Abstract: Apparatus and methods for altering the appearance of wearable device are disclosed. The apparatus may statically or dynamically alter the appearance of the wearable.

Abstract: A vibration module for applying vibrational tractions to a wearer's skin is presented. Use of the vibration module in headphones is illustrated for providing tactile sensations of low frequency for music, for massage, and for electrical recording and stimulation of the wearer. Damped, planar, electromagnetically-actuated vibration modules of the moving magnet type are presented in theory and reduced to practice, and shown to provide a substantially uniform frequency response over the range 40-200 Hz with a minimum of unwanted audio.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a stacked electroactive transducer comprises a cyclic process for providing a multilayer stack. The stacked transducer can be manufactured using a roll-to-sheet lamination process including a vacuum belt process, various loop cast processes, and a continuous lamination process.

Abstract: A method for making a rolled dielectric elastomer transducer includes rolling a dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. An apparatus includes a drive mechanism for receiving a carrier plate with a dielectric film laminate located on a top surface thereof. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the carrier plate in a first direction. A scrub roller is configured to counter-rotate in a second direction relative to the first direction and frictionally engage the dielectric film to roll the dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. The apparatus may also include a fixed jaw and a movable jaw movable relative to the fixed jaw to define a longitudinal aperture for receiving a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll therein. A cutter is configured to segment the solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll into at least two or more individual solid dielectric elastomer transducer rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a dielectric elastomer transducer electrically coupled to the substrate, and a compliant electrically conductive housing coupled to the dielectric elastomer transducer. A portion of the compliant electrically conductive housing projects through an opening defined in a housing. A method is disclosed for making the apparatus.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer comprising a first and second ends and first and second electrical terminals connected to the respective first and second ends of the dielectric elastomer transducer is provided. A system also includes a substrate, a conductive flexure with one end attached to the substrate and another end configured to receive a load. A first electrical connector pin is attached to the flexure to receive the first electrical terminal and a second electrical connector pin is attached to the substrate to receive the second electrical terminal. Another system also includes a living hinge flexibly coupling two separate substrates, where at least one of the substrates is movable in response to energizing the dielectric elastomer transducer.

Abstract: A feedback enabled system, module, and method are disclosed. The feedback enabled system comprises a first feedback module. The first feedback module comprises a membrane (thin film); a frame; a motion coupling, wherein when a voltage is applied to the membrane (thin film), the motion coupling exerts a force on the frame to provide feedback; and a user interface, wherein the first feedback module is configured to provide feedback through the user interface. The method comprises applying a first voltage with a first waveform to a first feedback module, the first feedback module comprising a dielectric elastomer membrane (thin film), a frame, and a motion coupling, wherein, when the first voltage is applied to the dielectric elastomer membrane (thin film), the motion coupling exerts a force on the frame.

Abstract: A balanced multi-phase energy conversion apparatus configured to convert energy from a mechanical energy source into electrical energy is disclosed. The energy conversion apparatus may comprise a plurality of transducers. Each of the plurality of transducers comprises a dielectric elastomer module comprising at least one dielectric elastomer film layer disposed between at least first and second electrodes. A transmission coupling mechanism is coupled to the mechanical energy source and operatively attached to the plurality of transducers. The transmission coupling cyclically strains and relaxes the plurality of transducers in response to the mechanical energy acting on the transmission coupling mechanism. The transmission coupling mechanism comprises a work cycle. The plurality of transducers are at evenly distributed points in the work cycle such that a total passive strain energy is constant.

Abstract: An electronic damping feedback control system for an electroactive polymer module, an electroactive polymer device, and a computer-implemented method for creating realistic effects are provided. The electronic damping controller is coupled in a feedback loop between a user interface device and an electroactive polymer actuator, where the actuator is coupled to the user interface device. The electronic damping controller is configured to receive an actuation signal from the user interface device in response to a user input. In response to the actuation signal, the electronic damping controller generates an electronic damping signal to couple to the actuator. The electroactive polymer device includes a user interface device, an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the user interface device, and the electronic damping controller. The present invention may provide improved user interface devices.

Abstract: Dielectric elastomer or electroactive polymer film transducers configured to minimize high electrical field gradients that can lead to partial discharge and corona.

Abstract: Electroactive transducers as well as methods of producing a haptic effect in a user interface device simultaneously with a sound generated by a separately generated audio signal and electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications in user interface devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of quantifying the capability of a haptic system. The haptic system comprises an actuator. The computer comprises a processor, a memory, and an input/output interface for receiving and transmitting information to and from the processor. The computer provides an environment for simulating the mechanics of the haptic system, determining the performance of the haptic system, and determining a user sensation produced by the haptic system in response to an input to the haptic system. In accordance with the computer-implemented method, an input command is received by a mechanical system module that simulates a haptic system where the input command represents an input pressure applied to the haptic system. A displacement is produced by the mechanical system module in response to the input command. The displacement is received by an intensity perception module.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Dielectric elastomer or electroactive polymer film transducers configured to minimize high electrical field gradients that can lead to partial discharge and corona.

Abstract: An electromechanical converter comprises a dielectric elastomer layer (1) designed as one piece and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first and the second side of the dielectric elastomer layer (1) are corrugated in the same direction as each other with the formation of ridges (2) and furrows (3). The dielectric elastomer layer (1) comprises a polyurethane polymer, the first side of the dielectric elastomer layer (1) being in contact with a first electrode (4) and the second side of the dielectric elastomer layer (1) being in contact with a second electrode (5) and the first and second electrode (4, 5) having a same-directional corrugated design corresponding to the first and second side of the dielectric elastomer layer (1).

Abstract: Dielectric elastomer or electroactive polymer film transducers configured to minimize high electrical field gradients that can lead to partial discharge and corona.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices directed to the use of flexure assemblies to assist components driven by actuators, including but not limited to electroactive polymer transducers for providing sensory feedback. The present invention may be employed in any type of user interface device including, but not limited to, touch pads, touch screens or key pads or the like for computer, phone, PDA, video game console, GPS system, kiosk applications, etc.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.