Vibration Motor Temperature Estimation for Thermal Restriction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack accurate temperature measurement and estimation for vibration motors, leading to inefficiencies in controlling their operation.

Innovation Solution

A system incorporating a thermistor outside the vibration motor, with temperature measurement and estimation processing to measure and estimate internal motor temperature, and restriction means to control vibration based on measured and estimated temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a thermistor is placed outside the vibration motor to measure temperature, then the measurement is safer and does not require internal motor access, but the measured temperature does not accurately reflect the internal motor temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of temperature measurement implementationVSAvoidaccuracy of internal motor temperature measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the vibration motor's own coil as an intermediary to indirectly measure internal temperature. By measuring the coil's resistance (which changes with temperature) and using this as a proxy for internal motor temperature, the system achieves accurate internal temperature measurement without physically placing a thermistor inside the motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the resistance of the vibration motor's coil and using this information to control the vibration motor's operation. When the measured resistance indicates high internal temperature, the system automatically reduces or stops vibration to prevent overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the vibration motor operates continuously at high power, then productivity is improved, but thermal degradation and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration motor operational efficiencyVSAvoidthermal degradation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the vibration motor's temperature through coil resistance measurement and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust operation. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the system automatically reduces power or stops operation, preventing thermal degradation while maximizing productivity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic operation control where the vibration motor's operating state is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature conditions. The system transitions between different operational modes (normal operation, reduced power, stopped) depending on thermal conditions, optimizing both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If temperature measurement and estimation processing is implemented, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement and estimation accuracyVSAvoidtemperature control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the vibration motor's coil serve multiple functions: it既是 the actuator that generates vibration,既是 the heating element,既是 the temperature sensor (through resistance measurement), and既是 the object being controlled. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature sensing hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration motor monitors its own temperature through coil resistance measurement and autonomously controls its operation based on thermal conditions. The system uses its own inherent properties (coil resistance) for self-diagnosis and self-regulation, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables precise temperature control of vibration motors, preventing thermal degradation and improving operational efficiency by adjusting vibration parameters.

Implementation Method 1

a thermistor arranged outside the vibration motor and in vicinity of the vibration motor in the device, temperature measurement processing means configured to perform processing for measuring a temperature with the thermistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor effect: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

a vibration motor including a coil and a magnet, the coil and the magnet being arranged to face each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4580037A1System, program, information processing method, and calibration method
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP4580037A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4580037A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4580037A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system including a device including a vibration motor includes a thermistor arranged outside the vibration motor and in the vicinity of the vibration motor in the device, temperature measurement processing means configured to perform processing for measuring a temperature with the thermistor, temperature estimation processing means configured to perform processing for obtaining a current value and a voltage value of the vibration motor and estimating a temperature inside the vibration motor based on the obtained current value and voltage value, and restriction means configured to perform processing for restricting vibration of the vibration motor based on a first temperature which is the temperature measured by the temperature measurement processing means and a second temperature which is the temperature estimated by the temperature estimation processing means.