Electrostatic Tactile Surface Actuator for Low Power Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch pads and touch screens lack effective and efficient methods for providing tactile feedback to users, with existing solutions being power-intensive, fragile, or requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing two conductive surfaces driven by an actuator mechanism with a dielectric material and air gap, which uses electrical signals to move the surfaces and provide tactile or audio feedback through attractive and repellant forces, allowing for customizable feedback profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromechanical linear or rotary motors are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is provided to the user, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical motors with an electrostatic actuation system that uses electric fields to move conductive surfaces. The drive circuitry applies voltage to conductive layers on substrates, creating electrostatic forces that move the surfaces to provide tactile feedback, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical motors and reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by using variable voltage signals to control the electrostatic actuation. The drive circuitry can apply different voltage levels and waveforms to the conductive layers, enabling dynamic control of tactile feedback characteristics while maintaining low power consumption through efficient electrostatic actuation
2Reliability
If electromechanical linear or rotary motors are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is provided to the user, but response time becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical motors with an electrostatic actuation system that uses electric fields to move conductive surfaces. The drive circuitry applies voltage to conductive layers on substrates, creating electrostatic forces that move the surfaces to provide tactile feedback, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical motors and reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic voltage signals to drive the electrostatic actuation, enabling rapid back-and-forth movement of the conductive surfaces. This periodic actuation allows for fast response times by quickly switching between different voltage states to create the desired tactile feedback effects
3Reliability
If electromechanical linear or rotary motors are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is provided to the user, but localized tactile feedback cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tactile feedback system into multiple independent conductive surfaces or regions. Each conductive layer on a substrate can be independently actuated by the drive circuitry, allowing specific localized areas to provide tactile feedback while other areas remain stationary, enabling precise point-of-touch feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different voltage signals to different conductive layers or regions of the substrates, creating localized electrostatic forces at specific positions. This allows the tactile feedback to be concentrated at the point of touch or specific regions of interest, providing localized feedback characteristics
4Reliability
If large electro-magnetic solenoid type actuators are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is provided to the user, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electro-magnetic solenoid actuators with an electrostatic actuation system. Instead of using electromagnetic fields and mechanical solenoid structures, the system uses electric fields to directly move conductive surfaces, eliminating the need for large electromagnetic components and significantly reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable voltage signals to control the electrostatic actuation, applying power only when tactile feedback is needed. This on-demand actuation with controllable voltage levels enables efficient power management compared to the continuous power requirements of electromagnetic solenoids
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 solution enables efficient and customizable tactile feedback, reducing power consumption and mechanical complexity while providing localized and precise feedback to users, enhancing user interaction with touch surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
two conductive surfaces are utilized and suitably driven to provide movement of at least one of the surfaces through attractive and/or repellant forces
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric material and an adjacent air gap are interposed between the substrates
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, a device includes a surface and an actuator mechanism operably associated with the surface. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user responsive to an electrical signal. In at least some embodiments, the actuator mechanism comprises a pair of spaced-apart substrates each of which supports a conductive layer of material. A dielectric material and an adjacent air gap may be interposed between the substrates. Drive circuitry is operably connected to the spaced-apart substrates and is configured to drive the conductive layers of material with an electrical signal. This signal may be responsive to sensing a touch input on the surface or other appropriate event.