TOUCH PANEL ASSEMBLY WITH HAPTIC EFFECTS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF

• US 20100238053A1
• Filed: 03/23/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: BANTER, Charles B., SCHMIDT, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,169,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A system with haptic effects includes a first surface, a second surface with a flexible arm portion, a coupling that couples the flexible arm portion to the first surface, and a haptic effect generator attached to the first surface. The flexible arm portion includes a coupling portion, and the coupling is received in the coupling portion. The haptic effect generator causes movement of the first surface relative to the second surface, and the flexible arm limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.

Claims

1. A system with haptic effects, the system comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface with a flexible arm portion, the flexible arm portion including a coupling portion;

a coupling received by the coupling portion that couples the flexible arm portion of the second surface to the first surface; and

a haptic effect generator coupled to the first surface, the haptic effect generator causing movement of the first surface relative to the second surface,

wherein the flexible arm portion limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a surface of a bezel.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the haptic effect generator includes an eccentric rotary mass.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the haptic effect generator includes a linear actuator.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an input device disposed opposite the first surface.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor circuit board.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an interface sensor circuit board.

8. A method of manufacturing a system with haptic effects, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a surface;

disposing a flexible arm portion on the surface;

disposing a coupling portion on the flexible arm portion;

coupling the coupling portion to another surface; and

disposing a haptic effect generator on the other surface.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

providing a bezel; and

disposing the surface on the bezel.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing an input device on the other surface.

11. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing a sensor circuit board adjacent the surface.

12. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing an interface circuit board adjacent the surface.

13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing an eccentric rotary mass in the haptic effect generator.

14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing a linear actuator in the haptic effect generator.