Electronic Apparatus Actuator Timing Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses fail to efficiently provide a realistic tactile sensation to users, as the vibrations generated by multiple actuators often result in dispersed timing of displacement or acceleration peaks at the contact position, leading to a weakened tactile sensation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus includes a controller that synchronizes the timings of the actuators to maximize the displacement or acceleration of vibrations at the contact position, ensuring that the vibrations from multiple actuators coincide, thereby enhancing the tactile sensation experienced by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple actuators are used to vibrate the panel, then the tactile sensation can be enhanced, but the timing of vibration peaks becomes dispersed, weakening the tactile sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vibration timing of each actuator based on the detected contact position. The controller calculates optimal vibration timings to synchronize the arrival of vibration waves at the contact position, transforming a static multi-actuator system into a dynamically coordinated one that adapts to user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses touch sensor feedback to detect contact position and adjusts actuator vibration timings accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that vibration peaks from multiple actuators arrive simultaneously at the contact position, resolving the timing dispersion problem while enhancing tactile sensation.
2Strength
If vibration amplitude is increased to enhance tactile sensation, then power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes mechanical vibration principles to create constructive interference of vibration waves from multiple actuators. By synchronizing vibration timing rather than increasing amplitude, the system achieves enhanced tactile sensation through wave superposition, reducing power consumption compared to simply increasing individual actuator amplitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameter of actuator vibrations rather than the amplitude parameter. This parameter substitution allows achieving the same tactile enhancement effect with lower energy consumption, as synchronized timing exploits physical wave interference effects without requiring proportionally higher power input.
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
This synchronization of actuator timings effectively increases the displacement or acceleration of vibrations at the contact point, providing a more realistic and efficient tactile sensation, similar to that of a push button switch, while maintaining low power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of actuators 50 arranged on a back surface side of the panel 20. The plurality of the actuators 50 vibrate the panel 20
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a panel, a touch sensor, a plurality of the actuators, and a controller. The touch sensor is configured to detect a contact position on the panel. The plurality of the actuators are configured to vibrate the panel. The controller is configured to control such that accelerations of vibrations transmitted to the panel from the plurality of the actuators become maximum at the contact position at the same timing.