Systems and methods for providing friction in a haptic feedback device

• US 8,441,433 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Olien, Neil T., Anastas, George V., Jasso, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karimi, Pegeman
• Application Number:
  US10/916,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20060033703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,198 Days
• Field of Search: 188/161, 188/267, 188/267.1, 188/267.2, 188/164, 345156-184, 715/701, 715/702, 324/167
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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

Systems and methods for providing controlled friction in a haptic feedback device are described. One described device comprises a magnetic target, a magnetic core configured to be in communication with the magnetic target to provide a haptic effect, and a partition. The partition may be configured to maintain a magnetic circuit air gap between the magnetic target and the magnetic core, and to provide friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core. Such a device may include a processor in communication with the magnetic core for providing a haptic effect.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a magnetic target;

a magnetic core configured to be in communication with the magnetic target to provide a haptic effect; and

a partition configured to maintain a magnetic circuit air gap between the magnetic target and the magnetic core and to provide friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic circuit air gap comprises a substantially constant magnetic circuit air gap.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core comprises a resistance to movement between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core comprises at least one of a predetermined coefficient of static friction range and a predetermined coefficient of kinetic friction range.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition is further configured to exhibit a wear characteristic between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition is interposed between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition is disposed upon at least one of the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a coating.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a plurality of layers.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a spacer.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises at least one of a diamagnetic partition and a non-magnetic partition.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a transition metal alloy.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the partition comprises a non-metallic material.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic core comprises an electromagnet.

15. A method comprising:

providing a magnetic target;

providing a magnetic core configured to be in communication with the magnetic target to provide a haptic effect; and

providing a partition configured to maintain a magnetic circuit air gap between the magnetic target and the magnetic core and to provide friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the magnetic circuit air gap comprises a substantially constant magnetic circuit air gap.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising interposing the partition between the magnetic target and the magnetic core.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the magnetic circuit air gap comprises a substantially constant magnetic circuit air gap.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying a wear characteristic between the magnetic core and the magnetic target.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising interposing a partition comprising the partition configuration between the magnetic core and the magnetic target.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing the partition upon at least one of the magnetic target and the magnetic core.