Resonant Vibration Module Control for Low-Power Force Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unbalanced electric motors used for generating vibrations in devices are inefficient, consume excessive power, and have limited vibrational force production, leading to rapid deterioration and short device lifetimes due to destructive forces, and are constrained to a narrow range of frequencies and amplitudes.
Innovation Solution
The use of oscillating resonant modules (ORMs) that produce vibrational forces through controlled back-and-forth oscillations of a weight or component along a path, utilizing a controller to specify driving oscillations based on resonance frequencies, optimizing power consumption and vibration energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If unbalanced electric motors are used to generate vibrations, then vibrational forces can be produced, but power consumption is excessive and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonant vibration principles where the oscillating mass is driven at its natural resonant frequency, maximizing vibrational output for minimal energy input. The electromagnetic actuator synchronizes with the resonant frequency of the oscillating mass-spring system, creating efficient energy transfer and high vibrational forces with reduced power consumption compared to conventional unbalanced motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters including drive frequency, amplitude, and phase to optimize the resonant conditions of the oscillating mass. By tuning these parameters to match the natural frequency of the system, the patent achieves maximum vibrational efficiency and minimum power consumption across varying operational requirements.
2Power
If unbalanced electric motors are used for vibrations, then vibrational motion is generated, but device lifetime is short due to rapid deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful unbalanced forces of traditional motors into beneficial controlled resonant oscillations. By using a balanced electromagnetic actuator to drive a controlled oscillating mass at resonant frequency, the system generates strong vibrational forces without the destructive unbalanced forces that cause motor deterioration, thereby extending device lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical unbalanced mass rotation system with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic actuator drives a linear oscillating mass through a spring-mechanism, eliminating the rotational unbalance forces that cause traditional motor wear and failure, while achieving superior vibrational performance and reliability.
3Power
If unbalanced electric motors are used, then vibrations are produced, but the range of frequencies and amplitudes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of the electromagnetic actuator to vary both frequency and amplitude of oscillation in real-time. The controller adjusts the drive signal parameters to sweep through a wide frequency range and modulate amplitude levels, enabling the system to adapt to different vibrational requirements that would be impossible with fixed-parameter unbalanced motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant oscillation system serves multiple vibrational functions across diverse applications by adjusting its operating parameters. The same basic mechanism can produce low-frequency high-amplitude vibrations for massaging applications or high-frequency low-amplitude vibrations for haptic feedback, providing universal vibrational generation capability that exceeds the limited frequency-amplitude ranges of traditional unbalanced motors.
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
ORMs achieve efficient and directional vibrational forces over a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes, extending device lifetimes and reducing power consumption, while allowing for more complex vibration patterns and modes.
Implementation Method 1
oscillating resonant modules (ORMs) that produce vibrational forces through controlled back-and-forth oscillations of a weight or component along a path, utilizing a controller to specify driving oscillations based on resonance frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
The current document is directed to various types of oscillating resonant modules (“ORMs”), including linear-resonant vibration modules, that can be incorporated in a wide variety of appliances, devices, and systems to provide vibrational forces. The vibrational forces are produced by back-and-forth oscillation of a weight or member along a path, generally a segment of a space curve. A controller controls each of one or more ORMs to produce driving oscillations according to a control curve or control pattern for the ORM that specifies the frequency of the driving oscillations with respect to time. The driving oscillations, in turn, elicit a desired vibration response in the device, appliance, or system in which the one or more ORMs are included. The desired vibration response is achieved by selecting and scaling control patterns in view of known resonance frequencies of the device, appliance, or system.