Touch panel assembly with haptic effects and method of manufacturing thereof
View Patent ↗A system with haptic effects includes a first surface, a second surface with a flexible arm portion, a coupling that couples the flexible arm portion to the first surface, and a haptic effect generator attached to the first surface. The flexible arm portion includes a coupling portion, and the coupling is received in the coupling portion. The haptic effect generator causes movement of the first surface relative to the second surface, and the flexible arm limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.
1. A system with haptic effects, the system comprising:
a first surface;
a second surface with a flexible arm portion, the flexible arm portion including a coupling portion;
a coupling received by the coupling portion that couples the flexible arm portion of the second surface to the first surface; and
a haptic effect generator coupled exclusively to the first surface, the haptic effect generator causing inertial movement of the first surface relative to the second surface,
wherein the flexible arm portion limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to an original position of the first surface relative to the second surface.
2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a surface of a bezel.
3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic effect generator includes an eccentric rotary mass.
4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic effect generator includes a linear actuator.
5. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising an input device disposed opposite the first surface.
6. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor circuit board.
7. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising an interface sensor circuit board.
8. A method of manufacturing a system with haptic effects, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first surface;
disposing a haptic effect generator on the first surface, wherein the haptic effect generator is coupled exclusively to the first surface;
providing a second surface;
disposing a flexible arm portion on the second surface;
disposing a coupling portion on the flexible arm portion; and
coupling the coupling portion to the first surface, such that the flexible arm portion is the exclusive means of attachment between the first surface and the second surface.
9. A method according to claim 8 ,
wherein the first surface is a surface of a bezel.
10. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing an input device on the first surface.
11. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing a sensor circuit board adjacent the first surface.
12. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing an interface circuit board adjacent the second surface.
13. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing an eccentric rotary mass in the haptic effect generator.
14. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing a linear actuator in the haptic effect generator.