PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10236760-B2
Application Number: US-201315025425-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic actuators for haptic response

Abstract:
In an embodiment, an actuator or circuit includes elements moveably coupled via bearings positioned between curved grooves. The bearings and the curves may exert a restorative force to return the elements to an original position after movement and may be spherical, cubic, cylindrical, and/or include gears that interact with groove gears. In some embodiments, an electrical coil may be coplanar with a surface of an element and a hard magnet may be positioned in the center and be polarized to stabilize or destabilize the element with respect to another element. In various embodiments, a magnetic circuit includes an element with an electrical coil wrapped in multiple directions around the element. In some embodiments, an actuator includes attraction elements and exertion of force causes an element to approach, contact, and/or magnetically attach to one of the attraction elements.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. An actuator, comprising:
 a fixed body element, including at least one first groove and at least one electrical coil; 
 a moveable body element, including at least one second groove and a first and second hard magnet; and 
 at least one bearing positioned between the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove that separates the fixed body element from the moveable body element; 
 wherein the moveable body element is magnetically attracted toward the fixed body element, the first hard magnet has an opposite polarity facing a surface of the moveable body element than the second hard magnet, and at least one of the at least one first groove or the at least one second groove is curved such that applying a lateral force to the moveable body element causes the at least one bearing to force the moveable body element vertically away from the fixed body element. 
 
     
     
       2. The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein ceasing to apply the lateral force causes the at least one bearing to allow the moveable body element to move closer to the fixed body element. 
     
     
       3. The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing is cylindrical. 
     
     
       4. The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable body element further includes at least one soft magnet positioned such that the first and second hard magnets are positioned between the at least one soft magnet and the fixed body element. 
     
     
       5. The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing comprises a plurality of bearings, the at least one first groove comprises a plurality of first grooves, the at least one second groove comprises a plurality of second grooves, and each of the plurality of bearings is positioned between one of the plurality of first grooves and one of the plurality of second grooves. 
     
     
       6. An actuator, comprising:
 a first body element comprising a first hard magnet and a second hard magnet; and 
 a second body element that is moveably coupled to the first body element and comprises at least one electrical coil and at least one center hard magnet positioned in a center of the at least one electrical coil; 
 wherein the center hard magnet is polarized to either: oppose a direction of a magnetic flux; or correspond with the direction of the magnetic flux. 
 
     
     
       7. The actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the center hard magnet is polarized to correspond with the direction of the magnetic flux and exerts a restorative force to return the second body element to an original position with respect to the first body element after lateral movement. 
     
     
       8. The actuator of  claim 7 , wherein the center hard magnet is polarized to oppose the direction of the magnetic flux and resists return of the second body element to the original position. 
     
     
       9. The actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the center hard magnet is polarized to oppose the direction of the magnetic flux and destabilizes centering of the second body element with respect to the first body element. 
     
     
       10. The actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the first body element further comprises at least a first soft magnet element, and wherein at least one of the first hard magnet or the second hard magnet is positioned between the first soft magnet element and the second body element. 
     
     
       11. The actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the second body element further comprises at least a second soft magnet element, and wherein at least one of the at least one electrical coil or the at least one center hard magnet is positioned between the second soft magnet element and the first body element. 
     
     
       12. A magnetic circuit, comprising:
 a moveable bar element that includes at least a first hard magnet and a second hard magnet; and 
 a fixed bar element that includes an electrical coil structure wound around the fixed bar element, wherein a first section of the electrical coil structure is wound in a first direction around a first area of the fixed bar element, and a second section of the electrical coil structure is wound in a second direction around a second area of the fixed bar element; 
 wherein the moveable bar element is moveably coupled to the fixed bar element. 
 
     
     
       13. The magnetic circuit of  claim 12 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposing directions. 
     
     
       14. The magnetic circuit of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical coil structure includes a middle section where the direction of winding is changed between the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
       15. The magnetic circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the middle section is attached to the fixed bar element. 
     
     
       16. The magnetic circuit of  claim 12 , wherein the moveable bar element further comprises at least one soft magnet wherein at least one of the first hard magnet or the second hard magnet is positioned between the at least one soft magnet and the fixed bar element. 
     
     
       17. The magnetic circuit of  claim 12 , wherein the moveable bar element is moveably coupled to the fixed bar element by at least one bearing that is positioned between at least one first groove and at least one second groove. 
     
     
       18. The magnetic circuit of  claim 12 , further comprising an additional moveable bar element separated from the moveable bar element by the fixed bar element wherein the additional moveable bar element is moveably coupled to the fixed bar element and includes at least a third hard magnet and a fourth hard magnet. 
     
     
       19. An actuator, comprising:
 a fixed body element, including at least one first groove and at least one electrical coil; 
 a moveable body element, including at least one second groove and a first and second hard magnet; and 
 at least one cube bearing positioned between the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove that separates the moveable body element from the fixed body element; 
 wherein the moveable body element is magnetically attracted toward the fixed body element and at least one of the at least one first groove or the at least one second groove is curved such that applying a lateral force to the moveable body element causes the at least one cube bearing to move the moveable body element laterally with respect to the fixed body element. 
 
     
     
       20. The actuator of  claim 19 , wherein ceasing to apply the lateral force causes the at least one cube bearing to move the moveable body element laterally with the fixed body element to return to an original position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of PCT/US2013/062556, filed on Sep. 30, 2013, and entitled “Magnetic Actuators for Haptic Response,” which is incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to haptic devices, and more specifically to magnetic actuators that provide a haptic response. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Magnetic actuators, such as those utilized in haptic devices, typically include a first body element that is moveable with relation to a second body element. Such movement may be accomplished through direction of magnetic flux utilizing one or more electrical coils, soft magnets (a material that is not permanently magnetic but can become magnetic in response to the proximity of a magnetic force), and/or one or more hard magnets (materials that are permanently magnetic such as rare-earth magnets). The movement may cause vibrations, which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure discloses magnetic actuators and circuits. In various embodiments, a magnetic actuator or circuit may include a moveable body or bar element that is moveably coupled to a fixed body or bar element via one or more bearings positioned between one or more grooves. In some cases the grooves may be curved such that force exerted causing lateral movement of the moveable body or bar elements cause the bearings to move upward on the curve of the groove such that the bearing moves back down the curve and restores the moveable body or bar elements to an original position after the force is no longer exerted. In various cases, the bearings may be spherical, cubic, cylindrical, and/or include gear elements that interact with one or more gear elements of the grooves. In some cases, the bearings cause the moveable body or bar element to translate vertically as well as move laterally, though in other cases the bearings may only cause the moveable body or bar elements to move laterally. 
     In some embodiments, a body element may include one or more electrical coils coplanar with the body element. In various cases, the body element may also include one or more hard magnets positioned in the center of the electrical coil that are polarized to stabilize or destabilize centering of the body element with respect to another body element. 
     In various embodiments, a magnetic circuit may include a first bar element with a plurality of hard magnets and/or soft magnets and a second bar element with one or more electrical coils wrapped around the second bar element. In some cases, the electrical coil may include a first section wrapped in a first direction, a second section wrapped in a second direction opposing the first direction, and a middle section that transitions between the first direction and the second direction. 
     In one or more embodiments, an actuator may include a fixed body element, with first and second side soft magnets, that is moveably coupled to a moveable body element. Exertion of force may cause the moveable body element to move such that the moveable body element approaches and/or contacts the first or second soft side magnet. Such contact may result in a “tap,” which may be provided to a user as a tactile output. Upon contact, the moveable body element may magnetically attach to the respective soft side magnet and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the moveable body element and causes it to move to approach the other soft side magnet. 
     In some embodiments, an actuator may include a first magnetic attraction element, a second magnetic attraction element, and a moveable member including a first hard magnet, a second hard magnet, and an electrical coil. Exertion of force may cause the moveable member to move such that the first hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the first magnetic attraction element or the second hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the second magnetic attraction element. Such contact may result in a “tap,” which may be provided to a user as a tactile output. Upon contact, the respective hard magnet may magnetically attach to the respective magnetic attraction element and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the respective hard magnet and causes the moveable member to move such that the other hard magnet approaches the other magnetic attraction member. In some cases, the magnetic attraction elements may be hard magnets, though in other implementations the magnetic attraction elements may be soft magnets. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are for purposes of example and explanation and do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view illustrating a track pad incorporated into an electronic device. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device taken along line  1 B in  FIG. 1A  including a first embodiment of a magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of the fixed body element of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 1D  is a top view of the moveable body element of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 1E  is a close up side view of a first groove of the fixed body element of  FIG. 1C  taken along line  1 E in  FIG. 1C . 
         FIG. 1F  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device taken along line  1 F in  FIG. 1A  illustrating an example flow of magnetic flux. 
         FIG. 1G  illustrates a cross sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the moveable body element of  FIG. 1B  taken along line  1 G of  FIG. 1D . 
         FIG. 1H  is a close up side view of an alternative embodiment of the first groove of the fixed body element of  FIG. 1E . 
         FIG. 1I  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device taken along line  1 B in  FIG. 1A  including a second embodiment of a magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 1J  is a close up view of a bearing and a second groove of  FIG. 1I . 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional side view of a first implementation of a third embodiment of a magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional side view of a second implementation of the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional side view of a first implementation of a fourth embodiment of a magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3A  after the application of a first electrical current to an electrical coil of the magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3B  after the application of a second electrical current to the electrical coil of the magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3D  is a front plan view of a second implementation of the fourth embodiment of a magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3E  is a cross sectional view of the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3D  taken along line  3 E in  FIG. 3D . 
         FIG. 3F  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3E  after the application of a first electrical current to an electrical coil of the magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3G  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3F  after the application of a second electrical current to the electrical coil of the magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 3H  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3D  with a housing surrounding parts of the magnetic actuator. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of a first embodiment of a magnetic circuit. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the magnetic circuit of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a front view of a second embodiment of a magnetic circuit. 
         FIG. 4D  is a front view of a third embodiment of a magnetic circuit. 
         FIG. 4E  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a magnetic circuit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, and computer program products that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein. 
     In many magnetic actuators, a first body element and a second body element may be connected via one or more centering springs. When the first and second body elements move with respect to each other from an original position, the centering spring may exert a restorative force upon the first and second body elements. This restorative force may operate to bring the first and second body elements back to the original position so that the first and second body elements are positioned for subsequent movement. 
     The present disclosure discloses magnetic actuators and circuits. In various embodiments, a magnetic actuator or circuit may include a first element that is moveably coupled to a second element via one or more bearings positioned between one or more grooves. In some cases the grooves may be curved. The bearings and the curves may exert a restorative force to return the first and second elements to an original position after movement. In various cases, the bearings may be spherical, cubic, cylindrical, and/or include gear elements that interact with one or more gear elements of the grooves. 
     In some embodiments, a second element may include one or more electrical coils that are coplanar with a surface of the second element. In various cases, the second element may also include one or more hard magnets positioned in the center of the electrical coil that are polarized to stabilize or destabilize centering of the second element with respect to a first element. 
     In various embodiments, a magnetic circuit may include a second element with one or more electrical coils wrapped around the second element. In some cases, the electrical coil may include a first section wrapped in a first direction, a second section wrapped in a second direction opposing the first direction, and a middle section that transitions between the first direction and the second direction. 
     In one or more embodiments, an actuator may include a first element with first and second side soft magnets that is moveably coupled to a second element. Exertion of force may cause the second element to move such that the second body element approaches and/or contacts the first or second soft side magnet. Such contact may result in a “tap,” which may be provided to a user as a tactile output. Upon contact, the second element may magnetically attach to the respective soft side magnet and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the second element and causes it to move to approach the other soft side magnet. 
     In other embodiments, an actuator may include a first magnetic attraction element, a second magnetic attraction element, and a moveable member including a first hard magnet, a second hard magnet, and an electrical coil. Exertion of force may cause the moveable member to move such that the first hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the first magnetic attraction element or the second hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the second magnetic attraction element. Upon contact, the respective hard magnet may magnetically attach to the respective magnetic attraction element and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the respective hard magnet and causes the moveable member to move such that the other hard magnet approaches the other magnetic attraction member. 
       FIG. 1A  is a top view illustrating a track pad  102  incorporated into an electronic device  101 . The electronic device may be any electronic device that includes a track pad such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a wearable device, a smart phone, a digital media player, a mobile computing device, a tablet computing device, and so on. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device  101  taken along the line  1 B in  FIG. 1A . As illustrated, a first embodiment of a magnetic actuator  100 A is coupled to the track pad  102 . 
     Although the magnetic actuator is illustrated and described herein as coupled to the track pad of the electronic device, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the magnetic actuator may be utilized in a variety of different ways in a variety of different electronic devices. For example, such a magnetic actuator may be coupled to a housing (such as the housing of a tablet computer, mouse, and so on), one or more selection elements (such as one or more keys of a keyboard, buttons of a mouse, touch pads of a tablet computing device, and so on), a wearable device such as a watch, glasses, and so on. 
     As illustrated, the magnetic actuator may include a fixed body element  104 , a number of bearings  110  (which may be spherical), and a moveable body element  103 . The fixed body element may include an electrical coil  107  (which may be coplanar with a surface of the fixed body element) and a number of first grooves  105 . The moveable body element may include a first hard magnet (materials that are permanently magnetic such as rare-earth magnets)  108 , a second hard magnet element  109  (see  FIGS. 1D and 1E ) (which may have an opposite polarity than the first hard magnet facing a surface of the moveable body element), and a number of second grooves  106 . The moveable body element may be attracted to the fixed body element via the first hard magnet and/or the second hard magnet element. The moveable body element may be separated from the fixed body element by the bearings positioned in the first and second grooves. 
       FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of the fixed body element  104 . As illustrated, the first grooves may be curved such that the fixed body element grooves are deeper at a center portion  150  than at either edge portion  151  or  152 . 
       FIG. 1D  is a top view of the moveable body element  103 . As illustrated, the second grooves  106  may be curved such that the moveable body element grooves are deeper at a center portion  160  than at either edge portion  161  or  162 . 
     Application of electrical current to the electrical coil  107  may cause the electrical coil to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a magnetic flux. The magnetic flux may exert a force upon any magnetic material (i.e., the first hard magnet  108  and the second hard magnet  109 ) within the magnetic field. The vector of the force may vary with the magnetic flux, which may vary according to the position of the magnetic material within the field. This force may cause the moveable body element  103  to move laterally with respect to the fixed body element  104 . This movement may cause one or more vibrations, which may be provided to a user as tactile output or feedback. An example of the flow of the magnetic flux  170  can be seen in  FIG. 1F . 
     Thus, returning to  FIGS. 1B-1D , when the moveable body element  103  moves laterally with respect to the fixed body element  104  due to the lateral force, the bearing  110  may move from the deeper center portions  150  and  160  to the narrower edge portions  151 ,  161  or  152 ,  162  (depending on the direction of motion). This may force the moveable body element further away vertically from the fixed body element. When the lateral force ceases, gravity and/or other forces may then cause the bearing to move from the narrower edge portions  151 ,  161  or  152 ,  162  to the deeper center portions  150  and  160 . This may allow the moveable body element to move back vertically closer to the fixed body element. 
     As such, the bearings  110  and the grooves  105  and  106  may interact to exert a restorative force on the moveable body element after movement. This restorative force may operate to return the moveable body element to an original position with respect to the fixed body element after the lateral movement. 
       FIG. 1E  is a close-up side view of a first groove of the fixed body element  104  of  FIG. 1C . As illustrated, the center portion  150  is deeper than the edge portions  151  or  152 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1C , in addition to the center portion  150  of the first grooves  105  being deeper than the edge portions  151  and  152 , the grooves may be curved such that the inside portion of the grooves are deeper than their outside portions. As such, the first grooves may be v-shaped cross-sectionally, u-shaped, or similarly shaped. This may cause the sides of the bearings  110  to contact outside portions of the first grooves at two points as opposed to the bottom of the bearings contacting the inside portion of the first grooves (e.g., the bottom of the channel formed by the first grooves). With reference again to  FIG. 1D , the second grooves  106  may be similarly curved. 
     Additionally, although the bearings  110  are illustrated and described above as spherical and the first and second grooves  105  and  106  are shown as curved cross sectionally to correspond to the bearings, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the bearings may be cylindrical and include a plurality of gear elements that are configured to interact with gear elements defined in the first and second grooves. Such an implementation may prevent slippage between the bearings and the first grooves and the second grooves. Such an implementation is illustrated in  FIG. 1H , which illustrates gear elements  192  defined in a first groove  105  interacting with gear elements  191  of a cylindrical bearing  110 . 
       FIG. 1F  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device taken along line  1 F in  FIG. 1A , illustrating an example flow of magnetic flux  170  in response to a specific electrical current applied to the electrical coil  107 . 
     Although the magnetic actuator  100 A is illustrated and described above as including four bearings  110 , four first grooves  105 , and four second grooves  106 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the magnetic actuator may include any number of bearings and/or grooves (such as one, three, or fifteen). 
       FIG. 1G  illustrates a cross sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the moveable body element  103  of  FIG. 1B , taken along line  1 G of  FIG. 1D . As illustrated, at least one soft magnet  180  (a material that is not permanently magnetic but can become magnetic in response to the proximity of a magnetic force) may be positioned beneath the first hard magnet  108  and/or the second hard magnet  109  such that the first hard magnet and/or the second hard magnet are positioned between the soft magnet and the fixed body element  104 . In some implementations, the soft magnet may be composed at least partially of a ferrous metal such as steel. 
       FIG. 1I  is a cross sectional side view of the electronic device taken along line  1 B in  FIG. 1A , including a second embodiment of a magnetic actuator  100 I. As illustrated, in this embodiment the bearings  140  are cubes. Further, the first grooves  105  include curved areas  141  and  143  that curve inward toward center point  142 . Similarly, the second grooves  106  include curved areas  145  and  147  that curve inward toward center point  146 . 
     As such, when the moveable body element  103  moves laterally with respect to the fixed body element  104  due to the application of force, the cube bearings may roll along the corresponding curved areas. When the force ceases, gravity and/or other forces may then cause the cube bearings to roll back along the corresponding curved areas. This may provide a restorative force that may operate to return the moveable body element to an original position with respect to the fixed body element after movement. 
     The relationship between the dimensions of the cube and the dimensions of the curved areas  141 ,  143 ,  145 , and/or  147  may determine whether or not the cube bearings  140  move the moveable element  103  in a purely lateral direction or whether the cube bearings force the moveable body element to translate vertically as well as laterally. 
       FIG. 1J  is a close up view of a bearing  140  and a second groove  106  of  FIG. 1I . The lines  149  indicate the movement of the moveable element  103  that may result based on a center point  148  of the cube bearings. Given the dimensions of the cube bearing illustrated, the center point corresponds to the lowest line  149 , which is curved to indicate that the moveable body element would translate vertically during lateral movement. However, if the cube bearing was large enough that the center point corresponded to the top line  149 , the moveable body element would only move laterally and would not translate vertically. 
     Although the moveable body element  103  has been illustrated and described above as moveable with respect to the fixed body element  104 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the body element  104  may be moveable with respect to a fixed body element  103 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional side view of a first implementation of a third embodiment of a magnetic actuator  200 . In some implementations, such a magnetic actuator may be coupled to a device such as the track pad  102  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2A , as illustrated, the magnetic actuator  200  may include a first body element  211  that is moveably coupled to a second body element  212  such that the second body element is capable of lateral movement with respect to the first body element. The first body element may include a soft magnet  201 , a first hard magnet  203 , and a second hard magnet  204  (which may have an opposite polarity than the first hard magnet facing a surface of the first body element). The second body element may include an electrical coil  205  wound in a circular arrangement to have a first side  206 , a second side  207 , and a gap in the center. The second body element may also include a center hard magnet  208  positioned in the gap in the center of the electrical coil and a second soft magnet element  202  positioned underneath the electrical coil. 
     In response to application of an electrical current, the first and second sides of the electrical coil  206  and  207  may generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a magnetic flux  209 . The magnetic flux may exert a force upon any magnetic material (i.e., the first hard magnet  203  and the second hard magnet  204 ) within the magnetic field. The vector of the force may vary with the magnetic flux, which may vary according to the position of the magnetic material within the field. This force may cause the second body element  212  to move laterally with respect to the first body element  211 . This movement may cause one or more vibrations, which may be provided to a user as tactile output or feedback. 
     In this first implementation, the center hard magnet  208  may be polarized to oppose the direction of the magnetic flux  209 . This opposition may destabilize centering of the first body element  211  with respect to the second body element  212  because the polarities of the sides of the center hard magnet  208  repel the respective polarities of the undersides of the first and second hard magnets  203  and  204 . Instead, as a result of the opposition and repulsion, the second body element may be more stable when offset from center in either lateral direction with respect to the first body element than when centered with respect to the first body element. In implementations where the second body element has an original position centered with respect to the first body element, this may cause resistance to the second moveable body element returning to the original centered position with respect to the first moveable body element after the lateral movement  210 . 
     In other implementations, the second body element  212  may have an original position that is offset with respect to the first body element  211  and that may be disrupted by the lateral movement  210  of the second body element. In such implementations, the opposition of the center hard magnet  208  to the direction of the magnetic flux  209  may provide a restorative force after the lateral movement (caused by the repulsion of the sides of the center hard magnet  208  that the respective polarities of the undersides of the first and second hard magnets  203  and  204 ) that acts to return the second body element to the original offset position with respect to the first body element after the lateral movement of the second body element. 
     The second body element  212  may be moveably coupled to the first body element  211  utilizing a variety of different mechanisms (not shown). For example, in some implementations the second body element may be suspended from the first body element, such as by wire or string. In other implementations, one or more springs, magnetic forces, and so on may moveably couple the second body element to the first body element. 
       FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional side view of a second implementation of the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 2A . In this second implementation, the center hard magnet  208  may be polarized to complement the direction of the magnetic flux  209 . This complementing force may exert a restorative force on the first moveable body element and/or the second moveable body element because the polarities of the sides of the center hard magnet  208  attract the respective polarities of the undersides of the first and second hard magnets  203  and  204 . Such restorative force may act to return the second body element  212  to an original position with respect to the first body element  211  after the lateral movement  210  of the second body element. 
     Although the second body element  212  has been illustrated and described above as moveable with respect to the first body element  211 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the first body element may be moveable with respect to the second body element. 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional side view of a first implementation of a fourth embodiment of a magnetic actuator  300 A. In some implementations, such a magnetic actuator may be coupled to a device such as the track pad  102  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Returning to  FIG. 3A , as illustrated, the magnetic actuator  300 A may include a moveable body element  302 A that is moveably coupled (such as laterally moveably coupled) to a fixed body element  301 A. The fixed body element may include a first hard magnet  306 A, a second hard magnet  307 A, and a soft magnet  303 A. The soft magnet may include a top structure  310 A, a first side soft magnet  304 A, and a second side soft magnet  305 A. The moveable body element may include a base element  309 A (which may be at least one soft magnet) and an electrical coil  308 A. 
     Although the fixed body element  301 A is illustrated and described as incorporating the top structure  310 A, the first side soft magnet  304 A, and the second side soft magnet  305 A into a single soft magnet  303 A, it is understood that this is an example. In other implementations the first side soft magnet, the second side soft magnet, and/or the top structure may be formed of separate soft magnets. Additionally, in various implementations the top structure may not be a soft magnet. 
     In response to application of an electrical current, the electrical coil  308 A may generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a magnetic flux. The magnetic flux may exert a force upon any magnetic material (i.e., the first hard magnet  306 A and the second hard magnet  307 A) within the magnetic field. The vector of the force may vary with the magnetic flux, which may vary according to the position of the magnetic material within the field. This force may cause the moveable body element  302 A to approach and/or contact either the first side soft magnet  304 A or the second side soft magnet  305 A. Such approaches and/or contacts may result in one or more vibrations or taps which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     When the second moveable body element  302 A contacts the first side soft magnet  304 A, the second moveable body element may magnetically attach to the first side soft magnet. Subsequently, the second moveable body element may remain magnetically attached to the first side soft magnet even after the electrical current that resulted in the movement of the second moveable body element is no longer applied to the electrical coil  308 A. A similar effect may occur when the second moveable body element contacts the second side soft magnet  305 A. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the magnetic actuator  300 A of  FIG. 3A  after the application of a first electrical current to the electrical coil  308 A, resulting in a lateral force being applied to the second moveable body element  302 A. As illustrated, the second moveable body element approaches, contacts, and magnetically attaches to the first side soft magnet  304 A. This contact may result in a “tap” which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     The second moveable body element  302 A may remain magnetically attached to the first side soft magnet  304 A even after the first electrical current is no longer applied to the electrical coil  308 A. The second moveable body element may remain magnetically attached to the first side soft magnet until a second electrical current is applied to the electrical coil. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates the magnetic actuator  300 A of  FIG. 3B  after the application of the second electrical current to the electrical coil  308 A, resulting in a lateral force (opposite to the lateral force illustrated in  FIG. 3B ) being applied to the second moveable body element  302 A. As illustrated, the second moveable body element approaches, contacts, and magnetically attaches to the second side soft magnet  305 A. 
     Although the moveable body element  302 A has been illustrated and described above as moveable with respect to the fixed body element  301 A, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the body element  301 A may be moveable with respect to a fixed body element  302 A. 
       FIG. 3D  is a front plan view of a second implementation of the fourth embodiment of a magnetic actuator  300 B. In some implementations, such a magnetic actuator may be coupled to a device such as the track pad  102  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Returning to  FIG. 3D , as illustrated, the magnetic actuator  300 B may include a first magnetic attraction element  303 B, a second magnetic attraction element  308 B, and a moveable member  301 B. The first magnetic attraction element may include a first aperture  302 B, the second magnetic attraction element may include a second aperture  307 B, and the moveable member may be configured to move by passing and/or extending through the first aperture and/or the second aperture. The moveable member may be a shaft and may include a first hard magnet  304 B, a second hard magnet  306 B, and at least one electrical coil  305 B that is at least partially positioned or wrapped around the first hard magnet and/or the second hard magnet. 
       FIG. 3E  is a cross sectional view of the magnetic actuator  300 B taken along line  3 E in  FIG. 3D . As illustrated, the first magnetic attraction element  303 B and the second magnetic attraction element  308 B may be hard magnets that are polarized towards each other. However, it is understood that this is an example and in various implementations the first magnetic attraction element and the second magnetic attraction element may be soft magnets. Similarly, the first hard magnet  304 B and the second hard magnet  306 B may be polarized towards each other. 
     In response to application of an electrical current, the electrical coil  305 B may generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a magnetic flux. The magnetic flux may exert a force upon any magnetic material (i.e., the first hard magnet  304 B and the second hard magnet  306 B) within the magnetic field. The vector of the force may vary with the magnetic flux, which may vary according to the position of the magnetic material within the field. This force may cause the moveable member  301 B to move such that the first hard magnet  304 B approaches and/or contacts the first magnetic attraction element  303 B or the second hard magnet  306 B approaches and/or contacts the second magnetic attraction element  308 B. Such approaches and/or contacts may result in one or more vibrations or taps which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     When the first hard magnet  304 B contacts the first magnetic attraction element  303 B, the first hard magnet may magnetically attach to the first magnetic attraction element. Subsequently, the first hard magnet may remain magnetically attached to the first magnetic attraction element even after the force is no longer exerted upon the moveable member  301 B. A similar effect may occur when the second hard magnet  306 B contacts the second magnetic attraction element  308 B. 
       FIG. 3F  illustrates the magnetic actuator  300 B of  FIG. 3E  after the application of a first electrical current to an electrical coil  305 B, resulting in a force being applied to the moveable member  301 B. As illustrated, the moveable member moves such that the first hard magnet  304 B approaches, contacts, and magnetically attaches to the first magnetic attraction element  303 B. This contact may result in a “tap” which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     The first hard magnet  304 B may remain magnetically attached to the first magnetic attraction element  303 B even after the first electrical current is no longer applied to the electrical coil  305 B. The first hard magnet may remain magnetically attached to the first magnetic attraction element a second electrical current is applied to the electrical coil, resulting in a force being applied to the moveable member  301 B (opposite to the force shown in  FIG. 3F ) such that the first hard magnet detaches from the first magnetic attraction element and the second hard magnet  306 B approaches the second magnetic attraction element  308 B. 
       FIG. 3G  illustrates the magnetic actuator  300 B of  FIG. 3F  after the application of a second electrical current to the electrical coil  305 B. As illustrated, the second hard magnet  306 B approaches, contacts, and magnetically attaches to the second magnetic attraction element  308 B. 
       FIG. 3H  illustrates the magnetic actuator of  FIG. 3D  with a housing  310 B surrounding parts of the magnetic actuator. As illustrated, in some implementations, such a housing may surround the first hard magnet  304 B, the second hard magnet  306 B, the electrical coil  305 B, the first magnetic attraction element  303 B, the second magnetic attraction element  308 B, and at least part of the moveable member  301 B. As also illustrated, the housing may include a first housing aperture  309 B and a second housing aperture  311 B and the moveable member  301 B may be configured to move by passing and/or extending through the first housing aperture and/or the second housing aperture. 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of a first embodiment of a magnetic circuit  400 A. In some implementations, such a magnetic circuit may be a magnetic actuator. In various implementations, such a magnetic circuit may be coupled to a device such as the track pad  102  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Returning to  FIG. 4A , as illustrated, the magnetic circuit  400 A may include a moveable bar element  401  that is moveably coupled to a fixed bar element  402 . The moveable bar element may include a soft magnet  403 , a first hard magnet  404 , and a second hard magnet  405 . The fixed bar element may include an electrical structure  407  (such as a wire, wire insulated in plastic and/or rubber, and/or other electrical coil structure) wound around a bar structure  406  of the fixed bar element. 
     As illustrated, the electrical coil structure  407  may have a first section  409  that is wound in a first direction around the bar structure  406  and a second section  408  that is wound in a second direction around the bar structure. The first direction may be opposite of the second direction. Further, the electrical coil structure may include a middle section  410  where the winding in the first direction changes to the second direction. In various cases, the middle section may be attached to the bar structure, such as utilizing adhesive. 
     In response to application of an electrical current, the electrical coil structure  407  may generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a magnetic flux  414 . The magnetic flux may exert a force upon any magnetic material (i.e., the first hard magnet  404  and the second hard magnet  405 ) within the magnetic field. The vector of the force may vary with the magnetic flux, which may vary according to the position of the magnetic material within the field. This force may cause the moveable bar element  401  to move laterally with respect to the fixed bar element  402 . Such movement may result in one or more vibrations which may be provided to a user as haptic output or feedback. 
     As illustrated, the moveable bar element  401  may be moveably coupled to portions  412  of the fixed bar element  402  via bearings  413 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the bearings may be positioned between first grooves  415  and second grooves  416 . Movement of the bearings along the first grooves and second grooves may enable the moveable bar element to move laterally with respect to the fixed bar element. 
     Although the magnetic circuit  400 A is illustrated and described as utilizing the bearings  413  to moveably couple the moveable bar element  401  and the fixed bar element  402 , it is understood that this is an example. In other implementations, springs or other moveable attachment mechanisms may be utilized to moveably attach the moveable bar element and the fixed bar element. 
     Although the moveable bar element  401  has been illustrated and described above as moveable with respect to the fixed bar element  402 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the bar element  402  may be moveable with respect to a fixed bar element  401 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a front view of a second embodiment of a magnetic circuit  400 C. Contrasted with the first embodiment of the magnetic circuit  400 A illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the magnetic circuit  400 C may include an additional moveable bar element  450 . The additional moveable bar element may be moveably coupled to an opposite side of the fixed bar element  402  from the moveable bar element  401 . The additional moveable bar element may be moveably coupled to the fixed bar element via bearings  455 . 
     Further contrasted with the magnetic circuit  400 A illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the moveable bar element  401  of the magnetic circuit  400 C may include a first mass adding element  457 . The first mass adding element may be positioned between the first hard magnet  404  and the second hard magnet  405  and may function to contribute mass to movement of the first moveable bar element. In some cases, the first mass adding element may be formed from tungsten. 
     The additional moveable bar element  450  may include a soft magnet  451 , a third hard magnet  453 , and a fourth hard magnet  452 . Additionally, the additional moveable bar element may include a second mass adding element  454 . The second mass adding element may be positioned between the third hard magnet and the fourth hard magnet. 
       FIG. 4D  is a front view of a third embodiment of a magnetic circuit  400 D. As contrasted with the first embodiment of the magnetic circuit  400 A illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the first grooves  415  and/or the second grooves  416  of the magnetic circuit  400 D may include gear elements  461 . Additionally, the bearings  413  (which may be cylindrical) may include gear elements  462 . Interaction between the gear elements of the bearings and the gear elements of the grooves may enable the moveable bar element to move laterally with respect to the fixed bar element. Such an implementation may prevent slippage between the bearings and the grooves. 
     Although the magnetic circuit  400 D is illustrated and described as utilizing the gear elements  461 ,  462 , and  463  in the same magnetic circuit as the particular electrical coil structure  407 , it is understood that this is an example. In other implementations the gear elements  461 ,  462 , and  463  may be utilized to moveably couple various different moveable elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some implementations the gear elements  461 ,  462 , and  463  may be utilized to moveably couple elements such as the fixed body element  104  and the moveable body element  103  of  FIGS. 1B-1E . 
       FIG. 4E  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a magnetic circuit  400 E. As contrasted with the first embodiment of the magnetic circuit  400 A illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the bearings  413  may be cubes. Further, the first grooves  415  may include curved areas  471  and  473  that curve inward toward center point  472 . The second grooves  416  may be similarly curved. As such, when the moveable bar element  401  moves laterally with respect to the fixed bar element  402  due to the application of electrical current to the electrical coil structure  407 , the cube bearings may roll along the corresponding curved areas. When the lateral movement is ceased, gravity and/or other forces may then cause the cube bearings to roll back along the corresponding curved areas. This may provide a restorative force that may operate to return the moveable bar element to an original position with respect to the fixed bar element after the lateral force is ceased. 
     The relationship between the dimensions of the cube and the dimensions of the curved areas  471 ,  473 ,  474 , and/or  476  may determine whether or not the cube bearings  413  move moveable bar element  401  in a purely lateral direction or whether the cube bearings force the moveable body element to translate vertically as well as laterally. 
     As discussed above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, the present disclosure discloses magnetic actuators and circuits. In various embodiments, a magnetic actuator or circuit may include a moveable element that is moveably coupled to a fixed element via one or more bearings positioned between one or more grooves. In some cases the grooves may be curved. The bearings and the curves may exert a restorative force to return the first and second elements to an original position after movement. In various cases, the bearings may be spherical, cube, cylindrical, and/or include gear elements that interact with one or more gear elements of the grooves. 
     In some embodiments, a body element may include one or more electrical coils coplanar with a surface of the body element. In various cases, the body element may also include one or more hard magnets positioned in the center of the electrical coil that are polarized to stabilize or destabilize centering of the body element with respect to another element. 
     In various embodiments, a magnetic circuit may include a bar element with one or more electrical coils wrapped around the bar element. In some cases, the electrical coil may include a first section wrapped in a first direction, a second section wrapped in a second direction opposing the first direction, and a middle section that transitions between the first direction and the second direction. 
     In one or more embodiments, an actuator may include a fixed element with first and second side soft magnets that is moveably coupled to a moveable element. Exertion of force may cause the moveable element to move such that the moveable body element approaches and/or contacts the first or second soft side magnet. Such contact may result in a “tap,” which may be provided to a user as a tactile output. Upon contact, the moveable element may magnetically attach to the respective soft side magnet and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the moveable element and causes it to move to approach the other soft side magnet. 
     In other embodiments, an actuator may include a first magnetic attraction element, a second magnetic attraction element, and a moveable member including a first hard magnet, a second hard magnet, and an electrical coil. Exertion of force may cause the moveable member to move such that the first hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the first magnetic attraction element or the second hard magnet approaches and/or contacts the second magnetic attraction element. Upon contact, the respective hard magnet may magnetically attach to the respective magnetic attraction element and may remain so after the force is no longer exerted until another force is exerted that detaches the respective hard magnet and causes the moveable member to move such that the other hard magnet approaches the other magnetic attraction member. 
     In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented as sets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other embodiments, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     The described disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the present disclosure. A non-transitory machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The non-transitory machine-readable medium may take the form of, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette, video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; and so on. 
     It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context or particular embodiments. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130930
Publication Date: 20190319
Grant Date: 20190319
Priority Date: 20130930
Inventors: MOUSSETTE, Camille
MORRELL, JOHN B.
KESSLER, PATRICK
WEISS, SAMUEL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K7/108", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K33/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K1/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K7/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/01", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K7/108", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K33/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K1/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/01", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49510493