Linear actuator
First Claim
1. A linear actuator for providing haptic output for a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a housing;
a shaft affixed to the housing;
a mass moveably coupled to the shaft;
a first injector magnet affixed to a first side of the mass;
a second injector magnet affixed to a second side of the mass opposite to the first side of the mass;
a spring encircling a portion of the shaft; and
an electromagnetic structure at least partially surrounding the mass and the shaft;
whereinthe electromagnetic structure is affixed to the housing and is operative to exert a motive force on the mass thereby moving the mass from a first position along the shaft to a second position along the shaft;
the spring is operative to prevent the mass from contacting the housing; and
motion of the mass from the first position along the shaft to the second position along the shaft generates the haptic output from the linear actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments described herein may take the form of an electromagnetic actuator that produces a haptic output during operation. Generally, an electromagnetic coil is wrapped around a central magnet array. A shaft passes through the central magnet array, such that the central array may move along the shaft when the proper force is applied. When a current passes through the electromagnetic coil, the coil generates a magnetic field. The coil is stationary with respect to a housing of the actuator, while the central magnet array may move along the shaft within the housing. Thus, excitation of the coil exerts a force on the central magnet array, which moves in response to that force. The direction of the current through the coil determines the direction of the magnetic field and thus the motion of the central magnet array.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A linear actuator for providing haptic output for a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing; a mass moveably coupled to the shaft; a first injector magnet affixed to a first side of the mass; a second injector magnet affixed to a second side of the mass opposite to the first side of the mass; a spring encircling a portion of the shaft; and an electromagnetic structure at least partially surrounding the mass and the shaft;
whereinthe electromagnetic structure is affixed to the housing and is operative to exert a motive force on the mass thereby moving the mass from a first position along the shaft to a second position along the shaft; the spring is operative to prevent the mass from contacting the housing; and motion of the mass from the first position along the shaft to the second position along the shaft generates the haptic output from the linear actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A linear actuator for providing a haptic output for a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a mass assembly comprising a magnet array and a frame; a first injector magnet affixed to a first side of the frame; a second injector magnet affixed to a second side of the frame opposite to the first side of the frame; a shaft extending through the mass assembly; and a coil separated from, but at least partially encircling the magnet array, and operative to generate a force on the magnet array to cause the mass assembly to slide along the shaft to provide the haptic output for the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a linear actuator operative to provide haptic output for the portable electronic device in response to a received input, comprising; an actuator mass slidably coupled to a shaft and comprising; at least two magnetic components; and a frame; an electromagnetic component at least partially contained within the frame and surrounding the at least two magnetic components, the electromagnetic component operative to generate an electromagnetic field that interacts with the at least two magnetic components and causes the actuator mass to slide along the shaft to produce the haptic output; a first spring coupled to a first end of the shaft; and a second spring coupled to a second end of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
Specification