IP Library Granted Patent US 9,350,220
Granted Patent B2
US 9,350,220 · App. 13/747,019 · Granted May 24, 2016

Vibration generator moving vibrator by magnetic field generated by coil and holder used in vibration-generator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,350,220
App. No.
13/747,019
Granted
May 24, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vibration generator includes a vibrator, a holder, and a plurality of coils. The vibrator includes a magnet and has a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface. The holder is attached to a chassis and holds the vibrator such that the vibrator can be displaced with respect to the vibrator. The plurality of coils generate a magnetic field for changing at least one of a position and a posture of the vibrator with respect to the chassis. Each of the plurality of coils is a thin coil, and is arranged face to face with the vibrator. The vibrator can move at least according to magnetization of the coils, while deforming a portion of the holder.

Claims (16)

1. A vibration generator comprising:

a vibrator including a magnet and having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface;

a holder being attached to a chassis and holding said vibrator such that said vibrator is able to be displaced with respect to said chassis;

a plurality of coils for generating a magnetic field for changing at least one of a position and a posture of said vibrator with respect to said chassis, wherein

each of said plurality of coils is a thin coil and is arranged face to face with said vibrator,

said vibrator is movable, in a movement direction, according to at least magnetization of said coils while deforming a portion of said holder, said movement direction including a first movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface, and a second movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface and perpendicular to said first movement direction, and

said plurality of coils includes a plurality of first coils and a plurality of second coils, said plurality of first coils being configured to move said vibrator in said first movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface, and said plurality of second coils being configured to move said vibrator in said second movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface and perpendicular to said first movement direction, said first coils being different from said second coils.

2. The vibration generator according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of coils is arranged such that said movement direction of said vibrator changes when a mode of supplying a current to said plurality of coils is changed.

3. The vibration generator according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of coils is arranged at a position corresponding to at least one of said first movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface and said second movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface and perpendicular to said first movement direction.

4. The vibration generator according to claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of coils is arranged at a position corresponding to a direction rotated by 45 degrees, about an axis perpendicular to said horizontal surface, from each of said first movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface, and said second movement direction parallel to said horizontal surface and perpendicular to said first movement direction.

5. The vibration generator according to claim 1 , wherein said vibrator is held by said holder such that said vibrator periodically performs a posture change with respect to an axis perpendicular to said horizontal surface when said plurality of coils is supplied with a current in a predetermined current supply mode.

6. The vibration generator according to claim 1 , wherein said holder includes

a vibrator retention unit holding said vibrator,

a fixing unit fixed to said chassis, and

an arm connecting said fixing unit and said vibrator retention unit to each other, and supporting said vibrator retention unit such that said vibrator is able to be displaced with respect to said fixing unit, wherein

said holder is structured such that said fixing unit, said arm, and said vibrator retention unit are integrally molded using a resin.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2020
From: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
To: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
Reel/Frame 051803/0293 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 19, 2013
From: MINEBEA MOTOR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
To: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 030668/0593 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2013
From: KURODA, MINORU
To: MINEBEA MOTOR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029779/0877 →