Apparatus for providing haptic feedback

Disclosed is an apparatus used in an electronic device for providing haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a base defining a receiving space, a piezoelectricity vibrator suspended in the receiving space and being capable of vibrating in the receiving space, a pair of contacts partially accommodated in the base and electrically connected to the piezoelectricity vibrator, and a transmitting mass located above the piezoelectricity vibrator with a lower side abutting against the piezoelectricity vibrator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to apparatuses for providing haptic feedbacks.

2. Description of Related Art

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,535,454 B2, portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, portable GPS navigations, laptop computers, generally have a number of buttons that allow a user to interface with the devices by inputting information. The capabilities of these devices are increasing while the size and weight are decreasing to enhance portability. For example, mobile phones, in addition to their traditional role as voice-communication devices, now include functions traditionally associated with other devices, such as electronic games, PDAs, and digital cameras.

To permit effective interaction with the handheld devices, the handheld devices typically provide visual and aural cues or feedback. In addition to conventional visual and aural feedback, some of these devices attempt to enhance the effectiveness of device feedback by providing tactile cues or feedback. Some devices utilize structural tactile methods. One such example is to provide raised surfaces on the input surface, e.g., a keypad, of the device. Such methods, however, are inherently static and thus cannot offer effective tactile feedback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for proving haptic feedback includes a base defining a pair of through holes at two ends thereof, a pair of contacts partially accommodated in the through holes, a piezoelectricity vibrator suspended by the contacts with two ends electrically connected to the contacts, and a cover. The cover includes two pressing portions for pressing the two ends of the piezoelectricity vibrator on the contacts, a transmitting beam extending from one of the pressing portion to the other pressing portion, and a transmitting mass positioned to the transmitting beam with a lower side abutting against the piezoelectricity vibrator.

Alternatively, an apparatus includes a base defining a receiving space and including a pair of steps therein, a cover, a piezoelectricity vibrator suspended in the receiving space by the steps, and a pair of contacts partially accommodated in the base and electrically connected to the piezoelectricity vibrator. The cover includes two pressing portions for pressing the two ends of the piezoelectricity vibrator on the steps, a transmitting beam extending from one of the pressing portion to the other pressing portion, and a transmitting mass positioned to the transmitting beam with a lower side abutting against the piezoelectricity vibrator.

Other features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to describe the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in detail.

The present invention is presented for providing the user with intensive interaction experience. For example, if a user taps on a touch screen of a portable gaming, the user will get a tactile feedback, such as vibration, from the touch screen.

Referring toFIG. 1, an apparatus100for providing haptic feedback, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes a base20, a cover10forming a receiving space with the base20, a piezoelectric vibrator30located between the base20and the cover10, and a pair of contacts40electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator30. A piezoelectric vibrator is a type of electric motor based upon the change in shape of a piezoelectric material when an electric field is applied. Piezoelectric vibrators make use of the converse piezoelectric effect whereby the material produces vibrations in order to produce a motion.

Referring toFIGS. 2-3, the base20defines a pair of through holes220for accommodating the corresponding contacts40. While the contact40is assembled with the base20, one end is beyond the base20and the other end is inside the base20. The piezoelectricity vibrator30is received in the receiving space, with two ends thereof connected to the contacts40. Corresponding to the two ends of the piezoelectricity vibrator30, the base preferably defines two steps210for supporting the vibrator. Thus, the piezoelectricity vibrator30is suspended in the receiving space. In fact, the piezoelectricity vibrator30may also be directly supported by the contacts. While suspended, the piezoelectricity vibrator30departs from a bottom of the base20for forming a gap230for providing the vibrator with vibrating space.

The cover10includes a pair of pressing portions110for pressing on the two ends of the piezoelectricity vibrator30, at least one transmitting beam120extending from one pressing portion to the other pressing portion, and a transmitting mass130extending from the transmitting beam120. While the cover10is assembled with the base20, two ends of the piezoelectricity vibrator30are sandwiched between the pressing portion110and the steps210or are sandwiched between the pressing portion110and the contacts40. While assembled, a lower side131of the transmitting mass130abuts against the piezoelectricity vibrator30, and an upper side132of the transmitting mass130abuts against a touch screen. When applied with an electric field, the piezoelectricity vibrator30vibrates and further drives the transmitting mass130to vibrate. The vibration is transmitted from the piezoelectricity vibrator30to the touch screen via the transmitting beam120and the transmitting mass130.

While applied in an electronic device having an interactive interface, such as a mobile phone having a touch screen, the apparatus of the invention is capable of providing haptic feedback. When a user interacts with the mobile phone by tapping on the touch screen, the touch screen produces electrical signals to apply on the piezoelectricity vibrator30. Then, the piezoelectricity vibrator30vibrates and provides the user with tactile haptic feedback via the touch screen.

In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the cover10may be made of elastic material for providing the transmitting beam120with good elasticity. For providing the transmitting beam with sufficient deforming space, an interval140is defined between the transmitting beam120and the piezoelectricity vibrator30.

In a preferable model, a pair of transmitting beam is provided for clamping the transmitting mass. In another preferable model, the transmitting mass defines an upper side protruding from the transmitting beam.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments, the description of the invention is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various of modifications to the present invention can be made to the exemplary embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.