Linear actuators for use in electronic devices
First Claim
1. An actuator for an electronic device, comprising:
- a housing;
a frame disposed within the housing;
multiple magnets positioned within the frame;
a set of spacers positioned within the frame, each of the spacers in the set separating two magnets of the multiple magnets;
a group of coils surrounding a portion of the multiple magnets and positioned within the frame;
a main mass affixed to a first magnet of the multiple magnets;
an end mass affixed to a second magnet of the multiple magnets;
a first shaft end of a shaft received within, and extending from, the main mass;
a second shaft end of the shaft received within, and extending from, the end mass;
a first bearing encircling the first shaft end;
a second bearing encircling the second shaft end;
a first end cap affixed to the housing and defining a first aperture;
a second end cap affixed to the housing and defining a second aperture;
a first spring around the first shaft end outside the frame and constrained by the first end cap and the main mass;
a second spring around the second shaft end outside the frame and constrained by the second end cap and the end mass; and
guide rails configured to constrain a motion of the multiple magnets, the main mass, and the end mass;
whereinthe multiple magnets, the main mass, the frame, and the end mass are configured to move along the guide rails.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments described herein may take the form of an electromagnetic actuator that produces a haptic output during operation. Generally, an electromagnetic coil is wrapped around a central magnet array. A shaft passes through the central magnet array, such that the central array may move along the shaft when the proper force is applied. When a current passes through the electromagnetic coil, the coil generates a magnetic field. The coil is stationary with respect to a housing of the actuator, while the central magnet array may move along the shaft within the housing. Thus, excitation of the coil exerts a force on the central magnet array, which moves in response to that force. The direction of the current through the coil determines the direction of the magnetic field and thus the motion of the central magnet array.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An actuator for an electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a frame disposed within the housing; multiple magnets positioned within the frame; a set of spacers positioned within the frame, each of the spacers in the set separating two magnets of the multiple magnets; a group of coils surrounding a portion of the multiple magnets and positioned within the frame; a main mass affixed to a first magnet of the multiple magnets; an end mass affixed to a second magnet of the multiple magnets; a first shaft end of a shaft received within, and extending from, the main mass; a second shaft end of the shaft received within, and extending from, the end mass; a first bearing encircling the first shaft end; a second bearing encircling the second shaft end; a first end cap affixed to the housing and defining a first aperture; a second end cap affixed to the housing and defining a second aperture; a first spring around the first shaft end outside the frame and constrained by the first end cap and the main mass; a second spring around the second shaft end outside the frame and constrained by the second end cap and the end mass; and guide rails configured to constrain a motion of the multiple magnets, the main mass, and the end mass;
whereinthe multiple magnets, the main mass, the frame, and the end mass are configured to move along the guide rails. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing haptic feedback, comprising:
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energizing multiple coils of an actuator that includes; a housing; a frame disposed within the housing, the multiple coils positioned within the frame; multiple magnets positioned within the frame, the multiple coils surrounding a portion of the multiple magnets; a set of spacers positioned within the frame, each of the spacers in the set separating two magnets of the multiple magnets; a main mass affixed to a first magnet of the multiple magnets; an end mass affixed to a second magnet of the multiple magnets; a first shaft received within, and extending from, the main mass; a second shaft received within, and extending from, the end mass; a first bearing encircling the first shaft; a second bearing encircling the second shaft; a first end cap affixed to the housing and defining a first aperture; a second end cap affixed to the housing and defining a second aperture; a first spring around the first shaft outside the frame and constrained by the first end cap and the main mass; a second spring around the second shaft outside the frame and constrained by the second end cap and the end mass; and guide rails configured to constrain a motion of the multiple magnets, the main mass, and the end mass; moving the multiple magnets and the frame in a first direction in response to energizing the multiple coils, thereby compressing the first spring; moving the first shaft in the first direction; de-energizing the multiple coils; expanding the first spring, thereby returning the multiple magnets to an initial magnet position and the first shaft to an initial shaft position; moving the multiple magnets and the frame in a second direction, thereby compressing the second spring; moving the second shaft in the second direction; and expanding the second spring, thereby returning the multiple magnets to the initial magnet position and the second shaft to a second initial shaft position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An actuator for an electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; an array cap disposed within the housing; multiple magnets positioned at least partially within the array cap; a set of spacers positioned at least partially within the array cap, each of the spacers in the set separating two magnets of the multiple magnets; a group of coils surrounding a portion of the multiple magnets and positioned at least partially within the array cap; a main mass affixed to a first magnet of the multiple magnets; an end mass affixed to a second magnet of the multiple magnets; a first shaft received within, and extending from, the main mass; a second shaft received within, and extending from, the end mass; a first bearing encircling the first shaft; a second bearing encircling the second shaft; a first end cap affixed to the housing and defining a first aperture; a second end cap affixed to the housing and defining a second aperture; a first spring around the first shaft outside the array cap and constrained by the first end cap and the main mass; a second spring around the second shaft outside the array cap and constrained by the second end cap and the end mass; and guide rails configured to constrain a motion of the multiple magnets, the main mass, and the end mass;
whereinthe multiple magnets, the main mass, the array cap, and the end mass are configured to move along the guide rails. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification