Method and apparatus for enabling floating touch screen haptics assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9866149-B2
Application number	US-201514802795-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2015
Priority date	Jul 28, 2014
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

A system that includes an actuator amplification apparatus and a push pull actuator disposed on or within the actuator amplification apparatus. The actuator amplification apparatus is configured to receive a push pull actuator. The actuator amplification apparatus includes a body fixture configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass, an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a moving mass, and an integral amplification mechanism. The integral amplification mechanism of the actuator amplification apparatus amplifies a force output by the push pull actuator to the moving mass. The integral amplification mechanism includes a plurality of linkages or an integral lever arm. The actuator amplification apparatus may include stabilizers configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator. In an embodiment, the fixed mass is a dashboard frame of an automobile and the moving mass is a floating haptic touch screen assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a push pull actuator configured to output a force in a first direction and output an amount of travel in the first direction; and
an actuator amplification apparatus configured to receive the push pull actuator, the actuator amplification apparatus including a body fixture configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass, an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a moving mass, and an integral amplification mechanism,
wherein the push pull actuator is disposed on or within the actuator amplification apparatus, and wherein the integral amplification mechanism of the actuator amplification apparatus is configured to convert the force and the amount of travel output by the push pull actuator in the first direction to an amplified force on the moving mass and a second and lower amount of travel for the moving mass in a second direction.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the force output by the push pull actuator is between 1 N and 5 N and the actuator amplification apparatus amplifies the force by a ratio between 2:1 and 5:1.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the integral amplification mechanism extends from the body fixture to the output interface along the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the integral amplification mechanism includes a frame having a first pair of opposing linkages extending between the push pull actuator and the body fixture and a second pair of opposing linkages extending between the push pull actuator and the output interface.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein each linkage of the first pair of opposing linkages is attached to the push pull actuator and the body fixture by a pair of flexible joints and each linkage of the second pair of opposing linkages is attached to the push pull actuator and the output interface by a pair of flexible joints, each flexible joint being configured to transmit torque output by the push pull actuator through the frame.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each flexible joint is a living hinge.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein each flexible joint is a pin joint.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein a plunger of the push pull actuator is mounted to a frame surface of the frame and a body of the push pull actuator is disposed within an actuator receiving sleeve of the frame, the frame surface and the actuator receiving sleeve opposing each other.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein a height of the frame expands and a width of the frame contracts when the plunger pulls into the body of the push pull actuator.

10. The system of claim 5 , wherein the frame further includes a first stabilizer extending between the push pull actuator and the body fixture and a second stabilizer extending between the push pull actuator and the output interface, the first and second stabilizers being configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator amplification apparatus is injection molded.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator amplification apparatus is formed from at least one of sheet metal, machined metal, plastic, and a composite material.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the moving mass weighs between 200 grams and 2000 grams.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the moving mass is a floating haptic touch screen assembly.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the fixed mass is a dashboard frame of an automobile.

16. A system comprising:
a push pull actuator; and
an amplification frame including
a body fixture configured to connect the amplification frame to a fixed mass,
an output interface to connect the amplification frame to a haptic touch screen,
an actuator receiving sleeve configured to receive the push pull actuator, and
a plurality of linkages including a first pair of opposing linkages extending between an actuator mount and the body fixture, and a second pair of opposing linkages extending between the actuator mount and the output interface, wherein each linkage of the first pair of opposing linkages is attached to the actuator mount and the body fixture by a pair of flexible joints, and each linkage of the second pair of opposing linkages is attached to the actuator mount and the output interface by a pair of flexible joints,

wherein the push pull actuator is disposed within the actuator receiving sleeve and configured to output a force, wherein each flexible joint of the amplification frame is configured to transmit torque output by the push pull actuator through the amplification frame, and the plurality of linkages of the amplification frame amplifies the force output by the push pull actuator to the haptic touch screen.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein a plunger of the push pull actuator is mounted to a frame surface of the amplification frame and a body of the push pull actuator is disposed within the actuator receiving sleeve of the amplification frame, the frame surface and the actuator receiving sleeve opposing each other and wherein a height of the amplification frame expands and a width of the amplification frame contracts when the plunger pulls into the body of the push pull actuator.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the amplification frame further includes a first stabilizer extending between the push pull actuator and the body fixture and a second stabilizer extending between the push pull actuator and the output interface, the first and second stabilizers being configured to limit movement of the push pull actuator.

19. A system comprising:
a haptic touch screen;
an actuator amplification apparatus including
an actuator mount configured to receive a push pull actuator and configured to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to a fixed mass,
an output interface to attach the actuator amplification apparatus to the haptic touch screen, and
a lever arm system extending between the actuator mount and the output interface, wherein the lever arm system is attached to the actuator mount and the output interface by a plurality of flexible joints; and

a push pull actuator disposed within the actuator mount and configured to output a force, wherein each flexible joint of the actuator amplification apparatus is configured to transmit torque output by the push pull actuator through the lever arm system, and the lever arm system is configured to amplify the force output by the push pull actuator to the haptic touch screen.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein a plunger of the push pull actuator is mounted to an end of the lever arm system and a body of the push pull actuator is disposed within the actuator mount.

Assignees

• Immersion Corp

Inventors

• Parker Daniel
• Imoto Kohei
• Redelsheimer Elena
• Kapelus Aaron
• Greenish Michael

Classifications

• H02N2/043 Primary

  Mechanical transmission means, e.g. for stroke amplification · CPC title

• G06F3/016

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