Vibration generation device

Abstract

A vibration generation device (101) is provided with a fixed body (FB), a movable body (MB), and a support member (7). The fixed body (FB) includes a base plate (2), a coil (4) having a bundled wire part (4S), and a conductive member (3) having higher conductivity than the base plate (2). The conductive member (3) generates an eddy current when the movable body (MB) moves in the Y-axis direction. The movable body (MB) includes a permanent magnet (5) that is disposed at an interval in the Z-axis direction with respect to the base plate (2) and is movable relative to the base plate (2). The permanent magnet (5) generates a first magnetic flux (MF1) in a direction from the permanent magnet (5) toward the bundled wire part (4S), and a second magnetic flux (MF2) in a direction from the bundled wire part (4S) toward the permanent magnet (5). The conductive member (3) is disposed so as to be aligned with the coil (4) in the Y-axis direction, and has end surfaces (front end surface (FS) and rear end surface (BS)) at both ends in the X-axis direction.

Description

Vibration Generator

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

[0002] Conventionally, an actuator (vibration generator) that generates vibrations has been known (see Patent Document 1). This actuator is configured to be able to attenuate vibrations of a movable body by using a gel-like damper member disposed between a support body and a movable body.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-013086

[0004] However, in the vibration generator described above, the gel damper member is disposed between the support body and the movable body in the thickness direction, which may hinder a reduction in thickness.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to provide a vibration generator that can be made thinner.

[0006] A vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vibration generator including a fixed body, a movable body, and a support member that supports the movable body relative to the fixed body so that the movable body can vibrate along a first direction, wherein the fixed body includes a plate-shaped base plate that is held so as not to move relative to a mounting surface, a coil that is directly or indirectly attached to the base plate and has a bundled wire portion including a plurality of conductors that extend along a plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a front end that is directly or indirectly attached to the base plate and extends along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate. and a conductive member having higher conductivity than the base plate, wherein the conductive member generates an eddy current when the movable body moves in the first direction, the movable body includes a permanent magnet that is spaced apart from the base plate in a third direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the base plate and is movable relative to the base plate, the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic flux directed from the permanent magnet toward the wire bundle portion and a second magnetic flux directed from the wire bundle portion toward the permanent magnet, and the conductive member is arranged to be aligned with the coil in the first direction and has end faces at both ends in the second direction.

[0007] The above-described vibration generator can be made even thinner.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a vibration generator including a vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration generator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a six-view diagram of the left support member shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the movable body and support member shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a front view and a bottom view of the movable body and support member shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of the vibration generator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a top view of the vibration generator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a front view and a cross-sectional view of the vibration generator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a top view of members constituting the vibration generator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating two other example configurations of a vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still other six example configurations of a vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Hereinafter, a vibration generator 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 a vibration generator VE including the vibration generator 101. Specifically, the upper diagram in Fig. 1 (the diagram above the block arrow) is a perspective view of the vibration generator VE, and the lower diagram in Fig. 1 (the diagram below the block arrow) is an exploded perspective view of the vibration generator 101 constituting the vibration generator VE. Fig. 2 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of the vibration generator 101.

[0010] In FIG. 1 , 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 of the Y axis. 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 the illustrated example, 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 top side of the vibration generator 101, and the Z2 side of the vibration generator 101 corresponds to the bottom side of the vibration generator 101. The same applies to the other figures.

[0011] The vibration generator VE is a linear resonant actuator and includes a control unit CTR and a vibration generator 101. In the illustrated example, the vibration generator 101 is a thin vibration actuator for a touchpad that is attached to, for example, a touchpad, which is an example of a mounting surface. Therefore, the vibration generator 101 is preferably configured to be as thin as possible while still achieving the desired vibration power. Specifically, the vibration generator 101 includes a base plate 2, a movable body MB that is movable relative to the base plate 2, a conductive member 3 directly attached to the base plate 2, a coil 4 directly attached to the base plate 2, and an insulating substrate BM directly attached to the base plate 2. The vibration generator 101 is configured so that the top surface of the movable body MB (the surface opposite the surface (bottom surface) facing the base plate 2) is exposed to the outside. The base plate 2, the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the insulating substrate BM form a fixed body FB. At least one of the conductive member 3 and the coil 4 may be attached to the insulating substrate BM and indirectly attached to the base plate 2 via the insulating substrate BM. For example, the conductive member 3 may be placed so as to fit into a cutout portion formed in the insulating substrate BM on which the coil 4 is placed, and may be placed directly on the base plate 2.

[0012] The control unit CTR is connected to an input terminal IT provided on an insulating substrate BM that is directly fixed to the base plate 2 with an adhesive. In the illustrated example, the insulating substrate BM is a combination of a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. However, the insulating substrate BM may be a flexible substrate or a rigid-flexible substrate, etc. Note that the dashed line connecting the control unit CTR and the input terminal IT provided on the insulating substrate BM in the upper diagram of FIG. 1 schematically indicates that the control unit CTR and the input terminal IT are electrically connected.

[0013] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 1 , the base plate 2 is a plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular outer shape and is configured to form the lower surface (bottom surface) of the vibration generator 101. In the illustrated example, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 1 , the base plate 2 is configured to form five surfaces (bottom surface, front surface, left surface, rear surface, and right surface) by bending a magnetic metal plate such as iron or an iron alloy, and functions as a fixed-side magnetic member. The base plate 2 as a fixed-side magnetic member is configured to control the path of the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 5 as a movable-side magnetic field generating member. The base plate 2 as a fixed-side magnetic member also constitutes the driving means DM. However, the base plate 2 may be formed of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel.

[0014] The conductive member 3 is configured so that, when the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) moves along the Y-axis direction, an induced electromotive force (eddy current) is generated in response to a change in the magnetic flux crossing the conductive member 3, thereby generating a braking force. The conductive member 3 is fixed to the bottom surface of the base plate 2 by double-sided tape, adhesive, caulking, or the like. Typically, the conductive member 3 is made of a non-magnetic metal. This configuration prevents a magnetic force (attraction force) from acting between the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5, as would occur if the conductive member 3 were made of a magnetic metal, thereby preventing such an attraction force from interfering with the efficient use of the driving force by the driving means DM. Furthermore, the conductive member 3 is typically formed of a material having a higher conductivity than the fixed body FB. For example, the conductive member 3 is formed of a material having a higher conductivity than iron or an iron alloy. This configuration has the effect of increasing the braking force caused by eddy currents (the force that suppresses vibration of the movable body MB). This is because the higher the conductivity, the larger the eddy currents that can be generated, resulting in a larger braking force due to the eddy currents. Since the conductive member 3 has the effect of attenuating the vibration of the movable body MB (damper effect), the conductive member 3 is also called a "damper member."

[0015] Furthermore, the conductive member 3 is typically not a part of the base plate 2, but is configured as a component separate and independent from the base plate 2. This configuration brings about the effect that, even if the base plate 2 is formed of a non-conductive material, the damping force caused by eddy currents can be used to damp vibrations of the movable body MB.

[0016] In the illustrated example, the conductive member 3 is a copper plate, and is directly fixed to the bottom surface of the base plate 2 with double-sided tape. The conductive member 3 may be formed to contain copper or aluminum. For example, the conductive member 3 may be formed of copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof. This configuration has the effect of reducing material costs compared to when the conductive member 3 is formed of a precious metal such as silver or an alloy thereof.

[0017] Specifically, the conductive member 3 includes a central conductive member 3C, a left conductive member 3L, and a right conductive member 3R. The central conductive member 3C, the left conductive member 3L, and the right conductive member 3R are all plate-like members with a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending along the X-axis direction and having a front end surface FS and a rear end surface BS, as shown in FIG. 2 . Being plate-like reduces manufacturing costs compared to structures with complex shapes. The conductive member 3 may also be formed by arranging multiple metal wires extending along the X-axis direction adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. In this case, each of the multiple metal wires has a front end surface and a rear end surface, and the peripheral surfaces are integrated so that they are adjacent to each other and electrically conductive. That is, the surfaces of the multiple metal wires are not coated with an insulating material. This is to enable eddy currents to be generated across the multiple metal wires in the integrated state. However, the conductive member 3 may also be a coil whose ends are not connected to any potential. In this case, the surface of a single metal wire (conductor) constituting the coil is coated with an insulating material.

[0018] The coil 4 is an example of a fixed magnetic field generating member, and is configured to generate a magnetic field when a current is supplied to the coil 4 while the coil 4 is fixed to the base plate 2. The coil 4 is also a component of the driving means DM. In the illustrated example, the coil 4 includes a left coil 4L and a right coil 4R. Each of the left coil 4L and the right coil 4R is a wound coil formed by winding a conductor whose surface is coated with an insulating material, and is directly fixed to the base plate 2 with an adhesive. Note that for clarity, detailed illustration of the winding state of the conductor wire is omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2. This also applies to other figures that illustrate the coil 4.

[0019] Specifically, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 1, one end (first left end 4L1) of the left coil 4L is connected to a first conductor pad PD1 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM, and the other end (second left end 4L2) is connected to a second conductor pad PD2 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM. Also, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 1, one end (first right end 4R1) of the right coil 4R is connected to a second conductor pad PD2 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM, and the other end (second right end 4R2) is connected to a third conductor pad PD3 formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate BM. In this way, the left coil 4L and the right coil 4R are connected in series.

[0020] The control unit CTR is configured to control the movement of the movable body MB. In the illustrated example, 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. In other words, the control unit CTR may be a microcomputer equipped with a CPU. Note that, although the control unit CTR is installed outside the base plate 2 in the illustrated example, it may also be installed inside the base plate 2.

[0021] The movable body MB is configured to be able to vibrate the support member (touchpad) to which the base plate 2 is attached. In the illustrated example, the movable body MB is configured to be able to vibrate the support member (touchpad) by reciprocating while attached to the base plate 2 via the support member 7.

[0022] Specifically, the movable body MB includes a permanent magnet 5 and a plate-shaped metal member 6, and is configured to be elastically supported by a support member 7. More specifically, the movable body MB has a predetermined natural frequency corresponding to the mass of the movable body MB and the spring constant of the support member 7, and is configured to be able to reciprocate (vibrate) relative to the base plate 2 along a vibration axis VA (see the lower diagram in FIG. 1 ) extending in a predetermined direction (the Y-axis direction).

[0023] The permanent magnet 5 is configured to generate a magnetic field while being capable of reciprocating (vibrating) relative to the base plate 2. The permanent magnet 5 is also a component of the driving means DM. In the illustrated example, the permanent magnet 5 is magnetized with 12 poles, as shown in FIG. 2 . For ease of explanation, in FIG. 2 , a cross pattern is applied to the north pole of the permanent magnet 5, and a dot pattern is applied to the south pole of the permanent magnet 5. This is also true for other figures illustrating the polarity of the permanent magnet 5. The permanent magnet 5 may be a combination of six permanent magnets magnetized with two poles in the Z-axis direction, a combination of two permanent magnets magnetized with six poles, or a combination of three permanent magnets magnetized with four poles. Furthermore, when configured with a combination of multiple permanent magnets, the multiple permanent magnets may be spaced apart from one another.

[0024] The plate-shaped metal member 6 is a member used to attach the permanent magnet 5 to the support member 7. In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped metal member 6 is joined to the support member 7 by welding. The plate-shaped metal member 6 also functions as a movable magnetic member and is configured to control the path of the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet 5. Therefore, the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet 5 are concentrated on the plate-shaped metal member 6, and the plate-shaped metal member 6 functions as a yoke. The plate-shaped metal member 6 also constitutes the driving means DM. In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped metal member 6 includes a central portion 6C to which the permanent magnet 5 is attached, a rear portion 6B disposed behind the central portion 6C, a front portion 6F disposed in front of the central portion 6C, a left portion 6L disposed to the left of the central portion 6C, and a right portion 6R disposed to the right of the central portion 6C. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the permanent magnet 5 is attracted to the ceiling surface CP of the plate-shaped metal member 6. The permanent magnet 5 and the plate-shaped metal member 6 may be fixed to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 5, without using adhesive or welding, etc. This configuration has the effect of easily attaching the permanent magnet 5 to the support member 7 via the plate-shaped metal member 6. This is because the permanent magnet 5 and the plate-shaped metal member 6 are joined to each other by magnetic force without using adhesive, etc. The permanent magnet 5 and the plate-shaped metal member 6 may also be fixed to each other by adhesive. In this case, the plate-shaped metal member 6 may be made of a non-magnetic metal. The driving means DM may also be composed of a coil 4 and a permanent magnet 5.

[0025] The driving means DM is an example of a vibration force generating means and is configured to vibrate the movable body MB along the vibration axis VA. In the illustrated example, the driving means DM is an electromagnetic driving means and is composed of a base plate 2 (a fixed magnetic member), a coil 4 (a fixed magnetic field generating member), a permanent magnet 5 (a movable magnetic field generating member), and a plate-shaped metal member 6 (a movable magnetic member). 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 body MB (the permanent magnet 5), which is elastically supported by the support member 7, along the vibration axis VA.

[0026] The support member 7 is disposed between the fixed body FB and the movable body MB and is configured to elastically support the movable body MB. In the illustrated example, the support member 7 is a leaf spring formed of a metal plate, and includes a left support member 7L attached to a left region of the bottom surface of the base plate 2 and a right support member 7R attached to a right region of the bottom surface of the base plate 2. The left support member 7L and the right support member 7R have the same shape and size. Note that the support member 7 may be a gel-like material.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the vibration generator 101 is configured so that the top surface of the movable body MB is exposed to the outside, but the top surface of the movable body MB may be covered with a cover so that it is not exposed to the outside. In this case, the cover may form a housing together with the base plate 2.

[0028] The 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 left support member 7L. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams of the support member 7 that supports the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5 and plate-shaped metal member 6) so that it can reciprocate. Specifically, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the permanent magnet 5, plate-shaped metal member 6, and support member 7, the upper view of Figure 5 is a front view of the permanent magnet 5 (not visible), plate-shaped metal member 6, and support member 7, and the lower view of Figure 5 is a bottom view of the permanent magnet 5, plate-shaped metal member 6, and support member 7.

[0029] The left support member 7L is a member that elastically supports the left end of the movable body MB and has a first left portion 7L1 to a ninth left portion 7L9. The first left portion 7L1 is a portion that is fixed to the plate-shaped metal member 6 and includes a first left front portion 7L1F welded to the left front portion 6FL of the front portion 6F of the plate-shaped metal member 6 and a first left rear portion 7L1B welded to the left rear portion 6BL of the rear portion 6B of the plate-shaped metal member 6. The second left portion 7L2 is a portion that extends leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the left end of the first left portion 7L1 and curves inward, and includes a second left front portion 7L2F and a second left rear portion 7L2B. Note that "inside" means a side closer to the center of the movable body MB than "outside." The third left portion 7L3 is a linear portion and includes a third left front portion 7L3F connected to the second left front portion 7L2F and a third left rear portion 7L3B connected to the second left rear portion 7L2B. The fourth left portion 7L4 extends leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the inner end of the third left portion 7L3 and curves inward, convexly. In the illustrated example, the fourth left portion 7L4 is configured to have a U-shape in top view so that stress acting on the fourth left portion 7L4 is dispersed over a wide area. The fourth left portion 7L4 includes a fourth left front portion 7L4F connected to the third left front portion 7L3F and a fourth left rear portion 7L4B connected to the third left rear portion 7L3B. The fifth left portion 7L5 is a linear portion and includes a fifth left front portion 7L5F connected to the fourth left front portion 7L4F and a fifth left rear portion 7L5B connected to the fourth left rear portion 7L4B. The sixth left portion 7L6 extends leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the outer end of the fifth left portion 7L5 and is curved outwardly convexly. In the illustrated example, the sixth left portion 7L6 is configured to have a U-shape in top view so that stress acting on the sixth left portion 7L6 is dispersed over a wide area. The sixth left portion 7L6 includes a sixth left front portion 7L6F connected to the fifth left front portion 7L5F and a sixth left rear portion 7L6B connected to the fifth left rear portion 7L5B. The seventh left portion 7L7 is a linear portion extending along the X-axis direction, with its front end connected to the sixth left front portion 7L6F and its rear end connected to the sixth left rear portion 7L6B. The eighth left portion 7L8 is a portion that extends downward (toward the Z2 side) from the center of the seventh left portion 7L7 and curves inward.The ninth left portion 7L9 is a plate-shaped portion extending inward (toward the Y2 direction) from the inner end of the eighth left portion 7L8, and is fixed to the base plate 2. In the illustrated example, the ninth left portion 7L9 is fixed to the bottom surface of the base plate 2 by welding.

[0030] The right support member 7R is a portion that elastically supports the right end portion of the movable body MB. In the illustrated example, the left support member 7L and the right support member 7R are configured to be bilaterally symmetrical. Specifically, the right support member 7R has a first right portion 7R1 to a ninth right portion 7R9. The first right portion 7R1 to the ninth right portion 7R9 correspond to the first left portion 7L1 to the ninth left portion 7L9, respectively. Note that the first right portion 7R1 to the ninth right portion 7R9 are similar to the first left portion 7L1 to the ninth left portion 7L9, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The left side 6L of the plate-shaped metal member 6 is configured to restrict the leftward movement of the permanent magnets 5 attached to the plate-shaped metal member 6 welded to the support member 7 (first left portion 7L1 and first right portion 7R1) relative to the plate-shaped metal member 6. The right side 6R of the plate-shaped metal member 6 is configured to restrict the rightward movement of the permanent magnets 5 attached to the plate-shaped metal member 6 relative to the plate-shaped metal member 6. The rear side 6B of the plate-shaped metal member 6 is configured to restrict the rearward movement of the permanent magnets 5 attached to the plate-shaped metal member 6 relative to the plate-shaped metal member 6. The front side 6F of the plate-shaped metal member 6 is configured to restrict the forward movement of the permanent magnets 5 attached to the plate-shaped metal member 6 relative to the plate-shaped metal 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, and the front portion 6F has a central front portion 6FC, a left front portion 6FL, and a right front portion 6FR. A first left front portion 7L1F of the left support member 7L is welded to the left front portion 6FL, a first left rear portion 7L1B of the left support member 7L is welded to the left rear portion 6BL, a first right front portion 7R1F of the right support member 7R is welded to the right front portion 6FR, and a first right rear portion 7R1B of the right support member 7R is welded to the right rear portion 6BR.

[0033] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 , the reciprocating motion of the movable body MB caused by the driving mechanism DM will be described. FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram of the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 6 is a top view of the electromagnetic exciter 101, and the lower diagram of FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic exciter 101 taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane and including the dashed-dotted line L1 in the upper diagram of FIG. 6 , as viewed from the X1 side. More specifically, the lower diagram of FIG. 6 shows the electromagnetic exciter 101 in its initial state. The initial state of the electromagnetic exciter 101 refers to the state of the electromagnetic exciter 101 when no current is supplied to the coil 4. The position of the dashed-dotted line L1 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) corresponds to the center position of the support member 7 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0034] Fig. 7 is a top view of the vibration generator 101. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable body MB has moved leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the neutral position, the center view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable body MB is in the neutral position (not moving), and the lower view of Fig. 7 shows the state when the movable body MB has moved rightward (in the Y2 direction) from the neutral position. Note that, for ease of understanding, the insulating substrate BM is omitted from Fig. 7, and the coil 4, which is actually hidden by the movable body MB and cannot be seen, is shown by a hidden line (dashed line).

[0035] FIG. 8 is a front view of components constituting the electromagnetic exciter 101. Specifically, the top view of FIG. 8 shows the state of the electromagnetic exciter 101 when the movable body MB is in the neutral position (not moving), the second view from the top of FIG. 8 shows the state of the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 when the movable body MB is in the neutral position (not moving), the third view from the top of FIG. 8 shows the state of the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 when the movable body MB moves leftward (in the Y1 direction) from the neutral position, and the bottom view of FIG. 8 shows the state of the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 when the movable body MB moves rightward (in the Y2 direction) from the neutral position. Note that, for ease of understanding, components other than the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 are omitted from the second view from the top, the third view from the top, and the bottom view of FIG. 8.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a top view of the components that make up the vibration generator 101. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 9 is a top view of the fixed body FB (base plate 2, conductive member 3, coil 4, and insulating substrate BM), and the lower view of Fig. 9 is a top view of the fixed body FB and permanent magnet 5. For ease of understanding, in the upper view of Fig. 9, a cross pattern is applied to the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4, and in the lower view of Fig. 9, parts of the outlines of the conductive member 3 and the coil 4, which are actually hidden by the permanent magnet 5, are shown with hidden lines (dashed lines).

[0037] For example, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, the permanent magnet 5 has a first upper south pole portion 5US1 to a third upper south pole portion 5US3, a first upper north pole portion 5UN1 to a third upper north pole portion 5UN3, a first lower south pole portion 5DS1 to a third lower south pole portion 5DS3, and a first lower north pole portion 5DN1 to a third lower north pole portion 5DN3.

[0038] Then, when current flows from the second right end 4R2 of the right coil 4R (see the upper diagram in Figure 9) through the first right end 4R1 of the right coil 4R (see the upper diagram in Figure 9) and the second left end 4L2 of the left coil 4L (see the upper diagram in Figure 9) to the first left end 4L1 of the left coil 4L (see the upper diagram in Figure 9), the current flows counterclockwise within the coil 4 when viewed from above, as shown by the dashed arrow AR1 in the upper diagram in Figure 7. In this case, in the initial state, a current flows from the rear (X2 side) to the front (X1 side) in a top view in the bundle wire portion 4S (left outer bundle wire portion 4SLE), which faces the first lower N-pole portion 5DN1 of the left coil 4L in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-rear direction, and since the left outer bundle wire portion 4SLE ​​is present in a magnetic field in which the magnetic field lines (first magnetic flux MF1) are directed from above (Z1) to below (Z2) (see FIG. 6 ), a force that tries to move the permanent magnet 5 (first lower N-pole portion 5DN1) to the left (Y1 direction) acts on the permanent magnet 5 as a reaction force to the Lorentz force. Furthermore, in the initial state, a current flows from the front (X1 side) to the rear (X2 side) in top view in the bundle wire portion 4S (left inner bundle wire portion 4SLI) that faces the second lower S-pole portion 5DS2 of the left coil 4L in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-rear direction, and since the left inner bundle wire portion 4SLI is present in a magnetic field in which the magnetic force lines (second magnetic flux MF2) are directed from bottom (Z2) to top (Z1) (see FIG. 6 ), a force that tries to move the permanent magnet 5 to the left (Y1 direction) acts as a reaction force to the Lorentz force. Similarly, in the initial state, a current flows from the rear (X2 side) to the front (X1 side) in top view in the bundle wire portion 4S (right inner bundle wire portion 4SRI) that faces the second lower N-pole portion 5DN2 of the right coil 4R in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-rear direction, and since the right inner bundle wire portion 4SRI is present in a magnetic field in which the magnetic force lines (first magnetic flux MF1) are directed from above (Z1) to below (Z2) (see FIG. 6 ), a force that tries to move the permanent magnet 5 (second lower N-pole portion 5DN2) to the left (Y1 direction) acts on the permanent magnet 5 as a reaction force to the Lorentz force.Furthermore, in the initial state, a current flows from the front (X1 side) to the rear (X2 side) in top view in the bundle wire portion 4S (right outer bundle wire portion 4SRE) that faces the third lower S-pole portion 5DS3 of the right coil 4R in the up-down direction and extends linearly along the front-to-rear direction, and since the right outer bundle wire portion 4SRE is present in a magnetic field in which the magnetic field lines (second magnetic flux MF2) are directed from the bottom (Z2) to the top (Z1) (see FIG. 6 ), a force that tries to move the permanent magnet 5 to the left (Y1 direction) acts as a reaction force to the Lorentz force.

[0039] As a result, the movable body MB is biased to the left (Y1 direction) as shown by the block arrow AR3 in the lower diagram of FIG. 6, and moves to the left as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7 and the third diagram from the top of FIG.

[0040] In this case, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 7 , the left support member 7L is compressed in the left-right direction so that the distance DL1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the left side 6L of the plate-shaped metal member 6 and the seventh left portion 7L7 becomes smaller than the distance DL0 in the initial state (see the center diagram of Fig. 7 ). Also, the right support member 7R is expanded in the left-right direction so that the distance DR1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the right side 6R of the plate-shaped metal member 6 and the seventh right portion 7R7 becomes larger than the distance DR0 in the initial state.

[0041] Conversely, when a current flows from the first left end 4L1 of the left coil 4L (see the upper diagram in FIG. 9 ) through the second left end 4L2 of the left coil 4L (see the upper diagram in FIG. 9 ) and the first right end 4R1 of the right coil 4R (see the upper diagram in FIG. 9 ) to the second right end 4R2 of the right coil 4R (see the upper diagram in FIG. 9 ), the current flows clockwise in the coil 4 as viewed from above, as indicated by the dashed arrow AR2 in the lower diagram in FIG. 7 . In this case, the left outer bundle portion 4SLE ​​is present in a magnetic field in which magnetic field lines (first magnetic flux MF1) flow from above (Z1) to below (Z2), and the current flows from the front side (X1 side) to the rear side (X2 side) as viewed from above. Therefore, a force acting as a reaction force to the Lorentz force acts on the permanent magnet 5 (first lower N-pole portion 5DN1) to move it to the right (Y2 direction). Furthermore, the left inner bundle portion 4SLI exists in a magnetic field in which magnetic field lines (second magnetic flux MF2) flow from bottom (Z2) to top (Z1), and a current flows from the rear side (X2 side) to the front side (X1 side) in a top view, so a force acting as a reaction force of the Lorentz force acts on the permanent magnet 5 to move it to the right (Y2 direction). Similarly, the right inner bundle portion 4SRI exists in a magnetic field in which magnetic field lines (first magnetic flux MF1) flow from top (Z1) to bottom (Z2), and a current flows from the front side (X1 side) to the rear side (X2 side) in a top view, so a force acting as a reaction force of the Lorentz force acts on the permanent magnet 5 to move it (second lower N-pole portion 5DN2) to the right (Y2 direction). Furthermore, the right outer flux portion 4SRE exists in a magnetic field in which magnetic field lines (second magnetic flux MF2) flow from the bottom (Z2) to the top (Z1), and current flows from the rear side (X2 side) to the front side (X1 side) when viewed from above, so a force acts as a reaction force to the Lorentz force, tending to move the permanent magnet 5 to the right (Y2 direction).

[0042] As a result, the movable body MB is urged to the right (Y2 direction) and moves to the right as shown in the lower drawing of FIG. 7 and the bottommost drawing of FIG.

[0043] In this case, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 7, the left support member 7L is stretched in the left-right direction so that the distance DL2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the left side 6L of the plate-shaped metal member 6 and the seventh left portion 7L7 becomes larger than the distance DL0 in the initial state (see the center diagram of Figure 7). Also, the right support member 7R is compressed in the left-right direction so that the distance DR2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) between the right side 6R of the plate-shaped metal member 6 and the seventh right portion 7R7 becomes smaller than the distance DR0 in the initial state.

[0044] The control unit CTR can, for example, repeatedly reverse the direction of the current flowing through the coil 4 at a predetermined cycle (for example, by passing a sine wave current or a square wave current), 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. 7. The predetermined cycle is, for example, a cycle corresponding to a natural frequency corresponding to the mass of the movable body MB and the spring constant of the support member 7.

[0045] Specifically, the control unit CTR reduces or 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 current to the coil 4 becomes zero, the Lorentz force and its reaction force disappear. At this time, the movable body MB is pushed back to the right (Y2 direction) by the restoring force of the support member 7, and after a predetermined time has passed, it reaches the state shown in the center diagram of Fig. 7. The same applies when the vibration generator 101 reaches the state shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 7.

[0046] Alternatively, the control unit CTR may cause the movable body 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.

[0047] In reality, even if the control unit CTR supplies current to the coil 4 for a predetermined time to vibrate the movable body MB and then stops the supply of current, the vibration of the movable body MB does not immediately stop but continues while attenuating. However, since the vibration generator 101 according to this embodiment is provided with the conductive member 3, it is possible to apply a braking force to the movable body MB and attenuate the vibration of the movable body MB in a short period of time.

[0048] Next, an example of the sizes of the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that the sizes of the conductive member 3, the coil 4, and the permanent magnet 5 shown in Fig. 9 are merely examples, and the size relationship between the sizes is not limited to that shown in Fig. 9.

[0049] 9, the left conductive member 3L has a width WD1 in the Y-axis direction, the central conductive member 3C has a width WD2 in the Y-axis direction, and the right conductive member 3R has a width WD3 in the Y-axis direction. The widths WD1 and WD3 are the same size, and the width WD2 is slightly larger than the widths WD1 and WD3.

[0050] 9, the left outer bundle wire portion 4SLE ​​of the left coil 4L has a width WD4 in the Y-axis direction, the left inner bundle wire portion 4SLI of the left coil 4L has a width WD5 in the Y-axis direction, the right inner bundle wire portion 4SRI of the right coil 4R has a width WD6 in the Y-axis direction, and the right outer bundle wire portion 4SRE of the right coil 4R has a width WD7 in the Y-axis direction. The widths WD4 to WD7 are all the same size. The widths WD4 to WD7 are larger than any of the widths WD1 to WD3.

[0051] 9 , the coil 4 has a depth DP1 in the X-axis direction, the conductive member 3 has a depth DP2 in the X-axis direction, and the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4 has a depth DP3 in the X-axis direction. The depth DP1 is greater than the depth DP2, and the depth DP2 is greater than the depth DP3. The position of the rear end of the conductive member 3 in the X-axis direction is approximately the same as the position of the rear end of the coil 4 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the front end of the conductive member 3 is located further forward than the front end of the bundled wire portion 4S and further rearward than the front end of the coil 4.

[0052] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9 , the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD10 in the Y-axis direction. The width WD10 is approximately equal to the distance between the left end of the left conductive member 3L and the right end of the right conductive member 3R. Specifically, the first upper north-pole portion 5UN1 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD11 in the Y-axis direction, the first upper south-pole portion 5US1 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD12 in the Y-axis direction, the second upper north-pole portion 5UN2 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD13 in the Y-axis direction, the second upper south-pole portion 5US2 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD14 in the Y-axis direction, the third upper north-pole portion 5UN3 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD15 in the Y-axis direction, and the third upper south-pole portion 5US3 of the permanent magnet 5 has a width WD16 in the Y-axis direction. The widths WD11 and WD16 are approximately the same size, and the widths WD12 to WD15 are all approximately the same size. Furthermore, the widths WD11 and WD16 are smaller than any of the widths WD1 to WD7, and the widths WD12 to WD15 are larger than any of the widths WD1 to WD7.

[0053] Specifically, width WD11 is approximately half the size of width WD1, and width WD16 is approximately half the size of width WD3. Furthermore, width WD12 is approximately equal to the distance between the center of left conductive member 3L and the center of left coil 4L, width WD13 is approximately equal to the distance between the center of left coil 4L and the center of central conductive member 3C, width WD14 is approximately equal to the distance between the center of central conductive member 3C and the center of right coil 4R, and width WD15 is approximately equal to the distance between the center of right coil 4R and the center of right conductive member 3R.

[0054] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9 , the permanent magnet 5 has a depth DP10 in the X-axis direction. The depth DP10 is smaller than the depth DP1 and larger than the depth DP2. The position of the rear end of the conductive member 3 in the X-axis direction is slightly rearward (toward the X2 side) of the position of the rear end of the permanent magnet 5 in the X-axis direction, but is substantially the same. The position of the front end of the conductive member 3 in the X-axis direction is slightly rearward (toward the X2 side) of the position of the front end of the permanent magnet 5 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the permanent magnet 5 is positioned so that the magnetic flux MF generated by the permanent magnet 5 penetrates substantially all of the conductive member 3 vertically. The conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5 are each positioned so that their front ends are located forward (toward the X1 side) of the front end of the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4, and their rear ends are located rearward (toward the X2 side) of the rear end of the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4. That is, the permanent magnets 5 are arranged to cover at least a portion of the curved portion 4W of the coil 4 (the portion connecting the two wire bundle portions 4S) in a top view. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the permanent magnets 5 are arranged to cover most of the left front curved portion 4WLF and the left rear curved portion 4WLB of the left coil 4L and the right front curved portion 4WRF and the right rear curved portion 4WRB of the right coil 4R in a top view. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9 , the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnets 5 are arranged to face each other in the Z-axis direction, even in a region ZN located outside the wire bundle portion 4S of the coil 4 in the X-axis direction (a region located forward of the front end of the wire bundle portion 4S and a region located rearward of the rear end of the wire bundle portion 4S), i.e., in a region ZN located outside the curved portion 4W in the Y-axis direction. This is to efficiently generate eddy currents.

[0055] In the upper view of Figure 9, the dashed arrows above the central conductive member 3C, the left conductive member 3L, and the right conductive member 3R indicate the direction of eddy currents generated when the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) moves in the Y-axis direction. As shown in the upper view of Figure 9, the eddy currents generated in the central conductive member 3C are oriented in opposite directions in the left and right halves of the central conductive member 3C. Specifically, the eddy currents are counterclockwise in the left half of the central conductive member 3C when viewed from above, and clockwise in the right half of the central conductive member 3C when viewed from above. As shown in the lower view of Figure 6, in the initial state, the left half of the central conductive member 3C faces the south pole portion (second lower south pole portion 5DS2) of the permanent magnet 5 and is penetrated by the upward second magnetic flux MF2, while the right half of the central conductive member 3C faces the north pole portion (second lower north pole portion 5DN2) of the permanent magnet 5 and is penetrated by the downward first magnetic flux MF1. The same applies to the left conductive member 3L and the right conductive member 3R.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conductive member 3 is generally flat and does not have any recesses, protrusions, etc., so that eddy currents flow more easily than when the conductive member 3 is not flat and has recesses, protrusions, etc. However, the conductive member 3 may have recesses or protrusions as long as it can generate eddy currents of a desired magnitude.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the movable body MB vibrates along the vibration axis VA, the magnetic flux MF generated by the permanent magnet 5 included in the movable body MB also vibrates along the vibration axis VA. That is, the magnetic flux crossing the conductive member 3 below the permanent magnet 5 (on the Z2 side) vibrates along the vibration axis VA while maintaining its crossing relationship with the conductive member 3. Therefore, eddy currents flow in the conductive member 3 in response to changes in the magnetic flux crossing the conductive member 3, and these eddy currents brake the movable body MB. In other words, when the movable body MB moves along the vibration axis VA, eddy currents are generated in the conductive member 3, which generate a magnetic field that generates a braking force on the permanent magnet 5. The conductive member 3 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 5.

[0058] Therefore, the movable body MB is subjected to a braking force, which is a force caused by eddy currents and acts in the direction opposite to the direction of vibration (movement). Specifically, while the movable body MB is vibrated by the Lorentz force generated by the driving means DM, it is not only subjected to a braking force that acts to slow down the vibration, but also to a braking force that acts to damp residual vibration after the supply of current to the coil 4 is stopped. The braking force increases in proportion to the vibration velocity of the movable body MB. Therefore, the vibration acceleration of the movable body MB is reduced by the braking force.

[0059] The braking force caused by eddy currents increases as the eddy currents increase. Furthermore, the eddy currents increase as the resistivity (specific resistance) of the conductive member 3 decreases, as the conductivity of the conductive member 3 increases, and as the thickness of the conductive member 3 increases. Therefore, the material and thickness of the conductive member 3 are selected so as to obtain a desired braking force. In the illustrated example, the conductive member 3 is made of tough-pitch copper, which is the same material as the wire material of the coil 4, and the thickness TK1 of the conductive member 3 is greater than the thickness TK2 of the coil 4.

[0060] Furthermore, in the vibration generator 101, the braking force caused by eddy currents when current is supplied to the coil 4 reduces vibration acceleration and can suppress abnormal increases in amplitude due to undesired resonance. That is, the period of the natural frequency corresponding to the mass of the movable body MB and the spring constant of the support member 7 is set to be equal to the predetermined period of the current flowing through the coil 4. This can cause resonance and an abnormal increase in amplitude, but the vibration generator 101 can suppress this.

[0061] Furthermore, the vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to actively utilize the damping force caused by eddy currents. That is, after the supply of current to the coil 4 is stopped, the vibration generator 101 can quickly damp the vibration of the movable body MB by using the damping force caused by the eddy current flowing through the conductive member 3, thereby quickly stopping the movable body MB.

[0062] Next, another example configuration of the vibration generator 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the components (base plate 2, conductive member 3, coil 4, and permanent magnet 5) that constitute the vibration generator 101, and corresponds to the second diagram from the top in Fig. 8. Note that, in Fig. 10, components other than the base plate 2, conductive member 3, coil 4, and permanent magnet 5 are omitted from the illustration in order to make the description easier to understand.

[0063] The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 10 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in that the distance GP1 between the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the distance GP2 between the coil 4 and the permanent magnet 5 in the Z-axis direction. In the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8, the distances GP1 and GP2 are the same. In other words, the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 10 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in that the upper end surface of the conductive member 3 protrudes upward by a protrusion amount PT beyond the upper end surface of the coil 4.

[0064] 10 has the effect of preventing the coil 4 from coming into contact with the permanent magnet 5, even if the vibration generator 101 receives an impact or the like and the movable body MB moves undesirably downward. This is because the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5 come into contact before the coil 4 and the permanent magnet 5 come into contact.

[0065] The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 10 is the same as the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in that the width (thickness TK1) of the range in the Z-axis direction where the conductive member 3 is located is greater than the width (thickness TK2) of the range in the Z-axis direction where the coil 4 is located. However, in the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 10, the thickness TK1 of the conductive member 3 is further increased to increase the magnitude of eddy currents generated when the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) moves. Therefore, in the example shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 10, the base plate 2 is configured by bending or pressing, etc., so that the portion where the coil 4 is attached is higher than the portion where the conductive member 3 is attached, so that the protrusion amount PT of the conductive member 3 is within a desired size.

[0066] Furthermore, the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 10 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in that the thickness TK1 of the conductive member 3 is smaller than the thickness TK2 of the coil 4. In the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8, the thickness TK1 is larger than the thickness TK2. Therefore, in the example shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 10, the base plate 2 is configured by bending or pressing, etc., so that the portion where the conductive member 3 is attached is higher than the portion where the coil 4 is attached, so that the protrusion amount PT of the conductive member 3 is a desired size.

[0067] This configuration shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10 brings about the effect that, for example, by increasing the thickness TK2 of the coil 4, it is possible to increase the magnitude of the driving force for vibrating the movable body MB.

[0068] The two electromagnetic exciters 101 shown in Fig. 10 differ from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in the above-mentioned respects. However, both of the electromagnetic exciters 101 shown in Fig. 10 are the same as the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 8 in that they both achieve the function of damping and stopping the vibration of the movable body MB by means of a braking force caused by eddy currents generated by the conductive member 3 arranged alongside the coil 4 in the Y-axis direction.

[0069] The vibration generating device 101 shown in the lower diagram of Figure 10 is configured such that the upper end surface of the conductive member 3 protrudes upward by a protrusion amount PT above the upper end surface of the coil 4 by applying bending or pressing, etc. to the base plate 2, but it may also be configured such that the upper end surface of the conductive member 3 protrudes upward by a protrusion amount PT above the upper end surface of the coil 4 by increasing the thickness of the conductive member 3 without applying bending or pressing, etc. to the base plate 2.

[0070] Next, six other configuration examples of the electromagnetic exciter 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a top view of the components (base plate 2, conductive member 3, and coil 4) that make up the electromagnetic exciter 101, and corresponds to the upper view of Fig. 9. Note that, in Fig. 11, components other than the base plate 2, conductive member 3, and coil 4 are omitted from the illustration in order to make the description easier to understand.

[0071] The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 11 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in FIG. 9 in that the conductive member 3 is composed of a bundle of metal wires. In the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in FIG. 9, the conductive member 3 is composed of a flat metal plate. Specifically, in the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 11, the conductive member 3 is integrally formed by arranging multiple copper wires extending in the X-axis direction adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. The multiple copper wires are configured so that their peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other and are electrically conductive via the peripheral surfaces. Therefore, the conductive member 3 composed of a bundle of multiple copper wires can generate eddy currents when the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) moves, just like the conductive member 3 composed of a metal plate.

[0072] The vibration generator 101 shown in the left center diagram of Figure 11 differs from the vibration generator 101 shown in Figure 9 in that the coil 4 is composed of a single hollow coil 4C and that the central conductive member 3C is arranged inside the hollow coil 4C.

[0073] The vibration generator 101 shown in the lower left diagram of Figure 11 differs from the vibration generator 101 shown in Figure 9 in that the central conductive member 3C is omitted and the depth (length in the X-axis direction) of the left conductive member 3L and the right conductive member 3R is smaller than the depth of the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4.

[0074] The vibration generator 101 shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 11 differs from the vibration generator 101 shown in Figure 9 in that the left conductive member 3L and the right conductive member 3R are omitted and that the depth (length in the X-axis direction) of the central conductive member 3C is smaller than the depth of the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4.

[0075] The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the right center diagram of Fig. 11 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in that the central conductive member 3C, the left conductive member 3L, and the right conductive member 3R are each divided into two parts in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the central conductive member 3C is divided into a central rear conductive member 3CB and a central front conductive member 3CF, the left conductive member 3L is divided into a left rear conductive member 3LB and a left front conductive member 3LF, and the right conductive member 3R is divided into a right rear conductive member 3RB and a right front conductive member 3RF.

[0076] The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the lower right diagram of Fig. 11 differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in that the central conductive member 3C, left conductive member 3L, and right conductive member 3R are each divided into two parts in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the central conductive member 3C is divided into a first central conductive member 3C1 and a second central conductive member 3C2, the left conductive member 3L is divided into a first left conductive member 3L1 and a second left conductive member 3L2, and the right conductive member 3R is divided into a first right conductive member 3R1 and a second right conductive member 3R2. The electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in the lower right diagram of Fig. 11 also differs from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in that it includes a front conductive member 3F arranged in front of the coil 4.

[0077] The six electromagnetic exciters 101 shown in Fig. 11 differ from the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in the above-mentioned respects. However, all of the six electromagnetic exciters 101 shown in Fig. 11 are the same as the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in that they all achieve the function of damping and stopping the vibration of the movable body MB by means of a braking force caused by eddy currents generated by the conductive members 3 arranged alongside the coils 4 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. Therefore, each of the six electromagnetic exciters 101 shown in Fig. 11 provides the same effect as the electromagnetic exciter 101 shown in Fig. 9 in that it can quickly damp the vibration of the movable body MB and quickly stop the movable body MB.

[0078] 11 can be arbitrarily combined to adjust to desired magnitudes the driving force by the driving means DM and the braking force caused by the eddy current flowing through the conductive members 3. Specifically, the number, shape, depth, arrangement, etc. of the conductive members 3 can be arbitrarily selected.

[0079] As described above, the vibration generator 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, as shown in FIG. 2 , a fixed body FB, a movable body MB, and a support member 7 that supports the movable body MB relative to the fixed body FB so that the movable body MB can vibrate in a first direction (Y-axis direction). The fixed body FB includes a plate-shaped base plate 2 that is held immovable relative to a mounting surface, a coil 4 that is directly or indirectly attached to the base plate 2 and has a bundled wire portion 4S including multiple conductors that extend along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate 2 in a second direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction), and a conductive member 3 that is directly or indirectly attached to the base plate 2 and extends along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate 2 and has a higher conductivity than the base plate 2. The conductive member 3 generates an eddy current when the movable body MB moves in the first direction (Y-axis direction). The movable body MB also includes a permanent magnet 5 arranged at a distance (see distance GP1 in FIG. 8 ) in a third direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the surface of the base plate 2 and movable relative to the base plate 2. The permanent magnet 5 generates a first magnetic flux MF1 (downward) from the permanent magnet 5 toward the wire bundle 4S and a second magnetic flux MF2 (upward) from the wire bundle 4S toward the permanent magnet 5. The conductive member 3 is arranged to be aligned with the coil 4 in the first direction (Y-axis direction) or the second direction (X-axis direction), and has end faces (front end face FS and rear end face BS) at both ends in the second direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 8 , the width (thickness TK1) of the range in which the conductive member 3 exists in the third direction (Z-axis direction) and the width (thickness TK2) of the range in which the coil 4 exists in the third direction (Z-axis direction) at least partially overlap. 8, both the thickness TK1 and the thickness TK2 are smaller than the width (thickness TK3) of the range in which the permanent magnet 5 exists in the third direction (Z-axis direction). The conductive member 3 may be a flat member having end faces (front end face FS and rear end face BS) at both ends in the second direction (X-axis direction) as shown in Fig. 2, or may be an assembly of linear members having end faces (front end face FS and rear end face BS) at both ends in the second direction (X-axis direction) as shown in the upper left diagram in Fig. 11.

[0080] In other words, as shown in FIG. 2 , the vibration generator 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed body FB, a movable body MB, and a support member 7 that supports the movable body MB relative to the fixed body FB so that the movable body MB can vibrate in a first direction (Y-axis direction). The fixed body FB has a wire bundle 4S including a plurality of conductors extending in a second direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction), and includes a coil 4 arranged on one side (Z2 side, lower side) of the movable body MB in a third direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to both the first direction (Y-axis direction) and the second direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 6 , the movable body MB includes a permanent magnet 5 that generates a first magnetic flux MF1 directed toward the wire bundle 4S side (Z2 side, lower side) and a second magnetic flux MF2 directed toward the opposite side (Z1 side, upper side) of the wire bundle 4S. Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, the fixed body FB is arranged alongside the coil 4 in a virtual plane parallel to the XY plane, extends along the second direction (X-axis direction) so as to intersect with the first magnetic flux MF1 or the second magnetic flux MF2, and includes a conductive member 3 that generates an eddy current when the movable body MB moves in the first direction (Y-axis direction).

[0081] This configuration has the advantage that the conductive member 3 is arranged alongside the coil 4 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the electromagnetic exciter 101. In other words, this configuration has the advantage that the dimensions of the electromagnetic exciter 101 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) can be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, with this configuration, the vibration generator 101 can damp the vibration of the movable body MB by using a damping force resulting from eddy currents flowing through the conductive member 3. Therefore, the vibration generator 101 can improve durability while achieving a vibration damping effect, compared to a configuration that damps vibrations using a gel damper member, sponge, or the like. In other words, this configuration brings about the effect of providing a vibration generator 101 having a highly durable structure that can damp the vibration of the movable body MB.

[0083] This configuration also has the advantage of being able to increase the damping coefficient compared to configurations that use a gel-type damper member, sponge, etc. This configuration also has the advantage of being able to suppress distortion of the vibration waveform compared to configurations that use a gel-type damper member, sponge, etc. This is because in configurations that use a gel-type damper member, sponge, etc. to damp vibration, the gel-type damper member, sponge, etc. affects the spring constant of the support member 7 (leaf spring), making it easy for the vibration waveform to be distorted.

[0084] Furthermore, the vibration generating device 101 has the advantage of being more stable against ambient temperature than a configuration that damps vibrations by providing a magnetic fluid layer in the gap between the coil 4 and the permanent magnet 5, or in the gap between the base plate 2 and the permanent magnet 5, i.e., it is less likely to experience changes in performance due to changes in ambient temperature.

[0085] Furthermore, this configuration can reduce the distance between the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5 and the coil 4, compared to a configuration in which the coil 4 is disposed between the permanent magnet 5 and the conductive member 3 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) or a configuration in which the conductive member 3 is disposed between the permanent magnet 5 and the coil 4 in the third direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, this configuration has the effect of increasing the braking force caused by the eddy currents caused by the interaction between the conductive member 3 and the permanent magnet 5, while suppressing a decrease in the driving force caused by the interaction between the coil 4 and the permanent magnet 5, i.e., suppressing a decrease in the thrust constant.

[0086] Furthermore, the conductive member 3 is arranged alongside the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4 in the first direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 9, the width (widths WD1 to WD3) of the conductive member 3 in the first direction (Y-axis direction) may be smaller than the width (widths WD4 to WD7) of the bundled wire portion 4S of the coil 4 in the first direction (Y-axis direction).

[0087] This configuration has the effect of reducing the size of the vibration generator 101 in the first direction (Y-axis direction).

[0088] 8, the distance GP1 between the permanent magnet 5 and the conductive member 3 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) is the same as the distance GP2 between the permanent magnet 5 and the coil 4 in the third direction (Z-axis direction), but may be smaller than the distance GP2 between the permanent magnet 5 and the coil 4 in the third direction (Z-axis direction) as shown in Fig. 10. That is, the height of the upper surface of the conductive member 3 may be higher than the height of the upper surface of the coil 4 as shown in Fig. 10.

[0089] This configuration has the effect of preventing the coil 4 from coming into contact with the permanent magnet 5 even if the vibration generator 101 receives an impact or the like and the movable body MB moves undesirably downward. This is because the conductive member 3 comes into contact with the permanent magnet 5 before the coil 4 comes into contact with the permanent magnet 5. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of protecting the coil 4 without adding any other components.

[0090] Also, as shown in Figure 10, the width (thickness TK1) of the range in which the conductive member 3 exists in the third direction (Z-axis direction) may be larger than the width (thickness TK2) of the range in which the coil 4 exists in the third direction (Z-axis direction).

[0091] This configuration increases the magnitude of the eddy current generated in the conductive member 3, and thus increases the braking force caused by the eddy current, thereby having the effect of quickly damping the vibration of the movable body MB and quickly stopping the movable body MB.

[0092] 8 , when the coil 4 is not energized (initial state), the conductive member 3 may be arranged such that the center CR of the conductive member 3 in the first direction (Y-axis direction) faces the boundary BD between the north pole portion and the south pole portion of the permanent magnet 5. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the center CR1 of the left conductive member 3L faces the boundary BD1 between the first lower south pole portion 5DS1 and the first lower north pole portion 5DN1 of the permanent magnet 5, the center CR2 of the central conductive member 3C faces the boundary BD2 between the second lower south pole portion 5DS2 and the second lower north pole portion 5DN2 of the permanent magnet 5, and the center CR3 of the right conductive member 3R faces the boundary BD3 between the third lower south pole portion 5DS3 and the third lower north pole portion 5DN3 of the permanent magnet 5.

[0093] This configuration has the effect of making it easier to generate eddy currents in the conductive member 3 compared to a configuration in which, in the initial state, the center CR of the conductive member 3 does not face the boundary BD between the north pole and south pole of the permanent magnet 5. This is because the magnitude of the magnetic flux MF penetrating the conductive member 3 is likely to change in response to the movement of the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) in the Y-axis direction.

[0094] The vibration generator 101 may also have multiple coils 4. The conductive member 3 may be disposed between two coils 4. In the illustrated example, the vibration generator 101 has a left coil 4L and a right coil 4R, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 6, and a central conductive member 3C of the conductive members 3 is disposed between the left coil 4L and the right coil 4R.

[0095] This configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly damp vibrations of the movable body MB and stop the movable body MB more quickly than a configuration in which the central conductive member 3C is not disposed between the left coil 4L and the right coil 4R, because the braking force resulting from the eddy current generated in the central conductive member 3C can be applied to the central portion of the movable body MB (permanent magnet 5) moving in the Y-axis direction.

[0096] Furthermore, the fixed body FB may include a plurality of conductive members 3. The coil 4 may be disposed between two conductive members 3 in the first direction (Y-axis direction). In the example shown in Fig. 6, the coil 4 is disposed between the left conductive member 3L and the right conductive member 3R. Specifically, the left coil 4L is disposed between the left conductive member 3L and the central conductive member 3C, and the right coil 4R is disposed between the central conductive member 3C and the right conductive member 3R.

[0097] This configuration has the effect of enabling a braking force due to eddy current to be generated by each of the plurality of conductive members 3. In addition, this configuration has the effect of more reliably preventing contact between the coil 4 and the permanent magnet 5 by the conductive members 3 arranged on both sides of the coil 4 in the first direction (Y-axis direction).

[0098] 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.

[0099] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-092584, filed on June 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0100]

Claims

1. A vibration generating device comprising: a fixed body; a movable body; and a support member supporting the movable body relative to the fixed body so that it can vibrate in a first direction, wherein the fixed body comprises: a plate-shaped base plate held so as not to move relative to a support member; a coil attached directly or indirectly to the base plate, having a bundled wire section including a plurality of conductors extending along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a conductive member attached directly or indirectly to the base plate, extending along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate, and having higher conductivity than the base plate, wherein the conductive member generates eddy currents when the movable body moves in the first direction; the movable body comprises a permanent magnet arranged at an interval from the base plate in a third direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the base plate and movable relatively to the base plate; and the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic flux oriented from the permanent magnet toward the bundled wire section and a second magnetic flux oriented from the bundled wire section toward the permanent magnet; The vibration generating device, wherein the conductive member is arranged to be aligned with the coil in the first direction or the second direction, and has end faces on both ends in the second direction.

2. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member is arranged next to the bundled wire portion of the coil, and the width of the conductive member in the first direction is smaller than the width of the bundled wire portion of the coil in the first direction.

3. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the permanent magnet and the conductive member in the third direction is smaller than the distance between the permanent magnet and the coil in the third direction.

4. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the range in the third direction in which the conductive member exists is greater than the width of the range in the third direction in which the coil exists.

5. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member is arranged such that, when the coil is not energized, the center of the conductive member in the first direction faces the boundary between the north pole and south pole of the permanent magnet.

6. A vibration generating device comprising: a fixed body; a movable body; and a support member that supports the movable body relative to the fixed body so that it can vibrate in a first direction, wherein the fixed body comprises: a plate-shaped base plate that is held so as not to move relative to a support member; a plurality of coils that are attached directly or indirectly to the base plate and have a bundled wire section that includes a plurality of conductors that extend along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a conductive member that is attached directly or indirectly to the base plate and extends along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate and has higher conductivity than the base plate, wherein the conductive member generates eddy currents when the movable body moves in the first direction; the movable body comprises permanent magnets that are arranged at intervals in a third direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the base plate and are movable relatively to the base plate, and the permanent magnets generate a first magnetic flux that is oriented from the permanent magnet toward the bundled wire section and a second magnetic flux that is oriented from the bundled wire section toward the permanent magnet; and the conductive member is arranged between two of the coils.

7. A vibration generating device comprising: a fixed body; a movable body; and a support member supporting the movable body relative to the fixed body so that it can vibrate in a first direction, wherein the fixed body comprises: a plate-shaped base plate held so as not to move relative to a support member; a coil attached directly or indirectly to the base plate and having a bundled wire section including a plurality of conductors extending along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a conductive member attached directly or indirectly to the base plate and extending along the plate surface of the plate-shaped base plate and having higher conductivity than the base plate, wherein the conductive member generates an eddy current when the movable body moves in the first direction; the movable body comprises permanent magnets arranged at intervals in a third direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the base plate and movable relative to the base plate; and the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic flux in a direction from the permanent magnet toward the bundled wire section and a second magnetic flux in a direction from the bundled wire section toward the permanent magnet; a conductive member arranged to be aligned with the coil in the first direction or the second direction; and a distance between the permanent magnet and the conductive member in the third direction is smaller than a distance between the permanent magnet and the coil in the third direction.

8. A vibration generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fixed body includes a plurality of the conductive members, and the coil is disposed between two of the conductive members in the first direction.

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