Patent ID: 8138866
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: B60K,G05G

Abstract:
1. A rotary actuator having magnetically generated haptics for an automotive vehicle, the rotary actuator comprising: a housing; a first magnet configured to be stationary in the housing, said first magnet having a first north pole and a first south pole; a second magnet positioned plane parallel with respect to the first magnet, said second magnet having a second north pole and a second south pole, wherein one of said poles of said first magnet is adjacent to a corresponding pole of said second magnet such that adjacent poles have the same polarity, the second magnet being configured to be rotatable with respect to the first magnet about an axis of rotation via a handle of the rotary actuator and being configured to be movable toward said first magnet when said handle is engaged in a direction parallel to said axis of rotation; and an air gap formed between said first and second magnets, wherein said air gap decreases when said second magnet moves towards said first magnet by pushing said handle, wherein a magnetically generated counterforce opposes a pushing force of said handle.