Vibration generation device

Abstract

This vibration generation device (101) comprises: an elastic support member (7) (left-side elastic support member (7L) and right-side elastic support member (7R)) that supports a movable-side member (MB) to be capable of vibration relative to a fixed-side member (FB); and a drive means (DM) that includes a coil (4), which is the fixed-side member (FB), and a movable-side magnetic field generation member (5), which is the movable-side member (MB), and that applies vibrational force to the movable-side member (MB). The right-side elastic support member (7R) includes: a right-side adherence part (7R5) which is fixed to the fixed-side member (FB); a right-side deformation part (7RT) of which one end is connected to the right-side adherence part (7R5); and a right-side standing part (7R1) which extends in the vertical direction from the other end of the right-side deformation part (7RT). The movable-side member (MB) is attached to the right-side standing part (7R1) so as to be disposed at a location higher than the upper end of the right-side deformation part (7RT) and, when the movable-side member (MB) vibrates and becomes displaced to the left, the lower part of the movable-side member (MB) is at a location above the right-side deformation part (7RT).

Description

Vibration Generator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration generating device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vibration motor (vibration generator) is known that includes leaf springs as elastic members (elastic support members) on the left and right sides of a movable part that vibrates in the left-right direction (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2010-207725 A

[0004] However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 may result in the size of the vibration generator becoming large in the vibration direction.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a vibration generator that can suppress an increase in size in the vibration direction.

[0006] A vibration generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a fixed-side member and a movable-side member, an elastic support member that supports the movable-side member so that it can vibrate in the left-right direction relative to the fixed-side member, and a driving means that includes a fixed-side magnetic field generating member included in the fixed-side member and a movable-side magnetic field generating member included in the movable-side member and that applies a left-right vibration force to the movable-side member, wherein the elastic support member includes a left-side elastic support member and a right-side elastic support member, and the right-side elastic support member includes a right-side fixed portion fixed to the fixed-side member, a right-side deforming portion having one end connected to the right-side fixed portion and extending along the front-to-back direction, and a right-side upright portion extending in the up-down direction from the other end of the right-side deforming portion, and the movable-side member is attached to the right-side elastic support member so as to be positioned to the left of the right upright portion and higher than the upper end of the right-side deforming portion, and when the movable-side member is displaced to the right, the lower part of the movable-side member is above the right-side deforming portion and in a position that does not interfere with the right-side deforming portion.

[0007] The above-described vibration generator can suppress an increase in size in the vibration direction.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vibration generator; 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration generator; 3 is a six-view diagram of an elastic support member; 4 is a perspective view of a movable-side member and an elastic support member; 5 is a front view and a bottom view of a movable-side member and an elastic support member; 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a vibration generator; 7 is a top view of a coil, a movable-side member, and an elastic support member; 8 is a front view of the coil, a movable-side member, and an elastic support member; 9 is a perspective view of a movable-side member and an elastic support member;

[0009] Hereinafter, a vibration exciter 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vibration exciter 101. Specifically, the upper diagram of Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration exciter 101, and the lower diagram of Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration exciter 101. Fig. 2 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of the vibration exciter 101.

[0010] In each of FIGS. 1 and 2 , X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Furthermore, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In this embodiment, the X1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the front side (front face) of the vibration generator 101, and the X2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the rear side (rear face) of the vibration generator 101. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the left side of the vibration generator 101, and the Y2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the right side of the vibration generator 101. The Z1 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the upper side of the vibration generator 101, and the Z2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the lower side of the vibration generator 101. The same applies to the other figures.

[0011] The vibration device VE includes a control unit CTR and a vibration generator 101. The vibration generator 101 is inserted into a thin, tubular object, such as a stylus, and is positioned so as to vibrate in the radial direction (short direction) of the object. Therefore, the vibration generator 101 is preferably configured to minimize its length in the vibration direction while still achieving the desired vibration power. Specifically, the vibration generator 101 includes a box-shaped case, a housing HS, a movable member MB housed within the housing HS, a non-magnetic metal plate 3 attached to the housing HS, and a coil 4 attached to the housing HS via an insulating substrate BM. The housing HS, the non-magnetic metal plate 3, and the coil 4 form a fixed member FB. The control unit CTR is connected to an input terminal IT provided on the insulating substrate BM, which is fixed to the housing HS via adhesive. In this embodiment, the insulating substrate BM is a combination of a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. However, the insulating substrate BM may also be a rigid-flexible substrate, etc. In the upper diagram of FIG. 1, the dashed line connecting the control unit CTR and the input terminal IT provided on the insulating substrate BM schematically indicates that the control unit CTR and the input terminal IT are electrically connected.

[0012] As shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 1 , the housing HS has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and is configured so that the areas of the surfaces parallel to the XY plane (top and bottom surfaces) are larger than the other surfaces. In this embodiment, the housing HS is configured with a cover 1 and a base plate 2. The cover 1 is made of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. However, the cover 1 may also be made of synthetic resin or magnetic metal.

[0013] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 1 , cover 1 is configured by bending a single metal plate to form five surfaces (top, front, left, rear, and right surfaces) of the housing HS. Specifically, cover 1 includes a cylindrical portion 1A having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape and a top plate portion 1B having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. Cylindrical portion 1A includes a front plate portion 1A1, a left plate portion 1A2, a rear plate portion 1A3, and a right plate portion 1A4. More specifically, cylindrical portion 1A includes front plate portion 1A1 and rear plate portion 1A3 that face each other, and left plate portion 1A2 and right plate portion 1A4 that are perpendicular to front plate portion 1A1 and rear plate portion 1A3 and face each other.

[0014] The base plate 2 is configured to form the lower surface (bottom surface) of the housing HS. In this embodiment, the base plate 2 forms a bottom plate portion in the shape of a substantially rectangular flat plate. In the illustrated example, the base plate 2 is formed of a magnetic metal and functions as a fixed-side magnetic member. The base plate 2 as a fixed-side magnetic member is configured to be able to control the path of the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5. Furthermore, the base plate 2 as a fixed-side magnetic member is a member that constitutes the driving means DM. However, the base plate 2 may also be formed of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel.

[0015] The cover 1 is fixed to the base plate 2. Specifically, the cover 1 is joined to the base plate 2 by welding the lower end of the cylindrical portion 1A to the base plate 2. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 1A and the base plate 2 may be joined by brazing, an adhesive, caulking, or the like. The insulating substrate BM is joined to the upper surface of the base plate 2 by an adhesive.

[0016] The non-magnetic metal plate 3 is fixed to the ceiling surface of the cover 1. For example, the non-magnetic metal plate 3 may be fixed to the ceiling surface of the cover 1 by double-sided tape, adhesive, or crimping. In the illustrated example, the non-magnetic metal plate 3 is a copper plate, and is fixed to the ceiling surface of the cover 1 by adhesive. The non-magnetic metal plate 3 may be formed to contain copper or aluminum.

[0017] The coil 4 is an example of a fixed magnetic field generating member, and is configured to be able to generate a magnetic field while being fixed to the housing HS. The coil 4 is also a component constituting the driving means DM. In this embodiment, the coil 4 is a wound coil formed by winding a conductive wire whose surface is coated with an insulating material, and is fixed to the insulating substrate BM with adhesive. Note that for clarity, Figures 1 and 2 omit detailed illustration of the winding state of the conductive wire. This also applies to other figures that illustrate the coil 4.

[0018] Specifically, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 1, the coil 4 is arranged so that one end (first end 4A) is connected to a first conductor pad PD1 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM, and the other end (second end 4B) is connected to a second conductor pad PD2 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM.

[0019] The control unit CTR is configured to control the movement of the movable member MB. In this embodiment, the control unit CTR is a device including an electronic circuit, a nonvolatile memory device, etc., and is configured to control the direction and magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 4. The control unit CTR may be configured to control the direction and magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 4 in response to a control command from an external device such as a computer, or may be configured to control the direction and magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 4 without receiving a control command from an external device. For example, the control unit CTR may be a microcomputer equipped with a CPU. Note that, although the control unit CTR is installed outside the housing HS in this embodiment, it may also be installed inside the housing HS.

[0020] The movable member MB is configured to be able to vibrate the housing HS. In this embodiment, the movable member MB is configured to be able to vibrate the housing HS by reciprocating while being attached inside the housing HS via the elastic support member 7.

[0021] Specifically, the movable-side member MB includes a movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 and a movable-side magnetic member 6, and is configured to be elastically supported by an elastic support member 7. More specifically, the movable-side member MB has a predetermined natural frequency, and is configured to be able to reciprocate (vibrate) relative to the housing HS along a vibration axis VA (see the lower diagram in FIG. 1 ) extending in a predetermined direction (the Y-axis direction).

[0022] The movable magnetic field generating member 5 is configured to be able to generate a magnetic field while being capable of reciprocating (vibrating) relative to the housing HS. The movable magnetic field generating member 5 is also a component of the driving means DM. In this embodiment, the movable magnetic field generating member 5 includes a left-side magnet 5L and a right-side magnet 5R that are bipolarly magnetized in the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 2 . For clarity, in FIG. 2 , a cross pattern is applied to the south pole portion of the movable magnetic field generating member 5, and a dot pattern is applied to the north pole portion of the movable magnetic field generating member 5. This is also true for other figures illustrating the polarity of the movable magnetic field generating member 5.

[0023] The movable-side magnetic member 6 is a member used to attach the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 to the elastic support member 7. In the illustrated example, the movable-side magnetic member 6 is joined to the elastic support member 7 by welding. The movable-side magnetic member 6 is configured to control the path of the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5. The movable-side magnetic member 6 is also a member constituting the driving means DM. In this embodiment, the movable-side magnetic member 6 includes a central portion 6C to which the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 is attached, a rear portion 6B located behind the central portion 6C, a front portion 6F located in front of the central portion 6C, a left portion 6L located to the left of the central portion 6C, and a right portion 6R located to the right of the central portion 6C. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 is attached to the ceiling surface CP of the movable-side magnetic member 6. The movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 and the movable-side magnetic member 6 may be fixed to each other with an adhesive.

[0024] The driving means DM is an example of a vibration force generator and is configured to vibrate the movable member MB along the vibration axis VA. In this embodiment, the driving means DM is an electromagnetic driving mechanism and is composed of a base plate 2 (fixed magnetic member), a coil 4 (fixed magnetic field generating member), a movable magnetic field generating member 5, and a movable magnetic member 6. Specifically, the driving means DM is configured to utilize a Lorentz force corresponding to the direction and magnitude of the current supplied to the coil 4 under the control of the control unit CTR to vibrate the movable member MB (movable magnetic field generating member 5), which is elastically supported by the elastic support member 7, along the vibration axis VA.

[0025] The elastic support member 7 is disposed between the fixed-side member FB (housing HS) and the movable-side member MB and is configured to elastically support the movable-side member MB. In this embodiment, the elastic support member 7 is a leaf spring formed of a metal plate and includes a left-side elastic support member 7L attached to the inner surface (Y2 side) of the left-side plate portion 1A2 of the housing HS, a right-side elastic support member 7R attached to the inner surface (Y1 side) of the right-side plate portion 1A4 of the housing HS, and a central portion 7C provided between the left-side elastic support member 7L and the right-side elastic support member 7R. In the illustrated example, the central portion 7C functions as a connecting plate portion connecting the left-side elastic support member 7L and the right-side elastic support member 7R. Note that the central portion 7C may be omitted. In this case, the left-side elastic support member 7L and the right-side elastic support member 7R are separate and independent members that are separately fixed to the movable-side member MB.

[0026] The elastic support member 7 may also include a reinforcing plate portion that suppresses deformation of the central portion 7 C. Specifically, the reinforcing plate portion includes, for example, at least one of a front extending portion that extends downward from the front edge of the central portion 7 C and a rear extending portion that extends downward from the rear edge of the central portion 7 C.

[0027] The elastic support member 7 will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figure 3 is a six-view diagram of the elastic support member 7. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams of the elastic support member 7 that supports the movable-side member MB (movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 and movable-side magnetic member 6) so that it can reciprocate. Specifically, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5, movable-side magnetic member 6, and elastic support member 7, the upper view of Figure 5 is a front view of the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5, movable-side magnetic member 6, and elastic support member 7, and the lower view of Figure 5 is a bottom view of the movable-side magnetic field generating member 5, movable-side magnetic member 6, and elastic support member 7.

[0028] The central portion 7C is configured to be fixed to the upper surface of the movable magnetic member 6. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the central portion 7C is fixed to the upper surface of the movable magnetic member 6 by welding.

[0029] The left elastic support member 7L elastically supports the movable member MB and includes a left standing portion 7L1, a first left deformation portion 7L2, a left folded portion 7L3, a second left deformation portion 7L4, and a left fixed portion 7L5. The left standing portion 7L1 connects the left end portion LE of the central portion 7C (see the top view of FIG. 3 ) to the first left deformation portion 7L2. In this embodiment, the left standing portion 7L1 is formed by bending the left end portion LE of the central portion 7C, which extends in the X-axis direction, as a fold line. The left standing portion 7L1 includes a portion that is linear in front view. In this embodiment, the left standing portion 7L1 is configured to extend downward (in the Z2 direction) perpendicular to the central portion 7C. The first left deformation portion 7L2 is a portion that is linear in top view. In this embodiment, the first left-side deformation portion 7L2 is configured to extend forward (in the X1 direction) from the left-side upright portion 7L1. The left-side folded portion 7L3 is configured to extend leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the front end of the first left-side deformation portion 7L2 and curve convexly forward. In this embodiment, the left-side folded portion 7L3 is configured to have a U-shape in top view so that stress acting on the left-side folded portion 7L3 is dispersed over a wide area. The second left-side deformation portion 7L4 is a linear portion extending rearward (in the X2 direction) from the left end of the left-side folded portion 7L3. The left-side fixing portion 7L5 is a portion fixed to the housing HS. In this embodiment, the left-side fixing portion 7L5 extends rearward (in the Z1 direction) from the rear end of the second left-side deformation portion 7L4 parallel to the left side plate portion 1A2 of the cover 1 and is fixed to the left side plate portion 1A2 by welding. However, the left-side fixing portion 7L5 may be fixed by welding or the like to another part of the housing HS, such as the front side plate 1A1, the rear side plate 1A3, the top plate 1B, or the base plate 2. The first left-side deforming portion 7L2, the left-side folded portion 7L3, and the second left-side deforming portion 7L4 are also referred to as the left-side deforming portion 7LT (see the top view in FIG. 3 ), which is a portion that deforms in response to the reciprocating movement of the movable-side member MB.

[0030] The right elastic support member 7R elastically supports the movable member MB and includes a right standing portion 7R1, a first right deformation portion 7R2, a right folded portion 7R3, a second right deformation portion 7R4, and a right fixed portion 7R5. The right standing portion 7R1 connects the right end portion RE of the central portion 7C (see the top view of FIG. 3 ) to the first right deformation portion 7R2. In this embodiment, the right standing portion 7R1 is formed by bending the right end portion RE of the central portion 7C, which extends in the X-axis direction, as a fold line. The right standing portion 7R1 includes a portion that is linear in front view. In this embodiment, the right standing portion 7R1 is configured to extend downward (in the Z2 direction) perpendicular to the central portion 7C. The first right deformation portion 7R2 is a portion that is linear in top view. In this embodiment, the first right deforming portion 7R2 is configured to extend rearward (in the X2 direction) from the right standing portion 7R1. The right folded portion 7R3 is configured to extend rightward (in the Y2 direction) from the rear end of the first right deforming portion 7R2 and curve convexly rearward. In this embodiment, the right folded portion 7R3 is configured to have a U-shape in top view so that stress acting on the right folded portion 7R3 is dispersed over a wide area. The second right deforming portion 7R4 is a linear portion extending forward (in the X1 direction) from the right end of the right folded portion 7R3. The right fixing portion 7R5 is a portion fixed to the housing HS. In this embodiment, the right fixing portion 7R5 extends forward (in the X1 direction) from the front end of the second right deforming portion 7R4 parallel to the right side plate portion 1A4 of the cover 1 and is fixed to the right side plate portion 1A4 by welding. However, the right-side fixing portion 7R5 may be fixed by welding or the like to another part of the housing HS, such as the front side plate portion 1A1, the rear side plate portion 1A3, the top plate portion 1B, or the base plate 2. The first right-side deforming portion 7R2, the right-side folded portion 7R3, and the second right-side deforming portion 7R4 are also referred to as a right-side deforming portion 7RT (see the top view in FIG. 3 ), which is a portion that deforms in response to the reciprocating movement of the movable-side member MB.

[0031] The left side 6L of the movable magnetic member 6 is configured to restrict the leftward movement of the movable magnetic field generating member 5 (left magnet 5L) attracted to the movable magnetic member 6 fixed to the central portion 7C relative to the movable magnetic member 6. The right side 6R of the movable magnetic member 6 is configured to restrict the rightward movement of the movable magnetic field generating member 5 (right magnet 5R) attracted to the movable magnetic member 6 fixed to the central portion 7C relative to the movable magnetic member 6. The rear side 6B of the movable magnetic member 6 is configured to restrict the rearward movement of the movable magnetic field generating member 5 attracted to the movable magnetic member 6 fixed to the central portion 7C relative to the movable magnetic member 6. The front side 6F of the movable magnetic member 6 is configured to restrict the forward movement of the movable magnetic field generating member 5 attracted to the movable magnetic member 6 fixed to the central portion 7C relative to the movable magnetic member 6.

[0032] Specifically, the rear portion 6B has a central rear portion 6BC, a left rear portion 6BL, and a right rear portion 6BR, while the front portion 6F has a central front portion 6FC, a left front portion 6FL, and a right front portion 6FR. The left rear portion 6BL and the left front portion 6FL are configured to function as a left stopper that limits movement of the movable member MB to the left (Y1 direction), and the right rear portion 6BR and the right front portion 6FR are configured to function as a right stopper that limits movement of the movable member MB to the right (Y2 direction). Specifically, when the movable member MB moves a predetermined distance to the left, the left rear portion 6BL and the left front portion 6FL come into contact with the inner surface of the left side plate portion 1A2 of the tubular portion 1A, thereby preventing further leftward movement of the movable member MB. In addition, the right rear portion 6BR and the right front portion 6FR are configured to come into contact with the inner surface of the right side plate portion 1A4 of the tubular portion 1A when the movable side member MB moves a predetermined distance to the right, thereby suppressing further movement of the movable side member MB to the right.

[0033] Next, the reciprocating movement of the movable member MB by the driving means DM will be described with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8. Figure 6 is a detailed view of the vibration generator 101. Specifically, the upper view of Figure 6 is a top view of the vibration generator 101, and the lower view of Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vibration generator 101 taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the dashed-dotted line L1 in the upper view of Figure 6, as viewed from the X1 side. Specifically, the lower view of Figure 6 shows the vibration generator 101 in its initial state. The initial state of the vibration generator 101 refers to the state of the vibration generator 101 when no current is supplied to the coil 4.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a top view of the coil 4, the movable member MB (the movable magnetic field generating member 5 and the movable magnetic member 6), and the elastic support member 7. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable member MB has moved to the left (Y1 direction), the center view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable member MB is in a neutral position (not moving), and the lower view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable member MB has moved to the right (Y2 direction). Note that, for the sake of explanation, parts of the coil 4 and the elastic support member 7 that are actually hidden by the movable member MB are shown with hidden lines (dashed lines) in Fig. 7.

[0035] Fig. 8 is a front view of the coil 4, the movable member MB (the movable magnetic field generating member 5 and the movable magnetic member 6), and the elastic support member 7. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 8 shows the state when the movable member MB has moved to the left (Y1 direction), the center view of Fig. 8 shows the state when the movable member MB is in the neutral position (not moving), and the lower view of Fig. 8 shows the state when the movable member MB has moved to the right (Y2 direction).

[0036] 6, the left-hand magnet 5L constituting the movable magnetic field generating member 5 has its lower half magnetized to the north pole and its upper half magnetized to the south pole, while the right-hand magnet 5R constituting the movable magnetic field generating member 5 has its lower half magnetized to the south pole and its upper half magnetized to the north pole.

[0037] When a current flows from the first end 4A to the second end 4B of the coil 4, the current flows counterclockwise in a top view, as indicated by the arrow AR1 in the upper diagram of Figure 7. In this case, in the initial state, the current flows from the rear (X2 side) to the front (X1 side) in a top view in the left bundled wire portion 4L, which faces the left magnet 5L of the coil 4 in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-back direction. Therefore, a force acting on the left magnet 5L to move the left magnet 5L to the left (Y1 direction) as a reaction force of the Lorentz force acts on the left magnet 5L. Also, in the initial state, the current flows from the front (X1 side) to the rear (X2 side) in a top view in the right bundled wire portion 4R, which faces the right magnet 5R of the coil 4 in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-back direction. Therefore, a force acting on the right magnet 5R to move the left (Y1 direction) as a reaction force of the Lorentz force acts on the left magnet 5L.

[0038] As a result, the movable member MB is biased leftward (in the Y1 direction) as indicated by the block arrow AR3 in the lower view of FIG. 6 and moves leftward as indicated by the upper views of FIGS. 7 and 8. When the movable member MB moves leftward a predetermined distance, the left front portion 6FL and the left rear portion 6BL of the movable magnetic member 6 come into contact with the inner surface of the left plate portion 1A2 of the cylindrical portion 1A, restricting further leftward movement of the movable member MB. Note that for illustrative purposes, the position of the left plate portion 1A2 of the cylindrical portion 1A is indicated by a dashed line in FIGS. 7 and 8. Furthermore, the control unit CTR is typically configured to vibrate the movable member MB so that the left front portion 6FL and the left rear portion 6BL of the movable magnetic member 6 do not come into contact with the inner surface of the left plate portion 1A2 of the cylindrical portion 1A.

[0039] In this case, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 7, the left-hand elastic support member 7L is compressed so that the distance DL1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the left end LE of the central portion 7C and the left fixing portion 7L5 becomes smaller than the distance DL0 in the initial state (see the center diagram of Fig. 7). Also, the right-hand elastic support member 7R is expanded so that the distance DR1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the right end RE of the central portion 7C and the right fixing portion 7R5 becomes larger than the distance DR0 in the initial state.

[0040] Conversely, when current flows from the second end 4B to the first end 4A of the coil 4, the current flows clockwise in a top view, as indicated by arrow AR2 in the lower diagram of Figure 7. In this case, in the left-side wiring portion 4L, which faces the left-side magnet 5L of the coil 4 in the vertical direction in the initial state, current flows from the front (X1 side) to the rear (X2 side) in a top view, so a force acting as a reaction force to the Lorentz force acts on the left-side magnet 5L, tending to move the left-side magnet 5L to the right (Y2 direction). Also, in the right-side wiring portion 4R, which faces the right-side magnet 5R in the vertical direction in the initial state, current flows from the rear (X2 side) to the front (X1 side) in a top view, so a force acting as a reaction force to the Lorentz force acts on the right-side magnet 5R.

[0041] As a result, the movable member MB is biased to the right (Y2 direction) and moves rightward, as shown in the lower diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8. When the movable member MB moves rightward a predetermined distance, the right front portion 6FR and the right rear portion 6BR of the movable magnetic member 6 come into contact with the inner surface of the right side plate portion 1A4 of the cylindrical portion 1A, restricting further rightward movement of the movable member MB. For illustrative purposes, the position of the right side plate portion 1A4 of the cylindrical portion 1A is indicated by a dashed line in FIGS. 7 and 8. The control unit CTR is typically configured to vibrate the movable member MB so that the right front portion 6FR and the right rear portion 6BR of the movable magnetic member 6 do not come into contact with the inner surface of the right side plate portion 1A4 of the cylindrical portion 1A.

[0042] In this case, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 7, the left-hand elastic support member 7L is stretched so that the distance DL2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the left end LE of the central portion 7C and the left fixing portion 7L5 becomes larger than the distance DL0 in the initial state (see the center diagram of Figure 7). Also, the right-hand elastic support member 7R is compressed so that the distance DR2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the right end RE of the central portion 7C and the right fixing portion 7R5 becomes smaller than the distance DR0 in the initial state.

[0043] The control unit CTR can, for example, repeatedly reverse the direction of the current flowing through the coil 4 at a period corresponding to the natural frequency of the elastic support member 7, thereby alternately generating the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7 and the state shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7, sandwiched between the state shown in the center diagram of FIG.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit CTR stops the supply of current to the coil 4 when the vibration generator 101 reaches the state shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 7. When the supply of current to the coil 4 is stopped, the Lorentz force and its reaction force disappear. At this time, the movable member MB is pushed back to the right (Y2 direction) by the restoring force of the elastic support member 7. The same is true when the vibration generator 101 reaches the state shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 7.

[0045] Alternatively, the control unit CTR may cause the movable member MB to reciprocate in the left-right direction by switching between supplying and stopping the current to the coil 4 without reversing the direction of the current flowing through the coil 4.

[0046] Next, with reference to FIG. 9 , another example of the configuration of the elastic support member 7 that elastically supports the movable member MB will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of the configuration of the elastic support member 7 that elastically supports the movable member MB. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows three other examples of the configuration of the elastic support member 7 that elastically supports the movable member MB. Note that in FIG. 9 , for the sake of explanation, parts of the elastic support member 7 and the movable member MB that are hidden by themselves or other members are shown with hidden lines (dashed lines). Also, in FIG. 9 , for the sake of explanation, cross patterns are added to the welded portions.

[0047] The elastic support member 7 shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9 differs from the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3 in that it does not include a central portion and folded portions (left folded portion and right folded portion), but is otherwise the same as the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3.

[0048] The elastic support member 7 shown in the center diagram of Figure 9 differs from the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3 in that it does not include a central portion and that the left-side folded portion 7L3 is arranged so as to be convex toward the rear, just like the right-side folded portion 7R3, but is otherwise the same as the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3.

[0049] The elastic support member 7 shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9 differs from the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3 in that it does not include a central portion, that the left fixing portion 7L5 is located more inward (to the right, on the Y2 side) than the left standing portion 7L1, and that the right fixing portion 7R5 is located more inward (to the left, on the Y1 side) than the right standing portion 7R1, but is otherwise the same as the elastic support member 7 shown in Figure 3. Note that in the example shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9, the base plate 2 may be configured so that portions (not shown) welded to the left fixing portion 7L5 and the right fixing portion 7R5 each protrude upward from the upper surface of the base plate 2. Alternatively, the left fixing portion 7L5 and the right fixing portion 7R5 may each include a portion (not shown) extending parallel to the upper surface of the base plate 2 so that they can be welded to the upper surface of the base plate 2.

[0050] As described above, the vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, as shown in FIG. 2 , a fixed member FB and a movable member MB, an elastic support member 7 that supports the movable member MB so that it can vibrate in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the fixed member FB, and a driving unit DM that includes a fixed magnetic field generating member (coil 4) included in the fixed member FB and a movable magnetic field generating member 5 included in the movable member MB and applies a vibration force in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) to the movable member MB. The elastic support member 7 includes a left elastic support member 7L and a right elastic support member 7R. As shown in the top view of FIG. 3 , the right elastic support member 7R may include a right fixed portion 7R5 fixed to the fixed member FB (cover 1), a right deformable portion 7RT having one end connected to the right fixed portion 7R5 and extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and a right standing portion 7R1 extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) from the other end of the right deformable portion 7RT. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5 , the movable member MB (movable magnetic field generating member 5 and movable magnetic member 6) is attached to the right elastic support member 7R so as to be positioned to the left (Y1 side) of the right standing portion 7R1 and higher than the height H1 of the upper end of the right deformation member 7RT. Height H1 is the distance from the lower end of the right deformation member 7RT to the upper end of the right deformation member 7RT in the Z-axis direction. The distance from the lower end of the right deformation member 7RT to the movable magnetic field generating member 5 (right magnet 5R) in the Z-axis direction is height H2 (> height H1), and the distance from the lower end of the right deformation member 7RT to the movable magnetic member 6 in the Z-axis direction is height H3 (> height H2). When the movable member MB vibrates and displaces to the right, the lower part of the movable member MB (the lower EPR of the south pole portion of the right magnet 5R) is located above the right deformation member 7RT, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 8 . Therefore, the movable member MB and the right deformation member 7RT do not interfere with each other.

[0051] With this configuration, the vibration generator 101 can be made smaller in size in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) while ensuring vibration power. This is because there is no need to provide a space to accommodate the right-side deformation portion 7RT on the right side (Y2 side) of the movable member MB. Also, this is because the vibration generator 101 can move (vibrate) the movable member MB to the right to a position where the right end of the movable member MB overlaps with the right-side deformation portion 7RT in a top view.

[0052] Furthermore, with this configuration, if other conditions such as the length dimension in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) are the same, the maximum amplitude can be made larger than that of the spring disclosed in Patent Document 1. Alternatively, with this configuration, if other conditions such as the length dimension in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) are the same, the volume of the movable member MB can be made larger than that of the spring disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0053] As shown in the top view of Figure 3, the right side deformation portion 7RT may have a first right side deformation portion 7R2 having one end connected to the right side standing portion 7R1 and extending in one direction (rear, X2 direction) in the fore-and-aft direction (X axis direction), a right side folded portion 7R3 to which the other end of the first right side deformation portion 7R2 is connected, and a second right side deformation portion 7R4 having one end connected to the right side folded portion 7R3 and extending in the other direction (forward, X1 direction) in the fore-and-aft direction (X axis direction) and the other end connected to the right side fixing portion 7R5.

[0054] This configuration allows the vibration generator 101 to be made smaller in size in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) because the length dimension of the right deformable portion 7RT in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) required to achieve a desired spring constant for the right elastic support member 7R can be made shorter than in a case where the right folded-back portion 7R3 is not provided.

[0055] As shown in the top view of FIG. 3 , the left-side elastic support member 7L may include a left-side fixed portion 7L5 fixed to the fixed member FB (cover 1), a left-side deformable portion 7LT having one end connected to the left-side fixed portion 7L5 and extending in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction), and a left-side standing portion 7L1 extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) from the other end of the left-side deformable portion 7LT. As shown in the top view of FIG. 5 , the movable member MB (movable-side magnetic field generating member 5 and movable-side magnetic member 6) is attached to the left-side elastic support member 7L so as to be positioned to the right (Y2 side) of the left-side standing portion 7L1 and higher than the height H1 of the upper end of the left-side deformable portion 7LT. The height H1 is the distance from the lower end of the left-side deformable portion 7LT to the upper end of the left-side deformable portion 7LT in the Z-axis direction. The distance in the Z-axis direction from the lower end of the left deformable portion 7LT to the movable magnetic field generating member 5 (left magnet 5L) is height H2 (> height H1), and the distance in the Z-axis direction from the lower end of the left deformable portion 7LT to the movable magnetic member 6 is height H3 (> height H2). When the movable member MB vibrates and displaces to the left, the lower part of the movable member MB (the lower part EPL of the N-pole portion of the left magnet 5L) is located above the left deformable portion 7LT, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8. Therefore, the movable member MB and the left deformable portion 7LT do not interfere with each other.

[0056] This configuration allows the vibration generator 101 to be further miniaturized in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) while maintaining vibration power. This is because there is no need to provide a space on the right side (Y2 side) of the movable member MB to accommodate the right deformation portion 7RT, and there is no need to provide a space on the left side (Y1 side) of the movable member MB to accommodate the left deformation portion 7LT. Furthermore, the vibration generator 101 can move (vibrate) the movable member MB to the right to a position where the right end of the movable member MB overlaps with the right deformation portion 7RT in a top view, and can move (vibrate) the movable member MB to the left to a position where the left end of the movable member MB overlaps with the left deformation portion 7LT in a top view.

[0057] As shown in the top view of Figure 3, the left side deformation portion 7LT may have a first left side deformation portion 7L2 having one end connected to the left side standing portion 7L1 and extending in one direction (forward, X1 direction) in the fore-and-aft direction (X-axis direction), a left side folded portion 7L3 to which the other end of the first left side deformation portion 7L2 is connected, and a second left side deformation portion 7L4 having one end connected to the left side folded portion 7L3 and extending in the other direction (rear, X2 direction) in the fore-and-aft direction (X-axis direction) and the other end connected to the left side fixing portion 7L5.

[0058] This configuration allows the vibration generator 101 to be further miniaturized in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). This is because the length dimension of the left deformable portion 7LT in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) required to achieve a desired spring constant for the left elastic support member 7L can be shortened compared to when the left folded-back portion 7L3 is not provided.

[0059] Furthermore, the fixed magnetic field generating member (coil 4) may be disposed below the movable member MB between the right elastic support member 7R and the left elastic support member 7L, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0060] This configuration allows the vibration generator 101 to be further miniaturized in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) while maintaining sufficient vibration power, because there is no need to provide space for accommodating the fixed-side magnetic field generating member (coil 4) on either the left side (Y1 side) or the right side (Y2 side) of the movable-side member MB.

[0061] The elastic support member 7 may also include a connecting plate portion (central portion 7C) that connects the upper end of the right standing portion 7R1 and the upper end of the left standing portion 7L1. In this case, the movable magnetic member 6 may be attached to the lower side of the connecting plate portion (central portion 7C).

[0062] This configuration of the vibration generator 101 allows for increased joint strength, such as by welding, between the elastic support member 7 and the movable member MB. This is because the elastic support member 7 and the movable member MB are joined via the connecting plate portion (central portion 7C), which is relatively resistant to deformation. This configuration also has the effect of reducing the number of parts and, consequently, the number of welding points.

[0063] Furthermore, the fixed side member FB may include a box-shaped case (housing HS) having a cylindrical portion 1A having a front side plate portion 1A1, a left side plate portion 1A2, a rear side plate portion 1A3, and a right side plate portion 1A4, a bottom plate portion (base plate 2) connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 1A, and a top plate portion 1B connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 1A, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 1.

[0064] This configuration has the effect of preventing the magnetic fields generated by the fixed side magnetic field generating member (coil 4) and the movable side magnetic field generating member 5 from having a magnetic effect on other equipment outside the vibration generating device 101.

[0065] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications or substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate unless technically inconsistent.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiment, the vibration generator 101 is configured to have the left magnet 5L and right magnet 5R as movable magnetic field generating members, and the coil 4 as a fixed magnetic field generating member. However, the vibration generator 101 may be configured to have a coil as a movable magnetic field generating member and a permanent magnet as a fixed magnetic field generating member. Alternatively, the vibration generator 101 may be configured to have a coil as a movable magnetic field generating member and the coil 4 as a fixed magnetic field generating member.

[0067] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-175543, filed November 1, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cover 1A Cylindrical portion 1A1 Front plate portion 1A2 Left plate portion 1A3 Rear plate portion 1A4 Right plate portion 1B Top plate portion 2 Base plate 3 Non-magnetic metal plate 4 Coil 4A First end portion 4B Second end portion 4L Left wiring portion 4R Right wiring portion 5 Movable side magnetic field generating member 5L Left side magnet 5R Right side magnet 6 Movable side magnetic member 6B Rear portion 6BC Central rear portion 6BL Left rear portion 6BR Right rear portion 6C Central portion 6F Front portion 6FC Central front portion 6FL Left front portion 6FR Right front portion 6L Left side portion 6R Right side portion 7 Elastic support member 7C Central portion 7L Left side elastic support member 7L1 Left side standing portion 7L2...First left side deformation portion 7L3...Left side folded portion 7L4...Second left side deformation portion 7L5...Left side fixed portion 7LT...Left side deformation portion 7R...Right side elastic support member 7R1...Right side standing portion 7R2...First right side deformation portion 7R3...Right side folded portion 7R4...Second right side deformation portion 7R5...Right side fixed portion 7RT...Right side deformation portion 101...Vibration generating device BM...Insulating substrate CP...Ceiling surface CTR...Control unit DM...Drive means FB...Fixed side member HS...Housing IT...Input terminal LE...Left end MB...Movable side member PD1...First conductor pad PD2...Second conductor pad RE...Right end VA...Vibration axis VE...Vibration device

Claims

1. A fixed-side member and a movable-side member, an elastic support member that supports the movable-side member so as to be vibratable in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed-side member, a fixed-side magnetic field generating member included in the fixed-side member and a movable-side magnetic field generating member included in the movable-side member, and driving means for applying a left-right vibration force to the movable-side member, the elastic support member includes a left-side elastic support member and a right-side elastic support member, the right-side elastic support member includes a right-side fixing portion fixed to the fixed-side member, a right-side deformation portion having one end connected to the right-side fixing portion and extending along the front-rear direction, and a right-side standing portion extending vertically from the other end of the right-side deformation portion, the right-side deformation portion deforms in the left-right direction along with the left-right vibration of the movable-side member, the right-side standing portion moves in the left-right direction together with the movable-side member along with the deformation of the right-side deformation portion, the movable-side member is attached to the upper end of the right-side standing portion, or to a connection plate portion connecting the upper ends of the left-side elastic support member and the right-side elastic support member, so as to be disposed on the left side of the right-side standing portion and at a position higher than the upper end of the right-side deformation portion, when the movable-side member vibrates and is displaced to the right, the lower portion of the movable-side member is located above the right-side deformation portion and does not interfere with the right-side deformation portion, the right-side deformation portion extends along the front-rear direction from the front end or the rear end of the right-side standing portion, the length of the right-side deformation portion in the front-rear direction is larger than the length of the right-side standing portion in the front-rear direction, A vibration generating device characterized by the above.

2. the right-side deformation portion has a first right-side deformation portion having one end connected to the right-side standing portion and extending in one direction of the front-rear direction, a right-side folding portion to which the other end of the first right-side deformation portion is connected, and a second right-side deformation portion having one end connected to the right-side folding portion and extending in the other direction of the front-rear direction and the other end connected to the right-side fixing portion, The vibration generating device according to Claim 1.

3. the left-side elastic support member includes a left-side fixing portion fixed to the fixed-side member, a left-side deformation portion having one end connected to the left-side fixing portion and extending along the front-rear direction, and a left-side standing portion extending vertically from the other end of the left-side deformation portion, the movable-side member is attached to the left-side elastic support member so as to be disposed on the right side of the left-side standing portion and at a position higher than the upper end of the left-side deformation portion, When the movable-side member vibrates and is displaced to the left, the lower part of the movable-side member is located above the left-side deformation part and does not interfere with the left-side deformation part. The vibration generating device according to claim 1.

4. The left-side deformation part includes a first left-side deformation part having one end connected to the left-side standing part and extending in one direction in the front-rear direction, a left-side folding part to which the other end of the first left-side deformation part is connected, and a second left-side deformation part having one end connected to the left-side folding part, extending in the other direction in the front-rear direction, and the other end connected to the left-side fixing part. The vibration generating device according to claim 3.

5. The fixed-side magnetic field generating member is disposed below the movable-side member between the right-side elastic support member and the left-side elastic support member. The vibration generating device according to claim 3 or claim 4.

6. The elastic support member includes the connection plate part connecting the upper ends of the right-side standing part and the left-side standing part. The movable-side magnetic field generating member is attached below the connection plate part. The vibration generating device according to claim 3 or claim 4.

7. The fixed-side member includes a box-shaped case having a cylindrical part having a front plate part, a left plate part, a rear plate part, and a right plate part, a bottom plate part connected to the lower end of the cylindrical part, and a top plate part connected to the upper end of the cylindrical part. The vibration generating device according to claim 3 or claim 4.

8. The movable-side member is configured to be displaceable to the right until the right end of the movable-side member and the right-side deformation part overlap in a top view. When displaced to the right until the right end of the movable-side member and the right-side deformation part overlap in a top view, the lower part of the movable-side member is located above the right-side deformation part and does not interfere with the right-side deformation part. The vibration generating device according to claim 1.

9. The distance from the lower end of the right-side deformation part to the movable-side member in the vertical direction is greater than the distance from the lower end of the right-side deformation part to the upper end of the right-side deformation part in the vertical direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 1.

10. The right-side standing part is formed to extend vertically upward from the right-side deformation part. The right-side deformation part is disposed below the movable-side member when viewed from the right side in the left-right direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 1.