Haptic Actuator with Magnetic Biasing for Touch Panel Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels lack the capability to provide interactive tactile feedback to indicate whether user inputs have been accepted or rejected.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating haptic effects using a touch-sensitive panel, a display, and an actuator with magnetic devices and a biasing element, which facilitates relative movement between structural elements to impart haptic sensations to the touch-sensitive panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional touch panels are used, then the interface is simple and easy to manufacture, but the panel lacks tactile feedback capability
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into separate functional components: a first structural element coupled to the touch panel, a second structural element coupled to the display, a biasing element connecting them, and magnetic devices that facilitate relative movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing tactile feedback without requiring complete redesign of the entire panel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element serves as an intermediary component between the first and second structural elements. It couples these elements together and deforms to facilitate relative movement, enabling the transmission of haptic forces from the actuator to the touch panel while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If haptic effects are added to provide tactile feedback, then user interaction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator utilizes dynamic relative movement between the first and second structural elements to provide haptic effects. The biasing element deforms and recovers, facilitating oscillatory or vibrational motion that can be sensed by the user through the touch panel, thereby adding interactive capability without requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs magnetic devices to facilitate the relative movement between structural elements, potentially replacing more complex mechanical linkages or motors. The magnetic interaction enables controlled movement and force transmission with fewer moving parts, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining haptic feedback functionality.
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
Enables interactive tactile feedback to users, enhancing the usability of touch panels by providing haptic effects that indicate input acceptance or rejection, improving the intuitive operation of user interface devices.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes a first structural element and a second structural element, a biasing element and two magnetic devices. The first magnetic device is configured to be carried by the first structural element and the second magnetic device is configured to be carried by the second structural element.
Implementation Method 2
The biasing element, which may be implemented as a spring, flexible blade, elastomeric element, flexure spring, resilient foam, rubber-like element, or other spring-like device, couples the first and second structural elements together and deforms to facilitate a movement between the first and second structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating haptic effects for a touch panel or other interface device employs a touch-sensitive panel, a display and an actuator. The actuator includes a first structural element and a second structural element, a biasing element and two magnetic devices. The first magnetic device is configured to be carried by the first structural element and the second magnetic device is configured to be carried by the second structural element. The first structural element is coupled to a touch-sensitive panel and the second structural element may be coupled to the display or to a relatively fixed item. The biasing element couples the first and second structural elements together and deforms to facilitate a movement between the first and second structural elements. The actuator provides haptic effects by facilitating relative movement between the first and second structural elements.