Haptic actuators and related wearable devices
Haptic actuators may include a first active material coupled to a first side of an inactive substrate and a second active material coupled to a second side of the inactive substrate. The inactive substrate may be formed to initially exhibit a nonplanar shape when the first active material and the second active material are not actuated. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
1. A haptic actuator, comprising:
a first active material coupled to a first side of an inactive substrate; and
a second active material coupled to a second side of the inactive substrate,
wherein the inactive substrate is formed to initially exhibit a nonplanar shape when the first active material and the second active material are not actuated.
2. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the inactive substrate has a symmetrical shape.
3. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the inactive substrate has a nonsymmetrical shape.
4. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein each of the first active material and the second active material comprises at least one of:
a polyvinylidene fluoride;
a dielectric elastomer material;
a microfiber composite material;
a thermally actuated material; or
a magnetically actuated material.
5. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein each of the first active material and the second active material comprises at least one electroactive material.
6. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the inactive substrate comprises at least one discontinuity.
7. The haptic actuator of claim 6 , wherein the at least one discontinuity comprises at least one hole.
8. The haptic actuator of claim 6 , wherein the at least one discontinuity comprises at least one slit.
9. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure source configured to selectively apply a fluid pressure to at least one of the first side or the second side of the inactive substrate.
10. The haptic actuator of claim 9 , wherein the pressure source is configured to selectively apply the fluid pressure to only one of the first side or the second side of the inactive substrate.
11. A haptic actuator, comprising:
a plurality of distinct first active materials coupled to a first side of an inactive substrate; and
at least one second active material coupled to a second side of the inactive substrate,
wherein each first active material of the plurality of distinct first active materials is individually actuatable independent from other first active materials of the plurality of distinct first active materials.
12. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the at least one second active material comprises a plurality of distinct second active materials.
13. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of distinct first active materials comprises at least two concentric first active materials.
14. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of distinct first active materials comprises more than two first active materials.
15. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of distinct first active materials comprises at least two distinct first active materials that are laterally adjacent to each other on the first side of the inactive substrate.
16. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of distinct first active materials comprises an array of first active materials coupled to the first side of the inactive substrate.
17. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , wherein the inactive substrate initially exhibits a nonplanar shape when the plurality of distinct first active materials and the at least one second active material are not actuated.
18. The haptic actuator of claim 11 , comprising wherein each first active material of the plurality of distinct first active materials initially exhibits a nonplanar shape when not actuated.
19. A wearable device, comprising:
a body shaped and sized to be worn on a body part of a user;
a haptic actuator coupled to the body, the haptic actuator comprising:
an inactive substrate having a nonplanar shape when the haptic actuator is not actuated;
at least one first active material coupled to a first side of the inactive substrate; and
at least one second active material coupled to a second, opposite side of the inactive substrate.
20. The wearable device of claim 19 , wherein the body comprises at least one of:
a glove;
a wristwatch;
a wristband;
an armband;
a vest; or
a headband.