Haptic feedback device with a rotating mass of variable eccentricity

• US 9,501,912 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Havskjold, David G., Weiss, Samuel B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US14/165,475
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/00 Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00 architectures of general purpose stored program computers G06F15/76
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

A haptic element having a rotating element at least partially fixed to the rotating shaft of a motor. The rotating element dynamically reconfigures its center of mass to provide at least a first concentric rotation state and second eccentric rotation state. The transition between the concentric state and the eccentric state may be at least partially defined by a threshold angular velocity of the rotating shaft of the motor. As the motor approaches the threshold, the rotating element may be concentrically aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor. Once the threshold is reached, the mass element may be eccentrically aligned with the axis of rotation, initiating an immediate and perceivable haptic feedback.

Claims

1. A haptic element comprising:

a motor comprising a shaft; and

a mass element coupled to the shaft comprising;

a first operational configuration associated with a first angular velocity range of the shaft wherein a center of mass of the mass element is concentrically aligned with the shaft; and

a second operational configuration associated with a second angular velocity range of the shaft wherein the center of mass of the mass element is eccentrically aligned with the shaft.

2. The haptic element of claim 1, wherein the mass element comprises a first mass portion and a second mass portion, wherein:

the first mass portion is rigidly coupled to the shaft; and

the second mass portion is configured to move outwardly from the shaft.

3. The haptic element of claim 2, wherein in the first operational configuration, the second mass portion is positioned to interface the first mass portion along the shaft.

4. The haptic element of claim 2, wherein in the second operational configuration, the second mass portion is positioned a select distance from the shaft and the first mass portion.

5. The haptic element of claim 4, wherein the select distance is defined at least in part by a movable coupling.

6. The haptic element of claim 5, wherein the movable coupling comprises at least one of a spring, an elastomer, an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, and a piston.

7. The haptic element of claim 4, wherein the select distance is defined at least in part by an outward motion limiter.

8. The haptic element of claim 1, further comprising a third operational configuration associated with a third angular velocity range of the shaft greater than the first angular velocity range, wherein the center of mass of the mass element is concentrically aligned with the shaft.

9. The haptic element of claim 1, wherein the mass element comprises a first mass portion and a second mass portion, wherein:

the first mass portion is rigidly coupled to the shaft; and

the second mass portion is configured to pivot about the shaft.

10. The haptic element of claim 9, wherein in the first operational configuration, the second mass portion pivots to diametrically oppose the first mass portion about the shaft.

11. The haptic element of claim 9, wherein in the second operational configuration, the second mass portion pivots to interface the first mass portion.

12. A haptic feedback apparatus comprising:

a mass element coupled to a driver motor and comprising;

a nonhaptic mode associated with an angular velocity range of the driver motor; and

a haptic mode associated with a threshold angular velocity of the driver motor;

wherein;

the threshold angular velocity defines an upper bound of a threshold angular velocity range.

13. An electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a haptic element coupled to the housing and comprising;

a motor comprising a shaft; and

a mass element coupled to the shaft and comprising;

a first operational configuration associated with a first angular velocity range of the shaft wherein a center of mass of the mass element is concentrically aligned with the shaft; and

a second operational configuration associated with a second angular velocity range of the shaft wherein the center of mass of the mass element is eccentrically aligned with the shaft.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the mass element comprises a first mass portion and a second mass portion, wherein:

the first mass portion is rigidly coupled to the shaft; and

the second mass portion is configured to move outwardly from the shaft.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein in the first operational configuration, the second mass portion is positioned to interface the first mass portion along the shaft.

16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein in the second operational configuration, the second mass portion is positioned a select distance from the shaft and the first mass portion.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the select distance is defined at least in part by a movable coupling.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the movable coupling comprises at least one of a spring, an elastomer, an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, and a piston.

19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the select distance is defined at least in part by an outward motion limiter.

20. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising a third operational configuration associated with a third angular velocity range of the shaft greater than the first angular velocity range wherein the center of mass of the mass element is concentrically aligned with the shaft.

21. A method of providing haptic feedback comprising:

spinning a shaft of a motor to a first angular velocity, the motor comprising a mass element coupled to the shaft, the mass element having a center of mass that is concentrically aligned with the shaft when the motor operates in a first mode; and

causing the center of mass of the mass element to eccentrically align with the shaft upon spinning the motor to a second angular velocity when the motor operates in a second mode.

22. The method of claim 21, further composing:

slowing the shaft of the motor to the first angular velocity to transition from the second mode to the first mode.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

spinning the shaft of the motor to a third angular velocity; and

causing the center of mass of the mass element to concentrically align with the shaft.