A research group made up of Associate Professor Akira Heya, Graduate Student Izuru Naito, and Professor Tsuyoshi Inoue of the Graduate School of Engineering at Nagoya University announced the development of a high-power, compact "3D vibration motor (XReactor: Cross-reactor)" that vibrates in all directions in three dimensions using only three coils for use as a next-generation haptic interface. Three coils are wound around the vibrator from the inside to the outside. When each coil is energized, the magnetic attractive and repulsive forces between the coils and permanent magnets create vibrations in all directions. This result is expected to advance equipment that uses vibration in a wide range of fields. The prototype was exhibited at the "University Trade Fair - Innovation Japan" held at Tokyo Big Sight on August 22 and 23.
In recent years, vibration devices that provide haptic experiences such as touch and reaction force in the metaverse, VR, AR, and MR contents have been attracting attention. Generally, vibration devices can only vibrate on one axis, and three-dimensional vibration requires a combination of at least three vibration motors. This leads to issues such as the generation of moments due to the misalignment of the center of vibration of each motor as well as the increased size and weight.
In these developments, the researchers developed a motor that can vibrate in three dimensions with a single unit. Three coils were wound orthogonally around the vibrator, stacked from the inside to the outside. When the coils are energized, magnetic flux is generated in three axial directions. This structure enables three-dimensional vibration through the magnetic attractive and repulsive forces generated between the three coils and the permanent magnets when the coils are energized.
The prototype measured 20 × 20 × 20 mm3 and weighed 34.5 g, making it compact and lightweight. It can be used on all devices that use vibration, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and game controllers. Furthermore, it is expected to be used as a new 3D navigation system for visually impaired personnel. In the future, their research will focus on the commercialization of the developed prototype, which will be conducted under the NEDO's NEP Front-runner Course that began this fiscal year.
Heya said, "Vibration motors are used in various everyday devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and game controllers. By equipping these vibration devices with 3D vibration motors, advanced 3D haptic sensations (the sensation of force or pressure when touching an object) can be experienced via vibration. We will continue our research to develop new services and systems that utilize 3D vibration motors."
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