Smart material for haptic feedback
This disclosure relates to haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuators based on repulsion and attraction between a coil and a magnet. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.
1. A system for integration into a structural material for providing haptic feedback to a user, the system comprising:
a. a first actuator enclosed in an encapsulating material;
b. a second actuator enclosed in an encapsulating material;
c. a power supply connected to the first actuator; and
d. a controller connected to the first actuator, the second actuator and/or the power supply, so as to generate a first magnetic field from the first actuator, such that the first magnetic field and a second magnetic field of the second actuator are substantially diametrically opposed to each other so as to provide the haptic feedback to the user.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material comprises a water-resistant material or polymer.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is also connected to the first actuator.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply and the first actuator by a wireless connection.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply by a wireless connection.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes one or more of a bus, a processor, an input/output (I/O) controller, and a memory.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a wireless transceiver which is capable of pairing to a gaming controller, gaming system or gaming console.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is for integration with a virtual reality or augmented reality system.
10. A system for integration into a structural material for providing haptic feedback to a user, the system comprising:
a. a coil enclosed in an encapsulating material;
b. a magnet enclosed in an encapsulating material;
c. a power supply connected to the coil; and
d. a controller connected to the power supply and/or the coil, so as to generate a first magnetic field from coil, such that the first magnetic field and a magnetic field of the magnet are substantially diametrically opposed to each other so as to provide the haptic feedback to the user.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the encapsulating material comprises a water-resistant material or polymer.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the coil comprises copper.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the coil comprises a conductive fiber.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the magnet comprises a nanomagnetic material.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply and the coil.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply and the coil by a wireless connection.
17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is connected to the power supply by a wireless connection.
18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller includes one or more of a bus, a processor, an input/output (I/O) controller, and a memory.
19. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller includes a wireless transceiver which is capable of pairing to a gaming controller, gaming system or gaming console.
20. The system of claim 10 , wherein the system is for integration with a virtual reality or augmented reality system.