Methods and device for actuating haptic effects

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a haptic effect actuator for actuating a haptic effect on a haptic surface is provided having a first suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the suspension element fixed to one of a distal surface of the haptic surface and an underlying support surface, an actuator having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the actuator mounted to the second surface of the first suspension element, a second suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the second suspension element mounted to the opposed second surface of the actuator and the opposed second surface of the second suspension element mounted to the other of the distal surface of the haptic surface and the underlying support surface such that when the actuator is actuated, the actuator experiences deformation, the deformation causing displacement of the actuator, the displacement of the actuator translated to the haptic surface as a haptic effect.

Description

[0001] METHODS AND DEVICE FOR ACTUATING HAPTIC EFFECTS

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for actuating a haptic response on a haptic device. More specifically, it is contemplated that the present disclosure relates to methods and devices for actuating a haptic response on a haptic surface with an actuator directly mounted to the haptic surface.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Traditionally mechanical buttons have been used to provide tactile feedback to users in a wide variety of electronic devices. However, electronic devices have more recently been implemented with touchpads enabled with “haptic” technology, where simulated click events known as “haptic events” are “played” or actuated through actuators located under the active touch surface of a haptic surface, such as but not limited to a capacitive touchpad.

[0006] These types of known haptic systems can use a variety of solutions for enabling the actuation of a haptic effect, all of which have various trade-offs. For example, some haptic systems use electromechanical solutions such as solenoids or voice coils to simulate the tactile experience of a haptic event. However, electromechanical systems of this nature can be difficult to mount in small, enclosed spaces and can be prone to failure over extended periods of intensive use.

[0007] Other known haptic systems use electromechanical actuators (such as, but not limited to, piezoelectric elements) that are directly mounted to the haptic surface which can apply force directly to the surface in order to bend the surface.

[0008] One type of such an electromechanical actuator is a piezoelectric disk, which is a type of piezoelectric actuator that can covert electrical energy to mechanical energy, and when electrical voltage is applied to a piezoelectric disk the material forming the disk can contract or expand, thereby generating axial displacement that deforms the flat piezoelectric disk into a “bowl-like” shape. This deformation creates axial displacement of the disk, which in turn can be sensed by the user as a haptic effect that is “played” or actuated on the haptic surface that the piezoelectric disk is mounted to. However, it will be readily appreciated that notable challenges are presented in suitably mounting an electromechanical actuator such as a piezoelectric disk to a haptic surface in manner such that a haptic effect can be “played” or actuated and sensed by the user of the haptic surface in a tactilely pleasing way.

[0009] As such, there is a need for methods and devices for mounting an actuator to a haptic surface in a robust, secure, compact and isolated manner which delivers a suitably tactile haptic effect to the haptic surface when the actuator is actuated.

[0010] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0011] It is contemplated that the present disclosure provides methods and devices for mounting an actuator to a haptic surface in a robust, secure, compact and isolated manner which delivers a suitably tactile haptic effect to the haptic surface when the actuator is actuated.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, a haptic effect actuator for actuating a haptic effect on a haptic surface is provided having a first suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the suspension element fixed to one of a distal surface of the haptic surface and an underlying support surface, an actuator having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the actuator mounted to the second surface of the first suspension element, a second suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the second suspension element mounted to the opposed second surface of the actuator and the opposed second surface of the second suspension element mounted to the other of the distal surface of the haptic surface and the underlying support surface such that when the actuator is actuated, the actuator experiences deformation, the deformation causing displacement of the actuator, the displacement of the actuator translated to the haptic surface as a haptic effect.

[0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The present description will be better understood in connection with the following FIGURES, in which: FIGURE 1A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an actuator mounted to a haptic surface where the actuator is an electromechanical piezoelectric element and is actuated in a concavely upward direction in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIGURE IB is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an actuator mounted to a haptic surface where the actuator is an electromechanical piezoelectric element and is in a neutral position in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIGURE 1C is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an actuator mounted to a haptic surface where the actuator is an electromechanical piezoelectric element and is actuated in a convexly downward direction in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017] FIGURE 2 is an overhead plan view of a haptic surface having six actuators mounted to the haptic surface in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] It is contemplated that the present disclosure provides methods and devices for mounting an actuator to a haptic surface in a robust, secure, compact and isolated manner which delivers a suitably tactile haptic effect to the haptic surface when the actuator is actuated.

[0020] It is contemplated that the present haptic effect actuator and all constituent components can be manufactured out of any suitable materials and by any suitable manufacturing method as required by the particular end-user application under consideration.

[0021] In the context of the present disclosure, a suitable haptic surface is contemplated to include any suitable active and passive haptic surfaces that are designed to provide control of at least one underlying function, including but not limited to a capacitive touchscreen, a haptic touchpad, and a traditional mechanical button, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

[0022] In the context of the present disclosure, it is contemplated that a suitable haptic event can be any event that is adapted to engage and actuate a suitable haptic surface. Tn at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that a suitable haptic event can be the touch or contact of a user’s fingers, or the simulated touch or contact of the present haptic measurement probe, among other arrangements that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

[0023] Tn at least one embodiment, the present disclosure employs an actuator that is mounted between a haptic surface and a mounting surface. It is contemplated that when the actuator is suitably actuated, the actuator can then undergo spatial deformation which in turn creates displacement that can be translated to the haptic surface as a haptic effect.

[0024] Tt is contemplated that a suitable actuator can include, but is not limited to, a piezoelectric element, a piezoelectric disk, an electroactive polymer, a shape memory alloy, a macro fiber composite material, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or any other suitable actuator technology that is suitable for the end user application of the present disclosure, as will be readily understood by the skilled person and as discussed in further detail herein.

[0025] In some embodiments, the present disclosure employs an electromechanical actuator that is at least one piezoelectric element mounted between a haptic surface and a mounting surface. Tn these embodiments, it is contemplated that when electric voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element undergoes spatial deformation which in turn creates axial displacement that can be translated to the haptic surface as a haptic effect.

[0026] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the piezoelectric element is a piezoelectric disk having a generally flat and circular planar shape. In these embodiments, it is contemplated that the piezoelectric disk can be deformed into a generally upwardly concave or a generally downwardly convex “bowl-like” shape, depending on the magnitude and polarity of the electric voltage that is applied to the piezoelectric disk.

[0027] In these embodiments, it will be readily appreciated that when a piezoelectric disk is deformed into a bowl-like shape as discussed herein, a degree of axial displacement occurs between the outer perimeter edge of the disk and the central portion of the disk. Tt is contemplated that this axial displacement can be translated to the haptic surface in order to create a suitably tactile haptic effect.

[0028] In order to translate the displacement that occurs in response to the deformation of the actuator to the haptic surface as a haptic effect, it is contemplated that a proximal surface of the actuator is suitably connected to the haptic surface and a distal surface of the actuator is suitably connected to a fixed underlying support surface.

[0029] In some embodiments where the actuator is a piezoelectric element, it is contemplated that in order to translate the axial displacement that occurs in response to the deformation of the piezoelectric element to the haptic surface as a haptic effect, it is contemplated that a first surface of the piezoelectric element is suitably connected to the haptic surface and a opposed second surface of the piezoelectric element is suitably connected to a fixed underlying support surface. In these embodiments, it is contemplated that the haptic surface can vibrate or move in a generally constrained fashion such that the haptic event can be experienced (or “felt”) at the haptic surface by the user.

[0030] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that suitable suspension elements can be employed to resiliently cushion the interface between the first and opposed second surfaces of the actuator and the haptic surface and the underlying mounting surface that the actuator is mounted to.

[0031] It is contemplated that these suspension elements can be comprised of rigid materials, but it will be appreciated that overall performance is greatly increased when softer, more compliant materials are used. In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the suspension elements can be comprised of relatively thin silicone rubber in order to provide a suitable basis for significant improvement in overall performance of the final assembly, as disclosed herein.

[0032] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that a first suspension component can be mounted between a distal surface of the haptic surface and a first surface of the actuator.

[0033] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the first suspension component can be a generally annular (i.e. “donut-shaped”) component having an approximate thickness ranging between , 1mm and 1.0mm, and which permits the actuator to experience sufficient deformation into a generally upwardly convex or generally downwardly concave shape when the actuator is actuated while still providing a stable and secure interface between the proximal surface of the actuator and the distal surface of the haptic surface that the actuator is mounted to.

[0034] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that a second suspension component can be mounted between a opposed second surface of the actuator and an underlying support surface. Tn some embodiments, it is contemplated that the second suspension element can be a generally cylindrical suspension element having an approximate outer diameter between 5 10mm, an approximate thickness ranging between , 1mm and 1.0mm, and which can be comprised of a compliant material, such as but not limited to, 20 durometer silicone, which has been found to be suitably sized to permit the actuator to experience sufficient deformation into a generally upwardly convex or downwardly concave shape, while still proving a stable interface between the opposed second surface of the actuator and the underling support surface that the actuator is mounted to.

[0035] In other embodiments, it is contemplated that both compliant suspension elements can be formed of a particularly stiff and resilient material in order to provide sufficient stiffness to the entire assembly, as will be appreciated by the appropriately skilled person.

[0036] In addition, it is contemplated that these compliant suspension elements allow for a thin, robust design that is more resistant to shock loads and other mechanical load events that can cause damage to the actuator.

[0037] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the actuator is electrically coupled to a suitable electrical power source though a suitable wiring harness. In some embodiments it is contemplated that a suitable wiring harness can include flat flex wires, among other arrangements that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the selection of a suitably-sized actuator and suitably sized suspension elements will depend in part on the haptic surface that the actuator is mounted to, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

[0039] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, one embodiment of a suitable haptic effect actuator is illustrated. In this embodiment, haptic effect actuator 10 has an actuator that is a piezoelectric element 30 that is mounted between a haptic surface 12 and an underlying support surface 18.

[0040] In this embodiment, it is contemplated that a first surface 31 of piezoelectric element 30 is securely mounted to a distal surface 14 of haptic surface 12 by way of a first suspension element 20 that is an annular first suspension element. More specifically, it is contemplated that distal surface 14 of haptic surface 12 is mounted to afirst surface 21 of first suspension element 20 and an opposed second surface 22 of first suspension element 20 is securely mounted to first surface 31 of piezoelectric element 30.

[0041] Moreover, in this embodiment it is contemplated that an opposed second surface 32 of piezoelectric element 30 is securely mounted to an underlying support surface 18 by way of a second suspension element 40 that is a cylindrical second suspension element.

[0042] More specifically, it is contemplated that opposed second surface 32 of piezoelectric element 30 is mounted to a first surface 41 of second suspension element 40 and an opposed second surface 42 of second suspension element 40 is securely mounted to underlying support surface 18.

[0043] It will be readily appreciated that in some embodiments, the entire assembly of the first suspension element, the actuator and the second suspension element can be inverted, such that the first suspension element is securely mounted to the underlying support surface and the second suspension element is securely mounted to the distal surface of the haptic surface (with the actuator positioned between these two suspension elements), as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

[0044] As can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in this embodiment it is contemplated that the present haptic effect actuator 10 can be actuated by applying electric voltage to the piezoelectric element 30 such that the piezoelectric element experience upwardly concave deformation, as can be seen in Figure 1 , which can be referred to as a “concave” position.

[0045] When electric voltage is not applied to the piezoelectric element 30 it is contemplated that the piezoelectric element experiences no deformation, as can be seen in Figure 2, which can be referred to as a “neutral” position. Finally, it is contemplated that the present haptic effect actuator 10 can be actuated by applying electric voltage of an opposite polarity to the piezoelectric element 30 such that the piezoelectric element experiences downwardly convex deformation, as can be seen in Figure 3, which can be referred to as a “convex” position..

[0046] In this way, it is contemplated that as haptic effect actuator 10 can be cycled between a concave, neutral and convex position by varying the magnitude and polarity of the electric voltage that is applied to the piezoelectric element 30, resulting in displacement of a generally central portion of the piezoelectric element 30. As such, this resulting displacement can be translated to haptic surface 12 where this displacement will be felt as a suitably tactile haptic effect at the haptic surface by a user.

[0047] With reference to Figure 4, one embodiment of a haptic effect actuator assembly 50 is depicted. In this embodiment, haptic effect actuator assembly 50 is comprised of a frame 52 that houses six haptic effect actuators 10 that are connected to a suitable haptic surface (not shown).

[0048] In this embodiment, each haptic effect actuator 10 has an actuator that is a piezoelectric element 30 that is a piezoelectric disk that is connected to haptic surface (not shown) by way of a first suspension element 20. Moreover, it is contemplated that a central portion 34 of piezoelectric element 30 is connected to an underlying support surface (not shown) by a second suspension element 40.

[0049] The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative of the present compositions and methods and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and changes consistent with the description as a whole and which are readily apparent to the person of skill in the art are intended to be included. The appended claims should not be limited by the specific embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A haptic effect actuator for actuating a haptic effect on a haptic surface, comprising:A first suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the suspension element fixed to one of a distal surface of the haptic surface and an underlying support surface,An actuator having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the actuator mounted to the second surface of the first suspension element;A second suspension element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface of the second suspension element mounted to the opposed second surface of the actuator and the opposed second surface of the second suspension element mounted to the other of the distal surface of the haptic surface and the underlying support surface;Wherein when the actuator is actuated, the actuator experiences deformation, the deformation causing displacement of the actuator, the displacement of the actuator translated to the haptic surface as a haptic effect.

2. The haptic effect actuator of claim 1 wherein the actuator is selected from the group of: a piezoelectric element, a piezoelectric disk, an electroactive polymer, a shape memory alloy, a macro fiber composite material, a pneumatic actuator and a hydraulic actuator.

3. The haptic effect actuator of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first suspension element has a generally annular shape, the opposed second surface of the first suspension element is an annular surface and the first surface of the first suspension element is an annular surface.

4. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the actuator has a generally circular planar shape, the opposed second surface of the actuator is a circular surface and the first surface of the actuator is a circular surface.

5. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second suspension element has a generally cylindrical shape, the opposed second surface of the second suspensionelement is a circular surface and the first surface of the second suspension element is a circular surface.

6. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the opposed second surface of the second suspension element is mounted to the generally geometric centre of the opposed second surface of the actuator.

7. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the actuator is actuated by applying at least one of positive electrical voltage and negative electrical voltage to the actuator.

8. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the displacement is selected from the group of: outward axial displacement and inward axial displacement.

9. The haptic effect actuator of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the haptic surface is a capacitive touchpad.

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