Soft Magnetic Actuator Design for Low Resonance Frequency Scanners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic actuators used in scanners often rely on hard magnetic materials, which limit design flexibility, cost, and performance due to their rigidity and high coercivity, while existing solutions using metallic and semiconductor materials impose further restrictions.

Innovation Solution

The use of soft magnetic materials, such as permalloy films electroplated onto polymer and epoxy-glass fiber composite structures, with external coils for 2D actuation, allowing for flexible design and low-cost scanner fabrication, including cantilever and torsional scanners with low resonance frequencies for barcode reading applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hard magnetic materials are used in magnetic actuators, then magnetic actuation performance is improved, but design flexibility and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic actuation performanceVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental magnetic property parameter from hard magnetic material to soft magnetic material. This parameter change enables the magnetic actuator to be magnetized and demagnetized easily, providing design flexibility while maintaining adequate magnetic actuation performance for scanner applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures where soft magnetic materials are combined with non-magnetic materials such as polymers or metals. This composite approach allows the magnetic actuator to achieve both the required magnetic performance and the desired design flexibility through material composition rather than relying solely on hard magnetic properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hard magnetic materials are used in magnetic actuators, then magnetic actuation performance is improved, but manufacturing cost is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic actuation performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic material parameter from hard to soft magnetic material, which typically has lower material cost and easier processing characteristics. This parameter change reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining sufficient magnetic actuation performance for the intended scanner applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts soft magnetic materials that are generally more inexpensive and easier to manufacture than hard magnetic materials. This approach prioritizes cost-effective manufacturing while the actuator remains functional for its intended application lifecycle in scanner devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If metallic and semiconductor materials are used in scanner construction, then structural strength is improved, but design flexibility and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach enables efficient 2D scanning with low resonance frequencies, achieving effective barcode reading and demonstrating the feasibility of using soft magnetic materials for magnetic actuation, while reducing material costs and enhancing design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a scanner or other device may receive 2D actuation using a moving magnetic thin film or magnetic particles dispersed in the device, and an external coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction