CN112042210A

CN112042210A - Magnet actuator for electronic device and electronic device including the same

Info

Publication number: CN112042210A
Application number: CN201880092871.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 彼得·凯斯基奥帕斯; 乔尼·塔皮欧·梅基; 贾尼·苏科拉; 耶尔基·洛希科斯基
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-29
Filing date: 2018-06-29
Publication date: 2020-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-29
Also published as: WO2020001787A1; EP3782379A1; CN112042210B

Abstract

A magnetic actuator (1) for an electronic device (2) comprising: a coil (3), a magnet (4), a first housing (5) and a second housing (6), wherein the coil (3) is at least partially located within the first housing (5) and is fixed to the first housing (5); the magnet (4) is at least partially located within the second housing (6) and is fixed to the second housing (6). The first housing (5) comprises a magnetic material, the magnetic field generated by the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) generating an attractive force (F) between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5), the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) being in a force equilibrium state, wherein an air gap (7) is provided between the magnet (4) and the coil (3). Operating the current in the coil (3) causes a change in the attractive force (F) such that a displacement occurs between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5), thereby generating vibrations within the electronic device (2).

Description

Magnet actuator for electronic device and electronic device including the same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a magnet actuator for an electronic device, the magnet actuator including a coil, a magnet, a first housing, and a second housing.

Background

The electronic device may be configured with a magnetic actuator to generate, for example, sound waves. The prior art magnetic actuators comprise magnets that attract or repel each other. Initially, the magnets are arranged in force balance, but in order to generate sound waves, the attractive or repulsive force between the magnets is changed by a current flowing through a coil located between the magnets, which current moves at least one magnet, so that the distance between the magnets is reduced or increased.

As disclosed in GB2532436, the magnets may be interconnected by an elastic support element which counteracts the attractive or repulsive forces between the magnets, so that the magnets and the elastic support element are in a force equilibrium state as long as there is no current. The different parts of the magnet actuator in GB2532436 are integrated in the structure of the device and are arranged between the main elements of the device.

The appearance of the assembled electronic device can only be evaluated after a force equilibrium state is reached, for example, after the main elements of the device are assembled. Any possible defects due to variations in the dimensional tolerances of each individual element in the structure, variations in the forces between the magnets or variations in the forces caused by the elastic support elements can only be seen after assembly, with subsequent maintenance being time-consuming and costly.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic actuator. The above and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments are evident from the dependent claims, the detailed description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, a magnetic actuator for an electronic device is provided. The magnet actuator comprises a coil, a magnet, a first shell and a second shell, wherein the coil is at least partially positioned in the first shell and fixed on the first shell, and the magnet is at least partially positioned in the second shell and fixed on the second shell; the first housing comprises a magnetic material; the magnet and the first housing generate a magnetic field that generates an attractive force between the magnet and the first housing; the magnet and the first housing are in a force balance state, wherein an air gap is arranged between the magnet and the coil; and operating the current in the coil to cause the attractive force to change such that displacement occurs between the magnet and the first housing.

In the magnet actuator, the magnet and the housing are in a force equilibrium state, which is advantageous for manufacturing an electronic apparatus provided with the magnet actuator. The attractive force generated by the magnet and the housing is initially in equilibrium so that other components of the electronic device are not affected by, for example, changes in force or changes in dimensions of different components of the magnet actuator. This solution reduces the number of bad electronic devices, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs. In an implementation form of the first aspect, it is noted that the magnetic actuator comprises only one magnet. For example, the magnetic actuator does not include a magnet other than the above-described magnet.

In one possible implementation form of the first aspect, the magnetic actuator further includes at least one spacer that maintains the magnet and the first housing in a force equilibrium state by a reaction force that is a force generated by the magnetic field, so that the magnet and the coil are always separated by a uniform air gap.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the spacer is configured to provide a first air gap between the magnet and the coil when the magnet actuator is in the first end position, and to provide a second air gap between the magnet and the coil smaller than the first air gap when the magnet actuator is in the second end position, thereby providing a space efficient magnet arrangement.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the spacer interconnects at least the first housing and the second housing and/or the first housing and the magnet such that the magnet actuator is configured as an integral component that is easy to mount in the electronic device.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the gasket is compressible and fixed to an inner surface of the first housing; the gasket is in an uncompressed state when the magnet actuator is in the first end of actuation position; the gasket is in compression when the magnet actuator is in any position other than the first end position, including the second end position, which is advantageous for making the actuator sufficiently powerful and space-saving.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the gasket includes a flexible washer.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the gasket includes a dust cover connected to the first housing and the second housing, wherein the dust cover covers a gap between the first housing and the second housing, thereby preventing dust and other particles from entering the exciter to interfere with a function of the exciter.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the gasket includes the flexible gasket and the dust cover.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first enclosure and the second enclosure direct the magnetic field confinement to a space within at least one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure, thereby preventing the magnetic field from interfering with other objects.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first housing and the second housing have open ends and closed bases connected by a perimeter wall, an inner circumference of one of the first housing and the second housing substantially corresponding to an outer circumference of the other of the first housing and the second housing, allowing movement between the first housing and the second housing. This is a simple yet reliable structure providing adequate protection for the magnet arrangement and efficiently confining the magnetic field within the cavity formed by the first and second housings.

In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first housing and the second housing portion overlap such that the magnetic actuator is assembled and maintained as one integral part.

In another possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first housing and the second housing comprise interconnecting flanges, which are connected when the magnetic actuator is in the first or second end-of-actuation position, so as to prevent the separation of the components of the magnetic actuator, whatever the external force applied to the magnetic actuator.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising a movable face and a device chassis; and

the magnet actuator as described above is provided between the movable surface and the equipment enclosure, and moves the movable surface relative to the equipment enclosure. The movable face may be a display screen of the electronic device. In this case, the display screen may be used as a so-called "howling display screen".

By arranging the magnetic actuator in the electronic device, wherein the magnetic actuator is in equilibrium from the beginning, other components of the electronic device are not affected by e.g. a change in force or a change in dimensions within the magnetic actuator. This solution reduces the number of bad electronic devices, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the first housing of the magnetic actuator is attached to the movable surface and the second housing of the magnetic actuator is attached to the equipment chassis, or the second housing of the magnetic actuator is attached to the movable surface and the first housing of the magnetic actuator is attached to the equipment chassis, so that the magnetic actuator is very stable and can bear a large external force.

In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the movement of the movable face generates vibrations within the electronic device to serve as a force feedback device or to generate sound waves.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an assembly for assembling a magnet actuator, comprising a magnet actuator as described above and an assembly pin, wherein the first housing of the magnet actuator comprises a through slot for receiving the assembly pin; a first end of the assembly pin is releasably connected to an inner surface of the second housing after passing through the through groove, a second end of the assembly pin is releasably connected to an outer surface of the first housing, so that the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other, and the magnet and the coil are always maintained at a predetermined distance from each other by the assembly pin.

In this solution, the assembly of the magnet actuator is facilitated by ensuring that the air gap between the magnet and the coil is maintained at the required distance throughout the assembly phase, including when the different components are interconnected by means of an adhesive.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the assembly pin is T-shaped, and when the assembly pin is received by the through slot, one leg of the assembly pin extends in a direction of an attractive force generated by a magnetic field in the magnet actuator, and one leg of the assembly pin extends in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the attractive force, which is advantageous to provide a simple and stable solution, so that it is ensured that an air gap between the magnet and the coil is maintained at a predetermined distance during assembly.

In another possible implementation of the third aspect, at least one of the magnet and the spacer includes another through slot for receiving the assembly pin, thereby ensuring that the components of the magnet actuator remain in place during assembly, including when the different components are interconnected with an adhesive.

This and other aspects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

These aspects, embodiments, and implementations are explained in detail in the following detailed description of the invention with reference to example embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a magnetic actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2a shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the magnetic actuator of figure 1;

FIG. 2b shows an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the magnetic actuator of FIG. 2a, wherein the magnetic actuator is in a first actuator end position;

fig. 2c shows an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the magnet actuator shown in fig. 2a and 2b, wherein the magnet actuator is in a second, actuated end position;

figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional perspective view of an electronic device comprising the magnetic actuator of figures 1 and 2a to 2 c;

FIG. 4a shows a side cross-sectional view of a magnetic actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b shows a side view of the magnetic actuator of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of a magnetic actuator according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of a magnetic actuator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a side cross-sectional schematic view of a magnetic actuator according to another embodiment of the invention;

fig. 8 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a magnetic actuator according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2a to 2c show an exemplary embodiment of a magnet actuator 1 according to the invention.

The magnet actuator 1 includes a first housing 5, a second housing 6, a coil 3, and a magnet 4. The coil 3 comprises a plurality of coil windings and is at least partially located within the first housing 5 and secured to the first housing 5. In one embodiment, the coil 3 is fixed to the inner surface 5a of the first housing 5 by an adhesive. The magnet 4 is at least partially located within the second housing 6 and is fixed to the second housing 6. In one embodiment, the magnet 4 is secured to the inner surface 6a of the second housing 6 by an adhesive. In one embodiment, the magnetic actuator 1 comprises only one magnet, for example, the magnet 4. No other magnets are arranged between the

shells

5 and 6.

The first housing 5 comprises a magnetic material, such as a metal, so the first housing 5 acts as a reaction force to the static attractive force F. Thus, the magnet 4 located within the second housing 6 and the first housing 5 together generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field generates an attractive force F between the magnet 4 and the magnetic first housing 5, pulling the magnet 4 and the magnetic first housing 5 towards each other, and pulling the second housing 6 and the coil 3 towards each other.

The first housing 5 and the second housing 6 guide and confine the magnetic field to a space within at least one of the first housing 5 and the second housing 6. The magnetic field may be confined by the housing such that the magnetic field fills the entire space within the housing. The magnetic field may also be directed into the housing such that the magnetic field is greatest in strength at a particular location within the housing, for example, at an air gap as described below.

As long as there is no current in the coil 3, the magnet 4 and the first housing 5 are in force equilibrium. Due to this balancing, a specific air gap 7 may be provided to separate the magnet 4 from the coil 3.

The current in the coil 3 is operated to change the attractive force F and thereby displace the magnet 4 from the first housing 5. By continuously operating the current, the displacement is continuous. Therefore, any surface connected to the first housing 5 or the second housing 6 can be vibrated.

In one embodiment, the magnetic actuator 1 comprises at least one spacer 8. The spacer 8 is provided to keep the magnet 4 and the first housing 5 in a force equilibrium state by a reaction force as the attractive force F generated to the magnetic field and to keep the size of the air gap between the magnet 4 and the coil 3 at a fixed height, as described below. Further, the gasket 8 prevents the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 from colliding to generate unwanted noise.

However, the force equilibrium state may also be achieved by the size of the air gap, the attractive force F and the spring force of the surface to which the magnet actuator is attached.

When the magnet actuator 1 is in the first execution end position P1, the spacer 8 provides a first air gap 7a, e.g. an air gap with a certain height, between the magnet 4 and the coil 3. Fig. 2b shows the magnet actuator 1 in the first, end-of-actuation position P1, the dimensions of which are exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Fig. 2a shows a more realistic relationship between air gap, magnet and coil when the magnet actuator 1 is in the first actuator end position P1. The first end position P1 is the position where the actuator is at its outermost position, i.e. where the height of the magnet actuator is as large as possible, and where the maximum vibration amplitude is reached at the displacement due to the current.

The spacer 8 also provides a second air gap 7b, for example an air gap having a smaller height than the first air gap 7a, between the magnet 4 and the coil 3 when the magnet actuator 1 is in the second end-of-travel position P2. The second air gap 7b is an air gap which is physically the same as the first air gap 7a but has a different height. The second end position P2 is the position in which the actuator is at its innermost position, i.e. the position in which the height of the magnet actuator is as small as possible and in which a minimum vibration amplitude is reached upon displacement due to an electric current.

The spacer 8 interconnects the first housing 5 and the second housing 6, or interconnects the first housing 5 and the magnet 4, or interconnects the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 and interconnects the first housing 5 and the magnet 4.

In one embodiment, the gasket 8 is compressible, for example in the form of a flexible resilient gasket 8a, and is secured to the inside surface 5a of the first housing 5 by, for example, an adhesive. When the magnet actuator 1 is in the first end of actuation position P1, the spacer 8 is in an uncompressed state, as shown in fig. 2 b. When there is no current in the coil 3, the magnet actuator 1 is in the first actuation end position P1. When the magnet actuator 1 is in any position other than the first end of actuation position, including the second end of actuation position P2 as shown in fig. 2c, the spacer 8 is in a compressed state. The compressible spacer also functions to levitate the magnetic actuator.

In another embodiment, the gasket 8 comprises a flexible dust cover 8b connected to the first and

second housings

5, 6, preferably to the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and

second housings

5, 6, such that the flexible dust cover covers any circumferential gap existing between the first and

second housings

5, 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the gasket 8 includes a flexible washer 8a and a dust cover 8 b.

The first housing 5 and the second housing 6 each have an open end 9 and a closed base 10 connected by an enclosing wall 11, such that the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 are each cup-shaped.

In one embodiment, the inner and outer dimensions of the first and

second housings

5, 6 are identical. As shown in fig. 4a, 4b, 5 and 6, the cross-section of the first housing 5 and the second housing 6, and the magnetic actuator 1 may be circular, rectangular or square.

In another embodiment, the inner circumference of one of the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the other of the first housing 5 and the second housing 6, allowing movement between the first housing 5 and the second housing 6. In this embodiment, the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 may be arranged to partially overlap, as shown in fig. 7 and 8.

The first housing 5 and the second housing 6 may comprise interconnecting flanges 12, the flanges 12 being connected when the magnet actuator 1 is in the first execution end position P1 or the second execution end position P2 as shown in fig. 8. The flange of one housing extends inwardly in a direction toward the interior of the housing, while the flange of the other housing extends outwardly in a direction outwardly from the interior of the housing. Furthermore, the bounding wall 11 of a housing whose inner periphery substantially corresponds to the outer periphery of another housing, for example the bounding wall 11 of a housing with a larger inner dimension, extends beyond the flange of another housing with a smaller inner dimension, so that the flange of the housing with the smaller inner dimension is bounded by the bounding wall 11 and the flange 12 of the housing with the larger inner dimension. Therefore, the flanges overlap so that the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 cannot be separated.

The invention also relates to an electronic device 2, partially shown in fig. 3, comprising a movable face 13, for example a display screen; an equipment cabinet 14; and a magnet actuator 1. The magnet actuator 1 is disposed between the movable surface 13 and the equipment enclosure 14, and is configured to move the movable surface 13 relative to the equipment enclosure 14. The movement of the movable face 13 generates vibrations within the electronic device 2, for example. And (4) sound waves. This results in a so-called "howling display". The rear cover is disposed at a position close to a side of the equipment enclosure 14, which side of the equipment enclosure 14 is the farthest from the magnet actuator 1.

In one embodiment, the first housing 5 of the magnetic actuator 1 is attached to the movable face 13 and the second housing 6 of the magnetic actuator 1 is attached to the equipment chassis 14. In another embodiment, the second housing 6 of the magnetic actuator 1 is attached to the movable surface 13 and the first housing 5 of the magnetic actuator 1 is attached to the equipment cabinet 14.

The invention also relates to an assembly for assembling the magnet actuator 1, comprising the magnet actuator 1 and an assembly pin 15.

The first housing 5 of the magnet actuator 1 comprises a through slot 16a for receiving the assembly pin 15. The first end 15a of the assembly pin 15 is releasably connected to the inner surface 6a of the second housing 6 after passing through the through slot 16 a. The first end 15a may be inserted into a recess provided in the inner surface 6a and releasably attached, for example, in a through manner. The second end 15b of the assembly pin 15 is releasably connected with the outer surface 5b of the first housing 5 to interconnect the first housing 5 and the second housing 6. At the time of assembly, the magnet 4 and the coil 3 are kept at a predetermined distance from each other by the assembly pin 15. The components of the magnet actuator may be glued together, during which the assembly pins 15 hold all components in their correct position. Once the various components of the magnet actuator are fixedly interconnected by, for example, an adhesive, the assembly pin 15 may be removed by removing the assembly pin 15 from the inner and

outer surfaces

6a, 5b and pulling the assembly pin 15 out of the through slot 16 a.

The assembly pins 15 may have any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the assembly pin 15 is T-shaped and inserted into the magnet actuator 1 such that when the through slot 16a receives the assembly pin 15, one leg of the assembly pin 15 extends in the direction of an attractive force F generated by a magnetic field within the magnet actuator 1 and the other leg of the assembly pin 15 extends in a plane P perpendicular to the direction of the attractive force F.

In one embodiment, said magnet 4 and/or said spacer 8 comprise a through slot 16b, said through slot 16b being adapted to receive said assembly pin 15, such that a leg of the assembly pin 15 extending in the direction of said attractive force F passes at least partially through said magnet 4 and/or said spacer 8. In this configuration, the through-groove 16 includes the through-groove 16a and the through-groove 16 b.

Aspects and implementations are described herein in connection with various embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A magnet actuator (1) for an electronic device (2), the magnet actuator (1) comprising:

a coil (3);

a magnet (4); and

a first housing (5) and a second housing (6), wherein the coil (3) is at least partially located within the first housing (5) and fixed to the first housing (5), and the magnet (4) is at least partially located within the second housing (6) and fixed to the second housing (6), wherein

The first housing (5) comprises a magnetic material;

-generating a magnetic field by the magnet (4) and the first housing (5), and the magnetic field generating an attractive force (F) between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5);

the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) are in a force-balanced state, wherein an air gap (7) is provided between the magnet (4) and the coil (3); and

operating the current in the coil (3) causes a change in the attractive force (F) such that a displacement occurs between the magnet (4) and the first housing (5).

2. A magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spacer (8), wherein

The spacer (8) maintains the magnet (4) and the first housing (5) in a force equilibrium state by acting as a reaction force against a force (F) generated by the magnetic field.

3. The magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer (8) is adapted to provide a first air gap (7a) between the magnet (4) and the coil (3) when the magnetic actuator (1) is in a first end-of-execution position (P1), and

-providing a second air gap (7b) between the magnet (4) and the coil (3) smaller than the first air gap (7a) when the magnet actuator (1) is in a second actuation end position (P2).

4. A magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spacer (8) interconnects at least the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) and/or interconnects the first housing (5) and the magnet (4).

5. A magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spacer (8) is compressible and fixed on the inner surface (5a) of the first housing (5);

when the magnet actuator (1) is in the first end-of-travel position (P1), the shim (8) is in an uncompressed state; and

the gasket (8) is in a compressed state when the magnet actuator (1) is in any position other than the first end of actuation position, including the second end of actuation position (P2).

6. A magnetic actuator (1) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the spacer (8) comprises a flexible washer (8 a).

7. The magnetic actuator (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the spacer (8) comprises a dust cover (8b) connected to the first housing (5) and the second housing (6), wherein the dust cover covers a gap between the first housing (5) and the second housing (6).

8. A magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the spacer (8) comprises the flexible washer (8a) and the dust cover (8 b).

9. A magnetic actuator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) direct the magnetic field to a space within at least one of the first housing (5) and the second housing (6).

10. A magnetic actuator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) have an open end (9) and a closed base (10) connected by a bounding wall (11);

the inner circumference of one of the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the other of the first housing (5) and the second housing (6), allowing movement between the first housing (5) and the second housing (6).

11. A magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) partially overlap.

12. The magnetic actuator (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first housing (5) and the second housing (6) comprise interconnecting flanges (12), the flanges (12) being connected when the magnetic actuator (1) is in the first (P1) or the second (P2) actuation end position.

13. An electronic device (2), characterized by comprising:

a movable surface (13), an equipment cabinet (14), and

a magnet actuator (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, arranged between the movable face (13) and the equipment cabinet (14) for moving the movable face (13) relative to the equipment cabinet (14).

14. Electronic device (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that the first housing (5) of the magnet actuator (1) is attached to the movable face (13) and the second housing (6) of the magnet actuator (1) is attached to the device chassis (14), or that the second housing (6) of the magnet actuator (1) is attached to the movable face (13) and the first housing (5) of the magnet actuator (1) is attached to the device chassis (14).

15. Electronic device (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the movement of the movable face (13) generates vibrations within the electronic device (2).

16. Assembly for assembling a magnetic actuator (1), characterized in that it comprises:

-a magnetic actuator (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12; and

assembling the pin (15), wherein

The first housing (5) of the magnet actuator (1) comprises a through slot (16a) for receiving the assembly pin (15);

-a first end (15a) of said assembly pin (15) is releasably connected to an inner surface (6a) of said second casing (6) after passing through said through slot (16); and

the second end (15b) of the assembly pin (15) is releasably connected to the outer surface (5b) of the first housing (5) such that

The first housing (5) and the second housing (6) are connected to each other, and the magnet (4) and the coil (3) are held at a predetermined distance from each other by the assembly pin (15).

17. Assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the assembly pin (15) is T-shaped, one leg of the assembly pin (15) extending in the direction of an attraction force (F) generated by the magnetic field inside the magnet actuator (1) when the assembly pin (15) is received by the through slot (16); and

one leg of the assembly pin (15) extends in a plane (P) perpendicular to the direction of the attraction force (F).

18. Assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one of said magnet (4) and spacer (8) comprises a further through slot (16b) for housing said assembly pin (15).