Coherent phase switching and modulation of a linear actuator array
US11132062B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02P25/064
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Aspects of the technology employ synchronized arrays of low-cost, readily available vibration actuators to emulate and outperform single actuator systems, bringing together sets of actuators to create desired control effects. This approach involves coherent phase switching and modulation of a linear actuator array. A pair of linear resonant actuators (LRAs) may be employed for improved haptic waveform synthesis performance. According to one feature, energy may stored in the mechanical inertia of the LRA via velocity and stiffness of the LRA via displacement and released through modulation of the relative phase of the LRAs. Phase switching and modulation techniques may be used to control more than two LRAs, and in other arrangements than a dual LRA, including, but not limited to architectures that have LRAs arranged in multiple directions in a array spanning, for example, the two dimensions of a plane, or three dimensions of physical space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.