Magnetic actuator for providing haptic feedback

• US 20060044271A1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Anastas, George V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,013,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

Apparatus for providing haptic feedback are described. One described apparatus comprises a braking surface, an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface, a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the braking surface, and a damping material disposed within the gap.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a braking surface;

an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface;

a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and

a damping material disposed within the gap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the braking surface comprises at least one of a cylinder, ovoid, and polygon.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the braking surface further comprises a first length and the electromagnet core comprises a second length, the first length greater than the second length.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the damping material disposed within the gap is in communication with the electromagnet core and the disk.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the damping material comprises a damping grease.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the damping material comprises a grease, a silicone gel, a compliant pad, or a fibrous washer in conjunction with a grease or silicone gel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disk is configured to move axially and rotationally.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disk comprises a manipulandum.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a manipulandum; and

a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising;

a braking surface;

an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface;

a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and

a damping material disposed within the gap.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the braking surface comprises at least one of a cylinder, ovoid, and polygon.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the braking surface further comprises a first length and the electromagnet core comprises a second length, the first length greater than the second length.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a housing, wherein the manipulandum and the resistive actuator are disposed within the housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing comprises at least one of a cellular phone, PDA, and camera.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the damping material disposed within the gap is in communication with the electromagnet core and the disk.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the damping material comprises damping grease.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the damping material comprises a grease, a silicone gel, a compliant pad, or a fibrous washer in conjunction with a grease or silicone gel.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the disk is configured to move axially and rotationally.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the manipulandum comprises at least one of a scroll wheel, knob, dial, and rotary handle.

21. A method comprising:

providing a braking surface;

providing an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface;

providing a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and

providing a damping material disposed within the gap.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.

23. A method comprising:

providing a manipulandum; and

providing a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising;

an braking surface;

an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface;

a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and

a damping material disposed with the gap.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a manipulandum; and

a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising;

a cylindrical braking surface having a braking surface length,

a cylindrical electromagnet core disposed in the cylindrical braking surface, the cylindrical electromagnetic core having an electromagnetic core length less than the braking surface length,

a disk operable to contact the cylindrical braking surface thereby defining a gap between the disk and the cylindrical electromagnet core, and

a damping material disposed within the gap, the damping material comprising a damping grease; and

a processor configured to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.