Vibration Actuator Load Detection With Buffering Against Impact Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration presenting apparatuses experience issues with strong vibrations causing excessive stress and noise, leading to sensor failures and the need for frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A load detector is integrated into the vibration actuator, featuring a strain generating member and strain sensors to detect strain, coupled with a buffer member to absorb impacts and reduce noise, enhancing impact resistance and sound reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration actuator is used to provide vibration feedback to the user, then the user experience is improved, but strong impacts can cause excessive stress on sensors and generate collision sounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor durabilityVSAvoidimpact stress and collision noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing a buffer member between the movable element and the housing before impact occurs. This buffer member absorbs impact energy and prevents direct collision, thereby protecting the sensor from excessive stress and eliminating collision sounds while maintaining the vibration actuator's feedback functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the movable element collides with the housing to generate vibration feedback, then vibration is transmitted to the user, but collision sounds are generated and excessive stress is applied to the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration feedback qualityVSAvoidcollision sound and excessive stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a buffer member as a mediator between the movable element and the housing. This buffer member transmits the necessary vibration feedback to the user while simultaneously absorbing harmful impact energy and preventing direct collision, thus eliminating collision sounds and excessive stress on the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides improved impact resistance and reduced noise, preventing sensor failure and extending the lifespan of the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a strain sensor that detects strain generated in the strain part in accordance with the pressing operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

a buffer member that is interposed between the movable element and the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4234107B1Load detector for use with a vibration actuator and a vibration presenting apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 MINEBEAMITSUMI INC

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AI summary

A load detector includes: a strain generating body that includes a first fixing part fixable to a device, a second fixing part fixable to an actuator, and a strain part provided between the first and second fixing parts, a pressing operation being performed on the device by an operator, the actuator giving vibration to the device; a strain sensor that detects strain generated in the strain part in accordance with the pressing operation; and a regulating part provided at the first fixing part. When the device moves in a first direction separating from the actuator, the regulating part regulates the movement by engaging with an engaged part of the actuator.