Plate-Spring Vibration Structure for Stable Horizontal Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration generating devices face challenges in reducing vertical vibration while ensuring sufficient horizontal vibration width, as they often either restrict horizontal vibration or excessively vibrate in the vertical direction due to inadequate fixation of the plate spring.

Innovation Solution

The vibration generating device employs a plate spring configuration where the vibration plate portion is supported by both the front and rear fixed plate portions, which are separately fixed to the housing, allowing for reduced vertical vibration while maintaining horizontal vibration width by using a non-contact configuration between the vibration plate and the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the plate spring is firmly fixed to the base member via both front and rear fixed plate portions, then the vibration stability is improved, but the horizontal vibration width is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration stabilityVSAvoidhorizontal vibration width
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed plate portion is divided into a front fixed plate portion and a rear fixed plate portion, which are fixed to the base member at different positions. This segmentation allows the vibration plate to have sufficient horizontal movement space while maintaining vibration stability through dual-point fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation is moved from a single-plane configuration to a multi-dimensional arrangement by positioning the front and rear fixed plate portions at different locations along the vertical direction, creating spatial separation that preserves horizontal vibration freedom while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the plate spring is fixed to the base member only via the front fixed plate portion, then the horizontal vibration width is ensured, but the vertical vibration is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal vibration widthVSAvoidvertical vibration control
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into front and rear fixed plate portions positioned at different vertical locations. This segmentation provides distributed support that controls vertical vibration while preserving horizontal movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate spring functions as a composite elastic structure combining fixed plate portions for stability and elastic plate portions for flexibility, creating a system that simultaneously achieves vertical vibration control and horizontal movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the vibration plate portion comes into contact with the base member, then the vertical vibration is reduced, but the horizontal vibration width is restricted and contact-related issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical vibration reductionVSAvoidhorizontal vibration width
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic plate portions act as cushioning elements that provide vertical support and vibration absorption without requiring direct contact between the vibration plate and base member, preventing contact-related issues while maintaining vertical stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic plate portions serve as intermediary elements between the vibration plate and base member, transmitting vertical support forces while allowing horizontal movement freedom, thus eliminating the need for direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively reduces vertical vibration while ensuring a sufficient horizontal vibration width, enhancing the device's operational stability and reducing noise and contact-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration generating device that vibrates a permanent magnet as a movable portion by using a magnetic field generated by a coil and a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the plate spring includes a pair of substantially M-shaped elastic plate portions facing each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4154997B1Vibration generating device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4154997B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4154997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4154997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vibration generating device includes a housing (HS); a vibration body (VB) accommodated in the housing (HS); an elastic support member (ES) fixed to the housing (HS) and configured to support the vibration body (VB) so as to be able to vibrate; and a driver (DM) configured to apply a vibration force to the vibration body (VB), wherein the elastic support member (ES) includes a vibration plate portion (17V) configured to support the vibration body (VB); a front fixed plate portion (17F) disposed in front of the vibration plate portion (17V) and fixed to the housing (HS); a rear fixed plate portion (17B) disposed behind the vibration plate portion (17V) and fixed to the housing (HS); a first elastic plate portion (17L) shaped as a flat plate and configured to connect one end of a left end and a right end of the vibration plate portion (17V) to the front fixed plate portion (17F); and a second elastic plate portion (17R) shaped as a flat plate and configured to connect the other end of the left end and the right end of the vibration plate portion (17V) to the rear fixed plate portion (17B), wherein the first elastic plate portion (17L) is isolated from the rear fixed plate portion (17B), and the second elastic plate portion (17R) is isolated from the front fixed plate portion (17F).