Haptic actuator
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorNils E. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A haptic actuator may include a housing that includes first and second shells. The first shell may define a first tab and the second shell may define a second tab. The housing may also include a plastic end portion positioned between the first and second shells. The plastic end portion may define recesses that receive the first and second tabs. At least one coil may be carried by the housing. A field member may be movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. A flexure may be coupled to the plastic end portion and the field member.
Claims20
A haptic actuator, comprising:
- a housing including,
- a first shell defining a first tab;
- a second shell defining a second tab;
- and
- a plastic end portion positioned between the first and second shells and defining recesses, the recesses receiving the first and second tabs;
- at least one electric coil carried by the housing;
- a field member movable within the housing responsive to the at least one electric coil;
- and
- a flexure coupled to the plastic end portion and the field member.
An electronic device, comprising:
- a device housing;
- wireless communications circuitry carried by the device housing;
- a haptic actuator carried by the device housing and including:
- an actuator housing including:
- a first shell comprising a first tab;
- a second shell coupled to the first shell and comprising a second tab;
- an end portion defining a first recess corresponding to the first tab and a second recess corresponding to the second tab;
- at least one electric coil carried by the actuator housing;
- a field member movable within the actuator housing responsive to the at least one electric coil;
- and
- a flexure coupled to the end portion and the field member, a portion of the end portion overmolded over a first portion of the flexure and a portion of the field member overmolded over a second portion of the flexure;
- and
- a controller coupled to the wireless communications circuitry and the haptic actuator and configured to perform at least one wireless communications function and selectively operate the haptic actuator, respectively.
A haptic actuator, comprising:
- a housing including,
- a first shell portion;
- a second shell portion;
- and
- an end portion extending between the first shell portion to the second shell portion;
- at least one electric coil carried by the housing;
- a field member movable within the housing responsive to the at least one electric coil and including a plastic endcap;
- and
- a flexure having a first end embedded in the plastic endcap and a second end coupled to the end portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.