VIBRATORY ACTUATOR AND DEVICE FOR SEXUAL STIMULATION

• US 20170156971A1
• Filed: 02/15/2017
• Published: 06/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crave Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crave Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Wood, Edwin, Murphy, Andrew, Hjartar, Kristrun, Topolovac, Michael, Chang, Tian Yi
• Granted Patent: US 10,357,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/30 Devices for external stimulation of the genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/34 For clitoral stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/40 Devices insertable in the genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/0272 multiple masses each rotated by an individual motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0107 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0165 Damping, vibration related features
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 : using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/04 : with hydraulic or pneumatic drive hydraulic or Pneumatic massages, A61H9/00; underwater massages, A61H33/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 : with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 : Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 : of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 : infrared

Abstract

A device for sexual stimulation includes: a support structure defining a centerline; a first vibratory actuator including a first motor, a first output shaft, and a first eccentric mass coupled to the first output shaft, the first vibratory actuator elastically coupled to the support structure opposite the first eccentric mass in a cantilever configuration; a second vibratory actuator including a second motor, a second output shaft, and a second eccentric mass coupled to the second output shaft, the second vibratory actuator elastically coupled to the support structure opposite the second eccentric mass in a cantilever configuration, the first vibratory actuator and the second vibratory actuator substantially parallel and arranged on opposing sides of the centerline; and a sheath including a first section arranged over the first vibratory actuator, a second section arranged over the second vibratory actuator, and a third section arranged over a portion of the support structure.

Claims

1. A device for sexual stimulation, comprising:

an interaction module comprising;

a first unitary housing comprising a first electrical port; and

a haptic stimulation unit enclosed by the first unitary housing, the haptic stimulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrical port;

a power module comprising;

a second unitary housing comprising a second electrical port, the second unitary housing removably mechanically coupled to the first unitary housing by the first and second electrical ports, the second electrical port removably electrically coupled to the first electrical port;

a rechargeable battery enclosed by the second unitary housing, the rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the second electrical port; and

an input mechanism; and

a stimulation unit driver electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery, the haptic stimulation unit, and the input mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the haptic stimulation unit comprises a vibratory actuator.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stimulation unit driver comprises a power transistor electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the haptic stimulation unit.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the stimulation unit driver is enclosed by the second unitary housing.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a second haptic stimulation unit enclosed by the first unitary housing, wherein:

the first electrical port comprises;

a first electrical power contact electrically coupled to the haptic stimulation unit;

a second electrical power contact electrically coupled to the second haptic stimulation unit; and

a first electrical ground contact electrically coupled to the haptic stimulation unit and to the second haptic stimulation unit; and

the second electrical port comprises;

a third electrical power contact electrically coupled to the first electrical power contact and to the stimulation unit driver;

a fourth electrical power contact electrically coupled to the second electrical power contact and to the stimulation unit driver; and

a second electrical ground contact electrically coupled to the first electrical ground contact and to the stimulation unit driver.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the stimulation unit driver comprises:

a first power transistor electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the third electrical power contact; and

a second power transistor electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the fourth electrical power contact.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the first unitary housing further comprises:

a support structure comprising the first electrical port;

a first cantilever flexibly coupling the haptic stimulation unit to the support structure; and

a second cantilever flexibly coupling the second haptic stimulation unit to the support structure.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first unitary housing defines a first enclosure fluidly isolating the haptic stimulation unit from an ambient environment; and

the second unitary housing defines a second enclosure fluidly isolating the rechargeable battery from the first enclosure and from the ambient environment.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second unitary housings cooperatively define an enclosure fluidly isolating the first and second electrical ports from an ambient environment.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrical port comprises a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the haptic stimulation unit;

the second electrical port comprises a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the haptic stimulation unit and to the first electrical contact; and

the first and second unitary housings cooperatively define an enclosure fluidly isolating the first and second electrical contacts from an ambient environment.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a gasket, wherein the enclosure is further cooperatively defined by the gasket.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical port is retained against the second electrical port by a friction force.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical port comprises a first standardized data connector and the second electrical port comprises a second standardized data connector.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism comprises:

a flexible polymer membrane; and

a button cooperatively enclosed by the flexible polymer membrane and the second unitary housing.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery comprises a charging controller.

16. A method for sexual stimulation, comprising:

providing a sexual stimulation device comprising;

an interaction module comprising a first unitary housing, a haptic stimulation unit enclosed by the first unitary housing, and a first electrical port electrically coupled to the haptic stimulation unit;

a power module comprising a second unitary housing separate and distinct from the first unitary housing, an input region, a rechargeable battery enclosed by the second unitary housing, and a second electrical port electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery; and

a stimulation unit driver;

mechanically coupling the interaction module to the power module, comprising electrically coupling the first electrical port to the second electrical port;

after mechanically coupling the interaction module to the power module, receiving an input at the input region;

in response to receiving the input, actuating the haptic stimulation unit, comprising, at the stimulation unit driver, controlling an actuation current between the haptic stimulation unit and the rechargeable battery, wherein the actuation current flows through the first and second electrical ports;

after actuating the haptic stimulation unit, mechanically decoupling the interaction module from the power module, comprising electrically isolating the first electrical port from the second electrical port;

after mechanically decoupling the interaction module from the power module, electrically coupling the second electrical port to an external power supply; and

charging the rechargeable battery through the second electrical port while the second electrical port is electrically coupled to the external power supply.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the actuation current comprises communicating a pulse-width modulated power signal from the rechargeable battery to the haptic stimulation unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

after communicating the pulse-width modulated power signal, receiving a second input at the input region; and

in response to receiving the second input and before mechanically decoupling the interaction module from the power module, communicating a second pulse-width modulated power signal from the rechargeable battery to the haptic stimulation unit, wherein the haptic stimulation unit actuates at a first intensity in response to receiving the pulse-width modulated power signal and actuates at a second intensity greater than the first intensity in response to receiving the second pulse-width modulated power signal.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

after charging the rechargeable battery, electrically isolating the second electrical port from the external power supply;

after electrically isolating the second electrical port from the external power supply, mechanically recoupling the interaction module to the power module, comprising electrically recoupling the first electrical port to the second electrical port; and

after mechanically recoupling the interaction module to the power module, actuating the haptic stimulation unit.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the input region comprises a flexible polymer membrane; and

the input comprises depressing the flexible polymer membrane.