Resistive actuator with dynamic variations of frictional forces

• US 8,154,537 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Olien, Neil Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALMEIDA, CORY A
• Application Number:
  US11/839,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20090046054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 345/184, 345/156, 345/157, 188/72.1
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A system for generating haptic effects on a rotary knob includes an electrical coil and a core. A first level of voltage is applied to the coil to enable a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and to generate a first haptic effect by varying the voltage. A second level of voltage is applied to the coil to enable a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction and to generate a second haptic effect by varying the voltage.

Claims

1. A resistive haptic actuator comprising:

an electrical coil;

a core coupled to the electrical coil;

a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction that is enabled upon application of a first level of voltage on the coil, wherein the first surface interface comprises a first contact between a first element and a second element; and

a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction that is enabled upon application of a second level of voltage on the coil, wherein the second surface interface comprises a second contact between a third element and a fourth element;

wherein a gap is present between the third element and the fourth element when the first level of voltage is applied.

2. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 1, further comprising:

a frictional element; and

a spring coupled to the frictional element.

3. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 2, wherein the first contact comprises contact between the frictional element and a washer.

4. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 3, further comprising:

a shaft; and

a rotating element coupled to the shaft;

wherein the second contact comprises the rotating element contacting the core.

5. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 4, further comprising:

a separating element coupled between the rotating element and the core that creates the gap between the rotating element and the core in an absence of a voltage applied to the coil.

6. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 5, wherein the separating element is comprised of the washer.

7. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 5, wherein the separating element is comprised of the spring.

8. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 2, wherein the frictional element is coupled to the coil.

9. The resistive haptic actuator of claim 1, further comprising a haptic controller that controls the first and second levels of voltage to implement a haptic effect.

10. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

11. A method of generating haptic effects for a resistive haptic actuator, the method comprising:

applying a first level of voltage to enable a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and generate a first haptic effect, wherein the first surface interface comprises a first area of contact between a first element and a second element; and

applying a second level of voltage to enable a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction and generate a second haptic effect, wherein the second surface interface comprises a second area of contact between a third element and a fourth element;

wherein an air gap is present between the third element and the fourth element when the first level of voltage is applied.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first area of contact comprises a frictional element against a surface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the frictional element is coupled to a spring.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second area of contact comprises a core against a rotating element that is coupled to a shaft.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second haptic effects are generated on a rotating shaft.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the shaft is coupled to a rotating element and is surrounded by a magnetic coil and a core.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising maintaining the air gap between the rotating element and the core while applying the first level of voltage.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising eliminating the air gap while applying the second level of voltage.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

20. A system for generating haptic effects for a resistive haptic actuator comprising:

means for applying a first level of voltage to enable a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and generate a first haptic effect, wherein the first surface interface comprises a first contact between a first element and a second element; and

means for applying a second level of voltage to enable a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction and generate a second haptic effect, wherein the second surface interface comprises a second contact between a third element and a fourth element;

wherein a gap is present between the third element and the fourth element when the first level of voltage is applied.

21. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to generate haptic effects for a resistive haptic actuator by:

applying a first level of voltage to enable a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and generate a first haptic effect, wherein the first surface interface comprises a first contact between a first element and a second element; and

applying a second level of voltage to enable a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction and generate a second haptic effect, wherein the second surface interface comprises a second contact between a third element and a fourth element;

wherein a gap is present between the third element and the fourth element when the first level of voltage is applied.

22. A method of generating haptic effects for a resistive haptic actuator comprising:

applying a first amount of voltage to implement a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and maintain an air gap, wherein the first surface interface comprises a first contact between a first element and a second element; and

applying a second amount of voltage to implement a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction and close the air gap, wherein the second surface interface comprises a second contact between a third element and a fourth element;

wherein the air gap is present between the third element and the fourth element when the first level of voltage is applied.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first amount of voltage is less than the second amount of voltage.