Tactile supply device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016239086-A1
Application number	US-201414778722-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 14, 2014
Priority date	Sep 29, 2014
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided is a tactile supply device for transferring various types of tactile sensations to a user using tactile sensation providers that include magnetic particles. The tactile supply device includes tactile sensation providers made of magnetic particles and a matrix material, and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to transform the tactile sensation providers.

First claim

1 . A tactile supply device comprising:
a tactile sensation provider made of magnetic particles and a matrix material; and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to transform the tactile sensation provider, wherein the tactile sensation provider maintains a first shape when not influenced by a magnetic field, wherein the tactile sensation provider maintains a second shape when influenced by a magnetic field, and wherein the tactile sensation provider returns from the second shape to the first shape and produces a reciprocating motion by elastic force, thereby transferring a tactile sensation.

2 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile sensation provider is made of a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE).

3 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile sensation provider is in the shape of at least one of a fine projection, an empty cylinder, a dome, a polyhedron, a plate, a leaf spring, a seesaw and a tunnel.

4 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator is at least one of a planar coil and a solenoid coil.

5 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , further comprising a supporter disposed between the tactile sensation provider and the magnetic field generator to ensure a space for the transformation of the tactile sensation provider.

6 . The tactile supply device of claim 5 , wherein the supporter is made of an MRE and has at least one of a curved shape and a wave shape.

7 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , further comprising a tactile unit that contacts a user, wherein at least one tactile sensation provider is connected to the tactile unit.

8 . The tactile supply device of claim 7 , wherein the tactile unit includes at least one cell, and wherein the magnetic field generator is disposed under the tactile unit.

9 . The tactile supply device of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic field generator includes at least one coil unit that corresponds to the cell.

10 . The tactile supply device of claim 9 , wherein the coil unit is disposed as multiple layers that overlap each other.

11 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator is at a location and in a shape corresponding to the tactile sensation provider,
wherein the tactile sensation provider is transformed in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, and wherein a tactile sensation is transferred by the transformation of the tactile sensation provider.

12 . The tactile supply device of claim 10 , wherein the tactile sensation includes at least one of vibration, brushing, constriction, beating, pressing, tapping and tilting.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the degree, direction, and frequency of the transformation from the first shape to the second shape is controlled by controlling at least one of the intensity, direction, and frequency of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.

15 . The tactile supply device of claim 7 , wherein the tactile unit further includes a cell barrier having a height lower than a height of the tactile sensation provider and provided along the perimeter of the cell.

16 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles includes at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni).

17 . The tactile supply device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material is made of rubber or a polymer.

Assignees

• Ck Mat Lab Co Ltd

Inventors

• Do Seoung Hun
• Kim Hyeong Jun

Classifications

• G08B6/00

  Tactile signalling systems, e.g. tactile personal calling systems · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

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

• G06F3/046

  by electromagnetic means · CPC title

• H01F7/126

  Supporting or mounting · CPC title