# US 10,481,695 B2 · Fiber actuator for haptic feedback

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- Number: US 10,481,695 B2
- Document ID: US10481695B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/364,270
- Filed: 2019-03-26
- Published: 2019-08-01
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-03-09
- Assignees: Immersion Corporation
- Applicants: Immersion Corporation
- Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava; Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481695B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user}
- A63F 13/28: responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light
- D02G 3/441: {Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties (electroconductive, anti-static or radiation-shielding filaments D01F1/09, D01F1/106; anti-static fabrics D03D15/533; conducting, insulating or anti-static layers for floor coverings D06N7/0042)}
- D03D 1/0088: {Fabrics having an electronic function}
- G08B 6/00: Tactile signalling systems, e.g. tactile personal calling systems
- H10N 30/60: having a coaxial cable structure
- H10N 30/702: {based on piezoelectric or electrostrictive fibres}
- D10B 2401/16: antistatic; conductive
- G06F 2203/013: Force feedback applied to a game
- G06F 2203/04809: Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
- H10N 30/857: Macromolecular compositions
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D02G: CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
- D03D: WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES

## Abstract

This disclosure relates to fiber actuators for providing haptic feedback, and haptic actuation resulting from mechanical and/or electrostatic (non-mechanical) interactions with the fiber actuators. Such fiber actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for providing a signal to an external device, the method comprising:
receiving a user interaction via a smart material comprising a fiber actuator, the fiber actuator comprising:
a first conductive element;
a polymeric layer concentrically disposed about the first conductive element and configured to deform so as to provide haptic feedback;
a second conductive element concentrically disposed about the polymeric layer; and
an insulator layer concentrically disposed about the second conductive element over at least a portion of a length of the fiber actuator,
wherein the fiber actuator has a substantially circular cross-section substantially along an entire length of the fiber actuator, and
transferring the signal from the smart material to the external device, thereby confirming receipt of the user interaction via the smart material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first conductive element forms a solid core of the fiber actuator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first conductive element forms a hollow core of the fiber actuator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer comprises an electroactive polymer selected from a group comprising poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(pyrrole), poly(thiophene), poly(aniline) and mixtures, co-polymers, and derivatives of these electroactive polymers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer comprises a shape memory polymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the smart material is part of a wearable smart material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the interacting comprises the user touching, swiping or pressing the smart material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting an actuation signal from the external device to a power source electrically coupled to the fiber actuator; and
generating the haptic feedback via the fiber actuator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the generating comprises generating an electric field between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, resulting in a deformation of the polymeric layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the generating comprises generating an electrostatic feedback to a user over at least the portion of the length comprising the insulator layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the transferring the signal from the smart material to the external device occurs before the generating haptic feedback via the fiber actuator.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the transferring the signal from the smart material to the external device occurs after the generating haptic feedback via the fiber actuator.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the external device is a computer, a mobile device, a gaming system, a virtual or augmented reality system, or an automobile.