EMP actuators for deformable surface and keyboard application

US9170650B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Novasentis, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Christophe Ramstein · San Francisco, US
• Li Jiang · Nanhu, CN
• Brian C. Zellers · Bellefonte, US
• Shihai Zhang · Beijing, CN
• Richard W. Ducharme · Winston-Salem, US
• Stephen Davis · Payson, US
• M. Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos · Paris, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2012
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2015
• Expiry date: May 12, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N30/857
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology, keyboard, braille display, and audio speakers.