Stationary Magnet Vibrating Actuator with Flat Elastic Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating actuators fail to provide high-definition haptic feedback with a large frequency range, high vibration force, small size, high power efficiency, silent operation, and cost-effective manufacturing, making them unsuitable for immersive experiences in video, gaming, and music applications.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating actuator design featuring a magnetic part with same-polarity magnets, a hollow member with a coil, and elastic means, where the magnetic part is stationary and the coil-hollow member assembly moves linearly, utilizing flat elastic membranes and a magnetic guidance mechanism to enhance vibratory performance and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard linear resonant actuators are used, then the actuator structure is simple, but the frequency range is very narrow making it unsuitable for music applications
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into distinct functional segments: a stationary magnetic part with multiple magnets arranged in segments, a moving part with coil windings, and elastic elements connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve a broad frequency range from 20Hz to 1000Hz
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator employs dynamic elements including elastic membranes and springs that allow the moving part to respond dynamically to alternating current signals across different frequencies. The elastic elements provide flexible coupling that enables the system to operate effectively across a wide frequency spectrum rather than being locked to a single resonant frequency
2Volume of moving object
If eccentric motors are used to achieve small size, then the device is compact, but they operate at a very narrow frequency range and do not exert high vibration force
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field is pre-established by permanent magnets in the stationary part before the moving part actuates. This preliminary magnetic field configuration enables the moving coil to generate strong forces immediately when current is applied, eliminating the need for large eccentric masses and allowing high vibration force in a compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical eccentric mass system with an electromagnetic system. Instead of using a rotating eccentric mass to generate vibration, the patent uses a stationary magnetic field interacting with a moving coil, substituting mechanical inertia-based vibration with electromagnetic force-based vibration, achieving both compact size and high force output
3Power
If moving magnet-type actuators with compression springs are used, then the actuator can generate vibration, but magnetic field lines are lost after crossing coils resulting in waste of potential magnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic elements serve as intermediaries between the stationary magnetic part and the moving part. These elastic membranes and springs transmit mechanical motion while allowing the magnetic field to pass through them to the moving coil, preventing magnetic field line loss and ensuring efficient energy transfer without direct rigid mechanical coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field maintains continuous useful action by passing through the elastic elements to the moving coil without interruption or loss. The elastic elements are designed to be magnetically permeable or transparent, allowing magnetic field lines to continue their path from the stationary magnets through the elastic medium to the moving coil, ensuring continuous and efficient electromagnetic interaction
4Force
If industrial vibrators are used, then the actuator can exert high vibration force, but they are noisy which makes them unsuitable for enhanced sound experience
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator uses thin elastic membranes as both structural and acoustic isolation elements. These flexible films allow vibration transmission while dampening noise and preventing the generation of unwanted acoustic emissions, enabling high vibration force output without the noise characteristic of industrial vibrators
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements that could potentially be sources of noise due to their flexibility are instead used to dampen and control vibrations, converting what might be harmful noise-generating compliance into beneficial vibration control and noise reduction, achieving high force output with silent operation
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 actuator achieves improved vibratory performance, reduced noise, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining a portable and wearable form factor, enabling immersive experiences by effectively coupling sound and vibration across a wide frequency range.
Implementation Method 1
the vibration is generated by the interaction of a movable permanent magnet and a stationary coil surrounding it, wherein, due to the Laplace Force, an alternating current passing through the coil interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet and generates a mechanical force with changing direction on the magnet
Implementation Method 2
elastic means interconnecting the magnetic part and the hollow member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vibrating actuator is disclosed, comprising: a magnetic part including at least two magnets (1) arranged with same polarities facing each other; a receiving part including a hollow member (4) with a cavity (5) for receiving the magnetic part and at least one coil (2) wrapped around the hollow member (4) and fixed thereto; elastic elements (6) interconnecting the magnetic part and the hollow member (4); and a chassis (7). In one aspect, the magnetic part is fixed to the chassis (7) via attachment elements (8, 10) such that the magnetic part, the attachment elements (8, 10) and the chassis are stationary, and the receiving part performs a linear movement with changing direction causing the vibration when an alternating current passes through the coil(s) (2). In another aspect, the elastic elements (6) are flat elastic metal or plastic membranes (6). In yet another aspect, a magnetic guidance mechanism of ferromagnetic material partly surrounding the hollow member (4) and the coil(s) (2) is mounted to the longitudinally outer ends of the magnetic part.