Haptic solenoid

• US 8,963,665 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tokyo Parts Industrial Company Limited (SMC Kabushiki Kaisha)
• Original Assignee: Tokyo Parts Industrial Company Limited (SMC Kabushiki Kaisha)
• Inventors: Sawaguchi, Takami
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US14/041,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20140132375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 335/274
• US Class Current: 335/274
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/02 with armatures moved one way by energisation of a single coil system and returned by mechanical force, e.g. by springs

Abstract

A haptic solenoid comprises a base member, a fixed pole which is fixed in place on the base member and which has a coil. A mobile pole is arranged facing the fixed pole with a gap therebetween and which moves by way of being attracted to the fixed pole when power is supplied to the coil. Elastic members which are made from a metallic material and which bias the mobile pole in a direction that distances the mobile pole from the fixed pole when power is not supplied to the coil and guide mechanisms, which guide the movement of the mobile pole. The guide mechanisms are configured so as to guide the movement of the mobile pole so that the mobile pole can only move in a direction facing the fixed pole.

Claims

1. A haptic solenoid used for providing vibration to a vibrated body comprising:

a base member having a flat upper surface;

a fixed pole which is fixed in place on the flat upper surface of said base member and on which a coil is wound;

a mobile pole, which is arranged on the flat upper surface of said base member facing said fixed pole with a gap therebetween and which moves by way of being magnetically attracted to said fixed pole when power is supplied to said coil;

an elastic member which biases said mobile pole in a direction that distances said mobile pole from said fixed pole when power is not supplied to said coil;

a guide mechanism which guides the movement of said mobile pole,

wherein said elastic member is made from a metallic material, and said guide mechanism guides the movement of said mobile pole so that said mobile pole can only move in a direction facing said fixed pole with said mobile pole in contact with the flat upper surface of said base member.

2. The haptic solenoid according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is made from a nonmagnetic metallic material.

3. The haptic solenoid according to claim 1, wherein said guide mechanism comprises a guiding part provided on said base member and a guided part which engages with said guiding part and which is provided on said mobile pole.

4. The haptic solenoid according to claim 3, wherein said guided part is provided at both ends of said mobile pole in said facing direction.

5. The haptic solenoid according to claim 3, wherein said base member and said guiding part are integrally formed from a synthetic resin, and said guided part is formed integrally with said mobile pole by way of the extension of a portion of said mobile pole.

6. The haptic solenoid according to claim 1, wherein one side of said elastic member is coupled to said base member or said fixed pole at multiple locations, and the other side of said elastic member is coupled to said mobile pole in multiple locations.

7. The haptic solenoid according to claim 1, comprising a stopper with which said mobile pole makes contact as a result of the biasing force of said elastic member.

8. The haptic solenoid according to claim 1, wherein said mobile pole comprises a part for attachment to said vibrated body.