JP7809530B2 - Actuator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an actuator that vibrates a movable body.

Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator that includes a movable body with a magnet and a support body with a coil, and that vibrates the movable body relative to the support body by passing a drive current through the coil. This type of actuator uses an elastic or viscoelastic body as a connector that connects the support body to the movable body. When the movable body is vibrated, a reaction force corresponding to the vibration of the movable body is applied to the support body via the connector. As a result, a user who touches the support body can feel the vibration.

In the actuator of Patent Document 1, the support body includes a coil holder. The coil is an air-core coil and is placed in a coil placement hole provided in the plate portion of the coil holder. A metal plate is attached to the coil holder so as to cover both sides of the plate portion and the coil. The movable body includes a first yoke facing the coil from one side and a second yoke facing the coil from the other side, and magnets are fixed to the first yoke and second yoke, respectively.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-102901

In the actuator of Patent Document 1, a connector is placed where the plate covering the coil faces the yoke. The connector connects the plate and yoke at both longitudinal ends of the movable body. Here, the vibration characteristics of the actuator vary depending on the spring constant and size of the connector, so the width of the connector is sometimes set small to adjust the vibration characteristics of the actuator to the required values. If the connector width is small, the movable body will not move in a straight line when vibrating but will swing like a pendulum, which may cause the movable body to collide with the support and generate a collision noise. If the gap between the movable body and fixed body is increased to avoid the collision, the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit will decrease, making it impossible to generate large vibrations.

In consideration of the above problems, the objective of this invention is to prevent collisions between the movable body and the fixed body and to prevent a decrease in thrust force from the magnetic drive circuit.

In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect of the actuator of the present invention comprises a movable body, a support having a case that houses the movable body, a connector connected to the movable body and the support, a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and a magnetic drive circuit that vibrates the movable body relative to the support in a second direction that intersects the first direction, wherein the movable body comprises a yoke that holds the magnet, the yoke having a facing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, the magnet being fixed to the facing portion, the magnet having a first plane facing the coil in the first direction, a second plane abutting the facing portion, and a pair of side surfaces that extend from both ends of the first plane in the second direction toward the second plane and are connected to the second plane, and the pair of side surfaces each have a first inclined surface that is connected to the first plane at an obtuse angle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a yoke constituting a movable body of an actuator includes a facing portion facing the coil in a first direction, and a magnet fixed to the facing portion faces the coil in the first direction. Therefore, the movable body can be vibrated in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Furthermore, the magnet has a narrow gap with the coil in a central portion in the second direction, and first inclined surfaces are provided at both ends in the second direction, so the gap with the coil is wide at both ends in the second direction. Therefore, even if the movable body does not move straight in the second direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet colliding with the support holding the coil. Furthermore, because the gap with the coil is small at the central portion of the magnet in the second direction, a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit can be suppressed. Furthermore, because both ends of the magnet in the second direction are recessed by the first inclined surfaces, the volume of the magnet is reduced, thereby reducing the component cost of the magnet.

In the present invention, the first inclined surface is connected to the end of the second plane in the second direction. In this way, the cross-sectional shape of the first magnet is trapezoidal, with the first plane as the top edge and the second plane as the bottom edge. Therefore, the maximum width of the magnet (the width of the second plane) can be increased while reducing the width of the first plane facing the coil, thereby preventing a decrease in the magnetic flux linking the coil and a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit.

In the present invention, it is preferable that each of the pair of side surfaces has a second inclined surface that is connected at an obtuse angle to the end of the second plane in the second direction, and that the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are connected in a curved shape. In this way, the magnet has a shape in which both the corners of the first plane in the second direction and the corners of the second plane in the second direction are cut out, so there is no need to distinguish between the front and back of the magnet. This improves ease of assembly.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a second aspect of the actuator of the present invention comprises a movable body, a support having a case that houses the movable body, a connector connected to the movable body and the support, a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and a magnetic drive circuit that vibrates the movable body relative to the support in a second direction that intersects the first direction, wherein the movable body comprises a yoke that holds the magnet, the yoke has a facing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, the magnet is fixed to the facing portion, the magnet has a first surface that faces the coil in the first direction, and both ends of the first surface in the second direction are recessed toward the facing portion relative to a central portion in the second direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the yoke constituting the movable body of the actuator has a facing portion that faces the coil in a first direction, and the magnet fixed to the facing portion faces the coil in the first direction. Therefore, the movable body can be vibrated in a second direction that intersects the first direction. Furthermore, the magnet has a narrow gap with the coil in the center portion in the second direction, and a wide gap with the coil at both end portions in the second direction. Therefore, even if the movable body does not move straight in the second direction but oscillates like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet colliding with the support holding the coil. Furthermore, because the center portion of the magnet in the second direction has a small gap with the coil, a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit can be suppressed. Furthermore, because both end portions of the magnet in the second direction are recessed, the volume of the magnet is reduced, thereby reducing the component cost of the magnet.

In this invention, the central portion of the first surface in the second direction is a first plane perpendicular to the first direction, and both ends of the first surface in the second direction are provided with steps that are recessed toward the opposing portion relative to the first plane. This makes it possible to increase the gap between the coil and both ends of the magnet in the second direction while maintaining the width of the first plane, which has a small gap with the coil. This prevents a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit and reduces the risk of the magnet colliding with the support that holds the coil.

In the present invention, the first surface is a curved surface that protrudes toward the coil from the center in the second direction. In this way, no corners are formed on the first surface, so there is little risk of the magnet being chipped if the corners collide with another object during handling of the magnet.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the first plane in the second direction be smaller than the width of the coil in the second direction. This reduces the risk of the magnet colliding with members covering both ends of the coil in the second direction, even if the movable body does not move straight in the second direction but oscillates like a pendulum.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the maximum width of the magnet in the second direction is greater than the width of the coil in the second direction. This ensures that magnetic flux interlinks with the coil, thereby preventing a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the magnet has a shape that is symmetrical in the second direction. This reduces the risk of the magnet colliding with the support, both when one end of the magnet in the second direction swings toward the coil, and when the other end of the magnet in the second direction swings toward the coil.

In the present invention, the support includes a first plate overlapping the coil from one side in the first direction and a second plate overlapping the coil from the other side in the first direction, the first plate including a first plate portion extending in the second direction and a pair of first bent portions bending from both ends of the first plate portion in the second direction toward the coil to cover both sides of the coil in the second direction, the second plate including a second plate portion extending in the second direction and a pair of second bent portions bending from both ends of the second plate portion in the second direction toward the coil to cover both sides of the coil in the second direction, and the opposing portion is provided on the first plate portion. Preferably, the magnetic drive circuit includes a first opposing portion facing one side of the coil and a second opposing portion facing the second plate portion from the other side in the first direction, the magnets including a first magnet fixed to the first opposing portion and a second magnet fixed to the second opposing portion, the first opposing portion and the second opposing portion each including a magnet fixing portion and a pair of connector fixing portions extending from the magnet fixing portion to both sides in a third direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the second direction, and the connectors include a first connector connecting the connector fixing portion of the first opposing portion to the first plate portion and a second connector connecting the connector fixing portion of the second opposing portion to the second plate portion. By arranging magnets on both sides of the coil in this manner, the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit can be increased. Furthermore, by assembling the first plate and the second plate in a shape that surrounds the coil, the coil can be protected. Furthermore, because the connectors are arranged inside the yoke and the first and second plates connect the movable body and the support via the yoke, there is no need to secure space outside the yoke to arrange the connectors. This allows the actuator's height in the first direction to be reduced, making it more compact. Furthermore, the gap between the first magnet and the second magnet and the coil is small in the center in the second direction, and large at both ends in the second direction. Therefore, even if the movable body does not move straight in the second direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the first magnet and second magnet colliding with the support that holds the coil.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the first magnet and the second magnet have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the first direction. This allows parts to be standardized, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, since there is no need to assemble the first magnet and the second magnet separately, assembly is made easier.

According to the present invention, the yoke constituting the movable body of the actuator has a facing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, and the magnet fixed to the facing portion faces the coil in the first direction. Therefore, the movable body can be vibrated in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. In addition, the magnet
The gap between the magnet and the coil is narrow in the center portion in the second direction, and is wide at both end portions in the second direction. Therefore, even if the movable body does not move straight in the second direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet colliding with the support body that holds the coil. Also, because the gap between the coil and the center portion of the magnet in the second direction is small, a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit can be suppressed. Furthermore, because both end portions of the magnet in the second direction are recessed, the volume of the magnet is reduced, allowing for lower component costs for the magnet.

1 is a perspective view of an actuator to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the Z2 direction and the Z1 direction. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator taken along the longitudinal direction (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1). 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1) and an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional shape of a magnet. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the coil set as viewed from the Z2 direction. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body and the coil set as viewed from the Z1 direction. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body as viewed from the Z2 direction. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body as viewed from the Z1 direction. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of an actuator including a magnet according to Modification 1 taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of an actuator provided with a magnet according to Modification 2 taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of an actuator provided with a magnet according to Modification 3 taken in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and explanatory diagrams of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet.

Below, an embodiment of an actuator to which the present invention is applied is described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall structure)
FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of an actuator 1 to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the Z2 direction. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of an actuator 1 to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the Z1 direction. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 1 when cut in the longitudinal direction, taken at position A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 1 when cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, taken at position B-B in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(b) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional shape of a magnet 7. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body 5 and a coil set 30, as viewed from the Z2 direction. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body 5 and a coil set 30, as viewed from the Z1 direction.

Actuator 1 is used as a tactile device that transmits information through vibration. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the outer shape of actuator 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped. Actuator 1 generates vibrations in the short direction of its outer shape. In the following description, the short direction in which vibrations occur is referred to as the X direction (second direction), the longitudinal direction of actuator 1 and a direction perpendicular to the X direction is referred to as the Y direction (third direction), and the thickness direction (height direction) of actuator 1 and a direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction (first direction). Furthermore, one side of the X direction is referred to as the X1 direction, and the other side is referred to as the X2 direction. One side of the Y direction is referred to as the Y1 direction, and the other side is referred to as the Y2 direction. One side of the Z direction is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the other side is referred to as the Z2 direction.

1, 2, and 3, the actuator 1 has a support 3 equipped with a case 2 that defines the outer shape, and a movable body 5 housed inside the case 2. The actuator 1 also has a connector 4 that connects the support 3 and the movable body 5, and a magnetic drive circuit 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that moves the movable body 5 relative to the support 3 in the X direction.

(Support)
As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support body 3 includes a coil 10, a first plate 11 stacked on top of the coil 10 in the Z1 direction, and a second plate 12 stacked on top of the coil 10 in the Z2 direction. The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are made of a non-magnetic metal. The coil 10 is located at the center of the case 2 in the Z direction. The coil 10 is a flat air-core coil with its thickness oriented in the Z direction. The coil 10 has an elliptical shape that is long in the Y direction, and includes a pair of long sides 10a, 10b that extend parallel to the Y direction. A central hole 10c extending in the Y direction is provided between the pair of long sides 10a, 10b.

As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the support body 3 includes a first holder member 15 arranged on the Y1 side of the coil 10 and a second holder member 16 arranged on the Y12 side of the coil 10. The first holder member 15 and the second holder member 16 are made of resin. The first holder member 15 includes a first coil holding portion 151 arranged between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, and a first side plate portion 152 extending in the Z1 and Z2 directions from the Y1-side end of the first coil holding portion 151. The second holder member 16 includes a second coil holding portion 161 arranged between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, and a second side plate portion 162 extending in the Z1 and Z2 directions from the Y1-side end of the second coil holding portion 161. The coil 10 is arranged between the first coil holding portion 151 and the second coil holding portion 161.

A power supply board 14 is fixed to the first holder member 15. In this embodiment, the power supply board 14 is a flexible printed circuit board. However, the power supply board 14 may also be a rigid board. Power is supplied to the coil 10 via the power supply board 14.

The first plate 11 includes a first plate portion 111 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 side, and a pair of first bent portions 112 that are bent in the Z2 direction from both ends of the first plate portion 111 in the X direction. The second plate 12 includes a second plate portion 121 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z2 side, and a pair of second bent portions 122 that are bent in the Z1 direction from both ends of the second plate portion 121 in the X direction.

In the first plate 11, first fixing portions 113 bent in the Z2 direction from the first plate portion 111 are provided on the Y1 and Y2 sides of each first bent portion 112. In the second plate 12, second fixing portions 123 bent in the Z1 direction from the second plate portion 121 are provided on the Y1 and Y2 sides of each second bent portion 122.

When the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are assembled to the first coil holding portion 151 and the second coil holding portion 161 from both sides in the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 3, the first bent portion 112 and the second bent portion 122 cover the long sides 10a and 10b of the coil 10 from both sides in the X direction. Furthermore, the first fixed portion 113 of the first plate 11 and the second fixed portion 123 of the second plate 12 overlap on both sides in the Y direction of the first bent portion 112 and the second bent portion 122. The first fixed portion 113 and the second fixed portion 123 are locked in the Z direction. Furthermore, the claw portion 153 on the side of the first coil holding portion 151 and the claw portion 163 on the side of the second coil holding portion 161 are locked into the notches on the first fixed portion 113 and the second fixed portion 123.

When assembling the actuator 1, the coil 10, first plate 11, second plate 12, first holder member 15, and second holder member 16 are assembled to form the coil set 30. The movable body 5 is then assembled to surround the coil set 30, and the movable body 5 and coil set 30 are connected by the connector 4. The coil set 30 and movable body 5 are then housed in the case 2.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the case 2 comprises a first case member 31 and a second case member 32 stacked in the Z direction. The first case member 31 is assembled to the first holder member 15 and the second holder member 16 from the Z1 direction. The second case member 32 is assembled to the first holder member 15 and the second holder member 16 from the Z2 direction.

(movable body)
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body 5 as viewed from the Z2 direction. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the movable body 5 as viewed from the Z1 direction. The movable body 5 includes a magnet 7 and a yoke 8. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnet 7 faces the coil 10 in the Z direction. The coil 10 and the magnet 7 form a magnetic drive circuit 6. The movable body 5 includes a first magnet 71 and a second magnet 72 as the magnets 7. The first magnet 71 is located in the Z1 direction of the coil 10. The second magnet 72 is located in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. The first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72 are polarized in two in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the movable body 5 and the support 3 are assembled, the first magnet 71 faces the long sides 10a and 10b of the coil 10 in the Z1 direction, and the second magnet 72 faces them in the Z2 direction.

In this embodiment, the yoke 8 is made of a magnetic material. The yoke 8 has a facing portion 80 that faces the coil 10 in the Z direction, and the magnet 7 is fixed to the facing portion 80. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the facing portion 80 has a first facing portion 801 that faces the coil 10 in the Z1 direction and a second facing portion 802 that faces the coil 10 in the Z2 direction. The yoke 8 also has a pair of connecting portions 803 that extend in the Z direction on both sides of the coil 10 in the X direction. The pair of connecting portions 803 connect the first facing portion 801 and the second facing portion 802. The first facing portion 801 and the second facing portion 802 each have a magnet fixing portion 804 to which the magnet 7 is fixed, and a pair of connector fixing portions 805 that extend from the magnet fixing portion 804 on both sides in the Y direction.

As shown in Figures 2-7, the yoke 8 comprises a first yoke 81 and a second yoke 82. The first yoke 81 is formed by joining two members: a first inner member 83 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 direction, and a first outer member 84 that overlaps the first inner member 83 from the Z1 direction. The second yoke 82 is formed by joining two members: a second inner member 85 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 direction, and a second outer member 86 that overlaps the second inner member 85 from the Z1 direction.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first outer member 84 comprises a first flat plate portion 841 that is long in the Y direction, and a pair of first connecting plate portions 842 that extend in the Z2 direction from both ends of the first flat plate portion 841 in the X direction. The flat first inner member 83 is fixed from the Z2 direction to the center of the first flat plate portion 841 in the Y direction. Both ends of the first flat plate portion 841 in the X direction extend to both sides of the first inner member 83 in the Y direction.

That is, the first opposing portion 801 of the yoke 8 is formed by stacking the first flat plate portion 841 and the first inner member 83 in the Z direction. In the first opposing portion 801, the portion where the first flat plate portion 841 and the first inner member 83 are stacked constitutes the magnet fixing portion 804 to which the first magnet 71 is fixed. In addition, a pair of connector fixing portions 805 extending from the magnet fixing portion 804 to both sides in the Y direction are provided on both ends of the first opposing portion 801 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, on both sides of the first magnet 71 in the Y direction, each of the pair of connector fixing portions 805 is connected to the first plate 11 via the first connector 9A.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second outer member 86 comprises a second flat plate portion 861 that is long in the Y direction, and a pair of second connecting plate portions 862 that extend in the Z1 direction from both ends of the second flat plate portion 861 in the X direction. The flat second inner member 85 is fixed from the Z1 direction to the center of the second flat plate portion 861 in the Y direction. Both ends of the second flat plate portion 861 in the Y direction extend to both sides of the second inner member 85 in the Y direction.

That is, the second opposing portion 802 of the yoke 8 is formed by stacking the second flat plate portion 861 and the second inner member 85 in the Z direction. In the second opposing portion 802, the portion where the second flat plate portion 861 and the second inner member 85 are stacked constitutes the magnet fixing portion 804 to which the second magnet 72 is fixed. In addition, a pair of connector fixing portions 805 extending from the magnet fixing portion 804 to both sides in the Y direction are provided on both ends of the second opposing portion 802 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, on both sides of the second magnet 72 in the Y direction, each of the pair of connector fixing portions 805 is connected to the second plate 12 via the second connector 9B.

When assembling the yoke 8, the first inner member 83 is joined to the first outer member 84 by welding. The second inner member 85 is also joined to the second outer member 86 by welding. Then, the pair of second connecting plate portions 862 of the second yoke 82 are press-fitted and fixed inside the pair of first connecting plate portions 842 of the first yoke 81. This forms a pair of connecting portions 803, and the yoke 8 is assembled into a shape that surrounds the outer periphery of the coil 10, first plate 11, and second plate 12.

(Connector)
As shown in FIG. 2 , the connector 4 includes a first connector 9A and a second connector 9B. The first connector 9A and the second connector 9B are rectangular parallelepipeds elongated in the X direction. The first connector 9A is located on the Z1 side of the coil 10. The second connector 9B is located on the Z2 side of the coil 10. The first connector 9A is located at two positions, on the Y1 and Y2 sides of the first magnet 71, and is composed of two members of the same shape. The second connector 9B is located at two positions, on the Y1 and Y2 sides of the second magnet 72, and is composed of two members of the same shape. The first connector 9A and the second connector 9B each have at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity.

The first connector 9A is disposed between the first yoke 81 and the first plate 11. As described above, the first connector 9A is sandwiched between the connector fixing portion 805 of the first opposing portion 801 and the first plate 11 on both sides of the coil 10 in the Y direction. The first connector 9A is compressed in the Z direction between the connector fixing portion 805 and the first plate 11.

The second connector 9B is disposed between the second yoke 82 and the second plate 12. As described above, the second connector 9B is sandwiched between the connector fixing portion 805 of the second opposing portion 802 and the second plate 12 on both sides of the coil 10 in the Y direction. The second connector 9B is compressed in the Z direction between the connector fixing portion 805 and the second plate 12.

In this embodiment, the first connecting body 9A and the second connecting body 9B are gel-like members made of silicone gel. Silicone gel is a viscoelastic material whose spring constant when deforming in the expansion/contraction direction is approximately three times the spring constant when deforming in the shear direction. When a viscoelastic material deforms in a direction intersecting the thickness direction (shear direction), it is deformed in the direction of extension due to tension, and therefore has deformation characteristics in which the linear component is greater than the nonlinear component. Furthermore, when compressed and deformed in the thickness direction, it has expansion/contraction characteristics in which the nonlinear component is greater than the linear component, while when it is stretched and stretched in the thickness direction, it has expansion/contraction characteristics in which the linear component is greater than the nonlinear component.

Alternatively, various rubber materials, such as natural rubber, diene rubber (e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, etc.), non-diene rubber (e.g., butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, etc.), thermoplastic elastomer, and modified materials thereof, may also be used for the first connector 9A and the second connector 9B.

(Cross-sectional shape of magnet)
3( a) and 3(b), the magnet 7 is flat and has a trapezoidal cross section cut along the XZ plane. As described above, in this embodiment, the magnet 7 includes the first magnet 71 fixed to the first opposing portion 801 of the yoke 8 and the second magnet 72 fixed to the second opposing portion 802 of the yoke 8.

The first magnet 71 has a first plane 73 facing the coil 10 in the Z1 direction, a second plane 74 abutting the first opposing portion 801 of the yoke 8, and a pair of side surfaces 75 extending from both ends of the first plane 73 in the X direction toward the second plane 74 and connected to both ends of the second plane 74 in the X direction. The first plane 73 and the second plane 74 are parallel and extend in the X direction. Each of the pair of side surfaces 75 has a first inclined surface 751 connected to the first plane 73 at an obtuse angle. In this embodiment, the entire side surface 75 is made up of the first inclined surface 751, and the first inclined surface 751 is connected to the second plane 74 at an acute angle.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the first magnet 71 faces the coil 10 via the first plate portion 111 of the first plate 11, and the X-direction width D1 of the first plane 73 is smaller than the X-direction width D of the first plate portion 111. Furthermore, the X-direction width D1 of the first plane 73 of the first magnet 71, which faces the coil 10 from the Z2 direction, is smaller than the X-direction width D0 of the coil 10. Furthermore, the X-direction width D2 of the second plane 74 of the first magnet 71 is larger than the X-direction width D0 of the coil 10.

The first magnet 71 and second magnet 72 have the same shape and are arranged facing in opposite directions in the Z direction. That is, the second magnet 72 has a first plane 73 facing the coil 10 in the Z2 direction, a second plane 74 abutting the second opposing portion 802 of the yoke 8, and a pair of side surfaces 75 extending from both ends of the first plane 73 in the X direction toward the second plane 74 and connected to both ends of the second plane 74 in the X direction. Each of the pair of side surfaces 75 consists of a first inclined surface 751 connected at an obtuse angle to the first plane 73, and connected at an acute angle to the second plane 74.

(Actuator operation)
When a current in a predetermined direction is supplied to the coil 10 via the power supply board 14, the movable body 5 supported by the support body 3 moves relatively to one side in the X direction with respect to the support body 3 due to the driving force of the magnetic drive circuit 6. When the direction of the current is then reversed, the movable body 5 moves relatively to the other side in the X direction with respect to the support body 3. The repeated reversal of the direction of the current supplied to the coil 10 causes the movable body 5 to vibrate. When the movable body 5 vibrates in the X direction, the first connecting body 9A and the second connecting body 9B are deformed in the shear direction.

(Main effects of this embodiment)
As described above, the actuator 1 of this embodiment includes the movable body 5, the support 3 including the case 2 that houses the movable body 5, the connector 4 connected to the movable body 5 and the support 3, and the magnetic drive circuit 6 that includes the coil 10 and the magnet 7 facing the coil 10 in the Z direction and vibrates the movable body 5 in the X direction intersecting the Z direction with respect to the support 3. The movable body 5 includes a yoke 8 that holds the magnet 7, and the yoke 8 includes facing portions 80 (first facing portion 801 and second facing portion 802) that face the coil 10 in the Z direction, and the magnets 7 (first magnet 71 and second magnet 72) are fixed to the facing portions 80. The magnet 7 includes a first flat surface 73 that faces the coil 10 in the Z direction, a second flat surface 74 that abuts the facing portion 80, and a pair of side surfaces 75 that extend from both ends of the first flat surface 73 in the X direction toward the second flat surface 74 and are connected to the second flat surface 74. Each of the pair of side surfaces 75 has a first inclined surface 751 that is connected to the first plane 73 at an obtuse angle.

In this embodiment, the yoke 8 constituting the movable body 5 of the actuator 1 has a facing portion 80 facing the coil 10 in the Z direction, and the magnet 7 fixed to the facing portion 80 faces the coil 10 in the Z direction. The magnet 7 has a narrow gap between its central portion in the X direction (first plane 73) and the coil 10, and first inclined surfaces 751 that form obtuse angles with the first plane 73 are provided at both ends in the X direction. Therefore, even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum around an axis extending in the Y direction, there is little risk that the X-direction ends of the magnet 7 will collide with the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 that cover the coil 10. Furthermore, because the gap between the coil 10 and the central portion of the magnet 7 in the X direction is narrow, a reduction in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the magnet 7 has a small volume because both ends in the X direction are cut out and recessed by the first inclined surfaces 751, and therefore the component cost of the magnet 7 is low.

In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 751 is connected to the X-direction end of the second plane 74, and the cross-sectional shape of the first magnet 71 is a trapezoid with the first plane 73 as the top edge and the second plane 74 as the bottom edge. Therefore, even if the width D1 of the first plane 73 facing the coil 10 is reduced, the width D2 of the second plane 74 is large, so a reduction in the magnetic flux linking the coil 10 can be suppressed. This prevents a reduction in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6.

In other words, in this embodiment, the width D1 of the first plane 73 of the magnet 7 is smaller than the width D0 of the coil 10, so even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet 7 colliding with the members covering the coil 10 (the first plate 11 and the second plate 12). On the other hand, the maximum width of the magnet 7 (in this embodiment, the width D2 of the second plane 74) is larger than the width D0 of the coil 10. Therefore, magnetic flux linking the coil 10 can be ensured, preventing a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6.

In this embodiment, the magnet 7 has a shape that is symmetrical in the X direction. Therefore, whether one end of the magnet 7 in the X direction swings toward the coil 10, or the other end of the magnet 7 in the X direction swings toward the coil 10, there is little risk of the magnet 7 colliding with the support 3.

In this embodiment, the support body 3 includes a first plate 11 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z1 direction, and a second plate 12 that overlaps the coil 10 from the Z2 direction. The first plate 11 includes a first plate portion 111 extending in the X direction, and a pair of first bent portions 112 that bend from both ends of the first plate portion 111 in the X direction toward the coil 10 to cover both sides of the coil 10 in the X direction. The second plate 12 includes a second plate portion 121 extending in the X direction, and a pair of second bent portions 122 that bend from both ends of the second plate portion 121 in the X direction toward the coil 10 to cover both sides of the coil 10 in the X direction. The facing portion 80 includes a first facing portion 801 that faces the first plate portion 111 from the Z1 direction, and a second facing portion 802 that faces the second plate portion 121 from the Z2 direction. The magnet 7 includes a first magnet 71 fixed to the first opposing portion 801 and a second magnet 72 fixed to the second opposing portion 802. Each of the first opposing portion 801 and the second opposing portion 802 includes a magnet fixing portion 804 and a pair of connector fixing portions 805 extending from the magnet fixing portion 804 to both sides in the Y direction, which intersects the Z direction and the X direction. The connector 4 includes a first connector 9A connecting the connector fixing portion 805 of the first opposing portion 801 to the first plate portion 111 and a second connector 9B connecting the connector fixing portion 805 of the second opposing portion 802 to the second plate portion 121. By arranging the magnets 7 (the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72) on both sides of the coil 10 in this manner, the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6 can be increased. Furthermore, by assembling the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 in a shape that surrounds the coil 10, the coil 10 can be protected. Furthermore, because the connectors 4 (first connector 9A, second connector 9B) can be arranged inside the yoke 8, there is no need to ensure space for arranging the connectors 4 outside the yoke 8. This allows the height of the actuator 1 in the Z direction to be reduced, making it more compact. Also, for both the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72, the gap between the coil 10 and the central portion in the X direction is small, and the gap between the coil 10 and the both end portions in the X direction is large. Therefore, even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but oscillates like a pendulum, there is little risk that the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72 will collide with the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 that cover the coil 10.

In this embodiment, the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72 have the same shape and are arranged facing in opposite directions in the Z direction. This allows for the use of common components, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, there is no need to assemble the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72 separately, making assembly easy.

(Variation 1)
In the actuator of the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the magnet 7 is trapezoidal, but the present invention is applicable to actuators including magnets with other cross-sectional shapes. That is, the magnet 7 can have a shape in which both ends in the X direction of the first surface facing the coil 10 in the Z direction are recessed toward the facing portion 80 with respect to the central part in the X direction of the first surface.

Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of an actuator 1 equipped with a magnet 7A of modified example 1, cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 8(b) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet 7A. The magnet 7A of modified example 1 includes a first magnet 71A positioned in the Z1 direction of the coil 10 and a second magnet 72A positioned in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. The first magnet 71A and the second magnet 72A have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the Z direction. Furthermore, both the first magnet 71A and the second magnet 72A have shapes symmetrical in the X direction.

The first magnet 71A has a first plane 73 facing the coil 10 in the Z1 direction, a second plane 74 abutting the first opposing portion 801 of the yoke 8, and a pair of side surfaces 75A extending from both ends of the first plane 73 in the X direction toward the second plane 74 and connected to both ends of the second plane 74 in the X direction. The side surfaces 75A have a first inclined surface 751 connected at an obtuse angle to the X direction end of the first plane 73, and a second inclined surface 752 connected at an obtuse angle to the X direction end of the second plane 74. Each side surface 75A is a curved surface where the first inclined surface 751 and the second inclined surface are connected in a curved shape, and protrude on both sides in the X direction.

As with the above embodiment, the magnet 7A (first magnet 71A, second magnet 72A) of variant 1 has a wide gap with the coil 10 at both ends in the X direction. Therefore, even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet 7 colliding with the first plate 11 and second plate 12 that cover the coil 10. Furthermore, the magnet 7A of variant 1 has notches at the X-direction corners of the first plane 73 and the X-direction corners of the second plane 74, so there is no need to distinguish between the front and back of the magnet 7A. This makes assembly easy.

In the magnet 7A (first magnet 71A, second magnet 72A) of variant 1, as in the above embodiment, the width D1 of the first plane 73 is smaller than the width D0 of the coil 10. Therefore, even when the movable body 5 swings like a pendulum rather than moving straight in the X direction, there is little risk of the magnet 7A colliding with the members covering the coil 10 (the first plate 11 and the second plate 12). On the other hand, the maximum width D2 of the magnet 7A is larger than the width D0 of the coil 10. Therefore, magnetic flux linking the coil 10 can be secured, preventing a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6.

(Variation 2)
Fig. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 1 equipped with the magnet 7B of Modification 2, cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Fig. 9(b) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet 7B. The magnet 7B of Modification 2 includes a first magnet 71B positioned in the Z1 direction of the coil 10 and a second magnet 72B positioned in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. The first magnet 71B and the second magnet 72B have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the Z direction. Furthermore, both the first magnet 71B and the second magnet 72B have shapes symmetrical with respect to the X direction.

The first magnet 71B has a first surface that faces the coil 10 in the Z1 direction. The central portion of the first surface in the X direction is a first plane 73 that is perpendicular to the Z direction. Steps 76 that are recessed toward the first opposing portion 801 relative to the first plane 73 are provided at both ends of the first surface in the X direction. The first magnet 71B also has a second plane 74 that abuts the first opposing portion 801.

As with the above embodiment, the magnet 7B (first magnet 71B, second magnet 72B) of variant 2 has a wide gap between itself and the coil 10 at both ends in the X direction. Therefore, even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet 7 colliding with the first plate 11 and second plate 12 that cover the coil 10.

In the magnet 7B (first magnet 71B, second magnet 72B) of variant 2, as in the above embodiment, the width D1 of the first plane 73 is smaller than the width D0 of the coil 10. Therefore, even when the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet 7B colliding with the members covering the coil 10 (the first plate 11 and the second plate 12). On the other hand, the maximum width D2 of the magnet 7B is larger than the width D0 of the coil 10. Therefore, magnetic flux linking the coil 10 can be secured, preventing a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6.

(Variation 3)
Fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 1 equipped with a magnet 7C of Modification 3, cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Fig. 10(b) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the magnet 7C. The magnet 7C of Modification 3 includes a first magnet 71C positioned in the Z1 direction of the coil 10 and a second magnet 72C positioned in the Z2 direction of the coil 10. The first magnet 71C and the second magnet 72C have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the Z direction. Furthermore, both the first magnet 71C and the second magnet 72C have shapes symmetrical with respect to the X direction.

The first magnet 71C has a first surface 77 that faces the coil 10 in the Z1 direction. The first surface 77 is a curved surface that protrudes toward the coil 10 with its apex at the center in the X direction. The first magnet 71C also has a second flat surface 74 that abuts the first opposing portion 801.

As with the above embodiment, the magnet 7C (first magnet 71C, second magnet 72C) of variant 3 has a wide gap with the coil 10 at both ends in the X direction. Therefore, even if the movable body 5 does not move straight in the X direction but swings like a pendulum, there is little risk of the magnet 7 colliding with the first plate 11 and second plate 12 that cover the coil 10. Furthermore, the maximum width D2 of the magnet 7C is greater than the width D0 of the coil 10. This ensures that magnetic flux interlinks with the coil 10, thereby preventing a decrease in the thrust of the magnetic drive circuit 6. Furthermore, because the first surface 77 of the magnet 7C (first magnet 71C, second magnet 72C) is curved and has no corners, there is little risk of the magnet 7C being chipped if it collides with another object during handling.

(Other embodiments)
In this embodiment, the magnet 7 includes a first magnet 71 and a second magnet 72, but it may also be configured to include only one of the first magnet 71 and the second magnet 72. Also, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which only one of the first connector 9A and the second connector 9B is provided as the connector 4. Furthermore, although the yoke 8 is configured by laminating an inner member and an outer member, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the yoke 8 is configured only by the outer member.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...actuator, 2...case, 3...support, 4...connecting body, 5...movable body, 6...magnetic drive circuit, 7, 7A, 7B, 7C...magnet, 8...yoke, 9A...first connecting body, 9B...second connecting body, 10...coil, 10, 10b...long side portion, 10c...center hole, 11...first plate, 12...second plate, 14...power supply board, 15...first holder member, 16...second holder member, 30...
Coil set, 31...first case member, 32...second case member, 71, 71A, 71B, 71C...first magnet, 72, 72A, 72B, 72C...second magnet, 73...first flat surface, 74...second flat surface, 75, 75A...side surface, 76...step portion, 77...first surface, 80...facing portion, 81...first yoke, 82...second yoke, 83...first inner member, 84...first outer member, 85...second inner member, 86...second outer member, 111...first plate portion, 112...first bent portion, 113...first fixed portion, 121...second plate portion, 122...second bent portion, 123...second fixed portion fixing portion, 151...first coil holding portion, 152...first side plate portion, 153...claw portion, 161...second coil holding portion, 162...second side plate portion, 163...claw portion, 751...first inclined surface, 752...second inclined surface, 801...first opposing portion, 802...second opposing portion, 803...connecting portion, 804...magnet fixing portion, 805...connector fixing portion, 841...first flat plate portion, 842...first connecting plate portion, 861...second flat plate portion, 862...second connecting plate portion, D...width of first plate portion in the X direction, D0...width of coil in the X direction, D1...width of first plane in the X direction, D2...width of second plane in the X direction

Claims (8)

A movable body and
a support body having a case for accommodating the movable body;
a connecting body connected to the movable body and the support body;
a magnetic drive circuit including a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and configured to vibrate the movable body relative to the support in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
the movable body includes a yoke that holds the magnet,
the yoke includes an opposing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, the magnet is fixed to the opposing portion,
the magnet includes a first plane facing the coil in the first direction, a second plane abutting the facing portion, and a pair of side surfaces extending from both ends of the first plane in the second direction toward the second plane and connected to the second plane,
The pair of side surfaces each include a first inclined surface that is connected to the first plane at an obtuse angle ,
a width of the first plane in the second direction is smaller than a width of the coil in the second direction;
The actuator , wherein the maximum width of the magnet in the second direction is greater than the width of the coil in the second direction . The actuator described in claim 1, characterized in that the first inclined surface is connected to the end of the second plane in the second direction. The actuator described in claim 1, characterized in that the pair of side surfaces each have a second inclined surface that is connected at an obtuse angle to the end of the second plane in the second direction, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are connected in a curved shape. A movable body and
a support body having a case for accommodating the movable body;
a connecting body connected to the movable body and the support body;
a magnetic drive circuit including a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and configured to vibrate the movable body relative to the support in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
the movable body includes a yoke that holds the magnet,
the yoke includes an opposing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, the magnet is fixed to the opposing portion,
the magnet has a first surface facing the coil in the first direction;
the first surface has a shape in which both end portions in the second direction are recessed toward the opposing portion relative to a central portion in the second direction,
a central portion of the first surface in the second direction is a first plane perpendicular to the first direction;
a step portion recessed toward the opposing portion from the first plane is provided at both end portions of the first surface in the second direction,
a width of the first plane in the second direction is smaller than a width of the coil in the second direction;
The actuator , wherein the maximum width of the magnet in the second direction is greater than the width of the coil in the second direction . A movable body and
a support body having a case for accommodating the movable body;
a connecting body connected to the movable body and the support body;
a magnetic drive circuit including a coil and a magnet facing the coil in a first direction, and configured to vibrate the movable body relative to the support in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
the movable body includes a yoke that holds the magnet,
the yoke includes an opposing portion that faces the coil in the first direction, the magnet is fixed to the opposing portion,
the magnet has a first surface facing the coil in the first direction;
the first surface has a shape in which both end portions in the second direction are recessed toward the opposing portion relative to a central portion in the second direction,
the first surface is a curved surface that protrudes toward the coil from a vertex at the center in the second direction ,
The actuator , wherein the maximum width of the magnet in the second direction is greater than the width of the coil in the second direction . An actuator described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the magnet has a shape that is symmetrical in the second direction. the support includes a first plate overlapping the coil from one side in the first direction, and a second plate overlapping the coil from the other side in the first direction,
the first plate includes a first plate portion extending in the second direction and a pair of first bent portions bent from both ends of the first plate portion in the second direction toward the coil to cover both sides of the coil in the second direction,
the second plate includes a second plate portion extending in the second direction and a pair of second bent portions bent from both ends of the second plate portion in the second direction toward the coil to cover both sides of the coil in the second direction,
the opposing portion includes a first opposing portion opposing the first plate portion from one side in the first direction and a second opposing portion opposing the second plate portion from the other side in the first direction,
the magnet includes a first magnet fixed to the first opposing portion and a second magnet fixed to the second opposing portion,
each of the first opposing portion and the second opposing portion includes a magnet fixing portion and a pair of connector fixing portions extending from the magnet fixing portion to both sides in a third direction that intersects with the first direction and intersects with the second direction;
An actuator as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connector comprises a first connector that connects the connector fixing portion of the first opposing portion to the first plate portion, and a second connector that connects the connector fixing portion of the second opposing portion to the second plate portion. 8. The actuator according to claim 7 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet have the same shape and are arranged in opposite directions in the first direction.