A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

Disclosed is an actuator generating haptic sensations, the actuator having a spherical rotor driven by a magnetic force vector created around the same, a stator having a space corresponding in shape to the spherical rotor defined therein to allow the spherical rotor to be positioned in the space and having a portion of an upper part of the spherical rotor exposed, at least three rotation-driving coils formed in the stator at a given distance from each other to provide the magnetic force vector to the spherical rotor, and a driving unit independently controlling electric current supplied to each of the rotation-driving coils to create the magnetic force vector.

Disclosed is an actuator generating haptic sensations, the actuator having a spherical rotor driven by a magnetic force vector created around the same, a stator having a space corresponding in shape to the spherical rotor defined therein to allow the spherical rotor to be positioned in the space and having a portion of an upper part of the spherical rotor exposed, at least three rotation-driving coils formed in the stator at a given distance from each other to provide the magnetic force vector to the spherical rotor, and a driving unit independently controlling electric current supplied to each of the rotation-driving coils to create the magnetic force vector.

A solenoid device includes a yoke, a core, a shaft, a bobbin, a coil, a plunger, a lid, and a housing. A housing body part of the housing has a first opening; a cylindrical first inner wall part having a first step part extending toward the outer side in the radial direction; and a cylindrical second inner wall part having a second step part extending toward the outer side in the radial direction. A first cylindrical part has a first flange part. The outer diameter of the first flange part is larger than the inner diameter of the first inner wall part and smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner wall part. A circumferential end part of the first flange part contacts the second step part. The lid is non-magnetic, and a circumferential edge part is held between the first step part and the first flange part.

A solenoid device includes a yoke, a core, a shaft, a bobbin, a coil, a plunger, a lid, and a housing. A housing body part of the housing has a first opening; a cylindrical first inner wall part having a first step part extending toward the outer side in the radial direction; and a cylindrical second inner wall part having a second step part extending toward the outer side in the radial direction. A first cylindrical part has a first flange part. The outer diameter of the first flange part is larger than the inner diameter of the first inner wall part and smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner wall part. A circumferential end part of the first flange part contacts the second step part. The lid is non-magnetic, and a circumferential edge part is held between the first step part and the first flange part.

A lens driving device according to the present invention is a lens driving device that includes an auto-focus coil and an auto-focus magnet and that moves a movable auto-focus unit including the auto-focus coil in the direction of an optical axis relative to a fixed auto-focus unit including the auto-focus magnet by using a driving force of a voice coil motor constituted of the auto-focus coil and the auto-focus magnet. The fixed auto-focus unit includes a case formed of a non-magnetic material and having a rectangular shape in plan view and a base on which the case is fixed. The auto-focus magnet has the shape of a flat plate disposed on a side face of the case, and at least one of the four side faces of the case is a non-magnet-disposed face, on which the auto-focus magnet is not disposed.

A lens driving device according to the present invention is a lens driving device that includes an auto-focus coil and an auto-focus magnet and that moves a movable auto-focus unit including the auto-focus coil in the direction of an optical axis relative to a fixed auto-focus unit including the auto-focus magnet by using a driving force of a voice coil motor constituted of the auto-focus coil and the auto-focus magnet. The fixed auto-focus unit includes a case formed of a non-magnetic material and having a rectangular shape in plan view and a base on which the case is fixed. The auto-focus magnet has the shape of a flat plate disposed on a side face of the case, and at least one of the four side faces of the case is a non-magnet-disposed face, on which the auto-focus magnet is not disposed.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

A rotation operation device using magnetic force, which is compact and enables a user to perform a proper operation. The rotation operation device includes a rotation operation member rotatable about a predetermined axis. A ring-shaped magnet is magnetized in a magnetization direction parallel to the predetermined axis such that magnetic poles alternate. The magnet rotates about the predetermined axis along with rotation of the rotation operation member. A first magnetic body have first tooth portions formed at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction and extending in radial directions of the magnet. The magnet overlaps with the first tooth portions in a direction of the predetermined axis. An operating physical force is generated according to changes in positions of the magnetic poles and the first tooth portions, which are caused by rotation of the magnet.