Magnetic actuator for providing haptic feedback
Apparatus for providing haptic feedback are described. One described apparatus comprises a braking surface, an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface, a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the braking surface, and a damping material disposed within the gap.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a braking surface;
an electromagnet core completely disposed in the braking surface;
a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and
a damping material disposed within the gap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the braking surface comprises at least one of a cylinder, ovoid, and polygon.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the braking surface further comprises a first length and the electromagnet core comprises a second length, the first length greater than the second length.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the damping material disposed within the gap is in communication with the electromagnet core and the disk.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the damping material comprises a damping grease.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the damping material comprises a grease, a silicone gel, a compliant pad, or a fibrous washer in conjunction with a grease or silicone gel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the disk is configured to move axially and rotationally.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the disk comprises a manipulandum.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a manipulandum; and
a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising:
a braking surface;
an electromagnet core completely disposed in the braking surface;
a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and
a damping material disposed within the gap.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the braking surface comprises at least one of a cylinder, ovoid, and polygon.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the braking surface further comprises a first length and the electromagnet core comprises a second length, the first length greater than the second length.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a housing, wherein the manipulandum and the resistive actuator are disposed within the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of a cellular phone, PDA, and camera.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the damping material disposed within the gap is in communication with the electromagnet core and the disk.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the damping material comprises damping grease.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the damping material comprises a grease, a silicone gel, a compliant pad, or a fibrous washer in conjunction with a grease or silicone gel.
19. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the disk is configured to move axially and rotationally.
20. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the manipulandum comprises at least one of a scroll wheel, knob, dial, and rotary handle.
21. A method comprising:
providing a braking surface;
providing an electromagnet core completely disposed in the braking surface;
providing a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and
providing a damping material disposed within the gap.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.
23. A method comprising:
providing a manipulandum; and
providing a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising:
an braking surface;
an electromagnet core completely disposed in the braking surface;
a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the electromagnet core; and
a damping material disposed with the gap.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing a processor operable to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.
25. An apparatus comprising:
a manipulandum; and
a resistive actuator coupled to the manipulandum, the resistive actuator comprising:
a cylindrical braking surface having a braking surface length, a cylindrical electromagnet core completely disposed in the cylindrical braking surface, the cylindrical electromagnetic core having an electromagnetic core length less than the braking surface length,
a disk operable to contact the cylindrical braking surface thereby defining a gap between the disk and the cylindrical electromagnet core, and
a damping material, disposed within the gap, the damping material comprising a damping grease; and
a processor configured to generate a control signal wherein the control signal is configured to produce a haptic effect.