Apparatus and method for direct delivery of haptic energy to touch surface
First Claim
1. A force-based haptic switch panel, comprising:
- a touch plate having first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a touch surface and the second surface opposing the first surface;
a circuit board having a plurality of force sensors electrically coupled thereto, the force sensors disposed between the circuit board and the second surface of the touch plate, wherein each force sensor measures a respective portion of a force applied to the touch surface of the touch plate;
an actuator affixed to the second surface of the touch plate and configured to generate a mechanical output to the touch plate, wherein the actuator is secured directly to the second surface; and
wherein the circuit board comprises a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface being spaced apart and opposite the second planar surface, and wherein the first and second planar surfaces define an opening that extends through the first and second planar surfaces, and at least a portion of the actuator extends through the opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A force-based haptic switch panel comprises a touch plate having first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a touch surface and the second surface opposing the first surface. The switch panel also comprises a circuit board having a plurality of force sensors electrically coupled thereto. The force sensors are disposed between the circuit board and the second surface of the touch plate, and each force sensor is configured to measure a respective portion of a force applied to the touch surface of the touch plate. The switch panel also comprises an actuator affixed to the second surface of the touch plate and configured to generate a mechanical output to the touch plate, wherein the circuit board comprises a passage for allowing a portion of the actuator to pass therethrough.
179 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A force-based haptic switch panel, comprising:
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a touch plate having first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a touch surface and the second surface opposing the first surface; a circuit board having a plurality of force sensors electrically coupled thereto, the force sensors disposed between the circuit board and the second surface of the touch plate, wherein each force sensor measures a respective portion of a force applied to the touch surface of the touch plate; an actuator affixed to the second surface of the touch plate and configured to generate a mechanical output to the touch plate, wherein the actuator is secured directly to the second surface; and wherein the circuit board comprises a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface being spaced apart and opposite the second planar surface, and wherein the first and second planar surfaces define an opening that extends through the first and second planar surfaces, and at least a portion of the actuator extends through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for delivery of mechanical energy to a touch surface of a haptic switch panel, the method comprising:
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measuring, by at least one force sensor, a force applied to a touch surface of a touch plate; generating, by an acoustic actuator affixed directly to a central portion of a second surface of the touch plate wherein the central portion of the second surface is spaced apart from a perimeter of the touch plate, a first mechanical output energy responsive to a first force value associated with the measured force, the first mechanical output energy including a first haptic output and a first audible output; and generating, by the acoustic actuator, a second mechanical output energy responsive to a second force value associated with the measured force, the second mechanical output energy including a second haptic output. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle, comprising:
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one or more ground-engaging devices; a steering interface, coupled to one or more ground-engaging devices and comprising a rim portion and a hub portion, the rim portion graspable by an operator of a vehicle; a touch plate having first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a touch surface and the second surface opposing the first surface; a circuit board having a plurality of force sensors electrically coupled thereto, the force sensors disposed between the circuit board and the second surface of the touch plate, wherein each force sensor measures a respective portion of a force applied to the touch surface of the touch plate; an actuator affixed to the second surface of the touch plate to generate a mechanical output to the touch plate, wherein the actuator is secured directly to the second surface; and a processor, communicatively coupled to the actuator and the plurality of force sensors, and configured to provide a plurality of different control signals for causing the actuator to generate the mechanical output, each haptic control signal associated with a respective force value applied to the touch surface, wherein the circuit board comprises a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface being spaced apart and opposite the second planar surface, and wherein the first and second planar surfaces define an opening that extends through the first and second planar surfaces, and at least a portion of the actuator extends through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification