Vibration Module Layout for Thin High-Acceleration Haptics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration actuators that vibrate in the horizontal direction often result in larger and thicker devices, which is a challenge for compact electronic devices like laptops and tablets that require efficient haptic feedback systems.
Innovation Solution
A vibration module design featuring a movable unit with a base plate and magnet, a stationary unit with a frame, coils, and elastic members arranged in a specific configuration, allowing the movable unit to move relative to the stationary unit in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction, thereby providing compact and efficient haptic feedback without increasing the device's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration actuator vibrates in the horizontal direction, then haptic feedback is provided, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the vibration direction from horizontal to vertical (perpendicular to the substrate). The movable unit including magnets and base plate vibrates in the vertical direction relative to the substrate, allowing haptic feedback without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin flexible substrate that can vibrate vertically. The substrate serves as both the mounting surface and the vibration transmission medium, eliminating the need for bulky horizontal vibration mechanisms while maintaining effective haptic feedback.
2Reliability
If a vibration actuator vibrates in the horizontal direction, then haptic feedback is provided, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients vibration from the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension, but uses the substrate's flexibility to achieve this without increasing overall device thickness. The vertical vibration is contained within the existing form factor of the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic flexible element that can vibrate vertically. This flexibility allows the substrate to serve as both structural support and vibration mechanism, eliminating the need for additional thickness to accommodate separate vibration components.
3Force
If elastic members are made less rigid, then vibration acceleration increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the rigidity parameter of the elastic members to achieve high vibration acceleration. By carefully selecting and tuning the elastic properties of these members, the system achieves superior vibration performance while managing the trade-off with manufacturing precision requirements.
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 vibration module achieves high vibration acceleration across a wide frequency range, enabling effective haptic feedback with reduced device thickness and increased durability, allowing users to detect various tactile sensations with high amplitude vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a movable unit including a base plate, a magnet, and a back yoke, a stationary unit including a frame, a substrate, a coil, and an insulator
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member between the movable unit and the stationary unit
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration module includes a movable unit including a base plate, a magnet, and a back yoke, a stationary unit including a frame, a substrate, a coil, and an insulator, and an elastic member between the movable unit and the stationary unit. The movable unit, the stationary unit, and the elastic member are arranged in a first arrangement direction. The frame in the stationary unit has a first surface at one side of the frame in the first arrangement direction and attached to the movable unit with the elastic member, and the frame has a second surface at the other side of the frame in the first arrangement direction and attachable to a vibration body supported by a support. The movable unit is movable relative to the stationary unit in a second arrangement direction intersecting with the first arrangement direction.