# US 10,120,449 B2 · Parallel plate actuator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,449 B2 - Document ID: US10120449B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/239,965 - Filed: 2016-08-18 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-25 - Assignees: Immersion Corporation - Applicants: Immersion Corporation - Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava; Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120449B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G08B 6/00: Tactile signalling systems, e.g. tactile personal calling systems - G06F 2203/04105: Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract The present application relates generally to haptic actuators. For example, the application is directed to high performance parallel plate actuators, and more particularly an actuator that can be used to provide haptic feedback in a variety applications such as buttons, panels, track pads, touch panels, wearables, gaming devices and/or touch-sensitive surfaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuator for providing haptic feedback to a user, comprising: a parallel plate structure comprising: i. a first plate comprising a first electrode; ii. a second plate comprising a polarizable structure having a permanent polarization; and iii. one or more spacers positioned between and separating the first plate and the second plate, wherein a first contact of the parallel plate structure by the user at a first force provides a haptic feedback from an electrostatic interaction; wherein a second contact by the user at a second force, which is greater than the first force, compresses the spacers and activates an additional haptic feedback to the user; and wherein the actuator is integrated into a wearable clothing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, wherein the second contact is a continuation of the first contact. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a hydrogel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a piezo(polymer) or a piezo(ceramic). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, wherein the additional haptic feedback is from an electrostatic interaction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, further comprising: a second actuator positioned between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The actuator of claim 6, wherein the second actuator provides the additional haptic feedback. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The actuator of claim 6, wherein the second actuator is a smart material actuator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, further comprising: a substrate in association with the parallel plate structure for providing a user interface for the user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The actuator of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback from the electrostatic interaction is at a first frequency and wherein the additional haptic feedback is at a second frequency. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The actuator of claim 10, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. ### Claim 12 An actuator for providing haptic feedback to a user, comprising: a parallel plate structure comprising: a) a first electrode; b) a polarizable structure having a permanent polarization; and c) one or more spacers positioned between and separating the first electrode and the polarizable structure having the permanent polarization, wherein a first contact of the actuator by the user at a first force provides a haptic feedback from an electrostatic interaction; wherein a second contact by the user at a second force, which is greater than the first force, compresses the spacers and activates an additional haptic feedback from an electrostatic interaction; and wherein the actuator is integrated into a wearable clothing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The actuator of claim 12, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a hydrogel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The actuator of claim 12, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a piezo(polymer) or a piezo(ceramic). ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The actuator of claim 12, further comprising: a substrate in association with the parallel plate structure configured to provide a user interface for the user. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The actuator of claim 12, wherein the second contact is a continuation of the first contact. ### Claim 17 A wearable device for providing a first haptic feedback and a second haptic feedback to a user in response to a first contact and a second contact, comprising: a) a substrate integrated into a wearable clothing; b) a parallel plate structure associated with the substrate, the parallel structure comprising: i. a first plate comprising a first electrode; ii. a second plate comprising a polarizable structure having a permanent polarization and at least a second insulator; and iii. one or more spacers positioned between and separating the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first contact at a first force provides the first haptic feedback from an electrostatic interaction; and wherein the second contact at a second force, which is higher than the first force, compresses the spacers and activates the second haptic feedback. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a hydrogel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the one or more spacers comprise a piezo(polymer) or a piezo(ceramic). ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the second haptic feedback is from an electrostatic interaction. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, further comprising a second actuator positioned between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the second actuator provides the second haptic feedback. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The wearable device of claim 22, wherein the second actuator is a smart material actuator. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the first haptic feedback from the electrostatic interaction is at a first frequency and wherein the second haptic feedback is at a second frequency. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the second contact is a continuation of the first contact.