Deformable Transmissive Layer for Remote Tactile Surface Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote communication and inspection systems lack the ability to provide a sense of touch, which is crucial for detailed surface characterization and tactile intelligence, particularly in scenarios requiring high precision, such as inspecting airplane wings or smartphone designs, leading to the need for physical presence and travel.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a deformable transmissive layer coupled to a mounting structure and interface membrane, with a first illumination source and detector to characterize geometric surfaces by determining surface orientations and providing a three-dimensional mapping of the object's surface, allowing for remote tactile perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If video communication systems are used for remote inspection, then communication capability is improved, but tactile perception capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable transmissive layer acts as an intermediary between the remote user and the inspected object. This layer transfers tactile information from the object surface to the user's hand, enabling remote users to perceive geometric features through touch while maintaining the benefits of remote communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a tactile copy of the object's geometric surface by using the deformable transmissive layer to replicate surface features. When the layer deforms against the object, it copies the geometric information, which is then transmitted to the remote user, providing tactile perception without physical presence.
2Measurement precision
If physical presence is required for surface inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the need for physical mechanical presence with a tactile intelligence system. The deformable transmissive layer captures geometric information through deformation, and this information is electronically transmitted to remote users, eliminating the need for travel while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of the transmissive layer from rigid to deformable, allowing it to adapt its shape to match the object's surface geometry. This parameter change enables the layer to capture detailed surface information without requiring physical contact tools, improving both precision and efficiency.
3Loss of information
If deformable transmissive layer is used for tactile sensing, then tactile perception capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a thin, flexible transmissive layer that can deform to match object surfaces. This simple yet effective structure provides tactile sensing capability without requiring complex sensor arrays or mechanical systems, maintaining ease of use while enabling remote tactile perception.
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 remote users to perceive and characterize the geometry of objects with high precision, enhancing remote inspection and manufacturing processes by simulating touch through geometric surface characterization, reducing the need for physical presence.
Implementation Method 1
a first deformable transmissive layer coupled to a mounting structure and to an interface membrane, wherein the interface membrane is interfaced against at least one aspect of an interfaced object having a surface to be characterized
Implementation Method 2
a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a system for geometric surface characterization, comprising: a deformable and controllably expandable transmissive layer coupled to a mounting structure and to an interface membrane; a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer at a known first illumination orientation; a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer; a computing system configured to operate the detector to detect at least a portion of light directed from the deformable transmissive layer, to determine surface orientations pertaining to positions along the interface membrane based at least in part upon interaction of the first illumination light with the deformable transmissive layer, and to utilize the determined surface orientations to characterize a geometric profile of the surface of the object as interfaced against the interface membrane.