Haptic Actuator Flexure Bearing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional haptic actuators are complex and expensive due to the use of shafts, precise bearings, and stabilization magnets, which increase their cost and reliability issues, while they fail to efficiently constrain motion in desired directions without unnecessary constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design employs flexure bearings with parallel spaced apart flexible arms and anchor members to mount the field member for reciprocal movement within the housing, eliminating the need for shafts and stabilization magnets, and allowing movement in all directions except the desired one, thus simplifying the actuator structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shafts, precise bearings, and stabilization magnets are used in haptic actuators, then the actuator can provide stable and constrained motion, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes shafts, precise bearings, and stabilization magnets from the haptic actuator structure, retaining only the essential components needed for motion constraint. This extraction eliminates unnecessary complexity while preserving the core function of constrained reciprocal motion through the simplified flexure bearing design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical components (shafts, bearings, magnets) with a flexure bearing system that uses elastic deformation of flexible arms to achieve motion constraint. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical assemblies while maintaining reliable motion control through the inherent flexibility and elasticity of the arms
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional shafts and precise bearings are used, then motion can be constrained in desired directions, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible arms with controlled thickness and material properties to constrain motion in desired directions. These flexible arms act as elastic constraints that guide reciprocal motion without requiring precision-machined shafts or bearings, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining motion control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves motion constraint by varying the physical parameters of the flexible arms, such as thickness, length, and material elastic modulus. By optimizing these parameters, the arms provide sufficient stiffness to constrain motion in unwanted directions while remaining flexible enough to allow reciprocal motion in the desired direction, eliminating the need for complex precision mechanical assemblies
3Stability of the object's composition
If stabilization magnets are used in conventional haptic actuators, then the field member can be stabilized during operation, but the device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes stabilization magnets from the actuator design, achieving field member stability through the mechanical constraint provided by the flexure bearing system. The flexible arms inherently stabilize the field member during reciprocal motion without requiring additional magnetic stabilization components, reducing both cost and complexity
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
This design results in a more cost-effective and reliable haptic actuator with reduced stress areas and increased displacement, effectively providing haptic feedback without the complexity and expense of traditional stabilization methods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides... mount each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil
Implementation Method 2
a first flexible arm coupling the first and second anchor members together and having at least one bend therein
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides. The haptic actuator may also include a respective flexure bearing mounting each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. Each flexure bearing may include a first anchor member coupled to an adjacent portion of the housing, a second anchor member coupled to an adjacent side of the field member, and a first flexible arm coupling the first and second anchor members together and having at least one bend therein.