Constrained Polymer Actuator for 3D Relief Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic apparatuses do not produce significant enough physical changes that can be effectively sensed by users through touch, limiting their ability to provide meaningful tactile or visual feedback.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a polymer that can change between two states of different volumes, controlled by an actuator and constrained in specific directions, allowing for significant volume changes that can be visually or tactily perceived, such as in a three-dimensional relief display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional haptic apparatus are used, then the apparatus can produce physical changes, but the size and scale of the physical changes are not significant enough for effective user sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a constraint mechanism that restricts polymer expansion in certain directions while allowing expansion in other directions. This dimensional constraint transforms the volume change into a more perceptible directional displacement, enabling users to sense the physical change more effectively through touch or visual observation of the constrained dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a polymer material that undergoes significant volume parameter changes in response to stimuli. By selecting a polymer with high volume change characteristics and combining it with directional constraints, the system amplifies the perceptible physical effect while maintaining control over the change magnitude through the constraint mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If the polymer is allowed to change volume freely, then the volume change can be significant, but the change may not be directed in a useful direction for user interface applications
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint mechanism introduces asymmetry into the polymer expansion process by restricting movement in specific directions while permitting it in others. This asymmetric constraint guides the volume change into a controlled directional pattern that is useful for user interface applications, such as creating tactile relief features or visual displays.
Solution Approach 2:
By constraining the polymer in specific dimensions, the system redirects the volume change into permitted dimensions where it can produce useful effects. The constraint transforms three-dimensional free expansion into controlled expansion along specific axes, enabling precise control over the shape and orientation of the physical change.
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
Enables the production of user interfaces that provide information through significant physical changes, offering both tactile and visual indications, with volume changes exceeding 10% and enabling the creation of 3D relief displays.
Implementation Method 1
pre-stressing of the polymer causes the polymer to change volume asymmetrically and preferably in at least a particular direction
Implementation Method 2
an actuator configured to be controlled by an input signal to cause the polymer to change between the first state and the second state
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including polymer configured to have a first state or a second state, wherein the volume of the polymer in the first state is different to a volume of the polymer in the second state; an actuator configured to be controlled by an input signal to cause the polymer to change between the first state and the second state; and a constraint configured to constrain the polymer in at least a first direction when the polymer changes between the first state and the second state.