Perpendicular Vibration Actuator with Cantilevered Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibration actuators in portable devices generate insufficient physically-felt vibration as they transmit vibrations along the body surface, limiting their effectiveness in providing a noticeable tactile experience to users.
Innovation Solution
A vibration actuator design featuring a movable part with a coil or magnet, supported by an elastic structure that allows reciprocation, includes a weight and a weight connecting part fixed with a rivet, enabling vibration in a direction perpendicular to the device surface, enhancing tactile feedback without enlarging the actuator or device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional linear vibration actuators are used with vibration direction parallel to the main face, then the device structure is simple, but the physically-felt vibration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vibration direction from parallel to the main face (conventional linear motion) to perpendicular to the main face by implementing a rotary motion mechanism. The movable part rotates around a fulcrum, causing the free end to move in an arc that generates vibration perpendicular to the device surface, thereby improving physically-felt vibration through dimensional transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic rotary motion mechanism where the movable part can rotate around a fulcrum rather than moving in fixed linear motion. This dynamic rotation converts electromagnetic linear force into rotational motion, which then translates to perpendicular vibration, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and vibration effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the vibration actuator is enlarged to provide sufficient vibration, then the physically-felt vibration is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the vibration direction to perpendicular through rotary motion, the patent achieves stronger physically-felt vibration without increasing the footprint area of the actuator. The rotary mechanism allows compact design while generating effective perpendicular vibration, resolving the size-vibration contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cantilevered movable part that rotates around a fulcrum, creating mechanical vibration through arc motion. This mechanical vibration mechanism amplifies the vibration output perpendicular to the surface without requiring a larger actuator volume, as the rotational leverage provides mechanical advantage.
3Power
If a rotary motion mechanism with weight is introduced, then the vibrational output is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable part serves multiple functions: it acts as both the electromagnetic coil assembly and the rotating arm of the lever mechanism. The weight is integrated into this multi-functional component, reducing the need for separate structures and minimizing overall complexity while maintaining enhanced vibrational output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electromagnetic actuator components (coil, magnet) with the mechanical lever components (movable part, weight) into a single integrated assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms, reducing structural complexity while achieving the desired vibrational enhancement through the unified rotary-motion mechanism.
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 design provides sufficient physically-felt vibration to users by amplifying vibrational output through the use of a weight and optimized structural support, improving user experience without increasing the actuator or device size, and simplifying production processes.
Implementation Method 1
movable part is configured to reciprocate with respect to the fixing part in a vibrating direction by interaction between the coil and the magnet
Implementation Method 2
an elastic supporting part configured to support the movable part such that the movable part is movable to the fixing part
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration actuator includes: a movable part including one of a coil or a magnet; a fixing part including the other one of the coil or the magnet; and an elastic supporting part supporting the movable part to the fixing part. The movable part reciprocates to the fixing part in a vibrating direction by interaction between the coil and the magnet. The magnet is disposed to be radially inwardly spaced apart from the coil. The elastic supporting part is fixed at its one end to the fixing part and at its other end to the movable part. The elastic supporting part has a structure for cantilevering the movable part. The movable part includes a weight provided on a free-end side of the movable part and a weight connecting part to which the weight is connected. The weight is fixed to the weight connecting part by a fixing member.