Apple Inc.
Button Providing Force Sensing and/or Haptic Output

Abstract:

A module includes a permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine, a constraint, and a force sensor. The force sensor includes a stator and a shuttle. The constraint is coupled to the stator and the shuttle. The force sensor is at least partially attached to the permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine and configured to sense a force applied to the module. The constraint is configured to constrain closure of a gap between the stator and the shuttle and bias the shuttle toward a rest position in which the shuttle is separated from the stator by the gap.