U.S. patent application number 12/302434 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for vibration device.
Invention is credited to Takashi Ohara, Toru Takada.
Application Number | 20090124378 12/302434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38778571 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090124378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takada; Toru ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
VIBRATION DEVICE
Abstract
A vibration device, which can generate impressing vibrations and
is not easily broken even when a large impact of a drop, etc. is
exerted, is provided. A gun-shaped controller 30 includes a barrel
32 and a barrel jacket 34 formed integral and a receiver 36 to a
grip 38 are formed integral. A trigger 37 is provided on the
underside of the receiver 36. Inside the grip 38 of the gun-shaped
controller 30, 2 vibration actuators 40A, 40B are mounted, opposed
to each other. Actual shooting sounds are applied to the vibration
actuators 40A, 40B to thereby realize realistic vibrations of
shooting. The vibration actuators 40A, 40B each includes a coil and
a magnet. The coils are secured to the case members, the magnets
are swingably mounted on the case members 38, and the movements of
the vibrating magnets are restricted by restricting members.
Inventors: |
Takada; Toru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ohara; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1825 EYE STREET NW
Washington
DC
20006-5403
US
|
Family ID: |
38778571 |
Appl. No.: |
12/302434 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 28, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/060785 |
371 Date: |
November 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B06B 1/045 20130101;
A63F 13/837 20140902; A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/8076 20130101;
A63F 13/245 20140902; A63F 2300/1043 20130101; A63F 2300/1037
20130101; A63F 13/285 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/30 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2006 |
JP |
2006-152748 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A vibration device comprising a vibration actuator including a
case, at least a coil and a magnet, and a damper interconnecting
the coil and the magnet with the magnet being movable relatively to
the coil, the vibration actuator including the coil secured to the
inside of the case so that when alternate current is flowed through
the coil, the magnet reciprocates in the direction normal to the
inside of the case, and the vibration actuator comprising: a first
resting part for restricting the reciprocation of the magnet
provided at a position which is away from the magnet by a first
distance in the reciprocation directions of the magnet, which is
away from the inside of the case with the coil secured to; and a
second restricting part for restricting the movement normal to the
reciprocation direction of the magnet provided at a position which
is away from by a second distance from the magnet in the direction
normal to the reciprocation direction of the magnet, wherein the
first distance is a distance larger than a distance over which the
magnet reciprocates when alternate current is flowed through at
least the coil.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. A vibration device according to claim 6, wherein the case
couples a couple of bisected case members, and the vibration
actuator is incorporated in the case and is mounted on at least one
of the case members.
10. A vibration device according to claim 9, wherein the vibration
actuator is mounted to each of the pair of case members.
11. A controller comprising a vibration device according to any one
of claims 6, 9 and 10, and operation means to be operated by a
user.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration device for
generating vibrations, more specifically, a vibration device
suitably mounted on members, such as controllers of game devices,
which are roughly handled and are vulnerable to impacts of drops,
etc.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The game device in which a gun-shaped controller imitating
the shape of the gun is used to shot characters to be shot (e.g.,
enemy persons, etc.) appearing on the screen has been
conventionally known. Such shooting game device is provided with a
vibration device for generating vibrations of the shooting in the
shooting controller so as to make the shooting by the gun-shaped
controller realistic.
[0003] What easily generates vibrations of the shooting is a
speaker. A vibration actuator, such as a speaker is provided in the
gun-shaped controller, whereby vibrations and shooting sounds are
generated in the gun-shaped controller upon a shooting to thereby
make the shooting increasingly realistic.
[0004] The following Patent References 1 to 3 disclose the method
of mounting the speaker to the case:
[0005] Patent Reference 1: Specification of Japanese Patent
Application Unexamined Publication No. 1998-224891;
[0006] Patent Reference 2: Specification of Japanese Patent
Application Unexamined Publication No. 2000-78683; and
[0007] Patent Reference 3: Japanese Patent No. 3454005.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0008] The speaker ordinarily generates sounds by securing a magnet
to a case and vibrating a coil and a vibration diaphragm for the
magnet to thereby generate sounds.
[0009] Such ordinary speak must finely vibrate the air and output
sounds and voices in a wide frequency range and, to this end, is
made of light materials so that reciprocal motions of the coil and
the magnet can be transmitted to the air.
[0010] On the other hand, in the case that such ordinary speaker is
mounted on the gun-shaped controller, etc., the diaphragm does not
vibrate the air but must vibrate the casing or the case, such as
the controller, etc., made of hard and heavy material, and the
ordinary speaker cannot sufficiently transmit the vibrations. This
is a problem.
[0011] Then, a mounting method of securing a coil to a case
corresponding to the diaphragm to thereby vibrate a magnet
connected to the coil via a damper is proposed. This method
vibrates the magnet heavier than the diaphragm of the ordinary
speaker, and the generated vibrations can easily transmit to the
casing or the case, whereby it is expected that impressive
vibrations could be generated.
[0012] The vibrations of the magnet transmit via the damper, and
those of the vibrations, whose frequencies are relatively high, are
absorbed by the damper. However, vibrations which transmit to the
operators are more effective as the frequencies are lower. This
method is effective to reproduce low frequencies.
[0013] However, the controller of the game device tends to be
roughly handled by the players, and large impacts of drops, etc.
will be exerted to the controllers. Consequently, with the heavy
magnet mounted without being secured, the part of the coil
connected to the case is easily broken. This is a problem.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration
device which can generate impressive vibrations and cannot be
easily broken when large impacts of drops, etc. are exerted to.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0015] The above-described object can be attained by a vibration
device comprising: a case coupling a couple of bisected case
members; a vibration actuator incorporated in the case and mounted
on at least one of the case members; and a restricting member for
restricting movement of a vibration member of the vibration
actuator.
[0016] In the above-described vibration device, it is possible that
the vibration actuator is mounted to each of the pair of case
members.
[0017] In the above-described vibration device, it is possible that
the vibration actuator includes a coil and a magnet, the coil is
secured to the case member, and the magnet is mounted to case
member swingably, and the restricting member restrict the movement
of the magnet, which is the vibration member.
[0018] In the above-described vibration device, it is possible that
the inside wall of the case member coupled with the case member
with the vibration actuator mounted on functions as the restricting
member for restricting the movement of the magnet in the vibration
direction.
[0019] In the above-described embodiment, it is possible that a
cover member secured to the case member with the vibration actuator
mounted on and covering the side of the magnet function as the
restricting member for restricting the movement normal to the
vibration direction of the magnet.
[0020] The above-described object is attained by a vibration device
comprising a vibration actuator including a case, at least a coil
and a magnet, and a damper interconnecting the coil and the magnet
with the magnet being movable relatively to the coil, the vibration
actuator including the coil secured to the inside of the case so
that when alternate current is flowed through the coil, the magnet
reciprocates in the direction normal to the inside of the case, and
the vibration actuator comprising: a first resting part for
restricting the reciprocation of the magnet provided at a position
which is away from the magnet by a first distance in the
reciprocation directions of the magnet, which is away from the
inside of the case with the coil secured to; and a second
restricting part for restricting the movement normal to the
reciprocation direction of the magnet provided at a position which
is away from by a second distance from the magnet in the direction
normal to the reciprocation direction of the magnet.
[0021] In the above-described vibration device, it is possible that
the first distance is a distance larger than a distance over which
the magnet reciprocates when alternate current is flowed through at
least the coil.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, the
vibration device comprises a case coupling a couple of bisected
case members, a vibration actuator incorporated in the case and
amounted on at least one of the case members, and a restricting
member for restricting movements of a vibration member of the
vibration actuator, whereby the vibration device can generate
impressive vibrations and is not easily broken even when a large
impact of a drop, etc. exerted to.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the game
device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the appearance of the
gun-shaped controller of the game device according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the gun-shaped
controller of the game device according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0026] 10 . . . game device [0027] 12 . . . casing [0028] 14 . . .
display [0029] 16 . . . operation panel [0030] 18 . . . coin slot
[0031] 20 . . . advertisement unit [0032] 22 . . . operation button
[0033] 24 . . . cable [0034] 30 . . . gun-shaped controller [0035]
32 . . . barrel [0036] 34 . . . barrel jacket [0037] 36 . . .
receiver [0038] 38 . . . grip [0039] 40A, 40B . . . vibration
actuators [0040] 42 . . . case [0041] 42A, 42B . . . case member
[0042] 44A, 44B . . . base plate [0043] 46A, 46B . . . bobbin ring
[0044] 50A, 50B . . . coil [0045] 52A, 52B . . . iron coil [0046]
54A, 56B . . . magnet [0047] 56A, 56B . . . housing ring [0048]
58A, 58B . . . damper [0049] 60A, 60B . . . cover member [0050]
62A, 62B . . . holder plate [0051] 64A . . . screw
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0052] [One Embodiment]
[0053] The game device according to one embodiment of the present
invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1
is a diagrammatic view of the game device according to the present
embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the appearance of the
gun-shaped controller of the game device according to the present
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the gun-shaped controller
of the game device according to the present embodiment.
[0054] (Game Device)
[0055] The game device will be explained with reference to FIG.
1.
[0056] In the game device 10, a display 14 for displaying game
screens is provided at an upper part of a casing 12, an operation
panel 16 for making various operations by players is provided at
the middle of the casing 12, and a coin slot 18 for inserting coins
is provided at a lower part of the casing 2. An advertisement unit
20 is provided on the top of the display 14.
[0057] On the operational panel 16, a couple of plural operation
buttons 22 are provided left and right on the assumption that a
couple of players are playing. A couple of gun-shaped controllers
30 are connected to the operation panel 16 with cables 24.
[0058] (Gun-Shaped Controller)
[0059] The gun-shaped controller 30 will be explained with
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the gun-shaped controller 30, a
barrel jacket 34 is mounted on a barrel 32 reciprocally to the
barrel 32, and a switch not illustrated is provided inside the
barrel jacket 34. Every time the barrel jacket 34 reciprocates, the
switch is turned on and off.
[0061] The barrel 32 is formed integral from a receiver 36 to a
grip 38. A trigger 37 is provided on the underside of the receiver
36, and at the intermediate part between the receiver 36 and the
grip 38, the cable 24 connected to the operation panel 16 of the
game device 10 is provided.
[0062] In the cable 24, a signal connection cable which transmits
ON/OFF signals outputted from the trigger 37 and the switch
provided in the barrel jacket 34 to the game device 10 and
transmitting signals for vibrating vibration actuators 40A, 40B
from the game device 10 to the gun-shaped controller 30 are
incorporated. In order that, when a game player pulls the
gun-shaped controller 30 away from the game device 10, the cable 24
cannot be broken, the cable 24 may have the inside reinforced with
wires, such as piano wires or others, or the outside covered with a
net protection member, such as metal or others, and the wires or
the protection members may be secured to the respective gun-shaped
controller 30 and the game device 10.
[0063] In the present embodiment, two vibration actuators 40A, 40B
are provided inside the grip 38 of the gun-shaped controller 30 to
thereby generate vibrations of a shooting in the gun-shaped
controller 30.
[0064] The signals for vibrating the vibration actuators 40A, 40B
used in the present invention are converted from sound data of
effective sounds, such as the shooting sound, etc. used in a game
to sound signals and are applied to the vibration actuators 40A,
40B, whereby realistic vibrations of shooting can be realized.
[0065] The vibration actuators 40A, 40B vibrate the case of the
gun-shaped controller 30, and the vibrations transmit to the air,
whereby the vibration actuators 40A, 40B generate not only
vibrations but also sounds.
[0066] Accordingly, effective sounds, such as the shooting sound of
the gun, etc., used in a game may not be outputted essentially from
the speaker used in the game. The effective sounds, such as the
shooting sound of the gun, etc., are rather more realistic when
generated from the gun-shaped controller 30 itself.
[0067] (Method of Mounting the Vibration Actuators)
[0068] The inner structure of the grip 38 will be explained with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0069] The grip 38 is a case 42 formed by securely coupling a pair
of bisected case members 42A, 42B. The case members 42A, 42B are
formed by plastic molding but may be formed by machining wood,
metal or others.
[0070] In the case 42, the two vibration actuators 40A, 40B are
disposed. The vibration actuator 40A is mounted on the inside wall
of one case member 42A of the pair of case members 42A, 42B, and
the vibration actuator 40B is mounted on the inside wall of the
other case member 42B.
[0071] The vibration actuators 40A, 40B may be arranged, shifted by
at least one vibration actuator from the position where the
vibration actuators 40A, 40B are opposed to each other when the
case members 42A, 42B are engaged with each other so that the
vibration actuators 40A, 40B are arranged side by side in the grip
38.
[0072] Thus, even in the case or others of a small thickness, such
as the gun-shaped controller 30, a space of a thickness of 1
vibration actuator may be ensured inside the case 42, and the
gun-shaped controller 30 (especially the grip 38) does not need to
have a special configuration, which makes the operation
natural.
[0073] The two vibration actuators 40A, 40B are arranged opposed to
the different sides of the gun-shaped controller 30 (especially the
grip 38), whereby the vibration can be transmitted to the entire
gun-shaped controller 30.
[0074] The method of mounting the vibration actuators 40A on the
case member 42A will be explained
[0075] To a base plate 44A for attaching the vibration actuator 40A
to the case member 42A, a cylindrical bobbin ring 46A is secured
with one cylindrical opening being in contact with the base plate
44A. To the bobbin ring 46A, a cylindrical coil holder 48A is
secured. A coil 50A is wound on the top of the coil holder 48A. In
the vibration actuator 40A of the present embodiment, the coil 50A,
not a magnet generally disposed in a speaker, is secured to the
case member 42A.
[0076] The bobbin ring 46A may have the bottom of L-shape section
so as to increase the area of the contact with the base plate
44A.
[0077] The bobbin ring 46A and the coil holder 48A may be formed
integral in a cylinder. An iron core 52A and a magnet 54A may be
replaced by a magnet alone.
[0078] To the underside of the iron core 52A, the round magnet 54A
is secured. In the underside of the iron core 52A, a circular
groove receiving the coil holder 48A and the coil 50A is formed. A
housing ring 56A is put around the iron core 52A. The housing ring
56A is put around by a damper 58A swingably to the coil holder 48A.
In the vibration actuator 40A of the present embodiment, the iron
core 52A, the magnet 54A and the house ring 56A, not a coil
generally disposed in a speaker, are disposed swingably to the case
member 42A.
[0079] Thus, in the vibration actuator 40A of the present
embodiment, when current flows through the coil 50A, the heavy iron
core 52A and magnet 54A, not the light bobbin ring 46A and coil
holder 48A secured to the case member 42A, vibrate, whereby
impressive vibrations can be generated.
[0080] Furthermore, a cover member 60A for covering the side and
the top of the housing ring 56A disposed around the iron core 52A
is provided. The cover member 60A has a circular opening in the top
the iron core 52A is put through. When the iron core 52A and the
housing ring 56A make a large movement in a vibration direction or
normally to the vibration direction, the side or the top of the
housing ring 56A collide the cover member 60A, and its motion is
restricted. To this end, it is preferred that the distance L3
between the side of the housing ring 56A and the opposed side of
the cover member 60A is, e.g., about 0.2-0.3 mm, and the distance
L2 between the top of the housing ring 56A and the opposed side of
the cover member 60A is, e.g., about 4 mm.
[0081] These distances are not essentially in the ranges described
above.
[0082] For example, the vibration actuator 40A is driven vertically
to the mounted surface. The top of the housing ring 56A and the
opposed side of the cover member 60A may be spaced by a distance L2
which is equal to a drive range of the vibration actuator 40A
driven when a rated alternate current is applied to the vibration
actuator 40A, or a little longer distance.
[0083] The vibration actuator 40A is not driven from the side of
the housing ring 56A toward the opposed side of the cover member
60A. The side of the housing ring 56A and the opposed side of the
cover member 60A may be spaced by a distance L3 so that, when the
vibration actuator is postured horizontally, the damper should be
deformed due to the weight of the iron core 52A and the magnet 54A
but the side of the housing ring 56A should not contact the cover
member 60A.
[0084] Thus, the iron core 52A and the magnet 54A are damaged by a
drop of the gun-shaped controller 30, but the range of the
vibrations of such impact is larger than the drive range of the
vibration actuator 40A. The vibrations (impact) of the iron core
52A and the magnet 54A due to the drop are suppressed by the
housing ring 56A contacting the cover member 60A not to exceed the
drive range of the vibration actuator 40A, and the bobbin ring 46A
can be retained secured to the base plate 44A. The vibration
actuator 40A is prevented from coming off the gun-shaped controller
30 and being damaged.
[0085] The inside of the other case member 42B, which is opposed to
and above the iron core 52A, functions as the vibration restricting
part to restrict the movement of the iron core 52A in the vibration
direction. When the iron core 52A makes a large movement, the top
of the iron core 52A collides the inside of the case member 42B,
and its movement is restricted. To this end, the distance L1
between the top of the iron core 52A and the inside of the case
member 42B is preferably a little longer, e.g., about 4 mm than a
distance over which the iron core 52A vibrates when current flows
through the coil 50A.
[0086] A holder plate 62A is mounted on a base plate 44A, the cover
member 60A is mounted on the holder plate 62A, and a screw 64A is
put through a fitting hole of the cover member 60A, the holder
plate 62A, the base plate 44A to be screwed to the case member
42A.
[0087] It is possible the base plate 44A and the holder plate 62A
are omitted, and the bobbin ring 46A is fixed directly to the case
42, or the cover member 60A is also fixed directly to the case
42.
[0088] Next, the method for mounting the vibration actuator 40B on
the case member 42B will be explained. This mounting method is the
same as that for mounting the vibration actuator 40A on the case
member 42A.
[0089] To a base plate 44B for attaching the vibration actuator 40B
to the case member 42B, a cylindrical bobbin ring 46B is secured
with one cylindrical opening being in contact with the base plate
44B. To the bobbin ring 46B, a cylindrical coil holder 48B is
secured. A coil 50B is wound on the top of the coil holder 48B. In
the vibration actuator 40B of the present embodiment, the coil 50B,
not a magnet generally disposed in a speaker, is secured to the
case member 42B.
[0090] The bobbin ring 46B may have the bottom of L-shape section
so as to increase the area of the contact with the base plate
44B.
[0091] The bobbin ring 46B and the coil holder 48B may be formed
integral in a cylinder. An iron core 52B and a magnet 54B may be
replaced by a magnet alone.
[0092] To the underside of the iron core 52B, the round magnet 54B
is secured. In the underside of the iron core 52B, a circular
groove receiving the coil holder 48B and the coil 50B is formed. A
housing ring 56B is put around the iron core 52B. The housing ring
56B is put around by a damper 58B swingably to the coil holder 48B.
In the vibration actuator 40B of the present embodiment, the iron
core 52B, the magnet 54B and the house ring 56B, not a coil
generally disposed in a speaker, are disposed swingably to the case
member 42B,
[0093] Thus, in the vibration actuator 40B of the present
embodiment, when current flows through the coil 50B, the heavy iron
core 52B and magnet 54B, not the light bobbin ring 46B and coil
holder 48B secured to the case member 42B, vibrate, whereby
impressive vibrations can be generated.
[0094] Furthermore, a cover member 60B for covering the side and
the top of the housing ring 56B disposed around the iron core 52B
is provided. The cover member 60B has a circular opening in the top
the iron core 52B is put through. When the iron core 52B and the
housing ring 56B make a large movement in a vibration direction or
normally to the vibration direction, the side or the top of the
housing ring 56B collide the cover member 60B, and its motion is
restricted. To this end, it is preferred that the distance L3
between the side of the housing ring 56B and the opposed side of
the cover member 60B is, e.g., about 0.2-0.3 mm, and the distance
L2 between the top of the housing ring 56B and the opposed side of
the cover member 60B is, e.g., about 4 mm.
[0095] These distances are not essentially in the ranges described
above.
[0096] For example, the vibration actuator 40B is driven vertically
to the mounted surface. The top of the housing ring 56B and the
opposed side of the cover member 60B may be spaced by a distance L2
which is equal to a drive range of the vibration actuator 40B
driven when a rated alternate current is applied to the vibration
actuator 40B, or a little longer distance.
[0097] The vibration actuator 40B is not driven from the side of
the housing ring 56B toward the opposed side of the cover member
60B. The side of the housing ring 56B and the opposed side of the
cover member 60B may be spaced by a distance L3 so that, when the
vibration actuator is postured horizontally, the damper should be
deformed due to the weight of the iron core 52B and the magnet 54B
but the side of the housing ring 56B should not contact the cover
member 60B.
[0098] Thus, the iron core 52B and the magnet 54B are damaged by a
drop of the gun-shaped controller 30, but the range of the
vibrations of such impact is larger than the drive range of the
vibration actuator 40B. The vibrations (impact) of the iron core
52B and the magnet 54B due to the drop are suppressed by the
housing ring 56B contacting the cover member 60B not to exceed the
drive range of the vibration actuator 40B, and the bobbin ring 46B
can be retained secured to the base plate 44B. The vibration
actuator 40B is prevented from coming off the gun-shaped controller
30 and being damaged.
[0099] The inside of the other case member 42A, which is opposed to
and above the iron core 52B, functions as the vibration restricting
part to restrict the movement of the iron core 52B in the vibration
direction. When the iron core 52B makes a large movement, the top
of the iron core 52B collides the inside of the case member 42A,
and its movement is restricted. To this end, the distance L1
between the top of the iron core 52B and the inside of the case
member 42A is preferably a little longer, e.g., about 4 mm than a
distance over which the iron core 52B vibrates when current flows
through the coil 50B.
[0100] A holder plate 62B is mounted on a base plate 44B, the cover
member 60B is mounted on the holder plate 62B, and a screw 64B is
put through a fitting hole of the cover member 60B, the holder
plate 62B, the base plate 44B to be screwed to the case member
42B.
[0101] It is possible the base plate 44B and the holder plate 62B
are omitted, and the bobbin ring 46B is fixed directly to the case
42, or the cover member 60B is also fixed directly to the case
42.
[0102] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
when vibrated, the iron cores and magnets of the vibration
actuators are vibrated, whereby impressive vibrations can be
generated.
[0103] According to the present embodiment, the vibration actuators
are mounted in opposing directions on a pair of the case members,
whereby the 2 vibration actuators can be incorporated in the small
space inside the case, and impressive vibrations can be
realized.
[0104] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the
movements of the vibrating iron cores and magnets are restricted by
the cover members and the opposing case members, whereby even when
the gun-shaped controller is roughly handles or dropped, and large
forces are exerted from the outside to the heavy iron cores and
magnets, movements exceeding the movements due to the vibrations
can be restricted to thereby prevent the disconnection of the iron
cores and the magnets, and the resultant malfunction of the
vibration actuators.
[0105] [Modified Embodiments]
[0106] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiment and can cover other various modifications.
[0107] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the
vibration direction of the housing rings secured to the iron cores
and transverse movement normal to the vibration direction are
restricted by the cover members. However, it is possible that the
cover members are disposed only in the transverse direction of the
housing rings to thereby restrict only the transverse movement. It
is possible that the cover members are not provided, and the
movement of the iron cores and magnets in the vibration direction
alone is restricted by the case members. Furthermore, it is
possible that the insides of the case members are not used, the
movement in the vibration direction of the housing rings or the
transverse movement normal to the vibration direction of the
housing rings may be restricted by the cover members alone.
[0108] Furthermore, it is possible that the movement of the iron
cores and the magnets in the vibration direction is restricted by
the case members, and the cover members are provided only in the
transverse direction of the housing rings to thereby restrict the
transverse movement by the cover members. It is also possible that
the interior of the case members is formed in a cavity which is a
little larger than the configuration of the vibration actuators
(e.g., a cavity which is larger by about 4 mm in the vibration
direction and by about 0.2-0.3 mm in the transverse direction
normal to the vibration direction), and the movements of the iron
cores and the magnets in the vibration direction and the movement
in the transverse direction are restricted only by the vibration
restricting part provided in the case members.
[0109] Furthermore, it is possible that in arranging a plurality of
the vibration actuators side by side, the opposed sides of the
vibration actuators are spaced by a prescribed distance (e.g.,
about 4 mm in the vibration direction and by 0.2-0.3 mm in the
transverse direction normal to the vibration direction) so that the
respective opposed sides have the same function as the cover
members (vibration restricting members) of the above-described
embodiment.
[0110] In the above-described embodiment, two vibration actuators
are incorporated in the small space in the case, but the vibration
actuators may be mounted in only one of the pair of case
members.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0111] The present invention can be used as a vibration device for
generating vibrations, more specifically, a vibration device
suitably disposed in a member, such as the controller of a game
device, which is roughly handled and is vulnerable to impacts of
drops, etc.
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