JPH10314671A - Vibration generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a vibration device capable of preventing a power transistor from being burnt out and capable of changing the frequency of vibration and the magnitude of vibration generated by vibration generation part. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a vibration generation part 2 having a coil 13 arranged in a magnetic circuit and a driving part 1 for feeding a driving current in which an electricity flowing direction is switched successively to the positive direction and then to the reverse direction with a desired repeated frequency, to the coil 13. Driving electric current stop means 7. 8 for stopping the feed of the driving electric current to the coil 13 between a period for feeding the driving electric current in the positive direction and a period for feeding the driving electric current in the prescribed reverse direction are provided on the driving part 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibration generator used for a game machine operating device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional vibration generator comprises a driving section 31 and a vibration generating section 32, and a driving section 3 is provided.
By supplying the drive current from 1 to the vibration generator 32, the vibration generator 32 generates vibration. The driving unit 31 includes the clock pulse generation circuit 3
3, a first drive signal generation circuit 34, a second drive signal generation circuit 35, a drive circuit 36, and the like.

Here, an example of a schematic configuration of the vibration generating section 32 driven by the driving section 31 will be described with reference to FIG. Bottom wall 37 of L-shaped mounting member 37 made of synthetic resin
a is provided with a bobbin 38, and the coil 32 formed in a cylindrical shape is provided.
a is attached to the bobbin 38. A leaf spring 39 is attached to one end of the side wall 37b of the attachment member 37 in a state parallel to the bottom wall 37a, and a yoke 40 made of a magnetic metal constituting a magnetic circuit is attached to the leaf spring 39. Have been. The yoke 40 is connected to the coil 3
A cylindrical portion 40a surrounding the outer periphery of the coil 2a, a convex portion 40b located in the hollow portion 32b at the center of the coil 32a,
0b, and a magnet 41 provided at a position outside the cavity 32b of the coil 32a.

The end of the convex portion 40b of the magnetic metal yoke 40 is magnetized by the magnet 41 to become an N pole or an S pole, and the end of the cylindrical portion 40a of the yoke 40. The part is an S pole or an N pole to form a magnetic circuit. Therefore, the coil 32a is disposed between the end of the convex portion 40b of the yoke 40 and the end of the cylindrical portion 40a. In such a vibration generating device, the yoke 40 is connected to the coil 3a by an electromagnetic action by supplying a square current to the coil 32a at a predetermined repetition frequency while switching the direction of the current.
It moves up and down relatively to 2a to generate vibration. Then, the vertical vibration of the yoke 40 is transmitted to the mounting member 37 via the leaf spring 39. At this time, the yoke 40 makes a circular motion with the portion where the leaf spring 39 is attached to the attachment member 37 as a fulcrum.
Such a vibration generating device is incorporated in a case of a game machine operating device.
When operating a vehicle, when the vehicle being operated collides with an obstacle, this vibration generator is activated to transmit the vibration to the case, thereby giving the operator a sense of realism. Is done.

Next, the configuration of the driving section 31 will be described. Clock pulse generation circuit 33 in drive unit 31
Determines the vibration frequency of the vibration generating unit 32. For example, the repetition frequency as shown in FIG. 8A is, for example, several tens of Hz (the repetition period is indicated by T) and the duty cycle is 50%. The clock pulse CP is generated. Further, the first drive signal generation circuit 34 and the second drive signal generation circuit 35 are configured by switching circuits including transistors and the like, and receive the clock pulse CP from the clock pulse generation circuit 33 and
To supply a drive signal. Then, the first drive signal generation circuit 34 repeats a rise and a fall for each successive fall time of the clock pulse CP, and a drive signal Φ1a as shown in FIG. A drive signal φ1b is generated by inverting the high level (H) and the low level (L) of the drive signal φ1a.

Similarly, the second drive signal generation circuit 35
A drive signal Φ2a as shown in FIG. 8 (c), which repeatedly rises and falls at each successive falling time of the clock pulse CP, and a high level (H) and a low level (not shown) of the drive signal Φ2a. And a drive signal Φ2b whose level (L) is inverted. The drive signal Φ1a output from the first drive signal generation circuit 34 and the drive signal Φ2a output from the second drive signal generation circuit 35
Is a period T which is a repetition period of the clock pulse CP.
Only the phases are shifted from each other.

The driving circuit 36 comprises four power transistors 36a, 36b, 36c,
36d. Among them, the power transistor 3
6a and 36c are PNP transistors, and power transistors 36b and 36d are NPN transistors. The emitters of the power transistors 36a and 36c are both connected to the power supply E, and the emitters of the power transistors 36b and 36d are both connected to the ground. Further, the collector of the power transistor 36a and the collector of the power transistor 36b are connected to each other, and the collector of the power transistor 36c and the collector of the power transistor 36d are connected to each other.

The drive signal .phi.1b from the first drive signal generating circuit 34 is applied to the base of the power transistor 36a, and the drive signal .phi.1a is applied to the base of the power transistor 36d.
The driving signal Φ2b from the second driving signal generating circuit 35 is supplied to the base of the power transistor 36c.
The drive signal .phi.2a is supplied to the base of the power transistor 36b. A vibration generating section 32 is provided between a mutual connection point between the collector of the power transistor 36a and the collector of the power transistor 36b and a mutual connection point between the collector of the power transistor 36c and the collector of the power transistor 36d. The drive current D as shown in FIG. 8D flows.

That is, the drive signal Φ1a from the first drive signal generation circuit 34 is at a high level (therefore, the drive signal Φ1b is at a low level), and the drive signal Φ2a from the second drive signal generation circuit 35 is at a low level. (Thus, the drive signal Φ2b is at the high level.)
6a and 36d saturate between their respective collectors and emitters by the switching operation and become conductive (at this time, the power
The transistors 36c and 36b are non-conductive), the vibration generator 3
Drive current D in the direction of arrow A (positive direction)
Flows. This drive current D is shown on the plus (+) side in FIG.

The driving signal .PHI.1a from the first driving signal generating circuit 34 is low (the driving signal .phi.1b is high), and the driving signal .PHI.2a from the second driving signal generating circuit 35 is high ( Therefore, during the period Tb when the drive signal Φ2b is at the low level), the power transistor 3
The collectors and emitters of the transistors 6c and 36b are saturated by the switching operation and become conductive (at this time, the power
The transistors 36a and 36d are non-conductive), the vibration generator 3
The drive current D flows through the second coil 32a in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A (reverse direction). This drive current D is shown on the minus (-) side in FIG. In this way, the drive current D flows through the coil 32a of the vibration generator 32 at each period T, and the drive current D flows.
0 moves up and down to generate vibration.

[0011]

However, in the conventional vibration generator described above, for example, the operating time of the switching circuit in the first drive signal generation circuit 34 and the switching time in the second drive signal generation circuit 35 There is a difference between the operation time of the circuit and, as shown in FIG.
For example, the phase of the drive signal Φ2a of the second drive circuit 35 is t1 with respect to the phase of the drive signal Φ1a of the first drive circuit 34.
May be delayed (and vice versa). In such a case, even after the drive signal Φ1a of the first drive circuit 33 rises, the fall of the drive signal Φ2a of the second drive circuit 34 has not been completed during the period t1. Now, all the power transistors 3 of the driving circuit 36
6a, 36b, 36c and 36d are turned on. As a result, these power transistors 36a, 36b, 3
6c and 36d have a problem that a large current flows and burns out.

Even if there is no difference between the operation time of the switching circuit in the first drive signal generation circuit 34 and the operation time of the switching circuit in the second drive signal generation circuit 35, the power transistor 36a, 3
At the time of the switching operation of 6b, 36c, and 36d, there is a rise time until the state changes from the non-conductive state to the conductive state and a fall time from the conductive state to the non-conductive state. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, for example, the rise time t2 of the drive current D (+ D) flowing through the power transistors 36a and 36d during the period Ta, and the power transistors 36c and 36b
And the fall time t2 of the drive current D (-D) flowing through the power transistor (for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the rise time and the fall time are the same), and during this time t2, all the power transistors 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d are turned on. As a result, a large current flows through these power transistors, resulting in burnout.

In the conventional vibration generator, the repetition frequency of the clock pulse CP from the clock pulse generation circuit 33 is fixed (constant). There was little realism given to the operator. Further, in the conventional vibration generator, the power transistors 36a, 36b,
Since the switching operation is performed so that 36c and 36d are saturated, the magnitude of the drive current D becomes constant,
The magnitude (amplitude) of the vibration of No. 2 was also constant. For this reason, only a monotonous vibration state can be obtained irrespective of the content of the game, and from this point, the sense of presence given to the operator of the game machine is also small. Therefore, the vibration generator of the present invention realizes a vibration device that can prevent the power transistor from being burned out and can change the frequency and magnitude of the vibration generated by the vibration generator.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vibration generator according to the present invention comprises: a vibration generator having a coil disposed in a magnetic circuit; And a drive unit for supplying a drive current to the coil, the drive current being sequentially switched in the reverse direction. The drive unit supplies the drive current in the forward direction and the reverse direction in the drive current supply period. A driving current stopping means for stopping the supply of the driving current to the driving unit is provided in the driving unit.

In the vibration generating apparatus according to the present invention, the period for supplying the drive current in the forward direction and the period for supplying the drive current in the reverse direction are limited so as not to extend beyond a predetermined period. Means are provided on the drive.

Further, the vibration generator of the present invention can change the desired repetition frequency.

In the vibration generator according to the present invention, the magnitude of the drive current can be changed.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vibration generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the vibration generating device of the present invention includes a driving unit 1 and a vibration generating unit 2, and supplies a driving current from the driving unit 1 to the vibration generating unit 2 to cause the vibration generating unit 2 to vibrate. Is caused to occur. The drive unit 1 further includes a drive control circuit 3 and a drive circuit 36, and a drive control signal is supplied from the drive control circuit 3 to the drive circuit 36. Then, for example, the frequency control signal S is sent from the control signal generation circuit 5 of the game machine to the drive control circuit 3.
f, the current control signal Sc, and the like are supplied. Here, the drive circuit 36 has the same configuration as the conventional one, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

First, a schematic configuration of the vibration generator 2 will be described with reference to FIG. A mounting member 11 made of a molded product of a nonmagnetic material such as ABS resin has a bottom wall 11a, a side wall 11b extending perpendicularly from one end of the bottom wall 11a, and a bottom wall 1a.
A cylindrical bobbin 12 formed on the upper surface of 1a is provided.

The coil 13 formed by winding a plurality of conductive wires has a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion 13a at the center.
The coil 13 is attached to the bobbin 12 by inserting the bobbin 12 into the hollow portion 13a and deforming the tip of the bobbin 12 so as to expand it with, for example, a heated jig (not shown). The support member 14 made of a rigid metal has one end attached to the top of the side wall 11b with a screw 15, and the support member 14 is
Is in a state parallel to the bottom wall 11a.

One end of a cylindrical spring member 16 made of a metal wire or the like is attached to the support member 14 by an appropriate means such as an adhesive or welding. When the spring member 16 is attached, the spring member 16
Is aligned with the center of the bobbin 12, that is, the center of the coil 13. The yoke 17 made of a magnetic material constituting a magnetic circuit has a cup-shaped cross section of an E-shape, and has a circular plate-shaped upper portion 17a and an upper portion 17a.
And a cylindrical projection 17c formed at the center of the cylindrical portion 17b.
And an annular magnet 17d attached to the outer periphery of the end of the projection 17c.

The yoke 17 is attached to the other end of the spring member 16 at an upper portion 17a thereof by an appropriate means such as an adhesive, and when attached, the center of the spring member 16 and the yoke 17 And the center of the
The spring member 16 interposed between the hook 17 and the support member 14 vertically moves with respect to the bottom wall 11a. Further, when the yoke 17 is attached, as shown in FIG. 2, the tubular portion 17b is put on the coil 13 so as to surround the outer periphery of the coil 13, and
A part of the protrusion 17c is inserted into the cavity 13a of the coil 13, and the magnet 17d is inserted into the cavity 13a of the coil 13.
And the entire outer periphery of the magnet 17d faces the coil 13, and the cylindrical coil 13 is disposed between the cylindrical portion 17b and the protruding portion 17c. I have.

The vibration generating section 2 is formed by such a configuration, and when a rectangular drive current is supplied to the coil 13 by switching the direction of flow, the spring member 1 is electromagnetically actuated.
The yoke 17 supported by 6 moves up and down with respect to the coil 13. Then, the vertical movement of the yoke 17 is caused by the spring member 16.
Is transmitted as vibration to the support member 14. Such a vibration generator 2 is used by being incorporated in a game machine operating device (not shown). For example, when operating the game of the car, when the vehicle collides with an obstacle during the operation, the vibration generating unit 2 is operated to transmit the vibration to the game operating device. To give a sense of realism to the elderly.

The control signal generating circuit 5 is incorporated in the body of the game machine (not shown), and controls the state of vibration generated by the vibration generating section 2 in accordance with the operation of the game machine. For example, a 2-bit frequency control signal Sf for changing the vibration frequency and a 2-bit current control signal Sc for changing the vibration amplitude are generated, and these control signals are supplied to the drive control circuit 3.

The drive control circuit 3 has a clock pulse generation circuit 6, a first timing circuit 7, a second timing circuit 8, a first drive current control circuit 9, and a second drive current control circuit 10. I have. The clock pulse generation circuit 6 generates a clock pulse CP having a repetition period of T and a duty cycle of 50%, as shown in FIG. The frequency is switched between four types (for example, 100 Hz, 80 Hz, 60 Hz, and 40 Hz) by the 2-bit frequency control signal Sf from which the desired repetition frequency can be selected. For this reason, although not shown, the clock pulse generation circuit 6 may have a simple CR oscillator, for example, and switch the CR time constant in the CR oscillator.

The first timing circuit 7 repeats rising and falling in response to successive falling times of the clock pulse CP.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the rising time of the first timing pulse TP1 is longer than the falling time of the clock pulse CP by a time td (about 80 times).
μS (microseconds)). Similarly, the second timing circuit 8 also generates a second timing pulse TP2 that repeats rising and falling in response to successive falling times of the clock pulse CP.
However, as shown in FIG. 3C, the rising time of the second timing pulse TP2 is longer than the falling time of the clock pulse CP by the time td (approximately 80 times).
μS (microseconds)). Then, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the first timing pulse TP1 and the second timing pulse TP
2, a phase shift is provided for a period T which is a repetition period of the clock pulse CP.

Therefore, the high level period of the first timing pulse TP1 and the high level period of the second timing pulse TP2 are the same TX, and the low level period of the first timing pulse TP1 is During the low level period of the second timing pulse TP2, the same TY (= T
X + 2td), and the delay time td before and after the period TX
Is located. Therefore, the delay time td
During this period, both the first timing pulse TP1 and the second timing pulse TP2 are at the low level.

Further, the first timing circuit 7 and the second timing circuit 8 have respective timing pulses TP
1. A function to limit a high-level duration period TX that is automatically inverted to low level regardless of the falling time of the clock pulse CP when the high-level period TX of TP2 exceeds a predetermined period. I have. The predetermined period is set to about 67 ms (millisecond). Therefore, the first timing pulse TP1 and the second timing pulse TP2 fall at the falling edge of the clock pulse CP shown in FIG. 4A when the repetition frequency of the clock pulse becomes low, for example, 30 Hz or less. Without waiting for the time tf, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the time tf1 when the high-level continuation period becomes 67 mS.
Automatically returns to low level.

The first drive current control circuit 9 receives the first timing pulse TP1 from the first timing circuit 7, and the power of the drive unit 36 during the high level period TX of the first timing pulse TP1. Transistor 36a,
36d, and controls the magnitude of the drive current based on the current control signal SC from the control signal generation circuit 5. Similarly, the second drive current control circuit 10
Also receives the second timing pulse TP2 from the second timing circuit 8 and receives the second timing pulse TP2.
The power transistors 36c and 36d of the drive unit 36 are turned on during the high-level period TX of 2, and the magnitude of the drive current is controlled based on the current control signal SC from the control signal generation circuit 5.

First, the first drive current control circuit 9
As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the drive control signal φ1a having the same phase relationship as the first timing pulse TP1 (see FIG. 5A) and the drive control signal φ1a are at a high level. Control signal φ1b in which the low level and the low level are inverted.
Is output. Similarly, the second drive current control circuit 1
0 is a high level between the drive control signal φ2a and the drive control signal φ2a having the same phase relationship as the second timing pulse TP2 (FIG. 5D), as shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F. And a drive control signal φ2b whose low level is inverted. The drive control signal φ1a from the first drive current control circuit 9 is supplied to the base of the power transistor 36d of the drive circuit 36, and the drive control signal φ1b is supplied to the base of the power transistor 36a. The drive control signal φ2a from the drive current control circuit 10
The drive control signal φ2b is supplied to the base of the power transistor 36c and the base of the power transistor 36b. A vibration generating portion is provided between a mutual connection point between the collector of the power transistor 36a and the collector of the power transistor 36b and a mutual connection point between the collector of the power transistor 36c and the collector of the power transistor 36d. Two coils 13 are connected.

As a result, the first timing pulse TP1
Is high level during the period TX.
Transistors 36a and 36d are both conductive (in this case,
The power transistors 36c and 36b are non-conductive), and the drive current D flows through the coil 13 of the vibration generator 2 in the direction of arrow B (positive direction) in FIG. During the period TX during which the second timing pulse TP2 is at the high level, both the power transistors 36c and 36b of the drive circuit 36 are turned on (at this time, the power transistors 36a and 36d are turned off), and vibration occurs. The driving current D flows through the coil 13 of the unit 2 in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1, whereby the vibration generating unit 2 vibrates.

As described above, when the high level period TX of the first timing pulse TP1 and the second timing pulse TP2 exceeds a predetermined duration, the first timing circuit 7 and the second timing pulse TP2 The driving circuit D is inverted to the low level by the timing circuit 8, and the driving current D is not supplied to the coil 13 of the vibration generating unit 2 at the low level. Therefore, the first timing circuit 7 and the second timing circuit 8 serve as a drive current supply period limiting unit.

In this case, as described above, a delay time of td is provided between the high level period TX of the first timing pulse TP1 and the high level period TX of the second timing pulse TP2. Therefore, the vibration generator 2
As shown in FIG. 5 (g), for example, the drive current D flowing through the coil 13 becomes zero after the drive current flowing through the power transistors 36a and 36d becomes zero.
The drive current starts to flow through c and 36b. Then, at the delay time td, none of the power transistors is turned on, so that the power transistors do not short-circuit, so that they do not burn. The delay time td is a drive current stop period in which the supply of the drive current to the coil 13 of the vibration generation unit 2 is stopped. Therefore, the first timing circuit 7 and the second timing circuit 8 serve as driving current stopping means.

Further, in this case, the first drive current control circuit 9 takes in the 2-bit current control signal Sc from the control signal generation circuit 5 and outputs the drive control signal φ1a output from the first drive current control circuit 9, The level of φ1b is 4
I'm switching to stages. That is, the low level of the drive control signal φ1b in the same period TX as the high level (for example, the voltage value) of the drive control signal φ1a in the period TX during which the power transistors 36a and 36d are turned on.
As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the magnitude of the level (for example, the voltage value) is represented by H1, H2, H
3, H4, and L1, L2, L3, L4 are set in any of four stages. By setting in this manner, the power transistors 36a, 36
The base current supplied to the base d changes, and the driving current D
Can be changed in size. Therefore, the power transistors 36a and 36d perform an unsaturated switching operation.

Similarly, the second drive current control circuit 10
A 2-bit current control signal Sc is fetched from the control signal generation circuit 5, and the levels of the drive control signals φ2a and φ2b output from the second drive current control circuit 10 are switched to, for example, four levels. That is, the magnitude of the low level (eg, the voltage value) of the drive control signal φ2b in the same period TX as the magnitude of the high level (eg, the voltage value) of the drive control signal φ2a in the period TX during which the power transistors 36c and 36b are turned on. ) And H1, H2, H3, and H as shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F, respectively.
4, and one of four levels such as L1, L2, L3, and L4. With this setting, the base current supplied to the bases of the power transistors 36c and 36b changes, and the magnitude of the drive current D can be changed. Therefore, the power transistor 3
6c and 36b also perform non-saturated switching operations.

As a result, the magnitude of the driving current flowing through the coil of the vibration generating section 2 can be changed, and the amplitude of the vibration in the vibration generating section 2 can be variously changed in accordance with the type and content of the game. Thus, the operator can be more interested in the game. In addition, since the vibration frequency of the vibration generating section 2 can be changed by changing the repetition frequency of the clock pulse CP generated by the clock pulse generating circuit 6, the vibration can be adjusted in accordance with the type and content of the game. By changing the frequency variously, the operator can be more interested in the game.

In the vibration generator according to the present invention, the first timing pulse TP1, the second timing pulse TP2
Is limited so that the high-level period TX does not exceed a predetermined time. For example, even if the frequency of the clock pulse CP is lowered to slow down the vibration of the vibration generation unit 2, the coil 13 of the vibration generation unit 2 Since the time during which the flowing drive current D flows is limited, current consumption can be reduced.

[0038]

As described above, according to the vibration generator of the present invention, a vibration generator having a coil disposed in a magnetic circuit and a flow direction in which a repetition frequency is a desired repetition frequency are sequentially changed in a forward direction and a reverse direction. A drive unit that supplies a drive current to be switched to the coil, between a period in which the forward drive current is supplied and a period in which the reverse drive current is supplied,
Since the drive current stopping means for stopping the supply of the drive current to the coil is provided in the drive unit, when switching the direction of the drive current, the power transistor is not short-circuited and there is no fear of burning. .

In the vibration generating apparatus according to the present invention, the period for supplying the driving current in the forward direction and the period for supplying the driving current in the reverse direction are restricted so as not to extend beyond a predetermined period. Since the means is provided in the driving section, for example, even when the vibration of the vibration generating section is slowed down, the time for the drive current flowing through the coil of the vibration generating section to flow is limited, so that the current consumption can be reduced.

Further, the vibration generator of the present invention can change the predetermined repetition frequency. Therefore, by changing the vibration frequency variously in accordance with the type and content of the game, the operator is provided with the game. More interest in the program.

In the vibration generator of the present invention, the magnitude of the drive current can be changed, so that the amplitude of the vibration in the vibration generator can be changed variously according to the type and content of the game. Thus, the operator can be more interested in the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a vibration generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vibration generator used in the vibration generator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the vibration generator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the vibration generator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the vibration generator of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional vibration generator.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vibration generator used in a conventional vibration generator.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the conventional vibration generator.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the conventional vibration generator.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of a conventional vibration generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 drive unit 2 vibration generation unit 3 drive control circuit 5 control signal generation circuit 6 clock pulse generation circuit 7 first timing circuit 8 second timing circuit 9 first drive current control circuit 10 second drive current control circuit 13 Coil 36 Drive circuit 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d Power transistor CP Clock pulse TP1 First timing pulse TP2 Second timing pulse φ1a, φ1b, φ2a, φ2b Drive control signal D Drive current Sf1, Sf2 Frequency control signal Sc1, Sc2 current control signal

Claims (4)

[Claims] A vibration generating unit having a coil disposed in a magnetic circuit; and a driving unit supplying a driving current to the coil, the flow direction of which is sequentially switched between a forward direction and a reverse direction at a desired repetition frequency. And a drive current stopping means for stopping the supply of the drive current to the coil is provided in the drive unit between a period in which the forward drive current is supplied and a period in which the reverse drive current is supplied. A vibration generator. 2. A drive period limiting means for limiting a period in which the forward drive current is supplied and a period in which the reverse drive current is supplied to not extend beyond a predetermined period is provided in the drive unit. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein said desired repetition frequency can be changed. 4. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the driving current can be changed.