Patent Application
20230012628
The present invention is directed to a novel vibrating actuator for a variety of applications, for example, a miniature vibro-tactile actuator having multiple resonant frequencies. More specifically, the novel vibrating actuator provides high-definition haptic output for immersive experiences for video, gaming and music and other immersive experiences.
The majority of music we traditionally listen to can be regarded as complex signals resulting from the addition of several signals, e.g. mixed music signals of multiple instruments or voices. The same is also true for audio signals associated with gaming or video content, where not only mixed music signals can be present, but also other complex signals such as sound effects and additional voices. With the possibility of electronically recording and reproducing sound, in particular complex music or audio associated with gaming or video signals, a further aspect becomes important, namely the conversion of electrical signals to sound waves which are perceived by the listener when the sound is reproduced. In order to reduce distortion problems during reproduction, U.S. Pat. No. 3,118,022 discloses an electroacoustic transducer comprising two conductive members, a diaphragm which includes electrets and conductive materials and which is supported between the two conductive members, and a mechanism for electrically connecting to said diaphragm and the two conductive members.
On the other hand, the coupled perception of sound and vibration is a well-known phenomenon. Sound is a mechanical wave that propagates through compressible media such as gas (air-borne sound) or solids (structure-borne sound), wherein the acoustic energy is transported via vibrating molecules and received by the vibrating hair cells in the listener's cochlea. Vibration, on the other hand, is a mechanical stimulus which excites small or large parts of the perceiver's body through a contact surface. The coupled perception of sound and vibration is based on the fact that the human brain receives sound not only through the ears, but also through the skeleton —measurements in a concert hall or church confirm the existence of whole-body vibrations. The body perception of low frequencies is particularly important for an immersive experience of live music, any music sensation that is desired to be pleasurable or audio associated with video games, or movies.
Accordingly, high-definition haptic feedback could be used to create immersive experiences for video, gaming and music and other immersive experiences where the vibration is coupled to continuous audible (or visual) signals. Major requirements for a device to achieve continuous high-definition haptic feedback are:
1. large frequency range, ideally from 20 to 1000 Hz, to be able to generate good quality vibrations over this range, in particular, for music;
2. heavy moving mass, for effective acceleration;
3. small, especially flat, size to make the device portable or wearable;
4. high power efficiency to enable uninterrupted use;
5. silent vibration to avoid disturbance of the sound experience;
6. steady performance to enable continuous use;
7. cost efficient manufacturing to provide an affordable device.
Vibrotactile voice-coil or moving magnet-type actuators are normally used in industrial applications and use a voice coil or moving magnet-type actuator consisting of two parts, one of which is moving and one of which is stationary, wherein the two parts are interconnected by an elastic attachment. The vibration is generated by the interaction of a movable permanent magnet and a stationary coil surrounding it, wherein, due to the Laplace Force, an alternating current passing through the coil interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet and generates a mechanical force with changing direction on the magnet—this results in a linear movement of the magnet with changing direction, causing the vibration. However, standard linear resonant actuators only have a very narrow frequency range which makes them unsuitable for many uses including enhanced sound experience.
EP 0 580 117 A2 discloses such a moving magnet-type actuator for industrial use in control equipment, electronic equipment, machine tools and the like. In order to improve the performance of the actuator, the stationary part comprises at least three coils and the moving part comprises at least two permanent magnets arranged with same poles facing each other such that the magnetic flux is used more effectively because a highly concentrated magnetic field is created in the plane between the magnets. The elastic attachment interconnecting the magnets and the coils consists in compression springs. However, the magnetic field lines, once they have crossed the surrounding coils, are lost and not guided back to the magnets which results in waste of potential magnetic field. Furthermore, like all industrial vibrators, this actuator is noisy which makes it unsuitable for many uses including enhanced sound experience and, in particular, music.
US 2014/0346901 A1 discloses a similar moving magnet-type actuator for industrial applications also with a moving part comprising permanent magnets arranged in such a way that the same poles face each other—however, the elastic attachment does not consist in compression springs but in resilient diaphragms, which results in loss of potential magnetic field due to the loss of magnetic field lines, and the actuator is noisy which makes it unsuitable for many uses including enhanced sound experience and, in particular, music, as well.
US 20110266892 discloses a vibration generation device for producing vibration frequencies. The vibration generation device comprises a first vibrator and a second vibrator. The first vibrator is formed by a pair of magnets and a coil, which are placed in a first elastic support members to produce the first vibration. The second vibrator is capable of freely vibrating in the magnetic field formed by the magnets and the magnetic field generated by the coil. The second vibrator has an other elastic member for supporting the vibration of the second vibrator. However, the assembly of the first vibrator is contained within the second vibrator and the first elastic member operates within the assembly of the other elastic member thereby restricting the vibration of the first vibrator.
US 20180278137 discloses a vibrating motor with a housing, a stator, a vibrator and an elastic support member. The vibrator includes a mass block and magnets. The stator includes a first coil with a first fixing board and a second coil with a second fixing board. The first and second coils are located on opposite sides of the mass block. The linear vibrating motor reduces loss of the magnetic field, which makes it more efficient, while implementing vibration feedback. However, the linear vibrating motor only operates at one resonant frequency.
WO 2018079251 discloses another type of vibrating motor that requires less space and provides good responsiveness. The linear vibrating motor includes a mover with weights, which are affixed on the longitudinal end side of a pair of long magnets. A coil is fixed to a base which has a long shape in the longitudinal direction of the pair of magnets. When an electric current is passed through the coil, it drives and reciprocates the mover in the transverse direction to generate vibration. However, the vibrating motor only operates at one resonant frequency.
There is still a need for a vibrating actuator that is efficient at producing a high definition haptic output for enhanced wide band frequency response. Additionally, this vibrating actuator can overcome the deficiencies of the prior art to create immersive haptic experiences for audio associated with video, gaming and music by satisfying the requirements mentioned above.
A vibrating actuator having two different frequencies of vibration is disclosed. The vibrating actuator includes a first moving part (210) comprising a frame (310) and one or more magnets (320). In a preferred implementation of the invention, there are three magnets (320) which are arranged with like polarity facing each other, that is, the north pole of the first magnet faces the north pole of the second magnet and the south pole of the second magnet faces the south pole of the third magnet. The vibrating actuator includes a second moving part (220) having one or more coils (410). In the preferred implementation, there are two coils (412, 414). In an alternate implementation, a compact vibrating actuator comprises only one magnet (320) and one coil (410). The coils (410) are made by winding an enamelled copper wire over a bobbin. The coils (410) are wound over the magnets (320). A first elastic member (230A) and first elastic member (230B), herein collectively referred to as a pair of first elastic members (230) are affixed to a chassis (160) at one end, and to the first moving part (210) at the other end. A holding means (240) in the form of a pair of second elastic members, which comprises a second elastic member (240A) and a second elastic member (240B) are affixed to the chassis (160) at one end and to the second moving part (220) at the other end. The holding means (240) acts as restraining elastic members for the second moving part (220). Alternatively, in another variation of this implementation, the holding means (240) form a part of the pair of first elastic members (230). The first moving part (210) produces a first vibration frequency and the second moving part (220) produces a second vibration frequency. The first vibration frequency is different than the second vibration frequency. The first moving part (210) and the second moving part (220) vibrate along the longitudinal axis (X-axis) in opposite directions.
The chassis (160) of the vibrating actuator has a protruding element (162) and a protruding element (164), herein referred to as protruding elements (162, 164), at diagonally opposite ends along the longitudinal axis (X-axis). The protruding elements (162, 164) are utilised for attaching the pair of first elastic members (230) and the holding means (240) either by welding or affixing the pair of first elastic members (230) and the holding means (240) with screws.
The chassis (160) has protruding elements (162, 164) which have a provision for carrying current to the coils (410). The current is carried by the pair of holding means (240). In another variation, the current is carried by an overlaid conductive path on the pair of holding means (240), which is a flexible printed circuit.
The first moving part (210) comprises the frame (310) and at least three magnets (320) having equal width (W) in the transversal direction (Y-axis). Furthermore, the two side magnets (322, 326) have equal length along the longitudinal direction (X-axis), whereas the centre magnet (324) is larger in length along the longitudinal direction (X-axis). In another variation, the three magnets (322, 324, 326) can have different lengths. In addition, the width (W) of each magnet (320) can be different. In one variation of the present invention, when more than one magnet is utilised, the magnets (320) can have a spacer in between the magnets (320). The spacer can be a non-magnetic material. The frame (310) is either a square or a rectangle and is made of stainless steel, brass, nickel, aluminium, copper, plastic, solidified polymer or some other non-ferromagnetic material.
The second moving part (220) includes two coils (412, 414). The coils (412, 414) are wrapped transversally around the frame (310) to form a longitudinal tubular structure to allow free movement of the coils (412, 414) over the first moving part (210). The pair of first elastic members (230) and the holding means (240) act like springs to restrain the movement of the first moving part (210) and the second moving part (220). The first vibration frequency is dependent on the mass and the elastic constant of the pair of first elastic members (230). The mass comprises the mass of the magnets and the mass of the frame (310). Likewise, the second vibration frequency is dependent on the mass and the elastic constant of the holding means (240). The mass comprises the mass of a pair of U-shaped structures (420), comprising an U-shaped structure (420A) and an U-shaped structure (420B) and the mass of the coils (410).
The coils (410) are attached to each other such that current passes from one coil (412) to another coil (414) and the two coils (412, 414) are wound in opposite directions. In one variation, the two coils (410) are not separate but formed as a single coil such that the first half of the coil is wound in the clockwise direction and the other half of the coil is wound in the anticlockwise direction. Additionally, the pair of U-shaped structures (420) are also attached to the coils (412, 414). The pair of U-shaped structures (420) are aligned such that the open faces opposite to the closed faces in the transversal axis (Y-axis) face each other to form a rectangular tubular structure along the longitudinal axis (X-axis). In an alternative implementation, the pair of U-shaped structures (420) can be replaced with a pair of hollow rectangular structures to form a tubular rectangular structure. The tubular rectangular structure may be fabricated as a right angled trapezoid tubular structure or a right angled trapezoid parallelepiped tubular structure. The second moving part (220) is formed by the U-shaped structure (420A) and the attached coil (412); the coil (412) is attached to coil (414); the coil (414) is attached to the U-shaped structure (420B) such that the open face of the U-shaped structure (420A) and the open face of the U-shaped structure (420B) are diagonally opposite to each other. The assembly is connected to form a hollow tubular structure that slides freely over the frame (310) and the magnets (320) to allow free movement of the second moving part (220) and the first moving part (210). In a variation of the present implementation, the pair of U-shaped structures (420) can be closed at the open face. The open face can be partially or completely closed by using a flat strip of metal or non-metal or a broad strip of metal to provide structural strength to the second moving part (220) and to protect the coils (410) from damage.
In one variation, where there is only one coil (410) and one magnet (320), the coil (410) is attached to the U-shaped structures (420) on each side.
The first elastic member 230A comprises a long strip (606) that connects two flat protruding elements (602, 610) by an orthogonal fold, which is rounded. The two flat protruding elements (602, 610) project opposite to each other along the longitudinal direction (X-axis) and are parallel to each other. The protruding element (602) is substantially broader along the axis orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis) than the other protruding element (610). The long strip (606) connecting the two protruding elements (602, 610) has indentations (612), which are symmetrical along the centre of the long strip (606) in the transversal direction (Y-axis). The first elastic member (230A) and the first elastic member (230B) are identical to each other. The pair of first elastic members (230) are made of stainless steel and have a Z-like shape. In an alternate implementation, the pair of first elastic members (230) can be perforated.
The holding means (240), which in this implementation is the second elastic member (240A) and the second elastic member (240B) are broader along the axis orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis) than the pair of first elastic members (230). Each of the pair of second elastic members (240A, 240B) acts as holding means (240) as described earlier. For example, the second elastic member (240A) comprises a long strip (706) that connects two flat protruding elements (702, 710) by an orthogonal fold that is rounded. The two flat protruding elements (702, 710) project opposite to each other along the longitudinal direction (X-axis) and are parallel to each other. The long strip (706) connecting the two protruding elements (702, 710) has indentations (712), which are symmetrical along the centre of the long strip (706) in the transversal direction (Y-axis). The second elastic member (240A) and the second elastic member (240B) are identical in shape, size and construction. The second elastic member (240A) and the second elastic member (240B) are made of stainless steel and have a Z-like shape. In an alternate implementation, second elastic member (240A) and the second elastic member (240B) can be perforated.
In another aspect, the vibrating actuator having two different frequencies of vibration comprises the first moving part (210) including the frame (310) and at least three magnets (320). The three magnets (322, 324, 326) are embedded into the frame (310) and are arranged with like polarity facing each other, that is, the north poles and the south poles, resp., facing each other. The second moving part (220) includes one or more coils (410) and at least two U-shaped structures (420). The one or more coils (410) are wound over the magnets (320) and affixed to the U-shaped structures (420). The open face of the U-shaped structures (420) can be closed by a metal strip. In an alternate implementation, the U-shaped structures (420) are a rectangular parallelepiped structure, which can move freely over the frame (310) and the magnets (320). The pair of first elastic members (230) are affixed to the chassis (160) at one end and to the first moving part (210) at the other end. Further, the holding means (240) are affixed to the chassis (160) at one end and the second moving part (220) at the other end having a conducting wire overlaid on the holding means (240) to energize the at least one coil (410) for producing vibration. The first moving part (210) and the pair of first elastic members (230) produce a first vibration frequency. The second moving part (220) and the holding means (240) produce a second vibration frequency. The first vibration frequency and the second vibration frequency are different and the vibrations are along the longitudinal axis (X-axis). The conductive wire overlaid on the holding means (240) is a wire, an enamelled copper wire, an insulated conductor or a flexible printed circuit. In another aspect, the pair of second elastic members (240) acts as a conductive path to carry current to the coils (410).
In another aspect of the present invention, the mass of the first moving part (230) and the second moving part (240) determines the resonant frequencies of the vibrating actuator. Additionally, the elastic constants of the pair of first elastic members (230) and the holding means (240) determine the resonant frequencies of the vibrating actuator. By appropriately choosing the material for the frame (310), the U-shaped structures (420), the magnets (320), the elasticity of the pair of first elastic members (230) and the holding means (240), the two resonant frequencies of the vibrating actuator can be designed or determined.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the vibrating actuator having two different frequencies of vibration comprises the first moving part (210), the second moving part (220), and a pair of first elastic members (800). The first moving part (210) includes three magnets (320). The three magnets (320) are arranged with like polarity facing each other. The second moving part (220) includes one or more coils (410) which are wound over the magnets (320). The pair of first elastic members (800) comprises a first elastic member (800A) and a first elastic member (800B). The first elastic member (800A) and the first elastic member (800B) are formed from a base plate (802), a middle strip (806) and a holding means (830). The holding means (830) comprises outer strips (804A and 804B); the outer strips (804A and 804B) having transversal indentations on the outer faces (812A and 812B), are projected orthogonally at equal distance from the base plate (802) to terminate into upper plates (808A and 808B). The upper plates (808A and 808B) are parallel and opposite to the base plate (802). In addition, the upper plates (808A and 808B) are separate and independent of each other. In addition, the first elastic member (800A) and the first elastic member (800B) include the middle strip (806), which lies in between the outer strips (804A and 804B) and extends a small distance from the base plate (802), then is orthogonally projected from the base plate (802). Furthermore, the middle strip (806) terminates into an upper middle plate (810), where the upper middle plate is parallel and projected in the opposite direction to the base plate (802). The middle strip (806) has transversal indentations along the centre line perpendicular to the base plate (802). The upper middle plate (810) is separate from the outer strips (804A and 804B). The base plate (802) along with the outer strip (804A), that terminates into the upper plate (808A), and the base plate (802) along with the outer strip (804B), which terminates into the upper plate (808B), form two Z-like shapes and act as the holding means (830). In addition, the base plate (802) along with the middle strip (806), which terminates into upper middle plate (810), forms a third Z-like shape. The upper plates (808A and 808B) and the middle plate (810) are separated by a small distance to allow free vibration of the middle plate (810) underneath the upper plates (808A and 808B). The first elastic member (800A) and the first elastic member (800B) are identical in shape, size and construction. For each elastic member of the pair of first elastic members (800), the upper middle plate (810) is attached to the first moving part (210) and the upper plate (808A) and the upper plate (808B) are attached to the second moving part (220). The base plate (802) of the pair of first elastic members (800) is attached to the chassis (160) through the protruding elements (162, 164).
In another aspect of the invention, the vibrating actuator (100) having two different frequencies of vibration comprises the first moving part (210), the second moving part (220) and a pair of first elastic members (900). The first moving part (210) includes three magnets (320) such that the three magnets (322, 324, 326) are arranged with like polarity facing each other. The second moving part (220) includes one or more coils (410), which are wound over the magnets (320). The pair of first elastic members (900) comprises a first elastic member (900A) and a first elastic member (900B). The first elastic member (900A) and the first elastic member (900B) comprise a middle strip (908), a centre plate (904), an upper plate (910) and a holding means (930) projecting from upper plate (910). Holding means include two protruding flat strips (906A, 906B), and base plates (902A, 902B) with rounded edges (920). The upper plate (910) protrudes at least two orthogonal independent protruding flat strips (906A, 906B) with rounded edges (920); the two protruding flat strips (906A, 906B) terminate into base plates (902A, 902B) which are parallel to the upper plate (910) and are projected in the opposite direction with respect to the upper plate (910). Additionally, the middle strip (908) protrudes from the upper plate (910) at an acute angle and terminates into a centre plate (904). The centre plate (904) and the upper plate (910) are projected in the same direction and are parallel to each other. The first elastic member (900A) and the first elastic member (900B) are identical in shape, size and construction. For each elastic member of the pair of first elastic members (900), the base plates (902A, 902B) are attached to the chassis (160) through the protruding elements (162, 164) and the upper plate (910) is attached to the second moving part (220). The centre plate (904) is attached to the first moving part (210).
In another aspect of the invention, the vibrating actuator (100) having two different frequencies of vibration comprises the first moving part (210), the second moving part (220) and a pair of first elastic members (1000). The first moving part (210) includes three magnets (320) such that the three magnets (322, 324, 326) are arranged with like polarity facing each other. The second moving part (220) includes one or more coils (410), which are wound over the magnets (320). The pair of first elastic members (1000) comprises a first elastic member (1000A) and a first elastic member (1000B). The first elastic member (1000A) and the first elastic member (1000B) have a lower base plate (1002B), a first projected elastic member (1004), a flat upper plate (1008) and a holding means (1030). The holding means (1030) includes an upper base plate (1002A), which orthogonally protrudes a second projected elastic member (1006) with a rounded edge. The second projected elastic member (1006) terminates, with a rounded edge, into a flat upper plate (1010).
The lower base plate (1002B) is bent orthogonally into a first projected elastic member (1004), which terminates orthogonally into a flat upper plate (1008) such that the folds have rounded edges. The base plate (1002), comprising upper base plate (1002A) and lower base plate (1002B), is affixed or attached to the chassis (160). The first elastic member (1000A) is affixed to the first moving part (210) with the upper base plate (1008). The holding means (1030) is affixed to the second moving part (220) with the flat upper plate (1010).
In another aspect of the invention, the vibrating actuator (100) having two different frequencies of vibration comprises the first moving part (210), the second moving part (220) and a pair of first elastic members (1110). The first moving part (210) includes three magnets (320) such that the three magnets (322, 324, 326) are arranged with like polarity facing each other. The second moving part (220) includes one or more coils (410), which are wound over the magnets (320). The pair of first elastic members (1110) include a first elastic member (1110A) and a first elastic member (1110B). The first elastic member (1110A) and the first elastic member (1110B) are affixed to the chassis (160) at one end and the other end is affixed to the first moving part (210). Furthermore, the vibrating actuator also includes holding means (1120) in the form of a pair of second elastic members having a second elastic member (1120A) and a second elastic member (1120B). The second elastic member (1120A) and the second elastic member (1120B), which act as holding means (1120) are affixed to the chassis (160) at one end and the other end is affixed to the second moving part (220).
In another aspect the present invention, the method of manufacturing a vibrating actuator includes assembling a first moving part (210) by assembling at least three magnets (322, 324, 326) in a rectangular frame (310). The magnets (320) face each other with the same polarity. Further, it includes assembling a second moving part (220) by wrapping at least two coils (412, 414) of a self-bonding copper wire around the frame (310) such that the coils (410) formed by the self-bonding copper wire allows free movement of the first moving part (210) inside it. The coils (412, 414) are attached to U-shaped structures (420) such that first ends of the coils (410) are attached to each other and second ends of the coils are attached to the U-shaped structures (420), where the U-shaped structures (420) are arranged such that the U-shaped structures are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the origin at the centre of the coils (410). One end of the first elastic member (230A) is attached to the first moving part (210) and the opposite end of the first elastic member (230A) is attached to the chassis (160). Likewise, one end of a first elastic member (230B) is attached to the first moving part (210) and the opposite end of the first elastic member (230B) is attached to the chassis (160). The holding means (240), is formed by the second elastic member (240A) and the second elastic member (240B). The second elastic member (240A) is attached to the second moving part (220) at one end and the opposite end is attached to the chassis (160). Likewise, the second elastic member (240B) is attached to the second moving part (220) at one end and the opposite end is attached to the chassis (160). The method of manufacturing of the vibrating actuator further comprises introducing a spacer of non-magnetic material between the magnets (320).
The present invention is directed to a vibrating actuator for providing wideband haptic feedback, although it can be used in a variety of applications that provide vibrotactile feedback. A wide bandwidth in haptic feedback, for example from 40 to 120 Hz, is important as it reproduces the multiple, complex frequencies found in real world environments. Typically, a moving magnet vibrating actuator or a moving coil vibrating actuator only has one resonant frequency, for example 110 Hz. Such a vibrating actuator can have a useful bandwidth of only 100 to 120 Hz. When such a vibrating actuator is utilised to reproduce a range of frequencies outside this 100 to 120 Hz range, for example, 60 to 80 Hz, it provides a poor user experience due to a strong decrease in efficiency away from the tuned resonant frequency of 110 Hz. The decreased efficiency and increased power consumption can degrade the performance of a device in which the actuator is embedded. For example, the battery life in a mobile device is reduced; the quality of vibration significantly drops in medical applications; the overall performance of gaming devices such as headsets, gaming consoles, etc, is degraded. There is a need for a technical solution that will spread the useful, efficient bandwidth of an actuator to be able to match the frequency range of 40 Hz to 120 Hz, similar to the range of the complex frequencies found in real world environments.
The above problem with a single frequency vibrating actuator can be solved using a multiple frequency vibrating actuator. In an ideal scenario, a single frequency resonant actuator should be capable of responding equally to a range of frequencies, however, due to the typical distribution of the frequency response curve, the vibrating actuator responds efficiently only at the resonant frequency. Other frequencies around the resonant frequency are damped out considerably. The problem is solved by having a multiple resonant frequency vibrating actuator that responds efficiently to a wide range of frequencies. Due to the technical difficulty of incorporating multiple resonant frequencies in a miniature device, it is advantageous to have at least two resonant frequencies to solve the problem of single resonant frequency actuators. The novel vibrating actuator responds efficiently to both the resonant frequencies, say the first resonant frequency f1 (60 Hz) and the second resonant frequency f2 (100 Hz). When the two resonant frequencies are well defined and spread apart to allow a wide bandwidth, for example, 60 Hz to 100 Hz, and are still close enough to allow good response in between the two frequencies, then it will allow good performance across the full wideband frequency range, for example every frequency between 40 and 120 Hz. The innovative vibrating actuator allows a wide range of frequencies to be efficiently produced with optimal current consumption; thus enhancing the performance of the vibrating actuator for wideband applications.
The novel vibrating actuator can be utilised in all devices and applications which provide haptic feedback such as but not limited to gaming pads, mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, medical equipment, automotive systems and other application areas. The innovative vibrating actuator can also be used to enhance the performance of all the haptic devices where the performance and capability of wideband actuators are required, but these devices have been constrained by the use of single frequency actuators such as Linear Resonant Actuators (LRA) or Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) actuators.
The present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers designate like parts. The present invention may, however, be embodied in numerous devices for producing haptic output and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Exemplary embodiments are described below to illustrate the present invention by referring to the figures.
In this application, the term “longitudinal” means in the linear direction of the movement of the moving parts of the vibrating actuator, which is considered along the X-axis; “transversal” means in a direction in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, which is considered along the Y-axis; “orthogonal to X-Y-plane” means in the Z-axis, that is orthogonal to both the X-axis and the Y-axis; and “diagonally opposite” means opposite corners of two parallel sides of a square or a rectangle structure.
The present invention provides a unique and novel vibrating actuator having two different resonant frequencies. The two different resonant frequencies are produced by a first moving part and a second moving part with each of the first moving part and the second moving part suspended by a pair of elastic members.
The chassis 160 is rectangular in shape but can have other shapes such as square, parallelogram or other four sided polygon shapes in different variations. The chassis 160 has a protruding element 162 and a protruding element 164 on its longer sides (longitudinal direction) at diagonally opposite ends. The protruding element 162 and the protruding element 164 are rectangular or square in shape and are orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis) of the chassis 160, as shown in
The first moving part 210 comprises a frame 310 and magnets 320 as shown in
The frame 310 comprises an outer rectangular periphery or an outer square periphery 302 with a hollow rectangle 304. For illustrating the frame in the present invention, the frame 310 is construed to be rectangular, that is, the outer rectangular periphery 302. In this embodiment, the frame 310 is either a rectangle or a square but other shapes such as a parallelogram, a trapezoid other four sided figure are possible in other structural configurations. The outer rectangular periphery 302 edges are rounded, chamfered, or fillet to avoid sharp edges, which can accidentally cause damage to either the first elastic member 230A or the first elastic member 230B of the pair of first elastic members 230. For example, an overdrive of the first moving part 210 and the second moving part 220 may result in the frame 310 accidentally hitting either the first elastic member 230A or first elastic member 230B. The hollow rectangle 304 in the frame 310 has rounded corners, which are utilized for placing the magnets 320. Accordingly, the magnets 320 also have rounded edges to mate perfectly with the frame 310.
The frame 310 is constructed by laser cutting and folding any non-magnetic sheet metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, copper, brass, zinc or any other non-magnetic material. In another variation, the frame 310 is injection molded out of a polymer such as plastic or can be cast out of any non-magnetic material. When the frame 310 is constructed using plastic or any other polymer, the frame 310 can be printed using a 3D printer for fast assembly.
The long sides of the outer rectangular periphery 302 of the frame 310 are along the longitudinal direction (parallel to the long sides of the chassis 160) and have provisions for joining the pair of first elastic members 230. A first end of the first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B are attached on the diagonally opposite long sides of the outer rectangular periphery 302. The second end of the first elastic member 230A is affixed to the protruding element 164 of the chassis 160. Likewise, the second end of the first elastic member 230B is affixed to the protruding element 162 of the chassis 160. The pair of first elastic members 230 can be affixed to the outer rectangular periphery 302 by either welding, riveting, gluing, with screws, or via folds that mechanically mate to form a strong joint or bond.
The magnets 320 are comprised of a series of magnets, such as a first magnet 322, a second magnet 324 and a third magnet 326 in the present invention, but in other variations more than three magnets can be arranged inside the frame 310. All four edges of the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 are rounded to avoid sharp edges; although in some variations the sharp edges can also be eliminated by other known geometries. For example, the edges of the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 can be chamfered edges or fillet edges. In another variation, the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 can all have non-square edges.
The polarities of the first magnet 322 and the second magnet 324 are disposed to be symmetrical, that is, the north pole of the first magnet 322 and the north pole of the second magnet 324 face each other. Likewise, the polarity of the second magnet 324 and the third magnet 326 are disposed to be symmetrical, that is, the south pole of the second magnet 324 and the south pole of the third magnet 326 face each other. This arrangement of magnets 320 creates a strong magnetic field that moves radially outwards from the intersection of the first magnet 322 and the second magnet 324 with like poles facing each other (north pole facing north pole) and radially inwards at the intersection of the second magnet 324 and the third magnet 326 with like poles facing each other (south pole facing south pole). Additionally, the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 are equal in width (shown by W in
The vibrating actuator has magnets 320, which are arranged with the same polarity to allow a high concentration of the magnetic field to be generated inside the coils 410. In this implementation, the highly concentrated magnetic field generated in the coils 410 is due to the magnetic fields generated by the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326. The highly concentrated magnetic field is due to the magnets 320, which are arranged such that like poles face each other. The binding of the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 can be very difficult since the like poles of the magnets 320 repel each other. The innovative frame 310 is designed to securely hold the magnets 320, for example, the first magnet 322, the second magnet 324, and the third magnet 326 in a frame 310. The two open sides of the magnets 320 orthogonal to the X-Y-plane allow close positioning of the frame 320 with the coils 410, so that maximum magnetic flux passes through the coils 410. Furthermore, the magnets 320 can be glued together within the frame 320 to act as a single mass and to secure the magnets 320 inside the frame 310. Furthermore, the frame 310 provides additional mass to the first moving part 210. By varying the mass of the frame 310 and the magnets 320 different resonant frequencies and vibration strengths can be achieved.
As discussed earlier, the second moving part 220 comprises the coils 410 and the pair of U-shaped structures 420. The coils 410 can be any number of coils, however, in this embodiment the coils 410 comprise a first coil 412 and a second coil 414 as shown in
The coils 410 are constructed by winding an enamelled copper wire around a bobbin, which is long in the transversal direction (Y-axis). Additionally, the length of coils 410 is slightly greater than the length of the frame 310 to allow free movement of the first moving part 210 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis).
In the preferred implementation, there are two coils 410 comprising the first coil 412 and the second coil 414 with an equal number of windings and the same dimensions, however, in other variations as shown in
Referring to
The U-shaped structure 420A and the U-shaped structure 420B are fabricated from a non-magnetic sheet metal by cutting and folding it. Alternatively, the U-shaped structure 420A and the U-shaped structure 420B can be formed by welding the T-shaped base plate 424 and the right trapezoid shaped plates 422A and 422B.
The first coil 412 and the second coil 414 are joined together at one end by a glue or by a bonding material. Alternatively, the first coil 412 and the second coil 414 can be integrated into a single coil 410 such that half of the coil winding is wound in one direction, that is, clockwise, and the other half of the winding is in the other direction, that is, anti-clockwise. The other end of the coils 412 and 414 is attached with glue or affixed using a bonding material with the U-shaped structure 420A and the U-shaped structure 420B. The U-shaped structure 420A is attached to the coil 412 and the U-shaped structure 420B is attached to coil 414 such that the open faces of the U-shaped structures 420 are diagonally opposite each other. As a result, the coil 412, the coil 414, the U-shaped structure 420A and the U-shaped structure 420B form a tubular structure respectively along the longitudinal direction (X-axis) to form the second moving part 220, which moves freely over the first moving part 210.
Referring to
The first coil 412 and the second coil 414 are joined to each other by glue or bonding material. Furthermore, the first coil 412 is attached to the U-shaped structure 420A by glue or bonding material and the second coil 414 is attached to the U-shaped structure 420B such as to form a rectangular tubular structure, which moves freely over the first moving part 210.
Referring to
Moving to the construction of the pair of first elastic members 230, the first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B comprise five different sections: a hexagonal base plate 602, a first rounded bend 604, a long strip 606 with indentations 612, which are symmetrical along the centre of the long strip 606 in the transversal direction (Y-axis), a second rounded bend 608 and a rectangular upper plate 610, to form a “Z” shaped structure with rounded edges.
The hexagonal base plate 602 and the rectangular upper plate 610 projecting from the long strip 606 are in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction (X-axis), such that they are parallel or nearly parallel. The hexagonal base plate 602 is comparatively larger than the rectangular upper plate 610. The hexagonal base plate 602 of the first elastic member 230A is affixed to the protruding element 164 of the chassis 160. Likewise, the hexagonal base plate 602 of the first elastic member 230B is affixed to the protruding element 162 of the chassis 160. Similarly, the upper plates 610 of the first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B are attached to the frame 310 on diagonally opposite sides. The first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B are attached to the frame 310 and the protruding element 162 and the protruding element 164 of the chassis 160 such that the upper plates 610 and the hexagonal base plates 602 are diagonally opposite to each other and act as a spring to restrain the movement of the first moving part 210. By varying the material and mass of the frame 310 and the magnets 320, and elasticity of the first elastic member 230A and first elastic member 230B, the first resonant frequency of the vibrating actuator can be controlled, altered or designed. The complete assembly for the first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B can be fabricated by cutting and folding an elastic metal sheet. The metal used for fabrication can include stainless steel, copper beryllium or other elastic metal having high tensile strength. In an alternative implementation, the first elastic member 230A and the first elastic member 230B are made by molding or printing, by a 3D printer, highly durable, yet elastic polymers such as polyamide (Nylon).
Referring to
Referring to
As described earlier, the pair of first elastic members 230 and the holding means 240 are required for connecting the first moving part 210 and the second moving part 220 to the chassis 160. However, in this implementation only a pair of first elastic members 800 is required as shown in
The first elastic member 800A comprises a base plate 802, a middle strip 806, an upper middle plate 810, and holding means 830. The holding means 830 comprises two protruding outer strips 804A and 804B, and a pair of upper plates 808A and 808B. The holding means 830 protrudes from the base plate 802 in the form of a pair of outer strips, that is, the outer strip 804A and the outer strip 804B at the outside edges. The protruding outer strips 804A and 804B project orthogonally from the base plate 802 in the transversal direction (Y-axis) with rounded edges 820, having an indentation along the transversal direction (Y-axis) on the outer faces 812A and 812B, while the inner faces are straight and parallel to each other. Furthermore, the protruding outer strips 804A and 804B terminate into the upper plates 808A and 808B in the longitudinal direction (X-axis). The upper plates 808A and 808B project orthogonally from the two protruding outer strips 804A and 804B such that the folds have rounded edges 820. Further, the two protruding outer strips 804A and 804B are parallel or nearly parallel to the base plate 802 and the base plate 802 and the upper plates 808A and 808B point in opposite directions. In addition, the upper plates 808A and 808B are separate and independent of each other.
The middle strip 806 lies in between the outer strips 804A and 804B and extends a small distance, such as 2 mm to 3 mm from the base plate 802 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis), and then is folded with rounded edges 820 to project orthogonally in the transversal direction (Y-axis) from the base plate 802. Finally, the middle strip 806 terminates orthogonally, in the longitudinal direction (X-axis), into the upper middle plate 810, such that the folds at edges 820 are rounded. In summary, all the folds of the first elastic member 800A have rounded edges 820. The base plate 802 and the upper middle plate 810 are projected in opposite directions and are parallel or nearly parallel. The middle strip 806 has a symmetrical indentation in the transversal direction (Y-axis) along its centre line. The upper plates 808A and 808B and the middle plate 810 are separated by a small distance, in the transversal direction (Y-axis), to allow free vibration of the middle plate 810 underneath the upper plates 808A and 808B.
The first elastic member 800A and the first elastic member 800B are identical in shape, size, and construction. However, in another variation the first elastic member 800A and the first elastic member 800B can be different from each other in shape, size and construction. The first elastic member 800A and the first elastic member 800B are fabricated by cutting and folding an elastic metal sheet to form two independent Z-like shapes as shown in
The first elastic member 900A comprises a centre plate 904, a middle strip 908 and a holding means 930. The holding means 930 includes an upper plate 910 suspended by a pair of outer protruding flat strips 906A and 906B, and base plate 902A and the base plate 902B with rounded edges 920 at all orthogonal folds.
The base plate 902A and the base plate 902B are preferably rectangular in shape, and are independent. The base plate 902A and the base plate 902B protrude orthogonally into two independent flat strips, the flat strip 906A and the flat strip 906B, in the transversal direction (Y-axis). The fold 920 between the base plate 902A and the flat strip 906A is rounded. Likewise, the fold 920 between the base plate 902B and the flat strip 906B is also rounded. Both the protruding flat strips, that is, the flat strip 906A and the flat strip 906B terminate into the upper plate 910. The flat strip 906A and the flat strip 906B and the upper plate 910 are arranged such that the fold 920 between the flat strip 906A and 906B and the upper plate 910 is rounded. Further, the flat strip 906A has indentations 912A along the transversal direction (Y-axis) at its outer side and the flat strip 906B has indentations 912B on its outer side. The inner sides of the flat strips 906A and 906B are straight and parallel. The upper plate 910 and the pair of base plates 902A and 902B point in opposite directions, and are aligned such that the upper plate 910 and the pair of base plates 902A and 902B are parallel or nearly parallel to each other.
The middle strip 908 lies in between the flat strip 906A and the flat strip 906B and projects at an acute angle respective to the upper plate 910 to terminate into the centre plate 904. The fold 920 between the upper plate 910 and the middle strip 908 is rounded, likewise the rounded fold 920 is provided in between the centre plate 904 and the middle strip 908. In addition, the centre plate 904 and the upper plate 910 point in the same direction and are aligned such that the centre plate 904 and the upper plate 910 are parallel or nearly parallel to each other. The middle strip 908 has symmetrical indentations in the transversal direction (Y-axis) along its centre line. The termination points of the middle strip 908 and the flat strips 906A and 906B on the upper plate 910 are collinear.
The first elastic member 900A and the first elastic member 900B are identical in shape, size, and construction. However, in another variation the first elastic member 900A and the first elastic member 900B can be different from each other in shape, size and construction. The first elastic member 900A or the first elastic member 900B is fabricated by cutting and folding an elastic metal sheet. The metal used for fabrication can include stainless steel, copper beryllium or other elastic metal having high tensile strength. In an alternative implementation, the first elastic member 900A and the first elastic member 900B are made by molding or printing, by a 3D printer, highly durable, yet elastic polymers such as polyamide (Nylon).
The construction of the first elastic member 1000A is similar to the first elastic member 230A and the holding means 240 formed by the second elastic member 240A; however, the first elastic member 1000A is fabricated by folding a single piece of elastic metal to form a lower base plate 1002B, one protruding elastic member 1004, a flat upper plate 1008 and a holding means 1030. Referring to
Accordingly, the first elastic member 1000A comprises lower base plate 1002B, first projected elastic member 1004, flat upper plate 1008 and holding means 1030. The holding means 1030 includes an upper base plate 1002A, a second projected elastic member 1006 and a flat upper plate 1010. The base plate 1002 protrudes a first projected elastic member 1004 and the second projected elastic member 1006 of the holding means 1030. The first projected elastic member 1004 is similar to the long strip 606 of the first elastic member 230A. Likewise, the second projected elastic member 1006 is similar to the long strip 706 of the second elastic member 240A as discussed earlier.
The holding means 1030, which is formed by the upper base plate 1002A protrudes the second projected elastic member 1006 orthogonally along the transversal direction (Y-axis). A rounded fold is formed between the upper base plate 1002A and the second projected elastic member 1006. The second projected elastic member 1006 has indentations along the transversal direction (Y-axis) that are symmetrical along the centre line. The second projected elastic member 1006 terminates orthogonally, with rounded edges, into a flat upper plate 1010. The upper base plate 1002A and the flat upper plate 1010 are parallel or nearly parallel and point in opposite directions to each other in the longitudinal direction (X-axis).
The lower base plate 1002B extends a small distance, such as 2 mm to 3 mm, from the termination point of the upper base plate 1002A before protruding orthogonally in the transversal direction (Y-axis) into the first projected elastic member 1004. A rounded fold is formed between the first projected elastic member 1004 and the lower base plate 1002B. The first projected elastic member 1004 has indentations along the transversal direction (Y-axis) that are symmetrical along its centre line. The first projected elastic member 1004 terminates orthogonally into a flat upper plate 1008 such that the fold has rounded edges. The lower base plate 1002B and the flat upper plate 1008 are parallel or nearly parallel and point in opposite directions to each other in the longitudinal direction (X-axis). The lower base plate 1002B, first projected elastic member 1004, and flat upper plate 1008 form one Z-like structure. Likewise, the upper base plate 1002A, second projected elastic member 1006, and flat upper plate 1010 form a second Z-like structure. The two Z-like structures are independent to each other and have a distance of a few millimeters between them, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm, in the longitudinal direction (X-axis). Further, the flat upper plate 1010 is broader in the axis orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis) to the flat upper plate 1008, as shown in
The first elastic member 1000A and the first elastic member 1000B are identical in shape, size, and construction. However, in another variation the first elastic member 1000A and the first elastic member 1000B can be different from each other in shape, size and construction. The first elastic member 1000A and the first elastic member 1000B are fabricated by cutting and folding an elastic metal sheet. The metal used for fabrication can include stainless steel, copper beryllium or other elastic metal having high tensile strength. In an alternative implementation, the first elastic member 1000A and the first elastic member 1000B are made by molding or printing, by a 3D printer, highly durable, yet elastic polymers such as polyamide (Nylon).
The vibrating actuator 1100 comprises the first moving part 210, the second moving part 220, a pair of first elastic members 1110, and a holding means 1120 formed by a pair of second elastic members, that is, a second elastic member 1120A and a second elastic member 1120B. The pair of first elastic members 1110 comprises a first elastic member 1110A and a first elastic member 1110B. The first moving part 210 comprises the frame 310, the magnets 320 and the second moving part comprises the U-shaped structures 420 and the coils 410, arranged such that the first moving part 210 moves freely in the hollow tubular structure of the second moving part 220. The construction and configuration of the first moving part 210 and the second moving part 220 have been described earlier.
The first elastic member 1110A and the first elastic member 1110B are T-shaped flat metal strips. In addition, the first elastic member 1110A and the first elastic member 1110B have indentations along the transversal direction (Y-axis) that are symmetrical along their centre lines in the long portion of the T-shape. The second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B are flat long metal strips acting as the holding means 1120. In addition, the second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B have indentations along the transversal direction (Y-axis) that are symmetrical along their centre lines.
The first elastic member 1110A, the first elastic member 1110B, the second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B are fabricated by cutting an elastic metal sheet. The metal used for fabrication can include stainless steel, copper beryllium or other elastic metal having high tensile strength. In an alternative implementation, the first elastic member 1110A, the first elastic member 1110B, the second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B are made by molding or printing, by a 3D printer, highly durable, yet elastic polymers such as polyamide (Nylon).
The outer protruding surface 1150A of the U-shaped structure 420A is in the transversal direction (Y-axis) and is utilised for affixing the second elastic member 1120A. Likewise, the outer protruding surface 1150B of the U-shaped structure 420B is in the transversal direction (Y-axis) and is utilised for affixing the second elastic member 1120B. The second elastic member 1120A and the outer protruding surface 1150A, and the second elastic member 1120B and the outer protruding surface 1150B are affixed by welding, gluing or riveting. The joints made by the second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B and the outer protruding surface 1150A and 1150B are diagonally opposite to each other.
The opposite end of the second elastic member 1120A is affixed to the rectangular protruding element 1140 on its outer side, that is the side which faces outwards in the longitudinal direction (X-axis) towards the end of the chassis 160. Similarly, the opposite end of the second elastic member 1120B, is affixed to the outer side of the rectangular protruding element 1130. The second elastic member 1120A and the rectangular protruding element 1140, and the second elastic member 1120B and the solid rectangular protruding element 1130 are affixed by welding, gluing or riveting.
The vibrating actuator 1200 comprises the first moving part 210 and the second moving part 220, the pair of first elastic members 1110, and the pair of second elastic members 1120. The first elastic member 1110A and the first elastic member 1110B, which are T-shaped as described earlier, have three holes 1208 punched in the broad end and one hole 1208 punched in the narrow end. The broad end has a hole 1208 at the T-joint and one hole on each other side. The opposite narrow end has a hole 1208, which is collinear to the hole 1208 on the T-joint of the broad end.
A pair of threaded holes 1206A and 1206B are provided in the frame 310 of the first moving part 210. The threaded holes 1206A and 1206B are provided on diagonally opposite corners of the frame 310, such that the pair of first elastic members 1110 can be affixed onto the frame 310 using screws 1202.
In this variation, the protruding element 162 and the protruding element 164 associated with the chassis 160 have an extruded “P” shape and have threaded holes 1204A and 1204B on their inner face. The threaded hole 1204A and the threaded hole 1204B face each other and are diagonally opposite in the longitudinal direction (X-axis). In addition, the inner face of the P-shaped protruding element 164 also has at least two plastic or metal extrusions 1214A on either side of the threaded hole 1204A that are orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis). Likewise, the inner face of the P-shaped protruding element 162 has at least two plastic or metal extrusions 1214B on either side of the threaded hole 1204B that are orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis). The outer face of the P-shaped protruding element 164, that is the face which is directed outwards in the longitudinal direction (X-axis) towards the end of the chassis 160, has two threaded holes 1212A towards its outer edges in the axis orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis). Likewise, the outer face of the P-shaped protruding element 162 has two threaded holes 1212B towards its outer edges in the axis orthogonal to the X-Y-plane (Z-axis), as shown in
As discussed earlier, the first elastic member 1110A has three holes on the broad end. The middle hole 1208 on the T-joint is utilised for attaching the first elastic member 1110A to the inner side of the P-shaped protruding element 164 by fastening a screw 1202 into the threaded hole 1204A. In addition, the extrusions 1214A on either side of the threaded hole 1204A mate perfectly with the two outer holes 1208 on the broad side of the first elastic member 1110A to secure it with the P-shaped protruding element 164. Likewise, the first elastic member 1110B has three holes on the broad end. The middle hole 1208 on the T-joint is utilised for attaching the first elastic member 1110B to the inner side of the P-shaped protruding element 162 by fastening a screw 1202 into the threaded hole 1204B. In addition, the extrusions 1214B on either side of the threaded hole 1204B mate perfectly with the two outer holes 1208 on the broad side of the first elastic member 1110B to secure it with the P-shaped protruding element 162.
The holding means 1120 formed by the second elastic member 1120A and the second elastic member 1120B, which are long metal strips as described earlier, have four holes 1210 punched at the four corners. One end of the second elastic member 1120A, having two holes 1210, is fastened by using two screws 1202, into the threaded receiving holes 1222A on the outer face of the U-shaped structure 420A. The opposite end of the second elastic member 1120A, having two holes 1210, is fastened using two screws 1202, into the threaded receiving holes 1212A on the outer face of the P-shaped protruding element 164. Likewise, the one end of the second elastic member 1120B, having two holes 1210, is fastened by using two screws 1202, into the threaded receiving holes 1222B, on the outer face of the U-shaped structure 420B. The opposite end of the second elastic member 1120B, having two holes 1210, is fastened by using two screws 1202, into the two threaded receiving holes 1212B on the outer face of the P-shaped protruding element 162. Finally, the assembled vibrating actuator 1200 is produced.
The vibration frequency of the first moving part 210 depends upon at least the mass of the frame 310, the mass of the magnets 320, and the elastic constant of the pair of first elastic members 230. Likewise, the vibration frequency of the second moving part 220 depends upon at least the mass of the U-shaped structures 420, the mass of the coils 410, and the elastic constant of holding means 240. Finally, the first moving part 210 produces a linear oscillatory movement in the longitudinal direction (X-axis) with resonant frequency F1 and the second moving part 220 produces a linear oscillatory movement in the longitudinal direction (X-axis) with resonant frequency F2. The first resonant frequency F1 and the second resonant frequency F2 are different and far apart. For example, the first resonant frequency F1 can be 40 Hz and the second resonant frequency F2 can be 75 Hz.
A directed magnetic field is generated by the magnets 320 embedded inside the frame 310 with like poles facing each other. The magnetic field flows radially outwards (for example, outwards transversally (Y-axis)) from the magnets 320, at the intersection point of magnets 320, where the north poles of the magnets 320 face each other, and transverses the coils 410. Furthermore, the magnetic field flows inwards (for example, inward transversally (Y-axis)), transverses the coils 410 and into the magnets 320, at the intersection point of magnets 320, where south poles of the magnets 320 face each other. When the coils 410 are energized by passing the alternating current in the presence of the directed magnetic field, a force is produced on the second moving part 220 according to the Lorentz Force principle; accordingly, the first moving part 210 experiences a force in the opposite direction. Further, the two coils 410 are wound in opposite directions, so that when the current flows through the coils 410, the second moving part 220 experiences a force unilaterally in one direction. When the alternating current is reversed, the second moving part 220 experiences a force in the opposite direction. This phenomenon creates vibratory motion in the second moving part 220. Likewise, the first moving part 210 also experiences a force according to the Lorentz Force principle that produces a second vibratory motion independent of the first vibratory motion. The motion of the first moving part 210 is relative to the second moving part 220 and can be in the same direction or in the opposite direction.
Disclosed is a vibrating actuator having two different frequencies of vibration. The vibrating actuator 100 comprises the first moving part 210 including at least three magnets 320. The three magnets 320 are arranged with like polarities facing each other. Further, the vibrating actuator includes the second moving part 220, which includes at least two coils 410. The coils 410 are wound over the magnets 320 such that the magnetic field of the magnets 320 perpendicularly transverses the coils 410. The pair of first elastic members (230; 800; 900; 1000; 1120) are attached to the first moving part 210 at one end and to the chassis 160 at the other end. A holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) connects the second moving part 220 to the chassis 160 such that the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) are a pair of elastic members (240; 1120) or form part of the first elastic members (800; 900; 1000). In one implementation, the holding means are the pair of elastic members (240; 1120), for example, the holding means are the second elastic member (240A; 1120A) and the second elastic member (240B; 1120B). In an alternate implementation, the holding means 1030 form part of the pair of first elastic members 1000 such that each first elastic member (1000A, 1000B) has at least one holding means 1030. For example, the holding means 1030 is located in front of the first projected elastic member 1004 of the first elastic member 1000A and the first elastic member 1000B. In yet another alternate implementation, the holding means (830; 930) form part of the pair of first elastic members (800; 900) such that each first elastic member (800A, 800B; 900A, 900B) has more than one holding means (830; 930). In one example, the holding means 830 are located on either side of the middle strip 806 of the first elastic member 800A or the first elastic member 800B. In another example, the holding means 930 are located on either side of the middle strip 908 of the first elastic member 900A or the first elastic member 900B. Other implementations and variations such as using plastic, rubber, or other elastic material for fabricating the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) are also possible.
The holding means 240 are attached to the chassis 160 at one end and to the second moving part 220 at the other end. In one variation, the holding means 830 are attached to the chassis 160 at one end and to the second moving part 220 at the other end. In another variation of this implementation, the holding means 930 are attached at the second moving part 220 at one end and the other end is attached to chassis 160. In yet another variation, the holding means 1030 are attached to the chassis 160 at one end and to the second moving part 220 at the other end.
In one implementation, the vibrating actuator includes a pair of the first elastic members 800. Each first elastic member 800A and first elastic member 800B is formed from a base plate 802 having the holding means 830. The holding means 830 comprises the outer strip 804A and the outer strip 804B. The outer strip 804A and the outer strip 804B have transversal indentations on the outer faces (812A and 812B), and are projected orthogonally at equal distance from the base plate 802 to terminate into the upper plate 808A and the upper plate 808B. The upper plate 808A and 808B are utilised as attachment means for the second moving part 220. The holding means 830 allow free suspension of the second moving part 220.
In another implementation, the vibrating actuator includes a pair of the first elastic members 900. The first elastic member 900A and the first elastic member 900B comprises a holding means 930, which includes an upper plate 910; the upper plate 910 has at least two orthogonal independent protruding flat strips 906A and 906B having rounded edges 920. The outer two protruding flat strips 906A and 906B terminate into base plates 902A and 902B, which are parallel to the upper plate 910 and are projected into opposite directions with respect to the upper plate 910. One end of the holding means 930 is attached to chassis 160 with the base plates 902A and 902B, while the other end is affixed to the second moving part 220. The holding means 930 allow free suspension of the second moving part 220.
In one embodiment, the vibrating actuator has the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120), which has a provision of carrying electrical current to the coils (410) by an overlaid conductive path. In another implementation of the present invention, the overlaid conductive path on the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) is a flexible printed circuit or is a wire for providing current to the coils (410). The wire can be insulated from the pair of elastic members (230; 800; 900; 1000, 1110).
In yet another implementation, the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) can itself act as a conducting path to provide current to the colis 410.
In one implementation of the present invention, the pair of first elastic members (230; 800; 900; 1000, 1110) are perforated.
In another implementation of the present invention, the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) are perforated.
In yet another implementation, both the first elastic members (230; 800; 900; 1000, 1110) and the holding means (240; 830; 930; 1030; 1120) are perforated
The vibrating actuators described herein are exemplary only. Other configurations and variations provided herein are non-limiting and any modifications fall well within the scope of this invention. The functionality and use of the vibrating actuator are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting in any manner. Furthermore, the different components of the vibrating actuator can be suitably modified to provide additional functionality.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/084641 | 12/11/2019 | WO |
