KR20190040715A - Spring and Linear vibration generating device containing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an elastic member and a linear vibration generator having the same. According to an aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is applied to a linear vibration generator provided with a bracket, and comprises: a ring-shaped or an annular-shaped first end portion; a ring-shaped or an annular-shaped second end portion disposed inside the first end portion in a concentric structure; and a plurality of curved elastic arms for connecting the first end portion to the second end portion. A start point (P1) of an elastic arm connected to the first end portion and an end point (P2) of an elastic arm connected to the second end portion are different from each other in the circular direction on a plane. Moreover, the elastic member has at least two protrusion units radially protruding from the outer circumference of the first end portion and extending in a circumferential direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a spring and a linear vibration generating device,

The present invention relates to an elastic member, and more particularly to an elastic member used in a linear vibration generating apparatus which is used in a mobile phone or the like and generates vibration by an oscillation of a weight due to an interaction between an electric field generated by a coil and a magnetic field by a magnet, The present invention relates to a linear vibration generating apparatus.

Generally, an eccentric rotation type vibration generating device has been widely used as a vibration generating device used as a receiving device in a portable terminal. However, this technology does not guarantee a long life, has a low responsiveness, and has limitations in implementing various vibration modes. Therefore, there is a problem that a touch-operated smartphone is rapidly popularized and can not meet a demand of a consumer.

As a countermeasure against this problem, a linear vibration generator device has been developed which generates vibration by linearly oscillating a weight. The developed linear vibration generator linearly oscillates the weight using the interaction between the electric field generated by the coil and the magnetic field of the permanent magnet surrounding the coil so that the desired vibration can be generated.

Korean Patent No. 1180486 (hereinafter referred to as "prior patent document") discloses a technique of generating vibration by linearly oscillating a weight in the name of "linear vibration motor". The technology proposed through the above-mentioned patent documents has an advantage that the device can be miniaturized while maintaining stable operation characteristics by increasing magnetic efficiency.

A conventional linear vibration motor largely consists of a vibrator, a stator, and a case for protecting them. The vibrator includes a permanent magnet for making a magnetic field and a weight member coupled to the outer surface of the permanent magnet so as to surround it. The stator is composed of a coil fixed to the center of the bracket coupled to the case and a yoke surrounded by the coil.

A circuit board for electrically transmitting electrical signals provided from the outside to the coil is disposed on a central upper surface of the bracket, and an elastic member is interposed between the bracket and the weight to provide smooth vibration. The vibrator is elastically supported and the amplitude is limited to a certain width.

Such a linear vibration motor generates a vibrating force due to up-and-down movement of the vibrator with respect to the stator by electromagnetic interaction between the stator and the vibrator. The vibrating force thus generated causes the elastic member of the helical structure, And is output to the outside through the board of the portable device having the linear vibration generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conventional linear vibration motor, which is a plan view and a bottom view of a linear vibration motor in which some components are omitted. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 1, an elastic member 400 applied to a conventional linear vibration motor includes an outer end portion 420 and an inner end portion 440, and a plurality of elastic arms 430 connecting the outer end portion 420 and the inner end portion 440. The outer end portion 420 and the inner end portion 440 are formed to have a substantially annular or ring shape and are disposed so as to form a concentric structure with each other. The elastic arm 430 is formed in a spiral structure in order to secure a sufficient amplitude in a limited space.

The elastic member 400 is supported by the bracket 310 at the lower portion thereof and the outer end of the elastic member 400 is welded to the upper surface edge of the bracket 310 so as to be fixed by spot welding . In the conventional vibration motor, welding is performed by setting a welding point for bonding with the bracket 310 to a connection point 410 at which the elastic arm 430 starts at the outer end 420.

This is because the connection point 410 with the outer end portion 420 where the elastic arm 430 starts is wider than the other portion of the outer end portion 420, The welding is difficult due to the relatively small width and the welding state between the outer end 420 and the bracket 310 may be poor even if the welding position is slightly changed.

However, the connection point 410 is structurally and largely subject to fatigue due to the characteristic of the elastic arm 430 that is elastically displaced repeatedly when the device is driven. Therefore, fatigue failure tends to occur as the welding residual stress is added thereto. Particularly, the heat applied when welding the connection point 410 affects the elastic characteristics of the elastic member 400, thereby lowering the vibration performance .

In addition, since the conventional linear vibration motor has a structure in which the lead portion 520 of the circuit board 500 structurally applying an electric signal to the coil directly contacts the lower edge of the case (not shown) There is a problem that the circuit pattern of the lead-out portion 520 is damaged at the sharp bottom corner of the case in the last case assembly process, thereby causing fatal defects such as inoperability.

Korean Patent No. 10-1046044 (issued on July 1, 2011)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an elastic member capable of improving fatigue failure of an elastic member due to welding and a problem that heat applied during welding affects elastic characteristics of the elastic member, Generating device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a linear vibration generating apparatus capable of solving the problem of damaging a circuit pattern formed on a lead-out portion of a circuit board during case assembly.

According to an aspect of the present invention,

An elastic member applied to a linear vibration generator having a bracket,

A ring or annular first end;

A ring or annular second end disposed concentrically within the first end;

And a plurality of curved elastic arms for elastically connecting the first end and the second end,

And at least two protrusions protruding in the radial direction and extending in the circumferential direction are formed around the outer periphery of the first end portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the starting point (P1) of the elastic arm connected to the first end and the arc-shaped position on the plane of the elastic arm end point (P2) connected to the second end may be formed differently.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the protrusion may be formed on the outer circumference of the first end between the starting point P1 and the adjacent starting point P1.

At this time, three starting points P1 are formed at equal intervals, preferably 120 degrees apart along the inner circumference of the first end, and the protrusions are formed at a point bisecting between the starting point P1 and another adjacent starting point P1 One on each outer circumference of the first end.

The plurality of elastic arms connecting the first end and the second end may have a curved structure that spirally connects the starting point P1 and the end point P2, which are different in the circular arc position on the plane.

Preferably, the projection applied to one aspect of the present invention may be welded to the bracket.

According to another aspect of the present invention as a solution to the problem,

A case which forms an internal space in which the vibrator is mounted by being coupled with the bracket;

A vibrator comprising an annular magnet and a weight surrounding the periphery of the magnet;

A stator including a coil disposed at the center of the magnet, and a yoke fixed to the bracket and surrounded by the coil; And

And an elastic member disposed between the vibrator and the bracket and adapted to elastically support the vibrator according to the above-mentioned one side surface,

And a protrusion of the circuit board is mounted on the bracket so as to cover a part of the top surface of the circuit board and protect the protrusion from the case. And a linear vibration generating device.

The assembling unit may include two or more coupling wings extending in the radial direction around the outer periphery of the bracket and extending in the circumferential direction and two or more coupling grooves formed at the lower ends of the side portions of the case corresponding to the coupling wings .

Preferably, the shape and the size of the coupling wing and the protrusion formed on the elastic member may be the same.

Further, each of the protrusions may be fixed to the binding wing by welding, preferably spot welding.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, by forming the protrusion around the first end (outer end) of the elastic member away from the starting point of the elastic arm and welding this portion to the bracket, the fatigue The problem of fracture and the problem of heat applied at the time of welding affect the elastic characteristics of the elastic member can be simultaneously solved.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, some protrusions of the plurality of protrusions cover a part of the top surface of the lead-out portion of the circuit board so as to block direct contact between the case and the lead-out portion. Thus, the circuit pattern of the lead portion due to the case can be prevented from being damaged. As a result, the durability of the product and the reliability can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conventional linear vibration motor, which is a plan view and a bottom view of a linear vibration motor in which some components are omitted. Fig.
2 is a perspective view of a linear vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is an exploded perspective view of a linear vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a side view of the linear vibration generator shown in Fig.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view and a cut-away perspective view of the linear vibration generator of FIG. 2 viewed from the direction of line A-A 'and line B-B', respectively;
6 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state in which the circuit board and the elastic member are separated from the bracket;
7 is a plan view and a bottom view showing a circuit board and an elastic member joined to the bracket;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the essential portion of the present invention, which is an enlarged view of the portion 'A' of FIG. 4;

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It is to be understood that the terms "comprises", "having", and the like in the specification are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Also, the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

In addition, the terms " part, " " unit, " " module, " and the like, which are described in the specification, refer to a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software .

Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, the term " substantially " does not necessarily mean that the recited characteristic, parameter or value need not be accurately achieved, but includes tolerance, measurement error, measurement accuracy limit and other factors known to those skilled in the art To the extent that deviations or variations do not exclude the effects that the properties are intended to provide.

The embodiments to be described later are applied to a " portable user device ", and the portable terminal refers to a portable user device. However, this is merely a general term, and the present embodiment may be applied to a mobile phone, a palm sized personal computer (PC), a personal communication system (PCS), a personal digital assistant (PDA) (HPC), a smart phone, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) terminal, a laptop computer, a netbook, a tablet personal computer, etc. .

Thus, the use of the term " portable user equipment " should not be used to limit the application of this embodiment to a particular type of device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

The configuration of the elastic member according to one aspect of the present invention will be described in connection with the configuration of the linear vibration generating device to which the elastic member is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a linear vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a linear vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the linear vibration generator shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view and a cut-away perspective view of the linear vibration generator of FIG. 2, taken along line A-A 'and line B-B', respectively.

2 to 5, a linear vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention is largely composed of a vibrator 10 and a stator 20. [ Here, the stator and the vibrator are relative to each other, the stator 20 means a portion fixed to the vibrator 10, and the vibrator 10 means a portion vibrating with respect to the stator 20.

The vibrator 10 includes an annular magnet 12 that forms a magnetic field and a weight 13 that is combined and weighted to surround the magnet 12. The stator 20 includes a cylindrical coil 22 mounted on the bracket 34 and disposed in the center of the magnet 12 and a coil 22 fixed to the bracket 34 and mounted on the inner diameter portion of the coil 22. [ And a yoke (24).

Between the vibrator 10 and the stator 20, an elastic member 40 for elastically supporting up and down movement of the vibrator 10 is interposed. An electric signal is received from the outside for the purpose of generating vibration and is electrically connected to the coil 22 to supply the electric signal to the coil 22 on the plate-like bracket 34 on which the coil 22 and the yoke 24 are mounted The circuit board 50 is disposed.

The coil 22 is electrically connected to the circuit board 50 to receive an electric signal for allowing the vibrator 10 to vibrate with respect to the stator 20, The vibrator 10 moves up and down with respect to the stator 20 by the attractive force and the repulsive force between the electric field and the magnetic field of the magnet 12 to generate vibration.

The amplitude of the vibrator 10 may be limited to an appropriate range by an elastic modulus of the elastic member 40 and an attractive force acting between the magnet 12 and the yoke 24, The yoke 24 may be formed in an annular shape having an inner diameter that does not cause interference with the yoke 24 constituting the stator 20 and a polarity opposite to the up and down direction.

The yoke 24 may have a cylindrical shape having a T shape or a + shape with a plate-shaped shielding portion covering the upper surface of the coil 22. The magnetic flux generated from the magnet 12 is concentrated to the side of the coil 22 wound on the outer periphery of the magnet 12 so that an attractive force is generated between the magnet 12 and the magnetic flux, To a predetermined width.

The vibrator (10) includes a plate (18) covering one side of the magnet (12). Preferably, the plate 18 may be installed to cover the entire lower surface of the magnet 12 and a part of the lower surface of the weight 13 adjacent to the magnet 12. At this time, the plate 18 may be a plate having a hole formed at the center thereof, and serves as a magnetic shield for concentrating the magnetic flux toward the coil 22.

In the drawing, the plate 18 is applied to only the lower surface of the magnet 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the plate 18 may be attached to the upper surface side of the vibrator 10 (not shown) in a structure covering the upper surface of the magnet 12 and a part of the weight 13 adjacent thereto. Accordingly, it is to be understood that these modifications may be included in the scope of the present invention.

In this case, a plate (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the vibrator 10 may be a plate having a hole at the center like the plate 18 provided on the lower surface of the vibrator 10, To the coil 22 side. Of course, adding a plate to the upper surface of the vibrator 10 is not an essential configuration because it can be selectively applied as needed.

The elastic member 40 is interposed between the plate 18 and the bracket 34 as mentioned above. The elastic member 40 elastically supports the vibration of the vibrator 10 with respect to the stator 20 in the up-and-down direction and limits the amplitude thereof. One end of the elastic member 40 is fixed to the bracket 34 and the other end of the elastic member 40 is fixed to the lower surface of the plate 18 As shown in Fig.

A lower shoulder surface 130 may be formed on the lower surface of the weight 13 around the magnet 12 at a height corresponding to the height of the plate 18. In this case, since the height in the horizontal direction between the lower surface of the plate 18 and the lowermost surface of the weight 13 around the magnet 12 becomes equal, the oscillator 10 in the limited space can move in the vertical direction The distance can be maximized.

The bracket 34 is coupled with the case 30 to form an internal space in which the vibrator 10, the stator 20, the elastic member 40, and the like are mounted. At this time, there is no particular limitation on the selection of the material of the case 30, but if only one plate is used or both are omitted, it is preferable that the case 30 is made of a magnetic metal material and functions as a magnetic flux shielding means.

The case 30, which is engaged with the bracket 34, may have a circular cylindrical shape with a circular bottom in a planar shape. The weight 13, which generates vibration while moving up and down in the case 30 in a vertical direction, also has a circular outer shape in plan view and a ring having a hole which is coupled to the inside of the magnet 12 so that the outer surface of the magnet 12 is in contact therewith. Or an annular solid structure.

As mentioned above, an electric signal for driving the device is supplied from the outside to the coil 22 through the circuit board 50. The circuit board 50 can be formed in an annular ring shape and the coil 22 and the yoke 24 mounted on the inner diameter portion of the coil can be directly connected to the bracket 34 through the hole in the center of the circuit board 50 (Not shown) at the center of the bracket 34. As shown in Fig.

A damping member 70 may be provided on one surface of the case 30 facing the surface of the vibrator 10 opposite to the plate 18. The damping member 70 is provided to prevent mechanical contact between the vibrator 10 and the case 30 and noise caused by the vibrator 10 when the device is driven. The damping member 70 may be made of rubber, silicone, foam rubber The elastic pad may be made of a material capable of absorbing / relaxing impact.

On the other hand, the elastic member 40 provides an elastic force for restoring the position of the vibrator 10 relative to the stator 20 by elastically supporting the vibrator 10 vibrating in the vertical direction as described above. The amplitude of the vibrator 10 is limited to a predetermined distance so as to prevent the vibrator 10 made of the magnet 12 and the weight 13 from colliding with the case 30. [

Hereinafter, the elastic member according to one aspect of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state in which the circuit board and the elastic member are separated from the bracket, and FIG. 7 is a plan view and a bottom view, respectively, in which the circuit board and the elastic member are coupled to the bracket. And FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the essential portion of the present invention showing the 'A' portion of FIG. 4 in an enlarged scale.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8 together with FIGS. 3 and 4 attached heretofore, the elastic member 40 applied to the present invention can be largely divided into three portions. Preferably a first end 42 that is seated and stably secured on the bracket 34 and a second end 42 that is formed with a smaller diameter than the first end 42 and that is concentrically disposed within the first end 42, An end portion 44, and an elastic arm 43 connecting them.

The first end 42 and the second end 44 may each be formed in a closed curve, preferably in a substantially annular or ring shape. The first end 42 has a plurality of resilient structures configured to provide sufficient amplitude in a confined space, formed of a curved spiral structure that begins at any point on its inner periphery and progressively decreases in diameter toward the second end 44 And is connected to the second end 44 through an arm 43.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, one end of the elastic arm 43 connected to the first end 42 will be referred to as a 'start point P1' and the other end of the elastic arm 43 connected to the second end 44 will be referred to as a ' Quot; end point P2 ". In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the positions of the elastic arms 43 on the plane of the start point P1 and the end point P2 are different from each other.

That is, in order to secure a volute range, that is, amplitude, in which the vibrator 10 can exert a sufficient vibration force in a limited space. In the case where there are three elastic arms 43 as shown in the figure, the starting point P1 is a first end And three at an interval of 120 degrees along the inner circumference of the second housing 42. Of course, if there are four elastic arms 43, four starting points P1 may be formed at intervals of 90 degrees.

The first end 42 of the resilient member 40 includes at least two protrusions 420 that project radially outwardly therefrom and extend in a circumferential direction. As shown in the figure, when the number of the elastic arms 43 is three, the protrusions 420 may also be three. At this time, the protrusion 420 may be formed on the outer circumference of the first end portion 42 between the starting point P1 and another adjacent starting point P1.

That is, as shown in the drawing, for example, when three elastic arms 43 and three starting points P1 are formed at intervals of 120 degrees along the inner circumference of the first end portion 42, for example, A total of three lines may be formed, one on the outer circumference of the first end portion 42 so that a line extending in the radial direction passes through the center between the starting point P1 and another adjacent starting point P1.

When the protrusions 420 are formed at equal intervals as described above, the balance of the overall weight is balanced. Therefore, when the elastic member 40 is tilted by the driving of the device, 40 can stably move up and down in a straight line without deviating to either side, so that the vibration performance can be stably exhibited.

3 and 4, the plurality of protrusions 420 formed on the elastic member 40 may be fixed between the case 30 and the assembly portion 32 of the bracket 34 so as to be interposed therebetween. More specifically, the assembly portion 32 includes a plurality of binding wings 320 protruding radially from the outer periphery of the bracket 34 and extending in the circumferential direction, And a plurality of coupling grooves 322 formed at the lower end.

The protrusion 420 formed on the elastic member 40 and the binding wing 320 formed on the bracket 34 may be formed in the same shape, shape, and size. At this time, each of the protrusions 420 is welded, preferably by spot welding, in a state of being seated so as to be in contact with the upper surface of each of the binding vanes 320, so that the elastic member 40 is attached to the bracket 34. [ Can be fixed firmly.

The welding point at which the spot welding is performed is preferably such that at least two or more welded points between the two lines L1 and L2 passing from the center of the bracket 34 through the outermost edge of the binding wing 320 May be set to be spaced apart.

8, one of the plurality of protruding portions 420 is a portion of the upper surface of the lead-out portion 52 of the circuit board 50 mounted on the bracket 34, And may protect the lead portion 52 from the cover 30. That is, the direct contact between the case 30 and the lead-out portion 52 is blocked. The circuit pattern damage of the lead portion 52 by the case 30 can be prevented.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion is formed around the first end (outer end) of the elastic member remote from the starting point of the elastic arm and the portion is welded to the bracket, The problem of fatigue failure of the member and the problem of the heat applied at the welding affect the elastic characteristics of the elastic member can be simultaneously solved.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, some protrusions of the plurality of protrusions cover a part of the top surface of the lead-out portion of the circuit board so as to block direct contact between the case and the lead-out portion. Thus, the circuit pattern of the lead portion due to the case can be prevented from being damaged. As a result, the durability of the product and the reliability can be improved.

In the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, only specific embodiments thereof have been described. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms thereof, which are to be considered as being limited to the specific embodiments, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. .

10: oscillator
12: Magnet
13: Weight
18: Plate
20: Stator
22: Coil
24: York
30: Case
32:
34: Bracket
40: elastic member
42: First end
43: elastic arm
44: second end
50: circuit board
52:
320:
322: Coupling groove
420: protrusion
P1: Starting point of elastic arm
P2: end point of elastic arm

Claims (10)

An elastic member applied to a linear vibration generator having a bracket,
A ring or annular first end;
A ring or annular second end disposed concentrically within the first end;
And a plurality of curved elastic arms for elastically connecting the first end and the second end,
Wherein at least two protrusions protruding in a radial direction and extending in a circumferential direction are formed around the outer periphery of the first end portion.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a starting point (P1) of an elastic arm connected to the first end portion and an arc-shaped position on a plane of an elastic arm end point (P2) connected to the second end portion are different from each other.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the protrusion is formed on the outer circumference of the first end between the starting point (P1) and another adjacent starting point (P1).
The method of claim 3,
The starting point P1 is formed at equal intervals along the inner circumference of the first end,
Wherein the protrusion is formed on the outer periphery of the first end at a point bisecting between the starting point (P1) and another adjacent starting point (P1).
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of elastic arms connecting the first end and the second end are spirally connected to the starting point (P1) and the end point (P2), the positions of which are different from each other in a plane.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the protruding portion is welded and fixed to an edge of the corresponding bracket.
A case which forms an internal space in which the vibrator is mounted by being coupled with the bracket;
A vibrator comprising an annular magnet and a weight surrounding the periphery of the magnet;
A stator including a coil disposed at the center of the magnet, and a yoke fixed to the bracket and surrounded by the coil; And
The elastic member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is disposed between the vibrator and the bracket and elastically supports the vibrator,
Wherein the projecting portion formed on the elastic member is interposed between and fixed to the case and the assembly portion of the bracket so that one of the projecting portions covers the top surface of the lead portion of the circuit board mounted on the bracket to protect the lead portion from the case. Vibration generating device.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein,
Two or more coupling wings radially protruding from the outer periphery of the bracket and extending in a circumferential direction,
And two or more coupling grooves formed at a lower end of a side surface of the case corresponding to the coupling wing.
9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the protruding portion formed on the elastic member and the shape and size of the binding wing are the same.
9. The method of claim 8,
And each of the protrusions is welded and fixed to the coupling wing.

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