PIEZOELECTRIC HAPTIC FEEDBACK MODULE

• US 20190265793A1
• Filed: 02/28/2018
• Published: 08/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Costante, Diego Rivas
• Granted Patent: US 10,996,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A device includes a device housing defining a space for accommodating one or more electronic components, the device housing including a first panel having a first surface facing away from the space; a haptic response layer supported by and conforming to at least a portion of the first surface, the haptic response layer including a piezoelectric material and electrodes and configured to couple vibrations to a user to provide a haptic response to the user during operation of the device; and an electronic control module accommodated in the space and coupled to the electrodes of the haptic response layer, the electronic control module being programmed to provide haptic signals to the electrodes to activate the piezoelectric material in the haptic response layer.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a device housing defining a space for accommodating one or more electronic components, the device housing comprising a first panel having a first surface facing away from the space;

a haptic response layer supported by and conforming to at least a portion of the first surface, the haptic response layer comprising a piezoelectric material and electrodes and configured to couple vibrations to a user to provide a haptic response to the user during operation of the device; and

an electronic control module accommodated in the space and coupled to the electrodes of the haptic response layer, the electronic control module being programmed to provide haptic signals to the electrodes to activate the piezoelectric material in the haptic response layer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the haptic response layer extends over a first area of the first surface, the first area of the first surface being greater than 50% of a total area of the first surface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the haptic response layer comprises a first interior opening.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the haptic response layer has a thickness less than 500 μ

m.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material comprises a piezoelectric polymer.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the haptic response layer is configured to generate a first localized haptic response on a first portion of the haptic response layer and a second localized haptic response on a second portion of the haptic response layer different from the first portion.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer arranged between the first surface of the first panel and the haptic response layer and configured to adhere the haptic response layer to the first surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer is adjacent to both the first surface of the first panel and the haptic response layer.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the first surface and the haptic response layer is bonded to the adhesive layer through an autoclave process.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a coating layer supported by the haptic response layer.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the coating layer is adhered to the haptic response layer by molecular adhesion.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the coating layer is configured to visually obscure the haptic response layer.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the coating layer is configured to provide a first texture different from a second texture of the haptic response layer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device housing further comprises a touch-sensitive display having a display surface facing away from the space,

wherein the electronic control module is further programmed to receive a touch input signal from the touch-sensitive display and provide the haptic signals to the electrodes based on the received touch input signal, and

wherein the touch-sensitive display and the first panel enclose the space defined by the device housing.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises a glass material.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises a touch-sensitive layer configured to receive a touch input from the first surface and generate a touch input signal, and

wherein the electronic control module is further programmed to receive the touch input signal from the touch-sensitive layer and to provide the haptic signals to the electrodes based on the received touch input signal.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a curved surface.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further comprises:

one or more buttons; and

one or more directional input sticks configured to receive directional input from the user.