Crossed-Spring Haptic Actuator for Friction-Free Vibration
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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 inability to produce varied vibrational forces and frequencies, making them unsuitable for modern applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of non-linear haptic actuators that utilize a rotor, rotor-suspension, and spring subsystem to efficiently generate vibrational forces, eliminating frictional forces and enhancing power efficiency and robustness, allowing for more compact and versatile vibration generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unbalanced electric motors are used for vibration generation, then vibrational forces can be produced, but reliability is poor and useful lifetime is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unbalanced rotating mass from the traditional motor structure. Instead of using an unbalanced motor that generates vibrations through rotational imbalance, the invention uses a balanced motor that drives a separate vibration mechanism, removing the source of reliability problems while maintaining vibration generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibration generation method (unbalanced rotating mass) with an electromagnetic vibration mechanism. The motor's electromagnetic force directly drives the vibration element, eliminating mechanical wear and friction associated with traditional unbalanced motors, thereby improving reliability and extending useful lifetime
2Use of energy by moving object
If unbalanced electric motors are used for vibration generation, then vibrational forces can be produced, but power efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration generation function from the motor's rotational motion and implements it through a dedicated electromagnetic vibration mechanism. This separation allows the motor to operate at optimal efficiency while the vibration element converts electromagnetic energy directly to mechanical vibration with minimal energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a balanced motor design that eliminates centrifugal forces and mechanical vibrations, allowing the system to operate more efficiently. The electromagnetic parameters are optimized to directly generate the required vibrational forces without the energy waste associated with unbalanced rotation
3Reliability
If linear-resonant vibration modules are used, then certain reliability problems are addressed, but spatial efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor and vibration generation functions into a single integrated unit. The balanced motor and vibration element are combined in a compact configuration that eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall spatial requirements while maintaining reliability through the balanced design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the vibration element is positioned within or alongside the motor structure. This nesting allows the vibration mechanism to utilize the motor's housing and mounting structures, minimizing the total volume required while maintaining the reliability benefits of a balanced design
4Reliability
If linear-resonant vibration modules are used, then certain reliability problems are addressed, but power-to-vibrational-force efficiency is non-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical resonance-based vibration generation with a direct electromagnetic force mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical resonance tuning and reduces energy losses associated with mechanical friction and hysteresis, improving power-to-vibrational-force efficiency while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the electromagnetic parameters to directly generate the required vibrational forces. By adjusting the electromagnetic field parameters and the mechanical coupling, the system achieves optimal power conversion efficiency, delivering maximum vibrational force for the input power while maintaining the reliability of a balanced design
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, increased 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 to efficiently generate vibrational forces
Data Source
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.