Electromagnetically actuating a haptic feedback system
Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic actuators. One disclosed example provides a haptic actuator including an inductive coil, a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet positioned on the layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil. Another example provides an article including a textile formed at least partially from a yarn including a core and a conductor wound around the core to form an inductive coil, and a magnetic object integrated with the textile at a position transverse to a direction of a magnetic field formed by the inductive coil.
1. A haptic actuator, comprising:
an inductive coil comprising an unshielded power inductor;
a first layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil;
a magnet positioned on a surface of the first layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the first layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil; and
a second layer of compressible material disposed on the magnet on an opposite side relative to the first layer of compressible material.
2. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the first layer of compressible material comprises a different material than the second layer of compressible material.
3. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the compressible material comprises one or more of a foam and/or an elastomeric material.
4. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the compressible material comprises a textile.
5. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the inductive coil comprises a magnetic core.
6. The haptic actuator of claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises a ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material.
7. An electronic device, comprising:
a layer comprising one or more of a textile and/or a pliable polymer material;
a haptic actuator disposed beneath the layer, the haptic actuator comprising
an inductive coil comprising an unshielded power inductor;
a first layer of compressible material positioned transverse to an axis of the inductive coil;
a magnet disposed on a surface of the first layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the first layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil; and
a second layer of compressible material disposed on the magnet on an opposite side relative to the first layer of compressible material; and
a controller electrically connected to the inductive coil and configured to control haptic feedback output by the haptic actuator.
8. The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to modify the haptic feedback output by the haptic actuator by varying one or more of a waveform and/or a frequency of the control signal.
9. The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the compressible material comprises one or more of a foam and/or an elastomeric material.