Magnet Actuator Force Equilibrium Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnet actuators in electronic devices face challenges due to dimensional tolerance variations and force imbalances, leading to defects and increased manufacturing and repair costs, as the force equilibrium state is only achieved after assembly, making it difficult to predict and prevent defects during the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A magnet actuator design featuring a coil, a magnet, and two housings, where the magnet and housing are in a force equilibrium state, with a spacer maintaining this balance and allowing for adjustable air gaps to ensure stable operation and efficient assembly, reducing the impact of dimensional variations and force imbalances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnets are arranged in force equilibrium after assembly, then the magnet actuator can generate sound waves, but defects caused by dimensional tolerance variations and force imbalances can only be detected after assembly, increasing repair time and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce equilibrium stabilityVSAvoidassembly defect detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the magnet and coil in a sub-assembly unit before integration into the main device. This allows the force equilibrium state to be established and verified in advance, enabling defect detection before final assembly. The magnet is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coil in this preliminary sub-assembly, ensuring proper force balance is achieved before the components are integrated into the complete device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If resilient support elements are used to counteract magnetic forces, then magnets can be interconnected, but the force equilibrium state cannot be verified until after complete assembly, making defects costly to repair

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet interconnection stabilityVSAvoiddefect repair cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the magnet actuator into separate modular components - specifically the magnet assembly and coil assembly - that can be pre-assembled and tested independently. The magnet is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coil in a modular sub-assembly, allowing force equilibrium verification before final integration. This modular approach enables easier repair and replacement of individual components without disassembling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If dimensional tolerance variations occur in structure elements, then assembly becomes more difficult, but these variations only become apparent after the force equilibrium state is reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional tolerance controlVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the predetermined distance between the magnet and coil in a preliminary sub-assembly stage. This pre-positioning allows dimensional tolerance variations to be detected and corrected before final assembly, rather than discovering defects only after complete assembly. The magnet is held at the correct position relative to the coil in advance, enabling verification of dimensional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for balanced force equilibrium from the start, reducing defective electronic devices and associated costs by maintaining stable operation and efficient assembly, while also providing a space-efficient and robust magnet arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field, generated by the magnet and the first housing causing an attractive force between the magnet and the first housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the magnet and the first housing comprising a magnetic material, a magnetic field, generated by the magnet and the first housing causing an attractive force between the magnet and the first housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

manipulating electrical current in the coil causes a change in the attractive force, thereby causing a displacement between the magnet and the first housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3782379B1Magnet actuator for an electronic device and electronic device comprising said magnet actuator
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3782379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782379B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3782379B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

A magnet actuator (1) for use in an electronic device (2) comprising a coil (3), a magnet (4), a first housing (5), and a second housing (6), the coil (3) being at least partially located within, and fixed to, the first housing (5), the magnet (4) being at least partially located within, and fixed to, the second housing (6). The first housing (5) comprises a magnetic material, and a magnetic field, generated by the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) causes an attractive force (F) between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5), the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) being in a force equilibrium state, wherein an air gap (7) is provided between the magnet (4) and the coil (3). Manipulating electrical current in the coil (3) causes a change in the attractive force (F), thereby causing a displacement between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5), allowing vibrations to be generated within the electronic device (2).