Flat Linear Vibrator Parallel Motion Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear vibrators mounted on printed circuit boards experience increased height due to movement perpendicular to the mounting surface, which is undesirable for compact consumer devices.
Innovation Solution
A flat linear vibrator design featuring a housing with a base and cover, elastic members, a vibrating unit with a magnet assembly, and a coil positioned parallel to the base, where the vibrating unit's amplitude is limited by blocks on the base, allowing vibration parallel to the base and reducing the overall height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the moving unit moves perpendicular to the mounting surface, then the linear vibrator generates effective tactile feedback, but the height of the vibrator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vibration direction from perpendicular (vertical dimension) to parallel (horizontal dimension) with respect to the mounting surface. The moving unit is constrained to move along the sidewalls of the base rather than perpendicular to the bottom wall, effectively transitioning the motion to a different spatial dimension that reduces overall height while maintaining vibration functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach where the moving unit protrudes perpendicular to the mounting surface, this patent inverts the arrangement by having the moving unit slide along the sidewalls in a direction parallel to the mounting surface. This inversion of the motion direction resolves the height issue while preserving the linear vibration function
2Reliability
If the vibration amplitude is increased for stronger tactile sensation, then the tactile feedback is more effective, but the elastic members undergo excessive deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of excessive vibration amplitude into a beneficial constraint mechanism. The blocks on the sidewalls, which initially seem like simple limits, actually serve to prevent over-deformation of elastic members while allowing sufficient vibration amplitude for effective tactile feedback. The constraint becomes protective rather than restrictive
Solution Approach 2:
The blocks are positioned in advance on the sidewalls to prevent excessive deformation of the elastic members before damage can occur. This pre-positioned constraint acts as a protective measure that limits the maximum displacement of the moving unit, ensuring the elastic members remain within their elastic deformation range during operation
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
The solution enables reduced height in compact devices while effectively generating tactile vibrations, protecting the elastic members from excessive deformation by limiting vibration amplitude with blocks.
Implementation Method 1
a coil positioned in the housing. The base has a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending vertically from the bottom wall. The vibrating unit has a magnet assembly and vibrates along a direction parallel to the bottom wall
Implementation Method 2
a number of elastic members connected to the housing, a vibrating unit suspended in the housing by the elastic members
Data Source
AI summary
A linear vibrator is disclosed. The linear vibrator includes a housing having a base and a cover, a number of elastic members connected to the housing, a vibrating unit suspended in the housing by the elastic members, and a coil positioned in the housing. The base has a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending vertically from the bottom wall. The vibrating unit has a magnet assembly and vibrates along a direction parallel to the bottom wall. The base further has a block located on the bottom wall. The block is located on a vibration path of the weight contacting the weight during vibration. An effective elastic displacement of the elastic member is not smaller than a distance between the block and a part contacting the block of the weight.