(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`KAJIWARA et al.
`
`US 20090267423A1
`
`(io) Pub. No.: US 2009/0267423 Al
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 29, 2009
`
`(54) ELECTROMAGNETIC EXCITER
`
`Jan. 9, 2009 (JP) .................................. 2009-003850
`
`(76) Inventors:
`
`Hiroo KAJIWARA.
`Yamanashi-ken (JP); Naoki Miura,
`Yamanashi-ken (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
`1030 15th Street, N.W.„ Suite 400 East
`Washington, DC 20005-1503 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`.:
`Appl.No
`
`12/427,446
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 21, 2009
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 23, 2008
`May 22, 2008
`Jul. 9, 2008
`Oct. 30, 2008
`Nov. 12, 2008
`
`(JP) .................................... 2008-112026
`(JP) .................................... 2008-134658
`(JP) .................................... 2008-178633
`(JP) .................................... 2008-280390
`(JP) .................................... 2008-290299
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int.Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H02K 33/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.................................................... 310/36; 310/38
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An electromagnetic exciter that enables thickness reduction
`has a casing, a stator having an electromagnet and fixed in the
`casing, an oscillator having a permanent magnet, and an
`elastic support member that positions the oscillator in hori­
`zontally-opposed relation to the stator at a distance between
`them and that supports the oscillator oscillatably in a direc­
`tion parallel to the stator. The elastic support member has a
`fixed portion fixed to the casing and a pair of arms extending
`from the fixed portion toward the stator along side surfaces of
`the oscillator to support the oscillator oscillatably. The oscil­
`lator is oscillated by an alternating magnetic field generated
`by application of an alternating voltage to the electromagnet
`of the stator.
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 1 of 29
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`US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig- 1]
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`[Fig- 2]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 2 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 3]
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`[Fig. 4]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 3 of 29
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`[Fig. 5]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 4 of 29
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 6 of 29
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 7 of 29
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`[Fig. 10]
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`2 0
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 9 of 29
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`[Fig. 12]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 10 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 13]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 11 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 14]
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`4 b 2 b
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`2 0
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 12 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 13 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig- 17]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 14 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 18]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 15 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 19]
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`Í
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`bO
`a
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`0
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`4 0
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`80
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`120 160 200
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`Time T (msec) ------ =*•
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 16 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 20]
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`Frequency (Hz)
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 17 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 21]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 18 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 22]
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`2 0
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 19 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig- 23]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 20 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 24]
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`[Fig. 25]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 21 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 26]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 22 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 28]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 23 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 29]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 24 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 30]
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`2 0
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`2 5
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 25 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 26 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig- 32]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 27 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig. 33]
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 29, 2009 Sheet 28 of 29 US 2009/0267423 Al
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`[Fig- 35]
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`[Fig. 36]
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`Oc' 29’^ s,
`ee,^of29
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`Al
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`US 2009/0267423 Al
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`1
`
`Oct. 29, 2009
`
`ELECTROMAGNETIC EXCITER
`
`[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119 to Japanese Patent application No. JP2008-112026 filed
`on Apr. 23, 2008, Japanese Patent application No. JP2008-
`134658 filed on May 22, 2008, Japanese Patent application
`No. JP2OO8-178633 filed on Jul. 9, 2008, Japanese Patent
`application No. JP2008-280390 filed on Oct. 30, 2008, Japa­
`nese Patent application No. JP2008-290299 filed on Nov. 12,
`2008, and Japanese Patent application No. JP2009-003850
`filed on Jan. 9, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby
`incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`[0002] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic
`exciter that can be incorporated in thin mobile devices such as
`mobile phones.
`
`RELATED ART
`[0003] Conventionally, thin mobile devices such as mobile
`phones generate ringtones to indicate an incoming call or a
`schedule and additionally have a vibration-generating device
`to inform the user of an incoming call or the like by vibration
`in trains or at meetings where noises should not be made.
`[0004] Conventional vibration-generating devices have an
`eccentric rotary weight attached to a rotating shaft of a motor
`to generate vibration by rotating the rotary weight with the
`motor to inform the user of an incoming call. A vibration­
`generating device with such a structure, however, has a cir­
`cular cylindrical configuration as a whole due to the cylindri­
`cal motor configuration and the rotary weight configurations
`and is therefore unsuitable for thickness reduction. Further,
`because the eccentric weight is rotated to generate vibration,
`the rotating shaft is subjected to an excessive stress, which
`gives rise to problems in terms of durability and reliability.
`[0005] There have been proposed transverse vibration-type
`electromagnetic exciters that can achieve thickness reduction
`as compared to the above-described cylindrical vibration­
`generating device (for example, see Japanese Patent Applica­
`tion Publication Nos. 2001-179178 and 2002-143770). A
`transverse vibration-type electromagnetic exciter has an elec­
`tromagnet block fixed to a terminal-equipped base and a
`permanent magnet block oscillatably attached to the base.
`The electromagnetic coil of the electromagnet block gener­
`ates an alternating magnetic field in response to an alternating
`current applied to the coil of the electromagnet block, thus
`causing oscillation of the permanent magnet block to gener­
`ate vibration.
`[0006] The electromagnetic exciter disclosed in Japanese
`Patent Application Publication No. 2001-179178 has a stator
`having magnetic pole faces on its right and left sides, respec­
`tively, and a U-shaped oscillator having magnetic pole arms
`on its right and left sides, respectively. The right and left
`magnetic pole arms are positioned at the right and left sides,
`respectively, of the stator to face the right and left magnetic
`pole faces of the movable electromagnet. An elastic support
`member is secured at its one end to the oscillator and at its
`other end to the stator. The oscillator is vibrated transversely
`by applying an alternating voltage to the stator. Accordingly,
`this electromagnetic exciter cannot increase the amplitude of
`the vibration of the oscillator. In the electromagnetic exciter
`disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
`
`2002-143770, an elastic support member is secured at its one
`end to an oscillator and at its other end to a stator. The
`oscillator is disposed above the stator. Therefore, the height of
`the electromagnetic exciter increases, making it difficult to
`reduce the thickness of a mobile device into which the elec­
`tromagnetic exciter is incorporated.
`[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the
`above-described problems. Accordingly, an object of the
`present invention is to provide a transverse vibration-type
`electromagnetic exciter that enables reduction in thickness of
`a mobile device into which the electromagnetic exciter is
`incorporated.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0008] The present invention provides an electromagnetic
`exciter including a casing, a stator having an electromagnet
`and fixed in the casing, an oscillator having a permanent
`magnet, and an elastic support member that positions the
`oscillator in horizontally-opposed relation to the stator at a
`distance between each other and that supports the oscillator
`oscillatably in a direction parallel to the stator. The elastic
`support member has a fixed portion fixed to the casing and a
`pair of arms extending from the fixed portion toward the stator
`along side surfaces of the oscillator to support the oscillator
`oscillatably. The oscillator is oscillated by an alternating
`magnetic field generated by application of an alternating volt­
`age to the electromagnet of the stator.
`[0009] Specifically, at least a part of each of the arms of the
`elastic support member may be fixed to the associated side of
`the oscillator. The distal end portions of the arms may be fixed
`to the two sides of the oscillator, respectively.
`[0010] The distal end portions of the arms of the elastic
`support member may be bent from both sides of the oscillator
`to face each other and fixed to a surface of the oscillator that
`faces the stator.
`[0011] Deformable members may be clamped between the
`arms of the elastic support member and the side surfaces of
`the oscillator corresponding to the arms, respectively.
`[0012] The pair of arms and the fixed portion of the elastic
`support member may be integrally formed together in a sub­
`stantially U-shape.
`[0013] The arms of the elastic support member, which are
`extending along the sides of the oscillator, are opposed each
`other and a distance between distal end portions of the arms is
`shorter than a distance between portions other than the distal
`end portions of the arms.
`[0014] The distal ends of the pair of arms may be integrally
`connected together.
`[0015] The permanent magnet may have been magnetized
`in a direction parallel to the stator and have two magnetic pole
`members respectively secured to the permanent magnet at
`opposite ends in the direction parallel to the stator.
`[0016] The oscillator may further have a weight disposed
`between the pair of arms of the elastic support member while
`being disposed between the fixed portion, on the one hand,
`and, on the other, the permanent magnet and the two magnetic
`pole members. The weight may be secured to at least one of
`the permanent magnet and the two magnetic pole members.
`[0017] The permanent magnet, the two magnetic pole
`members and the weight of the oscillator may be planarly
`disposed in the elastic support member and integrated
`together.
`[0018] The oscillator may further have a U-shaped mag­
`netic pole member having a pair of magnetic pole portions
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`and a connecting portion that connects together the magnetic
`pole portions, the magnetic pole portions extending toward
`the stator at a distance between them in a direction parallel to
`the stator. The permanent magnet may be disposed within the
`magnetic pole member.
`[0019] The oscillator may further have a weight disposed
`between the pair of arms of the elastic support member and
`secured to the magnetic pole member.
`[0020] The distal end portions of the arms of the elastic
`support member may be secured to the two magnetic pole
`members, respectively.
`[0021] The electromagnetic exciter may further include a
`substrate to which the stator and the oscillator are mounted.
`The casing may be disposed on the substrate, and the elastic
`support member may support the oscillator oscillatably in a
`direction parallel to the substrate.
`[0022] The fixed portion of the elastic support member may
`be fixed to a side wall of the casing.
`[0023] The fixed portion of the pair of integrally connected
`arms of the elastic support member may be fixed to the casing.
`[0024] The permanent magnet of the oscillator may be
`secured to a part of the magnetic pole member.
`[0025] The permanent magnet of the oscillator may be
`spaced from the pair of magnetic pole portions of the mag­
`netic pole member and secured to the connecting portion of
`the magnetic pole member.
`[0026] The permanent magnet of the oscillator may have
`been magnetized in a direction in which the magnetic pole
`portions of the magnetic pole member extend.
`[0027] Two magnetic paths may be formed between the
`permanent magnet of the oscillator, the magnetic pole por­
`tions of the magnetic pole member and the stator.
`[0028] The fixed portion of the elastic support member may
`have an extension extending from a part of the fixed portion.
`The extension may also be fixed to the casing.
`[0029] The electromagnet of the stator may be formed from
`a magnetic piece extending in a direction parallel to the oscil­
`lator and a coil wound around the magnetic piece.
`[0030] The permanent magnet of the oscillator may have
`been magnetized in a direction toward the stator.
`[0031] The oscillator may further have a support that sup­
`ports the oscillator.
`[0032] The support and the elastic support member may be
`formed as a one-piece member.
`[0033] The support and the elastic support member may be
`formed from a single metal plate.
`[0034] The support may be rectangular in shape, and the
`pair of arms of the elastic support member may be configured
`to surround the oscillator supported by the support.
`[0035] The support and the elastic support member may be
`connected together at least a part of each of them.
`[0036] The oscillator may be secured to the support.
`[0037] The deformable members may be made of a resin.
`[0038] The elastic support member and a connecting por­
`tion of the support may be connected to each other through a
`bent portion.
`[0039] The distal end portions of the pair of arms of the
`elastic support member that are bent to face each other may be
`integrally connected together. The electromagnetic exciter
`may further include a support connected to the elastic support
`member at least a part of the support in the form of a one-piece
`member.
`[0040] Thus, the electromagnetic exciter of the present
`invention has a stator and an oscillator horizontally opposed
`
`in a casing. The oscillator is oscillated in a direction parallel
`to the stator to allow a reduction in thickness of the exciter and
`also a reduction in thickness of a mobile device in which the
`electromagnetic exciter is incorporated.
`[0041] Embodiments of the electromagnetic exciter
`according to the present invention will be explained below
`with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the follow­
`ing description of the various embodiments, substantially the
`same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference
`numerals.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0042] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an electromag­
`netic exciter according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`[0043] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the electro­
`magnetic exciter shown in FIG. 1.
`[0044] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electromagnetic exciter
`in FIG. 1 with an upper casing member removed.
`[0045] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electromagnetic
`exciter taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3.
`[0046] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the electromagnetic
`exciter taken along the line V-V in FIG. 3.
`[0047] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a casing of
`the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 1.
`[0048] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a stator of
`the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 1.
`[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a process of
`assembling the stator.
`[0050] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a way in which
`the stator is assembled.
`[0051] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an oscil­
`lator of the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 1.
`[0052] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the oscillator.
`[0053] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the driving
`operation of the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 1.
`[0054] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the driving
`operation of the electromagnetic exciter.
`[0055] FIG. 14 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, which shows
`a modification of an elastic support member.
`[0056] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing
`the modification of the elastic support member and the oscil­
`lator.
`[0057] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a further modified
`elastic support member.
`[0058] FIG. 17 is a diagram similarto FIG. 14, which shows
`an embodiment in which deformable members are provided
`between the elastic support member and the oscillator.
`[0059] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
`17, which shows one wedge-shaped deformable member
`before being fitted.
`[0060] FIG. 19(a) is a graph showing the damped oscilla­
`tion characteristics of an electromagnetic exciter provided
`with the deformable members.
`[0061] FIG. 19(A) is a graph showing the damped oscilla­
`tion characteristics of an electromagnetic exciter provided
`with no deformable members.
`[0062] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the vibration damping
`characteristics of the electromagnetic exciter when the
`deformable members are provided and when they are not
`provided.
`[0063] FIG. 21(a) is a diagram showing another example of
`a method of producing a deformable member.
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`[0064] FIG. 21(A) is a diagram showing the deformable
`member produced by the method shown in FIG. 21(a).
`[0065] FIG. 22 is an explanatory view schematically show­
`ing a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic exciter shown in
`FIG. 17.
`[0066] FIG. 23 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, which shows
`an electromagnetic exciter according to another embodiment
`of the present invention.
`[0067] FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line.
`XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23.
`[0068] FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line
`XXV-XXV in FIG. 23.
`[0069] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a casing
`and a circuit board of the electromagnetic exciter shown in
`FIG. 23.
`[0070] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of a stator
`of the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 23.
`[0071] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the stator.
`[0072] FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of an oscil­
`lator of the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 23.
`[0073] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the oscil­
`lator and an elastic support member.
`[0074] FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining an operation of
`the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 23.
`[0075] FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining an operation of
`the electromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 23.
`[0076] FIG. 33 is a diagram similar to FIG. 23, which shows
`an electromagnetic exciter according to still another embodi­
`ment of the present invention.
`[0077] FIG. 34 is a plan view of a blank before it is folded
`to form an elastic support member and a support of the elec­
`tromagnetic exciter shown in FIG. 33.
`[0078] FIG. 35 is a plan view of the elastic support member
`and the support formed as a one-piece member by folding the
`blank shown in FIG. 34.
`[0079] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the elastic support
`member and the support shown in FIG. 35.
`[0080] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the oscillator and
`the elastic support member of the electromagnetic exciter
`shown in FIG. 33.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`[0081] FIGS. 1 to 13 show an electromagnetic exciter 1
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The
`electromagnetic exciter 1 has a flat casing comprising a lower
`casing member 2 and an upper casing member 3. The elec­
`tromagnetic exciter 1 further has a vibration generating part
`set in the casing. A circuit board 5 is mounted on the bottom
`of the lower casing member 2. Connection to an external
`circuit is made through external connection terminals 5a pro­
`vided at four comers of the circuit board 5.
`[0082] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the electromagnetic
`exciter 1 in FIG. 1 with the upper casing member 3 removed
`to allow the vibration generating part of the electromagnetic
`exciter 1 to be seen. In the lower casing member 2, a stator 10
`and an oscillator 20 are horizontally opposed. The stator 10
`comprises a yoke member 12, a pole piece 13, and an elec­
`tromagnetic coil 14 (see FIGS. 7 to 9) and is secured to the
`lower casing member 2 by bonding or welding, for example.
`The oscillator 20 has a permanent magnet 21, magnetic mem­
`bers 22 and 23, and a weight 24 that are integrally accommo­
`dated and secured in a support 25 (see FIGS. 10 and 11),
`which is in the shape of a tray in the illustrated example. The
`oscillator 20 is oscillatably supported by two arms 4a of a
`
`substantially U-shaped elastic support member 4 fixed to one
`side wall 2 A of the lower casing member 2. In the embodiment
`shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the support 25 has a bottom wall
`and three side walls to support the oscillator 20.
`[0083] Specifically, the elastic support member 4 has a
`fixed portion 4A fixed to the side wall 2A of the lower casing
`member 2. The distal end portions of the arms 4a extending
`from the opposite ends of the fixed portion 4A are secured to
`the oscillator 20 to hold it from both sides, thus allowing the
`oscillator 20 to oscillate relative to the lower casing member
`2.
`[0084] The oscillator 20 is larger in size than the stator 10
`and has the weight 24 to increase its weight to generate an
`increased vibration force.
`[0085] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electromagnetic
`exciter 1 taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, which shows the
`way in which the stator 10 is fixed to the lower casing member
`2. As shown in the figure, the yoke member 12 is fixed to the
`lower casing member 2, and the pole piece 13 is fixed to the
`yoke member 12. The coil 14 is set around the pole piece 13.
`The coil 14 is separated from the lower casing member 2 to
`prevent the occurrence of a short circuit or other electric
`problem.
`[0086] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the electromagnetic
`exciter 1 taken along the line V-V in FIG. 3, which shows the
`positional relationship of the stator 10 and the oscillator 20
`relative to the lower casing member 2.
`[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower casing member 2 has
`side walls 2a, 2b and 2c and a bottom 2d. To the side wall 2c,
`the stator 10 is fixed. To the side wall 2A, the oscillator 20 is
`connected through the elastic support member 4. The bottom
`2d has an opening 2e formed at a position where the stator 10
`is disposed. Through the opening 2e, the terminal wires of the
`coil 14 constituting the stator 10 are electrically connected to
`the external connection terminals 5a of the circuit board 5.
`[0088] FIGS. 7 to 9 show the process of assembling the
`stator 10. In FIG. 7, the yoke member 12 is integrally formed
`with two magnetic pole portions 12a and 12A and a connect­
`ing portion 12c that connects together the magnetic pole
`portions 12a and 12A. The connecting portion 12c is provided
`on its inner side with a recess 12<f for securing the pole piece
`13.
`[0089] The pole piece 13 has two pole portions 13a and 13A
`provided to be opposed each other across a cut portion 13c
`and has at its rear end a projection 13d and flange portions 13e
`provided on two opposite sides, respectively, of the pole piece
`13 adjacently to the projection 13c?. The coil 14 is an air-core
`coil and provided with terminal wires 14a and 14A.
`[0090] FIG. 8 shows a magnetic base formed by assembling
`together the yoke member 12 and the pole piece 13. The
`projection 13c? and the flange portions 13e of the pole piece 13
`are fitted into the recess 12c? of the yoke member 12 and
`wholly secured by using an adhesive. Alternatively, the pole
`piece 13 is secured to the yoke member 12 by welding the
`flange portions 13e. As shown in FIG. 9, the coil 14 is fitted
`onto the pole piece 13 to complete the stator 10. The magnetic
`pole portion 12a and the pole portion 13a, which face each
`other across a gap, form one magnetic pole pair. The magnetic
`pole portion 12A and the pole portion 13A, which face each
`other across a gap, form one magnetic pole pair.
`[0091] The arrangement of the stator 10 may be as follows.
`The pole piece 13 may be bonded directly to the inner side of
`the connecting portion 12c of the yoke member without pro­
`viding a recess like the one 12c? on the inner side of the
`
`IPR2022-00059
`Apple EX1006 Page 33
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`US 2009/0267423 Al
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`4
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`Oct. 29, 2009
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`connecting portion 12c. Alternatively, the yoke member 12
`may comprise two split portions, which are bonded to the
`opposite ends of the pole piece 13.
`[0092] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the oscillator 20 has
`a permanent magnet 21, two magnetic members 22 and 23
`and a weight 24 accommodated in a support 25 having a
`tray-like shape in the illustrated example and secured to it by
`using an adhesive or an adhesive sheet. The support 25 in this
`embodiment has a bottom wall and three side walls. Regard­
`ing the elastic support member 4, the fixed portion 4b is wider
`in width than the distal end portions 4c of the two arms 4a to
`enhance the adhesion between the elastic support member 4
`and the lower casing member 2.
`[0093] In order to increase the vibration output of the oscil­
`lator 20, in this embodiment, the permanent magnet 21 is
`made of a neodymium sintered alloy, which is excellent in
`magnetic characteristics and having a relatively high specific
`gravity of 7.4. The weight 24 is made of a tungsten alloy
`having a specific gravity of 15 to 18, which is a high specific
`gravity material. The magnetic members 22 and 23 are made
`of an SPCC (mild iron or steel), which also has a relatively
`high specific gravity of 7.85. The oscillator 20 is made less
`costly by using materials of a relatively high specific gravity
`to form the permanent magnet 21 and the magnetic members
`22 and 23, and thus reducing the amount of tungsten alloy,
`which is a costly material, used to form the weight 24.
`[0094] To secure the oscillator 20 to the lower casing mem­
`ber 2 with the elastic support member 4, first, the fixed portion
`4b of the elastic support member 4 and the side wall 2b of the
`lower casing member 2, which is disposed to face the fixed
`portion 4b, are positioned relative to each other by using a jig
`and, in this state, welded together. Next, the oscillator 20 is
`clamped between the two arms 4a of the elastic support
`member 4 by using their elasticity, and the distal end portions
`4c of the two arms 4a of the elastic support member 4 are
`welded and secured to the forward ends 25a of the side wall
`surfaces of the support 25 of the oscillator 20. This securing
`process is preferable from the viewpoint of mass-production.
`The present invention is, however, not limited to the described
`process.
`[0095] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the operation of the elec­
`tromagnetic exciter 1. FIGS. 12 and 13 show two different
`states of the electromagnetic exciter 1 in which an electric
`current flows through the coil 14 in opposite directions Pl and
`P2. In the electromagnetic exciter 1, a first magnetic circuit
`LI is formed by only the permanent magnet 21, and a second
`magnetic circuit L2 and a third magnetic circuit L3 are
`formed by the coil 14 and the permanent magnet 21.
`[0096] When no driving signal is supplied between termi­
`nals T1 and T2 (connected to the external connection termi­
`nals 5a of the circuit board 5) connected to the terminal wires
`14a and 14/? of the coil 14, the oscillator 20 is kept stationary
`by the static retaining force of the first magnetic circuit LI
`formed by the yoke member 12 of the stator 10 and the
`permanent magnet 21 of the oscillator 20. The relationship
`between the magnetic pole portions of the stator 10 and the
`magnetic poles of the permanent magnet 21 of the oscillator
`20 concerning the generation of the retaining force in the
`above-described stationary state is mainly as follows. Mag­
`netic attraction forces are acting between the magnetic mem­
`ber 22 at the north pole side of the permanent magnet 21 and
`the magnetic pole portion 12a of the yoke member 12, and
`between the magnetic member 23 at the south pole side of the
`permanent magnet 21 and the magnetic pole portion 12b of
`
`the yoke member 12 to keep the oscillator 20 stationary. In
`addition, magnetic attraction forces are acting between the
`magnetic member 22 at the north pole side of the permanent
`magnet 21 and the pole portion 13a of the pole piece 13, and
`between the magnetic member 23 at the south pole side of the
`permanent magnet 21 and the pole portion 13A of the pole
`piece 13.
`[0097] In the above-described stationary state, if a positive
`voltage is supplied to the terminal T1 and a negative voltage
`to the terminal T2, as shown in FIG. 12, an electric current
`flows through the coil 14 in the direction Pl. The electric
`current flowing through the coil 14 generates a south pole in
`the pole portions 13a and 13 A of the pole piece 13 and a north
`pole in the magnetic pole portions 12a and 12A of the yoke
`member 12. As a result, a second magnetic circuit L2 is
`formed between the magnetic member 22 of the oscillator 20,
`the magnetic pole portion 12a of the yoke member 12 and the
`pole portion 13a of the pole piece 13 of the stator 10. In
`addition, a third magnetic circuit L3 is formed between the
`magnetic member 23 of the oscillator 20, the magnetic pole
`portion 12A of the yoke member 12 and the pole portion 12b
`of the pole piece 13 of the stator 10.
`[0098] In the second magnetic circuit L2 formed as stated
`above, a magnetic repulsion force is generated between the
`north pole of the magnetic member 22 and the north pole of
`the magnetic pole portion 12a, and a magnetic attraction force
`is generated between the north pole of the magnetic member
`22 and the south pole of the pole portion 13a. Consequently,
`a driving force is generated in the direction of the arrow Fl.
`Similarly, in the third magnetic circuit L3, a magnetic repul­
`sion force is generated between the south pole of the magnetic
`member 23 and the south pole of the pole portion 13A, and a
`magnetic attraction force is generated between the south pole
`of the magnetic member 23 and the north pole of the magnetic
`pole portion 12A. Consequently, a driving force is generated
`in the direction of the arrow Fl. Thus, both the second and
`third magnetic circuits L2 and L3 generate driving forces in
`the direction of the arrow Fl. Receiving the driving forces, the
`oscillator 20, which is oscillatably retained by the elastic
`support member 4, moves in the direction of the arrow Fl.
`[0099] When the voltage supplied between the terminals
`T1 and T2 is reversed in polarity as shown in FIG. 13, the
`polarities of the second and third magnetic circuits L2 and L3
`become opposite to those in the case of FIG. 12. Conse­
`quently, the oscillator 20 receives driving forces