Vibration generating device

Abstract

This vibration generating device comprises enclosures and a vibration unit. The vibration unit includes: an elastic support member that supports one of either a coil or a magnet in a manner allowing vibration in a first direction; and a plate-shaped metal holding member that holds the other of either the coil or the magnet. One enclosure has a positioning part provided at a prescribed height from a bottom plate part of said one enclosure. The other enclosure has a plate-shaped leg part. The holding member has a plate-shaped mounting plate part protruding from the outer edge of said holding member and caught between the positioning part and the leg part. The leg part has a pair of claw parts spaced apart in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a vertical direction and projecting in the leading-end direction of the leg part. The mounting plate part is fitted between the pair of claw parts, and the inner edge portion of each of the pair of claw parts is sloped so that the spacing between the pair of claw parts gradually widens in the leading-end direction of the leg part.

Description

Vibration Generator

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

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices such as mobile information terminals (e.g., smartphones, mobile phones, tablet terminals, etc.), game consoles, and information display devices mounted on vehicles such as automobiles have used vibration generating devices capable of generating vibrations to notify users of various incoming calls (e.g., incoming phone calls, incoming emails, incoming SNS messages) and to provide tactile feedback to users in response to user operations.

[0003] Regarding such a vibration generating device, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technology for positioning the first plate in the vertical direction relative to the case by sandwiching the protruding plate portion of the first plate from above and below between a first curved portion provided on the side plate portion of the first case member and a second curved portion provided on the side plate portion of the second case member.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-009796

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 can position the first plate in the Y direction by fitting the protruding plate portion of the first plate into the first notched recess provided on the side plate portion of the first case member, but if, due to manufacturing errors or the like, the Y direction dimension of the first notched recess becomes larger than the Y direction dimension of the protruding plate portion, there is a risk that the first plate will wobble in the Y direction relative to the case.

[0006] The vibration generating device according to one embodiment comprises a metal housing having a lower housing and an upper housing, and a vibration unit provided inside the housing, the vibration unit having a magnet and a coil arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, and generating vibrations in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vibration unit has an elastic support member that supports one of the coil and the magnet so that it can vibrate in the first direction, and a metal, plate-shaped holding member that holds the other of the coil and the magnet. One of the upper and lower housings has a positioning portion provided at a predetermined height from the bottom plate portion of the one housing, and the other of the upper and lower housings has plate-shaped legs. The holding member has a plate-shaped mounting plate that protrudes from the outer edge of the holding member and is sandwiched between the positioning portion and the legs. The legs have a pair of claws that are spaced apart in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and protrude toward the tips of the legs. The mounting plate fits between the pair of claws, and the inner edges of each of the pair of claws are inclined so that the spacing between the pair of claws gradually widens toward the tips of the legs.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the vibration generator, it is possible to reliably suppress horizontal wobbling of a metal, plate-shaped holding member that holds a coil or a magnet.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration unit according to one embodiment; FIG. 3 is a side view of a vibration unit according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration unit according to one embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the disassembled state of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the assembled state of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the assembly procedure of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the assembly procedure of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the assembly procedure of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the assembly procedure of a holding structure provided in a vibration generator according to one embodiment;

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is defined as the up-down direction, the X-axis direction in the drawings is defined as the front-rear direction, and the Y-axis direction in the drawings is defined as the left-right direction.

[0010] (Configuration of the electromagnetic exciter 100) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment.

[0011] 1 and 2 is a device mounted on electronic devices such as mobile information terminals (e.g., smartphones, mobile phones, tablet terminals, etc.), game consoles, and information display devices mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. The vibration generator 100 is used to generate vibrations to notify various incoming calls (e.g., incoming phone calls, incoming emails, incoming SNS messages), or vibrations to provide tactile feedback to a user in response to a user operation.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibration generator 100 includes a housing 101 and a vibration unit 200 provided inside the housing 101 .

[0013] The housing 101 is a box-shaped member formed by processing a metal plate. The housing 101 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The housing 101 has a lower housing 110 and an upper housing 120 that are separable from each other.

[0014] The lower housing 110 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped, open-topped container-like member. The lower housing 110 has a flat bottom plate 110A that is generally rectangular in top view. The lower housing 110 also has a left (Y-axis negative) sidewall 111L, a right (Y-axis positive) sidewall 111R, a front (X-axis positive) sidewall 111F, and a rear (X-axis negative) sidewall 111B, which are erected upward from the outer edge of the bottom plate 110A. Two notches 112 are provided in each of the sidewalls 111F and 111B, aligned in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The notches 112 are cut out from the upper edges of the sidewalls 111F and 111B downward (Z-axis negative direction) with a constant width.

[0015] The upper housing 120 is a flat, plate-like member having a generally rectangular shape in a top view. The upper housing 120 is attached to the upper opening of the lower housing 110 to close the upper opening of the lower housing 110. Two legs 121 are provided side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) on each of the front (X-axis positive side) and rear (X-axis negative side) edges of the upper housing 120. The legs 121 are plate-shaped and hang down from the edge of the upper housing 120. As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper housing 120 closes the upper opening of the lower housing 110 by inserting each of the multiple legs 121 into each of the multiple cutouts 112 of the lower housing 110 from above, and is fixed to the lower housing 110 in this state.

[0016] Vibration unit 200 is provided inside housing 101 and generates vibrations in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction, an example of the "first direction" and the "horizontal direction").

[0017] (Configuration of vibration unit 200) Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the vibration unit 200 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a side view of the vibration unit 200 according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration unit 200 according to one embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the vibration unit 200 includes a yoke 210 , three magnets 231 , 232 , and 233 , a coil assembly 220 , three magnets 241 , 242 , and 243 , an elastic support member 250 , and an FPC 260 .

[0019] The yoke 210 is made of a magnetic material (e.g., pure iron, low-carbon steel, etc.) and includes a flat upper yoke 211 and a container-like lower yoke 212. By combining the upper yoke 211 and the lower yoke 212, the yoke 210 becomes a roughly rectangular box-like shape with an internal space 210A. The yoke 210, which holds the magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, and 243, vibrates in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) due to the reaction of the electromagnetic force generated by the coil assembly 220 fixed to the housing 101. The yoke 210 is an example of a "holding member."

[0020] The upper yoke 211 holds, on its lower surface, three magnets 231, 232, and 233. The upper yoke 211 concentrates the magnetic flux of each of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233, thereby increasing the magnetic force acting on the two coils 221 and 222.

[0021] The lower yoke 212 holds three magnets 241, 242, and 243 on the upper surface of a bottom plate portion 212A (described later) of the lower yoke 212. The lower yoke 212 concentrates the magnetic flux of each of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243, thereby increasing the magnetic force acting on the two coils 221 and 222.

[0022] The lower yoke 212 has a bottom plate portion 212A and a pair of wall portions 212B. The bottom plate portion 212A is a horizontal, flat portion having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. The bottom plate portion 212A holds three magnets 241, 242, and 243. Each of the pair of wall portions 212B is provided on both the left and right ends of the bottom plate portion 212A. Each of the pair of wall portions 212B is a wall-like portion that stands vertically from the end of the bottom plate portion 212A.

[0023] The lower yoke 212 supports the upper yoke 211 at a predetermined height by attaching both left and right ends of the upper yoke 211 to the upper ends of the pair of wall portions 212B. As a result, an internal space 210A is formed between the bottom plate portion 212A of the lower yoke 212 and the upper yoke 211, in which three magnets 231, 232, and 233, the coil assembly 220, and three magnets 241, 242, and 243 can be placed.

[0024] The three magnets 231, 232, and 233 are fixed to the lower surface of the upper yoke 211. The three magnets 231, 232, and 233 are provided above the coil assembly 220 at a predetermined distance above the coil assembly 220 (positive Z-axis direction), and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233 is a flat, rectangular permanent magnet whose longitudinal direction is the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction).

[0025] The upper half of each of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233 is magnetized to one of the north and south poles, and the lower half is magnetized to the other of the north and south poles. However, between any two adjacent magnets among the three magnets 231, 232, and 233, both the upper and lower halves are magnetized to opposite poles. Note that instead of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233, a single magnet with similar magnetic poles may be used.

[0026] The three magnets 241, 242, and 243 are fixed to the upper surface of the lower yoke 212. The three magnets 241, 242, and 243 are provided below the coil assembly 220 at a predetermined distance downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the coil assembly 220, and are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction (in the Y-axis direction). Each of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243 is a flat, rectangular permanent magnet whose longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction (in the X-axis direction) when viewed from above (in the positive Z-axis direction).

[0027] The upper half of each of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243 is magnetized to one of the north and south poles, and the lower half is magnetized to the other of the north and south poles. However, between any two adjacent magnets of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243, both the upper and lower halves are magnetized to opposite poles.

[0028] Furthermore, the upper half of each of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243 faces the lower half of each of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233, and is magnetized with polarities different from each other.

[0029] For example, if the lower half of each of the three magnets 231, 232, and 233 is magnetized in the order of north pole, south pole, and north pole, the upper half of each of the three magnets 241, 242, and 243 is magnetized in the order of south pole, north pole, and south pole.

[0030] Although the vibration unit 200 according to one embodiment uses three magnets 231, 232, and 233, a single magnet having similar magnetic poles may be used instead. Similarly, the three magnets 241, 242, and 243 may be replaced by a single magnet having similar magnetic poles.

[0031] Coil assembly 220 is disposed inside yoke 210 between three magnets 231, 232, and 233 and three magnets 241, 242, and 243. Coil assembly 220 generates an electromagnetic force when driven by an AC driving current of a predetermined frequency, and the reaction of this electromagnetic force vibrates yoke 210 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4 , the coil assembly 220 includes two coils 221 and 222 and a coil holder 223 .

[0033] The two coils 221, 222 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). When viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction), each of the two coils 221, 222 has an oval ring shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), and is formed by multiple windings of electric wire (e.g., copper wire coated with an insulator) to form the ring shape. Furthermore, each of the two coils 221, 222 is formed relatively thin in thickness in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0034] When viewed from above in a plan view, coil 221 is provided across the lower sides of magnets 231 and 232 and across the upper sides of magnets 241 and 242. When viewed from above in a plan view, coil 222 is provided across the lower sides of magnets 232 and 233 and across the upper sides of magnets 242 and 243.

[0035] The coil holder 223 is an example of a "holding member." The coil holder 223 is a horizontal, flat member formed by processing a metal plate and having a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above. The coil holder 223 holds the two coils 221 and 222 on its lower surface.

[0036] The coil holder 223 has two mounting plates 224 arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) on each of the outer edges of the front side (positive side of the X-axis) and the rear side (negative side of the X-axis). The mounting plates 224 are plate-shaped portions protruding from the outer edges of the coil holder 223. The two mounting plates 224 are provided at positions corresponding to the two cutouts 112 of the lower housing 110. The mounting plates 224 have a constant width in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) (narrower than the width of the cutouts 112), extend a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) from the outer edges of the coil holder 223, and are then bent downward (negative direction of the Z-axis) at a right angle and extend a predetermined distance downward (negative direction of the Z-axis).

[0037] The mounting plate 224 is disposed in the cutouts 112 formed in the side walls 111F and 111B of the lower housing 110, and is positioned at a predetermined height by being placed on the mounting portions 114C (positioning portions) provided in the cutouts 112. Thereafter, the legs 121 of the upper housing 120 are inserted into the cutouts 112, so that the mounting plate 224 is sandwiched between the mounting portions 114C and the lower ends of the legs 121. In this way, the coil holder 223 is held at a predetermined height relative to the lower housing 110 by the lower housing 110 and the upper housing 120. A more detailed description of the holding structure of the coil holder 223 (holding member) will be given later.

[0038] Elastic support member 250 is formed by processing a metal plate, and is interposed between housing 101 and yoke 210 to support yoke 210 so that it can vibrate in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to housing 101. Specifically, elastic support member 250 has a horizontal, flat, plate-shaped movable body attachment portion 251, and yoke 210 is attached to the upper side of movable body attachment portion 251, thereby supporting yoke 210 so that it can vibrate in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to housing 101.

[0039] The elastic support member 250 also has an elastic arm 252 extending from the left end (the end on the negative side of the Y axis) of the movable body mounting portion 251 and an elastic arm 253 extending from the right end (the end on the positive side of the Y axis) of the movable body mounting portion 251. The elastic arm 252 and the elastic arm 253 function as leaf springs and are elastically deformable in the left-right direction (the Y axis direction). The elastic arm 252 and the elastic arm 253 are shaped point-symmetrically to each other. One end of the elastic arm 252 and the elastic arm 253 is connected to the movable body mounting portion 251, and the other end is fixed to the bottom plate 110A of the lower housing 110. As a result, the elastic support member 250 is held so that the movable body mounting portion 251 can vibrate in the left-right direction (the Y axis direction) relative to the lower housing 110 due to the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 252 and the elastic arm 253.

[0040] The FPC 260 is a component that connects the coils 221 and 222 to an external circuit (not shown) to supply AC current to the coils 221 and 222. The FPC 260 is a film-like component having a structure in which wiring made of a metal film is sandwiched between resin materials such as polyimide. The FPC 260 is flexible and therefore bendable. As shown in FIG. 1 , the FPC 260 is disposed along the side wall portion 111B of the lower housing 110 and the upper housing 120, and the end of the FPC 260 on the external circuit side is disposed above the upper housing 120. Two electrode terminals 261 and 262 made of a metal film are formed on the end of the FPC 260 on the external circuit side to electrically connect the coils 221 and 222 to the external circuit.

[0041] (Operation of vibration generator 100) When an AC driving current is supplied to coils 221, 222 from an external circuit (not shown) via FPC 260, vibration generator 100 configured as described above elastically deforms elastic arm portions 252 and 253 of elastic support member 250, and vibrates yoke 210, which is held by movable body mounting portion 251 of elastic support member 250 and holds magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, and 243, in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0042] Specifically, two coils 221 and 222 are placed in a magnetic field formed by magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, and 243 and yoke 210, and a drive current in a first direction is passed through each of the two coils 221 and 222. According to Fleming's left-hand rule, a force (electromagnetic force) acts on each of the two coils 221 and 222 to the right (positive direction of the Y-axis).

[0043] Conversely, by passing a drive current through each of the two coils 221 and 222 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a force (electromagnetic force) acts on each of the two coils 221 and 222 to the left (negative direction of the Y axis) according to Fleming's left-hand rule.

[0044] Therefore, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, by supplying an AC driving current to each of the two coils 221, 222, a force (electromagnetic force) to the right (positive direction of the Y axis) and a force (electromagnetic force) to the left (negative direction of the Y axis) act alternately on each of the two coils 221, 222.

[0045] At this time, due to the relationship of action and reaction, forces in opposite directions to those of the two coils 221 and 222 act alternately on the three magnets 231 , 232 , and 233 and the three magnets 241 , 242 , and 243 held by the yoke 210 .

[0046] Therefore, by supplying each of the two coils 221, 222 with an AC driving current having the same frequency as the resonant frequency determined by the spring constant of the elastic arm portions 252, 253 and the mass of the yoke 210 and the magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243, the yoke 210 holding the magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 can be made to resonate, causing the yoke 210 holding the magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 to vibrate in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0047] In particular, by providing two coils 221 and 222 aligned in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) in yoke 210, yoke 210 can vibrate more greatly in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) compared to a configuration in which one coil is provided. However, yoke 210 may be provided with one coil or three or more coils.

[0048] (Holding structure) Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the exploded state of the holding structure provided in the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the assembled state of the holding structure provided in the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment. Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrams schematically illustrating the main parts of the holding structure provided in the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 11 shows the relationship between the various components as seen through from the rear side (negative side of the X-axis). Fig. 12 corresponds to the cross section taken along the line 12-12 in Fig. 11.

[0049] 6 and 7 show a holding structure provided on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the electromagnetic exciter 100, but a holding structure provided on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the electromagnetic exciter 100 also has a similar configuration. 11 and 12 show a holding structure provided on the right side (positive side of the X-axis) of the holding structures provided on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the electromagnetic exciter 100, but a holding structure provided on the left side (negative side of the X-axis) is similar.

[0050] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the holding structure of the vibration generator 100 has an extension portion 114 provided in the cutout portion 112 of the lower housing 110, legs 121 of the upper housing 120, and a mounting plate portion 224 of the coil holder 223.

[0051] The cutout 112 of the lower housing 110 is provided in the side wall 111F of the lower housing 110, and has a cutout shape with a certain left-right width extending downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the upper edge of the side wall 111F.

[0052] A plate-shaped extending portion 114 is provided inside the cutout portion 112 and extends upward from the lower edge of the cutout portion 112. The lower end of the extending portion 114 is bent toward the internal space 101A of the housing 101, and then bent upward to form a step portion 114A, and the upper end surface of the extending portion 114 serves as a mounting portion 114C on which the mounting plate portion 224 is placed.

[0053] Furthermore, by having the step portion 114A, the extension portion 114 is offset relative to the side wall portion 111B toward the internal space 101A of the housing 101. Therefore, when the mounting plate portion 224 is placed on the placement portion 114C, the extension portion 114 is positioned so as to overlap with the mounting plate portion 224 on the internal space 101A side of the bent portion of the tip of the mounting plate portion 224, which is on approximately the same plane as the side wall portion 111B.

[0054] Further, extension 114 has a generally hemispherical protrusion 114B that protrudes upward from the upper end. Protrusion 114B is inserted into through-hole 224A of mounting plate 224, thereby suppressing the left-right wobble of mounting plate 224 relative to lower housing 110 to a predetermined value or less.

[0055] The mounting plate 224 is provided with a protrusion 224B that protrudes into the through-hole 224A, and when the protrusion 114B is inserted into the through-hole 224A of the mounting plate 224, the protrusion 224B comes into contact with the front surface (positive side of the X-axis) of the protrusion 114B, i.e., the inner surface. The holding structure provided on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the vibration generator 100 also has a similar configuration, which determines the position of the coil holder 223 relative to the lower housing 110 in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0056] Meanwhile, the legs 121 of the upper housing 120 have a plate-shaped main body 121A that has a certain width from side to side and hangs down from the edge of the upper housing 120. The main body 121A is integral with the upper housing 120 and hangs down by being bent downward at a right angle at the connection point with the edge of the upper housing 120. The width of the main body 121A is narrower than the width of the notch 112. Therefore, the main body 121A can be inserted into the notch 112 from above.

[0057] The leg 121 has a pair of claws 121B protruding downward and laterally at the lower end of both ends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). When the mounting plate 224 is placed on the mounting portion 114C, the leg 121 is pushed downward from above, and the mounting plate 224 of the coil holder 223 fits between the pair of claws 121B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 , the leg 121 can press down on corner portions 224C on the upper surface of both left and right ends of the mounting plate 224 from diagonally above using the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claws 121B, thereby pressing down on the mounting plate 224 from above and laterally.

[0058] Specifically, the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claw portions 121B are inclined so that the left-right spacing between the pair of claw portions 121B gradually increases downward. The inner edge portions 121Ba that abut against the corner portions 224C on the upper surface of both left and right end portions of the mounting plate portion 224 are also formed in a tapered shape, such as an R-shape, so that the left-right spacing gradually increases downward. As a result, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the left-right width of the mounting plate portion 224, the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claw portions 121B can press the corner portions 224C on the upper surface of both left and right end portions of the mounting plate portion 224 from an obliquely upward direction at a height position inside the pair of claw portions 121B that corresponds to the left-right width of the mounting plate portion 224. Therefore, the coil holder 223 can be pressed against the mounting portion 114C from above and from the left and right directions at the same time.

[0059] The left-right width of the main body 121A of the leg 121 is narrower than the left-right width of the notch 112, and the left-right width of a portion having the pair of claws 121B is wider than the left-right width of the notch 112. Furthermore, each of the pair of claws 121B is bent at a right angle toward the internal space 101A of the housing 101 at the connection portion with the main body 121A, and then bent at a right angle again so as to be parallel to the surface before bending, thereby offsetting the pair of claws 121B toward the internal space 101A of the housing 101 from the main body 121A. Therefore, when the leg 121 is inserted into the notch 112 from above, the main body 121A is disposed on approximately the same plane as the side wall 111F, but the pair of claws 121B are disposed closer to the internal space 101A of the housing 101 than the side wall 111F, so as to overlap with the side wall 111F in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the inner edge portion 121Ba and the mounting portion 114C face each other on the Z axis line, sandwiching the mounting plate portion 224 from above and below.

[0061] The mounting plate portion 224 of the coil holder 223 has a plate shape that protrudes from the outer edge of the coil holder 223. The mounting plate portion 224 extends a predetermined distance rearward (in the negative X-axis direction) from the outer edge of the coil holder 223, and is then bent downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) at a right angle.

[0062] The left-right width of the mounting plate portion 224 is smaller than the left-right width of the cutout portion 112. This allows the mounting plate portion 224 to be placed inside the cutout portion 112. Inside the cutout portion 112, the lower surface of a portion of the mounting plate portion 224 that extends a predetermined distance rearward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) is placed on the placement portion 114C. This positions the coil holder 223 at a predetermined height.

[0063] The tip of the shape portion bent downward (negative direction of the Z axis) at a right angle is designed not to come into contact with step portion 114A of lower housing 110. The tip is bent downward at a position beyond extension portion 114 from inside housing 110. The reason for this is to ensure that mounting plate portion 224 reliably passes extension portion 114 from inside housing 110 and is placed on placement portion 114C and / or is guided by protrusion portion 114B, and at the same time, to prevent the dimension in the front-to-rear direction (X axis direction) from becoming larger.

[0064] Furthermore, the left-right width of the mounting plate 224 is greater than the minimum distance between the pair of claws 121B of the leg 121 and less than the maximum distance between the pair of claws 121B. As a result, when the leg 121 is inserted into the notch 112 from above while the mounting plate 224 is placed on the mounting portion 114C, the mounting plate 224 fits between the pair of claws 121B of the leg 121, and the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claws 121B press down on both the left and right edges from above and laterally. This prevents the coil holder 223 from wobbling in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the housing 101.

[0065] A through-hole 224A is formed in the center in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the corner bent at a right angle of the mounting plate portion 224. A protrusion 114B of the extension portion 114 is inserted into the through-hole 224A. As a result, while the coil holder 223 is allowed to wobble in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the lower housing 110, the wobble in the left-right direction is suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

[0066] The electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment is provided with a pair of the above-described holding structures, one on each of the side wall portions 111F and 111B of the housing 101, in a symmetrical manner. This allows the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment to stably hold the coil holder 223 at a predetermined height without any rattle.

[0067] 8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating the assembly procedure of the holding structure included in the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 8 shows the lower housing 110, coil holder 223, and upper housing 120 in a disassembled state. Fig. 9 shows the state in which the coil holder 223 is attached to the lower housing 110. Fig. 10 shows the state in which the upper housing 120 is attached to the lower housing 110.

[0068] In this assembly procedure, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the coil holder 223 is placed in a horizontal position inside the lower housing 110 through the top opening of the lower housing 110.

[0069] At this time, each of the four mounting plate portions 224 of the coil holder 223 is inserted from above into each of the four cutout portions 112 provided in side wall portions 111F and 111B of the lower housing 110. Then, inside each of the four cutout portions 112, the lower edge portion of the mounting plate portion 224 of the coil holder 223 is placed on the mounting portion 114C of the extension portion 114 of the lower housing 110. As a result, the coil holder 223 is placed on the lower housing 110 while being positioned at a predetermined height, as shown in FIG.

[0070] 9, protrusions 114B of extensions 114 of lower housing 110 are inserted into through holes 224A of mounting plate 224 inside each of four cutouts 112. As a result, when coil holder 223 is placed on lower housing 110, while allowing some wobble in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to lower housing 110, the wobble in the left-right direction is suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

[0071] In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion 114B on the left side (negative side of the Y axis) shown in FIG. 9 is offset to the left (negative side of the Y axis) from the center of the left side (negative side of the Y axis) through hole 224A in the left-right direction (negative side of the Y axis). Also, the protrusion 114B on the right side (positive side of the Y axis) shown in FIG. 9 is offset to the right (positive side of the Y axis) from the center of the right side (positive side of the Y axis) through hole 224A in the left-right direction (positive side of the Y axis). As a result, in this embodiment, the left edge of the protrusion 114B on the left side (negative side of the Y axis) approaches the inner edge of the left side (negative side of the Y axis) through hole 224A, thereby restricting movement of the coil holder 223 in the right direction (positive direction of the Y axis). Furthermore, the right edge of the protrusion 114B on the right side (positive side of the Y axis) approaches the inner edge of the right side (positive side of the Y axis) through hole 224A, thereby restricting movement of the coil holder 223 in the left direction (negative direction of the Y axis) to a predetermined value or less.

[0072] At this time, inside each of the four cutouts 112, protrusions 224B of mounting plate 224 of coil holder 223 are positioned in contact with protrusions 114B of extension 114 of lower housing 110. As a result, when coil holder 223 is attached to lower housing 110, movement of coil holder 223 in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) relative to lower housing 110 is restricted by extension 114.

[0073] Next, as shown in Fig. 10 , the upper housing 120 is placed in a horizontal position relative to the top opening of the lower housing 110. At this time, each of the four legs 121 of the upper housing 120 is inserted from above into each of the four cutouts 112 provided in the side walls 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110. As a result, the upper housing 120 is placed on the lower housing 110 as shown in Fig. 10 .

[0074] 10 , when upper housing 120 is placed on lower housing 110, inner edge portions 121Ba of a pair of claw portions 121B of leg portions 121 of upper housing 120 press against both left and right ends (specifically, upper corners 224C of both left and right ends of mounting plate portion 224) of mounting plate portion 224 of coil holder 223 placed on mounting portion 114C of lower housing 110, inside each of the four cutout portions 112. As a result, mounting plate portion 224 of coil holder 223 is sandwiched between mounting portion 114C of lower housing 110 and leg portions 121 of upper housing 120. As a result, coil holder 223 does not wobble in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) or left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to lower housing 110 and upper housing 120.

[0075] In this case, the inner edge 121Ba of each of the pair of claws 121B is inclined so that the left-right distance between the pair of claws 121B gradually widens downward. Therefore, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the left-right width of the pair of claws 121B and the mounting plate 224, the inner edge 121Ba can press down on the corners 224C on the upper surface of both the left and right ends of the mounting plate 224 from an obliquely upward direction at a height position inside the pair of claws 121B that corresponds to the left-right width of the mounting plate 224, thereby reliably pressing down on the mounting plate 224 from above and from the sides.

[0076] In addition, at this time, the pair of claws 121B are arranged to overlap the side wall portions 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110 on the side of the internal space 101A of the housing 101. As a result, when the legs 121 of the upper housing 120 are inserted into the cutout portions 112 of the lower housing 110, the expansion of the legs 121 in the outward direction (X-axis direction) is restricted by the side wall portions 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110. This improves the impact resistance, etc. of the vibration generator 100.

[0077] Thereafter, the opening of the lower housing 110 and the peripheral edge of the upper housing 120 are integrated by welding or the like.

[0078] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the main parts of a holding structure included in a vibration exciter 100 according to another embodiment. Components equivalent to those in the holding structure included in the vibration exciter 100 according to the first embodiment are described using the same reference numerals. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the leg 121 has a claw 500 that protrudes downward, and the mounting plate 224 has a through-hole 510 into which the claw 500 fits, thereby sandwiching the mounting plate 224 together with the mounting portion 114C. The edge of the claw 210 is inclined so as to gradually narrow downward.

[0079] The rest of the structure is similar to the holding structure of the vibration generator 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore details are omitted.

[0080] As described above, the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment includes a metal housing 101 having a lower housing 110 and an upper housing 120, and a vibration unit 200 provided inside the housing 101 and having magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 and coils 221, 222 arranged opposite to one another in the vertical direction, the vibration unit 200 generating vibrations in the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction, first direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vibration unit 200 includes an elastic support member 250 that supports the magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 so that they can vibrate in the first direction, and a metal, plate-shaped coil holder 223 that holds the coils 221, 222. (holding member), the lower housing 110 has a mounting portion 114C (positioning portion) provided at a predetermined height position from the bottom plate portion 110A, the upper housing 120 has plate-shaped legs 121, the coil holder 223 has a plate-shaped mounting plate portion 224 provided protruding from the outer edge of the coil holder 223 and sandwiched between the mounting portion 114C and the legs 121, the legs 121 have a pair of claw portions 121B spaced apart in the Y-axis direction and protruding downward, and the inner edge portions 121Ba of each of the pair of claw portions 121B are inclined so that the mounting plate portion 224 fits between the pair of claw portions 121B and the spacing between the pair of claw portions 121B gradually widens downward.

[0081] As a result, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the width of the mounting plate 224, the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment can reliably press both ends of the mounting plate 224 from above and laterally with the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claws 121B at a height position between the pair of claws 121B that corresponds to the width of the mounting plate 224. Therefore, the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment can reliably suppress vertical and horizontal wobble of the metallic, plate-shaped coil holder 223 that holds the coils 221, 222. Furthermore, the vertical position of the coil holder 223 can be determined by the mounting portion 114C.

[0082] In the above embodiment, a mounting portion 114C (positioning portion) is provided on the lower housing 110, and a plate-shaped leg portion 121 is provided on the upper housing 120, but it is also possible to provide a plate-shaped leg portion 121 on the lower housing 110 and a positioning portion on the upper housing 120.

[0083] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the lower housing 110 has a plurality of mounting portions 114C spaced a predetermined distance apart in the Y-axis direction, the upper housing 120 has a pair of legs 121 spaced a predetermined distance apart in the Y-axis direction, and each of the pair of legs 121 has a pair of claw portions 121B, and the coil holder 223 has a pair of mounting plate portions 224 spaced a predetermined distance apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0084] As a result, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the coil holder 223 can be positioned and fixed at two locations in the Y-axis direction, thereby reliably suppressing vertical and horizontal rattle of the coil holder 223 relative to the housing 101.

[0085] Furthermore, as a result, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the positional accuracy of a pair of legs 121 in the upper housing 120 in the Y-axis direction, the vibration generating device 100 of one embodiment can reliably insert each of the pair of claw portions 121B provided on each of the pair of legs 121 into each of the pair of mounting plate portions 224 by elastically deforming the portion between the pair of legs 121 in the upper housing 120.

[0086] In the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment, the elastic support member 250 is fixed to the bottom plate 110 A of the lower housing 110 .

[0087] As a result, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the reference for the vertical height of the elastic support member 250 can be the same as the bottom plate portion 110A of the lower housing 110, which is the reference for the height of the coil holder 223.

[0088] That is, the height reference for coil holder 223 is mounting portion 114C, which is provided on bottom plate 110A of lower housing 110 and is provided at a predetermined height position from bottom plate 110A. Therefore, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the width of mounting plate 224, it is possible to easily improve the accuracy of the heightwise distance between yoke 210 and magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 held by elastic support member 250 and coils 221, 222, and therefore it is possible to provide vibration generator 100 with high accuracy.

[0089] In addition, in the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment, the vibration unit 200 includes a plurality of coils 221, 222 arranged in the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0090] As a result, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the vertical distance between each of the multiple coils 221, 222 and each of the multiple magnets 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 can be made constant, making it possible to provide a vibration generating device 100 with high accuracy.

[0091] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the side wall portions 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110 are notched downward, and have notches 112 into which plate-shaped legs 121 of the upper housing 120 are inserted from above, and the legs 121 are wider in the Y-axis direction than the notches 112 at the portion having the pair of claw portions 121B, and each of the pair of claw portions 121B is arranged to overlap the side wall portions 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110 on the side of the internal space 101A of the housing 101.

[0092] As a result, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the side wall portions 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110 can prevent the leg portion 121 inserted into the cutout portion 112 from opening outward beyond the cutout portion 112 due to an impact or the like.

[0093] In addition, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the leg 121 has a plate-shaped main body 121A that is placed within the cutout 112, and a pair of claws 121B that protrude downward and sideways at the lower ends of both ends of the main body 121A in the Y-axis direction.

[0094] As a result, in the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment, the main body 121A of the leg 121 can be positioned within the cutout 112 without protruding outward beyond the side walls 111F, 111B of the lower housing 110.

[0095] In the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment, the Y-axis direction is the direction of vibration generated by the vibration unit 200 .

[0096] As a result, the vibration generator 100 according to one embodiment can suppress rattle of the vibration unit 200 in the first direction relative to the housing 101 when the vibration unit 200 vibrates in the first direction.

[0097] In the electromagnetic exciter 100 according to one embodiment, the coil holder 223 may be made of a material softer than the upper housing 120 .

[0098] As a result, in one embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, for example, both ends of the mounting plate portion 224 of the coil holder 223 can be inserted into the inner edge portions 121Ba of the pair of claw portions 121B, thereby making it less likely that the coil holder 223 will wobble in the Y-axis direction relative to the housing 101.

[0099] In addition, in another embodiment of the vibration generating device 100, the leg 121 has a claw portion 500 that protrudes downward, and the mounting plate portion 224 has a through hole 510, and the claw portion 500 fits into the through hole 510, and the edge of the claw portion 500 is inclined so that it gradually narrows downward.

[0100] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0101] For example, in the above embodiment, the "coil" is held by the "holding member" and the "magnet" is held by the "elastic support member," but it is also possible to hold the "magnet" by the "holding member" and the "coil" by the "elastic support member."

[0102] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, side wall portions 111L, 111R, 111F, and 111B and cutout portion 112 are provided on lower housing 110, but they may also be provided on upper housing 120, or on both upper housing 120 and lower housing 110.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, in each of the two holding structures provided in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), a pair of claws 121B presses down both ends of the mounting plate 224. However, this is not limited to this. For example, of the two holding structures provided in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), one holding structure may be configured to press down one end of the mounting plate 224 with one of the pair of claws 121B, and the other holding structure may be configured to press down the other end of the mounting plate 224 with the other of the pair of claws 121B.

[0104] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the magnets are arranged both above and below the coil (i.e., the coil is sandwiched between magnets from above and below), but this is not limited to this, and for example, the magnets may be arranged only above or only below the coil.

[0105] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-003503, filed on January 12, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0106] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Vibration generator 101 Housing 101A Internal space 110 Lower housing 110A Bottom plate portion 111L, 111R, 111F, 111B Side wall portion 112 Notch portion 114 Extension portion 114A Step portion 114B Protrusion portion 114C Placement portion (positioning portion) 120 Upper housing 121 Leg portion 121A Main body portion 121B Claw portion 121Ba Inner edge portion 200 Vibration unit 210 Yoke 210A Internal space 211 Upper yoke 212 Lower yoke 212A Bottom plate portion 212B Wall portion 220 Coil assembly 221, 222 Coil 223 Coil holder (holding member) 224 Mounting plate portion 224A Through-hole 231, 232, 233 Magnet 241, 242, 243 Magnet 250 Elastic support member 251 Movable body mounting portion 252, 253 Elastic arm portion 260 FPC 261, 262 Electrode terminal 500 Claw portion 510 Through-hole

Claims

1. A metal housing having a lower housing and an upper housing, and a vibration unit provided inside the housing, having a magnet and a coil arranged to face each other in the vertical direction, and generating vibration in a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The vibration unit includes an elastic support member that supports one of the coil and the magnet so as to be vibratable in the first direction, and a metal and plate-shaped holding member that holds the other of the coil and the magnet. One of the upper housing and the lower housing has a positioning portion provided at a predetermined height position from the bottom plate portion of the one housing. The other of the upper housing and the lower housing has plate-shaped legs. The holding member has a plate-shaped mounting plate portion provided to protrude from the outer edge portion of the holding member and sandwiched between the positioning portion and the legs. The legs have a pair of claw portions protruding in the tip direction of the legs while being separated from each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The mounting plate portion is fitted between the pair of claw portions, and the inner edge portions of each of the pair of claw portions are inclined so that the interval between the pair of claw portions gradually widens in the tip direction of the legs. A vibration generating device characterized by this.

2. The one housing has a pair of the positioning portions provided at a predetermined distance apart in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The other housing has a pair of the legs provided at the predetermined distance apart in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The pair of legs each have the pair of claw portions. The holding member has a pair of the plate-shaped mounting plate portions provided at the predetermined distance apart in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The elastic support member is fixed to the bottom plate portion of the one housing. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

4. The vibration unit includes a plurality of the coils arranged side by side in the first direction, and a plurality of the magnets arranged side by side in the first direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. A side wall portion is provided on the one housing, and a notch portion is provided in the side wall portion of the one housing in a shape cut out in the vertical direction, into which the plate-like leg portion of the other housing is inserted in the vertical direction. The leg portion is wider in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction than the notch portion in the portion having the pair of claw portions. Each of the pair of claw portions is provided so as to overlap with respect to the side wall portion of the one housing on the inner space side of the housing. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The leg portion has a plate-like main body portion disposed in the notch portion, and the pair of claw portions provided so as to project in the vertical direction and the lateral direction at the tip portions of both ends of the main body portion in the first direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The holding member is formed of a material softer than the other housing. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. The horizontal direction is the first direction. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. A metal housing having a lower housing and an upper housing, and a vibration unit provided inside the housing and having a magnet and a coil disposed opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the vibration unit generating vibration in a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The vibration unit includes an elastic support member that supports one of the coil and the magnet so as to be vibratable in the first direction, and a metal and plate-like holding member that holds the other of the coil and the magnet. One of the upper housing and the lower housing has a positioning portion provided at a predetermined height position from the bottom plate portion of the one housing. The other of the upper housing and the lower housing has a plate-like leg portion. The holding member has a plate-like mounting plate portion provided so as to project from the outer edge portion of the holding member and sandwiched between the positioning portion and the leg portion. The leg portion has a claw portion projecting in the tip direction of the leg portion. The mounting plate portion is provided with a through hole, and the claw portion is fitted into the through hole. The edge portion of the claw portion is inclined so as to gradually narrow in the tip direction of the leg portion. A vibration generating device characterized by that.

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