Vibration Device With Offset Magnetic Elements and Liquid Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration devices are too large and heavy for mobile applications, such as mobile telephones, where a more compact and lightweight solution is needed to provide effective tactile feedback and alerts.
Innovation Solution
A vibration device with a motor comprising a stator and rotor having offset magnetic elements, where the magnetic elements themselves act as the eccentric mass, eliminating the need for additional masses, and is housed in a cavity containing a liquid to enhance vibration transfer and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a conventional rotary motor with an eccentric mass is used to generate vibration, then effective tactile feedback is achieved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor's magnetic elements with the eccentric mass function. The stator and rotor magnetic elements are positioned asymmetrically relative to the rotation axis, causing the motor itself to generate vibration during rotation without requiring a separate eccentric mass. This integration eliminates additional components, reducing overall device weight and size while maintaining effective tactile feedback.
2Volume of moving object
If the magnetic elements of the motor are used as the eccentric mass, then device size and weight are reduced, but the motor structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor's magnetic field generation function with the vibration generation function. The stator contains magnetic elements arranged asymmetrically, and the rotor contains corresponding magnetic elements, creating an imbalance that generates vibration during rotation. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate vibration-generating components, thereby reducing overall device volume without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a liquid is added to the cavity to enhance vibration transfer and lubrication, then vibration transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid into the cavity formed by the stator, rotor, and housing. The liquid serves multiple functions: it provides lubrication between moving parts, enhances vibration transfer from the motor to the housing, and enables quick motor stoppage when drive current is removed. This use of hydraulic principles improves reliability and performance while adding minimal structural complexity, as the liquid is contained within the existing cavity.
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 results in a smaller, lighter vibration device that provides enhanced tactile feedback and alerts, with the liquid facilitating vibration transfer and quick motor stoppage, suitable for applications like mobile telephones and game controllers.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element on at least one of the rotor and the stator comprises an electromagnet which can be supplied with an electric current so as to interact with a magnetic element on the other of the rotor and the stator to cause rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator
Implementation Method 2
the liquid can help to transfer vibrational motion from the rotor to the casing
Implementation Method 3
the liquid can provide lubrication
Implementation Method 4
the liquid can cause the motor to stop more quickly when a drive current is removed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5D
AI summary
A vibration device comprises a motor having a stator and a rotor each having one or more magnetic elements. A magnetic element on at least one of the rotor and the stator comprises an electromagnet which can be supplied with an electric current so as to interact with a magnetic element on the other of the rotor and the stator to cause rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator; and the one or more magnetic elements of the rotor, considered together, have a centre of mass which is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor and the stator are arranged in, or together form, a cavity containing a liquid.