Tactile feedback device for gripping a human finger

Abstract

Tactile feedback device (10) for gripping a human finger (12), comprising at least two transmission elements (14a, 14b) for compressing the fingertip of a user wearing the tactile feedback device (10) on the finger (12), a vibration element (16) for generating feedback in the form of vibrations, at least one additional vibration transmission arm (18) in addition to the transmission elements (14a, 14b) for transmitting the vibrations to the user's finger (12), characterized by interaction sensors at the tips of the transmission elements (14a, 14b) for detecting an interaction or distance to an approaching object, wherein upon such detection the fingertip is compressed by the transmission elements (14a, 14b).

Description

The invention relates to a tactile feedback device for gripping a human finger. Various devices for improving interaction with electronic devices, which can be worn on a user's finger, are known from the prior art. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has developed the device "FingerTac," which is described in the following publications: - DE 10 2016 111 634 B4 - https: / / rm.dlr.de / FingerTac The product "Air Clip" is a similar device from Apple. It is described in the following publications: - https: / / makerfairerome.eu / en / apple-looks-to-its-finger-clips-fornext-breakthrough-product / - US 10 642,356 B1 - US 11 360,558 B2 - US 11 360,587 B1 - US 11 416,076 B2 Another sensor for an electronic finger device is known from CN 112189178 A . The object of the invention is to provide a tactile feedback device for grasping a human finger, which enables improved interaction with an electronic device. The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The tactile feedback device according to the invention is designed to grip a human finger and has at least two transmission elements for exerting a force on the fingertip of a user wearing the tactile feedback device on their finger. The force can, in particular, compress the fingertip, thereby causing a change in the stiffness of the fingertip, which alters the perception of touching an object. Furthermore, it has at least one vibration element for generating feedback in the form of vibrations. According to the invention, at least one additional vibration transmission arm is provided in addition to the transmission elements. This arm serves to transmit the vibrations to the user's finger. It is preferred that the vibration transmission arm is connected to the vibration element. The additional vibration transmission arm according to the invention has the advantage that vibrations do not need to be transmitted through the transmission elements that exert a force on the fingertip. If, in this case, the vibration were transmitted to the fingertip through the same transmission elements, it would not be perceptible at the desired location or with the desired intensity in the finger, as it might be transmitted with excessive pressure. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide at least one separate vibration transmission arm through which the vibration can be transmitted independently of the force exerted on the finger via the transmission elements. For example, it is also possible that the vibration transmission arm does not lie completely flat against the finger, but rather that some air is left between the finger and the vibration transmission arm. In this case, the vibration would also feel different than if it were transmitted through the transmission elements that lie flat against the finger. It is preferred that the transmission elements be actively or passively foldable backwards and / or upwards so that they do not obstruct interaction with an object. A backward direction is considered to be a proximal direction relative to the user. An upward direction is the direction away from the user's finger when the feedback device surrounds the user's finger. The feedback device preferably includes collision sensors for detecting an impending collision or interaction with an object. An interaction is an intentional action, while a collision is unintentional. Upon detection of such a collision or interaction, the transmission elements can be folded away to prevent obstruction. Preferably, a vibration can also be displayed on the finger via a vibration element, which encodes the distance of the finger to the object through varying intensity or vibration pattern. It is further preferred that the housing of the feedback device is filled with a vibration isolation element (e.g., foam) to reduce the transmission of vibrations to the fingernail. Preferably, a vibration isolation element is also located between the vibration element and the housing, which reduces the transmission of vibrations to the housing and thus to the transmission elements and sensors. According to the invention, interaction sensors are provided at the tips of the transmission elements. These serve to detect an interaction or a distance to an approaching object, whereby such detection is caused by the transmission elements compressing the fingertip. Furthermore, a third transmission element may preferably be provided at the fingertip, which allows the fingertip to be deformed in several directions. It is further preferred that the feedback device be adjustable to the user's finger size, preferably by adjusting screws or motorized adjustment. This allows, in particular, the adjustment of the distance or length of the transmission elements and the vibration transmission arm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the transmission elements are also designed to allow the fingertip to be pulled apart. For this purpose, they can, for example, have interlocking elements that grip behind part of the user's finger and thus pull the finger apart during interaction with an object. It is still preferred that the angle of the transmission elements is adjustable, so that forces can also be introduced into the finger from an oblique angle in front. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to a figure. Fig. 1 shows a tactile feedback device 10 that laterally grips the distal end of a user's finger 12. The feedback device 10 is preferably located on the upper side of the finger 12, i.e., on the side with the fingernail, so that the two preferably hinged transmission elements 14a, 14b grip the finger 12 laterally in a downward direction. A vibration element 16 is provided, which generates feedback in the form of vibrations depending on control software. This vibration element 16 is mechanically connected to at least one, preferably two, vibration transmission arms 18a, 18b. These transmit a vibration to the user's finger. The second vibration transmission arm 18b is located on the rear side in Fig. 1 and is therefore not visible. The tactile feedback device according to the invention can be used for haptic interaction in VR or AR applications. In particular, application areas are relevant where both real and virtual objects are touched. The device according to the invention makes it possible to modify the perception when touching an object. In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible that the vibration transmission arm 18a, or both vibration transmission arms 18a, 18b, do not lie completely against the finger, but rather that some air is provided between the finger 12 and the vibration transmission arm 18a. In this case, the vibration feels different than when it is transmitted directly by an element that lies against the finger. This is also one of the reasons why, according to the invention, the transmission elements 14a, 14b are not used to transmit vibrations to the finger 12. Another reason is that the varying force that the transmission elements 14a, 14b can exert on the finger 12 would strongly affect vibration transmission via these same transmission elements 14a, 14b. In a further preferred embodiment, the transmission elements 14a, 14b and the vibration transmission arms 18a, 18b are arranged in series. Preferably, the vibration transmission arms 18a, 18b are arranged distal to the transmission elements 14a, 14b, that is, the transmission elements 14a, 14b are located closer to the base body of the feedback device 10, which comprises the vibration element 16.

Claims

Tactile feedback device (10) for gripping a human finger (12), comprising at least two transmission elements (14a, 14b) for squeezing the fingertip of a user wearing the tactile feedback device (10) on the finger (12), a vibration element (16) for generating feedback in the form of vibrations, at least one additional vibration transmission arm (18) in addition to the transmission elements (14a, 14b) for transmitting the vibrations to the user's finger (12), characterized by interaction sensors at the tips of the transmission elements (14a, 14b) for detecting an interaction or distance to an approaching object, wherein upon such detection the fingertip is squeezed by the transmission elements (14a, 14b). Tactile feedback device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration transmission arm (18a) is connected to the vibration element (16). Tactile feedback device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission elements (14a, 14b) are equipped with a drive with which the compression can be varied. Tactile feedback device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the transmission elements (14a, 14b) can be actively or passively folded away to the rear and / or upwards so that they do not impede interaction with an object. Tactile feedback device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by collision sensors for detecting an approaching collision or interaction with an object, wherein upon such detection a folding away of the transmission elements (14a, 14b) is initiated. Tactile feedback device (10) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a housing of the feedback device (10) is equipped with a vibration isolation element for reducing the transmission of vibrations to the fingernail and / or the transmission elements (14a, 14b). Tactile feedback device (10) according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by further transmission elements at the fingertip, which enables deformation of the fingertip in several directions. Tactile feedback device (10) according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distance between the transmission elements (14a, 14b) is adjustable to the finger size, preferably by adjusting screws or by motorized adjustment. Tactile feedback device (10) according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transmission elements (14a, 14b) are also designed to pull the fingertip apart. Tactile feedback device (10) according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the angle of the transmission elements (14a, 14b) is adjustable so that forces can also be introduced into the finger (12) from an oblique angle in front.

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