Abstract: A nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap includes a substantially planar spacer body defining an outer body edge; and a resilient spacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge at a proximal arm end, the spacer spring arm configurable in an extended orientation and a compressed orientation, the spacer spring arm biased to the extended orientation; wherein, in the extended orientation, the nozzle cap spacer defines a substantially oblong shape, and in the compressed orientation, the nozzle cap spacer defines a substantially circular shape.

Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.

Abstract: An input device and an input module are provided that vibrate in a direction along the surface of a cantilevered operation unit. The input device includes a fixed member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft, an operation unit having an end rotatably supported by the rotation shaft and being rotatable relative to the fixed member, and a vibrating element that generates vibration of the operation unit in the axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit.

Abstract: An electrodynamic actuator for a speaker or an electrodynamic acoustic transducer in general is disclosed, which comprises at least one voice coil, a magnet system and an arm arrangement of a plurality of arms connecting the at least one voice coil and the magnet system or at least a movable part thereof so that a relative movement between these parts is allowed. The arms are made of metal with a fatigue strength of at least 370 N/mm2 or an ultimate tensile strength of at least 1100 N/mm2.

Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.

Abstract: A brush head for an electrically driven toothbrush is provided herein. The brush head includes a holding part connected to a carrier part, at least one bristle bundle formed by bristle filaments, and a resiliently soft cleaning element. The carrier part includes passage bores, through which the bristle bundle and resiliently soft cleaning element project, and each is fixed to the carrier part by way of a thickened portion formed by a filament material or a resiliently elastic material, respectively. A method of producing a brush head is also provided, including preparing the carrier part as a separate component with passage bores, fixing the bristle bundle and the resiliently clastic cleaning element to the carrier part with a thickened portion provided on the bristle bundle and the resiliently elastic cleaning element, respectively, and connecting the carrier part to the holding part.

Abstract: A fin toothbrush includes a contoured neck and a back fin. The back fin moves soft tissue, such as the cheek or tongue of a user's mouth, thereby providing greater access to teeth when brushing. In one embodiment, the back fin is located at the back of the brush head and neck and extends in a direction that is opposite of the bristles. The back fin also has an elongated curved shape so as to provide a smooth surface to the tongue and soft tissues when brushing. When the toothbrush is positioned to brush the back teeth, the back fin pushes the cheek away from the teeth, thereby allowing the teeth to be easily cleaned. The toothbrush also includes a contoured neck, which provides space and relief to prevent the neck of the toothbrush from rubbing against soft tissues.

Abstract: An electric brushless DC (BLDC) motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a rotor shaft, a rotor core, a bearing, and a sense magnet ring. And end cap is radially oriented with respect to the rotor shaft and securely disposed adjacent the stator, the end cap having a first surface facing the stator, a second surface facing away from the stator, a bearing pocket centrally disposed to receive the at least one bearing of the rotor therein to support the rotor, and at least two retention features projecting from the first surface at a distance with respect to one another to form a lateral gap therebetween. A positional sensor board is radially received from a peripheral side of the end cap in contact with the first surface of the end cap and within the lateral gap between the retention features of the end cap.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a speaker having a frame, a vibrating system and a magnetic circuit system. The vibrating system has a vibrating diaphragm, a voice coil for driving the vibrating diaphragm, and an elastic supporting assembly fixed on the frame and connected to the voice coil. The magnetic circuit system has a main magnet, a secondary magnet spaced on two opposite sides of the main magnet, a magnetic plate stacked on the secondary magnet and spaced away from the elastic supporting assembly, and an auxiliary magnet fixed on the magnetic plate and spaced away from the main magnet. The elastic supporting assembly is positioned on the other two opposite sides of the main magnet. The auxiliary magnetic located close to the vibrating diaphragm and facing to the elastic supporting assembly. The speaker of the present invention has advantages of good reliability and excellent acoustic performance.

Abstract: An improved portable massage device includes a first housing including a plurality of acupressure protrusions formed on an upper surface thereof and spaced apart from each other. The portable massage device further includes a battery supplying power, a motor connected to the battery to be turned on/off, and a rotating member mounted to surround the motor. In addition, the portable massage device includes a shield plate provided on the rotating member, at least one magnet detachably attached to the shield plate so that the shield plate vibrates when the motor rotates, a case accommodating the motor, a first switch connected to and controlling the battery to be turned on/off, and a second housing detachably combined with the first housing. The battery and the case are accommodated in the first housing or the second housing.

Abstract: A vibration generation device includes a stator, and a rotor rotatable around a predetermined axis with respect to the stator and having a weight having a gravity center at a position shifted from the predetermined axis. A control section controls a start-up period maximum voltage value, which is a maximum voltage value of a drive signal to be applied to the vibration generation device in a start-up period, to become larger than a steady operation period voltage value, which is a voltage value of the drive signal to be applied to the vibration generation device in a steady operation period. The control section selects at least one of a pluraity of voltage values as the steady operation period voltage value and sets the duration of the start-up period based on the steady operation period voltage value selected.

Abstract: A generator mounted on a rotating object includes a rotor mounted and fixedly arranged on the rotating object, and the rotor including at least one induction coil; a stator capable of rotating relative to the rotor, and the stator including at least two magnetic poles; the stator including a stator shell and a balancing weight, and the stator shell encircling the rotor from the circumferential direction of the rotor and being closed in the circumferential direction; and the balancing weight being fixedly arranged at one side of the stator shell, and the angle range of the balancing weight in the circumferential direction being smaller than or equal to 180 DEG.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker unit for an earphone. The speaker unit includes a magnet, a voice coil, a vibration plate, a fixing ring on which an edge of the vibration plate is mounted, and a frame configured to accommodate the magnet, the upper plate, and the voice coil. Here, a pipe conduit is formed in the frame along a circumferential direction. A first hole configured to allow the pipe conduit and a first space disposed in front of the speaker unit to communicate with each other is formed in at least one first position at a top of the frame in a circumferential direction. A second hole configured to allow the pipe conduit and a second space disposed in the rear of the speaker unit to communicate with each other is formed in at lest one second position at a bottom of the frame in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a linear vibration motor, including: a base having an accommodating space, a vibration system accommodated in the accommodating space, an elastic member configured to fix and suspend the vibration system in the accommodating space, and a drive system fixed on the base. The vibration system includes an annular magnetic steel unit fixed on the elastic member. The drive system includes a first coil and a second coil that are fixed on the base and stacked together. The magnetic steel unit surrounds both the first coil and the second coil and is disposed separately from the first coil and second coil. An orthogonal projection of the magnetic steel unit in a direction towards the drive system at least partially falls in the first coil and the second coil, respectively. Compared with related technologies, the linear vibration motor of the present disclosure has better vibration performance.

Abstract: A shoe-type device and a control method of the shoe-type device are disclosed. A control method of a shoe-type device including an actuator and at least one sensor includes estimating a posture of a user wearing the shoe-type device based on sensor data output from the sensor, and controlling the actuator based on the estimated posture of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic products, and provides a linear vibration motor. The linear vibration motor comprises a motor housing, a stator, a vibrator, and two elastic supports for suspending the vibrator within the motor housing, for supporting the vibrator and for providing elastic restoring forces, wherein the elastic supports are located at two ends of the vibrator in a vibration direction respectively. Each of the elastic supports is made up of a plurality of elastic sheets whose one ends are fixedly connected in sequence, which are arranged side by side and which have C-shaped openings respectively. Each of the elastic supports comprises a first connection point fixedly connected to the vibrator and a second connection point fixedly connected to the inner wall of the motor housing.

Abstract: An elastic member structure includes: a loop type inner plate; a loop type outer plate having the same center as the loop type inner plate; and a plurality of spiral elastic plates connected to the loop type inner plate and the loop type outer plate and having given elasticity, wherein the loop type outer plate includes a plurality of first areas having areas connected to the ends of the plurality of spiral elastic plates and a plurality of second areas formed between the plurality of first areas and the outer size of each first area of the loop type outer plate is greater than the outer size of each second area thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first platform and a second platform configured to rotate relative to the first platform about an axis. A magnet ring is mounted to the first platform and centered around the axis. The magnet ring includes four or more magnetized poles positioned such that each respective boundary between neighboring poles is shifted relative to a corresponding nominal boundary defined by a uniform spacing of boundaries of the poles around the magnet ring. The shifted boundaries of the poles define a characteristic shift pattern for the magnet ring. A magnetic field sensor is connected to the second platform. Circuitry is configured to (i) determine a magnetic field pattern generated by the poles based on data generated by the sensor and (ii) determine a rotational position of the first platform relative to the second platform by correlating the magnetic field pattern to the characteristic shift pattern.

Abstract: A motor including: a frame having an inner peripheral portion; a holder configured to be supported by the frame; a shaft passing through the inner peripheral portion of the frame; and a bearing configured to support the shaft, and the holder includes: a tubular portion configured to hold the bearing; and an outer peripheral portion provided with a plurality of hole portions arranged in a circumferential direction, and each of portions of the inner peripheral portion of the frame are inserted into a distinct one of the plurality of hole portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear vibration motor, including an housing, a driving unit, a vibration unit, and an elastic component. The vibration unit includes a mass block having a through hole, and a permanent magnet and a pole core that are disposed in the through hole, the driving unit includes an iron core fixed on the housing and running through the through hole and a coil wound around the iron core, the pole core is disposed at one side of the permanent magnet close to the coil, the iron core includes an iron core body portion running through the through hole and two iron core abutting portions, the coil is wound around the iron core body portion, two different sides of the permanent magnet have different magnetic polarities, and after the coil is powered on, the two iron core abutting portions have opposite magnetic polarities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brushless DC vibration motor. An eccentric weight of a rotor is securely sandwiched between a back yoke and a permanent magnet, being heavier to provide an increased vibrational force. A bearing coupling portion with upper and lower stopping protrusions prevents detachment of a bearing. A bracket is formed with grooves, instead of through holes, to strongly support a cogging plate of which pieces are connected with each other to form a single body for easy-placement on the bracket. An optimized area of the cogging plate can suppress the rotor not to rise during starting of the motor, resulting in no frictional noise, and a high stopping speed and uniform horizontal level of the rotating rotor.

Abstract: A vibration power generator includes a coil attached to a frame and a moving body that is supported on the frame through a spring and has a magnet facing the coil, and relatively moves the moving body with respect to the coil to generate electric power. The moving body has the magnet, a yoke material that is attached to the magnet and forms a magnetic circuit, and a weight member. Average specific gravity of the moving body is 8 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: A vibration module for applying vibrational tractions to a wearer's skin is presented. Use of the vibration module in headphones is illustrated for providing tactile sensations of low frequency for music, for massage, and for electrical recording and stimulation of the wearer. Damped, planar, electromagnetically-actuated vibration modules of the moving magnet type are presented in theory and reduced to practice, and shown to provide a substantially uniform frequency response over the range 40-200 Hz with a minimum of unwanted audio.

Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.

Abstract: A linear vibration motor comprising a housing, a vibrator, and a stator fixed on the housing and arranged parallel to the vibrator, push-pull magnets (4) are symmetrically disposed at two ends of the vibrator; push-pull coils (2) surrounding the push-pull magnets are fixedly disposed on the housing at positions corresponding to the push-pull magnets; after the push-pull coils are energized, the push-pull coils and the push-pull magnets generate push-pull forces in a horizontal direction, which provides a driving force for the reciprocating motion of the vibrator in a direction parallel to the plane in which the stator is located. The push-pull structure provides push-pull force for the reciprocation motion of the vibrator, so that an intense vibration force can be achieved.

Abstract: The current document is directed to non-linear haptic actuators that use a rotor, rotor-suspension, and spring subsystem to efficiently generate vibrational forces in various types of devices and appliances in which the non-linear haptic actuators are incorporated. Non-linear haptic actuators can be designed and manufactured to be more space efficient than unbalanced-electric-motor and linear-resonant vibration modules and, because most of the frictional forces produced in unbalanced-electric-motor and linear-resonant vibration modules are eliminated from non-linear haptic actuators, non-linear haptic actuators are generally more power efficient and robust than unbalanced-electric-motor and linear-resonant vibration modules.

Abstract: A toothbrush (100) having a combination of tapered and non-tapered cleaning elements (50) for enhanced cleaning effects and having a plurality of tapered bristle tufts of differing tuft configurations including, a first tapered bristle tuft (500) having a dome-shaped bristle tip profile (520) toward one end (210) of the head (200), a second tapered bristle tuft (602) having an arcuate-shaped bristle configuration (622) toward an opposite end (222) of the head (200), and a plurality of laterally-extending third tapered bristle tufts (600) arranged in an alternating fashion with non-tapered bristle tufts (630) and disposed between the first and second tapered bristle tufts (500, 602).

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator, a rotor, a printed circuit board having at least one sensor configured to detect a position of the rotor, and a system configured to arrange the at least one sensor in different positions on the stator relative to the stator.

Abstract: Body support systems such as mattresses include breathing layers that define internal air flow guides and form part of the structure for pressure redistribution. At least one air flow unit is coupled for fluid communication with the breathing layers so that heat and moisture may be drawn away from an uppermost comfort layer or body-supporting layer, through the breathing layers, and exhausted out of the body support system. Alternatively, air may be directed through permeable portions of the layers of the body support system to the uppermost layer, particularly at the torso supporting region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration device for providing tactile feedbacks. The vibration device includes a case having an accommodation space; and a vibration unit accommodated in the accommodation space and fastened with the case, for transmitting vibration produced by the vibration unit to the case and further driving the case to vibrate. The vibration unit includes a housing attached to the case by latching or soldering, and a tactile actuator fixed in the housing.

Abstract: A base portion of a vibration motor includes a first plate including a first plate recessed portion in an upper surface thereof; and a second plate arranged in the first plate recessed portion, and fixed to the first plate. One of the first and second plates is made of a magnetic metal, while another one is made of a nonmagnetic metal. An upper surface of the second plate is arranged at the same level as that of a portion of the upper surface of the first plate which lies adjacent to and along the first plate recessed portion. The second plate includes an annular second plate support portion centered on a central axis; and a plurality of second plate projecting portions arranged to project radially inward or radially outward from the second plate support portion, and arranged in a circumferential direction at a position vertically opposed to a magnet portion.

Abstract: A massage motor suspension system incorporates a frame which is secured to a planar support. A sling supporting a massage motor is resiliently suspended from the frame. A massage holder clipped to the massage motor engages a bottom surface of a mattress on the planar support through an aperture in the planar support.

Abstract: A holder is used while attached to a chassis of a vibration generator that moves a vibrator to generate a vibration. The holder includes a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixed unit fixed to the chassis, and an arm. The arm connects the fixed unit and the vibrator retention unit, and the arm supports the vibrator retention unit while the vibrator retention unit can be displaced with respect to the fixed unit. The fixed unit, the arm, and the vibrator retention unit are integrally formed using resin.

Abstract: A dual eccentric shaft driving mechanism comprises a motor, a first eccentric shaft, and a second eccentric shaft. The first eccentric shaft has a first eccentric portion. The second eccentric shaft has a second eccentric portion connected to the first eccentric shaft. The motor is connected to the first eccentric shaft for driving the first and the second eccentric shaft to rotate. Wherein, the first and the second eccentric shaft are connected to have a same rotating direction. A phase difference between the first and the second eccentric portion is maintained at 180 degrees. Compared to the prior art, a second centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the second eccentric shaft is balanced by a first centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first eccentric shaft in the present invention. Therefore, the vibration generated in the operation of the present invention is drastically reduced.

Abstract: A vibration motor is disclosed. The vibration motor includes a housing; a fixed component accommodated in the housing; a vibrating component comprising a counterweight and a pole plate; and an elastic connecting piece for suspending the vibrating component in the housing. One of the fixed component and the vibrating component includes coils, and the other includes a magnet component. The pole plate includes a pole plate body part adhered to the counterweight and a fixation part positioned on two sides of the pole plate body, further, the fixation part is at least partially inserted into the counterweight.

Abstract: A process of massaging a subject is provided that includes the provision of a vibratory massage roller having a casing with a casing surface extending over a length of the vibratory roller. A motor in included in the housing and is electrically coupled to a power source. The power source is energized to induce a vibratory amplitude to the surface that varies less than 30 amplitude percent across the central 70 percent of the length. The massage roller is contacted with the subject to massage the subject.

Abstract: A vibration motor includes a housing having an accommodation space, a cover plate connecting with the housing, a first vibration system and a second vibration system supported in the accommodation space elastically. The first vibration system includes a first weight and at least one permanent magnet. The second vibration system includes a second weight and at least one coil. A first limiting block is arranged on the cover plate, and a second limiting block is arranged on the bottom wall of the said housing. A first limiting hole corresponding to the first limiting block is formed for receiving at least part of the first limiting block; and a second limiting hole corresponding to the second limiting block is formed for receiving part of the second limiting block.

Abstract: A vibration motor includes a housing; a vibration module including a main magnet and a central shaft extending along a vibration direction and passing through a center of the main magnet; a fixing module located in the housing and including a first coil and a second coil spaced from the main magnet; an elastic connecting part suspending the vibration module in the housing; and a sensor for detecting a displacement of the vibration module along a direction perpendicular to the central shaft. The first coil and the second coil are such arranged that a geometric center of one of the first coil and the second coil deviates from the central shaft, a geometric center of the other of the first coil and the second coil deviates from the central shaft, and the two geometric centers locate at two opposed sides of the central shaft.

Abstract: A rotor (1) for a rotary electric machine includes a rotor core (2) including a first core portion (20) having a plurality of core pieces (5, 6) joined together through caulking portions (2a) and a hollow first lightening portion (20a), and a second core portion (21) having a plurality of core pieces (7, 8) joined together through caulking portions (2a) and a press-fit portion (21b). A radial magnetic path width of a ring-shaped outer circumferential portion formed by laminating the first core portion (20) and the second core portion (21) changes along a circumferential direction of the rotor core (2). Therefore, a weight and an inertia can be reduced.

Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.

Abstract: A device for generating a haptic moment at an actuator including an unbalance motor, a sensor for sensing activation of the actuator, and a processor for generating an actuation signal for the unbalance motor depending on signals of the sensor, wherein the processor is embodied so that, when activation of the actuator is sensed, the processor generates a first actuation signal and generates a second actuation signal, wherein the first actuation signal is configured so the unbalance motor is accelerated in a first rotational direction without reaching more than two revolutions, and the second actuation signal is configured so the unbalance motor is braked without the unbalance motor starting to move in the second rotational direction.

Abstract: A vibration exciter, particularly for a vibration pile driver, includes at least four shafts disposed parallel to one another, on which two outer imbalance masses are disposed, in each instance, between which a central imbalance mass is positioned. The central imbalance mass is mounted on the shaft so as to rotate relative to the outer imbalance masses, in each instance. The imbalance masses of the at least four shafts are combined into two imbalance groups, the imbalance masses of which are all synchronized with one another in torsionally rigid manner, in each instance, wherein not only outer imbalance masses but also inner imbalance masses are provided in each of the two imbalance groups, and wherein a phase shifter is provided, by way of which the phasing of the two imbalance groups relative to one another can be adjusted.

Abstract: There is provided a portable terminal capable of acquiring sound information successfully simply by being brought near to or into contact with the ear without the necessity of careful handling. The portable terminal includes at least a vibration member having a first surface exposed to an exterior, a vibration element operative to vibrate the vibration member in response to an electric signal corresponding to sound information, and electronic circuitry that outputs the electric signal, a difference in amplitude between individual places within the first surface of the vibration member in a vibrating state being less than or equal to 60 dB in terms of a ratio of maximum value to minimum value of amplitude. A portable terminal can be obtained that is capable of acquiring sound information successfully simply by being brought near to or into contact with the ear without the necessity of careful handling.

Abstract: A vibration motor includes an eccentric weight whose center of gravity is positioned outside a shaft and a holder made of resin and holding a ring-shaped back yoke and the eccentric weight. The back yoke includes an overhang portion which extends farther inward in a radial direction than an inner side edge of the opening of a rotor magnet. The holder includes a penetrated portion which is a tube-shaped portion positioned at an axially inner side of the rotor magnet and extends in the axial direction surrounding the shaft, an upper surface portion which expands radially outwardly from an upper side of the penetrated portion to cover an upper surface of the eccentric weight, and a lower surface portion which expands radially outwardly from the lower side of the penetrated portion to cover a lower surface of the overhang portion.

Abstract: A device for stimulating the Meissner's Corpuscles along the front plantar portion of the foot or feet of a person is provided. The device has a platform disposed upon motion guides for movement up and down with respect to a base. The platform has a shaped surface for ease of placement of at least the front plantar portion of at least one foot of a person seated in front of the device in which the back or heel portion of the foot is disposed away from the device. One or more inertial actuators are attached to the platform underneath its surface. A controller controls operation of the actuator(s), via signals to a driver, to move the platform with respect to the base in a sinusoidally varying motion at a user selectable stimulation level. The stimulation level may be set wirelessly via an external device, or by manually tilting the device.

Abstract: A steering wheel provided with a vibration device. The vibration device includes a vibration motor with a weight attached to a rotational axis protruding out of a motor body, a mounting bracket which mounts the motor on the steering wheel body, a circuit substrate which includes a connector for feeding the vibration motor with electricity and a terminal which is plugged in a terminal hole of a mounting base of the motor body such that the circuit substrate is connected to the motor body, and a clip which is assembled with the motor body and mounted on the mounting bracket together with the motor body. The clip includes a pressing section which presses the circuit substrate against the motor body and a retaining element that is engaged with and holds the mounting bracket so as to help the pressing section to keep pressing the circuit substrate toward the motor body.

Abstract: A haptic element having a rotating element at least partially fixed to the rotating shaft of a motor. The rotating element dynamically reconfigures its center of mass to provide at least a first concentric rotation state and second eccentric rotation state. The transition between the concentric state and the eccentric state may be at least partially defined by a threshold angular velocity of the rotating shaft of the motor. As the motor approaches the threshold, the rotating element may be concentrically aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor. Once the threshold is reached, the mass element may be eccentrically aligned with the axis of rotation, initiating an immediate and perceivable haptic feedback.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an actuator that includes an eccentric mass that is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator which defines an axis of rotation. A circuit is coupled to the actuator, the circuit is configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator. The actuator is configured to produce a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction. The magnitude of the vibration is based on a duty cycle of the control signal and independent of the frequency. An obstacle member is coupled to the actuator and includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.

Abstract: A vibrating footboard having a base plate and an intermediate plate coupled to each other, by first vibration-damping elements, at least one eccentric mass electric motor coupled to the intermediate plate, and two groups of upper plates capable to support feet of a user coupled to the intermediate plate through second vibration-damping elements. The vibrating footboard allows the user to undergo a neuromuscular stimulation, for both therapy and athletic enhancement.

Abstract: A system and method may include energizing one or more of a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about a first region of a structure and de-energizing other of the electromagnets to attract a substance contained and movable within a second region of the structure to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the structure. The structure may be disposed on a surface or within a liquid, where energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnets causes the structure to move about the surface or within the liquid in a desired fashion. The substance may be a magnetic or magnetizable substance. Energizing and de-energizing the electromagnets may be performed by a controller responsive to a signal received from a sensor or transceiver.