Magnetic suspension system for touch screens and touch surfaces
First Claim
1. A haptic device comprising:
- a first body and a second body;
a haptic actuator for moving the second body relative to the first body and thereby provide a haptic effect; and
at least one magnetic suspension system that couples the first and second bodies together such that the second body is movable relative to the first body, the at least one magnetic suspension system including a first programmable magnet coupled to the first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to the second body,wherein the first and second programmable magnets are configured to simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body, andwherein the first and second programmable magnets are also configured to exert a programmed spring force on the second body in a first direction when the second body has moved in a second direction opposite the first direction past the nominal configuration, and are configured to exert the programmed spring force on the second body in the second direction when the second body has moved in the first direction past the nominal configuration, such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no other force is applied to the second body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen. The magnetic suspension system may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending upon the application. The magnetic suspension system includes a first programmable magnet coupled to a first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to a second body. The programmable magnets simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body. The programmable magnets also allow movement between the first and second bodies in reaction to a force applied to the second body by a haptic actuator with a programmed spring force such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no force is applied to the second body.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A haptic device comprising:
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a first body and a second body; a haptic actuator for moving the second body relative to the first body and thereby provide a haptic effect; and at least one magnetic suspension system that couples the first and second bodies together such that the second body is movable relative to the first body, the at least one magnetic suspension system including a first programmable magnet coupled to the first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to the second body, wherein the first and second programmable magnets are configured to simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body, and wherein the first and second programmable magnets are also configured to exert a programmed spring force on the second body in a first direction when the second body has moved in a second direction opposite the first direction past the nominal configuration, and are configured to exert the programmed spring force on the second body in the second direction when the second body has moved in the first direction past the nominal configuration, such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no other force is applied to the second body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A haptic device comprising:
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a housing component; a touch screen; a haptic actuator for moving the touch screen relative to the housing component and thereby provide a haptic effect; and at least one magnetic suspension system that couples the touch screen and the housing component together such that the touch screen is movable relative to the housing component, the at least one magnetic suspension system including a first programmable magnet coupled to the housing component and a second programmable magnet coupled to the touch screen, wherein the first and second programmable magnets are configured to simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the touch screen is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the housing component, and wherein the first and second programmable magnets are also configured to exert a programmed spring force on the touch screen in a first direction when the touch screen has moved in a second direction opposite the first direction past the nominal configuration, and are configured to exert the programmed spring force on the touch screen in the second direction when the touch screen has moved in the first direction past the nominal configuration, such that the touch screen and housing component return to the nominal configuration when no force is applied to the touch screen. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification