An ultra-thin X-axis linear motor

Abstract

This invention provides an ultra-thin X-axis linear motor, belonging to the field of linear reciprocating motors, including a housing and an oscillator assembly mounted within the housing via adjustable damping elastic element components. The oscillator assembly includes an oscillator and a power coil inserted within the oscillator. Two rows of permanent magnet arrays are spaced apart along the Z-axis within the oscillator, fixed inside the oscillator using a Halbach structure. The power coil is inserted between the two rows of permanent magnet arrays along the Y-axis. When the power coil is energized, the oscillator reciprocates along the X-axis. The oscillator assembly employs a drawer-type nested structure, effectively reducing the thickness of the linear motor in the normal Z-axis direction, laying the structural foundation for the thinner design of the device. Two sets of elastic element components are arranged on the outer side of the oscillator assembly. Under the same stiffness requirements, this layout occupies less normal space and can output a larger X-axis amplitude, ultimately achieving a balance between thinner design and performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to linear reciprocating mechanisms, and more particularly to an ultra-thin X-axis linear motor. Background Technology

[0002] A linear resonant actuator (LRA) is an electronic component used to generate vibration feedback, widely used in electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. X-axis linear resonant motors are evolving along four main lines: maximizing performance, reducing size and weight, increasing intelligent control, and diversifying application scenarios. The core goal is to provide more precise and richer tactile feedback in a smaller size and with lower power consumption. Balancing the size and performance of LRAs is a technological challenge, and achieving high performance in current ultra-thin designs still faces technical bottlenecks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides an ultra-thin X-axis linear motor, the purpose of which is to reduce the thickness of the linear motor and optimize its overall performance by optimizing the internal structure and layout of the linear motor.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide an ultra-thin X-axis linear motor, comprising: outer shell; An oscillator assembly is disposed within the housing, and the housing has elastic element assemblies at both ends in the X-axis direction. The two ends of the elastic element assemblies are respectively connected to the oscillator assembly and the housing, and the damping force generated by the elastic element assemblies is adjustable. The oscillator assembly includes an oscillator and a power coil inserted inside the oscillator. Two rows of permanent magnet arrays are arranged at intervals along the Z-axis inside the oscillator. The two rows of permanent magnet arrays are fixed inside the oscillator with a Halbach structure. The power coil is inserted between the two rows of permanent magnet arrays along the Y-axis. The oscillator reciprocates in the X-axis direction when the power coil is energized.

[0005] Preferably, the elastic element assembly includes an elastic element and a damping element, a plurality of the elastic elements are arranged along the Y-axis and each of the elastic elements is arranged along the X-axis, and one end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outer shell and the other end is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the oscillator to generate elastic force; The damping element includes an electromagnet coil and an auxiliary permanent magnet. The electromagnet coil is fixed to the inner wall of the outer shell, and the auxiliary permanent magnet is fixed to the outer wall of the oscillator. The auxiliary permanent magnet located on the same side of the oscillator and the electromagnet coil generate a magnetic field resultant force. The damping force is composed of the resultant force of the elastic force and the magnetic field.

[0006] Preferably, the oscillator has a slot opened along the Y-axis direction, one row of the permanent magnet array is fixed to the upper wall of the slot, and another row of the permanent magnet array is fixed to the lower wall of the slot. The two rows of the permanent magnet array each include a plurality of permanent magnets arranged along the X-axis direction. The power coil is electrically connected to a flexible circuit board, and the power coil is fixedly connected to the outer casing to secure the power coil.

[0007] Preferably, the slot is divided into several ramps along the X-axis to form a grid for fixing permanent magnets, and the permanent magnets are installed in the grid one by one.

[0008] Preferably, a power coil bracket is fixed on the oscillator, the power coil bracket is parallel to the XY plane, and the power coil is fixed on the power coil bracket.

[0009] Preferably, in the X-axis direction, the outer shell and the side opposite to the oscillator are respectively provided with outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision posts, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively sleeved on the outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision posts to restrict the movement of the elastic element in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions.

[0010] Preferably, the electromagnet coil and the auxiliary permanent magnet have limiting holes, and the electromagnet coil and the auxiliary permanent magnet are respectively sleeved on the guide anti-collision post of the elastic element of the outer shell.

[0011] Preferably, a housing elastic element mounting groove is also provided on the wall surface of the housing and the oscillator where the housing elastic element guide anti-collision post is provided. The housing elastic element mounting groove and the housing elastic element guide anti-collision post together restrict the movement of the elastic element in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions.

[0012] Preferably, auxiliary support elements are provided on each circumferential surface of the oscillator around the X-axis, and the auxiliary support elements guide the oscillator to reciprocate along the X-axis direction.

[0013] Preferably, the auxiliary support element is a universal ball bearing, the ball seat of the universal ball bearing is fixed on the vibrator, and the balls of the universal ball bearing are spaced apart from the inner wall of the outer casing.

[0014] The above-described solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In this application, the oscillator assembly adopts a drawer-type nested structure, effectively reducing the thickness of the linear motor in the Z-axis direction, thus laying the structural foundation for the thinning design of the device. Furthermore, two sets of damping components are arranged along the X-axis on the outside of the oscillator assembly. Under the same stiffness requirements, this layout occupies less normal space and can output a larger X-axis amplitude. This allows the ultra-thin X-axis linear motor to maintain its original performance while achieving thinning, ultimately achieving a balance between thinning design and performance. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is the outer shell of the present invention.

[0016] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image] 100 - Outer shell, 110 - First shell, 120 - Second shell, 130 - Power coil bracket slot 200-Oscillator assembly, 210-Oscillator, 220-Power coil, 221-Power coil bracket, 230-Permanent magnet array, 240-Through slot, 241-Ramp section, 242-Oscillator groove, 250-Flexible circuit board, 260-Outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision post, 261-Outer shell elastic element mounting slot, 270-Auxiliary support element. 300 - Elastic element assembly, 310 - Elastic element, 321 - Electromagnet coil, 322 - Auxiliary permanent magnet. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] like Figures 1-4As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultra-thin X-axis linear motor, including a housing 100 and an oscillator assembly 200 disposed within the housing 100. Two sets of elastic element assemblies 300 capable of changing damping force are respectively disposed within the housing 100 along the X-axis direction. The two sets of elastic element assemblies 300 are respectively disposed on both sides of the oscillator assembly 200 along the X-axis, with one end of each elastic element assembly 300 connected to the oscillator assembly 200 and the other end connected to the housing 100. The oscillator assembly 200 includes an oscillator 210 and a power coil 220 inserted within the oscillator 210. Two rows of permanent magnet arrays 230 are arranged at intervals along the Z-axis direction within the oscillator 210. The two rows of permanent magnet arrays 230 are fixed inside the oscillator 210 using a Halbach structure. The power coil 220 is inserted between the two rows of permanent magnet arrays 230 along the Y-axis direction. When the power coil 220 is energized, the oscillator 210 reciprocates in the X-axis direction.

[0019] In this application, the outer shell 100 includes a first shell 110 and a second shell 120. The first shell 110 is a main structure with a accommodating cavity that is open on one side. The accommodating cavity is used to accommodate the oscillator assembly 200 and the elastic element assembly 300. The second shell 120 is a cover plate structure that is fixed to the opening of the accommodating cavity. The first shell 110 and the second shell 120 are connected to form a sealed outer shell 100.

[0020] In this application, the power coil 220 and the oscillator 210 are assembled using a drawer-type nested structure, which reduces the thickness of the linear motor in the normal Z-axis direction, providing a structural basis for miniaturization and ultra-thin design. Furthermore, two sets of elastic element assemblies 300 are arranged outside the oscillator 210 along the X-axis direction. Under the same stiffness requirements, they occupy less space in the normal direction and can provide a larger axial amplitude. Thus, while reducing the thickness of the linear motor, the same performance is maintained, balancing the thinning and performance of the linear motor.

[0021] Specifically, the elastic element assembly 300 includes elastic elements 310 and damping elements. A plurality of elastic elements 310 are arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction, and each elastic element 310 is arranged along the X-axis direction. One end of the elastic element 310 is connected to the inner wall of the cavity of the first housing 110, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the oscillator 210, so that each elastic element 310 can generate elastic force in the X-axis direction.

[0022] The aforementioned damping element includes an electromagnet coil 321 and an auxiliary permanent magnet 322. The electromagnet coil 321 is fixed on the inner wall of the accommodating cavity of the first housing 110 and located in the X-axis direction of the first housing 110. The auxiliary permanent magnet 322 is fixed on the outer wall of the oscillator 210 and located in the X-axis direction of the oscillator 210. The auxiliary permanent magnet 322 and the electromagnet coil 321, located on the same side of the oscillator 210, generate a resultant magnetic field force along the X-axis direction. This resultant magnetic field force, together with the elastic force, constitutes the damping force.

[0023] The electromagnet coil 321 can interact with the auxiliary permanent magnet 322 on the oscillator 210 according to the direction and magnitude of the current flowing through it, forming a dynamic repulsive or attractive force, thereby changing the magnitude of the damping force. This can effectively assist in dynamically adjusting the acceleration, amplitude and other parameters of the oscillator assembly 200, which is more conducive to widening the frequency response range and enhancing the user experience in multiple scenarios.

[0024] Moreover, at least two elastic elements 310 are arranged along the Y-axis, which can ensure that the oscillator 210 is always parallel to the XY plane during the movement and ensure that the oscillator 210 is suspended.

[0025] Specifically, the oscillator 210 has a through slot 240 opened along the Y-axis direction, a row of permanent magnet arrays 230 is fixed on the upper wall of the through slot 240, and another row of permanent magnet arrays 230 is fixed on the lower wall of the through slot 240. The two rows of permanent magnet arrays 230 each include a number of permanent magnets arranged along the X-axis direction.

[0026] The aforementioned power coil 220 is electrically connected to a flexible circuit board 250. The flexible circuit board 250 is a flexible circuit board 250. The flexible circuit board 250 serves as a lead for connecting the power coil 220 and the electromagnet coil 321 to the power source. The power source provides current in different directions and of different magnitudes.

[0027] On the side of the second housing 120 facing the oscillator 210, there is also a power coil bracket 221 for fixing the power coil 220. The power coil bracket 221 is parallel to the XY plane and located between the two rows of permanent magnet arrays 230.

[0028] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the cavity of the first housing 110 is also provided with a power coil support slot 130. When the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are connected, the end of the power coil support 221 is inserted into the power coil support slot 130.

[0029] In this embodiment, three sets of power coils 220 are provided, and the three sets of power coils 220 are rectangularly wound. A first mounting surface is provided on the power coil bracket 221. Three limiting protrusions for fixing the power coils 220 are provided on the first mounting surface. The limiting protrusions pass through the center hole of the power coils 220, thereby preventing the power coils 220 from moving in the X-axis and / or Y-axis directions.

[0030] Preferably, the outer casing 100 is also provided with a wire hole for the flexible circuit board 250 to pass through.

[0031] In this application, the through slot 240 is divided into several slots along the X-axis direction by several ramps 241, and the permanent magnets of the aforementioned permanent magnet array 230 are installed in each slot in a corresponding manner.

[0032] In this application, the ramp portion 241 is embodied as a triangular structure protruding from the upper or lower wall surface of the through slot 240 towards the centerline of the through slot 240. The triangular structure separates adjacent slots through two inclined surfaces. The ramp portion 241 can effectively weaken the interaction force between adjacent permanent magnets arranged in a Halbach structure, and alleviate the problems of difficulty in installing adjacent permanent magnets in the slots and the protrusion of permanent magnets.

[0033] Preferably, the through slot 240 is further provided with oscillator grooves 242 on both sides in the X-axis direction for avoiding the power coil 220.

[0034] In this application, the side of the first housing 110 opposite to the oscillator 210 is provided with a housing elastic element guide anti-collision post 260. The two ends of the elastic element 310 are respectively sleeved on the housing elastic element guide anti-collision post 260 to restrict the movement of the elastic element 310 in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions, and to prevent the oscillator 210 from deviating during reciprocating movement.

[0035] The end of the oscillator 210 and the inner wall of the first housing 110 accommodating cavity are provided with outer shell elastic element mounting grooves 261 at corresponding positions on the end of the oscillator 210. The electromagnet coil 321 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the outer shell elastic element mounting groove 261 of the first housing 110, and the auxiliary permanent magnet 322 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the outer shell elastic element mounting groove 261 at the end of the oscillator 210, thereby preventing the two from moving in the X-axis and / or Y-axis directions.

[0036] Preferably, a guide post 260 for the elastic element is provided in the mounting groove 261 of the elastic element of the outer shell. The end of the elastic element 310 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide post 260. The cooperation between the mounting groove 261 and the guide post 260 can effectively restrict the movement of the elastic element 310 in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions, thereby effectively maintaining the oscillator assembly 200 parallel to the XY plane.

[0037] In some embodiments of this application, auxiliary support elements 270 are also provided on each circumferential surface of the oscillator 210 around the X-axis. The auxiliary support elements 270 guide the oscillator 210 to reciprocate along the X-axis. As a supplement to the support of the elastic element 310, the auxiliary support elements 270 can effectively avoid motion interference and performance drift caused by axial deviation of the oscillator, which is beneficial to increasing the amplitude of the linear vibration motor and reducing its thickness.

[0038] In this embodiment, the auxiliary support element 270 is a universal ball bearing, also known as a universal ball bullseye bearing, which has a ball seat and rolling balls. The rolling balls can rotate 360° within the ball seat. The ball seat of the universal ball bearing is fixed on each circumferential surface of the vibrator 210 around the X-axis, and the rolling balls are spaced apart from the inner walls of each circumferential surface of the outer casing 100 around the X-axis.

[0039] In this embodiment, the circumferential surface around the X-axis refers to the surface of the oscillator 210 in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions.

[0040] In this embodiment, by arranging the auxiliary support element 270, motion interference and performance drift caused by deviation during the reciprocating movement of the oscillator 210 can be effectively avoided, which is beneficial to increasing the amplitude of the linear motor and achieving overall thinning.

[0041] The linear motor provided in this application uses high-energy-product permanent magnet materials for the permanent magnet array 230 and auxiliary permanent magnet 322. The permanent magnet array 230 has a Halbach pole structure, which offers faster dynamic response and requires less installation space compared to traditional structures, while maintaining the same electromagnetic thrust. Meanwhile, elastic element assemblies 300 are arranged at both ends of the oscillator 210. Compared to a conventional single elastic element 310, this is not merely a change in quantity, but rather a reduction in the normal space occupied while achieving the same stiffness requirements, allowing for a larger axial amplitude. Combined with the reduced installation space requirement, this ensures that the linear motor's performance is not affected by the thinning process. This application uses a permanent magnet + electromagnet assembly to construct a variable damping system, which can effectively and dynamically adjust parameters such as oscillator acceleration and amplitude. Compared to traditional structures, this is more conducive to widening the frequency response range and enhancing the user experience in various application scenarios.

[0042] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultra-thin X-axis linear motor characterized by, include: Outer shell (100); An oscillator assembly (200) is disposed in the housing (100), and the housing (100) is provided with elastic element assemblies (300) at both ends in the X-axis direction. The two ends of the elastic element assembly (300) are respectively connected to the oscillator assembly (200) and the housing (100), and the damping force generated by the elastic element assembly (300) is adjustable. The oscillator assembly (200) includes an oscillator (210) and a power coil (220) inserted inside the oscillator (210). Two rows of permanent magnet arrays (230) are arranged at intervals along the Z-axis inside the oscillator (210). The two rows of permanent magnet arrays (230) are fixed inside the oscillator (210) with a Halbach structure. The power coil (220) is inserted between the two rows of permanent magnet arrays (230) along the Y-axis. The oscillator (210) reciprocates in the X-axis direction when the power coil (220) is energized.

2. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element assembly (300) includes an elastic element (310) and a damping element. A plurality of the elastic elements (310) are arranged along the Y-axis and each of the elastic elements (310) is arranged along the X-axis. One end of the elastic element (310) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outer shell (100) and the other end is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the oscillator (210) to generate elastic force. The damping element includes an electromagnet coil (321) and an auxiliary permanent magnet (322). The electromagnet coil (321) is fixed on the inner wall of the outer shell (100), and the auxiliary permanent magnet (322) is fixed on the outer wall of the oscillator (210). The auxiliary permanent magnet (322) located on the same side of the oscillator (210) and the electromagnet coil (321) generate a magnetic field resultant force. The damping force is composed of the resultant force of the elastic force and the magnetic field.

3. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oscillator (210) has a slot (240) opened along the Y-axis direction. One row of the permanent magnet array (230) is fixed to the upper wall of the slot (240), and another row of the permanent magnet array (230) is fixed to the lower wall of the slot (240). The two rows of permanent magnet arrays (230) each include a number of permanent magnets arranged along the X-axis direction. The power coil (220) is electrically connected to a flexible circuit board (250), and the power coil (220) is fixedly connected to the outer casing (100) to fix the power coil (220).

4. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The slot (240) is divided along the X-axis by a number of ramps (241) to form a grid for fixing permanent magnets, and the permanent magnets are installed in the grid one by one.

5. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: A power coil bracket (221) is fixed on the oscillator (210). The power coil bracket (221) is parallel to the XY plane, and the power coil (220) is fixed on the power coil bracket (221).

6. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the X-axis direction, the outer shell (100) and the side opposite to the oscillator (210) are respectively provided with outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision posts (260), and the two ends of the elastic element (310) are respectively sleeved on the outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision posts (260) to restrict the movement of the elastic element (310) in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions.

7. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electromagnet coil (321) and the auxiliary permanent magnet (322) have limiting holes, and the electromagnet coil (321) and the auxiliary permanent magnet (322) are respectively sleeved on the outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision post (260).

8. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 7, characterized in that: On the wall surface of the outer shell (100) and the vibrator (210) where the outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision post (260) is provided, an outer shell elastic element mounting groove (261) is also provided. The outer shell elastic element mounting groove (261) and the outer shell elastic element guide anti-collision post (260) together restrict the movement of the elastic element (310) in the Y-axis and / or Z-axis directions.

9. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 1, wherein: Auxiliary support elements (270) are provided on each circumferential surface of the oscillator (210) around the X-axis, and the auxiliary support elements (270) guide the oscillator (210) to reciprocate along the X-axis.

10. The ultra-thin X-axis linear motor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The auxiliary support element (270) is a universal ball bearing, the ball seat of the universal ball bearing is fixed on the vibrator (210), and the balls of the universal ball bearing are spaced apart from the inner wall of the outer shell (100).

Images