Spring Mechanism for Power Device Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetically powered devices, such as electric toothbrushes, face challenges in converting linear oscillation into desired rotational motion for their cleaning elements, often resulting in undesirable vibrations and noise.
Innovation Solution
A spring mechanism is introduced that couples the electromagnet's movement to the workpiece, using a spring shaft and permanent magnets to oscillate and convert the linear motion into a desired rotational or arcuate motion, reducing noise and improving the workpiece's motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism with flat spring member is used to convert linear oscillation to rotational motion, then the desired workpiece motion is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flat spring member (a flexible thin film component) to convert linear oscillation into rotational motion. The flat spring member flexes during operation, providing the necessary mechanical transformation while maintaining a compact structure. This approach resolves the contradiction by using a flexible thin film component that achieves complex motion control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including the flat spring member that flexes during operation, the rotatable bottom member that converts linear to rotational motion, and the resilient biasing arrangement. These dynamic components work together to transform the electromagnet's linear oscillation into controlled rotational motion of the workpiece, achieving ease of operation through dynamic mechanical transformation.
2Ease of operation
If replacement heads include parts to convert linear motion to rotational motion, then desired workpiece motion is achieved, but vibrations and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a resilient biasing arrangement with the flat spring member that acts as a cushioning element. This resilient component absorbs shocks and dampens vibrations before they propagate through the system, thereby reducing noise and harmful vibrations while still achieving the desired rotational motion of the workpiece. The cushioning effect is built into the mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat spring member serves as an intermediary component between the linear oscillating electromagnet and the rotational workpiece. It mediates the motion transformation while its flexible nature allows it to absorb and dampen vibrations, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations and noise to the workpiece and surrounding structure.
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 spring mechanism effectively translates the electromagnet's oscillation into a controlled, desired motion for the workpiece, enhancing the functionality and reducing noise in electromagnetically powered devices like electric toothbrushes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring has a first end attached to the spring shaft and a second end connected to a fixed spring housing. The spring alternates between a deformed position and a return position during oscillation of the permanent magnets
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnet can be actuated by a switch to operate at a desired frequency. A movable permanent magnet is positioned proximate to the electromagnet, such that the permanent magnet is driven to oscillate at an oscillating frequency by the electromagnet
Implementation Method 3
A movable permanent magnet is positioned proximate to the electromagnet, such that the permanent magnet is driven to oscillate at an oscillating frequency by the electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.