Bone Conduction Vibrator Air Gap Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone conduction vibrators face challenges in precisely adjusting the air gap between armature parts to achieve maximum energy efficiency and amplitude, with prior methods being slow and prone to errors in achieving the optimal gap size.
Innovation Solution
A spring-based vibrator design with adjustable air gap using screws with threaded and unthreaded bores, allowing for precise movement of the movable armature relative to the armature plate, enabling easy adjustment of the air gap by turning the screws, which are axially arrested to prevent tilt and ensure accurate gap control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the air gap is made very small to improve energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by providing an adjustable air gap mechanism that allows the air gap size to be modified after manufacturing. The adjustment screw (element 111) enables dynamic modification of the air gap between the armature plate (element 4) and the magnetic armature (element 110), allowing optimization of energy efficiency without compromising manufacturing precision. The unthreaded portion of the bore (element 116) acts as a bearing to enable smooth adjustment while the threaded portion (element 115) provides precise positioning.
2Productivity
If traditional adjustment methods are used, then manufacturing is possible, but adjustment speed is slow and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical adjustment methods (such as grinding of distance elements) with a screw-based adjustment mechanism. The adjustment screw (element 111) with its threaded (element 115) and unthreaded (element 116) bore portions provides a reliable and rapid adjustment method. The unthreaded portion functions as a bearing that prevents tilt and ensures accurate, repeatable positioning, eliminating the slowness and error-proneness of traditional methods.
3Ease of operation
If the screw is not axially arrested, then rotation is free, but tilt occurs reducing adjustment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by differentiating the bore into two distinct portions with different functions: the unthreaded portion (element 116) acts as a bearing that constrains axial movement and prevents tilt, while the threaded portion (element 115) allows for precise positional adjustment through rotation. This local differentiation ensures that the screw can rotate freely for adjustment while maintaining accurate positioning without tilt.
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
This design allows for precise and efficient adjustment of the air gap, minimizing the risk of over-adjustment and ensuring optimal energy efficiency and amplitude, facilitating the production of high-performance bone conduction vibrators.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical coil is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature
Implementation Method 3
one part of the bore is threaded and the opposed part is unthreaded
Implementation Method 4
the surface part of the bore with no threads will function as a bearing wherein the threaded screw shaft rotates without axial movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2
AI summary
A vibrator is provided with a spring having a first end and a second end and, a frame immovably attached to the second end where the frame is carrying a movable armature and at the second end of the spring a coupling with an armature plate is immovably attached. The armature plate and the movable armature are provided in close proximity with an air gap there between and a permanent magnet is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature and an electrical coil is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature. An adjustment screw is provided to displace the movable armature towards or away from the armature plate, wherein the screw is inserted in a bore. In an aspect of the invention, the bore has a length axis placed along a plane of intersection between the movable armature and the frame and one part of the bore is provided in the movable armature and an opposed part of the bore is provided in the frame, whereby one part of the bore is threaded and the opposed part is unthreaded.