Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator that gives vibration to a vibration presenting unit that presents vibration depending on a pressing operation, the vibration actuator comprising: a fixing part; a movable part fixed to the vibration presenting unit; an elastic support part connected to the fixing part and the movable part, and movably supports the movable part with respect to the fixing part; and a support-part side fixing part fixed to the elastic support part in the movable part; wherein a strain body that is strained in accordance with the pressing operation on the vibration presenting unit and a strain detection unit configured to detect strain of the strain body are provided between the support-part side fixing part and a presenting-unit side fixing part fixed to the vibration presenting unit, and the movable part is configured to vibrate by electromagnetic driving in accordance with the strain of the strain body.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator that gives vibration to a vibration presenting unit that presents vibration depending on a pressing operation, the vibration actuator comprising: a fixing part; a movable part fixed to the vibration presenting unit; an elastic support part connected to the fixing part and the movable part, and movably supports the movable part with respect to the fixing part; and a support-part side fixing part fixed to the elastic support part in the movable part; wherein a strain body that is strained in accordance with the pressing operation on the vibration presenting unit and a strain detection unit configured to detect strain of the strain body are provided between the support-part side fixing part and a presenting-unit side fixing part fixed to the vibration presenting unit, and the movable part is configured to vibrate by electromagnetic driving in accordance with the strain of the strain body.

Abstract: A foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that is mounted on a camera main body (20) having an image capturing surface (211a) exposed to external surroundings for preventing foreign material from adhering to the image capturing surface (211a) has a cover (32) having a cover member (322) configured to cover the image capturing surface (211a) and a nozzle (34) for spraying a fluid towards an outer surface (322b) of the cover member (322). This can provide the highly versatility foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that can prevent foreign material from adhering directly to the image capturing surface (211a) of the camera main body (20).

Abstract: Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed on a magnetostrictive material, coils 3 respectively wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2 and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the two magnetostrictive rods 2. The power generator 1 is configured so that elastic energy stored in the beam member 73 is larger than elastic energy stored in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 when tip end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 are displaced with respect to base end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 to deform the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2, and a coil 3 arranged so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil 3 in an axial direction of the coil 3. The beam member 73 is arranged along the magnetostrictive rod 2 and configured to allow one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 to approach to each other to generate compressive stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2. Further, in the power generator 1, it is preferable that a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 is larger than a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the other one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 in a side view.

Abstract: A foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that is mounted on a camera main body (20) having an image capturing surface (211a) exposed to external surroundings for preventing foreign material from adhering to the image capturing surface (211a) has a cover (32) having a cover member (322) configured to cover the image capturing surface (211a) and a nozzle (34) for spraying a fluid towards an outer surface (322b) of the cover member (322). This can provide the highly versatility foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that can prevent foreign material from adhering directly to the image capturing surface (211a) of the camera main body (20).

Abstract: Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed on a magnetostrictive material, coils 3 respectively wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2 and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the two magnetostrictive rods 2. The power generator 1 is configured so that elastic energy stored in the beam member 73 is larger than elastic energy stored in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 when tip end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 are displaced with respect to base end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 to deform the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73.

Abstract: Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed of a magnetostrictive material; coils 3 wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2; and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2. Each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 has one end portion and the other end portion. The power generator 1 is configured to generate a voltage in the coils 3 due to variation of density of lines of magnetic force when the other end portion of each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 is displaced with respect to the one end portion of each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the magnetostrictive rods 2 to expand and contract each of the magnetostrictive rods 2.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes at least two magnetostrictive elements 10 each including a magnetostrictive rod through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof and a coil 3 wound around the magnetostrictive rod 2; and a beam member 83 for connecting one end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10 with each other and the other end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10 with each other. Further, the power generator 1 includes a permanent magnet 6 for generating the lines of magnetic force passing through the magnetostrictive rods 2. The permanent magnet 6 is provided so that a magnetization of the permanent magnet 6 differs from an arrangement direction in which the magnetostrictive elements 10 are arranged side by side.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2, and a coil 3 arranged so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil 3 in an axial direction of the coil 3. The beam member 73 is arranged along the magnetostrictive rod 2 and configured to allow one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 to approach to each other to generate compressive stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2. Further, in the power generator 1, it is preferable that a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 is larger than a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the other one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 in a side view.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive element 10, a fixing member 7 for supporting a proximal end portion of the magnetostrictive element 10, a permanent magnet 6 and a loop forming member 8 fixedly attached to the fixing member 7 through the permanent magnet 6. The power generator 1 is used in a state that the fixing member 7 is fixedly attached to a housing of a vibrating body generating vibration or the like. The magnetostrictive element 10 is supported by the fixing member 7 so that a distal end portion of the magnetostrictive element 10 can be displaced with respect to the proximal end portion of the magnetostrictive element 10. The loop forming member 8 is arranged so as not to interfere with the magnetostrictive element 10 when the distal end portion of the magnetostrictive element 10 is displaced with respect to the proximal end portion of the magnetostrictive element 10.

Abstract: A power generating element includes a magnetostrictive rod through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, the magnetostrictive rod formed of a magnetostrictive material; a magnetic rod arranged in parallel with the magnetostrictive rod, the magnetic rod formed of a magnetic material; a first coupling mechanism for coupling one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod and one end of the magnetic rod; a second coupling mechanism for coupling the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod and the other end portion of the magnetic rod; and a coil provided so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil in an axial direction thereof and in which a voltage is generated on the basis of a variation of density of the lines of magnetic force caused when the magnetostrictive rod is expanded or contracted. Further, at least one of the one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod is formed into a male screw portion.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes two magnetostrictive elements 10, 10 and a connecting member 7 having a first connecting portion 71 connecting one end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10, 10 together, a second connecting portion 72 connecting the other end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10, 10 together and a beam portion 73 connecting the first connecting portion 71 and the second connecting portion 72. Each of the magnetostrictive elements 10, 10 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 formed of a magnetostrictive material, through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, and a coil 3 wound around the magnetostrictive rod 2. Further, each magnetostrictive rod 2 and the beam portion 73 are arranged so as not to be overlapped with each other.

Abstract: A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, a beam portion 73 having a function of causing stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2, and a coil 3 provided so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil 3 in an axial direction of the coil 3. A space between the magnetostrictive rod 2 and the beam portion 73 at the other end of the magnetostrictive rod 2 is smaller than that at one end of the magnetostrictive rod 2 in a side view of the power generator 1. In such a configuration, a stiffness in a displacement direction of a pair of opposed beams formed from the magnetostrictive rod 2 and the beam portion 73 becomes gradually lower from a proximal end thereof toward a distal end thereof. With such a configuration, when external force is applied to the distal end of the magnetostrictive rod 2, it is possible to smoothly displace the magnetostrictive rod 2 and the beam portion 73 in the displacement direction.

Abstract: An operation input apparatus configured to receive a force from an operator, including: a board 10 including a placement surface on which coils 21˜24 are placed, the coils being arranged in a circumferential direction of a circle formed by connecting points apart from a reference point by the same distance; a key 30 that is provided in a side where the force is input with respect to the board 10; and a return spring 51˜54 elastically supporting the key 30, wherein the key 30 includes an opposed surface opposed to the placement surface and an operation surface configured to receive an application of the force, and causes an inductance of at least one of the coils 21˜24 to change with an approach of the opposed surface to the placement surface due to the application of the force on the operation surface.

Abstract: A power generating element includes a magnetostrictive rod through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, the magnetostrictive rod formed of a magnetostrictive material; a magnetic rod arranged in parallel with the magnetostrictive rod, the magnetic rod formed of a magnetic material; a first coupling mechanism for coupling one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod and one end of the magnetic rod; a second coupling mechanism for coupling the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod and the other end portion of the magnetic rod; and a coil provided so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil in an axial direction thereof and in which a voltage is generated on the basis of a variation of density of the lines of magnetic force caused when the magnetostrictive rod is expanded or contracted. Further, at least one of the one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod is formed into a male screw portion.

Abstract: A power generating element includes two pillar-shaped magnetostrictive bodies through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, each of the two pillar-shaped magnetostrictive bodies formed of a magnetostrictive material; a pressing body having a pressing part provided so as to press the magnetostrictive body when the pressing part is pivotally moved and a rod part for pivotally moving the pressing part; and a coil provided so that the lines of magnetic force pass through in an axial direction thereof and in which a voltage is generated on the basis of a variation of density of the lines of magnetic force. The power generating element is configured to vary the density of the lines of magnetic force when the pressing part is pivotally moved due to a pivotal movement of the rod part around a pivotal center and then the magnetostrictive body is pressed and compressed by the pressing part.

Abstract: A power generating element includes a composite rod and a coil. The composite rod is obtained by joining a magnetostrictive rod through which lines of magnetic force pass axially and a reinforcing rod of a non-magnetic material for causing appropriate stress in the magnetostrictive rod and arranged in parallel with the magnetostrictive rod. The coil is provided so that the lines of magnetic force pass axially inside the coil and a voltage is generated based on variation of density of the lines of magnetic force. The power generating element is configured so that the density varies when the other end portion of the composite rod is displaced perpendicular to an axial direction of the composite rod with respect to one end portion of the composite rod to expand or contract the magnetostrictive rod.

Abstract: An input device includes a first yoke; a substrate disposed on the first yoke; a coil disposed on the substrate; and a second yoke disposed above the coil and configured to be displaced downward by a force applied and thereby to change inductance of the coil. The input device is configured to output a signal corresponding to the amount of displacement of the second yoke. The substrate has an opening that communicates with a hollow of the coil, and the first yoke includes a step that is inserted into the opening of the substrate.

Abstract: An operation input device includes an operation member that includes an operation surface having an outer edge part and is configured to be displaced downward by an input operation force exerted on the operation surface, a yoke attached to the operation member, a coil that detects a position of the operation member based on a position of the yoke and outputs a signal corresponding to an amount in which the operation member is displaced downward, and an engagement part that is positioned below the operation member and configured to contact the operation member at a contact position immediately below the outer edge part of the operation member. The engagement part is configured to constrain the operation member so that the operation member is not displaced further downward than the contact position when the engagement part contacts the operation member.