How Apple Embeds Haptic Actuators Directly Into Device Layers

A design for touchscreens that embeds vibration-producing actuators directly into a nonconductive material layer, paired with force sensors to detect how hard a user presses.

What it covers

This patent describes a way to build a touch interface where haptic actuators—the parts that make your phone vibrate or click—are physically embedded inside a nonconductive material layer. By placing a printed circuit board (PCB) between this haptic layer and force sensors, the device can effectively separate the vibration mechanism from the pressure-sensing mechanism. This allows the device to provide tactile feedback while simultaneously measuring the intensity of a user's touch. For example, a screen could feel like a physical button by vibrating when pressed, while the sensors determine if the user performed a light tap or a deep press.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover haptic systems that use external vibration motors attached to the device chassis rather than embedded in the interface layer.
• —Does not cover software-based haptic simulations that rely solely on screen animations without physical actuators.
• —Does not cover touch interfaces that lack force-sensing capabilities.
• —Does not cover systems where the actuators are not embedded within a nonconductive material layer.

The clever bit

The innovation lies in embedding the actuators directly into a rigid nonconductive material that acts as a structural layer, rather than just mounting them to the back of a screen, which allows for more precise and localized haptic feedback.

Why it matters

This technology is central to the 'Taptic Engine' and Force Touch features seen in Apple's modern hardware. It allowed for the removal of physical moving buttons, such as the home button on the iPhone 7, by creating a convincing illusion of a click through precise, localized vibration.

Real-world examples

• 1.iPhone 7 and 8 Home buttons
• 2.Apple Watch Force Touch screens
• 3.MacBook Force Touch trackpads