Shock-Resistant Haptic Engine With Nonlinear Leaf Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional haptic engines are susceptible to damage from impact events, such as when an electronic device containing them is dropped or struck, leading to deformation or breakage of internal components and potential loss of function.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-linear spring assembly with cantilevered leaf springs that absorb and distribute impact forces, reducing peak forces and stresses on the haptic engine by varying spring rate and distributing energy over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spring suspension is used in haptic engines, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the haptic engine is susceptible to damage from impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is divided into multiple cantilevered leaf springs arranged in parallel, with each spring independently absorbing impact forces. This segmentation allows the system to handle impact events more effectively while maintaining manufacturability through standardized spring components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered leaf springs are pre-configured in the enclosure to provide cushioning before impact events occur. The springs are positioned to immediately absorb and distribute impact forces when events happen, preventing damage to internal components without requiring active control systems.
2Strength
If linear spring assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but peak forces during impact events are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly utilizes cantilevered leaf springs with varying geometric parameters (thickness, width, length) along their lengths to create non-linear spring rates. This parameter variation allows the springs to provide softer initial deflection during normal operation and stiffer resistance during impact events, effectively reducing peak forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered leaf springs incorporate curved or tapered geometries along their lengths, creating non-linear elastic response characteristics. The curvature allows the springs to progressively stiffen during compression, effectively distributing impact forces over time and reducing peak stresses on internal components.
3Reliability
If the suspended mass is freely suspended, then the haptic output is clear and responsive, but the suspended mass strikes the enclosure during impact events causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cantilevered leaf springs serve as an intermediary protective layer between the suspended mass and the enclosure. During normal operation, the springs maintain the suspended mass's freedom of movement for clear haptic output. During impact events, the springs compress and deflect to absorb forces, preventing direct contact between the suspended mass and enclosure while maintaining operational clarity.
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 non-linear spring assembly effectively mitigates damage to the haptic engine and associated electronic device components by absorbing and distributing impact forces, preventing deformation and breakage, thus maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more cantilevered leaf springs may deflect or otherwise reduce peak forces imparted to the internal components of the haptic engine arising from the impact events
Implementation Method 2
an enclosure of the haptic engine may include a non-linear spring assembly... The one or more cantilevered leaf springs may deflect or otherwise reduce peak forces imparted to the internal components
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein correspond to non-linear spring assemblies of a haptic engine. An enclosure and/or lid of a haptics engine may include a number of non-linear spring assemblies to dampen or reduce peak forces between internal components of the haptics engine and the enclosure and/or the lid. By dampening or reducing peak forces, damage to internal components of the haptic engine and/or an associated electronic device may be reduced or eliminated.