This invention relates to a hybrid-type magnet and a stepping motor including the same, and more particularly to a hybrid-type magnet wherein a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are combined with each other to control a current fed to the electromagnet, to thereby control intensity of a magnetic field affecting an exterior of the hybrid-type magnet and generate energy increased in amount as compared with energy fed thereto.

There have been conventionally developed few magnets constituted by a combination of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. It is generally considered that a combination of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet exhibits a function of generating a sum of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet and that of the electromagnet when a current is flowed through an excitation coil of the electromagnet in a certain direction. Also, it is considered that the combination, when a current in a direction opposite to the above-described direction is flowed through the excitation coil, causes a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to be canceled by a magnetic field in an opposite direction generated by the electromagnet.

Thus, when the excitation coil does not have a current flowed therethrough, only the permanent magnet generates a magnetic field. Flowing of a current through the excitation coil leads to an increase or decrease in magnetic.

However, such a combination of the permanent magnet and electromagnet as described above fails to effectively utilize energy of the permanent magnet. Energy of the permanent magnet is apparently utilized, however, it is required to feed energy to the electromagnet for canceling the magnetic field, resulting in the balance between energy utilized and that fed being zero. Thus, in order to ensure that energy of the permanent magnet is effectively utilized by excitation of the electromagnet, it is required to view the combination from a different angle.

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problem of the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid-type magnet which is capable of effectively utilizing energy of a permanent magnet by excitation of an electromagnet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stepping motor having such hybrid-type magnets as described above incorporated therein.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hybrid-type magnet is provided. The hybrid-type magnet generally includes an electromagnet and a bar-like engagement member. The electromagnet includes a core made of a magnetic material and formed of a core body and a pair of opposite arms to have a U-shape and an excitation coil wound on the core. The bar-like engagement member includes a permanent magnet and magnetic members arranged so as to interpose the permanent magnet therebetween and is closely joined to outer ends of the arms while being extended between the outer ends of the arms. The permanent magnet is positioned between the arms of the core.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the permanent magnet and magnetic members of the engagement member each have a cross section formed to have a rectangular shape and identical dimensions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the arms of the core has an outer surface defined at a lateral end thereof and the engagement member has end surfaces defined at opposite lateral ends thereof. The outer surface of the arm and one of the end surfaces of the engagement member are formed so as to be flush with each other when the engagement member is closely joined to the core.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic members of the engagement member each have a saturation magnetic flux density greater than that of the core.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arms of the core are each formed to have a rectangular shape in cross section.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the engagement member is so constructed that a ratio between a width of the permanent magnet in a direction of magnetization thereof and a sum of widths of the magnetic members is within a range between 1:1 and 1:15.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core is made of pure iron and the permanent magnet is made of neodymium.

Such construction of the hybrid-type magnet, when the excitation coil of the electromagnet is kept from being fed with a current, permits a line of magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet to form a closed magnetic path passing through the N pole of the permanent magnet, one of the magnetic members, the core, the other of the magnetic members and the S pole of the permanent magnet, to thereby substantially prevent leakage of a magnetic flux to the air. Then, when a current is fed to the excitation coil of the electromagnet to permit the excitation coil to generate a magnetic flux in a direction opposite to the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet, a line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet is canceled by that of the electromagnet. Also, it is discharged to the air when it exceeds a saturation state of the permanent magnet. At this time, when the amount of magnetic flux of the electromagnet is substantially increased, the amount of magnetic flux discharged to the air corresponds to addition between a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet and that of the electromagnet.

Thus, arrangement of a magnetic element in proximity to the engagement member keeps the hybrid-type magnet from attracting the magnetic element when a current is not flowed through the excitation coil and permits the permanent magnet and electromagnet to cooperate with each other to attract the magnetic element when a current is flowed through the excitation coil. This results in the hybrid-type magnet of the present invention effectively utilizing an action of the permanent magnet free of energy consumption.

Also, in accordance with this aspect, a hybrid-type magnet is provided. The hybrid-type magnet generally includes an electromagnet and a bar-like engagement member. The electromagnet includes a core made of a magnetic material and formed of a pair of core bodies and three arms to have a substantially E-shape and excitation coils wound on the core. The excitation coils are each wound on a corresponding one of the core bodies. The bar-like engagement member includes a first magnetic member, a first permanent magnet, a second magnetic member, a second permanent magnet and a third magnetic member tightly connected to each other in order and is closely joined to the core while being extended between outer ends of outer two arms of the arms of the core. The first and second permanent magnets are each positioned between an adjacent two of the arms.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the permanent magnets and magnetic members of the engagement member each have a cross section formed to have a rectangular shape and identical dimensions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the outer two arms of the arms of the core has an outer surface defined at a lateral end thereof and the engagement member has end surfaces defined at opposite lateral ends thereof. The outer surface of each of the outer two arms of the arms and one of the end surfaces of the engagement member are formed so as to be flush with each other when the engagement member is closely joined to the core.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic members of the engagement member each have a saturation magnetic flux density greater than that of the core.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arms of the core are each formed to have a rectangular shape in cross section.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the permanent magnets are formed to have identical widths in a direction of magnetization thereof. The engagement member is so constructed that a ratio between a sum of widths of the permanent magnets and a sum of widths of the magnetic members is within a range between 1:1 to 1:15.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core is made of pure iron and the permanent magnets are each made of neodymium.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a stepping motor is provided. The stepping motor generally includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a plurality of the above-described hybrid-type magnets. The hybrid-type magnets are integrally combined together and arranged in such a manner that the arms are radially extended and spaced from each other at equal angular intervals around a single common core body of the cores of the hybrid-type magnets. The rotor includes magnetic members arranged at equal angular intervals outside the engagement members of the hybrid-type magnets.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the stepping motors are arranged at a predetermined phase difference while being connected in series to each other.

Such construction of the stepping motor permits energy increased in amount compared with that fed to the electromagnet to be outputted therefrom by means of the permanent magnet by flowing a pulse current through each of the excitation coils.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings; wherein:

• Fig. 1A is a front elevation view showing an embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention;
• Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Fig. 1A;
• Fig. 2 is a front elevation view showing operation of the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 1A and 1B;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a manner of measurement of attractive force of the hybrid magnet according to the present invention;
• Fig. 4 is a view showing a manner of measurement of attractive force generated by only an electromagnet;
• Fig. 5 is a graphical representation showing comparison between attractive force generated by a hybrid-type magnet and attractive force generated by an electromagnet, when a gap defined between each of the hybrid-type magnet and electromagnet and a movable member is 0.5 mm;
• Fig. 6 is a graphical representation showing comparison between attractive force generated by a hybrid-type magnet and attractive force generated by an electromagnet, when a gap defined between each of the hybrid-type magnet and electromagnet and a movable member is 10 mm;
• Fig. 7A is a plan view showing another embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention;
• Fig. 7B is a front elevation view of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Fig. 7A;
• Fig. 7C is a side elevation view of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Fig. 7A;
• Figs. 8A and 8B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view each showing a manner of measuring separating force of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Figs. 7A to 7C, respectively;
• Figs. 9A and 9B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view each showing a manner of measuring separating force of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Figs. 7A to 7C while keeping a permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet, respectively;
• Figs. 10A and 10B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view each showing a manner of measuring separating force of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Figs. 7A to 7C while keeping an engagement member detached from the hybrid-type magnet, respectively;
• Figs. 11A and 11B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view each showing measurement of separating force of the hybrid-type magnet shown in Figs. 7A to 7C carried out using only the engagement member including a permanent magnet, respectively;
• Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a structure for examining attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and a magnetic element pass each other;
• Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a structure for examining attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and a magnetic element pass each other while keeping a permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet;
• Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing a structure for examining attractive force acting when only the engagement member of the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and a magnetic element pass each other;
• Fig. 15A is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance between the hybrid-type magnet and the magnetic element under the conditions that a gap G is set to be 0.2 mm and a current of 2.0 A is flowed through an excitation coil;
• Fig. 15B is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween while keeping the permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet under the conditions that a gap G is set to be 0.2 mm and a current of 2.0 A is flowed through an excitation coil;
• Fig. 15C is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween, which relationship is obtained using only the engagement member under the conditions that a gap G is set to be 0.2 mm and a current of 2.0 A is flowed through an excitation coil;
• Fig. 16A is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.3 mm;
• Fig. 16B is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween while keeping the permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.3 mm;
• Fig. 16C is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween, which relationship is obtained using only the engagement member under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.3 mm;
• Fig. 17A is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.4 mm;
• Fig. 17B is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween while keeping the permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.4 mm;
• Fig. 17C is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween, which relationship is obtained using only the engagement member under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.4 mm;
• Fig. 18A is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.5 mm;
• Fig. 18B is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween while keeping the permanent magnet detached from the hybrid-type magnet under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.5 mm;
• Fig. 18C is a graphical representation showing relationship between attractive force acting when the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 7A to 7C and the magnetic element pass each other and a distance therebetween, which relationship is obtained using only the engagement member under the condition that a gap G is set to be 0.5 mm;
• Figs. 19A and 19B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view showing a manner in which an experiment of separating a movable member from another embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention is carried out under the condition that the permanent magnet is formed to have a width of 2.5 mm, respectively;
• Figs. 20A and 20B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view similar to Figs. 19A and 19B, respectively, wherein the permanent magnet is formed to have a width of 5 mm;
• Figs. 21A and 21B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view similar to Figs. 19A and 19B, respectively, wherein the permanent magnet is formed to have a width of 10 mm;
• Figs. 22A and 22B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view similar to Figs. 19A and 19B, respectively, wherein the permanent magnet is formed to have a width of 15 mm;
• Figs. 23A and 23B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view similar to Figs. 19A and 19B, respectively, wherein the permanent magnet is formed to have a width of 20 mm;
• Figs. 24A and 24B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view showing a manner in which an experiment of separating the movable member from the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 19A and 19B is carried out under the condition that the engagement member is detached from the hybrid-type magnet, respectively;
• Figs. 25A and 25B are a front elevation view and a side elevation view showing a manner in which an experiment of separating the movable member from the hybrid-type magnet of Figs. 19A and 19B is carried out using only the engagement member, respectively;
• Fig. 26 is a graphical representation showing, in the form of a line graph, data in Table 10 showing results obtained in the experiments shown in Figs. 19A to 24B;
• Fig. 27 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a stepping motor according to the present invention;
• Fig. 28A is an end view taken along line 28A-28A of Fig. 27;
• Fig. 28B is an end view taken along line 28B-28B of Fig. 27; and
• Fig. 28C is an end view taken along line 28C-28C of Fig. 27.

Now, a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention is illustrated. A hybrid-type magnet of the illustrated embodiment generally designated at reference numeral 10 generally includes two major components. One of the components is an electromagnet 16 which includes a core 12 made of a magnetic material and formed to have a U-shape and an excitation coil 14 wound on the core 12. The other component is a bar-like engagement member 22 which includes a permanent magnet 18 and two magnetic members 20 arranged on opposite sides of the permanent magnet 18 so as to interpose it therebetween and is closely joined to opposite ends of the core 12 so as to be extended over an opening of the core 12.

The engagement member 22 is constituted of the permanent magnet 18, which may be a neodymium magnet, and the magnetic materials 20 made of a soft magnetic material and arranged so as to interpose therebetween opposite sides of the permanent magnet 18 defined in a direction of magnetization thereof. The permanent magnet 18 and magnetic members 20 each have a section formed to have the same rectangular shape, resulting in cooperating with each other to form a single bar-like configuration. The magnetic members 20 arranged on the opposite sides of the permanent magnet 18 are formed to have the same length, which is about twice as great as a length or width of the permanent magnet 18 in a direction of magnetization.

The electromagnet 16, as described above, includes the U-shaped core 12, which may be formed by laminating pure iron plates of a soft magnetic material on each other, as well as the excitation coil 14, which may be formed by winding a copper wire on a bottom or core body of the core 12. The core 12 has magnetic permeability set to be lower than that of the magnetic members 20 of the bar-like engagement member 22. The engagement member 22 is closely joined to lateral ends p and q (Fig. 1A) of the U-shaped core 12 on which magnetic poles S and N appear in a manner to be extended therebetween or extended over an opening of the U-shaped core 12 defined between the ends p and q. The magnetic members 20 of the bar-like engagement member 22 each have an end surface formed so as to be flush with an outer surface of a corresponding one of the ends of the core 12.

Now, characteristics of the hybrid-type magnet 10 of the illustrated embodiment thus constructed will be described.

First of all, when the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 is kept from being fed with a current, a line of magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 18 forms a closed magnetic path passing through the N pole of the permanent magnet 18, one of the magnetic members 20, the core 12, the other of the magnetic members 20 and the S pole of the permanent magnet 18, to thereby substantially prevent leakage of a magnetic flux to the air. This permits increased attractive force to be generated at an interface between the core 12 and the engagement member 22 which are closely joined together. Such a state is referred to as "state 1" herein. The interface is defined on each of the ends p and q of the core 12, therefore, it may be also designated at p and q herein.

Then, the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 is fed with a current which flows in a direction opposite to a direction of the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 and permits generation of a magnetic flux in an amount increased as compared with a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18. This results in the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 being pushed back above the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22 from the closed magnetic path, so that the line of magnetic force may be discharged to the air when it exceeds a saturation state of the permanent magnet 18. At this time, when the amount of magnetic flux of the electromagnet 16 reaches a sufficient level, the amount of magnetic flux discharged to the air corresponds to synthesis between the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18 and that of the electromagnet 16. Such a state is referred to as "state 2" herein. Thus, increased attractive force is generated at the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22. The attractive force is generated by only the electromagnet 16.

When the excitation coil 14 is fed with a current to permit the electromagnet 16 to generate a magnetic flux in an amount equal to that of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18 and as a result a magnitude of the current is increased as compared with a saturation state of a residual magnetic flux density in the closed magnetic path, neither attraction nor repulsion occurs at the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22. Such a state is referred to as "state 3" herein. This indicates that there is no intercommunication or interlinkage between the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 and that of the electromagnet 16. When the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18 and that of the electromagnet 16 are increased in amount to a level exceeding a saturation state of the residual magnetic flux density in the closed magnetic path even when both magnetic fluxes are equal in mount to each other, repulsion force is generated at the interface p, q, so that the lines of magnetic force of both electromagnet 16 and permanent magnet 18 are discharged in the form of a leakage magnetic flux to the air.

Under the conditions that neither attraction nor repulsion occurs at the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22 while permitting an outer surface of the engagement member 22 of the hybrid-type magnet 10 to function as an action surface X, a movable member 30 is supposed to be arranged in proximity to the action surface X as shown in Fig. 2. Such a state is referred to as "state 4" herein. The movable member 30 may be made of a soft magnetic material. When a current flowed through the excitation coil 14 is indicated at P and a current flowed through the excitation coil 14 in order to keep both attraction and repulsion from occurring at the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22 supposing that the movable member 30 is not present is indicated at P1, the current P is reduced with a decrease in gap between the action surface X and the movable member 30. This indicates that the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 forms a magnetic path through an air gap with respect to the movable member 30 beyond the interface p, q without forming any closed magnetic path in the hybrid-type magnet, to thereby generate attractive force on the action surface X.

The amount of current P fed to the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 is reduced to a level merely required to intercept the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 at the interface p, q between the core 12 and the engagement member 22. Thus, when cooperation of the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 with the movable member 30 facilitates formation of the magnetic path, the current P is permitted to be reduced. In other words, an increase in attractive force on the action surface X permits the current P to be reduced. It is a matter of course that attractive force on the action surface X is restricted depending on performance of the permanent magnet 18.

When the current P is fed in an increased amount to the excitation coil 14 as in the state 2 described above, attractive force on the action surface X is obtained by synthesis between the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18 and that of the electromagnet 16. Although this leads to an increase in attractive force, it causes a deterioration in energy efficiency.

In order to increase attractive force on the action surface X and decrease the current P in the state 4 described above, the following requirements must be satisfied:

• (1) An air gap on the action surface X is reduced;
• (2) The movable member 30 and the magnetic members 20 of the engagement member 22 each have a saturation magnetic flux density greater than that of the core 12; and
• (3) A closed magnetic path of the hybrid-type magnet has a length S1 set to be smaller than a length S2 of a magnetic path defined by cooperation between the permanent magnet 18 and the movable member 30 through the air gap.

An increase in attractive force on the action surface X of course requires an increase in performance (Br, BH) of the permanent magnet 18. In the illustrated embodiment, a neodymium magnet is used as the permanent magnet 18. Alternatively, a samarium magnet, a magnet of manganese-aluminum alloy or the like may be substituted therefor. Dimensions of each of the permanent magnet 18 and magnetic members 20 are each determined depending on a sectional area of the permanent magnet 18, Br and BH curves thereof, permeance thereof and the like, so that dimensions of the movable member 30 may be determined or selected.

Then, a current is fed to the excitation coil 14 of the hybrid-type magnet 10, to thereby actually measure attractive force with respect to the movable member 30 in such a manner as shown in Fig. 3. In this instance, the permanent magnet 18 may be formed to have dimensions of 35 mm in width, 25 mm in height and 35 mm in depth and the magnetic members 20 and movable member 30 may each be made of a material which permits each of the members 20 and 30 to have a saturation magnetic flux density greater than that of the core 12. Also, for comparison, attractive force is measured using only the electromagnet 16 without arrangement of the engagement member 22, as shown in Fig. 4. Further, in the case of the hybrid-type magnet 10, measurement of a magnetic flux density at each of predetermined positions α,β and γ is carried out as well. In either case, the measurement is executed by means of a spring balance while attaching a hook to the movable member 30 and maintaining the whole measuring system horizontal to permit gravity to be neglected.

Actually, attractive force F (kgf) with respect to the movable member 30 was measured while varying an air gap L1 between the action surface X and the movable member 30 to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm and varying a current flowed through the excitation coil 14. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 11. L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 0.5 0.4 0.180 11.5 - - - 0.8 0.356 39.0 - - - 1.2 0.533 - - - - 1.6 - - - - - 2.0 - - - - - 2.4 - - - - - 2.8 - - - - - 3.2 - - - - - 3.6 - - - - - 4.0 - - - - - 0 0 1.2 - - - L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 1 0.4 0.180 4.5 1730 1710 1730 0.8 0.356 11.2 2970 2930 2930 1.2 0.533 23.0 4320 4230 4220 1.6 0.710 40.0 5530 5450 5390 2.0 0.879 - 6980 6860 6810 2.4 - - - - - 2.8 - - - - - 3.2 - - - - - 3.6 - - - - - 4.0 - - - - - L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 2 0.4 0.184 1.55 931 939 956 0.8 0.356 3.25 1555 1550 1573 1.2 0.532 6.5 2196 2191 2201 1.6 0.709 10.3 2798 2803 2805 2.0 0.881 16.2 3454 3429 3453 2.4 1.053 22.0 4140 4120 4120 2.8 1.224 31.0 4820 4790 4800 3.2 1.391 41.5 5480 5450 5460 3.6 1.566 52.0 6130 6090 6080 4.0 1.723 63.0 6760 6730 6750 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 3 0.4 0.181 0.9 665 663 675 0.8 0.359 2.0 1092 1070 1081 1.2 0.547 3.3 1529 1514 1512 1.6 0.714 5.4 1978 1968 1974 2.0 0.871 7.9 2445 2395 2408 2.4 1.047 11.2 2867 2860 2835 2.8 1.223 15.0 3338 3272 3353 3.2 1.392 19.0 3780 3720 3725 3.6 1.552 23.0 4230 4170 4170 4.0 1.745 30.0 4660 4610 4610 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 4 0.4 0.189 0.6 534 513 502 0.8 0.358 1.15 840 822 816 1.2 0.534 2.1 1169 1154 1153 1.6 0.715 3.5 1522 1492 1501 2.0 0.886 4.9 1851 1817 1828 2.4 1.062 6.8 2174 2159 2162 2.8 1.236 9.2 2523 2485 2479 3.2 1.408 11.6 2859 2825 2839 3.6 1.581 14.6 3190 3159 3180 4.0 1.753 18.0 3516 3491 3493 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 5 0.4 0.189 0.55 411 411 395 0.8 0.359 0.9 669 653 655 1.2 0.538 1.45 919 901 908 1.6 0.720 2.1 1224 1182 1205 2.0 0.891 3.15 1467 1472 1460 2.4 1.068 4.4 1733 1689 1735 2.8 1.237 6.2 2002 1970 2004 3.2 1.415 7.6 2305 2227 2262 3.6 1.586 9.4 2529 2502 2535 4.0 1.751 11.6 2769 2753 2798 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 6 0.4 0.189 0.5 375 360 346 0.8 0.359 0.8 561 553 546 1.2 0.528 1.2 799 767 772 1.6 0.716 1.7 1035 1006 1015 2.0 0.891 2.4 1254 1218 1249 2.4 1.068 3.4 1448 1440 1465 2.8 1.237 4.4 1680 1649 1698 3.2 1.409 5.5 1961 1875 1957 3.6 1.587 7.0 2187 2090 2157 4.0 1.756 8.5 2409 2290 2400 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 7 0.4 0.182 0.25 324 314 317 0.8 0.359 0.7 502 479 483 1.2 0.538 0.9 736 662 675 1.6 0.716 1.3 913 857 881 2.0 0.887 1.8 1083 1042 1079 2.4 1.068 2.5 1292 1239 1277 2.8 1.237 3.3 1462 1402 1452 3.2 1.406 4.35 1667 1598 1665 3.6 1.583 5.4 1866 1789 1825 4.0 1.750 6.5 2035 1985 2077 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 8 0.4 0.182 0.25 290 276 286 0.8 0.359 0.65 454 419 439 1.2 0.535 0.9 609 577 611 1.6 0.718 1.35 776 747 775 2.0 0.890 1.8 983 903 952 2.4 1.063 2.2 1142 1078 1142 2.8 1.237 2.7 1288 1241 1282 3.2 1.414 3.3 1486 1402 1490 3.6 1.586 4.2 1623 1569 1661 4.0 1.750 4.9 1846 1724 1834 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 9 0.4 0.182 0.2 281 250 251 0.8 0.359 0.3 387 377 389 1.2 0.538 0.65 545 520 541 1.6 0.720 0.9 692 661 730 2.0 0.888 1.25 863 802 871 2.4 1.061 1.7 1059 957 1040 2.8 1.234 2.15 1185 1104 1189 3.2 1.406 2.8 1323 1246 1356 3.6 1.575 3.3 1493 1394 1481 4.0 1.750 4.1 1689 1587 1711 L1 (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F(kgf) Magnetic Flux Density α β γ (gauss) 10 0.4 0.182 0.15 243 225 238 0.8 0.362 0.3 363 343 363 1.2 0.538 0.45 472 460 510 1.6 0.718 0.7 631 587 645 2.0 0.887 1.0 772 732 814 2.4 1.067 1.3 934 851 964 2.8 1.223 1.9 1037 997 1080 3.2 1.411 2.1 1223 1132 1255 3.6 1.583 2.6 1386 1267 1418 4.0 1.749 3.3 1538 1430 1558

Table 1 indicates that the air gap L1 of 0.5 mm permitted the attractive force to be rapidly increased with an increase in current, as noted from the fact that the attractive force F was 1.5 kgf at the current of 0.4 A and 39.0 kgf at the current of 0.8 A. Although the attractive force F was as high as 1.2 kgf even at the current of 0 A, this was due to a leakage magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18. The value is trivial as compared with those obtained by flowing of the current. Also, the magnetic flux density at each of the predetermined positions α, β and γ could not be measured because the air gap L1 was too narrow to permit an instrument for measurement to be inserted thereinto. Further, attractive force obtained at the current at a level above 0.8 A was not measured because it exceeded a limitation of measurement of the spring balance.

Tables 2 to 11 also indicate the results obtained by measuring attractive force with respect to the movable member 30 while varying an air gap L1 between the action surface X and the movable member 30 from 1 mm to 10 mm and varying a current flowed through the excitation coil 14. Measurement of attractive force with respect to the movable member 30 at the current of 0 A could not be measured when the air gap L1 exceeds 1 mm. This indicates that the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 18 substantially forms a closed magnetic path in the hybrid-type magnet 10, resulting in any leakage magnetic flux being kept from being generated.

Then, attractive force was measured using only the electromagnet 16 without arrangement of the engagement member 22 as shown in Fig. 4. The measurement was executed by varying the air gap L1' between the action surface X and the movable member 30 to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm and varying a current flowed through the excitation coil 14. The results are shown in Tables 12 to 22, wherein attractive force measured is indicated at F' (kgf). Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 0.5 0.4 0.180 3.9 0.8 0.356 15.0 1.2 0.534 36.0 1.6 - - 2.0 - - 2.4 - - 2.8 - - 3.2 - - 3.6 - - 4.0 - - Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 1 0.4 0.184 1.2 0.8 0.356 4.5 1.2 0.533 10.8 1.6 0.713 20.0 2.0 0.883 31.0 2.4 - - 2.8 - - 3.2 - - 3.6 - - 4.0 - - Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 2 0.4 0.184 0.6 0.8 0.359 1.6 1.2 0.533 3.3 1.6 0.710 5.4 2.0 0.883 9.0 2.4 1.058 13.0 2.8 1.226 16.0 3.2 1.393 21.0 3.6 1.563 27.0 4.0 1.731 35.0 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 3 0.4 0.183 0.4 0.8 0.358 0.9 1.2 0.545 1.5 1.6 0.715 2.7 2.0 0.884 4.2 2.4 1.052 5.4 2.8 1.223 7.3 3.2 1.393 10.0 3.6 1.556 13.0 4.0 1.730 16.2 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 4 0.4 0.182 0.2 0.8 0.358 0.35 1.2 0.532 0.65 1.6 0.715 1.2 2.0 0.881 1.8 2.4 1.056 2.5 2.8 1.224 3.6 3.2 1.394 4.4 3.6 1.570 5.4 4.0 1.735 6.2 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 5 0.4 0.180 0.2 0.8 0.359 0.35 1.2 0.543 0.65 1.6 0.712 1.2 2.0 0.885 1.8 2.4 1.053 2.5 2.8 1.228 3.6 3.2 1.402 4.4 3.6 1.571 5.4 4.0 1.739 6.2 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 6 0.4 0.180 0.15 0.8 0.355 0.3 1.2 0.543 0.5 1.6 0.715 0.9 2.0 0.889 1.25 2.4 1.057 1.65 2.8 1.223 2.4 3.2 1.405 3.0 3.6 1.572 3.7 4.0 1.734 4.6 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 7 0.4 0.184 0.1 0.8 0.356 0.25 1.2 0.533 0.45 1.6 0.710 0.7 2.0 0.882 1.0 2.4 1.058 1.4 2.8 1.229 1.8 3.2 1.403 2.3 3.6 1.581 3.0 4.0 1.738 3.7 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 8 0.4 0.184 - 0.8 0.357 0.2 1.2 0.533 0.4 1.6 0.713 0.6 2.0 0.883 1.0 2.4 1.058 1.2 2.8 1.224 1.5 3.2 1.410 1.8 3.6 1.573 2.5 4.0 1.730 2.9 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 9 0.4 0.184 - 0.8 0.359 0.2 1.2 0.533 0.4 1.6 0.713 0.6 2.0 0.886 0.8 2.4 1.058 0.95 2.8 1.230 1.35 3.2 1.411 1.6 3.6 1.574 2.1 4.0 1.732 2.5 Attractive Force under Varying Current L1' (mm) Current (A) Voltage (V) F'(kgf) Remarks 10 0.4 0.184 - 0.8 0.360 - 1.2 0.533 0.4 1.6 0.714 0.6 2.0 0.890 0.7 2.4 1.055 0.9 2.8 1.227 1.15 3.2 1.407 1.4 3.6 1.578 1.75 4.0 1.730 2.0

Table 12 indicates that the air gap L1' of 0.5 mm permits the attractive force to be rapidly increased with an increase in current, as noted from the fact that the attractive force F' was 3.9 kgf at the current of 0.4 A, 15.0 kgf at the current of 0.8 A and 36.0 kgf at 1.2 A. However, comparison between Table 12 and Table 1 described above indicates that attractive force obtained by the hybrid-type magnet 10 is 2.9 (=11.5/3.9) times at the current of 0.4 A and 2.6 (=39.0/15.0) times at the current of 0.8 A, as compared with attractive force obtained by only the electromagnet. Thus, a combination of the electromagnet 16 with the permanent magnet 18 exhibits increased attractive force at the same power consumption as compared with that obtained by only the electromagnet 16. The permanent magnet 18 does not consume energy, to thereby contribute to energy savings. The results of Tables 1 and 12 are also shown in Fig. 5.

Tables 13 to 22 also indicate results obtained by measuring attractive force with respect to the movable member 30 while varying an air gap L1' within a range between 1 mm and 10 mm and varying a current flowed through the excitation oil 14. Table 22 indicates that the air gap L1' of 10 mm permitted the attractive force F' to be 0.4 kgf at the current of 1.2 A, 0.6 kgf at 1.6 A, 0.7 kgf at 2.0 A, 0.9 kgf at 2.4 A, 1.15 kgf at 2.8 A, 1.4 kgf at 3.2 A, 1.75 kgf at 3.6 A and 2.0 kgf at 4.0 A.

Now, Table 11 showing attractive force obtained by the hybrid-type magnet 10 will be compared with Table 22. The comparison indicates that attractive force obtained by the hybrid-type magnet 10 is 1.1 (=0.45/0.4) times at the current of 1.2 A, 1.2 (=0.7/0.6) times at the current of 1.6 A, 1.4 (=1.0/0.7) times at 2.0 A, 1.4 (=1.3/0.9) times at 2.4 A, 1.6 (=1.9/1.15) times at 2.8 A, 1.5 (=2.1/1/4) times at 3.2 A, 1.5 (=2.6/1.75) times at 3.6 A and 1.6 (=3.3/2.0) times at 4.0 A, as compared with attractive force obtained by only the electromagnet 16. The former attractive force is about 1.4 times as large as the latter one on an average. As compared with the above-described attractive force obtained when the air gap L1 is 0.5 mm, a decrease in air gap L1 (L1') permits an increase in advantage of the hybrid-type magnet. Thus, it will be noted that the hybrid-type magnet 10 constituted of the permanent magnet 18 and electromagnet 16 according to the illustrated embodiment effectively utilizes energy. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, control of a current flowed through the excitation coil 14 permits attractive force exhibited by the permanent magnet 18 to be variably controlled. The results of Tables 11 and 22 are also shown in Fig. 6.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the hybrid-type magnet of the illustrated embodiment is constructed of the electromagnet including the core made of a magnetic material and formed to have a U-shape and the excitation coil wound on the core, and the bar-like engagement member which includes the permanent magnet and magnetic members arranged so as to interpose the permanent magnet therebetween and is closely joined to the opposite ends of the core so as to be extended over the opening of the core. Such construction permits the hybrid-type magnet to exhibit significantly increased attractive force while minimizing current consumption, to thereby attain energy savings.

Referring now to Figs. 7A to 7C, another embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention is illustrated. A hybrid-type magnet of the illustrated embodiment which is generally designated at reference numeral 10 likewise generally includes two major components. One of the components is an electromagnet 16 which includes a core 12 and an excitation coil 14 wound on the core 12. The core 12 is constituted of a core body 12a and a pair of arms 12b of a rectangular shape in section arranged on opposite lateral sides of the core body 12a so as to form a U-shape in cooperation with the core body 12a. The other component is a rectangular bar-like engagement member 22, which includes a permanent magnet (neodymium magnet) 18 and two magnetic members 20 arranged on opposite sides of the permanent magnet 18 so as to interpose it therebetween and is closely joined to both arms 12b of the core 12 so as to be extended between outer ends of the arms 12b. The engagement member 22 is so arranged that the permanent magnet 18 is positioned between the arms 12b of the core 12. The magnetic members 20 may be made of a soft magnetic material.

The electromagnet 16, as described above, includes the U-shaped core 12, which may be formed by laminating pure iron plates of a soft magnetic material on each other. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7A to 7C, the arms 12b of the core 12 are each formed to have a width F of 10 mm, a height D of 10 mm and a thickness H of 10 mm. The height D is defined to be a distance between an upper end of the core body 12a and an upper end of the arm 12b. This results in each of the arms 12b having a cross sectional area of 100 mm².

The engagement member 22 is so constructed that the permanent magnet 18 and magnetic members 20 each have a cross section formed to have the same rectangular shape, resulting being generally formed to have a single bar-like configuration. The permanent magnet 18 is formed to have dimensions of 15 mm in height C, 5 mm in width B and 10 mm in thickness H. The magnetic members 20 arranged on the opposite sides of the permanent magnet 18 are each formed to have dimensions of 15 mm in height C, 17.5 mm in width A and 10 mm in thickness H. This results in the permanent magnet 18 and magnetic members 20 each having a vertical sectional area of 150 mm². The magnetic members 20 may be made of, for example, pure iron. Alternatively, it may be made of a material increased in saturation magnetic flux density and/or permeability as compared with pure iron, such as permalloy, silicon steel or the like.

The excitation coil 14 is made of a copper wire having a diameter of 0.6 mm, which is wound 420 turns on the core 12 of the electromagnet 16.

Now, characteristics of the hybrid-type magnet 10 of the illustrated embodiment thus constructed will be described.

First of all, when the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 is kept from being fed with a current, a line of magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 18 forms a closed magnetic path passing through the N pole of the permanent magnet 18, one of the magnetic members 20, the core 12, the other of the magnetic members 20 and the S pole of the permanent magnet 18, to thereby substantially prevent leakage of a magnetic flux to the air. This permits increased attractive force to be generated between the arms 12b of the core 12 and the engagement member 22. Thus, even when a magnetic material is approached to the engagement member 22, the magnetic material is kept from being affected by the hybrid-type magnet 10.

An experiment was carried out wherein a current is fed to the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 to permit the excitation coil 14 to generate a magnetic flux in a direction opposite to the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18. For this purpose, first of all, a movable member or magnetic element (hereinafter also referred to as "piece") 30 made of a magnetic material and formed to have dimensions of 40 mm in width, 15 mm in height and 10 mm in thickness was kept in contact with the engagement member 22. Then, separating force required for separating the movable member 30 from the hybrid-type magnet 10 was measured while being applied to the movable member 30 in a direction indicated at an arrow in Figs. 8A and 8B. For comparison, a maximum value of the separating force required when only the permanent magnet 18 is removed from the hybrid-type magnet 10 as shown in Figs. 9A and 9B, when both permanent magnet 18 and engagement member 22 are detached from the hybrid-type magnet 10 as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, and when only the permanent magnet 18 is kept interposed between the magnetic members 20 as shown in Figs. 11A and 11B was likewise measured. The results are shown in Table 23, wherein (1) indicates data obtained when the movable member or magnetic element 30 is made of Ferroperm manufactured by NKK CORP. and (2) indicates data when it is made of pure iron. An apparatus used for the measurement was AT-10T SHIMADZU LOAD CELL TYPE SBL-1kN (Resolution: Max. 100 kgf, Min. 10 gf). Current *1(1) *2 (2) *3 (2) *4 (1) *5 (2) *6(1) *7 (2) (A) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) 0 3.18 2.08 - - - 0.2 13.48 8.33 4.43 11.93 8.03 0.4 24.95 19.78 7.10 14.23 12.18 0.6 30.20 26.10 7.75 15.30 13.55 0.8 31.93 30.35 8.28 16.10 14.48 15.40 13.23 1.0 33.33 31.50 8.48 16.78 15.25 1.2 34.48 32.25 9.03 17.15 15.75 1.4 34.90 32.93 9.45 18.03 16.38 1.6 35.38 33.63 9.75 18.43 16.58 1.8 35.63 33.53 9.95 18.80 17.05 2.0 35.68 34.18 10.25 19.23 17.48 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *3: Electromagnet (with magnetic members) *4: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *5: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *6: Permanent magnet *7: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm (2): Movable member (piece) made of pure iron

As shown in Table 23, a combination of the electromagnet and permanent magnet required separating force for separating the movable member from the hybrid-type magnet 10 even when the current is 0 A. This would be due to leakage magnetic flux. When the current is 0.2 A, separating force required in the case of a combination of the electromagnet and permanent magnet was decreased as compared with that required when only the permanent magnet is used. This would be for the reason that the current at such a level fails to cancel a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet. The separating force was abruptly required at the time when the current exceeds a level of 0.4 A and approximated a sum of the separating force required in the case of only the electromagnet and that in the case of only the permanent magnet. The structure shown in Figs. 9A and 9B permitted a magnetic path to be formed between the magnetic members 20 through an air gap, resulting in attractive force with respect to the movable member 30 being decreased as compared with that obtained in the structure shown in Figs. 10A and 10B.

Then, a maximum value of the separating force was measured while varying a thickness of the movable member 30. Tables 24, 25, 26 and 27 show the results obtained when the movable member 30 was formed to have a thickness of 5 mm, 7.5 mm, 12.5 mm and 15 mm, respectively. The results obtained at the thickness of 10 mm are shown in Table 23 described above. Current *1 (1) *2(1) *3 (1) (A) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) 0 4.93 - 0.2 13.15 5.45 0.4 19.05 8.88 0.6 22.35 10.70 0.8 24.40 11.98 1.0 25.70 12.58 20.65 1.2 27.18 13.05 1.4 27.90 13.40 1.6 28.70 13.70 1.8 29.63 13.98 2.0 29.78 14.15 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current *1 (1) *2(1) *3 (1) (A) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) 0 3.03 - 0.2 10.25 8.53 0.4 21.70 11.83 0.6 25.63 12.70 0.8 27.98 13.83 1.0 30.13 13.78 15.85 1.2 31.23 14.08 1.4 31.73 14.80 1.6 32.30 15.18 1.8 33.05 15.83 2.0 33.85 16.08 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current *1 (1) *2 (1) *3 (1) (A) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) 0 2.93 - 0.2 23.43 9.63 0.4 28.98 12.60 0.6 30.73 13.50 0.8 31.15 14.30 1.0 31.73 15.05 15.15 1.2 32.43 15.60 1.4 32.93 16.15 1.6 33.18 16.55 1.8 34.03 17.00 2.0 34.23 17.23 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current *1 (1) *2 (1) *3 (1) (A) (kgf) (kgf) (kgf) 0 3.50 - 0.2 19.63 9.20 0.4 26.45 11.40 0.6 29.08 12.40 0.8 30.70 12.75 1.0 31.30 13.45 14.15 1.2 32.05 13.88 1.4 33.05 14.40 1.6 33.35 14.80 1.8 34.05 15.45 2.0 34.78 15.88 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (without magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm

As will be noted from Tables 24 to 27, a thickness of the movable member 30 of 5 mm or less causes a reduction in separating force. Also, the thickness between 7.5 mm and 15 mm keeps the separating force substantially unvaried.

In any event, it was found that the hybrid-type magnet 10 of the illustrated embodiment permits energy of the permanent magnet which is said to be kept from energy loss to externally act while being added to energy of the electromagnet due to control of a current flowed through the electromagnet, thus, a reduction of the current to a level of 0 A is merely required to keep the energy from affecting an exterior of the hybrid-type magnet 10.

Then, an experiment was carried out in order to study an effect which the hybrid-type magnet 10 produces on a magnetic material when the magnet 10 and magnetic material relatively pass each other. The experiment was executed in such a manner as shown in Fig 12. Also, for comparison, the experiment was carried out with respect to the hybrid-type magnet 10 from which the permanent magnet 18 was detached or only the electromagnet 16 and with respect to only the engagement member 22 including the permanent magnet 18 in such manners as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 12, two such hybrid-type magnets 10 are arranged laterally opposite to each other and a slide member 40 is arranged between the hybrid-type magnets 10 in a manner to be slid in a direction normal to the plane of Fig. 12. The slide member 40 is provided at a central portion thereof with a base section 42 of a square pillar-like shape made of a non-magnetic material. The base 42 is formed at each of two portions thereof vertically spaced from each other with a hole 44, through which a rail (not shown) is inserted. Also, the base 42 is mounted on each of opposite lateral sides thereof with a mount plate 46 made of a non-magnetic material. The mount plate 46 is mounted on an outer surface thereof with the movable member or magnetic element 30. The movable members 30 are each so arranged that a gap G is defined between each of the movable members 30 and the engagement member 22 of the hybrid-type magnet 10.

A further experiment was carried out while varying the gap G between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm and varying a current flowed through the excitation coil 14 of the electromagnet 16 between 0 A and 2.0 A. In the experiment, the slide member 40 was slid from a front side on the plane of Fig. 12 toward a rear side on the plane to pass the hybrid-type magnet 10, during which attractive force was measured. The results are shown in Tables 28 to 31. Also, Tables 28 to 31 show the results obtained when only the electromagnet 16 shown in Fig. 13 and only the permanent magnet 18 shown in Fig. 14 were used, respectively. Current (A) *1(1) (kgf) *2(1) (kgf) *3 (1) (kgf) 0 0.38 - 0.2 0.41 0.21 0.4 0.48 0.35 0.6 0.55 0.50 0.8 0.93 0.66 1.0 1.34 1.08 3.78 1.2 1.70 1.32 1.4 2.51 1.55 1.6 3.13 1.72 1.8 3.46 1.86 2.0 4.20 1.95 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (with magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current (A) *1 (1) (kgf) *2 (1) (kgf) *3 (1) (kgf) 0 0.23 - 0.2 0.29 0.17 0.4 0.37 0.27 0.6 0.50 0.35 0.8 0.61 0.57 1.0 0.73 2.64 1.2 1.2 0.93 1.4 1.71 1.12 1.6 2.07 1.15 1.8 2.62 1.33 2.0 3.13 1.38 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (with magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current (A) *1(1) (kgf) *2(1) (kgf) *3 (1)(kgf) 0 0.28 - 0.2 0.29 0.19 0.4 0.33 0.24 0.6 0.36 0.35 0.8 0.47 0.48 1.0 0.41 0.58 2.12 1.2 0.68 0.85 1.4 1.06 0.82 1.6 1.32 0.93 1.8 1.41 0.99 2.0 1.90 1.11 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (with magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm Current (A) *1 (1) (kgf) *2 (1) (kgf) *3 (1) (kgf) 0 0.33 - 0.2 0.28 0.17 0.4 0.30 0.19 0.6 0.36 0.25 0.8 0.44 0.39 1.0 0.75 0.39 2.12 1.2 0.93 0.50 1.4 1.02 0.48 1.6 1.43 0.70 1.8 1.80 0.73 2.0 2.18 0.78 *1: Electromagnet + permanent magnet *2: Electromagnet (with magnetic members) *3: Permanent magnet (1): Movable member (piece) made of Ferroperm

As can be seen from Tables 28 to 31, when the current is within a range between 0.2 A and 2.0 A, attractive force which the hybrid-type magnet exerts on the magnetic elements 30 as compared with that obtained with only the electromagnet. Thus, it will be noted that the hybrid-type magnet 10 effectively utilizes energy of the permanent magnet 18.

Also, the experiment revealed a more significant fact. The fact is directed to relationship between attractive force which the hybrid-type magnet 10 exerts on the magnetic elements 30 when the slide member 40 moves past the magnet 10 and a distance therebetween. The attractive force produced when a current of 2.0 A is flowed through the excitation coil while varying the gap G between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm was measured. The results are shown in Figs. 15A to 18C. It is a matter of course that the attractive force is irrelevant to the current when only the permanent magnet is used.

As will be noted from Figs. 15A to 18C, the maximum value is obtained when the distance is about 10 mm. In this regard, the hybrid-type magnet 10 permits the attractive force to be increased in maximum value and generally enhanced as compared with that obtained with only the electromagnet. Thus, the hybrid-type magnet of the illustrated embodiment is increased in value obtained by integration between the distance and the attractive force, to thereby exert increased energy on the slide member 40.

Referring now to Figs. 19A and 19B, a further embodiment of a hybrid-type magnet according to the present invention is illustrated. A hybrid-type magnet of the illustrated embodiment which is generally designated at reference numeral 50 generally includes two major components. One of the components is an electromagnet 60 constituted of a core 62 and excitation coils 64 wound on the core 62. The core 62 includes a pair of core bodies 62a, a pair of outer arms 62b arranged on an outer side of the core bodies 62a so as to interpose the core bodies 62a therebetween and formed to have a rectangular shape in section, and a central arm 62c arranged so as to be positioned between the core bodies 62a, resulting in being formed to have a substantially E-like shape. The excitation coils 64 are each wound on a respective one of the core bodies 62a of the core 62. The other component is a rectangular pillar-like engagement member 70 arranged so as to be extended between the outer arms 62b and closely jointed to the outer arms 62b. The word "rectangular" used in connecti