Electroactive Transducer Seat System for Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seating systems in vehicles and other environments fail to provide effective tactile and audio experiences, especially at low frequencies, and lack means to offer tactile feedback to users, such as alerts and biometric feedback, leading to suboptimal experiences in music, video, gaming, and simulations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs electroactive transducers arranged in specific patterns, such as diamond and grid configurations, integrated with vibrotactile membranes and control systems that receive audio and vehicle event information to provide tactile sound and alerts, optimizing bone conduction and directional feedback through sensors and pressure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional audio systems are used in vehicle seats, then audio playback is provided, but tactile feedback and low frequency audio experiences are not delivered effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines audio transducers and tactile feedback transducers into a single integrated seat system. The seat includes both types of transducers arranged in specific patterns (diamond, grid, or linear configurations) to simultaneously deliver audio experiences and tactile feedback, resolving the contradiction by merging multiple functions into one system rather than adding separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional audio playback, tactile feedback delivery, and low frequency audio transmission through bone conduction. By making the seat multi-functional, the system addresses the limitation of traditional single-function audio systems without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transducers are arranged in diamond or grid patterns to provide directional tactile feedback, then tactile precision and directional accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer system is segmented into distinct functional groups: audio transducers and tactile feedback transducers, with further segmentation into directional indicators (left/right side transducers) and central transducers. This segmentation allows each transducer to perform a specific function with high precision while the overall system complexity is managed through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transducers are positioned at specific locations (left side, right side, center) with different functions optimized for their locations. Side transducers provide directional tactile feedback for lane departure warnings, while central transducers along the spine provide bone conduction audio. This local optimization of transducer placement and function improves tactile precision without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire system.
3Reliability
If bone conduction is used to deliver low frequency audio through the spine, then audio quality at low frequencies is improved, but the system requires precise transducer placement and coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The transducers are pre-positioned in the seat at specific locations that correspond to typical user anatomy (spine alignment). The seat structure itself is designed with predetermined transducer mounting positions that anticipate user placement, eliminating the need for precise real-time adjustment during manufacturing or installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat structure acts as an intermediary between the transducers and the user's body. The transducers are coupled to the seat framework, which then transfers vibrations to the user through controlled contact points. This intermediary structure provides mechanical support and positioning, reducing the manufacturing precision requirements for direct transducer-to-skin coupling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and control systems are added to provide personalized tactile feedback based on user presence and vehicle events, then user experience personalization is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates periodically rather than continuously - sensors detect user presence and activate transducers only when needed (periodic activation based on detected conditions). This approach provides personalized feedback capability while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the system in a low-power state during idle periods and activating only when user presence or vehicle events trigger feedback requirements.
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 solution enhances the multisensory experience by delivering tactile sound and alerts, optimizing audio and tactile feedback for individual users, mitigating vibrations, and providing personalized experiences in various contexts, including vehicles and entertainment venues.
Implementation Method 1
A first plurality of electroactive transducers are arranged along the center-line of the seat back and provide tactile sound to a user
Implementation Method 2
the seat further comprises a membrane in the seat back that is coupled to the first plurality of electroactive transducers, the membrane dissipating vibrations from the first plurality of electroactive transducers
Implementation Method 3
A pressure sensor in the seat senses pressure against the seat
Implementation Method 4
The transducer control system filters the input audio signal into first audio content in a first frequency range and provides the first audio content in the first frequency range to an upper transducer of the first plurality of electroactive transducers
Data Source
AI summary
A system providing tactile sensations. The system comprises a seat back of a seat, the seat back having a left side and a right side separated by a center-line of the seat back. A first plurality of electroactive transducers are arranged along the center-line of the seat back and provide tactile sound to a user. A second plurality of electroactive transducers in the seat back provide tactile alerts or feedback. The second plurality of electroactive alert transducers comprise a left-side electroactive transducer at the left side of the seat back and right-side electroactive transducer at the right side of the seat back.