WO2001041322A1

WO2001041322A1 - Integrated vibration and sound generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001041322A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001394
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Sung Lee
Original assignee: Jae Sung Lee
Priority date: 1999-12-01
Filing date: 2000-12-01
Publication date: 2001-06-07
Also published as: KR20010062051A

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated vibration and sound generating apparatus, adapted to produce a body-sensible vibration and an audible signal alternatively, having an arrangement such that a vibration system incorporates a vibrating plate part vibrated responsive to a resonating high frequency signal to generate a sound and a spring plate part vibrated responsive to a resonating low frequency signal to generate a body-sensible vibration in a body, thus minimizing the thickness of the apparatus. Besides, the apparatus of the invention further comprises a first exciting coil for generating a sound and a second exciting coil for generating a vibration, the two coils being mounted on the bottom of the integrated vibration system so as to utilize a magnetic force produced by a magnetic circuit part, thus generating a strong vibration and a loud sound.

Description

INTEGRATED VIBRATION AND SOJND GENERATING APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vibration and sound

generating apparatus applied to personal communicating

equipments such as mobile phones, radio pagers, etc.,

especially, to an integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus adapted to produce a body-sensible vibration and

an audible signal alternatively, the integrated vibration

and sound generating apparatus having an arrangement such

that a vibration system incorporates a vibrating plate part

vibrated responsive to a resonating high frequency signal

to generate a sound and a spring plate part vibrated

responsive to a resonating low frequency signal to generate

a body- sensible vibration, thus minimizing the thickness of

the apparatus. Besides, the integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus of the present invention further

comprises a first exciting coil for generating a sound and a second exciting coil for generating a vibration, the two

coils being mounted on the bottom of the integrated

vibration system so as to utilize a magnetic force produced

by a magnetic circuit part, thus generating a strong

vibration and a loud sound.

Background Art

Conventionally, the mobile phone or the radio pager

applies a buzzer and/or a vibrator for informing the user

of a call signal. Here, the buzzer and the vibrator produce

a sound and a body-sensible vibration, respectively, for

informing a call signal. The mobile phone and the radio

pager of the beginning stage have the buzzer and the

vibrator separately. However, recently, integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatuses have been

developed to meet a tendency toward miniaturization and

simplification of mobile terminals.

As shown in Figs . 1 and 2 , a conventional integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatus 1 comprises a magnetic circuit part 10, a sound generating part 30 and a

vibration generating part 50. The magnetic circuit part 10

mounted in a cylindrical case 3 includes a cylindrical

magnet 5, a coin-like plate 7 and a cup-like yoke 9. The

sound generating part 30 includes an exciting coil 13,

mounted into a gap between outer circumferential surfaces

of the magnet 5 and the plate 7 and an inner

circumferential surface of the yoke 9, and a vibrating

plate part 15 incorporated with the exciting coil 13. The

vibration generating part 50 has a spring plate part 23

mounted on the bottom of the magnetic circuit part 10 and

conveys a magnetic force generated between the magnetic

circuit part 10 and the exciting coil 13 to the case 3. An

upper cover 17 and a lower cover 19 are provided on the

upper and lower parts of the case 3 to fix the vibrating

plate part 15 and the spring plate part 23, respectively.

In this arrangement, when a signal of alternating

current is applied to the exciting coil 13, a magnetic

field of the magnetic circuit part 10 and an electromagnetic field of the exciting coil 3 interact to

generate a repulsive magnetic force. Here, if a high

frequency signal is applied to the exciting coil 13, the

exciting coil 13 having a relatively light weight

oscillates up and down so as to output an audible sound

through the vibrating plate part 15 mounted integrally. On

the other hand, if a low frequency signal of 50Hz to 150Hz

is applied to the exciting coil 13, the magnetic circuit

part 10 having a relatively heavy weight vibrates up and

down so as to output a body-sensible vibration through the

spring plate part 23 established integrally.

That is, the conventional integrated vibration and

sound generating apparatus 1 is configured in such a manner

that if a high frequency signal is applied, the vibrating

plate part 15 mounted on the top of the magnetic circuit

part 10 vibrates, otherwise, if a low frequency signal is

applied, the spring plate part 23 established on the bottom

of the magnetic circuit part 10 oscillates, thus providing

the sound generating part 30 and the vibration generating part 50, respectively. Accordingly, the conventional

apparatus 1 should have a sufficient space where the

vibrating plate part 15 and the spring plate part 23 can

vibrate, which causes a limitation to reduce the thickness

of the apparatus. Besides, since the conventional apparatus

1 comprises one magnetic circuit part 10 and the exciting

coil 13, the exciting coil 13 of lightweight should vibrate

the magnetic circuit part 10 of heavy weight if a low

frequency signal is applied, which cannot generate a

sufficient body-sensible vibration.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention

to provide an integrated vibration and sound apparatus

which minimizes thickness thereof by incorporating a

vibrating plate part for generating a sound and a spring

plate part for generating a vibration and mounting the two

plate parts on the top of a magnetic circuit part, and

increases an output of a body-sensible vibration by reducing weight of the spring plate part .

Furthermore, another object of the present invention

is to provide an integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus which minimizes number of components by

incorporating the vibrating plate part for generating a

sound and the spring plate part for generating a vibration

in one vibrating system

Moreover, another object of the present invention is

to provide an integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus configured in a manner that a first exciting coil

for generating a sound and a second exciting coil for

generating a vibration are fixed respectively onto the

bottom of the integrated vibration system incorporating a

vibrating plate part for generating a sound and a spring

plate part for generating a vibration so as to make most

use of a magnetic field produced in a magnetic circuit part,

thus increasing the output of vibration and sound.

To accomplish an object of the present invention,

there is provided an integrated vibration and sound generating apparatus adapted to produce a body-sensible

vibration and an audible sound selectively according to a

user's selection comprising: a cylindrical case; a magnetic

circuit part, mounted in the case, generating a magnetic

field; an integrated vibration system, established on the

bottom of the magnetic circuit part, incorporating a

vibrating plate part for generating a sound responsive to a

high frequency signal and a spring plate part for

generating a vibration corresponding to a low frequency

signal in a body; at least one exciting coil, provided on

the bottom of the integrated vibration system, vibrating

the vibrating plate part and the spring plate part

selectively according to an input signal.

Preferably, the integrated vibration system in

accordance with the present invention comprises a vibrating

plate part, mounted in the middle, for generating a sound

by resonating responsive to a high frequency signal and an

annular spring plate part, provided integrally on an outer

circumferential surface of the vibrating plate part, for generating a vibration by resonating responsive to a low

frequency signal.

More preferably, the vibrating plate part is

relatively thin and light to be suitable to resonate

responsive to a high frequency signal, whereas, the spring

plate part is correlatively thick and heavy to be fitted to

resonate responsive to a low frequency signal .

More preferably, the integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus in accordance with the present

invention comprises a first exciting coil mounted on the

bottom of the vibration plate part for generating a sound

responsive to a high frequency signal and a second exciting

coil established on the bottom of the spring plate part for

generating a vibration responsive to a low frequency signal

More specially, the integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus in accordance with the present

invention has an arrangement such that the first and second

exciting coils are both mounted on the bottom of the

integrated vibration system, especially, the first exciting coil being positioned into a gap between an outer

circumferential surface of a hat-shaped yoke and inner

circumferential surfaces of an annular magnet and a plate,

the second exciting coil being located on outer

circumferential surfaces of the annular magnet and the

plate, thus generating a stronger vibration and a louder

sound by making most use of the magnetic field produced in

the magnetic circuit part .

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general

description and the following detailed description are

exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide

further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to

provide a further understanding of the invention and are

incorporated in and constitute a party of this

specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and

together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention:

In the drawings :

Figs. 1 and 3 are a plan view and a perspective view,

respectively, showing a conventional integrated vibration

and sound generating apparatus;

Figs. 3 and 4 are a plan view and a perspective view,

respectively, showing an integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment

of the present invention;

Figs. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a perspective view,

respectively, showing an integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment

of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an integrated vibration

and sound generating apparatus in accordance with a third

embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 8 and 9 are a plan view and a perspective view,

respectively, showing an integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 10a, 10b and 10c are plan views illustrating

various methods for manufacturing an integrated vibration

system in accordance with the present invention; and

Figs. 11a, lib and lie are plan views illustrating

various configurations of an integrated vibration system in

accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred

embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are

illustrated in the accompanying drawings .

Now referring to Figs . 3 and 4 , an integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatus 100 in accordance

with a preferred embodiment comprises a cylindrical case 3

forming bottom in a body, a magnetic circuit part 10 fixed

to the bottom of the case 3 , an integrated vibration system

70, positioned on the top of the magnetic circuit part 10,

for generating a vibration and a sound, an exciting coil 80 mounted on the bottom of the integrated vibration system 70

and an upper cover 17 for protecting the integrated

vibration system 70 fixed to the case 3. Besides, there are

further provided an electric wire for transmitting a

frequency signal to the exciting coil 80 and a terminal

plate established on a peripheral portion, however, not

depicted.

The magnetic circuit part 10 includes a cylindrical

magnet 5, a coin-like plate 7 and a cup-like yoke 9. The

magnet 5 and the plate 7 are fixed in the middle of the

yoke 9 and define a gap between outer circumferential

surfaces of the magnet 5 and the plate 7 and an inner

circumferential surface of the yoke 9, wherein the exciting

coil is inserted. The integrated vibration system 70 is

mounted on the top of the magnetic circuit part 10. A

vibrating plate part 73 for generating a sound responsive

to a high frequency signal is provided in the middle of the

integrated vibration system 73 and an annular spring plate

part 75 for producing a vibration responsive to a low frequency signal is established on the outer circumference.

Here, the integrated vibration system 70 is formed in a

manner that the vibrating plate part 73 and the spring

plate part 75 are integrally formed by pressing a metal -

thin-plate, such as titanium, aluminum and the like, or by

resinating a plastic film, and the like, thus the two plate

part 73 and 75 having an intrinsic number of vibrations,

respectively. For example, as shown in Figs. 10a, 10b and

10c, the integrated vibration system 70 in accordance with

the present invention can be formed in such several manners

that a central portion of a relatively thick metal-thin-

plate 200 is pressed to provide integrally a thinner

vibrating plate part 210, or two annular spring plates 230

are attached onto upper and lower circumferences of a

relatively thin vibration plate 220 so as to make a

correlatively thick spring plate 230, or an elastic coated

layer 250 having a predetermined thickness, such as ceramic

coated layer, diamond- like carbon layer, metal thin layer

and the like, is coated on an upper or lower circumference of a relatively thin vibrating plate 240 so as to produce a

correlatively thick spring plate part. Moreover, the

integrated vibration system 70 is fixed to the case 3 by

means of the upper cover 17 and the exciting coil 80 under

the vibrating plate part 63 is inserted and into the gap of

the magnetic circuit part 10. Accordingly, when a signal of

high or low frequency is applied to the exciting coil 80,

an electromagnetic field of the exciting coil 80 varies,

thus producing an electromagnetic force in the magnetic

circuit part 10 as a consequence. Here, the vibration force

of the exciting coil 80 is directed to the vibrating plate

part 73 for generating a sound, since the exciting coil 80

is attached to the vibrating plate part 73 in a body.

Accordingly, if a high frequency signal is applied to the

exciting coil 80, the vibrating plate part 73 is resonated

to generate a predetermined sound, whereas, if the applied

signal is of a low frequency, the vibration of the

vibrating plate part 73 for generating a sound is directed

to the spring plate part 75, thus producing a body-sensible vibration.

Since the integrated vibration system 70 in accordance

with the present invention is composed of the vibrating

plate part 73 and the spring plate part 75, of which each

resonance frequency is different, the vibration of the

vibrating plate part 73 generated responsive to the high

frequency signal is not conveyed to the spring plate part

75. Besides, even though a low frequency signal below an

audio frequency band is applied to the exciting coil 80 and

the vibrating plate part 73 for generating a sound is

vibrated, there is not produced a sound. That is, since the

integrated vibration system 70 is integrally composed of

the vibrating plate part 73 generating a sound responsive

to a vibration caused by a high frequency band of 2KHz to

4KHz for example, and the spring plate part 75 generating a

vibration responsive to a vibration produced by a low

frequency band of 50Hz to 150Hz for example, if the signal

applied to the exciting coil 80 is of such a high frequency,

the vibrating plate part 73 is vibrated to generate an audible sound, whereas, if the signal is of such a low

frequency, the spring plate part 75 is vibrated to produce

a body-sensible vibration.

Meanwhile, it is preferred that the spring plate part

75 should be provided with various forms so as to enhance

the resonance efficiency for the signals having low

frequencies below the audio frequency band. For example, as

shown in Figs. 11a, lib and lie, a plurality of elastic

springs 72 or a plurality of penetrated apertures 74 can be

established around the peripheral portion of the spring

plate 75, thus decreasing the intrinsic number of vibration.

Next, referring to Figs. 5 and showing an integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatus in accordance with

a second embodiment of the present invention, a first

exciting coil 83 for generating a sound and a second

exciting coil for generating a vibration are separately

established on the bottom of the integrated vibration

system 70, thus increasing output of vibration and sound. A

magnetic circuit part 90 comprises an annular magnet 95, an annular plate 97 and a yoke 99 including a flange and a

hat -like cylinder. The magnet 95 and the plate 97 are piled

on the flange of the yoke 99, thus defining a gap between

inner circumferential surfaces of the magnet 95 and the

plate 97 and an outer circumferential surface of the yoke

99, wherein a spring plate part 75 for generating a

vibration is inserted. Besides, the second exciting coil 85

for generating a vibration is positioned on outer

circumferential surfaces of the magnet 95 and the plate 97.

Accordingly, when a high frequency signal is applied to the

first and second exciting coils 83 and 85, there is

generated an electromagnetic force vibrating the first and

second exciting coils 83 and 85 up and down, interacting

with a magnetic field produced in the magnetic circuit part

90. That is, since the magnetic flux of the magnetic

circuit part 90 is produced on the outer circumferential

surface of the magnet 95 as well as in the gap, it is

possible to make most use of the magnetic field generated

in the magnetic circuit part 90 by installing the first and second exciting coils 83 and 85 on the inner and outer

circumferential surfaces of the magnet 95, respectively.

As such a consequence, if a high frequency signal is

applied to the two exciting coils 83 and 85, the first

exciting coil 83 and the vibrating plate part 73 are

vibrated responsive to the high frequency signal, thus

generating a audible sound. However, the second exciting

coil 85 and the vibrating plate part 75 don't produce a

vibration since their intrinsic vibration numbers are

different with each other. Meantime, if necessary, it is

possible to prevent the transfer of the high frequency

vibration to the case 3 by decreasing the intrinsic

vibration number in a manner that a weight 63, depicted in

Fig. 8, is attached onto a peripheral portion of the spring

plate part 75.

On the other hand, if a low frequency signal is

applied, the second exciting coil 85 and spring plate part

75 are vibrated responsive to the low frequency signal,

thus generating a body-sensible vibration. Here, the first exciting coil 83 and the vibrating plate part 73 is

vibrated responsive to the low frequency signal, however,

there is not produced an audible sound since the vibration

is below the audio frequency band.

Meantime, the vibrating plate part 73 for generating a

sound can be made with various forms and materials to

obtain a desired sound quality. That is, the vibrating

plate part 73 in accordance with the present invention can

be of a flat board, or of a curved board having a plurality

of curves on a concentric circle, for example.

Next, the integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus 100 in accordance with a third embodiment of the

present invention, depicted in Fig. 7, further includes a

cylindrical vertical wall established on the outer

circumferential surface of the yoke 99 in a body so as to

increase density of the magnetic flux produced on the

peripheral portion of the magnet 95.

Figs. 8 and 9 shows an integrated vibration and sound

generating apparatus, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, which minimizes volume of the

apparatus and reduces number of components by utilizing a

cylindrical yoke 98 as the cylindrical case 3 instead.

According to such configurations of the integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatus of the present

invention, when a signal having an audible frequency band

of 2KHz to 4KHz is applied to the exciting coil, the

exciting coil is vibrated up and down responsive to the

electromagnetic force generated by interacting with the

magnetic circuit part. Subsequently, the vibrating plate

part to which the exciting coil is attached is resonated

responsive to the high frequency signal, thus producing an

audible sound. However, when a signal having a frequency

below an audible frequency band of 50Hz to 250Hz, the

spring plate part is vibrated responsive to a low resonance

frequency, thus producing a body-sensible vibration. Here,

even though the exciting coil for generating a sound is

vibrated, it cannot produce an audible sound since the

vibration frequency is below the audio frequency. Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention, it is possible to

provide an integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus which minimizes volume of the apparatus and

reduces number of components by incorporating a vibrating

plate part for generating a sound responsive to a high

frequency signal and a spring plate part for producing a

vibration responsive to a low frequency signal in a body,

thus meeting a recent tendency toward miniaturization and

simplification of mobile terminals.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide an integrated

vibration and sound generating apparatus in accordance with

the present invention which increases output of vibration

and sound by installing an exciting coil for generating a

sound and another exciting coil for producing a vibration

on the bottom of an integrated vibration system,

respectively, so as to make most use of an electromagnetic

force generated in a magnetic circuit part. It is intended that the present invention cover the

modifications and variations of this invention provided

they come within the scope of the appended claims and their

equivalents .

Claims

1. An integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus adapted to produce a body-sensible vibration and

an audible sound selectively according to a user's selection

comprising:

a cylindrical case;

a magnetic circuit part, mounted in said case,

generating a magnetic field;

an integrated vibration system, established on a top

side of said magnetic circuit part, incorporating a

vibrating plate part for generating a sound responsive to a

high frequency signal and a spring plate part for generating

a vibration corresponding to a low frequency signal in a

body,- and

at least one exciting coil, attached onto a bottom side

of said integrated vibration system, vibrating the vibrating

plate part and the spring plate part selectively according

to an input signal .

2. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said integrated

vibration system comprises:

a vibrating plate part, mounted in the middle,

generating a sound by resonating responsive to a high

frequency signal; and

an annular spring plate part, provided integrally on

an outer circumferential surface of said vibrating plate

part, generating a vibration by resonating responsive to a

low frequency signal.

3. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said vibrating

plate part is relatively thin and light to be suitable to

resonate responsive to a high frequency signal, whereas,

said spring plate part is correlatively thick and heavy to

be fitted to resonate responsive to a low frequency signal

The integrated vibration and sound generating apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated

vibration system is formed in a manner that a central

portion of a relatively thick metal-thin-plate suitable to

resonate responsive to a low frequency signal is pressed to

provide a thinner vibrating plate part fitted to resonate

responsive to a high frequency signal .

5. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated

vibration system is formed in a manner that two annular

spring plates are attached onto upper and lower

circumferences of a relatively thin vibration plate so as

to make a correlatively thick spring plate.

6. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated

vibration system is formed in a manner that an elastic

coated layer having a predetermined thickness is coated on

an upper or lower circumference of a relatively thin vibrating plate so as to produce a correlatively thick

spring plate part.

7. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated

vibration system is formed in a manner that a plurality of

elastic springs are provided around a peripheral portion of

said spring plate part so as to enhance a low frequency

resonance characteristic.

8. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated

vibration system is formed in a manner that a plurality of

penetrated apertures are established around a peripheral

portion of said spring plate part so as to enhance a low

frequency resonance characteristic.

9. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said integrated vibration system is formed in a manner that a weight is

attached onto a peripheral portion of said spring plate

part so as to enhance a low frequency resonance

characteristic .

10. An integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus adapted to produce a body-sensible vibration and

an audible sound selectively according to a user's selection

comprising:

a cylindrical case;

a magnetic circuit part, mounted in said case,

generating a magnetic field;

an integrated vibration system, established on an upper

side of said magnetic circuit part, incorporating a

vibrating plate part for generating a sound and a spring

plate part for generating a vibration in a body, of which

each resonance frequency is different;

a first exciting coil, attached onto a bottom side of

said vibrating plate part of said integrated vibration system, generating a sound; and

a second exciting coil, clung onto a bottom side of

said spring plate part of said integrated vibration system,

producing a vibration,

whereby an output of vibration and sound is increased

by making most use of said magnetic field of said magnetic

circuit part.

11. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said magnetic

circuit part includes an annular magnet, an annular plate

and a yoke having a flange and a hat -shape cylinder, a

cylindrical vertical wall being provided on an outer

circumference of said flange of said yoke.

12. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 10 or 11, wherein said first

exciting coil is inserted in a gap defined between an outer

circumferential surface of a said yoke and inner circumferential surfaces of said magnet and said plate, and

said second exciting coil is positioned on outer

circumferential surfaces of said magnet and said plate,

whereby an output of vibration and sound is increased

by making most use of said magnetic field generated on said

inner and outer circumferential surfaces of said magnet.

13. The integrated vibration and sound generating

apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a shelf is

provided on an upper side of said wall so as to fix said

integrated vibration system and an upper cover.