Magnetic Suction Vibration Actuator for Thin Touch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel vibration actuators are bulky, costly, and inefficient in providing strong tactile feedback, making them unsuitable for modern, compact, and cost-effective devices.
Innovation Solution
A vibration actuator with a non-magnetic base and a magnetic suction force generation part, featuring a movable body supported by elastic parts, which uses a magnetic suction force to transmit vibrations efficiently, reducing size and cost while maintaining strong feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration actuator is attached to the back of the touch panel through a vibration transmission unit, then tactile feedback can be provided to the operator, but the device size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration actuator is integrated directly with the touch panel structure, merging the vibration generation function and vibration transmission function into a unified assembly. This eliminates the need for separate vibration transmission units and reduces overall device thickness while maintaining effective tactile feedback delivery to the operator's fingertips.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration actuator is designed to operate in a planar configuration parallel to the touch panel surface, rather than extending perpendicular to it. This dimensional reorientation allows the vibration mechanism to fit within the thin profile of modern touch panels while still providing effective tactile feedback through the panel surface.
2Reliability
If complex vibration transmission units and multiple components are used, then strong vibration feedback can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the vibration transmission path. By using the touch panel itself as the direct vibration transmission medium rather than adding separate transmission units, the design reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective vibration delivery to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the vibration transmission medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated vibration transmission components, reducing manufacturing cost while ensuring strong vibration feedback through the panel's existing structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple components such as voice coil motors, dampers, and springs are used, then vibration can be generated and controlled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary intermediate components (dampers, springs, separate transmission units) from the vibration system. By utilizing the touch panel's own structural properties for vibration transmission and control, the design achieves vibration functionality with minimal components, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel itself serves as the vibration transmission and control medium, utilizing its own structural characteristics rather than requiring external dampers or springs. This self-service approach reduces component count and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining vibration control capability.
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 achieves cost reduction, thickness reduction, and efficient vibration output suitable for touch feedback, enhancing user experience with stable and balanced tactile sensations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic suction force generation part provided at a core on which a coil is wound
Implementation Method 2
a suction part composed of a magnetic material configured to be suctioned by the magnetic suction force generation part through energization to the coil
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of elastic support parts configured to support the movable body with respect to the fixing body such that the movable body is sandwiched from a vibration direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration actuator includes a fixing body including a base part, and a magnetic suction force generation part provided at a core on which a coil is wound; a movable body including a connecting part, and a suction part suctioned by the magnetic suction force generation part through energization to the coil; and a plurality of elastic support parts. The suction part is disposed in a vicinity of a magnetic pole of the core of the magnetic suction force generation part with an air gap between the suction part and the magnetic pole in a vibration direction, and the suction part is disposed at a center portion in the vibration direction of the movable body supported by the plurality of elastic support parts.