Vibrator and elastic coupling member forming same

1. A vibrator comprising:

a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap;

a voice coil having a coil arranged in the magnetic gap and a bobbin around which the coil is wound on one end side;

a flange member coupled to the other end side of the bobbin protruding from the magnetic circuit; and

an elastic coupling member coupling the magnetic circuit and the flange member so that the magnetic circuit and the flange member can vibrate relative to each other,

wherein the elastic coupling member

includes a first fixed portion coupled to the magnetic circuit, a second fixed portion coupled to the flange member, and an elastic deformation portion coupling the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion via an elastically-deformable coupling portion,

is configured such that the first fixed portion, the second fixed portion, and the elastic deformation portion are integrally formed, and

substantially houses the magnetic circuit, the voice coil, and the flange member inside.

2. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic coupling member is formed such that multiple integrated members of the first fixed portion, the second fixed portion, and the elastic deformation portion are coupled to each other.

3. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the first fixed portion, the second fixed portion, and the coupling portion of the elastic deformation portion in the elastic coupling member are formed to have a substantially identical outer dimension.

4. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic deformation portion of the elastic coupling member is formed such that multiple coupling portions are arranged in an annular shape, and defines, between adjacent ones of the coupling portions, a hole through which air can pass along a second direction substantially perpendicular to a first direction in which the magnetic circuit and the flange member vibrate relative to each other.

5. The vibrator according to claim 4 , further comprising:

a dustproof member formed from a member exhibiting air permeability and dust resistance and covering the hole defined by the elastic deformation portion of the elastic coupling member.

6. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the first fixed portion, the second fixed portion, and the elastic deformation portion of the elastic coupling member are formed to include an identical material.

7. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion of the elastic coupling member are formed to include a material different from that forming the elastic deformation portion.

8. The vibrator according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic coupling member is formed in a substantially annular shape or a substantially U-shape in such a manner that a base formed in a strip shape is rolled up, and is formed in the substantially annular shape or the substantially U-shape in such a manner that one end and the other end of the first fixed portion are moved close to each other and one end and the other end of the second fixed portion are moved close to each other.

9. The vibrator according to claim 8 , wherein

the elastic coupling member has multiple cutouts on at least one surface side of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion of the base formed in the strip shape, and is formed in the substantially annular shape or the substantially U-shape in such a manner that inclined surfaces defining each cutout come close to each other to curve the base.

10. The vibrator according to claim 9 , wherein

the elastic deformation portion of the elastic coupling member is formed such that multiple coupling portions are arranged in an annular shape, and each cutout is formed at a corresponding position between adjacent ones of the coupling portions.

11. An elastic coupling member forming the vibrator according to claim 1 .