PIEZOELECTRIC HAPTIC FEEDBACK STRUCTURE

• US 20170153703A1
• Filed: 11/30/2015
• Published: 06/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Yun, Gahn, Picciotto, Carl, Longo, Sheila A., Marwah, Rahul, Fitz-Coy, Aric Ahkeel, Nelson, John Jacob
• Application Number:
  US14/954,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20170153703A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A piezoelectric haptic feedback structure disclosed herein includes a supporting base defining a cavity and a piezoelectric actuator assembly at least partially suspended within the cavity. A perimeter hinge secures a perimeter portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly while permitting movement of a central portion of a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator haptic feedback structure further includes a force-communicating structure that communicates haptic feedback responsive to movement of the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly within the cavity.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a supporting base defining a cavity;

a piezoelectric actuator assembly at least partially suspended within the cavity;

a perimeter hinge securing a perimeter portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly while permitting movement of a central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly; and

a force-communicator configured to communicate haptic feedback based at least on movement of the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric actuator assembly includes a portion that rests within an upper tier of the cavity and another portion suspended within a lower tier of the cavity with a smaller diameter than the upper tier of the cavity.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter hinge is a two-way hinge.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the two-way hinge is a flexible annular retention plate that clamps a thin metal support of the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the supporting base.

5. The input device of claim 3, wherein the perimeter hinge is a v-grooved support ring.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter hinge is formed by a spherical support surface within the cavity and at least one clamp that secures the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the spherical support surface.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the force-communicator contacts a surface of the piezoelectric actuator assembly opposite the cavity.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the force-communicator transfers pressure applied by an object to the piezoelectric actuator assembly to move the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly toward a base of the cavity.

9. A haptic feedback device comprising:

a supporting base defining a cavity sized and shaped to receive a portion of a piezoelectric actuator assembly;

a perimeter hinge securing a perimeter portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the supporting base while permitting movement of a central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly within the cavity; and

a force-communicator configured to communicate haptic feedback based at least on movement of the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly.

10. The haptic feedback device of claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric actuator assembly includes a portion that rests within an upper tier of the cavity and another portion suspended within a lower tier of the cavity with a smaller diameter than the upper tier of the cavity.

11. The haptic feedback device of claim 9, wherein the perimeter hinge is a two-way hinge.

12. The haptic feedback device of claim 11, wherein the two-way hinge is a flexible annular retention plate that clamps a thin metal support of the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the supporting base.

13. The haptic feedback device of claim 11, wherein the perimeter hinge is v-grooved support ring.

14. The haptic feedback device of claim 9, wherein the perimeter hinge is formed by a spherical support surface within the cavity and at least one clamp that secures the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the spherical support surface.

15. The haptic feedback device of claim 9, wherein the force-communicator includes a wide neck portion and a narrow base portion and is further configured to receive pressure at the wide neck portion and transfer the pressure to the piezoelectric actuator assembly through the narrow base portion.

16. The haptic feedback device of claim 9, wherein the force-communicator transfers pressure applied by an object to the piezoelectric actuator assembly to move the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly toward a base of the cavity.

17. A method comprising:

moving a central portion of a piezoelectric actuator assembly to communicate a force, the piezoelectric actuator secured at a plurality of perimeter points and at least partially suspended within a cavity defined by a supporting base; and

communicating haptic feedback via a force-communicator based on movement of the piezoelectric actuator assembly within the cavity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly further comprises:

applying pressure to the force-communicator to move the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly toward a base of the cavity; and

receiving the haptic feedback at the force-communicator responsive to the application of pressure.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the circular hinge is a flexible annular retention plate that clamps a thin metal support of the piezoelectric actuator assembly against the supporting base.

19. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving the applied pressure at a wide neck portion of the force-communicator; and

transferring the pressure to the piezoelectric actuator assembly through a narrow base portion of the force-communicator.