Colocated Sensor-Actuator Units for Haptic Panel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch interfaces with multiple piezoelectric actuators face challenges with actuator power supply and control architecture, including crosstalk, synchronization issues, and sensitivity to environmental conditions, leading to complex and costly systems.
Innovation Solution
A distributed and hierarchical vibration control system using sensor-actuator pairs with colocated sensors and actuators, where energy conversion occurs locally, and vibratory references are supplied by a master microcontroller, reducing crosstalk and environmental sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple piezoelectric actuators are distributed over the touch interface, then the haptic feedback quality is improved, but the power supply architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the touch interface into multiple independent sensor-actuator units, where each unit contains its own piezoelectric actuator and sensor. This segmentation allows each actuator to be independently powered and controlled, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high haptic feedback quality through distributed actuation points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resonant structure (plate or beam) as an intermediary that couples all the distributed actuators. This resonant structure naturally synchronizes the actuators through its own resonance frequency, eliminating the need for complex individual control circuits while ensuring coordinated action across all actuators.
2Ease of manufacture
If different actuators are supplied in parallel with the same electrical voltage, then the power supply implementation is simplified, but the synchronization of actuator movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the natural resonance frequency of the mechanical structure (plate or beam) to synchronize all actuators. By driving all actuators at the structure's resonance frequency, the system achieves automatic synchronization through mechanical coupling, maintaining both simple parallel power supply and precise actuator coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential condition by coupling all actuators to the same resonant structure, which acts as a common reference. This ensures that all actuators operate in phase and produce constructive interference, achieving synchronized movement while allowing independent power supply connections.
3Reliability
If each actuator has its own amplifier and voltage reference from a single computer, then the actuator actions can be synchronized, but the control architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the control architecture and transfers it to the mechanical resonant structure itself. The resonant structure naturally enforces synchronization through its physical properties, eliminating the need for complex control algorithms and multiple computer outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant structure provides self-synchronization through its own resonance frequency, without requiring external control intervention. The structure automatically coordinates all actuators through its natural vibrational mode, reducing the control system to simple voltage generation.
4Power
If high voltage power supply is distributed to different actuators, then the actuators can operate effectively, but crosstalk phenomena between actuators increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant structure serves as an intermediary that couples the high-voltage actuator outputs. This mechanical coupling allows effective power delivery while the structure's natural resonance filters out crosstalk and interference between adjacent actuators, converting electrical crosstalk into useful mechanical vibration.
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 approach simplifies the power supply and control architecture, reduces crosstalk, and enhances robustness against environmental changes, while maintaining synchronization and efficiency in haptic feedback generation.
Implementation Method 1
each piezoelectric actuator has to be supplied with electrical energy to be able to transform it into a deformation through the piezoelectric effect
Implementation Method 2
a deformation or vibratory speed sensor, both fixed onto said first face of the plate
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes sensor-actuator units fixed onto a plate to be actuated according to at least one predetermined vibratory mode, each sensor-actuator unit having an electromechanical actuator and a deformation or vibratory speed sensor, wherein the electromechanical actuator and the sensor are colocated on the surface, that is to say that the measurement by the sensor is performed in immediate proximity to the electromechanical actuator, this proximity being such that the actuator and the sensor can respectively actuate and measure the same predetermined vibratory mode.