Direct-connected Patents (Class 310/38)
  • Patent number: 11762191
    Abstract: In order to expand the surface area of a reflective layer, the space between adjacent turns of a drive coil, which is wound a plurality of turns on a peripheral edge front surface of the principal surface of a movable portion which, being inside a frame-formed support substrate, is connected to the support substrate by torsion bars, is filled and flattened with a smoothing layer, thereby adopting a configuration such that the reflective layer can also be provided in the region of the upper surface of the drive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Moriue, Hirofumi Konishi, Fusako Tomizumi, Yoshitaka Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 11707130
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a personal care appliance includes an elastic bladder having a bladder wall enclosing a fluid. The bladder wall has an inner base portion with a base thickness, which may be non-uniform, and a plurality of spaced projections extending outwardly from the inner base portion. The bladder is fixedly attached to a receiver portion of a bladder support, and a retainer is provided for attaching the bladder support to the personal care appliance such that the bladder support is drivably engaged by the personal care appliance. At least some of the plurality of spaced projections are configured to dynamically engage and disengage with neighboring ones of the plurality of spaced projections during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Danny Elery Simon
  • Patent number: 11629794
    Abstract: A servo valve assembly includes a first nozzle opposing a second nozzle and a shaft positioned in the gap between the first and second nozzles. The first and second nozzles are spaced apart by a gap and each nozzle has an outlet opening. The shaft defines a diameter (D) and a circumferential surface and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R-R). The shaft defines first and second reduced radial portions around its circumferential surface, and the first and second reduced radial portions are in fluid communication with the first and second nozzle outlet openings, respectively. The shaft is configured to rotate between a first position where the first nozzle outlet opening is more occluded by the shaft circumferential surface than the second nozzle outlet opening, and a second position where the first nozzle outlet opening is less occluded by the shaft circumferential surface than the second nozzle outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maciej Bujewicz, Marcin Korczynski
  • Patent number: 11476742
    Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom spherical motor includes a primary frame, a secondary frame, a tertiary frame, a terminal rotor, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils. The electromagnetic coils are arranged on an inner surface of the primary frame. Two sides at a top portion of the primary frame are symmetrically connected to the secondary frame through the first rotating shaft. The tertiary frame is arranged inside the secondary frame in a non-mechanical contact manner. The terminal rotor and the tertiary frame are connected through the third rotating shaft. The permanent magnets are arranged on one side of the terminal rotor close to the primary frame. The secondary frame and the tertiary frame are connected through the second rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft, the second rotating shaft and the third rotating shaft are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kun Bai, Mengke Li, Zixin Que, Yaowu Ding, Xiyin Li
  • Patent number: 11433559
    Abstract: A magnetically controllable robotic device including a body having a first body part and a second body part movably connected with the first body part. The first body part and the second body part are both rigid. The first body part is magnetically-responsive such that the first body part can be controlled by an external magnetic field generated by an magnetic control system. The first body part may be controlled such that the magnetically controllable robotic device is moved by the external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Dong Sun, Pan Liao, Liuxi Xing
  • Patent number: 11266228
    Abstract: A makeup brush includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, and a drive assembly provided within the housing. The drive assembly includes a stator assembly and an armature assembly adjacent the stator assembly, the armature assembly including a mounting member held by the housing and a pivot arm member pivotably coupled to the mounting member, the pivot arm member being structured to pivot with respect to the mounting member about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the stator, when energized, is structured to cause the pivot arm member to pivot with respect to the mounting member. The makeup brush also includes a brush head member having a plurality of bristles and being coupled to the pivot arm member such that pivoting movement of the pivot member causes the brush head member to oscillate relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Michael Todd Beauty LP
    Inventors: Michael Friend, NengFei Xu
  • Patent number: 11199695
    Abstract: An actuator device includes: a support portion; a movable portion; a first connection portion connecting the movable portion to the support portion on a first axis so that the movable portion is swingable around the first axis; and a first wiring provided on the first connection portion. The first wiring includes a first main body formed of a metal material having a Vickers hardness of 50 HV or more. The first main body includes a first surface facing the first connection portion and a second surface other than the first surface. The second surface has a shape in which a curvature is continuous over the entire second surface in a cross-section perpendicular to an extension direction of the first wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daiki Suzuki, Yuki Morinaga, Go Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11201530
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are permanent magnetic AC machine direct-drive resonant flapper system for flapping wing micro air vehicles and flapping fin autonomous underwater vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Fan Fei, Xinyan Deng
  • Patent number: 11067728
    Abstract: A movable diffraction grating includes; a supporting portion; a movable portion which includes a first surface and is swingably connected with the supporting portion; a resin layer which is provided on the first surface and includes a diffraction grating pattern formed therein; a reflection layer which is provided on the resin layer an along the diffraction grating pattern and is formed of metal; and a stress regulation portion inducing stress on the movable portion, and the first surface is caused to bend concavely by stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Tadataka Edamura, Atsushi Sugiyama, Tatsuo Dougakiuchi
  • Patent number: 11020852
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including; a frame, a substrate transport arm connected to the frame, the substrate transport arm having an end effector, and a drive section having at least one motor coupled to the substrate transport arm, wherein the at least one motor defines a kinematic portion of the drive section configured to effect kinematic motion of the substrate transport arm, and the drive section includes an accessory portion adjacent the kinematic portion, wherein the accessory portion has another motor, different and distinct from the at least one motor, the another motor of the accessory portion is operably coupled to and configured to drive one or more accessory device independent of the kinematic motion of the substrate transport arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Sean E Plaisted, Leigh F Sharrock, Chris Aitken
  • Patent number: 10989913
    Abstract: A micromechanical component having a mounting support, at least one coil winding held by at least one coil brace and comprising conductor tracks made from at least one electrically conductive material, at least one first subsection of the at least one coil winding being anchored on the associated coil brace, and an adjustable part, the at least one coil brace and the adjustable part being connected to each other and via at least one spring element to the mounting support in such a way that the adjustable part is adjustable about at least one axis of rotation in relation to the mounting support, and, while the at least one first subsection of the at least one coil winding is anchored on the associated coil brace, at least one second subsection of the same coil winding spans at least one gap formed in the associated coil brace as a cantilever subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Finn, Frederic Njikam Njimonzie, Helmut Grutzeck, Joerg Muchow, Rainer Straub
  • Patent number: 10965189
    Abstract: An actuator unit includes a support plate having a first side and a second side; an electric motor with terminal lugs and a motor shaft; a motor mounting pocket on the first side, the motor mounting pocket accommodating the electric motor; mounting projections on the first side, the mounting projections including a plurality of clamping pockets; a PC-board insertion slot on the first side; a motor shaft passage from the first side to the second side; the motor shaft of the electric motor projecting from the first side through the shaft passage to the second side and carrying a pinion; a multistage reduction gear arranged on the second side and meshing with the pinion; and a plurality of conductor stampings fixed in the clamping pockets and connected with the terminal lugs of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BÜHLER MOTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Cory Taylor, Christopher Wooten
  • Patent number: 10866407
    Abstract: A micromechanical component includes a micromirror connected to a mounting support via at least one spring such that the micromirror is adjustable about at least one axis of rotation relative to the mounting support, where the micromirror includes a reflective surface developed at least partially on a first diaphragm surface of a mounted diaphragm of the micromirror, the diaphragm including a second diaphragm surface that faces away from the first diaphragm surface and that is mounted in air or vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Maier, Joerg Muchow, Corinna Koepernik, Helmut Grutzeck, Rainer Straub, Stefan Mark, Thorsten Balslink
  • Patent number: 10775612
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a shaft, which is configured to rotate about an axis of the shaft relative to a base. A mirror is fixed to the shaft so that the mirror rotates about the axis. A rotor including a permanent magnet is fixed to rotate with the shaft. A stator is configured to generate a magnetic field having a DC component in a vicinity of the rotor. A torsion spring, extending along the axis, has a first end that is attached to rotate with the shaft and a second end attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Patent number: 10561481
    Abstract: A battery chassis with stroke limiter (70) for a power toothbrush (10) configured to improve the durability of a power toothbrush (10) and to simplify the assembly process. The battery chassis stroke limiter (70) provides a secure housing for the battery (80), while tolerance compensation leaves (71, 72), and battery hardstops (75, 76, 77) provide for drop mitigation protection and shock protection, as well as vibration mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Hannes Fugger
  • Patent number: 10554095
    Abstract: An AC motor with a reduction mechanism is disclosed. The AC motor has a stator unit, a rotor unit, and a reduction transmission unit. An axial space of the AC motor can be substantially reduced by providing the reduction transmission unit directly built in the AC motor, and a path of the power transmission between the rotor unit and an output shaft can be reduced, so that the loss of the mechanical energy can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hong-sen Yan, Yi-chang Wu, Jian-liang Lin, Kuan-chen Chen
  • Patent number: 10326937
    Abstract: A horizontal-posture maintaining apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a barrel, a cover unit provided on a side surface of the barrel, a first driver provided in the cover unit, for rotating the barrel in a first direction (around an X axis) to keep the barrel in horizontal posture, a second driver provided in the cover unit, for rotating the cover unit in a second direction (around a Y axis) to keep the barrel in the horizontal posture, and a controller for controlling rotation of the first and second drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Seok Kang, Sung-Jin Park, Bae-Seok Lim, Bon-Min Koo, Jae-Kyu Shim, Woo-Jong Cho
  • Patent number: 10053230
    Abstract: A magnetic levitation obstacle avoidance device and a magnetic levitation holder are provided, wherein the magnetic levitation obstacle avoidance device includes: a magnetic levitation component and an obstacle avoidance module; wherein the magnetic levitation component comprises a driving component, an inner stator and an outer rotor; wherein the obstacle avoidance module is mounted on the outer rotor; the driving component drives the outer rotor according to attitude changes of the obstacle avoidance module, so as to change a magnetic force between the outer rotor and the inner stator; the obstacle avoidance module is adjusted to a target attitude by magnetic levitation rotation of the outer rotor. The magnetic levitation obstacle avoidance device and the magnetic levitation holder are self-adaptive in attitude adjustment, and are more stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Haoxiang Electric Energy (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Tian, Wenyan Jiang
  • Publication number: 20150138674
    Abstract: Approaches to improving actuator settle time by damping vibrations resulting from coil modes, such as with a voice coil actuator in a hard disk drive, include a single-piece damper plate coupled to the voice coil actuator yoke. The damper plate may be a single U-shaped piece of metal that covers the area of the yoke that experiences the maximum strain energy during operation, between the voice coil and the pivot bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Manoj B. Keshavan
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150092216
    Abstract: An actuator including a movable portion that swings about a swing axis, a connecting portion that extends from the movable portion and torsionally deforms in response to the swinging of the movable portion, and a support portion that supports the connecting portion, wherein the movable portion is so shaped that the length thereof parallel to the swing axis decreases stepwise with distance from the swing axis in a plan view, and the movable portion, the support portion, and the connecting portion are formed by anisotropically etching a silicon substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Makiko HINO, Yasushi MIZOGUCHI
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140285036
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Akihiro YAMAMOTO, Akira DOI, Daisuke MATSUKA, Souichi TOYAMA, Hiroyuki SUGAWARA
  • Publication number: 20140285035
    Abstract: An ornithopter engine and method of generating an iterative flapping motion are disclosed. The engine includes a structural frame, having at least two swinging member mounting portions, a driving magnetic member shaft mounting portion and a driving magnetic members shaft. The driving magnetic members shaft is rotatable relatively to the structural frame. The engine includes at least two driving magnetic members, affixed to the driving magnetic member shaft and at least two swinging members, pivotally mounted onto the structural frame. The engine further includes at least one driven magnetic member, affixed to the swinging member and a motor coupled to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Oren Mordechai GERTEL
  • Publication number: 20140285037
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Akihiro YAMAMOTO, Akira DOI, Daisuke MATSUKA, Souichi TOYAMA, Hiroyuki SUGAWARA
  • Patent number: 8810935
    Abstract: This invention provides an actuator, comprising: a supporting frame having a movable element accommodation space; a movable element received by the movable element accommodation space of the supporting frame, at least one elastic element accommodation space and at least one electrically-driven element accommodation space being arranged in proximity to each other around the exterior thereof; an electrically-driven element received by the at least one electrically-driven element accommodation space and configured to cause the movable element to move with respect to at least one axis; and an elastic element configured to provide an elastic force with respect to at least one axis, wherein the elastic element is received by the at least one elastic element accommodation space and able to perform a sliding function with the at least one elastic element accommodation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Yi Huang, Te Sheng Tseng, Wen Hung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140203685
    Abstract: An electric motor device includes a rotor, a stator, and electrical means for driving rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, the device being characterized in that the stator includes a substantially spherical cavity receiving the rotor, which is itself substantially spherical, and in that the electrical means are arranged to drive the rotor in rotation about at least two axes. A control instrument including such a motor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAGEM DEFENSE SECURITE
    Inventors: Yann Vandenba Viere, Francois Guillot
  • Publication number: 20140167530
    Abstract: The Wind Wing converts wind energy into electrical energy utilizing an oscillating vertical unarticulated wing, and in one of its two models, employs a new type of electrical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Lovas
  • Patent number: 8736976
    Abstract: An oscillation motor is adapted to press an oscillator toward a driven body in a stable state and increasing a drive efficiency. A lens driving mechanism is adapted to move a lens with excellent efficiency by using the oscillation motor. An oscillation motor generates motive power by pressure contact with a driven body to transmit vibration of the oscillator to the driven body. The oscillation motor includes the oscillator having a convex output portion on a side surface at one end side. The output portion of the oscillator is arranged to contact with the driven body. A press mechanism is also provided on a side surface at the other end side of the oscillator. The press mechanism includes a pressure correction device rotatably equipped at a position where the pressure correction device contacts with the oscillator, and the pressure correction device applies a pressure to the oscillator in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Shiga
  • Publication number: 20140132187
    Abstract: A metal elastic member to be used for beams 4 for supporting a movable unit 3 at respective ends with respect to a fixed unit 2 in a miniature machine including at least one movable unit 3, the fixed unit 2 and the beams 4, and capable of swinging the movable unit about an axis P with the beams 4 serving as torsional rotation axes, includes a metal bar 4a having a predetermined length, a fixed unit pad 4b that is provided at a first end of the metal bar 4a and is fixed to the fixed unit 2, and a movable unit pad 4c formed on the other end side of the metal bar 4a and fixed to the movable unit 3. At least the metal bar 4a is molded to have a sectional area of 1 mm2 or less by using a physical or chemical processing method excluding a mechanical processing method and swings the movable unit 3 within a frequency of 150 Hz to 500 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Norihiro Asada, Kazuo Takai
  • Publication number: 20140132091
    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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Kanae MURATA, Isao AOYAGI, Yutaka NONOMURA, Teruhisa AKASHI
  • Publication number: 20140117788
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable body including a cylindrical magnet having on a circumferential surface thereof alternating N and S pole faces along a circumferential direction thereof. An immovable body includes pole teeth arranged along the circumferential direction so as to face the circumferential surface of the magnet and that are equal in number to the N pole faces and the S pole faces, and a coil that receives an alternating current of a frequency substantially equal to a resonance frequency of the movable body to excite the pole teeth to have alternately different polarities in the circumferential direction. The movable body is held by the immovable body in a rotatable manner, and a neutral position for rotation of the movable body is a position at which center positions of the pole teeth in the circumferential direction and boundary positions between the pole faces of the magnet face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Shigenori INAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140049123
    Abstract: An actuator that has two or more degrees of freedom that moves a payload are described. The actuator may have two members, an actuator stator and an actuator armature, with the ability to move relative to each other in two or more degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Eliezer Pasternak
  • Publication number: 20140035398
    Abstract: A method and device of torque generation based on electromagnetic effect is provided. An electromagnetic torque whose direction is opposite to the motor driving direction is generated in a magnetic field when a motor-drive armature winding is adopted based on the electro-magnetic induction principle. Meanwhile, a reverse electromagnetic torque which is reverse to the armature winding with the same magnitude, is applied on a magnet set and is transmitted to an underactuated system so as to provide required torque for the underactuated system. Advantageously, the provided torque is in direct ratio to speed, difficulty in control is significantly reduced, two-stage electromagnetic variable speed can be achieved, the design of the system is simple and reliable with a concise and clear structure, and the device may be employed in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiaogang Ruan, Xiaoqing Zhu, Rongyi Sun, Ruoyan Wei, Naigong Yu, Daoxiong Gong, Guoyu Zuo
  • Publication number: 20130334905
    Abstract: A spring motor, comprising a housing, a stator core, a rotor core, a rotation shaft, a rotor coil, an insulated coil connection wire, a torsion spring, a connection shaft, a cylindrical spiral spring, a round funnel-shaped rubber sealing element, a battery and a spring fixing connection sleeve; the rotor coil of the motor is connected to the terminal of a motor end cover after the insulated coil connection wire winds around the periphery of the rotation shaft continuously several times; the connection shaft is fixed on the rotation shaft, and the cylindrical spiral spring is sleeved on the periphery of the opened end of the connection shaft; the round funnel-shaped waterproof rubber sealing element is sleeved on the rotation shaft; the battery is placed in a rectangular battery holder, three side frames of the battery holder are each a fixed structure, and one side frame of the battery holder is a moveable structure; the spring fixing connection sleeve is sleeved on the rotation shaft, the rear end of the tor
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Ming Luo
  • Patent number: 8587162
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator that realizes reciprocal rotational motion of an electric toothbrush, for example, without utilizing a drive transmission mechanism that is separate from the drive source. In the actuator, a fixed body (120) has a coil (128) that is disposed around a magnet (160) and faces the magnetic planes with different polarities within the magnet (160) at individual prescribed distances, and an outer yoke (150) that covers the outer periphery of the coil (128). The fixed body (120) rotatably supports a movable body (110), which holds the magnet (160), via a coil spring that is an elastic member (130) made from a wire. An alternating current supplying part (140) supplies an alternating current having roughly the same resonance frequency as that of the fixed body (120) to the coil (128) to cause the movable body (110) to vibrate in a reciprocal rotational motion. The coil spring that is the elastic member (130) uniformly disperses stress generated by the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kagami, Kazutaka Sakaguchi, Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Publication number: 20130286151
    Abstract: The oscillation element according to the present invention includes a torsion bar mounted on a base, and an oscillating member having a light reflection surface for reflecting light from a light source, which is fixed on the torsion bar protruding from the base. The oscillating member oscillates about a longitudinal axis of the torsion bar with an elastic deformation of the torsion bar, thereby deflecting the light that reflects at the light reflection surface in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis. The oscillating member has two plates that are joined together so as to sandwich the torsion bar. On joining surfaces of the plates are provided with grooves for receiving the torsion bar, respectively. The plates have a symmetrical shape that the longitudinal axis serves as the axis of symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: CANON DENSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Wakabayashi, Naruki Suzuki, Katsumi Arai, Yaomin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130249326
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit suitable for a self-held type rotary solenoid while maintaining properties, reducing cost, e.g., a material cost, and making the rotary solenoid smaller in size is provided. The 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. Therefore, even if a magnet made of a material having a low grade is used, it is possible to maintain sufficient magnetic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SERVO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kirihara, Takaya Kato, Osamu Sekiguchi, Norihisa Imaizumi, Shoji Oiwa
  • Patent number: 8540439
    Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a blade; a drive source that drives the blade; and a chassis that has an opening opened and closed by the blade and that houses the blade and the drive source. The drive source includes: a rotor that is rotatably supported; a stator around which a coil for excitation is wound and which applies a rotational force to the rotor. The stator is arranged to surround a periphery of the opening and has a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Masuzawa, Kenichi Kudo
  • Publication number: 20130207575
    Abstract: A magnetic actuator system which includes a case (10) and a spindle (22) which extends through the case comprising a magnetizable material such as iron. The actuator further includes a pair of permanent magnet assemblies (14, 16) positioned fixedly within the casing with a longitudinal space there between, wherein the permanent magnet assemblies comprise an alternating plurality of north pole/south magnet sections (18) which extend longitudinally or circumferentially of the actuator. The actuator further includes a coil winding (24) which surrounds the spindle, positioned between the two permanent magnet assemblies. Magnetic pole assemblies (28, 30) attached to the spindle are positioned within the volume encompassed by the permanent magnet assemblies, such that an alternating drive signal produces an oscillating action of the spindle of desired frequency and amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Johannes Bax, Johannes Hotze Bernhard De Vries, Jurriaan Bernhard Rudolf Leveling, Gert Westrup, Sepas Setayesh, Folkert Vrijburg
  • Publication number: 20130181549
    Abstract: An electromechanical rotary actuator includes a rotor and a stator having one or more slots into which one or more coils are placed. The stator includes a rotor position restoring means which overcomes cogging outside a desired rotation range. The rotor position restoration means may include one or more restoring magnets or optionally include a contoured cavity within the stator proximate the rotor. One stator includes teeth having contoured ends forming a portion of the aperture within which the rotor operates. Distal ends of the teeth form a relatively large gap compared to typical actuators, wherein the gap is sized to the rotor magnet. An actuator desirably having a high torque constant, low coil resistance and a low coil inductance is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: William R. Benner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130175889
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the generation of electrical energy from irregular motion which comprises a minimum of one generator which comprises a minimum of one impulse generator and a minimum of one induction unit and which is characterised in that the induction unit comprises a minimum of one coil element and a minimum of one magnetic element whereat the magnetic element/the magnetic elements are freely pivoted in relation to the coil element/the coil elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Arne Hammer
  • Publication number: 20130154404
    Abstract: An electric damper for a vehicle for damping a relative motion between two components includes an electrical generator, which can be driven by the relative motion, for generating an induced voltage. Said electrical generator has a stator, a rotor, and associated induction windings and field magnets. According to the invention, the rotor is designed as a two-part rotor, comprising an inner, stationary iron core and a radially outer hollow wheel, which carries the induction windings or the field magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Marco Willems
  • Patent number: 8448289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper drive arrangement (1) having a drive shaft (4), extending out of a gear mechanism housing (3), for a windscreen wiper, in which the drive shaft (4) is guided axially through a protective sleeve (15) which is sealed with respect to the drive shaft (4) by means of at least one inner sealing element (18) and with respect to a vehicle component (11) by means of at least one outer sealing element. The invention provides for the protective sleeve (15) to be secured to the gear mechanism housing in order to protect said protective sleeve against axial movement in the direction of the vehicle component (11) and/or against rotational movement relative to the gear mechanism housing (3) by frictional engagement and/or by means of at least one separate securing element (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Reith, Gerard Albrecht, Verena Lipps, Roland Bohn, Mario Huesges, Guenther Friderichs, Paul Geubel
  • Publication number: 20130088101
    Abstract: A flexure assembly includes two metallic flexure arrays molded into a thermoplastic support base. The two flexure arrays are positioned in parallel in the thermoplastic support base to allow rotational movement about one axis while providing high stiffness with respect to off-axis movement. Flexible supports in the two flexure arrays may be interleaved to form a cross flexure configuration. Off-axis stiffness of the flexure assembly prevents harmonic resonance in directions that cannot be compensated for in a single-axis actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce A. BORCHERS
  • Publication number: 20130063799
    Abstract: A magnetic force drive device (7) has the first movable part (100) and the first driving unit (200). The first movable part (100) has the first movable plate (111), and a permanent magnet (120) that is magnetized in a direction substantially parallel to the first movable plate (111), and is supported by the first frame body (112) and the first pair of beam parts (113), so as to be able to oscillate around the Y axis, which is substantially parallel to the first movable plate (111) and substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the permanent magnet (120) is magnetized. The first driving unit (200) has a yoke (210), and a coil (220) that magnetizes the yoke (210). The yoke (210) has the first end part (211a), and a second end part (212a) that is placed on substantially the opposite side of the first end part (211a) against one magnetic pole of the permanent magnet (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Honda, Nobuaki Takanashi
  • Patent number: 8354762
    Abstract: A spring plate includes an engaging portion, a connecting portion, a first elastic portion, a second elastic portion, a first fixing portion, and a second fixing portion. The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are connected to the engaging portion and the connecting portion, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are formed on opposite ends of the connecting portion. The engaging portion defines a recess. The present disclosure further provides a voice coil motor using the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20120300345
    Abstract: A voice coil motor for a disk drive unit includes an external magnet and an actuator coil movably located above the external magnet. The external magnet has a main body with a magnetic north pole, a magnetic south pole and a transition surface therebetween, and further has a protrusion extending from the center part of the main body for increasing torque force, thereby improving the performance of the voice coil motor. The invention also discloses a disk drive unit including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke SHIRATO, Da qing HUANG, Huan yin ZHONG