Oscillating Patents (Class 310/36)
  • Patent number: 10058351
    Abstract: A personal care appliance includes a housing, a drive assembly provided in the housing, and a workpiece member. The drive assembly includes a stator and an armature adjacent the stator, wherein the stator, when energized, is structured to cause the armature to oscillate back and forth. The personal care appliance further includes a mounting assembly having a pivot arm having a shaft member and first and second mounting members. The workpiece member is coupled to the first end portion of the shaft member such that oscillation of the armature causes the workpiece member to oscillate relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MICHAEL TODD BEAUTY LP
    Inventors: Lewis Hendler, NengFei Xu, XuShan Zhan
  • Patent number: 10048487
    Abstract: A micromirror including a first layer having a first main extension plane, and a second layer having a second main extension plane, the first main extension plane and the second main extension plane being situated parallel to one another, the first layer and the second layer being sectionally connected to one another via at least one connection area, at least one spring element being implemented in the first layer, a movably suspended mirror plate being implemented in the second layer, the mirror plate having a mirror surface on a first side parallel to the main extension plane and being connected on an opposing second side via the connection area to an anchor of the spring element, a part of the spring element on the second side of the mirror plate being movably situated in relation to the mirror plate. A two-mirror system having such a micromirror is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Nitsche, Frederic Njikam Njimonzie, Wolfram Schock, Joerg Muchow, Helmut Grutzeck, Zoltan Lestyan
  • Patent number: 10050511
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling device for communicating continuous rotational or linear motion through a magnetic coupling of magnetic forces communicated from magnets operatively positioned on an oscillation assembly and a rotation assembly in positions sufficiently proximate to form the magnetic coupling. Employed to communicate an output force in a rotational direction from an input linear force communicated from a powered oscillation assembly, the magnetic force of the magnet communicating the force compresses the volume of ellipsoidal-like magnetic fields of the coupling alternately in unlike polar domains, to induce a smooth, blended polar continuity and communicate a continuous 360 degree rotational force to a rotation assembly operatively engaged with the magnetic coupling. The input force may be reversed to induce a continuous linear motion of a reciprocating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: James Joseph Gardner
  • Patent number: 10027214
    Abstract: Oscillating drive (1), in particular for driving an output shaft (30) in a rotationally oscillating fashion, having an electric machine which comprises: a rotor (3) which can oscillate about a rotational axis (10) and which comprises a multiplicity of permanent magnet poles (5-8), a stator which comprises a circular winding (12) which is concentric with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wittenstein SE
    Inventor: Ingolf Gröning
  • Patent number: 9998832
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Bongiovi Acoustics LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Bongiovi, Lawrence Robert Hamelink, Brian K. Servis, John Robert Bielski
  • Patent number: 9991773
    Abstract: A limited rotation electromechanical rotary actuator includes a stator having an aperture sized to accept a rotor assembly and a rectangular coil. A rotor assembly is bidirectionally operable with the stator over a limited range of rotation. The rotor assembly includes an output shaft and a two-pole magnet and a position sensor shaft, wherein the output shaft and position sensor shaft are each rigidly attached to only a portion of the magnet. The rotor assembly includes apertures for allowing an electrical coil to pass through. The electrical coil extends around the magnet on four sides and is excitable for providing bidirectional torque to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: William R. Benner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9985509
    Abstract: An induction generator (100) is proposed, having at least one permanent magnet (130) for generating a permanent magnetic field (138), at least one reflux plate (106) for guiding the permanent magnetic field (138), a coil (108) and a spring element (104), wherein the permanent magnet (130) and the reflux plate (106) are separated from one another by an air gap (140) through which the permanent magnetic field (138) passes, and wherein the coil (108) is connected to the spring element (104) and is movably disposed in the air gap (140), characterized in that the spring element (104) is designed to cause an oscillation movement of the coil (108) in the air gap (140) transverse to a magnetic flux of the permanent magnetic field (138) inside the air gap (140) in response to a deflection of the coil (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eduard Ruff
  • Patent number: 9973046
    Abstract: A communication device proposed by the invention comprises, in a modularly assembled design, a first module for generating a mechanical rotary motion, the rotational energy of which is converted into electrical energy by a second module, namely a converter module. A third module is a transmitter module which is supplied with and driven by energy from the converter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Würth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dragan Dinulovic, Alexander Gerfer
  • Patent number: 9910267
    Abstract: A microactuator arrangement for the deflection of electromagnetic radiation, with a mirror plate which is suspended on a drive frame in a movable manner about a first rotation axis via spring elements, wherein the drive frame is suspended on a chip frame in a movable manner about a second rotation axis via spring elements, wherein the drive frame is not closed and comprises a recess adjacent to the mirror plate and wherein the chip frame at least in the region of the recess of the drive frame is not closed, in a manner such that a deflected and/or incident beam is not inhibited by the drive frame and the chip frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Ulrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9843248
    Abstract: An extended duration burst electrical energy harvesting generator in one embodiment including two magnets situated on opposite ends of an angular movable lever with a centered fulcrum support in an angular displacement (see-saw) arrangement. The two magnets are under the bi-stable magnetic attractive influence of dual magnetic metal (high permeability) substrates that are disposed at a distance within two separate center core electric coil bobbin forms that are situated under the opposite ends of the lever. Either one of the magnets, in time, will make or break contact with one of the substrates producing an instantaneous induced voltage at each of the coil terminals. The two induced voltages can be utilized to power battery-less and wireless remote communications control function such as ISM Band wireless transmitters and battery-less electronic device applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: David Deak, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9811108
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal device includes a housing which pivotably supports a pedal arm, a return spring, a magnetic position sensor which detects an angular position of the pedal arm, and a drive source, a return lever, and a control circuit board serving as an active control mechanism which controls to push back the pedal arm toward a rest position under predetermined conditions, a circuit for a Hall element of the position sensor is arranged on the control circuit board. According to the above, a conventionally-required circuit board dedicated to a position sensor is not required to be arranged and the position sensor is connected via bus bars and the like while eliminating lead wire and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Kumamoto, Tsuyoshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 9778619
    Abstract: A timepiece sub-assembly including a mobile timepiece element including first and second annular and opposite peripheral surfaces of revolution about a same pivot axis, and a device for guiding pivoting about a theoretical axis of a timepiece mechanism. The first surface is magnetically or electrically charged, and the device includes at least three first surfaces regularly arranged around the theoretical axis, oppositely magnetically or respectively electrically charged to the first surface to repulse it at a first interface. In a watch, the second surface is magnetically or electrically charged, and the device includes at least three second surfaces regularly arranged around the theoretical axis, oppositely magnetically or electrically charged to the second surface to repulse it at a second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Sylvain Dauby, Benoit Junod, Davide Sarchi
  • Patent number: 9772490
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes: a movable plate which includes a light reflection unit; a first torsion bar spring which oscillatably supports the movable plate around a first axis; a displacement portion which is connected to the first torsion bar spring; a second torsion bar spring which oscillatably supports the displacement portion around a second axis intersecting with the first axis; a permanent magnet which is provided on the displacement portion to be inclined with respect to the first axis and the second axis; and a coil which is provided to be separated from the displacement portion and generates a magnetic field acting on the permanent magnet. The displacement portion includes a frame surrounding the movable plate, and a damper which has a smaller thickness than that of the frame and extends in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the second torsion bar spring extends from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisako Kojima, Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 9761127
    Abstract: An electromagnetic remote control and control method thereof; when rotating a second rotary disc (20), the repulsive force between a first magnetic piece (30) on the second rotary disc (20) and a second magnetic piece (40) on a first rotary disc (10) is increased; when detecting increase in force on the second magnetic piece (40), transmitting a corresponding control instruction to a controlled device. The controlled terminal can be controlled by rotating the second rotary disc (20) without providing additional function keys, thus the electromagnetic remote control is small and easy to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9759908
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes: a movable plate which includes a light reflection unit which reflects light; a first torsion bar spring which oscillatably supports the movable plate around a first axis; a displacement member which is connected to the first torsion bar spring; a second torsion bar spring which oscillatably supports the displacement member around a second axis intersecting with the first axis; a coil provided on the displacement member; and a magnet which is provided spaced apart from the displacement member, and generates a magnetic field to be inclined with respect to the first axis and the second axis and to act on the coil, wherein the displacement member includes a frame surrounding the movable plate, and a damper which has a smaller thickness than that of the frame and extends in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the second torsion bar spring extends from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Mizoguchi, Makiko Hino, Hisako Kojima
  • Patent number: 9741481
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating mechanism comprising an armature unit (10) which can be moved by a certain armature excursion along an axial direction of travel as a result of stationary coil means being energized, plunger means (16) which are associated with the armature unit, are designed such that the end thereof cooperates with an external actuating partner, and can be moved by a certain plunger excursion along the direction of travel from a starting position into an engagement position, and spring means (22) which bias the plunger means in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ETO Magnetic GmbH
    Inventor: Timo Rigling
  • Patent number: 9664897
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an apparatus with a rotatable MEMS device. The apparatus may include a magnetic circuit with two magnets disposed opposite each other to produce a magnetic field between the magnets. The MEMS device may be placed in a frame disposed between the magnets. The MEMS device may include a driving coil disposed around the device, and may be rotatable around a first axis of the frame, in response to application of electromagnetic force produced by interaction of electric current to pass through the driving coil, with the magnetic field. The frame may include another driving coil, and may be rotatable around a second axis orthogonal to first axis, in response to application of electromagnetic force produced by interaction of electric current to pass through the second driving coil, with the magnetic field. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Arnon Hirshberg
  • Patent number: 9658017
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein systems, methods and apparatus relating to a selective fire firearm. A firing mechanism is provided for mechanically and electronically firing a firearm depending on the operating mode selected by the user. A selector mechanism allows for selection of a safety mode of operation, a semi-automatic firing mode of operation, an automatic firing mode of operation, and an electronic firing mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin Alicea
  • Patent number: 9621015
    Abstract: A linear vibration actuator for which the positional accuracy of coils in the casing can be easily increased. A linear vibration actuator (1) in which a magnet (13) and a weight (15) are fixed. The magnet (13) and the shaft (20) form a magnetic circuit within a casing (2) causing reciprocating motion of the weight (15) and magnet (13), via a coil (24) within a casing (2). The linear actuator (1) includes a shaft (20) provided within the casing (2) and made from a magnetic material. A coil (24) is supported by the shaft (20) includes first and second coil parts (22, 23) arranged parallel to an axial line L and wound in opposing directions. A ring-like magnet (13) surrounds the coil (24) and the shaft (20). A weight is fixed to the magnet. A plate spring (17) biases the magnet (13) and the weight (15) along the shaft (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Katada, Hirohiko Sonoki, Daisuke Higashi, Risa Matsumura, Sayaka Ueno, Honami Nakazawa, Yoshihide Tonogai
  • Patent number: 9607491
    Abstract: A planar reciprocating actuator (PRA) provides a linear motor configured and optimized for small displacement and oscillation, and can use the effect of a designed mechanical or magnetic spring to increase the amplitude of displacement at certain operating points. The PRA is intended to be used in vibrotactile and haptic applications. The PRA can generate various types of vibratory characteristics that may be perceived as distinct and readily user-identifiable haptic stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce J. P. Mortimer, Gary A. Zets, Anthony C. Morcos
  • Patent number: 9577562
    Abstract: A method includes driving a component in an electromagnetic actuator back and forth during one or more cycles of the actuator, where the actuator includes a voice coil. The method also includes identifying a back electromotive force (EMF) voltage of the voice coil during at least one of the one or more cycles. The method further includes determining whether a stroke of the component is substantially centered using the back EMF voltage of the voice coil. In addition, the method includes, based on the determination, adjusting one or more drive signals for the voice coil during one or more additional cycles of the actuator. Determining whether the stroke of the component is centered could include determining whether the back EMF voltage of the voice coil is substantially maximized or determining whether times between extremes in the back EMF voltage are substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Theodore J. Conrad, Dawson R. Bruckman
  • Patent number: 9477078
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a substrate, a moving part including a magnetic material and configured to tilt relative to the substrate, a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic material, and a magnetic field detector configured to detect the magnetic field of the magnetic material. In the MEMS device, the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole are disposed on one side of the moving part, the one side being a side on which the magnetic material is located. The magnetic field detector is disposed between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole. A distance between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole is shorter than a length of the moving part in a direction from the first magnetic pole toward the second magnetic pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Kanae Murata, Isao Aoyagi, Yutaka Nonomura, Teruhisa Akashi
  • Patent number: 9473007
    Abstract: A rotary solenoid includes a swing yoke to which two magnets are fixed and a fixed yoke including projection portions at opposite sides thereof. An electromagnetic coil including a major magnetic pole is arranged at a center of the fixed yoke. The rotary solenoid is arranged to define a magnetic circuit extending through one of the magnets, the major magnetic pole, the fixed yoke, the projection portion, and the other magnet at a shortest distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEC SERVO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kirihara, Takaya Kato, Osamu Sekiguchi, Norihisa Imaizumi, Shoji Oiwa
  • Patent number: 9436001
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a light beam scanner includes a first mirror and an angular magnification unit. The first mirror makes a normal direction of a reflecting surface change repeatedly. The angular magnification unit is configured to return, when viewed from a first direction, reflected light from the first mirror to the first mirror so that light is reflected at substantially the same points on the first mirror for a plural number of times, and increase, when viewed from the first direction, an angle each time light is reflected from the first mirror, the angle being between the normal direction of the reflecting surface and a reflection direction of light. Light is emitted from the angular magnification unit after the light is reflected from the first mirror for a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masataka Shiratsuchi, Masatoshi Hirono
  • Patent number: 9417425
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) carrier formed by a typical surface micro-machining and bulk micro-machining process on a silicon substrate, having a frame, a movable carrier element, a conductive coil, two return springs and a pair of permanent magnets. The movable carrier element is formed within the frame and movable along a path, the conductive coil is formed on or embedded in the movable carrier element. The two return springs are formed between the movable carrier element and the frame thereby connecting the movable carrier element to the frame and providing a return force to the carrier element, and the pair of permanent magnets are formed a magnetic field for co-acting with the conductive coil for generating an electromagnetic Lorentz force to drive the movable carrier element to move against the return force of the two return springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALMEMS TAIWAN CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Su-Jhen Lin, Ming-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 9389588
    Abstract: A method for regulating time-keeping of a mechanical timepiece movement intended to operate in a low-pressure atmosphere, includes the successive steps of: placing the movement in a low-pressure atmosphere pre-established for normal operation of the movement; measuring the gain or recoil (typically a gain +?P) of the time-keeping precision of the movement at this low pressure; returning the movement to ambient atmospheric pressure; at the ambient atmospheric pressure, regulating the movement to compensate for the previously measured gain or recoil; and returning the movement to the low-pressure atmosphere pre-established for normal operation of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CARTIER INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Kewin Bas, Cyrille Chatel
  • Patent number: 9252648
    Abstract: A power generator 100 of the present invention is configured to be used in a state that the power generator 100 is fixedly attached to a vibrating body formed of a magnetic material. The power generator 100 includes a main unit 1 having a power generating unit 10 configured to generate electric power by utilizing vibration and a base 23 having one surface on which the power generating unit 10 is supported and another surface 230 opposed to the one surface; and at least one permanent magnet 911 disposed on the side of the other surface 230 of the base 23 in a state that the permanent magnet 911 can be displaced or deformed in a thickness direction of the base 23. When the main unit 1 is fixedly attached to the vibrating body through an attachment 9 including the permanent magnet 911, the main unit 1 is configured to generate the electric power by utilizing vibration of the vibrating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Furukawa, Kensuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 9071121
    Abstract: A linear vibrator including: a fixing unit having a magnet in an inner space, the magnet generating magnetic force; a vibration unit including a coil disposed to face the magnet and generating electromagnetic force by interaction with the magnet, and a holder coupled with a surface of the coil and fixedly supporting a mass body which vibrates; and an elastic member coupled with the holder and the fixing unit and providing elastic force to the vibration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Kun Choi
  • Patent number: 9041230
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a method and apparatus for vibrational energy harvesting via electromagnetic induction using a magnet array. Specific embodiments of the subject invention incorporate at least one conductive coil and at least one magnet array. Magnets used in such magnet arrays can be permanent magnets of various shapes, such as arc-shaped, square, rectangular, wedge, or trapezoidal. These magnet arrays can then be, for example, circular, hexagonal, rectangular, or square in external shape and create various types of internal magnetic fields, such as dipole, quadrupole, hexapole, or octapole magnetic fields. Through use of a magnet array, embodiments of the invention can increase the strength of magnetic fields by approximately 10 times compared to typical vibrational energy harvesters. The 10 time increase in the strength of the magnetic fields can result in up to a 100-fold increase in power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Arnold, Shuo Cheng
  • Patent number: 9030059
    Abstract: An actuator includes a stator and a movable component movably mounted in the stator. The stator includes a yoke, a printed circuit board disposed at one axial end of the yoke, a bobbin mounted inside the yoke, windings wound about the bobbin; and multiple terminals mounted to the bobbin to electrically connect the windings ends to the printed circuit board. The bobbin includes a plurality of spaced extending portions extending towards the printed circuit board. The terminals are mounted to a respective end of the extending portions of the bobbin that face the printed circuit board. The terminals are spaced from the yoke. A free length of the terminal between the bobbin and the printed circuit board is short enough to avoid bending which may result in a short circuit between the terminals and the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Miao Xuan Qiu, Ning Huang, Soeren Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9030061
    Abstract: A galvanoscanner including: a rotor including a shaft as a rotational center, and permanent magnets disposed around the shaft and polarized to a plurality of poles in a circumferential direction of the shaft; and a stator disposed in the outside of the rotor through a clearance and including coils, a yoke, and an outer casing so that the rotor swings in a predetermined angle range; wherein: the permanent magnets are provided with grooves which are formed in a direction of the rotation shaft so as to straddle circumferentially adjacent magnetic poles of the permanent magnets; and the permanent magnets are parted into at least two parts per pole by parting lines. Thus, the ratio of the torque constant to the moment of inertia can be improved so that the current required for driving can be reduced and reduction of power consumption at driving time can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Via Mechanics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Akira Doi, Daisuke Matsuka, Souichi Toyama, Hiroyuki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9030060
    Abstract: A galvanoscanner including: a rotor including a shaft as a rotational center, and permanent magnets disposed around the shaft and polarized to a plurality of poles in a circumferential direction of the shaft; and a stator disposed in the outside of the rotor through a clearance and including coils, a yoke, and an outer casing so that the rotor swings in a predetermined angle range; wherein: the permanent magnets are provided with grooves which are formed in a direction of the rotation shaft so as to straddle circumferentially adjacent magnetic poles of the permanent magnets; and the permanent magnets are parted into at least two parts per pole by parting lines. Thus, the ratio of the torque constant to the moment of inertia can be improved so that the current required for driving can be reduced and reduction of power consumption at driving time can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Via Mechanics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Akira Doi, Daisuke Matsuka, Souichi Toyama, Hiroyuki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9025229
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuated microshutter comprising: a moveable plate that can rotate about an axis, connected to a stationary frame by two arms aligned on both sides of the plate to said axis, and comprising on its periphery a conductive loop; and below the assembly formed by the stationary frame and the moveable plate, a group of magnets having distinct magnetic orientations, arranged in such a manner so as to create, in regard to the moveable plate, a lateral magnetic field, in the plane of the frame, oblique in relation to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Orphee Cugat, Nicolas Abele
  • Patent number: 9013084
    Abstract: An induction generator for a radio switch having a magnet element as well as an induction coil with a coil core wherein the coil core is U-shaped, wherein a first rest position and a second rest position are in each case defined for the magnet element, in contact with the limbs of the coil core, and a flux direction reversal takes place in the coil core, whenever a change takes place between these positions, wherein a movement path for the magnet element is predetermined for a movement between the rest positions, wherein the induction generator has a first mechanical energy storage device which is operatively connected to the magnet element and first of all stores energy in the course of forcing a movement from a rest position and, after reaching an intermediate position, which is defined along the movement path and corresponding to which the magnetic forces on the coil core suddenly decrease, emits this energy to the magnet element in order to mechanically accelerate the movement of the magnet element to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eduard Ruff
  • Patent number: 9000628
    Abstract: Described herein is a ball joints universal rotary motor, a manufacturing method and a working mechanism thereof. The ball joints universal rotary motor comprises a housing, a spherical-cap shaped stator body, and a rotor body configured to be secured within the stator body. The stator body is made from a permanent magnet. The rotor body comprises multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers. The multiple layers of armatures are symmetrically distributed along the axis of the rotor body. A spacer layer is provided between two adjacent layers of armatures. The multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers are securely connected by a bolt. The bolt and the rotor body are axially connected. The rotor body is of a spherical shape. Each layer of the armatures is wound with two layers of coils: a first layer and a second layer. The motor as provided is configured to realize movement in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Kuokwa Ho
  • Patent number: 8994235
    Abstract: An electric motor for operating a small electric device is disclosed. The electric motor includes at least one first oscillatory motor component; an inductor for producing a magnetic field; and a first magnet arrangement including a first permanent magnet that generates a force for activating a rotatory oscillating movement (R) of the at least one first oscillatory motor component around a rotating axis (z). The at least one first oscillatory motor component and the first magnet arrangement are configured such that a magnetic reluctance torque acting between the first oscillatory motor component and the first permanent magnet operates as a righting moment for the rotatory oscillating movement (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Doll, Uwe Schober, Frank Kressman
  • Publication number: 20150061418
    Abstract: A single phase, rotary electromagnetic actuator comprising first and second stator assemblies, located in oppositely facing spaced apart positions along a common central axis, permits a magnetized disc magnet rotor to rotate about the common axis free of any magnetic attractive forces normally tending to move the disc magnet longitudinally along the axis, or alternatively to be located in a position to create a desired longitudinal attractive force. The entire assembly is maintained in operative positions by a circular belt which provides an inward facing lip on each side of which the stator assemblies are seated and which determines the magnetic airgap spacing for the disc. The invention may be implemented as a servo-actuator by the inclusion of an angular position sensor that uses the actuator rotor as the magnetic field emitter, and a receiver for the magnetic field and its contacts, located in the belt lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jamal Tbatou, Joshua S. Zuckert
  • Patent number: 8970072
    Abstract: A magnetic spring arrangement for a resonant motor including a housing, magnets fixed in position at opposing ends of the housing, a magnet positioned within the housing for movement toward and away from the fixed magnets in a reciprocal oscillating motion with a driving action produced by a stator coil and an AC drive signal, wherein an applicator member is attachable to the moving magnet for corresponding movement of a workpiece portion of the applicator member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Patrick Headstrom
  • Patent number: 8957554
    Abstract: A stepping motor includes a stator, a rotor which is rotatable to the stator, a rotor-side position regulation part which is fixed to the rotor and is rotated together with the rotor, and a stator-side position regulation part which is fixed to the stator. The rotor includes a rotary shaft, and a rotor magnet which is mounted on an outer periphery of the rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is integrally formed with the rotor magnet by resin. The stator-side position regulation part includes a first stator-side position regulation part which contacts the rotor-side position regulation part at a first position to regulate a rotation of the rotor in one direction, and a second stator-side position regulation part which contacts the rotor-side position regulation part at a second position different from the first position to regulate a rotation of the rotor in an opposite direction to the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Hata
  • Patent number: 8957558
    Abstract: A linear vibration generator is disclosed. The linear vibration generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary part, which has a polygonal-prism-shaped coil and in which the polygonal-prism-shaped coil induces a magnetic field by having an electric current supplied, a vibrating part, which has a polygonal-prism-shaped magnet and in which a portion of the polygonal-prism-shaped magnet is inserted into the coil, an elastic member, which is coupled to the stationary part and elastically supports the vibrating part such that the vibrating part can move linearly, and a lubricating band, which is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Kun Choi
  • Patent number: 8946947
    Abstract: A linear stepper motor is used for the displacement of an armature parallel to a stator having N steps. The stator includes (N+2) stator pole pieces which are enclosed by a magnetic guiding element and are each approximately the same distance from neighboring stator pole pieces. Furthermore, at least one coil is located between two stator pole pieces. The armature is enclosed by the stator in the radial direction and has a permanent magnet magnetized parallel to the stator which is disposed between two armature pole pieces. As a result of the reluctance forces, the armature occupies stable idle positions inside the stator in which the stator pole pieces lie opposite the armature pole pieces. By energizing the coils with a short current pulse, the armature can be displaced inside the stator between the different stable idle positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Kelp
  • Publication number: 20140361642
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for generating micro electrical current capable of enhancing micro electrical current generation efficiency. The device for generating micro electrical current includes a housing having an accommodation space therein, a coil block accommodated inside the housing, a movable magnet movably provided at one surface of the coil block to generate a micro electrical current through interaction with the coil block, and an elastic member for elastically supporting movement of the movable magnet with respect to the coil block. After a first motion of the movable magnet with respect to the coil block, the movable magnet vibrates by the elastic member and interacts with the coil block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: JIONE FRS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Woo Seung Seo
  • Publication number: 20140354085
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an actuator comprising, a movable member, the movable member comprising a support frame which is configured such that it can oscillate about a first oscillation axis and a mirror which is fixed to the support frame such that oscillation of the support frame will effect oscillation of the mirror; an coil, which cooperates with the support frame; one or more boundary portions provided between the support frame and the mirror which reduce the influence of warp transmitted from an edge of the support frame to the mirror, as the support frame oscillates about the first oscillation axis; wherein the support frame further comprises one or more cut-out regions, wherein the one or more cut-out regions are configured to be parallel to at least a portion of the coil, to reduce stress on the coil as the support frame oscillates about the first oscillation axis and/or to reduce the temperature dependence of the properties of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Julien Gamet, Faouzi Khechana
  • Publication number: 20140340182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel permanent magnet electromagnetic actuator with triggering speed and drive torque improved relative to those of the prior art. The main target application is actuating an electromechanical switch-disconnector specifically for performing the operations to disconnect a mechatronic circuit-breaker for breaking high-voltage direct currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Wolfgang Greishaber, Michel Collet
  • Patent number: 8872395
    Abstract: A single phase, rotary electromagnetic actuator comprising first and second stator assemblies, located in oppositely facing spaced apart positions along a common central axis, permits a magnetized disc magnet rotor to rotate about the common axis free of any magnetic attractive forces normally tending to move the disc magnet longitudinally along the axis, or alternatively to be located in a position to create a desired longitudinal attractive force. The entire assembly is maintained in operative positions by a circular belt which provides an inward facing lip on each side of which the stator assemblies are seated and which determines the magnetic airgap spacing for the disc. The invention may be implemented as a servo-actuator by the inclusion of an angular position sensor that uses the actuator rotor as the magnetic field emitter, and a receiver for the magnetic field and its contacts, located in the belt lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fraen Mechatronics, LLC
    Inventor: Jamal Tbatou
  • Patent number: 8860262
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear vibration motor including: a stator part including a magnet; a vibrator part including a coil disposed to face the magnet; and an elastic member connecting the stator part and the vibrator part to each other, wherein the elastic member includes bending parts formed in connection parts thereof connected to the stator part and the vibration part in a vibration direction of the vibrator part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20140300215
    Abstract: An apparatus (100), including: a pendulum (102) having a pendulum magnet arrangement; a stationary magnet (118, 122) positioned such that a magnetic field of the stationary magnet repels the pendulum magnet as it approaches the stationary magnet; and a magnetic shielding apparatus (126, 128) configured to intermittently shield the stationary magnet from the pendulum magnet. The magnetic shielding apparatus is configured to shield the stationary magnet from the pendulum magnet as the pendulum magnet approaches an apex position (16, 42) of a cycle. As the pendulum, magnet arrangement recedes from the apex position a repulsion associated with an interaction of a fully unshielded magnetic field of the stationary magnet and a magnetic field of the pendulum magnet arrangement is effective to accelerate the pendulum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Maurice Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20140300216
    Abstract: There are included: an oscillating member that includes a tough layer and a magnetostrictive layer stacked above the tough layer and formed of a magnetostrictive material, the tough layer formed of a tough material having a tensile strength higher than that of the magnetostrictive material; a supporting member to which the oscillating member is attached to be able to oscillate in the thickness direction; a magnetic field applying member that applies a magnetic field to the magnetostrictive layer; and a coil that is disposed around the magnetostrictive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: OSAMU TOYODA
  • Patent number: 8816541
    Abstract: An electricity generating apparatus utilizing a pendulum held by a support. The pendulum includes a first portion which rotates on the support and a second portion which travels in a arcuate path. The second end portion of the pendulum includes a magnetic which interacts with a switchable coil to urge the pendulum into a swinging motion. At least one coil is mounted adjacent to the pendulum and interacts with a permanent magnet which is fixed to an element which extends from the pendulum arm. The swinging motion forces the permanent magnet through the coil to generate a electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Theodore R. Bristow
  • Patent number: 8816557
    Abstract: A device, including a rotor, a stator, a coil wound around the stator, wherein the stator has a coil support structure having at least one side edge arranged along a line which is not parallel to a line extending from an axis of the rotor through a center of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Electric Gorilla, LLC
    Inventors: John D Long, David R Vaden, Craig B Rutherford