Multi-coil voice coil motor and systems for providing haptic feedback
A multi-coil voice coil motor (VCM) may be configured to be used as a haptic actuator for providing haptic feedback to a user. When implemented in a handheld controller having one or more controls, the multi-coil VCM may be configured to provide haptic feedback to a user of the controller. The multi-coil VCM may include a housing, multiple concentric coils, and a magnet coupled to the housing. The multiple concentric coils may include a first coil disposed on a first support coupled to the housing and a second coil disposed on a second support coupled to the housing, wherein the multiple concentric coils may have different diameters to allow for the concentricity of the coils. A system may include one or more haptic actuators, such as the multi-coil VCM, the haptic actuator(s) being configured to provide haptic feedback by causing at least a portion of a finger-operated control(s) to vibrate.
1 . A multi-coil voice coil motor (VCM) comprising:
a housing;
multiple concentric coils comprising:
a first coil disposed on a first support coupled to the housing, the first coil having a first diameter; and
a second coil disposed on a second support coupled to the housing, the second coil having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter,
wherein the first support and the second support are concentric tubes; and
a magnet coupled to the housing.
2 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein:
the magnet is fixed within the housing;
the multiple concentric coils are configured to move relative to the magnet; and
movement of the first coil is independent of movement of the second coil.
3 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein:
the second diameter is greater than the first diameter;
the second coil surrounds the first coil; and
the second coil is radially spaced a distance from the first coil.
4 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises one or more portions of permanent magnetic material that surrounds the multiple concentric coils.
5 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 4 , wherein:
the second diameter is greater than the first diameter; and
the one or more portions of the permanent magnetic material are arranged in a substantially annular shape having a third diameter greater than the second diameter.
6 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein:
the first coil is configured to be driven within a first range of frequencies; and
the second coil is configured to be driven within a second range of frequencies that is different than the first range of frequencies.
7 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein the multiple concentric coils are:
concentric with a point on an axis at a center of the housing, and
at least partially overlap along the axis.
8 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
one or more first arms coupled to a bottom of the first coil or to a bottom of the first support and configured to suspend the first coil within the housing; and
one or more second arms coupled to a top of the second coil or to a top of the second support and configured to suspend the second coil within the housing.
9 . The multi-coil VCM of claim 8 , wherein:
the one or more first arms comprises two first arms; and
the one or more second arms comprises two second arms.
10 . A haptic actuator comprising:
a housing;
a first coil disposed on a first support coupled to the housing;
a second coil disposed on a second support coupled to the housing, wherein the first coil is nested within the second coil, and wherein the first support and the second support are concentric tubes; and
a magnet coupled to the housing.
11 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein:
the magnet is fixed within the housing; and
the first coil and the second coil are each configured to move relative to the magnet.
12 . The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein movement of the first coil is independent of movement of the second coil.
13 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein the magnet comprises one or more portions of permanent magnetic material that surrounds the first coil and the second coil.
14 . The haptic actuator of claim 13 , wherein:
the second coil has a second diameter greater than a first diameter of the first coil; and
the one or more portions of the permanent magnetic material are arranged in a substantially annular shape having a third diameter greater than the second diameter.
15 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein:
the first coil is configured to be driven within a first range of frequencies; and
the second coil is configured to be driven within a second range of frequencies that is different than the first range of frequencies.
16 . The haptic actuator of claim 15 , wherein a highest frequency of the first range of frequencies is greater than a highest frequency of the second range of frequencies.
17 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein:
the second coil has a second diameter greater than a first diameter of the first coil;
the second coil surrounds the first coil; and
the second coil is radially spaced a distance from the first coil.
18 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein the first coil and the second coil are:
concentric with a point on an axis at a center of the housing, and
at least partially overlap along the axis.
19 . The haptic actuator of claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises:
one or more first arms coupled to a bottom of the first coil or to a bottom of the first support and configured to suspend the first coil within the housing; and
one or more second arms coupled to a top of the second coil or to a top of the second support and configured to suspend the second coil within the housing.
20 . The haptic actuator of claim 19 , wherein:
the one or more first arms comprises two first arms; and
the one or more second arms comprises two second arms.