Actuator unit and method for generating an amplified haptic signal

A method for generating a haptic signal with a stylus-shaped input and/or output device comprising an actuator unit with a piezoelectric actuator,

• wherein a voltage is applied by a control unit to the piezoelectric actuator in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and the piezoelectric actuator thereby changes its extension in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the change in extension is converted by a mechanical amplifier into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of both the piezoelectric actuator and the stylus-shaped input and/or output device is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end,
• wherein a force transmission part is fixed on a surface of the piezoelectric actuator facing the lever element, wherein the lever element only abuts against the force transmission part, and
• wherein the force transmission part has a bend formed in the direction of the lever element, wherein the lever element only abuts the bend.

An actuator unit designed to generate a haptic signal, comprising:

• a piezoelectric actuator configured to change its extension in a longitudinal direction in response to an electrical voltage, thereby generating the haptic signal,
• a mechanical amplifier designed to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit,
• where the movement is in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the movement of the actuator unit takes place over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of the piezoelectric actuator is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein a force transmission part is fixed on a surface of the lever element facing the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts only against the force transmission part.

An actuator unit designed to generate a haptic signal, comprising:

• a piezoelectric actuator configured to change its extension in a longitudinal direction in response to an electrical voltage, thereby generating the haptic signal,
• a mechanical amplifier designed to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit,
• where the movement is in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the movement of the actuator unit takes place over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of the piezoelectric actuator is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein a surface of the lever element facing the piezoelectric actuator has a bend formed in the direction of the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the piezoelectric actuator only abuts the bend.

An actuator unit designed to generate a haptic signal, comprising:

• a piezoelectric actuator configured to change its extension in a longitudinal direction in response to an electrical voltage, thereby generating the haptic signal,
• a mechanical amplifier designed to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit,
• where the movement is in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the movement of the actuator unit takes place over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of the piezoelectric actuator is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein one or more areas are bent out of the lever element, which are fixed to the piezoelectric actuator.

An actuator unit designed to generate a haptic signal, comprising:

• a piezoelectric actuator configured to change its extension in a longitudinal direction in response to an electrical voltage, thereby generating the haptic signal,
• a mechanical amplifier designed to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit,
• where the movement is in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the movement of the actuator unit takes place over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of the piezoelectric actuator is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator is attached to the carrier element in a planar manner, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a deformation of the carrier element, and
• wherein a bent sheet is further attached to one end of the carrier element, which bends in the longitudinal direction depending on the deformation of the carrier element.

A method for generating a haptic signal with a stylus-shaped input and/or output device comprising an actuator unit with a piezoelectric actuator,

• wherein a voltage is applied by a control unit to the piezoelectric actuator in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and the piezoelectric actuator thereby changes its extension in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the change in extension is converted by a mechanical amplifier into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of both the piezoelectric actuator and the stylus-shaped input and/or output device is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein a force transmission part is fixed on a surface of the lever element facing the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts only against the force transmission part.

A method for generating a haptic signal with a stylus-shaped input and/or output device comprising an actuator unit with a piezoelectric actuator,

• wherein a voltage is applied by a control unit to the piezoelectric actuator in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and the piezoelectric actuator thereby changes its extension in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the change in extension is converted by a mechanical amplifier into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of both the piezoelectric actuator and the stylus-shaped input and/or output device is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein a surface of the lever element facing the piezoelectric actuator has a bend formed in the direction of the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the piezoelectric actuator only abuts the bend.

A method for generating a haptic signal with a stylus-shaped input and/or output device comprising an actuator unit with a piezoelectric actuator,

• wherein a voltage is applied by a control unit to the piezoelectric actuator in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and the piezoelectric actuator thereby changes its extension in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the change in extension is converted by a mechanical amplifier into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of both the piezoelectric actuator and the stylus-shaped input and/or output device is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a lever element fixed at a first end to the carrier element,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator abuts the lever element, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a movement of a second end of the lever element in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the first end, and
• wherein one or more areas are bent out of the lever element, which are fixed to the piezoelectric actuator.

A method for generating a haptic signal with a stylus-shaped input and/or output device comprising an actuator unit with a piezoelectric actuator,

• wherein a voltage is applied by a control unit to the piezoelectric actuator in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and the piezoelectric actuator thereby changes its extension in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the change in extension is converted by a mechanical amplifier into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction over a distance which is longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extension of both the piezoelectric actuator and the stylus-shaped input and/or output device is greatest,
• wherein the mechanical amplifier comprises a carrier element that fixes the piezoelectric actuator,
• wherein the piezoelectric actuator is attached to the carrier element in a planar manner, so that a change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator leads to a deformation of the carrier element, and
• wherein a bent sheet is further attached to one end of the carrier element, which bends in the longitudinal direction depending on the deformation of the carrier element.