Piezo-electric actuator device with a force limiting structure
AssigneeBoréas Technologies Inc.
InventorGuillaume CHAUVETTE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A “mechanism” in series with the piezoelectric actuator that limits the amount of force that can be applied to the piezoelectric actuator, but that does not interfere when force levels are acceptable (normal use). Accordingly, the piezo-electric actuator system includes a first resilient member configured for generating a preload force; and a first thrust member configured for applying the preload force to a first abutment surface when the input force is not applied to the first piezo-electric actuator and to the first piezo-electric actuator when the input force is applied to the first piezo-electric actuator.
Claims17
A piezo-electric actuator device for mounting on a frame of an electronic device, comprising:
- a first pushbutton mounted on the frame of the electronic device with a first gap between the first pushbutton and a hard stop on the frame;
- a first piezo-electric actuator configured for receiving an input force from the first pushbutton and generating a first input voltage signal when the input force exceeds an actuation force;
- a first resilient member configured for generating a preload force;
- and
- a first thrust member in contact with the first resilient member configured for applying the preload force to a first abutment surface when the input force is not applied to the first piezo-electric actuator, configured for applying at least a portion of the preload force to the first piezo-electric actuator when the input force is applied to the first piezo-electric actuator, and configured for moving away from the first abutment surface when the input force is greater than the preload force to enable the first pushbutton to engage the hard stop, thereby limiting the input force on the first piezo-electric actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.