Thin Vibration Actuator Structure Without Magnets or Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration actuators for touch panels require significant thickness due to the need for shafts, supporting mechanisms, and magnetic components, which hinders the goal of achieving a thin and cost-effective design.
Innovation Solution
A vibration actuator design that includes a fixing part with a coil and a core, a movable part with a yoke made of magnetic material, and plate-shaped elastic parts that support the movable part to move in the thickness direction, eliminating the need for magnets and reducing the overall thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a shaft and supporting mechanism are used to move the movable body vertically, then stronger vibration can be given to the finger pulp, but the thickness of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shaft and supporting mechanism from the device structure. Instead of using a shaft to guide vertical movement, the movable body is directly connected to the vibration transmission unit, eliminating the need for complex supporting structures and reducing device thickness while maintaining vibration strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration transmission unit serves multiple functions: it transmits vibration to the finger pulp, provides structural support, and enables vertical movement of the movable body without requiring separate shafts or supporting mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device thickness.
2Reliability
If support part, damper, and spring are provided between housing and vibration panel, then vibration can be controlled, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the support part, damper, and spring into a single integrated structure rather than providing them as separate components. This merging reduces the total thickness required for vibration control while maintaining the necessary support and damping functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed with nested components where the damper and spring are positioned within or alongside the support part, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall thickness of the vibration control mechanism.
3Reliability
If magnets are used as structural components, then the vibration actuator can function, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive magnets with cost-effective electromagnetic coils and magnetic materials. The coil assembly generates the necessary magnetic field for actuation without requiring permanent magnets, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining actuator functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the actuation mechanism from magnet-based to coil-based electromagnetic actuation. By using coils that generate temporary magnetic fields through current flow, the design eliminates the need for expensive permanent magnets while achieving the same vibrational effect.
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 proposed vibration actuator provides a preferable operational feeling to users while significantly reducing the thickness and cost, making it suitable for attachment to touch panels.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing part (30) including a coil (22), and a core (24) around which the coil (22) is wound
Implementation Method 2
a plate-shaped elastic part (50) fixed between the movable part (40) and the fixing part (30), the plate-shaped elastic part (50) including an elastically deformable bellows-like elastic arm part (56)
Implementation Method 3
a movable part (40) disposed adjacently and opposite to the both ends of the core (24) with a gap provided therebetween, the movable part (40) including a yoke (41) formed of a magnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vibration actuator that includes: a coil; a core around which the coil is wound, the core including both ends projecting from the coil; a yoke formed of a magnetic material and disposed opposite to the both ends of the core at a position adjacent to the both ends of the core with a gap provided between the yoke and the both ends of the core in a direction orthogonal to a winding axis of the coil; and an elastic part fixed between the core and the yoke and configured for elastic support to enable a movement between the core and the yoke in a direction opposite to at least one of the both ends of the core.