TOUCH PANEL ASSEMBLY WITH HAPTIC EFFECTS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURUING THEREOF

• US 20100238132A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: SCHMIDT, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,976,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

An assembly for providing haptic effects includes a panel adapted to be mated to another structure, a frame placed around and spaced apart from the panel, at least one flexible coupling to connect the panel to the frame, a display connected to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel, and a touch screen assembly connected to the frame. The touch screen assembly is placed over the display.

Claims

1. An assembly for providing haptic effects, the assembly comprising:

a panel adapted to be coupled to another structure;

a frame disposed around and spaced apart from the panel;

at least one flexible coupling to couple the panel to the frame;

a display coupled to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel; and

a touch screen assembly coupled to the frame and disposed over the display.

2. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes one or more extensions.

3. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 2, wherein the panel includes one or more cutouts to receive a respective one of the one or more extensions of the frame.

4. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 3, wherein the at least one flexible coupling is disposed near the one or extensions and its respective one or more cutouts.

5. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 1, further comprising a haptic actuator coupled to the panel and the frame.

6. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 5, wherein the haptic actuator is a linear actuator.

7. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 5, wherein the haptic actuator includes an eccentric rotary mass.

8. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible coupling further comprises a loop.

9. An assembly for providing haptic effects, the assembly comprising:

a panel adapted to be coupled to another structure, the panel including one or more cutouts extending into the panel;

a frame disposed around and spaced apart from the panel, the frame including one or more extensions extending away from the frame and received by a respective one of the one or more cutouts;

at least one flexible coupling to couple the panel to the frame, the at least one flexible coupling including a loop;

a display coupled to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel; and

a touch screen assembly coupled to the frame and disposed over the display.

10. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 9, wherein the at least one flexible coupling is disposed near the one or extensions and its respective one or more cutouts.

11. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 9, further comprising a haptic actuator coupled to the panel and the frame.

12. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 11, wherein the haptic actuator is a linear actuator.

13. An assembly for providing haptic effects according to claim 11, wherein the haptic actuator includes an eccentric rotary mass.

14. An assembly with haptic effects, the assembly comprising:

a panel adapted to be coupled to a vehicle, the panel including one or more cutouts extending into the panel;

a frame disposed around and spaced apart from the panel, the frame including one or more extensions extending away from the frame and received by a respective one of the one or more cutouts;

at least one flexible coupling to couple the panel to the frame, the at least one flexible coupling including a loop;

a haptic actuator coupled to the frame and the panel;

an input device coupled to the frame adapted to cause movement of the frame when an input is received; and

a display coupled to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel and disposed under the input device.

15. An assembly with haptic effects according to claim 14, wherein the frame includes one or more extensions.

16. An assembly with haptic effects according to claim 15, wherein the panel includes one or more cutouts to receive a respective one of the one or more extensions of the frame.

17. An assembly with haptic effects according to claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible coupling is disposed near the one or extensions and its respective one or more cutouts.

18. An assembly with haptic effects according to claim 14 wherein the haptic actuator is a linear actuator.

19. An assembly with haptic effects according to claim 14, wherein the haptic actuator includes an eccentric rotary mass.