Vibratory Actuator Flex Substrate U-Turn for Fold Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibratory actuators face challenges in achieving high reliability and durability, particularly in the folded parts of flexible substrates, which are crucial for the durability of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory actuator design featuring a vibration body with an elastic body and electro-mechanical energy conversion element, a contact body, a base, and a flexible substrate that forms a U-turn portion for electrical connection, enhancing the durability and reliability by folding the flexible substrate to form a U-turn and securing electrical connection despite relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a flexible substrate includes a folded part to downsize the movable part in the driving direction, then the device compactness is improved, but the durability and reliability of the folded part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate is configured to extend in the width direction (Y-direction) rather than only in the driving direction (X-direction), and forms a U-turn portion that utilizes the width direction for routing. This dimensional change allows the substrate to achieve compactness in the driving direction while maintaining durability by distributing stress across a larger area in the width direction and avoiding sharp folds.
2Reliability
If the flexible substrate is extended in the driving direction to ensure durability, then the reliability is improved, but the device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate routing is changed from a linear extension in the driving direction to a configuration that extends in the width direction and forms a U-turn portion. This allows the substrate to achieve the necessary length for reliable electrical connection while maintaining compactness in the driving direction by utilizing the width direction for substrate extension.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional folded substrate configuration is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the risk of disconnection at the folded part increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate configuration is changed from a simple fold in the driving direction to a U-turn portion that extends in the width direction. This design maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly reducing the risk of disconnection by avoiding sharp folds and distributing mechanical stress across a larger area, thereby improving electrical connection reliability.
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 design improves the durability and reliability of the vibratory actuator by maintaining electrical connection and reducing the risk of disconnection, facilitating easy assembly and maintenance, while downsizing the movable portion.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element
Implementation Method 2
a vibration body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
A vibratory actuator includes a vibration body, a contact body, a base, a holding member, and a flexible substrate. The vibration body includes an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The contact body is in contact with the elastic body and relatively moves with the vibration body due to vibration of the vibration body. One end of the flexible substrate is arranged along a first surface of the holding member and is folded back with respect to an end portion of the holding member toward a second surface of the holding member on a back side of the first surface, and an other end of the flexible substrate is supported by a portion of the base. The flexible substrate separates from the second surface to form a U-turn portion so that the one end and the other end of the flexible substrate are electrically connected.