Driving device and application thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a driving device and application thereof, and the driving device comprises an excitation unit which is provided with an excitation chamber, and the excitation chamber is internally provided with a power source assembly and is filled with a fluid medium; the stimulation unit is provided with a stimulation chamber, and the stimulation chamber is filled with a fluid medium; and the conduction unit is connected between the excitation unit and the stimulation unit and is used for conducting the kinetic energy of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber. The driving device can be applied to the field including tactile feedback, the stimulation unit can be installed on the part, where the human body wants to feel stimulation, of the human body, tactile feedback control within a certain distance is achieved, and the improved effects that the tactile feedback array is high in density and small in size are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of drive technology, and in particular to a drive device and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] Due to the need for rehabilitation, human enhancement, virtual experience, etc., which has prompted the development of human-machine integration technology, new and higher requirements have been put forward for related drive devices. One of the main development directions of current drive devices in the future is a flexible drive that integrates drive, tactile perception and tactile feedback.

[0003] As immersive virtual scenes become more and more popular, traditional audio-visual technology can no longer meet users' demand for multi-dimensional human-computer interaction experience on smartphones, game content and more intelligent hardware. Multi-dimensional human-computer interaction technology including tactile feedback is in urgent need of breakthroughs. The next stage of development in medical rehabilitation, special education, aerospace and other fields is expected to significantly improve tactile feedback technology.

[0004] At present, tactile feedback generally has problems such as low density, insufficient frequency response, small amplitude, one-dimensionality, poor wearability, and poor experience of realism. It is urgent to propose or design new tactile feedback devices and methods to improve the above disadvantages. In addition, for tactile feedback devices worn by the human body, due to the limited wearing space of the human body, the tactile feedback performance is affected by the large volume of the tactile feedback element and the limited space available for use. Summary of the invention

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a driving device and its use which is small in size, less space-restricted, can realize tactile feedback control, and has a high-density feedback array.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a driving device, comprising:

[0007] The excitation unit comprises an excitation chamber, wherein the excitation chamber is provided with a power source component and filled with a fluid medium;

[0008] A stimulation unit having a stimulation chamber filled with a fluid medium;

[0009] The conduction unit is connected between the excitation unit and the stimulation unit, and is used for conducting the kinetic energy of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the stimulation unit is made of a deformable material.

[0011] Further, the conduction unit is a conduit whose two ends are respectively connected to the excitation chamber and the stimulation chamber, the conduit is filled with a fluid medium, and / or, the conduction unit is a thread that can conduct the kinetic energy of the fluid medium and whose two ends are respectively inserted into the excitation chamber and the stimulation chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is provided on the catheter.

[0013] Furthermore, the power source component is a vibration motor, a linear actuator, a piezoelectric ceramic, a voice coil motor, a reciprocating motion mechanism, a gear assembly or a particle emitter.

[0014] Furthermore, the excitation unit has more than two excitation chambers separated from each other, the stimulation unit has the same number of stimulation chambers as the excitation chambers, and the conduction unit is connected to each of the excitation chambers in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0015] Furthermore, the stimulation unit comprises a base body, in which a plurality of stimulation chambers are arranged in a spherical sector-shaped annular array.

[0016] Furthermore, the stimulation unit includes a main cavity and multiple sub-cavities, the inner cavities of the main cavity and the sub-cavities are the stimulation chambers, the main cavity body is divided into a column, and the top part is a rotating body, and multiple sub-cavities are evenly connected to the main cavity body in the circumferential direction, and the outer walls of the sub-cavities are provided with corrugated grooves.

[0017] Furthermore, the stimulation unit includes a main cavity and multiple sub-cavities, the inner cavities of the main cavity and the sub-cavities are the stimulation chambers, the body of the main cavity is divided into a two-level stepped column with a small upper part and a large lower part, and the top part is a rotating body, and multiple sub-cavities are evenly connected to the body part of the main cavity in the circumferential direction, and a rib plate is connected between the top of the sub-cavity and the main cavity.

[0018] The present invention also provides application of the above-mentioned driving device in a tactile feedback device.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are embodied in:

[0020] In the driving device of the present invention, the kinetic energy generated by the vibration of the power source component and the potential energy brought by the force of its vibration are converted into the vibration of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber, and the kinetic energy is then transmitted to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber through the conduction unit. The vibration of the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber causes the inner wall of the stimulation chamber to be subjected to continuous pressure changes, thereby squeezing the stimulation unit to produce continuous deformation, and realizing corresponding tactile feedback. Only a small amount of the fluid medium is needed to generate and transmit the energy of fluctuations and oscillations. Therefore, the volume requirements of the excitation chamber and the stimulation chamber are small, and the number can be set as needed to achieve high-density distribution. The driving device can be applied to fields including tactile feedback, and the stimulation unit can be installed at the part of the human body where the stimulation is desired to be felt, to realize tactile feedback control at a certain distance, and to achieve the improved effect of high density and small volume of the tactile feedback array.

[0021] In the driving device of the present invention, since a separate structure of the stimulation unit and the excitation unit is adopted, there is a greater room for selection when selecting a power source component. The limitations of the volume and layout space of the power source component can be eliminated, and a power source component that can provide greater tactile feedback can be selected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a stimulation unit in a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the stimulation unit shown in another perspective.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a stimulation unit in a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the stimulation unit shown in another perspective.

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Excitation unit; 12. Excitation chamber; 13. Power source assembly;

[0029] 2. Stimulation unit; 21. Base; 22. Stimulation chamber; 23. Main cavity; 24. Sub-cavity; 25. Corrugated groove; 26. Rib plate;

[0030] 3. Conducting unit; 31. Catheter; 32. Pressure sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention by specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0032] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present invention, and the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation. The type, quantity and proportion of each component in actual implementation can be changed at will, and the layout of the components may also be more complex. In addition, the description of "multiple" in the text refers to more than two; the meaning of "and / or" in the text includes three parallel solutions, taking "A and / or B" as an example, including solution A, solution B, or solutions that satisfy both A and B.

[0033] See also Figures 1 to 3 .

[0034] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a driving device includes:

[0035] The excitation unit 1 has an excitation chamber 12, in which a power source assembly 13 is arranged and filled with a fluid medium;

[0036] The stimulation unit 2 has a stimulation chamber 22, and the stimulation chamber 22 is filled with a fluid medium;

[0037] The conduction unit 3 is connected between the excitation unit 1 and the stimulation unit 2 , and is used for conducting the kinetic energy of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber 12 to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber 22 .

[0038] In the driving device, the kinetic energy generated by the vibration of the power source component 13 and the potential energy brought by the force of its vibration are converted into the vibration of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber 12, and the kinetic energy is then transmitted to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber 22 through the conduction unit 3. The vibration of the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber 22 causes the inner wall of the stimulation chamber 22 to be subjected to continuous pressure changes, thereby squeezing the stimulation unit 2 to produce continuous deformation, and realizing corresponding tactile feedback. Only a small amount of the fluid medium is needed to generate and transmit the energy of fluctuations and oscillations. Therefore, the volume requirements of the excitation chamber 12 and the stimulation chamber 22 are small, and the number can be set as needed to achieve high-density distribution. The driving device can be applied to fields including tactile feedback, and the stimulation unit 2 can be installed at the part of the human body where the stimulation is desired to be felt, to achieve tactile feedback control at a certain distance, and to achieve the improved effect of high density and small volume of the tactile feedback array.

[0039] In the present invention, the fluid medium includes but is not limited to liquid, particulate matter, and solid-liquid mixture.

[0040] In one embodiment, the power source assembly 13 is a vibration motor. Of course, the power source assembly can also be other devices that can generate vibration, and the present invention does not make any special restrictions.

[0041] In one embodiment, the stimulation unit 2 is made of a deformable material, including but not limited to elastic material, flexible material, composite material, such as rubber, silicone, silicone-like resin, etc.

[0042] In the present invention, the conducting unit 3 is used as a communication bridge for transmitting various tactile languages ​​composed of frequency, amplitude, and rhythm differences.

[0043] In one embodiment, the conduction unit 3 is a conduit 31 whose two ends are respectively connected to the excitation chamber 12 and the stimulation chamber 22 , and the conduit 31 is filled with a fluid medium.

[0044] In one embodiment, the conducting unit 3 is a thread capable of conducting kinetic energy of a fluid medium, with both ends of the thread being inserted into the excitation chamber 12 and the stimulation chamber 22 respectively.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the conduit 31 is a flexible conduit; the wire is a flexible wire or a rigid-flexible coupling wire. The wire includes but is not limited to strings, flexible fabric braided wires, and mixed braided wires of metal wire cores and flexible materials (including but not limited to silk, nylon, plastic, rubber materials or composite materials). Vibration is transmitted through the wire, which has a certain tension and can effectively transmit vibration.

[0046] Of course, the present invention can also place the thread in a conduit containing a fluid medium for use in conjunction with each other, so that the tactile feedback can be transmitted more effectively, as long as the actual use requirements of the softness of the conduction unit 3 can be met.

[0047] In addition, particles may be added into the conduit containing the fluid medium to improve the conduction effect, or the conduit may be filled with flowable particles, including but not limited to gel particles such as water pearls, so that the power of the excitation unit is transmitted to the surface of the stimulation unit through the interaction of the particles.

[0048] In one embodiment, a pressure sensor 32 is provided on the catheter 31. The pressure change displayed in the pressure sensor 32 is used to judge or calculate the pressure size and change of each chamber in the stimulation unit 2, and the difference between the peak and trough of the pressure change is used to evaluate the intensity of the tactile feedback generated by the chamber of the stimulation unit 2, and the speed of the pressure change and the speed of the fluctuation are used to evaluate the frequency of the tactile feedback generated by the chamber of the stimulation unit 2.

[0049] In one embodiment, the excitation unit 1 has a plurality of cylindrical excitation chambers 12 .

[0050] For the stimulation unit 2, three implementation forms are provided below, and of course the present application can also present other designs:

[0051] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the stimulation unit 2 comprises a base 21, in which a plurality of stimulation chambers 22 are arranged in a spherical sector-shaped annular array. The base 21 may be a rotating body, such as a hemisphere as shown in the figure.

[0052] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the stimulation unit 2 includes a main cavity 23 and a plurality of sub-cavities 24, the inner cavities of the main cavity 23 and the sub-cavities 24 are the stimulation chamber 22, the main cavity 23 has a body divided into a column, and the top part is a rotating body, such as a hemisphere, and a plurality of sub-cavities 24 are evenly connected to the body part of the main cavity 23 in the circumferential direction, and a corrugated groove 25 is provided on the outer wall of the sub-cavity 24. The top part of the rotating body will produce an expansion movement in the normal direction under the vibration drive of the fluid medium, and the sub-cavity 24 can be extended and retracted when driven, thereby causing the rotating body part to move up and down, and the combined driving of the sub-cavities 24 at different positions can cause the top rotating body part to produce displacements in various tangential directions. This structural design realizes multi-dimensional tactile feedback and increases the richness of tactile feedback.

[0053] like Figure 4 and 5As shown, the stimulation unit 2 includes a main cavity 23 and a plurality of sub-cavities 24, the inner cavity of the main cavity 23 and the sub-cavity 24 is the stimulation chamber 22, the body of the main cavity 23 is divided into a two-level stepped column with a small upper body and a large lower body, and the top part is a rotating body, such as a hemisphere, and a plurality of sub-cavities 24 are evenly connected to the body of the main cavity 23 in the circumferential direction, and a rib plate 26 is connected between the top of the sub-cavity 24 and the main cavity 23. With this design, when the inner wall of the main cavity of the stimulation unit is subjected to pressure, the top will expand and deform, resulting in normal displacement, and tactile feedback in the normal direction will be realized. When the inner wall of the sub-cavity of the stimulation unit is subjected to pressure, a bending deformation deviating from the axial direction will be generated, and this bending deformation will be transmitted to the main cavity through the rib plate connected to the top of the main cavity, thereby realizing tactile feedback in the tangential direction, thereby realizing a multi-dimensional tactile feedback function.

[0054] In one embodiment, the excitation unit 1 has more than two mutually separated excitation chambers 12, the stimulation unit 2 has the same number of stimulation chambers 22 as the excitation chambers 12, and the conduction unit 3 is connected one by one between each of the excitation chambers 12 and each of the stimulation chambers 22. The design of multiple chambers can produce different forms and different intensities of exercise independently or in combination. There is no restriction on the number, structure, shape, size, distribution mode, etc. of the stimulation chambers 22, as long as the desired target exercise form can be achieved, and it can be set according to actual needs.

[0055] In addition, different numbers of vibration sensors and setting different vibration parameters for different vibration sensors can produce different vibration combinations and changes, which are converted into different energy transfer rhythms and sensory changes. The energy forms transmitted to the stimulation unit 2 will be different, which can drive the deformation state of the stimulation unit 2 to change accordingly and produce different forms of movement, thereby generating tactile feedback encoding similar to tactile language, and generating tactile feedback of different feelings, realizing a high-richness and high-level tactile feedback feeling, achieving high-fidelity and high-immersion effects of tactile feedback in human-computer interaction, and a stronger sense of interactive immersion and experience.

[0056] The present invention can be applied to, including but not limited to, wearing of prostheses to provide certain tactile feedback to prosthesis wearers.

[0057] The present invention integrates more than two of driving, feedback, and perception, and the driving device described therein can be applied to areas including but not limited to tactile feedback. The specific structure of the driving device involved presents a structural characteristic in which the stimulation unit and the excitation unit are separated by a certain distance, thereby solving the problems of low array density, single dimension, small amplitude, insufficient tactile feedback stimulation, and insufficient wearing comfort.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A driving device, characterized in that: include: The excitation unit comprises an excitation chamber, wherein the excitation chamber is provided with a power source component and filled with a fluid medium; A stimulation unit having a stimulation chamber filled with a fluid medium; The conduction unit is connected between the excitation unit and the stimulation unit, and is used for conducting the kinetic energy of the fluid medium in the excitation chamber to the fluid medium in the stimulation chamber.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stimulation unit is made of deformable material.

3. The driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conduction unit is a conduit whose two ends are respectively connected to the excitation chamber and the stimulation chamber, the conduit is filled with a fluid medium, and / or the conduction unit is a thread whose two ends are respectively inserted into the excitation chamber and the stimulation chamber and can conduct the kinetic energy of the fluid medium.

4. The driving device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The catheter is provided with a pressure sensor.

5. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The power source component is a vibration motor, a linear actuator, a piezoelectric ceramic, a voice coil motor, a reciprocating motion mechanism, a gear assembly or a particle emitter.

6. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The excitation unit has more than two excitation chambers separated from each other, and the stimulation unit has the same number of stimulation chambers as the excitation chambers, and the conduction unit is connected to each of the excitation chambers in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The stimulation unit comprises a base body, in which a plurality of stimulation chambers are arranged in a spherical sector-shaped annular array.

8. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The stimulation unit includes a main cavity and multiple sub-cavities. The inner cavities of the main cavity and the sub-cavities are the stimulation chambers. The main cavity is divided into a column and the top part is a rotating body. Multiple sub-cavities are evenly connected to the main cavity in the circumferential direction, and corrugated grooves are opened on the outer walls of the sub-cavities.

9. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The stimulation unit includes a main cavity and multiple sub-cavities. The inner cavities of the main cavity and the sub-cavities are the stimulation chambers. The main cavity is divided into a two-level stepped column with a small upper part and a large lower part. The top part is a rotating body. Multiple sub-cavities are evenly connected to the main cavity in the circumferential direction. A rib plate is connected between the top of the sub-cavity and the main cavity.

10. Use of the driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a tactile feedback device.

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