PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR FOR HAPTIC DEVICE

• US 20130127607A1
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TDK Electronics AG (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Parker, Daniel Gregory, Visitacion, Allan, Jones, Trevor, Olien, Neil, Jiang, Li, Imoto, Kohei, Ferro, Jesica
• Granted Patent: US 8,890,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/2042 Cantilevers, i.e. having one fixed end
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/88 Mounts; Supports; Enclosures; Casings

Abstract

A haptic device includes a flexible holder; an elongated piezo bender supported at one end thereof by the holder; a mass supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned at an end of the elongated piezo bender opposite the end supported by the holder; and an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender.

Claims

1. A haptic device, comprising:

a flexible holder;

an elongated piezo bender supported at one end thereof by the holder;

a mass supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned at an end of the elongated piezo bender opposite the end supported by the holder; and

an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender.

2. The haptic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible holder comprises a structure and an epoxy material configured to attach the elongated piezo bender to the structure.

3. The haptic device according to claim 1, wherein a clamping factor provided by the flexible holder is between about 1 and about 3.

4. The haptic device according to claim 3, wherein the clamping factor is between about 1 and about 2.

5. The haptic device according to claim 4, wherein the clamping factor is between about 1 and about 1.5.

6. The haptic device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to cover the elongated piezo bender and the mass.

7. The haptic device according to claim 6, further comprising a stop positioned between the cover and the elongated piezo bender.

8. The haptic device according to claim 6, further comprising a stop positioned between the cover and the mass.