of the actuator 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The actuator 1 generates vibration in the short direction of its outer shape. In the following description, the short direction in which vibration occurs is referred to as the X direction (second direction), and the longitudinal direction of the actuator 1, which is perpendicular to the X direction, is referred to as the Y direction (third direction). In the following description, the thickness direction (height direction) of the actuator 1, which is perpendicular to the X and Y directions, is referred to as the Z direction (first direction). The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. In addition, one of the X directions is referred to as the X1 direction, and the other is the X2 direction. One of the Y directions is referred to as the Y1 direction, and the other is the Y2 direction. One of the Z directions is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the other is the Z2 direction.

[0021] 1 to 4, the actuator 1 has a support body 3 equipped with a case 2 that defines the outer shape, and a movable body 5 housed inside the case 2. The actuator 1 also has connectors (first connector 6 and second connector 7) that connect the support body 3 and the movable body 5, and a magnetic drive circuit 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) that moves the movable body 5 relative to the support body 3 in the X direction.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the support body 3 includes a coil set 13 that is an assembly of three members: a coil 10, a first plate 11 that is stacked in the Z1 direction of the coil 10, and a second plate 12 that is stacked in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. As shown in Figure 5, the coil 10 is a flat air-core coil, with its thickness direction oriented in the Z direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the coil 10 is located at the center of the case 2 in the Z direction.

[0023] The support body 3 also includes a power supply board 14 held at the Y1-direction end of the first plate 11. In this embodiment, the power supply board 14 is a flexible printed circuit board. However, the power supply board 14 may also be a rigid board. The coil 10 includes two coil wires drawn out in the Y1 direction, and the coil wires are connected to a wiring pattern provided on the surface of the power supply board 14. Power is supplied to the coil 10 via the power supply board 14.

[0024] 5 and 6, the coil 10 is an elliptical air-core coil that is long in the Y direction and includes a pair of long sides 10a extending parallel to the Y direction and arc-shaped short sides 10b connecting the Y-direction ends of the pair of long sides 10a. A center hole 10c extending in the Y direction is provided between the pair of long sides 10a.

[0025] The movable body 5 includes a magnet 16 and a yoke 17. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the magnet 16 faces the coil 10 in the Z direction. The coil 10 and the magnet 16 form a magnetic drive circuit 8. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first connecting body 6 and the second connecting body 7 are each rectangular parallelepiped members. The first connecting body 6 and the second connecting body 7 each have at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity.

[0026] (movable body) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the movable body 5 includes a first magnet 21 and a second magnet 22 as the magnets 16. The first magnet 21 is located in the Z1 direction of the coil 10. The second magnet 22 is located in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. The first magnet 21 and the second magnet 22 are polarized in two in the X direction. When the movable body 5 and the support body 3 are assembled, the first magnet 21 faces the long side portion 10a of the coil 10 in the Z1 direction, and the second magnet 22 faces the long side portion 10a of the coil 10 in the Z2 direction.

[0027] The yoke 17 is made of a magnetic material. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the yoke 17 is a first yoke. 8, the first yoke 23 includes a first flat plate portion 25 elongated in the Y direction and a pair of first connecting plate portions 26 that protrude from the center in the Y direction toward the outside in the X direction at both Y-direction edges of the first flat plate portion 25 and extend in the Z2 direction. The first magnet 21 is held on the Z2-direction surface of the first flat plate portion 25. The second yoke 24 includes a second flat plate portion 27 facing the first flat plate portion 25 in the Z direction and a pair of second connecting plate portions 28 that protrude from the center in the Y direction toward the outside in the X direction at both Y-direction edges of the second flat plate portion 27 and extend in the Z1 direction. The second magnet 22 is held on the Z1-direction surface of the second flat plate portion 27.

[0028] The yoke 17 is integrally assembled by press-fitting the pair of second connecting plate portions 28 of the second yoke 24 into the pair of first connecting plate portions 26 of the first yoke 23 and then bonding the first connecting plate portions 26 and the second connecting plate portions 28 with an adhesive. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 , when the movable body 5 is assembled so that the yoke 17 surrounds the coil set 13, the first flat plate portion 25 and the first magnet 21 of the yoke 17 overlap the coil 10 from the Z1 direction, and the second flat plate portion 27 and the second magnet 22 overlap the coil 10 from the Z2 direction. Here, the coil set 13 includes the first plate 11 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 direction and the second plate 12 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z2 direction, preventing the first magnet 21 and the second magnet 22 from contacting the coil 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 9 , in the second yoke 24 before assembly, the pair of second connecting plates 28 extend in directions inclined in opposite directions, and the spacing between the pair of second connecting plates 28 increases slightly in the Z1 direction. Note that in FIG. 9 , the inclination angle θ of each second connecting plate 28 relative to the Z direction is exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , each of the pair of second connecting plates 28 includes a protrusion 29 protruding from the surface facing outward in the X direction. The protrusion 29 extends linearly in the Y direction. Because the spacing between the pair of second connecting plates 28 increases toward the tip end and the protrusion 29 is provided on the surface facing outward in the X direction, the second yoke 24 is reliably press-fitted when inserted between the pair of first connecting plates 26.

[0030] (case) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the case 2 includes a first case member 31 and a second case member 32 stacked in the Z direction. The first case member 31 is attached to the coil set 13 from the Z1 direction. The second case member 32 is attached to the coil set 13 and the first case member 31 from the Z2 direction.

[0031] 3 and 4, the first case member 31 includes a substantially rectangular first end plate 33 and four first case side plates 34 extending in the Z2 direction from both Y-direction edges of the first end plate 33. Therefore, the first case member 31 is provided with a pair of first case side plates 34 facing each other in the X direction at the Y1-direction end and the Y2-direction end of the first end plate 33. As described below, in this embodiment, the first case member 31 and the coil set 13 are assembled by fitting the first plate 11 inside the two pairs of first case side plates 34 facing each other in the X direction. The positioning structure of the coil set 13 relative to the case 2 will be described later.

[0032] The first case member 31 also has a pair of first case bent plate portions 35 bent in the Z2 direction from both edges in the X direction at the center of the first end plate portion 33 in the Y direction, and a pair of first case bent plate portions 36 bent in the Z2 direction from both edges in the Y1 direction of the first end plate portion 33.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second case member 32 includes a substantially rectangular second end plate portion 37, a pair of second case side plate portions 38 extending in the Z1 direction from both Y-direction edge portions of the second end plate portion 37, and The second case member 32 includes a pair of second case side plates 39 extending in the Z1 direction from opposite X-direction edges of the second end plate 37. The second end plate 37 has a protruding portion at its Y-direction central portion that protrudes to both sides in the X direction. Therefore, each second case side plate 39 includes a side plate central portion 39a extending in the Z1 direction from the tip of the protruding portion of the second end plate 37, and side plate end portions 39b provided on both sides of the Y-direction of the side plate central portion 39a and shifted toward the center in the X direction relative to the side plate central portion 39a. Both ends of the side plate central portion 39a in the Y direction are connected to stepped portions bent at approximately right angles toward the center of the X direction of the second case member 32, and the side plate central portion 39a and the side plate end portions 39b are connected via the stepped portions.

[0034] The second case member 32 has hooks 58 extending in the Z1 direction from each side plate end portion 39b, and the tips of the four hooks 58 are inserted inside the first case member 31. The tip of each hook 58 is locked to the first plate 11 fitted into the first case member 31. In this way, the first case member 31, the coil set 13, and the second case member 32 are assembled to form the support body 3. The locking structure of the hooks 58 will be described in detail later.

[0035] (Coil assembly) The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are made of a non-magnetic metal. As shown in Fig. 5, the first plate 11 includes a first plate portion 40 extending in the Y direction. A power supply board 14 is fixed to the Y1-direction end of the first plate portion 40. The power supply board 14 includes a first board portion 141 fixed to the surface of the first plate portion 40, and a second board portion 142 bent at a substantially right angle in the Z1 direction from the Y1-direction end of the first board portion 141 and disposed on the Y1-direction side surface of the case 2.

[0036] The first plate portion 40 has a pair of notched portions 41 formed by cutting inward the center portion in the Y direction at both edges in the X direction. The first plate 11 has a pair of first plate bent plate portions 42 bent in the Z2 direction from the inner peripheral edges in the X direction of the pair of notched portions 41. The first plate 11 also has four first plate side plate portions 43 bent in the Z1 direction from both ends in the X direction of the first plate portion 40 on both sides in the Y direction of each notched portion 41. The first plate 11 also has first plate bent plate portions 44 bent in the Z1 direction from the Y1-direction edge and the Y2-direction edge of the first plate portion 40.

[0037] The second plate 12 includes a second plate portion 45 extending in the Y direction. The second plate portion 45 includes a pair of notches 46 formed by cutting inward a central portion in the Y direction at both X-direction edge portions. The second plate 12 includes a pair of second plate bent plate portions 47 bent in the Z1 direction from the inner peripheral edges in the X direction of the pair of notches 46. The second plate 12 also includes four second plate side plate portions 48 bent in the Z1 direction from both ends in the X direction of the second plate portion 45 on both sides in the Y direction of each notch 46. A joining plate portion 49 is provided from the Z1-direction tip of each second plate side plate portion 48, bending at a substantially right angle and extending outward in the X direction.

[0038] 3 and 4 , the second plate 12 has four joining plate portions 49 that abut against the first plate portion 40 of the first plate 11. The second plate 12 is fixed to the first plate 11 by fixing the abutting points between the joining plate portions 49 and the first plate portion 40 with an adhesive. The coil 10 is held between the first plate portion 40 of the first plate 11 and the second plate portion 45 of the second plate 12.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, the first plate 11 has cut-and-raised portions 50 that rise from the first plate portion 40 in the Z2 direction. One cut-and-raised portion 50 is provided in the Y2 direction of each first plate bent plate portion 42. Each cut-and-raised portion 50 is inclined with respect to the X and Y directions, and contacts the short side portion 10b of the coil 10 from the outer periphery (see Fig. 6). Here, the first plate 11 has a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to an imaginary center line L (see Fig. 6) that passes through the center of the first plate portion 40 in the X direction, and the two cut-and-raised portions 50 are arranged in a symmetrical manner with respect to the imaginary center line L. They are placed in two symmetrical locations.

[0040] (Coil assembly method) An arc-shaped notch 143 is provided on the Y2-direction edge of the power supply board 14 connected to the coil 10. When assembling the coil set 13, first, the first board portion 141 of the power supply board 14 is positioned on the Y1-direction end of the first plate portion 40 of the first plate 11 and fixed with an adhesive. Next, the coil 10 is positioned on the first plate 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6 , the Y1-direction short side portion 10b of the coil 10 is fitted into the notch 143 of the power supply board 14, and the Y2-direction short side portion 10b of the coil 10 is fitted inside the two cut-and-raised portions 50. In this way, the coil 10 is positioned in the Y direction. Furthermore, the two cut-and-raised portions 50 contact the short side portion 10b from both sides in the X direction, so that the coil 10 is positioned in the center of the first plate 11 in the X direction.

[0041] Next, the coil wire drawn from the coil 10 is connected to the power supply board 14. Then, adhesive is poured into the center hole 10c of the coil 10, and the second plate 12 is placed on top of it from the Z2 side, fixing the coil 10 to the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 with the adhesive. The joining plate portion 49 of the second plate 12 is then brought into contact with the first plate portion 40 of the first plate 11 and fixed with the adhesive, thereby fixing the second plate 12 to the first plate 11. As a result, an adhesive layer 15 made of hardened adhesive is formed in the center hole 10c of the coil 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 7). The long side portions 10a of the coil 10 are covered in the X1 and X2 directions by the first plate bending plate portion 42 and the second plate bending plate portion 47.

[0042] 3 and 4, a pair of first plate side plate portions 43 extending in the Z1 direction is provided at the Y1-direction end of the coil set 13 and at the Y2-direction end of the coil set 13. The coil set 13 is assembled to the first case member 31 by bending the pair of first plate side plate portions 43 inward and inserting them into the inside of the first case side plate portions 34 provided on the first case member 31.

[0043] (Case and coil assembly positioning structure) Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the side of actuator 1, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of first notched recess 51, second notched recess 52, and protruding plate portion 56. Figs. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of actuator 1, with Fig. 12 being a cross-sectional view taken at a position where case 2 and first plate 11 abut in the Z direction (a cross-sectional view taken at position AA in Fig. 10), and Fig. 13 being a cross-sectional view taken at a position where hook 58 of second case member 32 engages with first case member 31 and the first plate (a cross-sectional view taken at position BB in Fig. 10).

[0044] 3 and 4, the first case member 31 has four first cutout recesses 51 formed by cutting out the Z2-direction edge of the first case side plate portion 34 in the Z1 direction. The second case member 32 has four second cutout recesses 52 formed by cutting out the Z1-direction edge of the side plate end portion 39b in the Z2 direction. The second cutout recesses 52 have a shape that is opposite to the first cutout recesses 51 in the Z direction, and face the first cutout recesses 51 in the Z direction.

[0045] 10 and 11, a first curved portion 53 protrudes in the Z2 direction from the center in the Y direction of the Z1-direction edge of the first cutout recess 51. The tip of the first curved portion 53 has an arc shape that protrudes in the Z2 direction. Similarly, a second curved portion 54 protrudes in the Z1 direction from the center in the Y direction of the Z2-direction edge of the second cutout recess 52. The tip of the second curved portion 54 faces the tip of the first curved portion 53 and has an arc shape that protrudes in the Z1 direction.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in the first plate 11 constituting the coil set 13, each of the four first plate side plate portions 43 has a rectangular plate opening 55 and a plate A protruding plate portion 56 is provided that protrudes from the edge of the port opening 55 in the Z2 direction. The plate opening 55 extends to the edge of the first plate portion 40, and the protruding plate portion 56 is located on the same plane as the first plate portion 40. Therefore, the first plate 11 is provided with a pair of protruding plate portions 56 that protrude from the first plate portion 40 on both sides in the X direction. One set of the pair of protruding plate portions 56 is provided on each end of the first plate 11 in the Y direction.

[0047] As described above, when assembling the coil set 13 to the first case member 31 from the Z2 direction, the first plate side plate portion 43 is fitted inside the first case side plate portion 34, and at this time, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the protruding plate portion 56 provided on the X-direction end of the first plate 11 is fitted from the Z2 direction into the first notched recessed portion 51 provided on the Z2-direction edge of the first case side plate portion 34, so that the protruding plate portion 56 abuts against the apex of the first curved portion 53. This positions the coil set 13 relative to the first case member 31 in the Y direction, and also positions the coil set 13 relative to the first case member 31 in the Z direction.

[0048] Next, the second case member 32 is assembled to the first case member 31 from the Z2 direction, with the tip of the first case side plate portion 34 inserted inside the side plate end portion 39b facing in the X direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip of the protruding plate portion 56 protruding outward in the X direction from the first notched recess 51 of the first case member 31 is fitted into the second notched recess 52 opening in the Z1 direction, and the protruding plate portion 56 is brought into contact with the apex of the second curved portion 54 (see FIGS. 10 and 12). As a result, the second case member 32 is positioned in the Y direction via the first plate 11, and the second case member 32 is also positioned in the Z direction.

[0049] 3 and 4, the four first case side plates 34 are provided with hemispherical case side protrusions 57 that protrude toward the inside of the first case member 31 (toward the center in the X direction) at positions further in the Z1 direction than the first cutout recesses 51. The case side protrusions 57 are formed, for example, by half-punching. The tip ends of the first plate side plates 43 fitted inside the respective first case side plates 34 elastically contact the apexes of the case side protrusions 57, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG.

[0050] As described above, the second case member 32 is provided with hooks 58 at four locations, extending in the Z1 direction, and the tips of the hooks 58 are bent at approximately right angles and extend toward the center in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the first case member 31 is provided with case openings 59 that penetrate the corner where the first case side plate portion 34 and the first end plate portion 33 are connected, and the tips of the four hooks 58 that are bent in the X direction are inserted into the inside of the first case member 31 through the case openings 59.

[0051] 13, two plates, the first case side plate 34 and the first plate side plate 43, are arranged inside each hook 58 so as to overlap in the X direction, and the tip of the hook 58 inserted into the inside of the first case member 31 through the case opening 59 is engaged with the tip of the first case side plate 34 and the tip of the first plate side plate 43. As shown in FIG. 13, the tip of each of the two hooks 58 provided on the side surface of the case 2 in the X2 direction is provided with a locking portion 60 bent in the Z2 direction. The locking portion 60 is engaged with the Z1-direction tip of the first case side plate 34 and the Z1-direction tip of the first plate side plate 43.

[0052] (connector) 2, the first connection body 6 is disposed between the first yoke 23 and the first plate 11. The first connection body 6 is made up of two identically shaped members, and is sandwiched between the Y1-direction end portion of the first yoke 23 and the Y1-direction end portion of the first plate 11, and between the Y2-direction end portion of the first yoke 23 and the Y2-direction end portion of the first plate 11. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the first connection body 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends long in the X direction.

[0053] The second connecting body 7 is disposed between the second yoke 24 and the second plate 12. The second connecting body 7 is made up of two members of the same shape and is sandwiched between the Y1-direction end portion of the second yoke 24 and the Y1-direction end portion of the second plate 12, and between the Y2-direction end portion of the second yoke 24 and the Y2-direction end portion of the second plate 12. In this embodiment, the second connecting body 7 has the same shape as the first connecting body 6. The first connecting body 6 and the second connecting body 7 are compressed in the Z direction between the support body 3 and the movable body 5.

[0054] The first connecting body 6 and the second connecting body 7 are gel-like members made of silicone gel. Silicone gel is a viscoelastic material whose spring constant when deforming in the expansion / contraction direction is about three times the spring constant when deforming in the shear direction. When a viscoelastic material deforms in a direction intersecting the thickness direction (shear direction), it is deformed in the direction of extension due to tension, and therefore has deformation characteristics in which the linear component is greater than the nonlinear component. Furthermore, when compressed and deformed in the thickness direction, it has expansion / contraction characteristics in which the nonlinear component is greater than the linear component, while when stretched and stretched in the thickness direction, it has expansion / contraction characteristics in which the linear component is greater than the nonlinear component.

[0055] Alternatively, various rubber materials such as natural rubber, diene rubber (e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, etc.), non-diene rubber (e.g., butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, etc.), thermoplastic elastomer, and modified materials thereof may be used for the first connector 6 and the second connector 7.

[0056] (Actuator operation) When a current in a predetermined direction is supplied to coil 10 via power supply board 14, movable body 5 supported by support 3 moves relative to support 3 in one direction in the X direction due to the driving force of magnetic drive circuit 8. When the direction of the current is then reversed, movable body 5 moves relative to support 3 in the other direction in the X direction. The repeated reversal of the direction of the current supplied to coil 10 causes movable body 5 to vibrate.

[0057] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, the actuator 1 of this embodiment includes the movable body 5, the support 3 including the case 2 that houses the movable body 5, connectors (first connector 6 and second connector 7) connected to the movable body 5 and the support 3, and a magnetic drive circuit 8 that includes the coil 10 and the magnet 16 that faces the coil 10 in the Z direction (first direction), and vibrates the movable body 5 in the X direction (second direction) that intersects with the Z direction (first direction) relative to the support 3. The support 3 includes a metal first plate 11 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 direction (one side of the first direction), and the coil 10 is fixed to the case 2 via the first plate 11. The case 2 includes a first case member 31 that includes a first end plate 33 that faces the movable body 5 from the Z1 direction (one side of the first direction), and a second case member 32 that includes a second end plate 37 that faces the movable body 5 from the Z2 direction (the other side of the first direction). The first case member 31 includes a first case side plate 34 extending in the Z2 direction (the other side in the first direction) from the first end plate 33. The first case side plate 34 is provided with a first cutout recess 51 cut out in the Z1 direction (one side in the first direction), and a first curved portion 53 curved in a shape that protrudes in the Z2 direction (the other side in the first direction) is provided at the edge of the first cutout recess 51. The first plate 11 includes a protruding plate portion 56 that fits into the first cutout recess 51 and abuts against the apex of the first curved portion 53.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the protruding plate portion 56 provided on the first plate 11 supporting the coil 10 fits into the first notched recess 51 formed by cutting out the edge of the first case side plate portion 34. Therefore, the first plate 11 can be positioned in a direction intersecting the Z direction (first direction). In addition, the protruding plate portion 56 abuts against the apex of the first curved portion 53 protruding in the Z2 direction (the other side of the first direction). The first plate 11 can be positioned with high precision in the Z direction (first direction) using the first case member 31 as a reference. Therefore, the first plate 11 can be positioned with high precision in the Z direction (first direction) without using a resin coil 10 holder. This increases the positional accuracy of the coil 10 and magnet 16 supported by the first plate 11 in the Z direction (first direction).

[0059] In this embodiment, the second case member 32 includes a second case side plate 39 extending from the second end plate 37 in the Z1 direction (one side in the first direction). The first case side plate 34 is disposed inside the second case side plate 39. The second case side plate 39 is provided with a second cutout recess 52 cut out in the Z2 direction (the other side in the first direction), and a second curved portion 54 curved in a shape that protrudes in the Z1 direction (one side in the first direction) is provided at the edge of the second cutout recess 52. The protruding plate 56 fits into the second cutout recess 52 and abuts against the apex of the second curved portion 54 in the Z1 direction (one side in the first direction). In this manner, in this embodiment, the apex of the second curved portion 54 provided on the second case member 32 and the apex of the first curved portion 53 provided on the first case member 31 are configured to abut against the protruding plate portion 56 in opposite directions in the Z direction, so that the first plate 11, the first case member 31, and the second case member 32 can be positioned in the Z direction (first direction) with high positional accuracy. This allows for improved dimensional accuracy of the actuator 1 in the Z direction (first direction). Furthermore, the dimensional accuracy of the gaps in which the connectors (first connector 6 and second connector 7) are disposed can be improved, allowing the connectors (first connector 6 and second connector 7) to be properly disposed.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first plate 11 includes a first plate portion 40 to which the coil 10 is fixed, and a pair of first plate side plate portions 43 extending in the Z1 direction (one side in the first direction) from both ends of the first plate portion 40 in the X direction (second direction). The pair of first plate side plate portions 43 are disposed inside a pair of first case side plate portions 34 extending in the Z2 direction (the other side in the first direction) from both ends of the first end plate portion 33 of the first case member 31 in the X direction (second direction), and each first plate side plate portion 43 elastically contacts the first case side plate portion 34 from the inside. In this manner, the first plate 11 and the first case member 31 are in reliable contact in the X direction, so that the coil set 13 can be positioned in the vibration direction of the actuator 1. Furthermore, the first plate 11 and the first case 2 can be assembled by inserting the first plate side plate portion 43 made of sheet metal into the inside of the first case side plate portion 34 while bending it, making the assembly work easy.

[0061] In this embodiment, each of the pair of first case side plates 34 has a case side protrusion 57 that protrudes toward the center of the first case 2 in the X direction (second direction), and the first plate side plate 43 comes into elastic contact with the case side protrusion 57. By forming a protrusion at the contact point in this manner, elastic contact between the first case side plate 34 and the first plate side plate 43 can be ensured. Note that the protrusion may be provided on either the first plate side plate 43 or the first case side plate 34. In other words, a configuration may be adopted in which the first plate side plate 43 is provided with a protrusion that protrudes outward in the X direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first case side plate 34 is disposed inside the second case side plate 39, and the tip of the second case side plate 39 is provided with a hook 58 that is inserted inside the first case side plate 34 and engaged with the first plate side plate 43. Therefore, the case 2 can be assembled without welding.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first case side plate 34 is disposed inside the second case side plate 39, but it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the second case side plate 39 is disposed inside the first case side plate 34. In this case, a hook extending in the Z2 direction can be provided at the tip of the first case side plate 34, and the tip of the hook can be engaged with the second case member 32.

[0064] In this embodiment, the protruding plate portion 56 protrudes from the edge of the plate opening 55, which penetrates the first plate side plate portion 43 and extends to the first plate portion 40. This makes it easy to ensure space for arranging the protruding plate portion 56. Furthermore, since the first plate side plate portion 43 is made to bend appropriately by providing the opening, it is easy to bring the tip portion of the first plate side plate portion 43 into elastic contact with the first case side plate portion 34 during assembly.

[0065] In this embodiment, a pair of protruding plate portions 56 extending from the first plate portion 40 to both sides in the X direction (second direction) are provided at both ends of the first plate 11 in the Y direction (third direction). The first case member 31 also has first notched recesses 51 at positions facing each of the protruding plate portions 56 in the Z direction. The second case member 32 also has second notched recesses 52 at positions facing each of the protruding plate portions 56 in the Z direction. Therefore, the first plate 11 has both edges in the X direction (second direction) supported at two points, one at each end in the Y direction (third direction), thereby preventing tilt of the first plate 11. This prevents tilt of the coil set 13 and improves the positional accuracy of the coil 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...actuator, 2...case, 3...support, 5...movable body, 6...first connecting body, 7...second connecting body, 8...magnetic drive circuit, 10...coil, 10a...long side portion, 10b...short side portion, 10c...center hole, 11...first plate, 12...second plate, 13...coil set, 14...power supply board, 15...adhesive layer, 16...magnet, 17...yoke, 21...first magnet, 22...second magnet, 23...first yoke, 24...second yoke, 25...first flat plate portion, 26...first connecting plate portion, 27...second flat plate portion, 28...second connecting plate portion, 29...projection portion, 31...first case member, 32...second case member, 33...first end plate portion, 34...first case side plate portion, 35, 36...first case bent plate portion, 37...second end plate portion, 38...second case case side plate portion, 39...second case side plate portion, 39a...side plate center portion, 39b...side plate end portion, 40...first plate portion, 41...cutout portion, 42...first plate bent plate portion, 43...first plate side plate portion, 44...first plate bent plate portion, 45...second plate portion, 46...cutout portion, 47...second plate bent plate portion, 48...second plate side plate portion, 49...joint plate portion, 50...cut-out portion, 51...first notched recess, 52...second notched recess, 53...first curved portion, 54...second curved portion, 55...plate opening, 56...protruding plate portion, 57...case side convex portion, 58...hook, 59...case opening, 60...locking portion, 141...first board portion, 142...second board portion, 143...cutout portion, L...virtual center line, θ...inclination angle

Claims

1. A movable body and a support body having a case for accommodating the movable body; a connecting body connected to the movable body and the support body; a magnetic drive circuit including a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and configured to vibrate the movable body relative to the support in a second direction intersecting the first direction; the support includes a first plate made of metal that overlaps the coil from one side in the first direction, and the coil is fixed to the case via the first plate; the case includes a first case member having a first end plate portion facing the movable body from one side in the first direction, and a second case member having a second end plate portion facing the movable body from the other side in the first direction, the first case member includes a first case side plate portion extending from the first end plate portion toward the other side in the first direction, a first cutout recess portion cut out toward one side in the first direction is provided in the first case side plate portion, and a first curved portion curved in a shape that protrudes toward the other side in the first direction is provided on an edge of the first cutout recess portion; The actuator is characterized in that the first plate includes a protruding plate portion that fits into the first notched recess and abuts against the vertex of the first curved portion on the other side in the first direction.

2. the second case member includes a second case side plate portion extending from the second end plate portion toward one side in the first direction, one of the first case side plate portion and the second case side plate portion is disposed inside the other of the first case side plate portion and the second case side plate portion, a second cutout recess formed in the second case side plate portion toward the other side in the first direction, and a second curved portion curved in a shape that protrudes toward one side in the first direction is provided on an edge of the second cutout recess; The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding plate portion fits into the second notched recess and abuts against a vertex of the second curved portion on one side in the first direction.

3. The first case side plate portion is disposed inside the second case side plate portion, the first plate includes a first plate portion to which the coil is fixed, and a pair of first plate side plate portions extending from both ends of the first plate portion in the second direction to one side in the first direction, the pair of first plate side plate portions are disposed inside the pair of first case side plate portions extending from both ends of the first end plate portion of the first case member in the second direction to the other side in the first direction, 3. The actuator according to claim 2, wherein the first plate side plate portion is in elastic contact with the first case side plate portion.

4. each of the pair of first case side plate portions includes a case side protrusion protruding toward the center of the first case member in the second direction; 4. The actuator according to claim 3, wherein the side plate portion of the first plate elastically contacts the protrusion on the case side.

5. the first case side plate portion is disposed inside the second case side plate portion, 5. The actuator according to claim 3, wherein a tip of the second case side plate portion is provided with a hook that is inserted into the inside of the first case side plate portion and is engaged with the first plate side plate portion.

6. 6. The actuator according to claim 3, wherein the protruding plate portion protrudes from an edge of a plate opening that penetrates the first plate side plate portion and extends to the first plate portion.

7. When a direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, a pair of protruding plate portions extending from the first plate portion to both sides in the second direction are provided at both ends of the first plate in the third direction, The first case member is provided with first notched recesses at positions facing the respective protruding plate portions in the first direction, 7. The actuator according to claim 3, wherein the second case member is provided with second notched recesses at positions facing the respective projecting plate portions in the first direction.

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