Patent ID: 6359371
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B06B,G08B,H04R

Abstract:
An actuator device for signaling a user comprising:a housing comprising a shell at least partially enclosing the actuator, and an electro-active assembly comprising an electro-active element; a conductor; and an insulator, wherein said insulator at least partially covers said electro-active element, wherein said conductor is in direct electrical contact with said electro-active element, wherein said electro-active element, conductor, and said insulator are bonded together such that in-plane strain in said electro-active element is shear coupled between said electro-active element and said insulator; wherein said electro-active assembly is attached to said housing such that, upon actuation, said electro-active assembly transmits energy through the housing in order to produce a signal that is detectable to the user and wherein said electro-active element comprises a first piezoceramic sheet portion mechanically attached to the housing to create an inertial response and a second piezoceramic sheet portion mechanically attached to the housing to create an acoustic response, said first and second piezoceramic sheet portions lying in different regions of the single sheet.