Patent ID: 6996228

Claim:
In a communicator appliance, a device for generating a vibration to provide a signal to the user, said signal indicating incoming communications comprising: a housing for enclosing components of the appliance, said housing having a separate compartment constructed therein to accommodate a vibration generating device; a stator mounted in the separate compartment having means to receive a rotor for rotation thereon about an axis, said means to receive the rotor further comprising: an upstanding post having an axially extending bore therein; a pin extending downward from a rotor at an axis of rotation; and wherein, in the assembled position, said pin is inserted into said bore for axial rotation of said rotor on said stator; a plurality of windings mounted and circumferentially spaced on the stator, each of said windings having means to connect a voltage thereto; wherein said rotor is mounted for rotation on the stator within the separate compartment, said rotor constructed of a permanently magnetized material, said rotor being further formed and mounted for magnetic coupling with the stator coils, said rotor constructed in the form of a substantially flat disc of less than a fully cylindrical shape to position its center of mass eccentric to the axis of rotation; a controller connected to a voltage source and constructed to sequentially supply a series of drive pulses to the stator windings by electrical commutation, so as impart rotation to the permanent magnet rotor in response to the incoming communication; and wherein the stator and rotor are assembled in a compact operative relation and mounted within the compartment.