JP2004305865A - Vibration actuator and portable terminal instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a vibration actuator having strong vibration generation force with a simple constitution and to provide the vibration actuator easily transmitting the vibration to a cellular phone or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The vibration actuator 1 is provided with a movable part 2 having a magnet 7; and hollow core coils 5, 6 reciprocating the movable part 2 in a horizontal direction and is provided with band plate-like elastic bodies 3, 4 for supporting the movable part 2. Since the vibration direction of the vibration actuator 1 is a horizontal direction, the vibration is easily transmitted to the cellular phone or the like. Further, since the movable part 2 is supported by the band plate-like elastic bodies 3, 4, it can be restricted that the movable part 2 is moved in a thickness direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vibration actuator that is mounted on a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone or a small information communication terminal and informs a user of an incoming call by vibration. The present invention relates to a vibration actuator that vibrates.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, four outer peripheral surfaces are surrounded by magnetic yokes, and permanent magnets and springs are placed in bobbins inside two opposing surfaces on which coils are wound, and grooves are formed in the magnetic yokes to fix the bobbins. A vibration actuator that generates vibration by passing an alternating current of a pulse wave through a coil is known (Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Further, a drive coil formed in the concave portion of the cylindrical case provided with a stepped concave portion on the outer periphery made of a non-magnetic material, and a permanent magnet magnetized in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical case inside the drive coil. A movable part with a weight attached, a cylindrical body that is loosely sealed and fixed by both lower yokes and upper yokes at both ends of the movable part via lower spring springs and upper spring springs, and a low-frequency vibration circuit. There is known a vibrator that is fixed to a vehicle (Patent Document 2).
[0004]
Also, in a vibration device that gives a signal to the user of the device by vibration, the movement of the magnet is detected and the magnet is driven at the resonance point of the magnet and the spring. A known driving device is known (Patent Document 3).
[0005]
In addition, a movable permanent magnet that can reciprocate in the cylinder, fixed permanent magnets provided at both ends of the cylinder, a vibrating part having a coil wound around the cylinder, and a vibrating part that covers the vibrating part to prevent magnetic leakage to the outside. A vibration generator including a shield plate for preventing the vibration is known (Patent Documents 4 and 5).
[0006]
In addition, fixed permanent magnets are provided at both ends of the cylindrical housing, and a movable permanent magnet is accommodated in the inner space of the housing, and a drive coil that is energized by a pulse power supply on the outer periphery of the housing and generates magnetism. A vibration generator that applies a driving force to the permanent magnet movable element by a change in the generated magnetism of the drive coil and the magnetic flux of the fixed permanent magnet and the movable permanent magnet, and reciprocates the movable permanent magnet in the inner space is known. (Patent Document 6).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-28464 (refer to the abstract and FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 5-60158 (see abstract and FIG. 1)
[0009]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-10-174408 (see abstract and FIG. 1)
[0010]
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-11-18395 (see abstract and FIG. 3)
[0011]
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-11-18396 (refer to the abstract and FIG. 3)
[0012]
[Patent Document 6]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-168869 (Abstract, see FIGS. 3, 10, and 29)
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vibration actuators and the like (Patent Documents 1 to 3), since the permanent magnet is supported by the spring, the permanent magnet also vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the permanent magnet. As a result, there is a problem that vibration is hardly transmitted to a mobile phone or the like. Further, in a conventional vibration generator or the like (Patent Documents 4 to 6), since the movable permanent magnet reciprocates along the guide and the movable permanent magnet is not supported by the spring, the movable permanent magnet reciprocates. There is a problem that the vibration is hardly transmitted to a mobile phone or the like.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator in which vibration due to reciprocating motion of a magnetic circuit portion is easily transmitted to a mobile phone or the like with a simple configuration. is there.
[0015]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration actuator including a movable portion having a magnet and an air-core coil for reciprocating the movable portion in a lateral direction, wherein the vibration actuator includes a band-shaped elastic body supporting the movable portion. This is a characteristic vibration actuator.
[0016]
As described above, in the vibration actuator according to the present invention, since the movable portion is supported by the band-shaped elastic body, the movable portion can be restricted from moving in the thickness direction when the movable portion reciprocates.
[0017]
The band-shaped elastic body includes a non-magnetic metal band-shaped spring, and a copper alloy band-shaped spring or a stainless steel band-shaped spring is preferable.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 2 is a vibration actuator including a movable portion having a magnet and an air-core coil that reciprocates the movable portion in a horizontal direction, wherein the vibration actuator includes a band-shaped elastic body that supports the movable portion. A vibration actuator, wherein one end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to the movable portion, and the other end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to an inner wall of a housing of the vibration actuator. .
[0019]
Thus, the vibration actuator according to the present invention is configured such that one end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to the movable portion, and the other end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to the inner wall of the housing of the vibration actuator. Since the movable portion is supported, the movable portion can be restricted from moving in the thickness direction when the movable portion reciprocates.
[0020]
Here, the reason why the movable part is reciprocated in the horizontal direction is to maximize the vibrating force of a vibration actuator designed within a certain dimension in order to reduce the size and thickness. As a method for increasing the vibrating force, it is conceivable to increase the weight of the movable section and increase the amplitude of the movable section. However, if the movable part is made large in the thickness direction, the thickness of the vibration actuator becomes large, and it is not possible to meet the demand for thinning. Further, when the movable portion is vibrated in the thickness direction, the amplitude in the thickness direction cannot be increased. Therefore, the vibration actuator according to the present invention employs a method of vibrating the movable portion in the horizontal direction, and is designed to have a configuration capable of increasing the amplitude in the horizontal direction.
[0021]
The horizontal direction refers to a direction horizontal to the substrate surface or the installation surface of the mobile terminal device or the longitudinal direction of the vibration actuator in a state where the vibration actuator is mounted on a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. Means a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface or an installation surface of the portable terminal device or a thickness direction of the vibration actuator when the portable terminal device is mounted on a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone.
[0022]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the band-shaped elastic body is provided at each of both ends of the movable portion. It is.
[0023]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the movable portion is housed in a hollow portion of the air-core coil. It is a vibration actuator.
[0024]
Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the movable portion is accommodated in the hollow portion of the air-core coil, the size of the vibration actuator can be reduced.
[0025]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the magnet is magnetized in a direction of a center axis of the air-core coil. Vibrates in the direction of the central axis.
[0026]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration actuator according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the number of the magnets is one.
[0027]
Since there is one magnet, the material cost of the vibration actuator can be reduced.
[0028]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, two air-core coils are arranged and connected so that currents in opposite directions flow. Vibration actuator.
[0029]
By arranging two air-core coils, the vibrating force of the movable portion can be increased.
[0030]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration actuator according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the movable portion has a pole piece and / or a yoke. .
[0031]
By providing a pole piece and / or a yoke on the movable part, leakage of magnetic flux can be reduced. Further, the weight of the movable part can be increased.
[0032]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the movable portion has the same poles of two magnets arranged on both sides of the pole piece to face each other. And a repulsion magnetic circuit portion formed by the above-mentioned method, wherein the air core coil is one.
[0033]
Since the movable portion has two magnets, the vibrating force of the vibration actuator increases.
[0034]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration actuator according to the ninth aspect, the movable portion includes a yoke.
[0035]
By providing the yoke in the movable part, leakage of magnetic flux can be reduced. Further, the weight of the movable part can be increased.
[0036]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the vibration actuator according to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable portion includes a weight portion in addition to the configuration of the first aspect.
[0037]
By providing the weight portion, the weight of the movable portion can be increased.
[0038]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the vibration actuator according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is formed in a flat shape.
[0039]
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a portable terminal device including the vibration actuator according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.
[0040]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, the vibration actuator 1 according to the first embodiment includes a movable portion 2, band-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4, and air-core coils 5 and 6. It is designed to vibrate.
[0041]
The movable section 2 has one magnet 7 and two pole pieces 8.9, and forms a magnetic circuit. The magnet 7 is formed in a rectangular shape, and is magnetized in the arrow X direction. The pole pieces 8 and 9 are formed in a substantially L shape, and are fixed to the N pole side and the S pole side of the magnet 7, respectively. The reason why the pole pieces 8.9 are formed in a substantially L shape is to prevent the ends of the pole pieces 8.9 from interfering with the strip-shaped elastic bodies 3.4 when the movable portion 2 vibrates. That's why. Further, the pole pieces 8.9 also function as weight portions for increasing the weight of the movable portion 2.
[0042]
The band-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4 are formed of non-magnetic metal band-shaped springs, and support the movable portion 2 so as to be able to reciprocate. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strip-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4 have one end fixed to the movable portion 2 and the other end fixed to the housing 10. Since the band-shaped elastic members 3.4 are bent toward the housing 10 at the bent portions 3a and 4a, the band-shaped elastic members 3.4 and the pole pieces 8.9 are formed when the movable portion 2 vibrates. They do not interfere with each other. The space between the strip-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4 and the pole pieces 8.9 is a space necessary for the vibration of the movable section 2. If this space is increased, the amplitude of the movable section 2 can be increased. it can. As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 3b of the band-shaped elastic body 3 is curved. In this way, by bending and bending the arm 3b, the strip-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4 easily vibrate the movable section 2. In addition, due to this bending, the strip-shaped elastic members 3 and 4 can take a large displacement amount of the movable portion 2.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, the air-core coils 5 and 6 are fitted and fixed in receiving grooves 10a and 10b provided in the housing 10. The air-core coils 5 and 6 are wound in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and accommodate the movable portion 2 in a hollow portion. The air-core coils 5 and 6 are connected such that currents in opposite directions flow.
[0044]
The housing 10 is provided with grooves 10c and 10d for fixing the strip-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4. Grooves 10e and 10f for fixing the terminals 11 and 12 are provided inside the grooves 10c and 10d. The terminals 11 and 12 are connected to the lead wires 6a to 6d of the air-core coils 5.6. After disposing the movable part 2, the air-core coils 5.6, and the terminals 11, 12 in the housing 10, the upper lid 13 is fitted to the open end of the housing 10.
[0045]
The appearance of the vibration actuator 1 is formed in a flat rectangular shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross section in the AA direction, and FIG. 2 is a cross section in the BB direction. The direction of arrow C is the thickness direction.
[0046]
Next, the operation of the vibration actuator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The magnetic flux generated from the magnet 7 travels through the pole piece 9 and converges on the pole piece 8 as shown by the arrow Y. When an alternating current of a sine wave or a rectangular wave is passed through the air-core coils 5 and 6, a magnetic field is generated in the air-core coils 5 and 6. For example, when an upward current is applied to the air core coil 6 with respect to the paper surface and a downward current is applied to the air core coil 5 with respect to the paper surface, a force according to Fleming's left-hand rule acts on the movable portion 2. 2 moves in the direction of arrow X1. Then, the movable portion 2 returns to the original position by the return force of the band-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4. Next, when a downward current is applied to the air core coil 6 with respect to the paper surface and an upward current is applied to the air core coil 5 with respect to the paper surface, a force according to Fleming's left-hand rule acts on the movable portion 2, and the movable portion 2 is moved. 2 moves in the direction of arrow X2. As described above, since the movable section 2 reciprocates by alternately changing the direction of the current flowing through the air-core coils 5 and 6, vibration is generated.
[0047]
Next, a vibration actuator 21 according to a second embodiment will be described. The description of the parts common to the vibration actuator 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted, and different points will be described.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 6, the movable section 22 has two magnets 23 and 24, one pole piece 25, and yokes 26 and 27, and forms a repulsion magnetic circuit. The magnets 23 and 24 are formed in a rectangular shape, and are magnetized in the arrow X direction. The magnets 23 and 24 are fixed on both sides of the pole piece 25 such that the N poles face each other. In addition, since the magnets 23 and 24 need only be arranged so that the same poles face each other, the S poles may be facing each other. The yokes 26 and 27 are formed in a substantially L shape, and are fixed to the S pole sides of the magnets 23 and 24, respectively. The reason why the yokes 26 and 27 are formed in a substantially L shape is to prevent the ends of the yokes 26 and 27 from interfering with the band-shaped elastic bodies 28 and 29 when the movable portion 22 vibrates. is there. Further, the yokes 26 and 27 also function as weight portions for increasing the weight of the movable portion 22.
[0049]
The band-shaped elastic bodies 28 and 29 have the same configuration as the band-shaped elastic bodies 3 and 4 of the vibration actuator 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. .
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 8, the air core coil 30 is fitted and fixed in a receiving groove 31a provided in the housing 31. The air core coil 30 is wound in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and accommodates the movable portion 22 in a hollow portion.
[0051]
The housing 31 is provided with grooves 31b and 31c for fixing the strip-shaped elastic bodies 28 and 29, respectively. Further, terminals 32 and 33 are provided inside the grooves 31b and 31c. The terminals 32 and 33 are connected to the lead wire 30a of the air core coil 30. After disposing the movable portion 22, the air-core coil 30, and the terminals 31 and 32 in the housing 31, the upper lid 34 is fitted to the open end of the housing 31.
[0052]
The external appearance of the vibration actuator 21 is formed in a flat rectangular shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross section in the AA direction, and FIG. 7 is a cross section in the BB direction. The direction of arrow C is the thickness direction.
[0053]
Next, the operation of the vibration actuator 21 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The magnetic flux generated from the magnets 23 and 24 travels through the pole piece 25 and converges on the S poles of the magnets 23 and 24 toward the air core coil 30 as shown by the arrow Y. When a sine wave or rectangular wave alternating current is passed through the air-core coil 30, a magnetic field is generated in the air-core coil 30. For example, when an upward current is applied to the air core coil 30 with respect to the plane of the drawing, a force based on Fleming's left-hand rule acts on the movable portion 22, and the movable portion 2 moves in the direction of the arrow X1. Then, the movable portion 22 returns to the original position by the return force of the band-shaped elastic bodies 28 and 29. Next, when a current is applied to the air-core coil 30 in a downward direction with respect to the plane of the drawing, a force based on Fleming's left-hand rule acts on the movable portion 22, and the movable portion 22 moves in the direction of arrow X2. As described above, since the movable section 2 reciprocates by alternately changing the direction of the current flowing through the air-core coil 30, vibration is generated.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the vibration actuator which concerns on this invention, since a movable part is supported by a strip-shaped elastic body, there exists an effect that a vibration actuator with a strong vibrating force can be comprised with a simple structure. Further, since the vibration direction is the horizontal direction, the vibration can be easily transmitted to a mobile phone or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment taken along line AA (see FIG. 4).
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment taken along line BB (see FIG. 9).
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an external view of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of the vibration actuator according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the vibration actuator according to the second embodiment taken along line AA (see FIG. 9).
FIG. 7 is a BB cross-sectional view (see FIG. 9) of the vibration actuator according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an external view of a vibration actuator according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of the vibration actuator according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,21 Vibration actuator 2,22 Movable part 3,4,28,29 Strip elastic body 3a, 4a Bending part 3b Arm part 5,6,30 Air core coil 7,23,24 Magnet 8,9,25 pole Pieces 10, 31 Housings 10a, 10b, 31a Grooves 10c to 10f Grooves 11, 12, 32, 33 Terminals 13, 34 Top lid

Claims (13)

In a vibration actuator including a movable portion having a magnet and an air-core coil that reciprocates the movable portion,
A vibration actuator comprising a band-shaped elastic body supporting the movable portion. In a vibration actuator including a movable portion having a magnet and an air-core coil that reciprocates the movable portion in a horizontal direction,
A strip-shaped elastic body that supports the movable portion,
A vibration actuator, wherein one end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to the movable portion, and the other end side of the band-shaped elastic body is fixed to an inner wall of a housing of the vibration actuator. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the band-shaped elastic bodies are provided at both ends of the movable portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is housed in a hollow portion of the air-core coil. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the magnet is magnetized in a direction of a center axis of the air-core coil, and the movable portion vibrates in the direction of the center axis. . The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the number of the magnets is one. The vibration actuator according to claim 6, wherein the two air-core coils are arranged and connected so that currents in opposite directions flow. The vibration actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the movable part has a pole piece and / or a yoke. The movable portion includes a repulsion magnetic circuit portion formed by arranging the same poles of two magnets on both sides of the pole piece to face each other,
The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the number of the air-core coils is one. The vibration actuator according to claim 9, wherein the movable portion has a yoke. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion has a weight portion. The vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the vibration actuator is formed flat. A mobile terminal device comprising the vibration actuator according to claim 1.

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