Patent · US Expired

Flat-coil actuator having coil embedded in linkage

US6437770B1 · kind B1 · utility

26Cited by
41References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 1999
Grant dateAug 20, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01F7/1615
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A flat-coil actuator embedded in a linkage of a mechanical interface for a force feedback device. The linkage rotates about an axis, where a flat coil is embedded in the linkage between two ends or connection points of the linkage. Magnets are positioned parallel to the flat coil, where a force is produced on the linkage when a current is flowed in the coil. An embedded position sensor, such as an optical encoder, can be coupled to the linkage. A force feedback device incorporating the flat-coil actuator includes a user manpulandum, where the linkage is coupled between a ground and the user manipulandum. Other linkages can also be coupled to the actuator to provide mechanisms such as a five-bar linkage mechanism.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.