Voice Coil Motor Temperature Estimation With Inaudible Measurement Waves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature estimation systems for voice coil motors, which can output audible sound, face challenges in accurately estimating temperature while minimizing unintended vibration sensations for users and optimizing processor load.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a measurement wave below the audible range, superimposes it on control data for the voice coil motor, processes current and voltage values with a low-pass filter, and calculates resistance to estimate temperature, with adaptive filter order changes based on temperature and processor load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a measurement wave is used for temperature estimation in a voice coil motor that can output audible sound, then temperature estimation is achieved, but unintended vibration sensation is given to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature estimation accuracyVSAvoidunintended vibration sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the measurement wave to be below the audible range (lower than 20 Hz). This parameter change allows the measurement wave to be used for temperature estimation without causing unintended vibration sensation to the user, as frequencies below 20 Hz are not perceptible as sound or vibration to human users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a low-pass filter with high order is used to process current and voltage values, then temperature estimation accuracy is improved, but processor load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature estimation accuracyVSAvoidprocessor load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a low-pass filter with an order that is sufficient to remove measurement wave components but not excessively high. The filter order is optimized to provide adequate temperature estimation accuracy while avoiding unnecessary computational burden on the processor. This means using just enough filtering capability to achieve the measurement goal without adding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the measurement wave frequency is set very low to avoid audible range, then user vibration perception is reduced, but temperature estimation accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser vibration perceptionVSAvoidtemperature estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the measurement wave frequency parameter to be below the audible range (lower than 20 Hz) but not excessively low. This frequency range is carefully selected to be imperceptible to users while still providing sufficient signal characteristics for accurate temperature estimation through resistance calculation. The frequency is high enough to maintain measurement sensitivity but low enough to avoid user perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Accurately estimates temperature with reduced user-perceptible vibration and lower processor load, enabling effective control of voice coil motor vibration based on estimated temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a voice coil motor 206 implemented by a linear motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

low-pass filter means configured to subject the obtained current value and voltage value to low-pass filter processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

resistance value calculation means configured to calculate a resistance value inside the voice coil motor based on the low-pass filtered current value and voltage value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhm's law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4580038A1Temperature estimation system, control system, program, and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP4580038A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4580038A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4580038A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes generating a measurement wave at a frequency lower than an audible range, the measurement wave being to be used for estimation of a temperature, generating superimposed control data by superimposing the measurement wave on control data for vibration of a voice coil motor, inputting the superimposed control data to the voice coil motor, obtaining a current value and a voltage value inside the voice coil motor to which the superimposed control data has been inputted, subjecting the obtained current value and voltage value to low-pass filter processing, calculating a resistance value inside the voice coil motor based on the low-pass filtered current value and voltage value, and estimating the temperature inside the voice coil motor based on the calculated resistance value.