Electromagnetic actuator
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDavid Hiemstra, Nils E. Larson, Robert R. Ingersoll, Eddy Sugyarto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A haptic actuator includes a housing having a ferromagnetic wall. The ferromagnetic wall has a set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features protruding from the ferromagnetic wall into the housing. A movable magnet is positioned within the housing. A pair of springs, respectively attached to opposite sides of the housing and opposite ends of the movable magnet, bias the movable magnet toward a position of rest between the pair of springs. An electric coil is attached to the set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features and positioned between the movable magnet and the set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features.
Claims12
A haptic actuator, comprising:
- a housing having a ferromagnetic wall, the ferromagnetic wall having a set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features comprising two or more ribs and protruding from the ferromagnetic wall into the housing;
- a movable magnet positioned within the housing;
- a flexible printed circuit extending between adjacent ribs of the two or more ribs;
- a pair of springs, respectively attached to opposite sides of the housing and opposite ends of the movable magnet and biasing the movable magnet toward a position of rest between the pair of springs;
- and
- an electric coil electrically coupled to the flexible printed circuit and attached to the set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features and positioned between the movable magnet and the set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features.
An electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a housing having a ferromagnetic wall comprising:
- a set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features protruding from the ferromagnetic wall into the housing;
- and
- an exterior surface including a set of one or more recesses corresponding to the set of one or more half shear ferromagnetic features;
- an adhesive on the exterior surface, wherein:
- the adhesive at least partially surrounding the set of one or more recesses as a whole;
- and
- recesses of the set of one or more recesses and portions of the exterior surface disposed between adjacent recesses of the set of one or more recesses being adhesive-free;
- a flexible cover attached to the adhesive and extending over the set of one or more recesses;
- and
- an electromagnetic assembly housed within the housing and including,
- a stationary component;
- and
- a movable component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.