The present invention concerns an improved vibrating actuator and a power supply mechanism thereof, comprising a call notification means that notifies of a call upon signal arrival by any of a buzzer, speech or vibration, and a portable electronic device such as a pager or a portable telephone.
Generally, a vibrating actuator fitted to a portable electronic device is provided with a coil for current application, a diaphragm fastened at one side of the coil, a magnet to form a magnetic circuit, a magnetic yoke supporting this magnet, and an oscillation plate that supports this magnetic yoke. A diaphragm is mounted within the frame of a case by a lip with a magnetic gap between the coil and the magnetic yoke, and an oscillation plate is mounted within the frame of the case at an edge. A cover over the mounting side of an oscillation plate is fitted to the case. Vibration is generated from the oscillation plate at low frequency by the action of current applied to a coil and a magnetic field of a magnet while a sound is issued from the diaphragm at high frequency.
This type of vibrating actuator must have high impact resistance so that it does not break even if dropped by a user. A means of imparting such impact resistance is to mount a projection from the side wall of the case to the interior to function as a stopper that contacts the magnetic yoke should it swing violently due to impact.
Expansion of the frame diameter of the case is inhibited to the extent that a projection is mounted in this vibrating actuator, and a comparatively thick magnetic yoke is provided because of the need to ensure a weight sufficient to actuate the oscillation plate. Consequently, actuators are limited to thin ones.
Furthermore, when impact is applied, it is transmitted from the cover to the oscillation plate, causing the oscillation plate to deform which causes noise due to abnormal vibration.
In addition, the coil and the power supply section of the circuit board are connected by using a flexible cord as the wiring that applies current to the coil, but even if they are connected by this flexible cord, there is a fear of disconnection of the flexible cord at the connection terminal because of the application of a load to the connection terminal of the lead line accompanying vibration during operation.
An expansion of the utility of aforementioned vibrating actuator is desired as a product by altering the acoustic characteristics at a given frequency band.
The present invention concerns a vibrating actuator provided with a coil for applying current, a diaphragm fastened at one side of the coil, a magnet to form a magnetic circuit, a magnetic yoke supporting this magnet, and an oscillation plate that supports this magnetic yoke, wherein a diaphragm is mounted within the frame of a case by a lip with a magnetic gap between the coil and the magnetic yoke, an oscillation plate is mounted within the frame of the case at an edge, and said actuator operates the diaphragm and oscillation plate by the attraction/repulsion of magnetism of the magnet and magnetism of the coil, as well as an improved power supply mechanism for said vibrating actuator.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a vibrating actuator having high impact resistance that can be constructed so as to be thin overall.
To attain aforementioned objectives, the present invention is provided with a magnetic yoke having a protruding flange, an oscillation plate that supports this magnetic yoke with the flange appropriately positioned at the base, the oscillation plate being fastened to the magnetic yoke with the central part of each support arm that is disposed on the side facing aforementioned oscillation plate being appropriately positioned relative to the flange, and a concave case that accepts the flange.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a vibrating actuator that prevents impact applied to the case from affecting the oscillation plate via the cover and to prevent the generation of noise through deformation of the oscillation plate. The objective is attained by providing a vibration control damper between the oscillation plate and the cover.
In addition, the present invention provides a power supply mechanism for the vibrating actuator that reliably provides an electrical connection without disconnection due to vibration during operation. To attain the objective, a projecting electrical connection terminal is mounted on the actuator side and the conductive material in contact with said electrical connection terminal is mounted as a power supply terminal that connects with the power supply section of the circuit board.
In addition, the present invention provides a vibrating actuator structured to suitably change the acoustic characteristics as required even at a given frequency band. The cover is structured with vent holes to attain the objective.
(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention is explained below with reference to
In addition to aforementioned constituent units in the mode of the embodiment that is presented here, this unit is also provided with disk-shaped pole piece 7 that overlaps the top of magnetic yoke 4, oscillation plate 8 that is assembled on the opposite side from oscillation plate 5 relative to magnetic yoke 4 supporting magnet 3, and metal cover 9 that is fitted to the frame on the opposite side from the frame of case 6 that engages diaphragm 2.
A circular voice coil to which high frequency current or low frequency current is selectively applied is mounted as coil 1. The round surface of coil 1 is fastened on one side of diaphragm 2 by contacting the protruding surface of the protrusion discussed below. In addition, the terminals of coil 1 are lead lines 1a, 1b that are electrically connected to an external terminal discussed below.
Diaphragm 2 is formed into a thin, flexible, deformable disc shape from resin such as polyetherimide (PEI). In diaphragm 2, protrusion 2a having a prescribed projection height is supported and fastened to coil 1, and rib 2d that partitions peripheral edge 2b, which is fitted to the steps of case 6 discussed below, from flexible deforming vibrating section 2c is installed concentrically over the disc surface.
Disc-shaped material is furnished as magnet 3. Magnet 3 is attached and mounted on the inside of magnetic yoke 4 with pole piece 7 overlapping the upper side. Magnetic yoke 4 is formed into U shape having outer peripheral edge 4a. In addition, perforation hole 4b is installed in the bottom center of magnetic yoke 4.
Flanges 40, 41, 42 are attached on magnetic yoke 4 facing the inner wall surface of case 6 from outer peripheral edge 4a to serve as stoppers for impact resistance. These three flanges 40, 41, 42 are mounted at uniform separations in the circumferential direction on outer peripheral edge 4a to uniformly balance magnetic yoke 4 with relation to the shape of oscillation plates 5 and 8, as shown in FIG. 3.
Since each of these flanges 40, 41, 42 is attached to the side opposite from oscillation plate 8, as shown in
In addition to acting as an impact resistance stopper, the flanges 40, 41, 42 match the overall weight of magnetic yoke 4 and a thinner magnetic yoke 4 than had been used could be employed since they are installed to permit the overall thickness of magnetic yoke 4 to be thinner.
Oscillation plate 5 is molded from a thin plate of metal such as stainless steel or an alloy of copper and titanium having spring properties. Oscillation plate 5 comprises ring-shaped inner ring plate 50, bases 51a, 52a, 53a whose edges are separated uniformly in the circumferential direction of inner ring plate 50, a plurality of concentric support arms 51b, 52b, 53b extending from bases 51a, 52a, 53a and projections 51c, 52c, 53c of the arm edges that attach each of the support arms 51b, 52b, 53b to the inner wall surface of case 6.
Magnetic yoke 4 supporting magnet 3 is attached to inner ring plate 50 of oscillation plate 5. As shown in
Through this disposition of magnetic yoke 4, each of the bases 51a, 52a, 53a of oscillation plate 5 would be a portion which is resistant to sagging even if each of flanges 40, 41, 42 should be attached and which oscillation plate 5 shifts to the attachment side. Projections 51c, 52c, 53c are attached to case 6 and each of support arms 51b, 52b, 53b is placed to meet each half 40a-42a of the slanted surface from roughly the center of each of flanges 40, 41, 42. Consequently, even if oscillation plate 5 should sustain impact and flex, contact with each of flanges 40, 41, 42 of magnetic yoke 4 would be avoided, as shown in
In addition to oscillation plate 5 that supports magnetic yoke 4, it is also provided with oscillation plate 8 that is disposed so as to fasten magnetic yoke 4 on the opposite side. Oscillation plate 8 also comprises ring-shaped inner ring plate 80, bases 81a, 82a, 83a whose edges are separated uniformly in the circumferential direction of inner ring plate 80, a plurality of concentric support arms 81b, 82b, 83b extending from bases 81a, 82a, 83a and projections 81c, 82c, 83c of the arm edges that attach each of the support arms 81b, 82b, 83b to the inner wall surface of case 6.
As shown in
Case 6 is formed into a circular frame shape from resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Step 60 that fits diaphragm 2 at peripheral edge 2b is installed in the frame edge of case 6. In addition, notched steps 61a, 62a that attach oscillation plates 5, 8 via projections 51c, 52c, 53c, 81c, 82c, 83c and depression 63a (only one is shown) that accepts the projection edges of flanges 40, 41, 42 while maintaining a gap as discussed below are installed on the inner surface from the frame edge.
Metal cover 9 that is engaged by peripheral edge 9a on the frame edge opposite from the frame edge engaging diaphragm 2 is fitted to case 6. Cover 9 is made of metal. It is engaged to the outer peripheral edge on the side opposite from the frame edge of case 6 that engages diaphragm 2. Vent holes 9b that modify the acoustic characteristics due primarily to high frequency are installed in the plate surface of this cover 9, as shown in FIG. 1.
The acoustic characteristics can be modified appropriately as required by altering the number of vent holes 9b, their positions in response to the number opened, and their bores. By so doing, a vibrating actuator can be constructed in which the acoustic characteristics are modified as required even at a given frequency band.
A unit without any vent holes opened in the cover (consult
As indicated by the individual wave forms, the wave form can be altered as a function of the frequency even at a given frequency by opening vent holes in the cover as well as by modifying their number, position and bore. In particular, differing wave forms (consult
Terminal block 10 is installed in case 6 protruding from the outer surface of the frame. Conduction terminals 10a, 10b can be firmly attached by wedging in terminal block 10.
In assembling the vibrating actuator comprising aforementioned units, diaphragm 2 is attached to the interior of the frame of case 6 engaging step 60 via peripheral edge 2b since coil 1 is attached to one side of diaphragm 2 in advance, as shown in FIG. 7. An electrical connection can be completed between coil 1 and conduction terminals 10a, 10b by soldering lead lines 1a, 1b that extend outward to conduction terminals 10a, 10b of terminal block 10.
In addition, magnet 3 is attached to magnetic yoke 4 and oscillation plate 8, and oscillation plate 5 can be attached within the frame of case 6 from the open edge on the other side in sequence by fastening magnetic yoke 4 holding magnet 3 to inner ring plate 50 of oscillation plate 5.
As shown in
By so doing, coil 1 is supported and fastened by diaphragm 2. It is attached between outer peripheral edge 4a of magnetic yoke 4 and ball piece 7 while maintaining magnetic gap G. Magnetic yoke 4 is supported by oscillation plate 5 and the tip sides of flanges 40, 41, 42 are accepted on the inside of depressions 63a, 63b, 63c while maintaining gaps g1 to g3.
Depressions 63a, 63b, 63c function as stoppers that inhibit lateral play of magnetic yoke 4. In addition, they function as recesses that minimize the diametral width of case 6. Cover 9 may be engaged and attached to the open side of case 6 after attaching each oscillation plate 5 and 8.
The vibrating actuator can be attached to an external case of the unit by fastening case 6 to the surface of a circuit board (not illustrated) between elastic bodies such as rubber. Furthermore, a circuit connection with dependent devices can be completed by inserting conduction terminals 10a, 10b into the board surface of the circuit board. An electrical connection between coil 1 and dependent devices can be reliably completed since conduction terminals 10a, 10b are firmly attached by wedging in terminal block 10.
The vibrating actuator having such a structure can be attached to a portable electronic device such as a pager or telephone as a notification means to notify of a call upon signal arrival via a buzzer, speech or vibration through vibration of oscillation plates 5, 8 and of diaphragm 2 via attraction/repulsion of magnetism of coil 1 and magnetism of magnet 3 when high frequency current or low frequency current is applied to coil 1.
Aforementioned mode of implementation was explained based on magnetic yoke 4 having three flanges 40, 41, 42, but magnetic yoke 4 having six flanges 40-45 at uniform separations in the circumferential direction of magnetic yoke 4 may be attached, as shown in FIG. 9.
In magnetic yoke 4, as shown in
In addition, aforementioned mode of implementation was explained based on altering the high frequency region whose wave forms vary greatly through opening vent holes, but it can also be applied to altering the vibration characteristics of a low frequency region which changes slightly.
The installation of vent holes 9b in cover 9 not only affect the acoustic characteristics but they also prevent popping of a vibrator comprising two oscillation plates 5, 8 including magnetic yoke 4 from the case due to pressure accompanying a fall.
(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is explained through
Rubber or spongy elastic plate comprising disc-shaped body plate 11a of prescribed thickness and a plurality of projections 11b rising from body plate 11a toward oscillation plate 5 that is attached complete damper material 11. The body plate 11a of the elastic plate 11 is installed and fixed on depression of the inner bottom surface of cover 9′.
A vibrating actuator with such a structure can be attached to a portable electronic device such as a pager or portable telephone by bringing the attachment side of cover 9′ close to the case walls of the device and attaching it to the inside of said case.
Even if impact is applied to the case of the device in such a portable electronic device, the effects of the impact are prevented from reaching oscillation plate 5 since the impact can be absorbed by damper material 11 comprising the rubber or spongy elastic plate attached to cover 9′. Furthermore, even if oscillation plate 5 should be flexed by impact, deformation of oscillation plate 5 would be prevented since it contacts projection 11b of elastic plate 11. Thus, the generation of noise due to abnormal vibration of oscillation plate 5 can be prevented.
Coil spring 11′ may be attached instead of rubber or spongy elastic plate 11 as the damper material, as shown in FIG. 20. Coil spring 11′ is constructed so as to support oscillation plate 5 from below by fitting the lower spring spiral to the concavity at the inner bottom surface of cover 9′ and then bringing oscillation plate 5 into contact with cover 9′.
Impact applied to the case of the device can be absorbed by coil spring 11′. Consequently, the effects of impact can be prevented from reaching oscillation plate 5 and significant flexing of oscillation plate 5 can also be prevented.
A spiral spring having a diameter that decreases from cover 9′ toward oscillation plate 5 may be attached as coil spring 11′. By so doing, impact applied to the case of the device can be absorbed on the large-diameter spiral side and can be reliably prevented from reaching oscillation plate 5 while deformation of oscillation plate 5 can be reliably prevented since oscillation plate 5 can be stably supported on the small-diameter spiral side.
(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention is explained using
Damper material 11 for controlling vibration that is placed between cover 9″ and oscillation plate 5, as shown in
A unit without any vent holes opened in cover 9″ (consult
The same acoustic characteristics as in Embodiment 1 were exhibited as a result, as shown by each wave form in
Furthermore, a coil spring could be used as damper material without modifying the number, position or bore of the vent holes and by mounting the springs so as not to block the vent holes. That would permit the same acoustic characteristics as those of Embodiment 1 to be attained. The position of vent holes 9b when using coil springs would be outside of coil spring 11′ as shown in
The installation of vent holes 9b can be applied to modifying the vibration characteristics in the low frequency band that changes slightly, just as in Embodiment 1.
The installation of vent holes 9b in cover 9″ not only affect the acoustic characteristics but they also prevent popping of a vibrator comprising two oscillation plates 5, 8 including magnetic yoke 4 from the case due to pressure accompanying a fall.
In addition to aforementioned vent holes in this embodiment, the generation of noise and deformation due to abnormal vibration of oscillation plate 5 can be prevented by installing damper material between oscillation plate 5 and cover 9″.
Furthermore, as shown in
Consequently, this embodiment provides a broader range of utility of vibrating actuators compared to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2.
(Embodiment 4)
The power supply mechanism of the vibrating actuator in Embodiment 4 of the present invention is explained through
Conduction terminals 10a, 10b projecting outside from case 6 are installed as positive and negative terminals in the vibrating actuator of Embodiments 1 and 3, as shown in
Vibrating actuator A is mounted inside of the case (not illustrated) in various types of devices such as pagers or portable telephones, and is mounted on circuit board P, as shown in
The power-supply terminal that electrically conducts to power supply 12 of circuit board P may be individually mounted by mutually insulating the positive and negative terminals. Such power supply terminals individually contact conduction terminals 10a, 10b of vibrating actuator A, and are structured from conducting spring units that provide elasticity with vibration of vibrating actuator A.
The spring units comprising the power-supply terminals for positive and negative are shown on one side, but a common structure of positive and negative terminals through their mutual insulation may be installed. This specific example includes both types in which power supply 12 rises over circuit board P, shown in
The power-supply terminals shown in
The power-supply terminal shown in
The power-supply terminal shown in
The power-supply terminals shown in
The power-supply terminal shown in
In the power-supply terminals shown in
The power-supply terminals in the power-supply mechanism of the vibrating actuator having this structure comprise flexible conducting springs 13-18 that match vibration of vibrating actuator A. Springs 13-18 eliminate the problem of disconnection via a simple structure. Conduction terminals 10a, 10b can follow conduction terminals 10a, 10b accompanying vibration of vibrating actuator A by maintaining elasticity even with slight vertical movement, and electrical conduction can be reliably maintained with conduction terminals 10a, 10b since contact can be maintained with power supply 12 of circuit board P.
Aforementioned power-supply mechanism was explained as a vibrating actuator, but it can be applied broadly in various types of actuators that vibrate during operation.
The terms and expressions used in the specifications were merely used to explain the present invention. They in no way restrict the details of the present invention. Even if restrictive terms or expressions are used, they have not been used to homogenize aforementioned modes of the present invention or to exclude certain parts. Accordingly, various modifications within the scope of the present invention for which rights are sought are clearly permissible.
As explained above, the vibrating actuator pursuant to the present invention is useful as a means of notification attached to a portable electronic device such as a pager or portable telephone. In addition, the power-supply mechanism is suited for reliable electrical conduction.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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11-108847 | Apr 1999 | JP | national |
11-245729 | Aug 1999 | JP | national |
11-245730 | Aug 1999 | JP | national |
11-253857 | Sep 1999 | JP | national |
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5894263 | Shimakawa et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040119343 A1 | Jun 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09958756 | US | |
Child | 10653890 | US |