Vibration sound tactile device

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibro-acoustic haptic device and method for transmitting a vibro-acoustic signal to a human body, comprising at least one vibro-acoustic haptic panel. The or each vibro-acoustic haptic panel includes a vibro-acoustic generating layer, a haptic surface, and a vibro-acoustic transmitting layer. The vibration sound transmission layer is disposed between the vibration sound generation layer and the haptic surface. The vibro-acoustic haptic device further includes a signal transfer module operable to transfer an acoustic signal to the vibro-acoustic generating layer. The vibrational sound generating layer is operable to generate a vibrational sound signal incident on the vibrational sound transmission layer, and the vibrational sound transmission layer is operable to transmit the vibrational sound signal to the haptic surface on a human body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing vibroacoustic tactile device, in particular to a vibroacoustic tactile device for generating and transmitting vibroacoustic signals, which can be experienced by the human body in an audible and direct sense manner. Background Art

[0002] Vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) involves transmitting low-frequency vibrations into the human body. An example of a VAS application is Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT), which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase circulation, relieve pain, and increase mobility. It has also been found to be an effective tool for encouraging relaxation and meditation, and has been found to have other therapeutic effects that are being studied. In addition, the vibroacoustic effect has also been found to be an effective anchor for meditation.

[0003] Patent document EP0244508A2 discloses a device having a closed box with a sound opening, in which a cone-shaped loudspeaker is arranged. The loudspeaker is directed to a part of a human body lying on the closed box. A cushion is provided between the box and the human body at the location of the loudspeaker. A low-frequency signal is supplied to the loudspeaker. The device also has an external loudspeaker for playing music. The low-frequency signal is affected synchronously with the music.

[0004] Known vibroacoustic therapy devices, such as those described in EP 0 244 508 A2, do not have advantages because they typically use a conical audio speaker to transmit low frequency signals within a limited frequency band and are directed to isolated parts of the human body. Such devices are also disadvantageous in that they also have relatively large, heavy and bulky structures that are not portable and have limited practicality for use as vibroacoustic therapy devices alone.

[0005] Therefore, there is a desire in the industry for a relatively inexpensive, lightweight and portable vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) device that is capable of transmitting low frequency signals evenly throughout the human body for therapeutic purposes and capable of transmitting a full range of frequencies for broader applications such as leisure, relaxation and overall wellness. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibroacoustic tactile device, comprising at least one vibroacoustic tactile panel, wherein the vibroacoustic tactile panel or each vibroacoustic tactile panel comprises a vibroacoustic generating layer, a tactile surface and a vibroacoustic transmission layer, wherein the vibroacoustic transmission layer is arranged between the vibroacoustic generating layer and the tactile surface; wherein the vibroacoustic tactile device further comprises a signal transmission module, wherein the signal transmission module is operable to transmit an acoustic signal to the vibroacoustic generating layer; the vibroacoustic generating layer is operable to generate a vibroacoustic signal incident on the vibroacoustic transmission layer; and the vibroacoustic transmission layer is operable to transmit the vibroacoustic signal to the tactile surface.

[0007] The vibroacoustic generating layer advantageously comprises a plurality of supports for supporting the vibroacoustic transmitting layer and arranged to advantageously define a closed space region within the vibroacoustic generating layer and beneath the vibroacoustic transmitting layer.

[0008] The vibro-acoustic generating layer advantageously comprises a closed cell foam material. The closed cell foam material may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Alternatively or additionally, the closed cell foam material may comprise expanded polypropylene (EPP). The closed cell foam material may be formed of an appropriate density to support the vibro-acoustic transmission layer, but also to provide sufficient movement so as not to inhibit free movement of the vibro-acoustic transmission layer.

[0009] The vibroacoustic tactile device advantageously further comprises one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors disposed in the vibroacoustic generating layer and operable to receive an acoustic signal from the signal transfer module, generate a vibroacoustic signal, and transmit the generated vibroacoustic signal to the vibroacoustic transmitting layer. The one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors advantageously can operate within a frequency range of 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0010] The vibroacoustic tactile device advantageously further comprises at least one vibroacoustic exciter, the at least one vibroacoustic exciter being disposed in the vibroacoustic generating layer and advantageously operable to receive an acoustic signal from the signal transfer module, generate a vibroacoustic signal and transmit the generated vibroacoustic signal to the vibroacoustic transmission layer. The at least one vibroacoustic exciter advantageously is operable within a frequency range of 200 Hz to 20 kHz.

[0011] The signal transfer module advantageously comprises a signal amplifier.

[0012] The vibration sound transmission layer advantageously comprises a sound panel formed from a wood material.

[0013] The tactile surface is advantageously formed from a thermoelastic (TPE) material or other similar material capable of providing similar functionality.

[0014] The vibroacoustic tactile device advantageously comprises a plurality of vibroacoustic tactile panels. Each vibroacoustic tactile panel is advantageously detachably attached to an adjacent panel and can be arranged relative to each other depending on the application (eg, therapy, meditation, fitness, reclining chair, and wall panel).

[0015] Each of the vibroacoustic tactile panels is advantageously hingedly attached to an adjacent one of the plurality of vibroacoustic tactile panels.

[0016] The vibroacoustic tactile device is advantageously operable to support a human body and transmit vibroacoustic signals to the human body via the tactile surface.

[0017] The one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors are advantageously disposed in predetermined areas of the vibroacoustic transmission layer so that the vibroacoustic signal is more concentrated in one or more areas of the tactile surface corresponding to predetermined parts of the human body supported on the tactile surface.

[0018] The one or more vibroacoustic exciters are advantageously disposed in predetermined areas of the vibroacoustic transmission layer so that the vibroacoustic signal is more concentrated in one or more areas of the tactile surface corresponding to the person's head supported on the tactile surface.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vibroacoustic tactile system is provided, comprising a plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0020] The plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices advantageously respond to a common vibration signal.

[0021] The plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices are advantageously remotely controlled.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for transmitting a vibroacoustic signal to a human body is provided, the method comprising: providing a vibroacoustic tactile device according to the first aspect of the present invention; placing at least a portion of a human body on the tactile surface; providing an acoustic signal to the signal transmission module; actuating the signal transmission module to generate an acoustic signal in the vibroacoustic generating layer; converting the acoustic signal into a vibroacoustic signal incident on the vibroacoustic transmission layer; and transmitting the vibroacoustic signal to the tactile surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A vibroacoustic tactile device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of a vibroacoustic tactile device according to the present invention is shown in a folded state;

[0026] Figure 3 Shown from above Figure 2 a vibroacoustic generating layer of a vibroacoustic tactile device;

[0027] Figure 4 Shown through Figure 3 A cross section of a vibroacoustic generating layer;

[0028] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the vibroacoustic tactile device;

[0029] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 An exploded view of a vibroacoustic tactile device having a signal transmission module, a vibroacoustic tactile sensor, and a vibroacoustic exciter disposed in a vibroacoustic generating layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. The vibroacoustic tactile device and its components are not necessarily to scale, and components may only represent components or other described entities.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vibroacoustic tactile device 10 includes a first vibroacoustic tactile panel 12A and a second vibroacoustic tactile panel 12B. The vibroacoustic tactile panels 12A and 12B include bottom layers 14A and 14B and top layers 18A and 18B, the function of which is to provide tactile surfaces 20A and 20B. The bottom layers 14A and 14B include durable shells 22A and 22B formed by, for example, plastic materials. The vibroacoustic tactile panels 12A and 12B are attached to each other with hinges 16 and can be folded relative to each other. In this embodiment, there are two vibroacoustic tactile panels 12A and 12B, the first vibroacoustic tactile panel 12A has a relatively large surface area of ​​the tactile surface 20A, and the second vibroacoustic tactile panel 12B has a relatively small surface area of ​​the tactile surface 20B.

[0032] When used as a support or bed for a human body, the vibroacoustic tactile panel 12A having a relatively large tactile surface 20A surface area can be used to support the human body, while the second vibroacoustic tactile panel 12B having a relatively small tactile surface 20B surface area can be used to support the head of the person. Each panel can have a roughly equal load-bearing capacity, but may differ in providing low-frequency or high-frequency effects depending on the type of vibroacoustic exciter and vibroacoustic tactile sensor used in the vibroacoustic tactile device 10.

[0033] The housings 22A and 22B include a plurality of carrying handles, as shown at 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D, located on one side of the housing 22. The opposite side of the housing 22 has corresponding handles, but Figure 1 Alternative embodiments of the present invention may have different numbers of handles arranged on the housing in different configurations. Figure 5, the handles 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D are formed as sockets 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D in the wall of the housing 22. The size and shape of the corresponding handle plugs 128A, 128B, 128C and 128D are designed to provide a friction fit with the corresponding sockets 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D. When the handle plugs 128A, 128B, 128C and 128D are inserted into the sockets 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D, the outer surface of the housing wall is substantially uninterrupted and flat.

[0034] In the bottom layer a signal transfer module 30 is arranged, which has an amplifier operable to receive an audio signal.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the vibroacoustic tactile device may include a single vibroacoustic tactile panel. The single vibroacoustic tactile panel has a bottom layer and a top layer 18, the function of which is to provide a tactile surface 20 ... Figure 1 The vibroacoustic tactile device 10 has similar features and operates in the same manner, except that it cannot be folded.

[0036] refer to Figure 2 , an alternative embodiment of the vibroacoustic tactile device 110 according to the present invention is similar to Figure 1 However, Figure 2 Embodiment comprises three vibroacoustic tactile panels 112A, 112B and 112C.Each vibroacoustic tactile panel 112A, 112B and 112C comprises bottom 114A, 114B and 114C and top layer 118A, 118B and 118C, and its function is to provide tactile surface 120A, 120B and 120C.Each bottom 114A, 114B and 114C comprises durable shell 122A, 122B and 122C, and these shells are formed by for example plastic material.Vibroacoustic tactile panel 112A, 112B and 112C are connected in series with hinge 116A and 116B.

[0037] Top layers 118A, 118B, and 118C may be formed of, for example, a thermoelastic (TPE) material or the like.

[0038] A plurality of carrying handles, as shown at 124A, 124B, 124C and 124D, are located on one side of the housings 122A, 122B and 122C. The opposite sides of the housings 122A, 122B and 122C have corresponding handles, but on the Figure 2 Alternative embodiments of the present invention may have different numbers of handles arranged on the housing in different configurations. The handles 124A, 124B, 124C, and 124D are similar to those of reference Figure 1 The handle is identical to that of the first embodiment described.

[0039] An audio signal module 130 having an amplifier operable to receive an audio signal is disposed in one of the vibroacoustic tactile panels 112A, 112B, and 112C.

[0040] Also refer to Figure 3 The bottom layer 114A, 114B and 114C of each vibroacoustic tactile panel 112A, 112B and 112C includes a shell 122A, 122B and 122C. Each of the shells 122A, 122B and 122C has a cavity in which a vibroacoustic generating layer 132A, 132B and 132C is respectively disposed. One of the vibroacoustic generating layers can be divided into two separate sub-vibroacoustic generating layers 132A and 132B. 1 and 132A 2 , which are arranged adjacent to each other in the housing 122A.

[0041] Vibration sound generating layer 132A 1 and 132A 2 , 132B and 132C are formed of a closed cell foam material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0042] When the vibroacoustic tactile device is in an assembled state, the vibroacoustic generating layer 132A 1 and 132A 2 Each of 132B, 132C has a plurality of supports 134 spaced apart relative to one another to define a spatial region 136.

[0043] Each vibration sound generating layer 132A 1 and 132A 2 The vibroacoustic exciter receiving space 138A is formed in the support member 134. 1 and 138A 2 Each of the vibroacoustic generating layers 132B and 132C also includes vibroacoustic tactile sensor accommodating spaces 140B and 140C, respectively, formed within the support member 134 .

[0044] The vibro-sound generating layer 132B further includes a signal transfer module accommodating space 142 formed within the support member 134 .

[0045] Also refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , vibration sound transmission layer 144A 1 、144A 2 , 144B and 144C are provided to cover the vibration sound generating layer 132A supported on the support member 134, respectively. 1 、132A 2, 132B and 132C to form a closed vibration sound transmission space 146. Vibration sound transmission layer 144A 1 、144A 2 , 144B and 144C may be formed of a wood material, such as plywood, for use as a sound / vibration sound panel. Vibration sound transmission layer 144A 1 、144A 2 , 144B and 144C are preferably arranged and operated to float on the vibration sound generating layer 132A, respectively. 1 、132A 2 , 132B and 132C, and serve as a vibroacoustic floating support layer.

[0046] Suitable materials are attached to adjacent vibroacoustic tactile panels 112A, 112B, and 112C and serve as hinge devices 116A and 116B.

[0047] See especially Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the signal transfer module 148 is disposed in the signal transfer module accommodating space 142 of the vibro-sound generating layer 132B. The signal transfer module 148 preferably includes an amplifier.

[0048] The vibration and acoustic exciters 150A and 150B are respectively arranged in the accommodation space 138A. 1 and 138A 2 middle.

[0049] The vibroacoustic tactile sensors 152A and 152B are disposed in the vibroacoustic tactile sensor accommodating spaces 140B and 140C, respectively.

[0050] The vibroacoustic actuators 150A and 150B are electrically connected to the vibroacoustic tactile sensor 152A through electrical connections 154A and 154B, respectively.

[0051] The vibroacoustic tactile sensor 152A is electrically connected to the vibroacoustic tactile sensor 152B via an electrical connection 156 .

[0052] The vibroacoustic tactile sensors 152A and 152B are electrically connected to the signal transfer module 148 through electrical connection 158 , which connects to electrical connection 156 at a T-junction.

[0053] The vibroacoustic exciters 150A and 150B are preferably operable within a frequency range of 200 Hz to 20 KHz.

[0054] The vibroacoustic tactile sensors 152A and 152B are preferably operable within a frequency range of 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components of the vibroacoustic tactile device as described herein may be arranged and / or formed differently within the scope of the present invention (as claimed).

[0056] In use, the signal transmission module 148 is activated to generate an acoustic signal. The acoustic signal is transmitted from the signal transmission module 148 through electrical connections 158 and 156 to activate the vibroacoustic tactile sensors 152A and 152B, which transmit tactile vibroacoustic signals in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 200 Hz in the vibroacoustic generating layers 132B and 132C, respectively. The signals generated by the vibroacoustic tactile sensors are dissipated from the vibroacoustic tactile sensors 152A and 152B through the enclosed vibroacoustic transmission space 146 to provide uniformly distributed tactile vibroacoustic signals throughout the vibroacoustic generating layers 132B and 132C, respectively.

[0057] The evenly distributed tactile vibroacoustic signals in the closed vibroacoustic transmission space 146 are evenly incident on the vibroacoustic transmission layers 144B and 144C. The evenly distributed tactile vibroacoustic signals are transmitted to the tactile surfaces 120B and 120C respectively through the vibroacoustic transmission layers 144B and 144C, so that the evenly distributed tactile vibroacoustic signals can be felt on the tactile surfaces 120B and 120C within a frequency range of 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0058] Similarly, the acoustic signal transmitted from the signal transfer module 148 is transmitted to the vibroacoustic actuators 150A and 150B via the vibroacoustic tactile sensor 152A through the electrical connections 154A and 154B. The vibroacoustic actuators 150A and 150B generate vibroacoustic signals in the frequency range of 200 Hz to 20 KHz. The signals generated by the vibroacoustic actuators are dissipated from the vibroacoustic actuators 150A and 150B through the closed vibroacoustic transmission space 146 to be respectively transmitted throughout the vibroacoustic generating layer 132A. 1 and 132A 2 The signal generated by the vibroacoustic exciter is provided uniformly distributed in .

[0059] The signals generated by the vibroacoustic exciters uniformly distributed in the closed vibroacoustic transmission space 146 are uniformly incident on the vibroacoustic transmission layer 144A. 1 and 144A 2 The signal generated by the uniformly distributed vibration and acoustic exciters passes through the vibration and acoustic transmission layer 144A. 1 and 144A 2 The signals generated by the evenly distributed vibroacoustic actuators are transmitted to the tactile surface 120A so that the signals generated by the evenly distributed vibroacoustic actuators can be sensed and / or heard on the tactile surface 120A in the frequency range of 200 Hz to 20 KHz.

[0060] In use, the vibroacoustic tactile device 10 / 110 can be used as a treatment couch in which a human user is in a horizontal or resting position on the top layers 118A, 118B, and 118C (whose function is to provide the tactile surfaces 120A, 120B, and 120C, respectively). As described above, the signal transfer module 148 transfers the signal to the vibroacoustic generating layer 132A. 1 、132A 2 , 132B and 132C. When the user's body is placed on the three vibroacoustic tactile panels 112A, 112B and 112C, the user experiences the evenly distributed tactile vibroacoustic signals in the frequency range of 20Hz to 200Hz on their body evenly. In this position, when the signal is transmitted to the tactile surface 120A around the user's head or feet according to the user's orientation, the user also experiences the signal generated by the evenly distributed vibroacoustic exciter in the frequency range of 200Hz to 20KHz as a sense and / or hearing.

[0061] In another and / or alternative use, the vibroacoustic tactile device 10 / 110 is used as a high quality audio speaker by positioning the three vibroacoustic tactile panels 112A, 112B, and 112C at hinged angles relative to each other so as to be placed upright, such as Figure 2 shown.

Claims

1. A vibroacoustic tactile device, comprising at least one vibroacoustic tactile panel, wherein the vibroacoustic tactile panel or each vibroacoustic tactile panel comprises a vibroacoustic generating layer, a tactile surface and a vibroacoustic transmitting layer; wherein: The vibroacoustic transmission layer is disposed between the vibroacoustic generating layer and the tactile surface; Among them, the vibration acoustic tactile device also includes a signal transmission module, which is operable to transmit an acoustic signal to the vibration acoustic generating layer; the vibration acoustic generating layer is operable to generate a vibration acoustic signal incident on the vibration acoustic transmission layer; the vibration acoustic transmission layer is operable to transmit the vibration acoustic signal to the tactile surface.

2. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibro-acoustic generating layer includes a plurality of supports for supporting the vibro-acoustic transmitting layer and arranged to define a closed space region within the vibro-acoustic generating layer and below the vibro-acoustic transmitting layer.

3. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vibroacoustic generating layer includes a closed cell foam material.

4. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The closed cell foam material includes ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

5. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Also included is one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors disposed in the vibroacoustic generating layer and operable to receive an acoustic signal from the signal transmitting module, generate a vibroacoustic signal, and transmit the generated vibroacoustic signal to the vibroacoustic transmitting layer.

6. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors operate in a frequency range of 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

7. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: It also includes at least one vibroacoustic exciter, which is disposed in the vibroacoustic generating layer and is operable to receive an acoustic signal from the signal transfer module, generate a vibroacoustic signal, and transmit the generated vibroacoustic signal to the vibroacoustic transmission layer.

8. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The at least one vibroacoustic exciter operates in a frequency range of 200 Hz to 20 KHz.

9. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The signal transmission module includes a signal amplifier.

10. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The vibration sound transmission layer includes a sound / vibration sound panel formed of a wood material.

11. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The tactile surface is formed from a thermoelastic (TPE) material.

12. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The device includes a plurality of vibroacoustic tactile panels.

13. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 12, characterized in that: Each panel is removably attached to an adjacent panel.

14. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: Each panel is hingedly attached to an adjacent one of the plurality of vibroacoustic tactile panels.

15. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: It is operable to support a human body and transmit vibroacoustic signals to the human body through the tactile surface.

16. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The one or more vibroacoustic tactile sensors are disposed in predetermined areas of the vibroacoustic transmission layer so that the vibroacoustic signal is more concentrated in one or more areas of the tactile surface corresponding to predetermined parts of the human body supported on the tactile surface.

17. The vibroacoustic tactile device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: One or more vibroacoustic exciters are disposed in predetermined areas of the vibroacoustic transmission layer to make the vibroacoustic signal more concentrated in one or more areas of the tactile surface corresponding to the person's head supported on the tactile surface.

18. A vibroacoustic tactile system, comprising a plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The vibroacoustic tactile system according to claim 18, characterized in that: The plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices are responsive to a common vibration signal.

20. The vibroacoustic tactile system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that: The plurality of vibroacoustic tactile devices are remotely controlled.

21. A method for transmitting a vibroacoustic signal to a human body, comprising: Providing a vibroacoustic tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 17; placing at least a portion of a human body on the tactile surface; providing an acoustic signal to the signal transfer module; actuating the signal transfer module to generate an acoustic signal in the vibroacoustic generating layer; converting the acoustic signal into a vibroacoustic signal incident on the vibroacoustic transmission layer; and The vibroacoustic signal is transmitted to the haptic surface.

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