Contact Voice Coil Motor Structure for Higher Thrust

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing voice coil motors in disk drive devices suffer from low magnetic efficiency due to the separation of the VCM magnets and coil, limiting the thrust of the moving member.

Innovation Solution

A voice coil motor configuration where the coil and magnet sections are in contact, allowing one member to move relative to the other, with specific magnetic pole arrangements and coatings or plating to enhance sliding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the VCM magnets and VCM coil are separated from each other, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the magnetic efficiency is low and the thrust is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidthrust

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coil and magnet sections by making them contact each other, eliminating the gap between these components. This merging increases the magnetic efficiency and thrust force while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the straightforward contact configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If the coil and magnet sections are in contact, then the magnetic efficiency and thrust are improved, but the sliding friction increases and sliding stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethrustVSAvoidsliding stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface properties of the coil and magnet sections by applying coatings or plating treatments. This parameter change reduces the sliding friction coefficient while maintaining the contact configuration, thereby improving sliding stability and reliability without sacrificing thrust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the coil and magnet sections are in contact, then the magnetic efficiency is improved, but the motor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic efficiencyVSAvoidmotor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coil and magnet sections into a compact contact configuration, which improves magnetic efficiency by eliminating the gap between components. This merging also reduces the overall motor volume compared to separated configurations, as the contact structure allows for more space-efficient arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves magnetic efficiency and thrust while maintaining a smaller motor size, with enhanced sliding stability and reduced friction.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnetic force generated by the interaction between the electric field generated when the VCM coil is energized and the magnetic field of the pair of VCM magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250323560A1Voice coil motor, electronic device, and optical path changing device

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A voice coil motor includes a coil section having a wound wire and a magnet section configured to contact with the coil section, wherein a member of one of the coil section and the magnet section is configured to move relative to the other member.