Vibratory linear actuator and electric toothbrush using the same

• US 20060158048A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Hiroaki, Nishinaka, Takahiro, Motohashi, Ryo, Yabuuchi, Hidekazu, Kobayashi, Noboru, Kanada, Kensaku
• Granted Patent: US 7,495,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/12.40
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/04 wherein the frequency of operation is determined by the frequency of uninterrupted AC energisation
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/16 with polarised armatures moving in alternate directions by reversal or energisation of a single coil system

Abstract

A vibratory linear actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a stator having a through hole therein and a winding wire therearound, a movable member having a through hole therein and a member made of a magnetic material, said movable member being provided inside said through hole of said stator, so as to reciprocate in an axis direction upon an application of electric current to said winding wire, a shaft inserted into said through hole of said movable member so as to be movable reciprocally in relation to said movable member, and a coordinating member that enables said shaft to reciprocate in opposite phase to said movable member.

Claims

1. A vibratory linear actuator comprising:

a stator having a through hole therein and a winding wire therearound,

a movable member having a through hole therein and a member made of a magnetic material, said movable member being provided inside said through hole of said stator, so as to reciprocate in an axis direction upon an application of electric current to said winding wire,

a shaft inserted into said through hole of said movable member so as to be movable reciprocally in relation to said movable member, and

a coordinating member that enables said shaft to reciprocate in opposite phase to said movable member.

2. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein said movable member is supported by a bearing member disposed between said shaft and said movable member.

3. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein said movable member is supported by a bearing member disposed between said stator and said movable member.

4. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing member includes a rolling element and a support member made of a nonmagnetic material for supporting said rolling element.

5. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 3, wherein said bearing member includes a rolling element and a support member made of a nonmagnetic material for supporting said rolling element.

6. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing member includes a rolling element made of a nonmagnetic material and a support member for supporting said rolling element.

7. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 3, wherein said bearing member includes a rolling element made of a nonmagnetic material and a support member for supporting said rolling element.

8. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein said coordinating member is a spring member connecting said movable member and said shaft.

9. A vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein said coordinating member is a link member connecting said movable member and said shaft.

10. An electric toothbrush comprising a vibratory linear actuator as recited in claim 1 as a driving source and a brush for brushing teeth, said brush being driven by said shaft.