Deformable Human Interface for Continuous Multi-Action Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human interface devices, such as joysticks and keyboards, are rigid and uncomfortable, often causing injuries and damage, and provide only binary signals, lacking flexibility and comfort in long-term use, especially in critical applications like industrial and medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A deformable human interface device with a deformable body and conductors that change electrical characteristics in response to physical manipulation, allowing for continuous signals and increased control actions through deformable materials and conductors that sense and transmit user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid housing with switches and electrical connections is used, then structural strength and durability are improved, but user comfort and safety deteriorate due to injuries and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid housing with a flexible deformable body that can bend and deform without causing injury. The flexible material absorbs impact and adapts to user interaction, eliminating the harmful effects of rigid structures while maintaining durability through material properties rather than structural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the housing material from rigid to flexible. By selecting materials with appropriate elasticity and deformability parameters, the device achieves both durability and user safety, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and user comfort.
2Device complexity
If rigid housing with binary switches is used, then device simplicity is improved, but control precision and signal information deteriorate due to lack of continuous signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical binary switches with deformable conductors that continuously change electrical characteristics (resistance, capacitance, inductance) based on physical deformation. This substitution transforms discrete mechanical states into continuous electrical signals, providing rich control information while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (resistance, capacitance, inductance) of deformable conductors to encode continuous control signals. As the deformable body bends or deforms, these electrical characteristics change proportionally, providing precise analog control information without complex mechanical switching mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If deformable body with deformable conductors is used, then user comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the deformable conductors multi-functional by designing them to simultaneously sense deformation, transmit electrical signals, and provide structural support. This eliminates the need for separate sensor components, reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced user safety and comfort through the deformable body design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of structural housing, sensing elements, and signal transmission conductors into an integrated deformable body system. The deformable conductors are embedded within or coupled to the deformable body, combining mechanical support and electrical sensing functions into a unified structure that simplifies overall device architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple deformable conductors are used for simultaneous sensing, then control versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality into multiple independent deformable conductors, each capable of sensing different physical manipulations (compression, flexing, twisting, stretching). This segmentation allows versatile control while simplifying manufacturing, as each conductor can be independently fabricated and integrated into the deformable body using standardized processes.
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 deformable device provides enhanced user safety, comfort, and durability, offering continuous signal control and simultaneous multi-action input, suitable for various applications including industrial and medical equipment, with potential integration into flexible environments.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable conductor may be arranged to change an electric characteristic in response to the physical manipulation. The electric characteristic may include a resistance.
Implementation Method 2
The electric characteristic may include a capacitance.
Implementation Method 3
The electric characteristic may include an inductance.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface device includes an electronic trace comprising a fluid phase conductor. The electronic trace is configured to transmit a current from a first end of the electronic trace to a second end of the electronic trace. A portion of the electronic trace is configured to receive a physical manipulation from a user, where the physical manipulation causes a change in current along the electronic trace which is configured to be interpreted as a control action. The electronic trace is further configured to sense a strain field produced by the physical manipulation by the user and interpret the strain field as a variable control action.