Actuator for a tactile interface module with haptic feedback

• US 10,146,309 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DAV Société par actions simplifiée
• Original Assignee: DAV Société par actions simplifiée
• Inventors: Tissot, Jean-Marc, Aubry, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Reed, Stephen T
• Application Number:
  US14/651,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20150316987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,839 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator for a tactile interface module (1) with haptic feedback, to be connected to a tactile surface (3) that can detect pressure by a user and can generate haptic feedback according to a detected pressure, and comprising: a frame (11); a mobile core (13) cooperating with the frame (11), to be movably driven between end positions in order to generate the haptic feedback; electromagnetic actuating means (15, 17) for movably driving the mobile core (13); fixing elements (23) for connecting the actuator to the tactile surface (3); and elastic means (21) defining an idle position of the mobile core (13) in the absence of the actuating means (15, 17) driving the core, characterized in that the elastic means (21) are arranged around the fixing elements (23).

Claims

1. An actuator for a touch interface module with haptic feedback, configured to be linked to a touch surface suitable for detecting a contact by a user, and suitable for generating a haptic feedback as a function of a detected contact and comprising:

a frame;

a mobile core cooperating with the frame, the mobile core configured to be driven in movement between extreme positions by electromagnetic actuation means in the mobile core and in the frame, and configured to alternate acceleration and deceleration phases, to drive movement of the touch surface to generate the haptic feedback;

electromagnetic actuation means for driving the mobile core in movement;

fixing elements configured to link the actuator to the touch surface; and

elastic means comprising a first spring and a second spring disposed on opposite sides of the mobile core and coupled to the fixing elements, the elastic means defining a floating rest position of the mobile core in the absence of driving by the actuation means,

wherein the fixing elements form a guide for the movement of the mobile core,

wherein the elastic means are arranged around said fixing elements, and

wherein the floating rest position is a predetermined position along the guide that is implemented by the elastic means.

2. The actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first spring and the second spring are helical springs wound around the fixing elements.

3. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the elastic means comprise spring blades which in turn include piercings, the fixing elements passing through said piercings.

4. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the elastic means comprise an elastic material selected from the group consisting of urethane, an expanded polymer, an ionically cross-linked polymer, and rubber.

5. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the elastic means are compression prestressed.

6. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the fixing elements comprise screws.

7. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the fixing elements comprise rivets.

8. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the fixing elements comprise domed-headed plastic rods.

9. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the mobile core comprises at least one magnet, and the frame comprises a coil.

10. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 the frame comprises a body bearing a part of the actuation means and a support-forming bottom, and in that the body and the bottom comprise a temporary fixing, assembled by the fixing elements.

11. The actuator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the temporary fixing comprises a clipping by shape co-operation.

12. A touch interface module with haptic feedback comprising:

a touch surface suitable for detecting a contact by a user; and

an actuator suitable for generating a haptic feedback as a function of a detected contact and comprising;

a frame,

a mobile core cooperating with the frame, the mobile core configured to be driven in movement between extreme positions by electromagnetic actuation means in the mobile core and in the frame, and configured to alternate acceleration and deceleration phases, to drive movement of the touch surface to generate the haptic feedback,

electromagnetic actuation means for driving the mobile core in movement,

fixing elements configured to link the actuator to the touch surface,

elastic means comprising a first spring and a second spring disposed on opposite sides of the mobile core and coupled to the fixing elements, the elastic means defining a floating rest position of the mobile core in the absence of driving by the actuation means, wherein the fixing elements form a guide for the movement of the mobile core and the elastic means are arranged around said guide-forming fixing elements,

wherein the floating rest position is a predetermined position along the guide that is implemented by the elastic means.