Coating for actuator and method of applying coating

• US 8,179,027 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Strittmatter, Patrick Clement, Brogle, Richard James, Barta, Ian Paul, Paleczny, Todd Robert, Weber, Arnett Ryan, Mehlhorn, Kurt Johannes Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Benson, Walter
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORDON, BRYAN P
• Application Number:
  US12/578,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 310/369, 310/338, 310/339, 310/340
• US Class Current: 310/369
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/02 Forming enclosures or casings
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/87 Electrodes or interconnections, e.g. leads or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/883 Further insulation means against electrical, physical or chemical damage, e.g. protective coatings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making

Abstract

A method includes applying a lip, comprised of a first material, along at least a portion of an actuator of an electronic device, and applying a coating, comprised of an elastic material, to cover a part of the actuator, the coating disposed to facilitate actuation of the actuator.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

applying a lip, comprising a first material, disposed along at least a portion of an outer edge of an actuator of an electronic device; and

applying a coating, comprising an elastic material, to cover a part of the actuator, the coating disposed to facilitate actuation of the actuator and to inhibit migration of metal from a conductor coupled to the actuator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lip is disposed along an outer edge of the actuator.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a second material that covers a silver electrode on the actuator.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator and the part of the actuator comprises a ceramic piezoelectric device.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second material comprises a polymeric material.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a polymeric material.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first material has a greater viscosity than the coating.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second material comprises any one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic, a urethane, a fluorine-based material or a combination thereof.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lip comprises any one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic, a urethane, a fluorine-based material or a combination thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the lip comprises applying the lip by needle dispensing the first material around the actuator.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the coating comprises spraying the coating on the actuator.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the coating is thin compared to the lip.

13. An electronic device comprising

an actuator;

a lip, comprising a first material, disposed along at least a part of an edge of the actuator; and

a coating, comprising an elastic material disposed on the portion of the actuator, arranged to facilitate actuation of the actuator and to inhibit migration of metal from a conductor coupled to the actuator.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the lip is disposed along an outer edge of the actuator.

15. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator and the part of the actuator comprises a ceramic piezoelectric device.

16. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the coating comprises a second material that covers a silver electrode on the actuator.

17. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the second material comprises a polymeric material.

18. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the first material comprises a polymeric material.

19. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the first material has a greater viscosity than the coating.

20. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the second material comprises any one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic, a urethane, a fluorine-based material or a combination thereof.

21. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the lip comprises any one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic, a urethane, a fluorine-based material or a combination thereof.

22. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the coating is thin compared to the lip.

23. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the lip is arranged to limit bending of the actuator upon receipt of an external applied force.