Crossed-Spring Haptic Actuator for Frictionless Vibration Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration-generating units, such as unbalanced electric motors and linear-resonant vibration modules, face issues like reliability, short lifetimes, poor power efficiency, spatial inefficiencies, and an inability to produce varied vibrational forces and frequencies, making them unsuitable for modern applications.

Innovation Solution

Non-linear haptic actuators utilizing a rotor, rotor-suspension, and spring subsystems are designed to efficiently generate vibrational forces, eliminating frictional forces and enhancing power efficiency, allowing for more compact and robust vibration modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unbalanced electric motors are used for vibration generation, then vibration signals can be produced, but reliability is poor and useful lifetime is short

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiduseful lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the frictional contact mechanisms from the vibration generation system. By using magnetic levitation to suspend the rotor, the design removes the harmful frictional forces that cause wear and failure in traditional unbalanced electric motors, thereby improving reliability and extending useful lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based support system with a magnetic field-based levitation system. Instead of using physical bearings or contacts to support the rotor, the invention uses magnetic forces to suspend the rotor, eliminating mechanical wear and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If unbalanced electric motors are used for vibration generation, then vibrations can be produced, but power efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidfrictional forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful frictional forces into a benefit by eliminating them entirely through magnetic levitation. By suspending the rotor magnetically, the system eliminates energy loss to friction, transforming a harmful energy dissipation mechanism into a frictionless operation that improves power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a field-based suspension system analogous to pneumatic or hydraulic systems, using magnetic fields to support and suspend the rotor without physical contact. This field-based approach eliminates frictional energy losses and improves power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If linear-resonant vibration modules are used, then certain reliability problems are addressed, but spatial efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidspatial efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The rotor assembly combines the vibration generation mass with the magnetic levitation suspension system, eliminating the need for separate friction-based support components and reducing overall spatial requirements while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Power

If traditional vibration-generating units are used, then vibrations can be produced, but frictional forces reduce power efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidfrictional forces

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the frictional contact elements from the system. By using magnetic levitation to suspend the rotor, the design eliminates frictional forces that cause energy loss, thereby improving power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based support system with a magnetic field-based levitation system, substituting contact mechanics with field-based interactions to eliminate frictional energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Non-linear haptic actuators offer improved space efficiency, power efficiency, and robustness, enabling the production of varied vibrational forces and frequencies, addressing the limitations of traditional vibration-generating units.

Implementation Method 1

spring subsystem

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

most of the frictional forces produced in unbalanced-electric-motor and linear-resonant vibration modules are eliminated from non-linear haptic actuators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20240359213A1Efficient haptic actuator

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 RESONANT SYST

AI summary

An actuator includes a housing, a moving element and two springs connected between the housing and the moving element such that one of the two springs crosses the other of the two rotor springs without contacting the other of the two springs. A drive component causes the moving element to move.