Design and Analysis of a Three-Degree-of-Freedom Linear Oscillatory Actuator

Oscillatory actuators are expected for various applications such as entertainment systems, consumer products, and so on. In addition, the oscillatory motion is expanded to multiple-degrees-of-freedom. A three-degree-of-freedom linear oscillatory actuator (3DOF-LOA) has been developed. A conventional 3DOF-LOA needs five sets of coils for a three-degree-of-freedom motion, and the forces on each axis have interfered with each other. This article proposes a novel 3DOF-LOA with three sets of coils, and its forces on each axis do not interfere with each other. The magnetic structure and the operating principle of the proposed 3DOF-LOA are described. The force characteristics are calculated using a 3-D finite-element method. It is investigated that the proposed actuator can be driven three-axis by only three-coils, and has no interference of forces between each axis.