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Piezoelectric actuator apparatus and methods

  • US 10,429,929 B2
  • Filed: 09/24/2010
  • Issued: 10/01/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A piezoelectric actuator assembly to provide tactile feedback to a user of an electronic device, the piezoelectric actuator assembly comprising:

  • a support plate having a recessed surface extending partially between a first side of the support plate and a second side of the support plate;

    a conductive contact directly attached to the recessed surface that provides an electrical connection to a piezoelectric element;

    the piezoelectric element having a first layer composed of an electrically conductive material and a second layer adjacent the first layer and composed of a piezoelectric material, the first layer composed of the electrically conductive material being sandwiched between the conductive contact and the second layer composed of the piezoelectric material, a bottom surface of the first layer of the piezoelectric element being directly in contact with a top surface of the conductive contact, and the second layer being on top of the first layer;

    a flexible conductive lead electrically coupling the second layer of the piezoelectric element to a ground; and

    wherein the support plate includes a conductive trace, the conductive trace connecting the conductive contact and a connector adjacent an edge of the support plate, wherein a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element through the connector and the conductive trace, and the conductive trace is fixed on the support plate and different than the flexible conductive lead.

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