Haptic Actuator Housing and Flexure Assembly for Simpler Resonance Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic actuators are complex, requiring multiple welding and gluing steps, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and potential for flexure breakage during assembly, while also lacking optimal resonance and damping characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A haptic actuator design featuring a housing with coupled shells, movable field members, and flexures with overmolded endcaps, utilizing materials like tungsten powder and plastic bodies to reduce part count, simplify assembly, and enhance resonance and damping, with self-aligning components for easier mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional welding and gluing steps are used to assemble haptic actuator components, then assembly is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and flexure breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple assembly operations (welding, gluing, positioning) into a single integrated housing structure. The housing is designed as a unified component that incorporates mounting features, alignment structures, and securing mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate welding and gluing steps while reducing the number of parts and assembly operations required.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional welding and gluing steps are used to assemble haptic actuator components, then assembly is achieved, but potential for flexure breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates built-in cushioning and stress-distribution features such as recesses, protrusions, and compliant mounting structures that protect the flexure from breakage during assembly. These features are designed in advance to absorb assembly stresses and prevent concentration of forces that could damage the flexure, thereby improving reliability without requiring separate protective measures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in haptic actuator design, then functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the structural enclosure, the mounting platform for the flexure and coil assembly, the alignment reference for component positioning, and the interface for external connections. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, reducing the overall part count while maintaining full functional capability of the haptic actuator.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces manufacturing complexity, minimizes flexure breakage, and optimizes resonance and damping, providing efficient and reliable haptic feedback with improved assembly efficiency and shock tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one coil carried by the housing and a field member movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil
Implementation Method 2
A respective flexure may be between adjacent end portions of the housing and the field member
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic actuator may include a housing that includes first and second shells. The first shell may define a first tab and the second shell may define a second tab. The housing may also include a plastic end portion positioned between the first and second shells. The plastic end portion may define recesses that receive the first and second tabs. At least one coil may be carried by the housing. A field member may be movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. A flexure may be coupled to the plastic end portion and the field member.