3DOF Tactile Feedback Movable Unit Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tele-operation systems fail to provide effective tactile feedback of force, texture, and surface shape to human operators, limiting the sense of reality and control precision in robotic tasks and simulations.
Innovation Solution
A 3DOF tactile feedback apparatus and method using a movable unit and actuators to simulate force, texture, and surface shape by moving in horizontal, vertical, and front-and-back directions, with an intermediate medium and oscillating unit enhancing sensitivity, and employing piezoelectric motors or air pressure to recreate tactile sensations on human skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unidirectional feedback mechanism is used for force transmission, then the system structure is simple, but the tactile feedback capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from unidirectional (1DOF) force feedback to three-dimensional (3DOF) tactile feedback by adding vertical and front-back movement dimensions to the traditional horizontal force transmission direction. This dimensional expansion enables the apparatus to simulate complex tactile sensations including force vectors, texture, and surface shape variations, thereby significantly enhancing tactile feedback capability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through modular actuator design
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional force feedback mechanisms are used, then the implementation is straightforward, but the tactile sensation realism is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic movement of the movable unit in three dimensions (horizontal, vertical, and front-back directions) to simulate real-time tactile sensations. The actuator dynamically adjusts the position and orientation of the movable unit based on input signals representing force vectors, texture patterns, and surface shapes, thereby creating realistic tactile feedback that adapts to various operational conditions while remaining manufacturable through standardized actuator components
3Device complexity
If simple tactile feedback is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tactile feedback function into three independent degrees of freedom: horizontal movement for force direction, vertical movement for normal force magnitude, and front-back movement for surface orientation. Each degree of freedom can be controlled independently by dedicated actuators, enabling precise control of complex tactile sensations while keeping individual component complexity manageable through modular design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides sophisticated and sensitive tactile stimulation, enhancing the realism and control precision of robotic operations and simulations by accurately feeding back force, texture, and surface information to human operators.
Implementation Method 1
employing piezoelectric motors or air pressure to recreate tactile sensations on human skin
Implementation Method 2
an oscillating unit to transfer an oscillation to the movable unit based on the input signal
Data Source
AI summary
A 3 degree of freedom (3DOF) tactile feedback apparatus and method are provided. The 3DOF tactile feedback apparatus may include a movable unit that may move in at least one direction to be in contact with human skin, and an actuator to move the movable unit based on an input signal.