IP Library Granted Patent US 10,751,757
Granted Patent B2
US 10,751,757 · App. 16/242,871 · Granted Aug 25, 2020

Vibration generation device and electronic apparatus

Inventors: Fumio Tamura (Yokohama, JP); Kimio Kumada (Yokohama, JP); Kazuyuki Kubota (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
B06B1/14F03G7/065G06F3/0414
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,751,757
App. No.
16/242,871
Granted
Aug 25, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vibration generation device is provided with a housing, a vibration target component provided to be movable relatively to the housing, an actuator which has a metal base portion, a metal movable portion, a beltlike shape memory alloy disposed between the base portion and the movable portion and in which, when the shape memory alloy receives current application to be changed so that the outer shape becomes small, the movable portion is pushed out in one direction of separating from the base portion in a state where the base portion abuts on a first wall surface of the housing, a resin holder component fixed to the vibration target component and abutting on a pushing surface facing the one direction of the movable portion, and an elastic member elastically energizing the movable portion in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Claims (33)

1. A vibration generation device comprising:

a housing;

a vibration target component that is movable relative to the housing;

an actuator having a metal base portion, a metal movable portion, and a shape memory alloy in a belt shape and disposed between the base portion and the movable portion and wherein, when the shape memory alloy receives electrical current that reduces a size of an outer shape, the movable portion is pushed out in one direction of separation from the base portion when the base portion abuts a first wall surface of the housing;

a resin holder component fixed to the vibration target component and abutting a pushing surface facing the one direction of the movable portion;

an elastic member configured to elastically energize the movable portion in a direction opposite to the one direction;

the holder component, the vibration target component, and the elastic member are fixed using a first screw;

the elastic member is made of metal, and

the elastic member and the movable portion are insulated by the holder component.

2. The vibration generation device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the actuator, the holder component, and the elastic member are closer to one side from a center portion of the vibration target component when a vibration direction of the vibration target component is used as a reference.

3. A vibration generation device comprising:

a housing;

a vibration target component that is movable relative to the housing;

an actuator having a metal base portion, a metal movable portion, and a shape memory alloy in a belt shape and disposed between the base portion and the movable portion and wherein, when the shape memory alloy receives electrical current that reduces a size of an outer shape, the movable portion is pushed out in one direction of separation from the base portion when the base portion abuts a first wall surface of the housing;

a resin holder component fixed to the vibration target component and abutting a pushing surface facing the one direction of the movable portion; and

an elastic member configured to elastically energize the movable portion in a direction opposite to the one direction; and

the movable portion is fixed to the holder component by second screws in both end portions with the pushing surface interposed between both end portions.

4. The vibration generation device according to claim 3 , wherein:

the actuator, the holder component, and the elastic member are closer to one side from a center portion of the vibration target component when a vibration direction of the vibration target component is used as a reference.

5. A vibration generation device comprising:

a housing;

a vibration target component that is movable relative to the housing;

an actuator having a metal base portion, a metal movable portion, and a shape memory alloy in a belt shape and disposed between the base portion and the movable portion and wherein, when the shape memory alloy receives electrical current that reduces a size of an outer shape, the movable portion is pushed out in one direction of separation from the base portion when the base portion abuts a first wall surface of the housing;

a resin holder component fixed to the vibration target component and abutting a pushing surface facing the one direction of the movable portion;

an elastic member configured to elastically energize the movable portion in a direction opposite to the one direction;

the housing has a placement surface on which the vibration target component is placed in a movable state, and has an opening portion in a part of the placement surface,

the holder component is fixed, through the opening portion, to an opposite surface to the placement surface of the vibration target component, and

the holder component and the actuator are configured to be movable inside the opening portion.

6. The vibration generation device according to claim 5 , wherein:

the housing has the first wall surface in a first edge portion of the opening portion and on which the base portion abuts, and has a second wall surface in a second edge portion facing the first edge portion of the opening portion and on which the elastic member abuts.

7. The vibration generation device according to claim 5 , wherein:

the actuator, the holder component, and the elastic member are closer to one side from a center portion of the vibration target component when a vibration direction of the vibration target component is used as a reference.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2022
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 060651/0634 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: TAMURA, FUMIO; KUMADA, KIMIO; KUBOTA, KAZUYUKI
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 048033/0330 →