Actuator

Abstract

To inhibit movement of a movable body toward a direction different from a vibration direction in an actuator connecting a support body and the movable body via a viscoelastic body.SOLUTION: An actuator 1 includes: a connection body 10 which is connected with a support body 2 and a movable body 3; and a magnetic drive mechanism 6 structured to move the movable body 3 with respect to the support body 2. The movable body 3 includes: a yoke 35 that is provided with: a magnet 61 fixed to a support shaft 30, and a tube-shaped part 333 surrounding an outer circumferential side of the magnet 61. The support body 2 includes a tube-shaped case 20 surrounding an outer circumferential side of the movable body 3. The connection body 10 includes a first connection body 11 and a second connection body 12 connecting the movable body 3 and the support body 2 at two points on one side L1 and the other side L2 in an axial direction of the tube-shaped part 333, and further includes a third connection body 13 connecting the tube-shaped part 333 and the case 20. Thereby, movement of the movable body 3 toward a direction intersecting an axial direction (vibration direction) can be inhibited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator that includes a connector connected to a movable body and a support, and a magnetic drive mechanism that moves the movable body relative to the support, and that uses a viscoelastic body such as silicone gel as the connector. In the actuator of Patent Document 1, the movable body includes a support shaft to which a magnet is fixed on its outer circumferential surface, and a yoke fixed to the end face of the magnet. The support includes a cylindrical case and a coil holder fixed to the case. The coil holder holds a coil that is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the magnet. The connectors are located at two positions on both ends of the support shaft, and connect the support and movable body at two positions spaced apart in the axial direction.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the connector is arranged in the gap between a cylindrical inner frame (first fixed member and second fixed member) fixed to both ends of the support shaft and an outer frame (first annular member and second annular member) fixed to a case or coil holder, and connects the inner frame and the outer frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-136783 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the movable body vibrates in the axial direction of the support shaft, the cylindrical inner and outer frames move relative to each other in the axial direction, causing the connecting body disposed in the gap between them to deform in the shear direction. The viscoelastic material used as the connecting body can deform not only in the shear direction but also in the expansion and contraction direction. Therefore, the movable body can move in a direction different from the vibration direction. If this movement occurs, the driving force of the magnetic drive mechanism may be dispersed, resulting in a loss of driving force and potentially preventing the required vibration magnitude. Furthermore, if an impact is applied, such as when dropped, the movable body may move in a direction different from the vibration direction and collide with the support, potentially causing damage.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress movement of a movable body in a direction different from the vibration direction in an actuator in which a support body and a movable body are connected by a viscoelastic body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an actuator according to the present invention includes a support and a movable body, a connector connected to the support and the movable body and having at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity, and a magnetic drive mechanism including a magnet and a coil, for moving the movable body relative to the support, wherein one of the movable body and the support includes a spindle supporting one of the magnet and the coil on the inner circumferential side of the other of the movable body and the support, a cylindrical part surrounding the outer circumferential side of one of the magnet and the coil, and a magnetic drive mechanism on one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part. the other of the movable body and the support body comprises a first outer frame portion radially opposed to the first inner frame portion, a second outer frame portion radially opposed to the second inner frame portion, and a cylindrical case surrounding the first outer frame portion, the second outer frame portion, and the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body, and the connecting body comprises a cylindrical first connecting body arranged in a gap between the first inner frame portion and the first outer frame portion, and a cylindrical second connecting body arranged in a gap between the second inner frame portion and the second outer frame portion. The device is characterized by comprising a connector and a cylindrical third connector that is disposed in the gap between the cylindrical portion and the case.

[0008] According to the present invention, one of the movable body and the support body includes a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer periphery of a magnet or coil supported by a support shaft, and the other of the movable body and the support body includes a cylindrical case surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. The connectors are arranged not only at two locations, one on one side of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction and the other on the other side, but also in the gap between the cylindrical portion and the case. By arranging more connectors than in the past, each connector is less likely to deform in a direction intersecting the axial direction. Therefore, movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction) can be suppressed, and loss of driving force due to movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction) can be reduced. Furthermore, because movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction is reduced and collision between the cylindrical portion and the case is restricted by the third connector, there is less risk of collision between the movable body and the support body due to impact, such as a drop. Therefore, there is less risk of damage.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the radial thicknesses of the first connecting body, the second connecting body, and the third connecting body are the same. This prevents variations in durability among the three connecting bodies. Furthermore, by making the radial thicknesses of the connecting bodies the same, it is possible to make the vibration characteristics uniform. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the vibration characteristics of the movable body to the target value.

[0010] In the present invention, the axial position of the third connecting body is preferably a position including a midpoint between the other axial end of the first connecting body and the one axial end of the second connecting body. This allows the three connecting bodies to be arranged approximately evenly in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid differences in vibration characteristics when the movable body moves to one side and the other side in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate differences in characteristics due to differences in the direction in which the movable body moves.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the axial length of the third connecting body is the same as the axial length of the cylindrical portion. This allows the axial length of the third connecting body to be as long as possible. The longer the axial length of the third connecting body is, the less likely the third connecting body is to deform in a direction intersecting the axial direction. Therefore, movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction) can be suppressed.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that one of the movable body and the support body includes the magnet fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft and a yoke that forms a magnetic circuit, and the yoke includes an end plate portion fixed to the end face of the magnet in the axial direction, a bent portion provided on the outer circumferential edge of the end plate portion, and the tubular portion extending from the bent portion toward the magnet. In this way, a third connector can be disposed by utilizing the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the yoke and the inner circumferential surface of the case.

[0013] In the present invention, the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector are preferably gel-like materials. The spring constant of the gel-like material when deformed in the compression direction is about three times the spring constant when deformed in the shear direction. Therefore, the spring constant when the movable body moves in a direction intersecting the axial direction is larger than the spring constant when the movable body vibrates in the axial direction, so that movement of the movable body in a direction different from the vibration direction can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, one of the movable body and the support body has a cylindrical part that surrounds the outer periphery of the magnet or coil supported by the support shaft, and the other of the movable body and the support body has a cylindrical case that surrounds the outer periphery of the cylindrical part. The connecting bodies are not only arranged at two locations, on one side and the other side of the axial direction of the cylindrical part, but are also arranged in the gap between the cylindrical part and the case. In this way, by arranging more connecting bodies than before, each connecting body becomes less likely to deform in a direction that intersects with the axial direction. Therefore This makes it possible to suppress movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction), thereby reducing loss of driving force due to movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction). Furthermore, because movement of the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction is reduced and collision between the cylindrical portion and the case is restricted by the third connector, there is little risk of the movable body colliding with the support body due to an impact such as a fall. Therefore, there is little risk of damage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator shown in FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1). [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator shown in FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Overall composition) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the actuator 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at position AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at position BB in FIG. 1, which is a cross-sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to FIG. 3. In the following description, the direction in which the central axis L of the movable body 3 extends is referred to as the axial direction, with one side of the axial direction being referred to as L1 and the other side of the axial direction being referred to as L2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the actuator 1 includes a support 2, a movable body 3, a connecting body 10 connected to the support 2 and the movable body 3, and a magnetic drive mechanism 6 that moves the movable body 3 relative to the support 2. The connecting body 10 has at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity. In this embodiment, the magnetic drive mechanism 6 includes a magnet 61 arranged on the movable body 3 and a coil 62 arranged on the support 2, and moves the movable body 3 relative to the support 2 in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable body 3 is connected to the support 2 via the connecting body 10 at three locations: an end on one axial side L1, an end on the other axial side L2, and the center in the axial direction.

[0018] (Support) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the support body 2 includes a cylindrical case 20, a first cover member 21 that closes an opening on one axial side L1 of the case 20, a second cover member 22 that closes an opening on the other axial side L2 of the case 20, and a coil holder 4 that is disposed between the first cover member 21 and the second cover member 22 on the inner circumferential side of the case 20. In this embodiment, the case 20, the first cover member 21, the second cover member 22, and the coil holder 4 are made of resin. The support body 2 also includes a first outer frame member 51 that fits on the inner circumferential side of the coil holder 4, and a second outer frame member 52 that fits on the inner circumferential side of the case 20 at a position spaced from the first outer frame member 51 on the other axial side L2. The first outer frame member 51 and the second outer frame member 52 are each connected to the movable body 3 via a connector 10. The case 20 is connected to the movable body 3 via a connector 10 at a substantially central portion in the axial direction.

[0019] (coil holder) 2, the coil holder 4 includes an annular first outer frame member fixing portion 41 and a body portion 42 that protrudes from the first outer frame member fixing portion 41 toward the other axial side L2, and a coil 62 is disposed around the body portion 42. Ends of a coil wire 63 drawn out from the coil 62 are wound around two terminal pins 64 that protrude radially outward from the first outer frame member fixing portion 41 of the coil holder 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal pins 64 protrude to the outside of the case 20 and are connected to the wiring board 7.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the coil holder 4 has a first step portion 44 that positions the first outer frame member 51 in the axial direction. The first outer frame member fixing portion 41 surrounds the outer periphery of the first outer frame member 51. A first recess 43 recessed toward the other side L2 in the axial direction is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first outer frame member fixing portion 41, and the first outer frame member 51 is press-fitted into the first recess 43. The first step portion 44 is provided at the end of the first recess 43 on the other side L2 in the axial direction. In this embodiment, an annular step portion 511 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first outer frame member 51 abuts against the first step portion 44 in the axial direction.

[0021] (case) The case 20 includes a cylindrical case body 24 and a second outer frame member fixing portion 25 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the case body 24. The second outer frame member fixing portion 25 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the coil holder 4 on the other side L2 in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second outer frame member fixing portion 25 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the case body 24 toward the inner peripheral side, and is molded integrally with the case body 24.

[0022] The case 20 has a second step 45 that positions the second outer frame member 52 in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second recess 46 recessed toward one side L1 in the axial direction is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second outer frame member fixing portion 25, and the second outer frame member 52 is press-fitted into the second recess 46. The second step 45 is provided at the end of the second recess 46 on one side L1 in the axial direction. In this embodiment, an annular step 521 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second outer frame member 52 abuts against the second step 45 in the axial direction.

[0023] The case 20 also includes a third step 47 that positions the coil holder 4 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the third step 47 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case body 24. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a plurality of grooves 29 extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case body 24 into which the coil holder 4 fits, and a third step 47 is formed at the end of each groove 29 on the other axial side L2. As shown in FIG. 2, the coil holder 4 includes a plurality of protrusions 49 that protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the first outer frame member fixing portion 41. When assembling the support body 2, each protrusion 49 of the coil holder 4 is fitted into each groove 29 of the case body 24 from one axial side L1 and abuts against the third step 47 in the axial direction. As a result, the coil holder 4 is press-fitted and fixed into the case body 24, and the coil holder 4 is positioned in the axial direction.

[0024] (Cover member) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, first cover member 21 is fixed to case body 24 from one axial side L1 of first outer frame member fixing portion 41 provided on coil holder 4. Second cover member 22 is fixed to case body 24 from the other axial side L2 of second outer frame member fixing portion 25. As shown in Figure 2, first cover member 21 and second cover member 22 each include a cover portion 26 that is circular when viewed from the axial direction, and a plurality of locking portions 27 that are equally spaced circumferentially on the outer periphery of cover portion 26. In this embodiment, first cover member 21 and second cover member 22 each include three locking portions 27. The locking portions 27 are claws that extend at an angle from cover portion 26 in a direction widening outward from the outer periphery.

[0025] Locking portion 27 elastically deforms in the radial direction and is pushed into the inner periphery of case body 24 together with lid portion 26. Case 20 is provided with restricting portion 28 that restricts locking portion 27 from coming off the inside of case 20. Restricting portion 28 is a convex portion that protrudes toward the inner periphery from the end of case body 24. Restricting portion 28 abuts against the tip of locking portion 27 in the axial direction. First lid member 21 and second lid member 22 are fixed to case 20 using a locking structure formed by locking portion 27 and restricting portion 28 in combination with fixation using an adhesive.

[0026] (wiring board) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support 2 is provided on one side L1 of the case 20 in the axial direction. The first lid member 21 has a notch 65 cut out on the other side L2 in the axial direction, and a substrate fixing portion 69 formed on the other side L2 of the notch 65. The notch 65 is covered by a cover 66 extending from a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the first lid member 21 to the other side L2 in the axial direction. The wiring board 7 is engaged with a claw 691 provided at the end of the substrate fixing portion 69 on one side L1 in the axial direction and an engaging groove 692 provided at the end of the substrate fixing portion 69 on the other side L2 in the axial direction, and is fixed to the substrate fixing portion 69 with an adhesive. A lead wire 8 for feeding power to the coil 62 is connected to the wiring board 7. The substrate fixing portion 69 has a lead wire holding portion 80 that holds the lead wire 8 at a position adjacent to the wiring board 7 in the circumferential direction.

[0027] When the case 20 and the coil holder 4 are assembled, the first outer frame member fixing portion 41 of the coil holder 4 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the cutout portion 65 of the case 20. Coil wire 63 drawn from the coil 62 is wound around the base of two terminal pins 64 extending from the first outer frame member fixing portion 41 to the outer circumferential side. The two terminal pins 64 protrude from the gap between the edge of the other side L2 of the cutout portion 65 and the cover 66, pass through two holes 71 provided in the wiring board 7 fixed to the board fixing portion 69, and are electrically connected to the lead wires 8 via lands provided on the edge of the holes 71.

[0028] (movable body) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the movable body 3 has a support shaft 30 that extends in the axial direction at the radial center of the support body 2. A magnet 61 and a yoke 35 are fixed to the support shaft 30 by a cylindrical first inner frame member 36 and a cylindrical second inner frame member 37. The support shaft 30 is a round metal bar. The first inner frame member 36 and the second inner frame member 37 are cylindrical metal bodies with circular through holes formed therein.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an annular protrusion 361 that protrudes radially inward is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first inner frame member 36 at the end on the other axial side L2. Therefore, when the first inner frame member 36 is press-fitted onto the spindle 30, the spindle 30 is press-fitted into the annular protrusion 361. Furthermore, an annular protrusion 371 that protrudes radially inward is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second inner frame member 37 at the end on one axial side L1. Therefore, when the second inner frame member 37 is press-fitted onto the spindle 30, the spindle 30 is press-fitted into the annular protrusion 371.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the magnet 61 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft 30 at approximately the center in the axial direction. The magnet 61 is circular when viewed in the axial direction. A shaft hole 610 through which the support shaft 30 passes is provided in the center of the magnet 61. The yoke 35 includes a first yoke 31 that overlaps the magnet 61 on one side L1 in the axial direction, and a second yoke 32 that overlaps the magnet 61 on the other side L2 in the axial direction.

[0031] A shaft hole 310 through which the support shaft 30 passes is provided in the center of the first yoke 31. In this embodiment, the first yoke 31 is a magnetic plate with an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the magnet 61, and the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 31 protrudes radially outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 61. The first yoke 31 is fixed to the surface of one side L1 of the magnet 61 by adhesive or other method.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the second yoke 32 is composed of two members: a cup-shaped first magnetic member 33 and a disk-shaped second magnetic member 34. The first magnetic member 33 has a circular end plate 331 with an axial hole 330 through which the support shaft 30 passes, a bent portion 332 bent from the outer edge of the end plate 331 toward one side L1 in the axial direction, and a cylindrical portion 333 extending from the bent portion 332 toward one side L1 in the axial direction. The end plate 331 is fixed to the end face of the magnet 61 on the other side L2 in the axial direction. The second magnetic member 34 has an axial hole 340 through which the support shaft 30 passes and is fixed to the end plate 331 of the first magnetic member 33 from the side opposite the magnet 61.

[0033] The movable body 3 is provided with the magnet 61 and the shaft holes 310, 610, 33 of the members constituting the yoke 35. With the support shaft 30 passing through the shafts 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H ...

[0034] 3 and 4, the cylindrical portion 333 of the first magnetic member 33 is radially spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 61 and the outer circumferential surface of the first yoke 31. The body portion 42 of the coil holder 4 is cylindrical and is disposed in the gap between the outer circumferential surfaces of the magnet 61 and the first yoke 31 and the cylindrical portion 333 of the first magnetic member 33. Therefore, the coil 62 wound around the body portion 42 is disposed in the gap between the cylindrical portion 333 and the outer circumferential surface of the first yoke 31. In addition, the end portion of the other side L2 of the coil 62 is disposed in the gap between the cylindrical portion 333 and the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 61.

[0035] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the second magnetic member 34 and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 333 are the same dimension, and the outer peripheral end face of the second magnetic member 34 is located on the same plane as the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 333. Therefore, the second yoke 32 has a sufficient thickness at the outer peripheral end where the magnetic flux density is high, and a magnetic path is formed in the portion where the magnetic flux density is high.

[0036] The resonant frequency of the actuator 1 is determined by an equation that includes the weight of the movable body 3 and the spring constant of the connecting body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the second magnetic member 34 has circular through-holes 38. In this embodiment, the through-holes 38 are provided in four locations. By appropriately setting the diameter and number of the through-holes 38, the weight of the movable body 3 can be appropriately set without changing the external shape of the second magnetic member 34. In other words, the second magnetic member 34 has a weight adjustment function for appropriately setting the weight of the movable body 3.

[0037] (connector) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the connecting body 10 includes a cylindrical first connecting body 11 disposed at an end of the movable body 3 on one axial side L1, a cylindrical second connecting body 12 disposed at an end of the movable body 3 on the other axial side L2, and a cylindrical third connecting body 13 disposed approximately in the center of the movable body 3 in the axial direction. The first inner frame member 36 of the movable body 3 faces the first outer frame member 51 of the support body 2 in the radial direction. The first connecting body 11 is disposed in the gap between the first inner frame member 36 and the first outer frame member 51. The second inner frame member 37 of the movable body 3 faces the second outer frame member 52 of the support body 2 in the radial direction. The second connecting body 12 is disposed in the gap between the second inner frame member 37 and the second outer frame member 52. The cylindrical portion 333 of the second yoke 32 of the movable body 3 faces the inner circumferential surface of the case 20 in the radial direction. The third connector 13 is disposed in the gap between the cylindrical portion 333 and the case 20 .

[0038] The first connector 11 and the second connector 12 have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the axial direction. The third connector 13 has a larger diameter than the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. In this embodiment, the radial thickness T2 of the third connector 13 is the same as the radial thickness T1 of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. In addition, in this embodiment, the third connector 13 is connected to the entire axial range of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 333. In other words, the axial length of the third connector 13 is the same as the axial length of the cylindrical portion 333. The axial position of the third connector 13 is a position including a midpoint P between the end of the other side L2 of the first connector 11 and the end of the one side L1 of the second connector 12.

[0039] The connector 10 is made of a viscoelastic material. For example, the connector 10 may be made of a gel material such as silicone gel, 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, etc. Various rubber materials such as rubber and modified materials thereof can be used. The viscoelastic body that can be used as the connector 10 may also be a composite material that combines a gel-like material, rubber, or a modified material thereof with an elastic body such as a spring.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 are all gel-like members formed from a gel material, and are joined to the movable body 3 and the support body 2 by the stickiness of the gel-like member itself or by an adhesive. More specifically, the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 are all made of silicone gel with a penetration of 90 degrees to 110 degrees, and are gel-like members with the same characteristics.

[0041] The first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12 are manufactured by a method (casting) in which a gel material is filled into a mold and cured. When molding the first connecting body 11, the first outer frame member 51 and the first inner frame member 36 are coaxially positioned using a jig to form an annular gap between the first outer frame member 51 and the first inner frame member 36. A gel material is then filled into this gap and thermally cured. As a result, the first connecting body 11 is bonded to the inner surface of the first outer frame member 51 and the outer surface of the first inner frame member 36 due to the adhesiveness of the gel material itself.

[0042] Note that, before filling with the gel material, the bonding strength can be increased by applying a bonding promoter such as a primer to the inner peripheral surface of the first outer frame member 51 and the outer peripheral surface of the first inner frame member 36. Similarly, the second connecting body 12 is formed by forming an annular gap between the second outer frame member 52 and the second inner frame member 37, filling this gap with a gel material, and thermally curing it. In this way, by joining the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12 to the inner frame and the outer frame, respectively, to form them into components, when assembling the actuator 1, the support body 2 and the movable body 3 can be connected without performing the step of adhering the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12.

[0043] The third connector 13 is manufactured by a method of filling a mold and hardening (casting), similar to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. For example, the first magnetic member 33 is positioned inside the case 20, and a gel material is filled between the case 20 and the cylindrical portion 333, and then thermally hardened. At this time, a bonding accelerator such as a primer can be used to increase the bonding strength between the case 20 and the third connector 13, and between the cylindrical portion 333 and the third connector 13.

[0044] Alternatively, a method may be used in which a mold member is positioned inside the case 20, a gel material is filled between the case 20 and the mold member, the gel material is thermally hardened to form the mold member, and then the mold member is removed.When assembling the support body 2 and the movable body 3, the cylindrical portion 333 is inserted inside the third connecting body 13, and the third connecting body 13 is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 333 with an adhesive.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 333 to which the third connecting body 13 is joined is provided on the first magnetic member 33 that constitutes the yoke 35. However, a third inner frame member that is separate from the first magnetic member 33 may be attached to the outer periphery of the first magnetic member 33 to form the cylindrical portion using the third inner frame member. In this case, a gel-like material can be molded between the third inner frame member (cylindrical portion) and the case 20 to form a component. This makes it possible to avoid the step of adhering the third connecting body when assembling the actuator 1.

[0046] (Actuator operation) In the actuator 1, when current is applied to the coil 62, the magnetic drive mechanism 6 generates a driving force that drives the movable body 3 in the axial direction. When the current to the coil 62 is cut off, the movable body 3 returns to the origin position due to the return force of the connecting body 10. Therefore, by intermittently applying current to the coil 62, the movable body 3 vibrates in the axial direction. In addition, by adjusting the AC waveform applied to the coil 62, the acceleration at which the movable body 3 moves to one side L1 in the axial direction and the acceleration at which the movable body 3 moves to the other side L2 in the axial direction can be adjusted. The acceleration of movement to the other side L2 in the linear direction can be made different. Therefore, a person holding a device equipped with actuator 1 as a haptic device can feel vibrations that have directionality in the axial direction. Actuator 1 can also be used to configure a speaker.

[0047] In this embodiment, the connecting body 10 is disposed at a position where the support body 2 and the movable body 3 are radially opposed, and the movable body 3 vibrates in the axial direction. When the movable body 3 vibrates in the axial direction relative to the support body 2, the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12 deform in the shear direction following the vibration of the movable body 3. Gel-like materials such as silicone gel have linear or nonlinear expansion and contraction characteristics depending on the direction of expansion and contraction. When a gel-like material deforms in the shear direction, it has deformation characteristics in which the linear component is greater than the nonlinear component. Therefore, when the movable body 3 vibrates in the axial direction relative to the support body 2, the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12 deform within a highly linear range, thereby achieving vibration characteristics with good linearity.

[0048] (Main effect of this form) As described above, the actuator 1 of this embodiment includes the support body 2, the movable body 3, the connecting body 10 connected to the support body 2 and the movable body 3 and having at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity, and the magnetic drive mechanism 6 including the magnet 61 and the coil 62 and moving the movable body 3 relative to the support body 2. The movable body 3 includes the support shaft 30 supporting the magnet 61 on the inner circumferential side of the support body 2, a cylindrical portion 333 surrounding the outer circumferential side of the magnet 61, a first inner frame member 36 (first inner frame portion) surrounding the outer circumferential side of the support shaft 30 on one side L1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 333, and a second inner frame member 37 (second inner frame portion) surrounding the outer circumferential side of the support shaft 30 on the other side L2 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 333. The support body 2 includes a first outer frame member 51 (first outer frame portion) radially opposed to the first inner frame member 36, a second outer frame member 52 (second outer frame portion) radially opposed to the second inner frame member 37, and a cylindrical case 20 surrounding the outer periphery of the first outer frame member 51, the second outer frame member 52, and the cylindrical portion 333. The connecting body 10 includes a cylindrical first connecting body 11 arranged in the gap between the first inner frame member 36 and the first outer frame member 51, a cylindrical second connecting body 12 arranged in the gap between the second inner frame member 37 and the second outer frame member 52, and a cylindrical third connecting body 13 arranged in the gap between the cylindrical portion 333 and the case 20.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the connecting bodies 10 connecting the movable body 3 and the support body 2 are not only arranged at two locations, one axial side L1 and the other axial side L2, of the cylindrical portion 333 provided on the movable body 3, but also arranged in the gap between the cylindrical portion 333 and the case 20. Therefore, while conventionally, connecting bodies 10 were arranged only at two locations, at both ends of the axial direction of the movable body 3, connecting bodies 10 are also arranged at a midpoint in the axial direction. Since there are a large number of connecting bodies 10, each connecting body 10 is less likely to deform in a direction intersecting the axial direction. This suppresses movement of the movable body 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction), thereby reducing loss of driving force due to movement of the movable body 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction). Furthermore, because movement of the movable body 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction is reduced and collision between the cylindrical portion 333 and the case 20 is restricted by the third connecting bodies 13, there is little risk of collision between the movable body 3 and the support body 2 due to an impact, such as a fall. Therefore, there is little risk of damage.

[0050] In this embodiment, the movable body 3 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the support 2, but in the present invention, a configuration in which the movable body 3 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the support 2 may be employed. Also, in this embodiment, the magnetic drive mechanism 6 that vibrates the movable body 3 relative to the support 2 includes a magnet 61 disposed on the movable body 3 and a coil 62 disposed on the support 2, but in the present invention, a configuration in which the magnet 61 and the coil 62 are disposed in reverse may be employed. That is, the magnetic drive mechanism 6 may be configured such that the magnet 61 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the coil 62. Also, a configuration in which the coil 62 is disposed on the movable body 3 and the magnet 61 is disposed on the support 2 may be employed.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first inner frame member 36 and the second inner frame member 37 are separate members from the support shaft 30, but the first inner frame member 36 and the second inner frame member 37 may be configured integrally with the support shaft 30. That is, the movable body 3 only needs to have portions that function as the first inner frame portion and the second inner frame portion to which the connecting body 10 is joined on the outer peripheral surface. Furthermore, the first outer frame member 51 may be configured integrally with the coil holder 4, and the second outer frame member 52 may be configured integrally with the case 20. That is, the support body 2 only needs to have portions that function as the first outer frame portion and the second outer frame portion to which the connecting body 10 is joined on the inner peripheral surface.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 have the same radial thickness, and therefore have the same durability. The radial thicknesses of the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 do not have to be the same, but it is preferable to make them nearly the same. If there is little variation in the radial thicknesses of the multiple connecting bodies 10, it is possible to avoid variation in the durability of the multiple connecting bodies 10. Furthermore, by making the radial thicknesses of the multiple connecting bodies 10 the same, it is possible to make the vibration characteristics the same. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the vibration characteristics of the movable body 3 to the target value.

[0053] In this embodiment, the axial position of the third connecting body 13 is a position that includes a midpoint P between the end of the other axial side L2 of the first connecting body 11 and the end of one axial side L1 of the second connecting body 12. In this manner, the three connecting bodies 10 can be evenly arranged in the axial direction. This makes it possible to avoid differences in vibration characteristics when the movable body 3 moves to one axial side L1 and when it moves to the other axial side L2. This makes it possible to reduce or eliminate differences in characteristics due to differences in the direction in which the movable body 3 moves.

[0054] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the axial center of third connecting body 13 is offset from midpoint P between the end of the other side L2 of first connecting body 11 and the end of one side L1 of second connecting body 12, but if third connecting body 13 is positioned so that its axial center coincides with midpoint P, first connecting body 11, second connecting body 12, and third connecting body 13 can be positioned at equal intervals in the axial direction. Therefore, differences in characteristics due to differences in the direction in which movable body 3 moves can be reduced or eliminated.

[0055] Furthermore, although the present embodiment has arranged the connecting bodies 10 at three locations, the connecting bodies 10 may be arranged at four or more locations. For example, in addition to the three locations in the present embodiment, the connecting bodies 10 may also be arranged in the radial gap between the body portion 42 of the coil holder 4 and the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 31.

[0056] In this embodiment, the axial length of the third connecting body 13 is the same as the axial length of the cylindrical portion 333. This allows the axial length of the third connecting body 13 to be as long as possible. The longer the axial length of the third connecting body 13, the less likely the third connecting body 13 is to deform in a direction intersecting the axial direction. Therefore, movement of the movable body 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction (vibration direction) can be suppressed.

[0057] In this embodiment, one of the movable body 3 and the support body 2 includes a magnet 61 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft 30 and a yoke 35 that forms a magnetic circuit, and the yoke 35 includes an end plate portion 331 fixed to the end surface of the magnet 61 in the axial direction, a bent portion 332 provided on the outer circumferential edge of the end plate portion 331, and a tubular portion 333 extending from the bent portion 332 toward the magnet 61. In this manner, the third connector 13 can be disposed by utilizing the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the yoke 35 and the inner circumferential surface of the case 20.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 are gel-like materials. The spring constant of the gel-like material when deformed in the compression direction is 0.015 when deformed in the shear direction. Therefore, the spring constant when the movable body 3 moves in a direction intersecting the axial direction is greater than the spring constant when the movable body 3 vibrates in the axial direction, so that the movable body 3 can be prevented from moving in a direction different from the vibration direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first connecting body 11, the second connecting body 12, and the third connecting body 13 are gel-like materials with the same characteristics, but the properties of these three gel-like materials may be different. For example, the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12 may be gel-like materials with the same properties, and the third connecting body 13 may be a gel-like material with properties different from those of the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12. For example, if the radial thickness T2 of the third connecting body 13 is different from the radial thickness T1 of the first connecting body 11 and the second connecting body 12, the vibration characteristics can be matched by changing the properties of the gel-like materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...actuator, 2...support, 3...movable body, 4...coil holder, 6...magnetic drive mechanism, 7...wiring board, 8...lead wire, 10...connector, 11...first connecting body, 12...second connecting body, 13...third connecting body, 20...case, 21...first cover member, 22...second cover member, 24...case body, 25...second outer frame member fixing portion, 26...cover portion, 27...locking portion, 28...regulating portion, 29...groove portion, 30...support shaft, 31...first yoke, 32...second yoke, 33...first magnetic member, 34...second magnetic member, 35...yoke, 36...first inner frame member, 37...second inner frame member, 38...through hole, 41...first outer frame member fixing portion, 42...body portion, 43...first recess, 44...first step portion, 45...second step portion, 46...second recess, 47...third step portion, 49...protrusion portion, 51...first outer frame member, 52...second outer frame member, 61...magnet, 62...coil, 63...coil wire, 64...terminal pin, 65...notch portion, 66...cover, 69...board fixing portion, 71...hole, 80...lead wire holding portion, 310, 330, 340, 610...shaft hole, 331...end plate portion, 332...bent portion, 333...cylindrical portion, 361, 371...annular protrusion, 511, 521...annular step portion, 691...claw portion, 692...engagement groove, L...central axis, L1...one side in the axial direction, L2...other side in the axial direction, P...intermediate point

Claims

1. a support and a movable body; a connecting body connected to the support body and the movable body and having at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity; a magnetic drive mechanism including a magnet and a coil, and configured to move the movable body relative to the support; One of the movable body and the support body includes a support shaft that supports one of the magnet and the coil on the inner peripheral side of the other of the movable body and the support body, a cylindrical portion that surrounds the outer peripheral side of one of the magnet and the coil, a first inner frame portion that surrounds the outer peripheral side of the support shaft on one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, and a second inner frame portion that surrounds the outer peripheral side of the support shaft on the other side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, the other of the movable body and the support body includes a first outer frame portion radially opposed to the first inner frame portion, a second outer frame portion radially opposed to the second inner frame portion, and a cylindrical case surrounding the first outer frame portion, the second outer frame portion, and an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical portion, The connector is a cylindrical first connecting body disposed in a gap between the first inner frame portion and the first outer frame portion; a cylindrical second connecting body disposed in a gap between the second inner frame portion and the second outer frame portion; a cylindrical third connector disposed in a gap between the cylindrical portion and the case, An actuator, wherein the first connecting body, the second connecting body, and the third connecting body have the same radial thickness.

2. 2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the axial position of the third connecting body is a position including a midpoint between the other axial end of the first connecting body and the one axial end of the second connecting body.

3. 3. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the length of the third connector in the axial direction is the same as the length of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction.

4. one of the movable body and the support body includes the magnet fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the support shaft and a yoke that forms a magnetic circuit; The yoke has an end plate portion fixed to an end surface of the magnet in the axial direction, and an outer peripheral edge of the end plate portion.

4. The actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: a bent portion provided in the magnet; and the cylindrical portion extending from the bent portion toward the magnet.

5. 5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector are made of a gel material.

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