The present invention relates to a vibration-generating small-sized motor that operates with the capability of a silent vibration alarm (generally called the “manners mode”), to be mounted primarily in a portable electronic equipment (including portable wireless telephones, PHS, small-sized wireless communications equipment, and also various types of portable information processing terminals). Specifically, it relates to a power feed mechanism connecting the motor to a power supply section of a circuit board within the electronic equipment.
There are occasions, such as when people assemble in quiet public places like museums or concert halls, or when one is engaged in business talks or important conferences, in which people nearby would be greatly put out by the sudden ringing of portable electronic equipment (primarily portable telephones). For that reason, varieties of portable electronic equipment have come to be equipped with a silent alarm function, making use of vibration-generating small-sized motors such that one is notified of an incoming call by means of a bodily-sensible vibration.
These vibration-generating small-sized motors are equipped with eccentric weights on the motor's axis of rotation, and use the uneven centrifugal force when the center of gravity of the weight rotates when the motor is in operation to cause indirectly the vibration of the portable telephone or other electronic equipment. Therefore, with the spread of such varieties of portable electronic equipment, the proportion of equipment in which such motors are mounted and the frequency of their use are increasing daily. Particularly in the case of mobile communications equipment such as portable telephones and PHS, which are becoming markedly smaller and more popular, these vibration-generating small-sized motors are efficiently mounted in the limited physical space within the case.
Further, there are constant improvements in the method of supplying power from the power source (usually the circuit board) to the vibration-generating small-sized motor in this electronic equipment. One newly adopted mechanism is the use of terminals in place of soldered leads for attachment to the power supply or the equipment itself.
For example, in the portable electronic equipment in which these vibration-generating small-sized motors (hereafter called “vibrating motors” as necessary) are mounted, a power supply terminal mechanism like that shown in
Because of the resiliency of the portion adjacent to the bend 104f, contacts 104d of the power supply terminal 104 are pressed into contact with electrodes or with power supply lands (not illustrated) of the circuit board (see, for example, pages 4 and 5 and FIGS. 5 and 6 of Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H11-136901). Or as shown further in
Similarly, there are a number of different parts and locations for attachment to motors with power supply terminals that have flexible parts that undergo elastic deformation under pressure (see, for example, pages 4 to 7 and FIGS. 1 to 5 of Patent Reference 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-44907).
In the case of Patent Reference 1, however, as in the case of power supply terminal 104 shaped as in
In the cases of Patent References 2 and 3, on the other hand, the problem of reduced resiliency of the power supply terminals for the reasons stated can be dealt with by means of control through the elastic pressure body described in Patent Reference 2. However, that basically leaves unchanged the fact that the power supply terminal 104 is used in the form of a thin leaf spring with a length measurement that extends from the bend 104f, where the spring is bent and easily loses elasticity, to the contacts 104d. That does not represent a thorough resolution of the problem.
Similarly, in the case of Patent Reference 4, there are a number of different terminal configurations in which the flexible portion of the power supply terminal is set so that it is separated from and substantially perpendicular to the power supply lands, after which the terminal is put into contact with the inside of the case. The idea of the attachment mechanism that is common to these configurations is that the electrodes or power supply lands that constitute a standard contact area on the surface of the circuit board and the contact portion of the power supply electrodes that will contact the electrodes or power supply lands are pressed in the direction of the surface of the circuit board through the elastic pressure body; the force of pressure from the equipment case that sandwiches the external housing case of the motor compensates for the reduce elasticity of the leaf spring terminal by means of a rubber flexible body and at the same time applies pressure so that the pressure level of the electrical contacts of the terminal blade is reliably maintained. But while that problem is resolved, the method gives rise to several new problems.
In this structure, the leaf spring terminal and the motor are arranged so that they are stacked in the direction of thickness; this results in an increase of the overall thickness of the electronic equipment. Further, in a structure in which the contact points of the power supply terminal are subject to the stacking pressure, as shown in
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a highly reliable connection between the power supply terminal of the motor and the electrode or the circuit board power supply land, and to enable a lengthy stable power supply (life-span). Thus the present invention has an object of providing a vibration-generating small-sized motor that operates with electrical stability. A further object of the present invention is to enable both a mounting structure for the motor that will not create an unnecessary stress load on the circuit board and a structure to hold the motor in place and reliably transmit vibrations to the case of the portable equipment.
In order to resolve the above-described problem, the invention of claim 1 is a vibration-generating small-sized motor that includes a mechanism to generate a vibration using an eccentric weight and that is mounted inside a portable electronic equipment equipped with an electrode or a power supply land on a circuit board, comprising within an external housing case thereof a stator and a rotor, a commutation mechanism, a power supply terminal that connects electrically with the electrode or power supply land of the electronic equipment, and a terminal-blade mount on which the power supply terminal is mounted, wherein the power supply terminal includes a pair of resilient terminal blades that are located on the terminal-blade mount provided at a face of the external housing case of the motor, facing each other and pressing together, and the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board are clamed between the resilient terminal blades, whereby the vibration-generating small-sized motor can be electrically connected to the power supply of the electronic equipment.
Accordingly, only the power supply terminal deforming flexibly is provided, and it is possible to shorten the length of substantial contact with the power supply land. Further, by having the power supply land of the circuit board of the electronic equipment clamped between the pair of terminal blades that face each other and press together, it is possible to connect the power supply terminal of the motor directly to the power supply of the electronic equipment. Therefore, there is no need to have indirect connection pieces in addition to the terminal blades and no need for space for such pieces; there are fewer parts, assembly is easier, and the connection is more reliable.
Also, the invention of claim 2 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of claim 1, wherein the power supply terminal is a pair of terminal blades of resilient, curved leaf spring material, located facing each other at one end of the external housing case and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation.
Accordingly, there are terminal blades facing each other at one end of the motor's external housing case and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation that make their connection parallel to the circuit board and within the outer dimensions of the terminal mount, so that the space occupied by the connection points of the power supply terminal does not substantially affect the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Also, the invention of claim 3 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of claim 1, wherein the power supply terminal is a pair of terminal blades of resilient, curved leaf spring material, located facing each other at one side of the external housing case and substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation.
Accordingly, there are terminal blades facing each other at one end of the motor's external housing case and substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation that make their connection parallel to the circuit board and within the outer dimensions of the terminal mount, or within the radius of the external housing when it is substantially cylindrical, so that the space occupied by the connection points of the power supply terminal does not substantially affect the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Also, the invention of claim 4 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein contact points of the terminal blades that face the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board and vicinity thereof are exposed, and remaining outer peripheral portions of the terminal blades are covered with an insulating material.
Accordingly, the sides of the terminal blades of the power supply terminals that face the power supply land of the circuit board are exposed at and near the contact points and the remaining portions are covered and protected by an insulating material, so that portions of the terminal blades other than the contact points are prevented from contacting nearby electrical conductors, and so that it is possible to hold the terminal blades to the terminal mount and adjust the position of contact with the power supply lands in accordance with the desired shape of the terminal blades.
Also, the invention of claim 5 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein each of the terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals is independently positive or negative.
Accordingly, the individual terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals have independent resiliency to press together against the separate positive and negative power supply lands on opposite sides of the circuit board on which the lands are located, and each terminal blade can connect directly with the power supply of the electronic equipment at a single touch. Therefore, there is no need to use indirect connection parts in addition to the terminal blades, assembly is easier, and the reliability of connection is improved. Further, because the positive and negative poles are separated on opposite sides of the circuit board, there is no danger of deforming the contact points of the terminal blades and accidentally causing a short circuit on the circuit board.
Also, the invention of claim 6 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein both of the terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals are either positive or negative, and two pairs are used together as positive and negative conductors.
Accordingly, the contact points of the individual terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals have greater contact and a more sure connection with the positive or negative power supply lands located on opposite sides of the circuit board, and the reliability of connection at the contact points is further improved.
Also, the invention of claim 7 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board of the electronic equipment are inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the pair of resilient terminal blades located facing each other, whereby the vibration-generating small-sized motor can be electrically connected to the power supply of the electronic equipment.
Accordingly, the terminal blades of the pair of facing power supply terminals are open so that the terminal blades are pushed apart in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board, and the contact points of the terminal blades contact the power supply lands located on opposite sides of the circuit board. At this time, the width of opening of the spring of resilient terminal blades is determined by the width between the power supply lands located on the two sides of the circuit board, namely essentially by the thickness of the circuit board, and the resiliency is essentially the same in both directions. Therefore, it is possible to make a firm connection with the power supply lands, and the reliability of the connection at the contact points of the terminal blades is improved.
Also, the invention of claim 8 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein there are provided stoppers to limit the width of opening of the terminal blades in a direction that the terminal blades are pushed apart by the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board.
Accordingly, when the terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals that face each other are pushed apart in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board by the power supply lands located on opposite sides of the circuit board, the contact points of the terminal blades make contact with the power supply lands and part of each terminal blade contacts against the stopper. Thus, the resilient terminal blades gain new resiliency characteristics because of the two-point support add by the contact with the stoppers; this improves the resiliency of the terminal blades, enables more certain connections with the terminal blade contact points, and improves the reliability of the connection.
Also, the invention of claim 9 is a vibration-generating small-sized motor that includes a mechanism to generate a vibration using an eccentric weight and that is mounted inside a portable electronic equipment equipped with an electrode or a power supply land on a circuit board, comprising within an external housing case thereof a stator and a rotor, a commutation mechanism, a power supply terminal that connects electrically with the electrode or power supply land of the electronic equipment, and a terminal-blade mount on which the power supply terminal is mounted, wherein the terminal-blade mount is made of an insulating material and located on one end or side of the external housing case and includes a substantially U-shaped groove cut therein, there are provided resilient terminal blades facing each other that are located in a contact position corresponding to the electrode or the power supply land of the circuit board that are inserted into the groove, and the electrode or the power supply land are clamped between the resilient terminal blades when the electrode or the power supply land are inserted into the groove, whereby the vibration-generating small-sized motor can be electrically connected to the power supply of the electronic equipment.
Accordingly, as previously described, only the power supply terminal deforming flexibly is provided, and it is possible to shorten the length of substantial contact with the power supply lands. Further, by having the power supply lands of the circuit board of the electronic equipment clamped between the pair of terminal blades accommodated in a terminal-blade mount in which a substantially U-shaped groove has been cut, it is possible to connect the power supply terminal of the motor directly to the power supply of the electronic equipment. Further, because the mounting structure that accommodates the terminal blades is substantially within the form of the terminal-blade mount, the terminal blades do not project outward. Further, there is no need to have indirect connection pieces in addition to the terminal blades and no need for space for such pieces; there are fewer parts, assembly is easier, and the connection is more reliable.
Also, the invention of claim 10 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 9, wherein a position of connection of the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board to the motor is in substantially the same plane as the central axis of rotation of the motor.
Accordingly, because the position of connection of the electrode or of the power supply land on the circuit board is in substantially the same plane as the central axis of the motor, the central axis of rotation of the motor is located at the center of the plane of the circuit board and the space occupied by the power supply terminal connections in the assembled state is within the space occupied by the connections on the circuit board, and there is no substantial effect on the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Also, the invention of claim 11 is the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1, 2, and 4 through 9, wherein a position of connection of the electrode or the power supply lands on the circuit board to the motor is located at any desired point from the central axis of rotation of the motor to an outer periphery of the terminal-blade mount at the external housing case.
Accordingly, because the position of connection of the electrode or of the power supply land on the circuit board to the motor is located at any desired point from the central axis of rotation of the motor to the outer periphery of the terminal mount at the end of the external housing case, assembly away from the center plane of the circuit board is possible, at a position offset from the central axis of rotation of the motor toward the outer periphery. Therefore, the space occupied by the power supply terminal connections with the motor and the circuit board in the assembled state is almost completely within the space occupied by the connections on the circuit board, and there is no substantial effect on the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Also, the invention of claim 12 is a mounting holder of a vibration-generating small-sized motor that covers an outside of an external housing case of the motor, wherein an inside of the holder is formed in substantially the same shape as the outside of the external housing case of the motor, and there is provided a groove-shaped rail at a part of the outside of the holder in a facing direction, whereby the motor can be fixed in place within a portable electronic equipment by an insertion of an edge of a circuit board or a portion of a case of the electronic equipment in the groove-shaped rail.
Accordingly, it is possible to hold the motor indirectly, through the holder, to the circuit board in the portable electronic equipment, and the space in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board that is occupied in relation to the position of the motor, which is surrounded by part of the holder on the surface of the circuit board, has little substantial effect on the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Also, the invention of claim 13 is a mounting holder of a vibration-generating small-sized motor that covers an outside of an external housing case of the motor, wherein an inside of the holder is formed in substantially the same shape as the outside of the external housing case of the motor, there is provided a groove-shaped rail at a part of the outside of the holder in a facing direction, there are provided extensions of the holder that project from both sides of the groove-shaped rail, whereby the motor can be fixed in place within a portable electronic equipment by a suspension of either of the extensions inserted into an opening cut into a circuit board and by a pressing of the other extension between a portion of a case of the electronic equipment and the circuit board.
Accordingly, it is possible to hold the motor indirectly, through the holder, to the circuit board in the portable electronic equipment, and the extension on one side of the holder can be suspended simply by insertion in the opening cut into the circuit board. The other extension is pressed between the portion of the electronic equipment case and the circuit board, so that the motor is fixed in place.
Also, the invention of claim 14 is a mounting structure of a vibration-generating small-sized motor that is fixed in place within an electronic equipment by an insertion of a portion of an edge of a circuit board into a U-shaped groove rail at a facing position of a holder that covers an outside of an external housing case of the motor, wherein extensions of the holder that project from both sides of the U-shaped groove rail are held under pressure by an assembly fitting of a divided equipment case of the electronic equipment, at the same time sandwiching the inserted circuit board, whereby the motor can be fixed in place within the portable electronic equipment.
Accordingly, it is possible to hold the motor indirectly, through the holder, to the circuit board in the portable electronic equipment, and the space in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board that is occupied in relation to the position of the motor, which is surrounded by part of the holder on the surface of the circuit board, has little substantial effect on the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, there is no need for extra space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment as in conventional contact and attachment structures using leaf spring terminals and elastic pressure bodies stacked with the body of the motor.
Moreover, because the extensions of the holder that project from both sides of the U-shaped groove rail are held under pressure by the assembly fitting of the divided equipment case of the electronic equipment, when the extensions of the holder that project from both sides of the U-shaped groove rail are held on both sides by the equipment case with the circuit board in a central position, the extensions are held under equal pressure and there is no effect of stress deformation on the circuit board; it is possible to fix the circuit board, the holder holding the motor, and all between the sides of the divided equipment case. Therefore, it is possible to reliably convey the vibrations of the vibrating motor to the equipment case of the portable electronic equipment.
Also, the invention of claim 15 is a mounting member for the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 12 through 14, wherein the mounting member of the holder that covers the outside of the external housing case of the motor is made of a rubber-based elastic material.
Accordingly, because the rubber-based elastic material provides both the functions of damping and of shock absorption, it is possible, depending on the properties of the material, to reliably transmit the notification function to the equipment case from the small motor to generate vibrations within the portable electronic equipment. Now, with regard to shock absorption, this is particularly effective as a shock-resistant buffer material in holding the circuit board.
Also, the invention of claim 16 is a mounting member for the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 12 through 14, wherein the mounting member of the holder that covers the outside of the external housing case of the motor is made of a resin-based insulating material.
Accordingly, because the material provides both the functions of electrical insulation and of holding the motor, it is possible, depending on the properties of the material, to assure the electrical safety and the firm positioning of the vibration-generating small-sized motor within the portable electronic equipment. Further, the notification function can be transmitted to the equipment case from the vibration-generating small-sized motor within the portable electronic equipment more directly and more reliably.
Also, the invention of claim 17 is a portable electronic equipment of any one of claims 1 through 11, 15, and 16, wherein there is provided a vibration-generating small-sized motor that includes a mechanism to generate a vibration using an eccentric weight and that is mounted inside a portable electronic equipment equipped with an electrode or a power supply land on a circuit board, the motor comprises within an external housing case thereof a stator and a rotor, a commutation mechanism, a power supply terminal that connects electrically with the electrode or power supply land of the electronic equipment, and a terminal-blade mount on which the power supply terminal is mounted, wherein the power supply terminal includes a pair of resilient terminal blades that are located on the terminal-blade mount provided at a face of the external housing case of the motor, facing each other and pressing together, and the electrode or the power supply land on the circuit board are clamped between the resilient terminal blades, whereby the vibration-generating small-sized motor can be electrically connected to the power supply of the electronic equipment, wherein the motor includes a power supply mechanism in which each of the terminal blades of the pair of power supply terminals is independently positive or negative, and the circuit board within the electronic equipment includes wiring on both surfaces corresponding to the power supply mechanism.
Accordingly, the present invention enables high connection reliability between the power supply terminal and the electrodes or the power supply lands of the circuit board, which is its object, as well as long-term, and enables stable supply of power (long service life), so that it provides the vibration-generating small-sized motor that has electrically stable operation. Moreover, it enables the dual capabilities of a mounting structure that does not impose an unnecessary stress load on the circuit board and a motor support structure that reliably conveys vibrations to the equipment case of the portable equipment.
Also, the invention of claim 18 is a portable electronic equipment in which is mounted the vibration-generating small-sized motor of any one of claims 1 through 16.
Accordingly, as stated above, the present invention enables high connection reliability between the power supply terminal and the electrodes or the power supply lands of the circuit board, which is its object, as well as long-term, stable supply of power (long service life), and it provides the vibration-generating small-sized motor that has electrically stable operation. Moreover, it enables the dual capabilities of a mounting structure that does not impose an unnecessary stress load on the circuit board and a motor support structure that reliably conveys vibrations to the equipment case of the portable equipment.
The constitution of the first embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below, with reference to
A vibrating motor 1 in
Meanwhile, the power supply terminal 4 is assembled as shown in the figure, with a pair of resilient terminal blades 4a, 4b, which face and approach each other, being attached to the end of the terminal-blade mount 5 parallel to the direction of the axis of the motor, like the stoppers 5a, 5b of the terminal-blade mount 5. This mounting position is in substantially the same plane as the central axis of rotation of the motor which has the cylindrical external housing case 3, making a positionally symmetrical power supply terminal structure. The terminal blades 4a, 4b are a pair of substantially semicircular-curved leaf spring as shown in
The function and operation of the terminal blades 4a, 4b in the terminal-blade mount 5 is explained in
In
The power supply terminals shown in
That is, the power supply terminal 4 is at a face of the external housing case 3, and is electrically connected to the power supply of the electronic equipment when the electrodes or the power supply lands 55 on the circuit board are inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the terminal blades 4a, 4b and held in place between the resilient terminal blades 4a, 4b that face and approach each other on the terminal-blade mount 5.
As an exception, such as the power supply terminal structure shown in
Next, a representative illustration of an example of the vibrating motor 1 mounted within the portable electronic equipment is shown in
Further, the circuit board 50 within the equipment case of the portable electronic equipment is sandwiched, as shown in the figure, between the terminal blades 4a, 4b on the terminal-blade mount 5 of the power supply terminal 4 located at one end of the motor, and it is held in place in a central position within the thickness measurement of the diameter of the motor. Because of this, there is no need for space for the excess height of the conventional structure, shown in
In particular, as apparent from a comparison of
The constitution of the second embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below, with reference to
A vibrating motor 11 in
The power supply terminal 14 shown in
Meanwhile, the power supply terminal 14, as shown in
Further, the mounting position is in substantially the same plane as the axis of rotation of the motor having a cylindrical outer housing case 13; this is a symmetrical power supply terminal structure centered on the spindle of the motor, such that a portion of the flat circuit board can be inserted. Further, the shape of the terminal blades 14a, 14b has contact points on the terminal blades, made of curved leaf spring material as shown in the figure, that are lined up facing each other. Now, the function and operation of the terminal blades 4a, 14a or 14b, 14b in terminal mounts 15, 15 are almost the same as described previously, and so explanation of them has been omitted.
The constitution of the third embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below, with reference to
A vibrating motor 21 in
With regard to a power supply terminal 24, meanwhile, as shown in
Further, the mounting position of the circuit board 50 in this case is in substantially the same plane as the central axis of the motor which has a substantially cylindrical external housing case 23. In this way, the degree of freedom in the basic design of the actual layout, in connection with space problems that accompany reduction of the thickness of portable electronic equipment, is increased.
Further, regarding the shape of the terminal blades 24a, 24b, the terminal blades are curved leaf spring material with a three-dimensional fitting portion as shown in the figure. They face each other so that the contact points are lined up. Now, the function and operation of the terminal blades 24a, 24b in terminal mount 25 are almost the same as described previously, and so explanation of them has been omitted. The stoppers 25a, 25b, however, have somewhat different support locations; the support is not at the tips of the terminal blades 24a, 24b; rather, the support is at the bends along the substantially S-shaped terminal blades, as shown in the figure.
The constitution of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below, with reference to
In
The first big difference is the clearly different location of the connection between the power supply terminal and the electrodes or the power supply lands of the circuit board. The location of the connection in the present invention, shown in
Moreover, considering the pressure on the circuit board 50 that is a problem in the conventional technology, with the structure of the present invention the circuit board 50 is in a central position, and is sandwiched by the two halves of the divided equipment case 100 of the portable electronic equipment; there is elastic support from the extensions 33a, 33b of the holder 33 and a portion of the circuit board 50 is held in the designated position at the center. With this mounting structure, there is no deformation from bending stress on the circuit board 50 itself. For that reason, the rigidity of the portion of the equipment case where the motor is mounted is improved, as is the support strength of the circuit board 50; the mounting is secure.
As shown in
In this way, not only the vibrating motor 1, but also a portion of the circuit board 50 is supported by the extensions 33a, 33a, and 33b, 33b of the holder 33, and when the motor 1 and the circuit board are assembled, the motor 1 is easily mounted by just sliding the edge of the circuit board 50 into the rail 33c. Further, either of the extensions 33a, 33a or 33b, 33b of the holder 33 can be molded of a polymer with the other being molded as a unit with the rubber elastic body so that the holder can be assembled by pushing the rubber elastic body into the opening cut into the circuit board 50 and suspending it there.
Now, the material and shape of the holder are design considerations, and as long as it does not depart from the purport of the invention, the shape of the holder can be square pillar, cylindrical, or some other desired shape. The material of the elastic body can be selected from among any appropriate materials, with the condition that it be able to maintain elasticity over a long period while distorted by compression or tension.
As explained above, the present invention relates to the vibration-generating small-sized motor that operates with the capability of the silent vibration alarm (generally called the “manners mode”), to be mounted primarily in the portable electronic equipment (including portable wireless telephones, PHS, small-sized wireless communications equipment, and also various types of portable information processing terminals). Specifically, it relates to the power feed mechanism connecting the motor to the power supply section of the circuit board within electronic equipment.
According to the present invention, the power supply terminal of the vibrating motor mounted in the portable electronic equipment can be reliably connected electrically to the electrodes or to the power supply lands on the circuit board of the electronic equipment, and can be maintained in the connected state continuously over the long period.
That is, in the present invention, the power supply terminal comprises just the terminal blades which are small pieces that deform flexibly, and it is possible to make the essential length of their contact with the power supply land much shorter than in the conventional technology. Because of this size advantage, it is possible to reduce the material cost of the terminal blades. Moreover, by just sandwiching the power supply land on the circuit board of the electronic equipment between a pair of terminal blades that face and approach each other, it is possible to easily connect the power supply terminal of the motor directly to the power supply of the electronic equipment. Therefore, the connection route of the power supply is shorter, the structure is simpler, and there is no need to provide indirect connection parts in addition to the terminal blades. And so, there is that much less space required, the number of parts is reduced, assembly is easier, and the reliability of connection is improved.
Further, in the present invention, each of the pair of facing terminal blades of the power supply terminal spreads apart in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board and the contact points of the terminal blade contacts the power supply land located on the circuit board that is sandwiched, so that the width of opening of the spring of the resilient terminal blades is determined by the width between the power supply lands located on the two sides of the circuit board, namely essentially by the thickness of the circuit board, and the resiliency is essentially the same in both directions. Moreover, when a portion of the terminal blade comes in contact with the stopper, the resilient terminal blades gain new resiliency characteristics because of the two-point support added by the contact with the stoppers, which improves the resiliency of the terminal blade. Therefore, it is possible to make the firm connection with the power supply lands, and the reliability of the connection at the contact points of the terminal blades is improved.
Furthermore, through the present invention, the extensions of the holder that project on both sides of the groove-shaped rails are held under pressure from the assembly fittings of the divided equipment case of the portable electronic equipment, and so the mounting position of the inserted circuit board is in the center; when the holder extensions on both sides of the rails are assembled with the equipment case on both sides, the extensions are held in place under equal pressure from the equipment case. Accordingly, there is no worry about the effect of stress distortion on the circuit board in the middle; the holder that holds the motor, with the circuit board in a central position, can be fixed in place between the halves of the divided equipment case. Therefore, in the assembled state it is possible to convey the vibrations of the vibrating motor to the equipment case of the portable electronic equipment without fail.
Additionally, according to the present invention, it is possible to hold the motor indirectly, through the holder, in the circuit board within the portable electronic equipment. In connection with the position of the holder which is sandwiched on the plane of the circuit board, or more specifically, because the circuit board is located in the same plane as the central axis of the motor, the central axis of the motor matches the plane of the circuit board, and the space occupied by the power supply terminal connections in the assembled state is within the range of the space occupied by the connections on the circuit board, so that the connections have no substantial effect on the thickness of the equipment in which the motor is mounted. Therefore, compared with the conventional connection and holding structure, in which the resilient terminal, the elastic pressure body, and the motor are stacked up, with this invention there is no need for excess space in the direction of the thickness of the equipment, and smaller, lighter, and thinner portable electronic equipment can be realized.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2002-381309 | Dec 2002 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP03/16415 | 12/22/2003 | WO | 12/27/2005 |