Polarized Magnetic Actuators for Haptic Response
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsNicholaus Ian Lubinski, James E. Wright, Jonah A. Harley, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Storrs T. Hoen
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Abstract
A polarized electromagnetic actuator includes a movable armature, a stator, and at least one coil wrapped around the stator. At least one permanent magnet is disposed over the stator. When a current is applied to the at least one coil, the at least one coil is configured to reduce a magnetic flux of at least one permanent magnet in one direction and increase a magnetic flux of at least one permanent magnet in another direction. The movable armature moves in the direction of the increased magnetic flux.
Claims25
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a stator including two tines extending out from the stator;
- a movable armature disposed over the two tines of the stator;
- a first coil wrapped around one tine;
- a second coil wrapped around the other tine;
- and
- a first permanent magnet disposed over the stator between the two tines, wherein a magnetic flux of the first and second coils increases a magnetic flux of the first permanent magnet in one direction to produce motion in the movable armature.
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a stator including two tines extending out from the stator;
- a movable armature positioned between the two tines of the stator;
- a first coil wrapped around one tine;
- a second coil wrapped around the other tine;
- and
- a permanent magnet disposed under the movable armature and over the stator between the two tines, wherein a magnetic flux of the first and second coils increases a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet in one direction to produce motion in the movable armature.
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a movable armature including two tines extending out from the armature;
- a stator disposed over the two tines of the movable armature;
- a permanent magnet disposed under the stator and over the movable armature between the two tines;
- a first coil wrapped around the stator between one tine of the armature and the permanent magnet;
- and
- a second coil wrapped around the stator between the other tine and the permanent magnet.
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a stator including two tines extending out from the stator;
- a coil wrapped around the stator between the two tines;
- a first permanent magnet disposed over one tine of the stator;
- a second permanent magnet disposed over the other tine of the stator;
- and
- a movable armature including a first arm disposed over the first permanent magnet and a second arm disposed over the second permanent magnet and a body disposed between the two tines, wherein a magnetic flux of the coil increases a magnetic flux of one permanent magnet to produce motion in the movable armature in a direction of the increased magnetic flux.
The polarized electromagnetic actuator as in claim 13, further comprising at least one stabilizing element disposed between the body of the movable armature and at least one tine of the stator.
The polarized electromagnetic actuator as in claim 13, further comprising at least one stabilizing element disposed between at least one permanent magnet and a respective arm of the movable armature.
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a stator including two tines extending out from the stator;
- a coil wrapped around the stator between the two tines;
- a movable armature including a first arm disposed over one tine and of the stator a second arm disposed over the other tine of the stator and a body disposed between the two tines;
- a first permanent magnet attached to the first arm of the armature and disposed over one tine of the stator;
- and
- a second permanent magnet attached to the second arm of the armature and disposed over the other tine of the stator, wherein a magnetic flux of the coil increases a magnetic flux of one permanent magnet to produce motion in the movable armature in a direction of the increased magnetic flux.
A method for providing a polarized electromagnetic actuator comprising:
- providing a stator that includes two tines extending out from the stator;
- providing a movable armature spaced apart from the two tines of the stator;
- providing at least one coil wrapped around the stator;
- providing at least one permanent magnet over the stator;
- and
- configuring the at least one coil to increase a magnetic flux of at least one permanent magnet in one direction when a current is applied to the at least one coil, wherein the movable armature moves in the direction of the increased magnetic flux.
A method for operating a polarized electromagnetic actuator that comprises a movable armature, a stator, at least one coil wrapped around the stator, and at least one permanent magnet disposed over the stator, the method comprising:
- applying a current to the at least one coil to produce a first magnetic flux, wherein the first magnetic flux reduces a second magnetic flux of the at least one permanent magnet in a first direction and increases the second magnetic flux in a second direction to move the movable armature in the second direction;
- and
- controlling the current to the at least one coil to controllably vary a force applied to the movable armature.
A polarized electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
- a stator including two tines extending out from the stator;
- a coil wrapped around the stator between the two tines;
- a movable armature including a first arm disposed over one tine of the stator, a second arm disposed under the other tine of the stator, and a body disposed between the two tines;
- a first permanent magnet attached to one tine of the stator;
- and
- a second permanent magnet attached to the other tine of the stator, wherein the coil produces a first magnetic flux when a current is applied to the coil and the magnetic flux of the coil increases a magnetic flux of one permanent magnet to produce motion in the movable armature in a direction of the increased magnetic flux.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.