Design and Analysis of Linear Vibration Motor Equipped with Permanent-Magnet Springs and Voice-Coil Actuators

In order to use a linear vibration motor for the actuator of a haptic interface, the motor must provide a higher reaction rate and longer service life than typical rotational motors with an eccentric mass. In this paper, we propose a linear vibration motor that is equipped with a voice-coil actuator and permanent-magnet springs. To concentrate the magnetic flux in the actuator, a Halbach-style magnetization pattern is used. Permanent-magnet springs replace mechanical springs to help increase the service life. We use the method of equivalent current sheets and the method of images to analyze and model the proposed vibration motor. These methods are validated using finite element analyses and experiments. A prototype motor is designed and fabricated. Tests with the prototype show the feasibility of the proposed linear vibration motor.