Haptic providing device and method for converting sound signal to haptic signal

1. A haptic device comprising:

a medium configured to receive a digital sound signal from a portable terminal;

a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to receive the digital sound signal from the medium and to convert the digital sound signal into an analog signal;

a haptic actuator driven by receiving the analog signal;

a main body in which the haptic actuator is disposed; and

a sub-body located on a side of the main body and spaced from the main body, the sub-body being connected to the haptic actuator to be movable relative to the main body by operation of the haptic actuator,

wherein the haptic actuator comprises a housing having an internal space, a vehicle movable relative to the housing, and a cushion placed to surround at least a portion of the housing to attenuate friction sound generated by the housing,

wherein the housing is fixed to the main body, and

wherein the vehicle is fixed to the sub-body.

2. The haptic device of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive pad located on another side of the main body and comprising an adhesive surface attachable to the portable terminal.

3. The haptic device of claim 1 , wherein the haptic actuator comprises:

a left haptic actuator located on a left side of a virtual centerline passing through the haptic device; and

a right haptic actuator located on a right side of the virtual centerline passing through the haptic device.

4. The haptic device of claim 3 , wherein the analog signal converted by the DAC is a stereo analog signal comprising a plurality of signals, and

wherein, in the stereo analog signal, a first signal is input to the left haptic actuator and a second signal different from the first signal is input to the right haptic actuator.

5. The haptic device of claim 4 , wherein the sub-body comprises:

a left transmitter connected to the left haptic actuator; and

a right transmitter connected to the right haptic actuator and spaced apart from the left transmitter to move independently of the left transmitter.

6. The haptic device of claim 1 , further comprising a seal made of a flexible material to prevent insertion of foreign substances into the space between the main body and the sub-body.

7. The haptic device of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the housing is fixed to an inner wall of a surface of the main body.

8. The haptic device of claim 1 , wherein:

the sub-body comprises a fixed boss protruding toward the vehicle, and

the vehicle comprises a protrusion protruding toward the sub-body and fixed to the fixed boss.

9. The haptic device of claim 8 , wherein the sub-body comprises:

a transmitter comprising the fixed boss, and a plate where the fixed boss is mounted; and

a flexible cover made of a more flexible material than the transmitter and located on an opposite side of the plate from the fixed boss.

10. The haptic device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible cover comprises

a contact pad surrounding a front surface of the plate; and

a wing connected to an edge of the contact pad to prevent direct contact between the transmitter and the main body.

11. The haptic device of claim 10 , wherein:

the transmitter further comprises a flange having a smaller thickness than the plate and extending outward from an edge of the plate, and

the wing has a shape bent inward to surround the flange.

12. The haptic device of claim 1 , further comprising a guide rod having an end fixed to the sub-body and another end passing through a through hole in the main body, and mounted to guide motion of the sub-body relative to the main body.

13. The haptic device of claim 12 , wherein the another end of the guide rod has a larger diameter than the through hole to prevent detachment of the sub-body from the main body by more than a certain distance.

14. The haptic device of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a stopper to prevent insertion of the sub-body into the main body by more than a certain distance.

15. The haptic device of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises:

a case having an inner wall to which a surface of the housing is fixed; and

a bumper made of a more flexible material than the case and surrounding at least a portion of the case.

16. The haptic device of claim 15 , wherein the bumper comprises:

an opening having a smaller area than the sub-body; and

a stopper having a step shape recessed inward along an edge of the opening, and capable of accommodating at least a portion of the sub-body and preventing direct contact between the sub-body and the case.

17. The haptic device of claim 1 ,

wherein the medium is one of a cable and a wireless communication module.

18. A haptic device comprising:

a medium configured to receive a digital sound signal from a portable terminal;

a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to receive the digital sound signal from the medium and to convert the digital sound signal into an analog signal;

a haptic actuator driven by receiving the analog signal;

a main body in which the haptic actuator is disposed;

a sub-body located on a side of the main body and spaced from the main body, the sub-body being connected to the haptic actuator to be movable relative to the main body by operation of the haptic actuator; and

a printed circuit board (PCB) placed in the main body and having the medium and the DAC mounted thereon,

wherein the haptic actuator is inserted into a hole provided in the PCB.