Haptic feedback assembly

• US 9,772,688 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2016
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Patel, Dhaval Chandrakant, Harley, Jonah A., Augenbergs, Peteris K., Davis, Derryk C., McEuen, Scott J., Brock, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABDULSELAM, ABBAS I
• Application Number:
  US15/045,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20160162030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/126 Supporting or mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10409 Screws
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/325 by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor adaptations of leads inserted in holes for press-fit connections H05K3/308

Abstract

A haptic feedback assembly includes interconnections for mechanically and electrically securing a haptic actuator in a track pad assembly so as to securely and efficiently provide haptic feedback to a user.

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to provide haptic feedback and comprising:

a housing defining an aperture; and

a trackpad at least partially within the aperture and comprising;

an input surface movable in a plane parallel to an external surface of the housing;

a force sensor assembly below the input surface;

an attractor attached to the force sensor assembly;

an electromagnetic actuator mechanically interconnected to the input surface and configured to electromagnetically interact with the attractor; and

an electrical circuit in communication with the electromagnetic actuator;

wherein;

in response to a signal, the electrical circuit is configured to apply a current to the electromagnetic actuator to attract the attractor and cause the input surface to translate in the plane.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the input surface is operative to provide a haptic output by translating in the plane.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the signal is associated with an input provided by a user when the user is exerting a force on the input surface.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the current applied to the electromagnetic actuator varies based on the signal.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic actuator comprises one or more electromagnets configured to attract the attractor.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic actuator comprises one or more core elements within the electromagnets.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the force sensor assembly comprises four force-sensitive elements positioned along a periphery of the input surface.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the input surface is coupled to the force sensor assembly by a compliant structure.

9. A touch input device configured to provide haptic feedback comprising:

a force assembly comprising a group of force sensors;

an input surface coupled to and at least partially supported by at least one flexible pad coupled to the force assembly;

an attraction plate mechanically attached to the force assembly;

an electromagnetic actuator mechanically attached to the force assembly and configured to electromagnetically interact with the attraction plate, causing the input surface to translate in a plane;

an electronic board electrically and mechanically attached to the electromagnetic actuator; and

a flexible circuit coupling each of the group of force sensors to the electronic board;

wherein

in response to an actuator drive signal, the electronic board is configured to apply an electrical signal to the electromagnetic actuator to cause the attraction plate to move toward the electromagnetic actuator.

10. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein a magnitude of movement of the attraction plate varies based on the actuator drive signal.

11. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein the actuator drive signal corresponds to a haptic feedback signal.

12. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein the input surface comprises glass.

13. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein the input surface is included in a touch assembly, the touch assembly further comprising a touch sensor layer disposed below the input surface.

14. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein the force assembly comprises an H-shaped structure.

15. The touch input device of claim 14, wherein the group of force sensors comprises four force-sensitive elements associated with and coupled to different locations along the H-shaped structure.

16. The touch input device of claim 9, wherein:

the electromagnetic actuator is mechanically attached to the force sensor assembly through a mechanical fastener; and

the electronic board is electrically and mechanically attached to the electromagnetic actuator by the mechanical fastener, wherein

in response to the actuator drive signal, the electronic board is configured to apply the electrical signal to the electromagnetic actuator through the mechanical fastener to cause the attraction plate to move toward the actuator.

17. A method of providing haptic feedback to a user of a touch input device, the method comprising:

detecting, with a force assembly, a force exerted on an input surface of the touch input device;

providing a current from a circuit board to an electromagnetic structure of an actuator through a mechanical fastener connecting the actuator to the circuit board, the actuator positioned adjacent to an attractor plate of the input surface; and

magnetically attracting the attractor plate toward the electromagnetic structure, thereby causing the input surface to translate in plane.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the operation of magnetically attracting the attractor plate toward the electromagnetic structure comprises providing an alternating current to the electromagnetic structure, thereby causing the input surface to vibrate in a plane.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising detecting, with a touch sensor, a user touch on the input surface.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the current is provided by an electronic circuit coupled to the force assembly.