Compact pivoting input device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10698489-B1
Application number	US-201816024680-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 29, 2018
Priority date	Apr 3, 2018
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

An input device includes an input structure, a magnet attached to the input structure, and an electromagnet. The magnet rotates when the electromagnet is activated, thereby rotating the input structure. The magnet and input structure rotate about a pivot in order to provide haptic and/or visual feedback to a user. The pivot may attach the magnet and input structure to a body, which in turn may be affixed to, or part of, an electronic device. The electromagnet can encircle the body and/or magnet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An input device for use with an electronic device, comprising:
a button defining an input surface;
a force sensor configured to sense an input force applied to the input surface along an input direction oriented perpendicular to the input surface;
a permanent magnet attached to the button;
a body;
a pivot coupling the body to the button, the pivot having a pivot axis, the input direction intersecting the pivot axis; and
an electromagnet adjacent the permanent magnet; wherein
the electromagnet is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to the force sensor sensing the input force, thereby rotating the permanent magnet and the button about the pivot axis to provide haptic feedback to the button.

2. The input device of claim 1 , further comprising:
the button extends through an enclosure of the electronic device;
the body is affixed to the electronic device;
the body, permanent magnet, and electromagnet are within the enclosure;
the electromagnet defines an interior volume;
the permanent magnet is at least partially within the interior volume;
the electromagnet encircles the body; and
the electromagnet is stationary relative to the body.

3. The input device of claim 1 , wherein:
the button and permanent magnet rotate about the pivot axis and within a plane defined by a major axis and a minor axis of the input device; and
the pivot axis is parallel to the input surface.

4. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet is positioned within a space defined the body.

5. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the button and permanent magnet are configured to oscillate to provide the haptic feedback.

6. The input device of claim 5 , wherein:
the pivot comprises a pair of pins; and
the pair of pins rotate with the permanent magnet.

7. The input device of claim 1 , wherein an end of the permanent magnet is positioned within an interior volume defined by the electromagnet.

8. The input device of claim 1 , wherein:
the electronic device is a mobile device comprising a display;
the button is oblong and extends through a sidewall of the electronic device; and
information on the display is modified in response to the input force.

9. An electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure defining an opening;
a body attached to the enclosure;
a button extending through the opening and defining an input surface, the button pivotally attached to the body through a pivot axis;
a sensor configured to detect an input force applied to the input surface along an input direction intersecting the pivot axis;
a permanent magnet attached to the button and positioned within the enclosure; and
an electromagnet attached to the body, positioned within the enclosure, and encircling the permanent magnet; wherein
motion of the button is configured to provide haptic feedback at the input surface.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the electromagnet encircles the body.

11. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:
the electromagnet is positioned within the body; and
the permanent magnet is positioned within the body.

12. The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising a processor disposed in the enclosure; wherein:
the sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to an input on the input surface;
the processor is configured to receive the signal from the sensor; and
the processor is further configured to activate the electromagnet in response to receiving the signal from the sensor, thereby moving the button with respect to the body to provide haptic feedback.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein:
the sensor is a force sensor; and
the button moves if the input exceeds a threshold.

14. An input device, comprising:
an input structure defining an input surface;
a sensor configured to detect a force applied in a direction oriented into the input surface;
a pivot below the input surface and about which the input structure rotates; and
an actuator configured to rotate the input structure about the pivot to provide haptic feedback at the input structure in response to the sensor detecting the force; wherein:
rotation of the input structure moves the input surface in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of the force.

15. The input device of claim 14 , wherein a major vector of the input surface's movement is tangential to an object applying the force.

16. The input device of claim 14 , wherein the input surface is curved.

17. The input device of claim 14 , wherein the pivot passes through the input structure and is contained within the actuator.

18. The input device of claim 14 , wherein the pivot limits motion of the input structure to rotation about the pivot.

19. An input device, comprising:
an input structure defining an input surface;
a sensor configured to detect a force applied in a direction oriented into the input surface;
a pivot below the input surface and about which the input structure rotates; and
an actuator configured to rotate the input structure about the pivot in response to the sensor detecting the force; wherein:
rotation of the input structure moves the input surface in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of the force; and wherein:
the sensor is a first sensor;
the actuator is an electromagnet;
the input device further comprises a second sensor configured to detect a back electromotive force of the electromagnet; and
the electromagnet is configured to receive additional power if the back electromotive force exceeds a threshold.

20. The input device of claim 19 , wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Beyhs Michael J
• Salada Mark A
• Mcclain Megan A
• Baugh Brenton A
• Gleeson Brian T
• Miller Thayne M

Classifications

• H01H2003/008

  with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction · CPC title

• G06F3/0338

  with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks · CPC title

• G06F3/0202

  Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• H04M1/236 Primary

  including keys on side or rear faces · CPC title