Finger-Mounted Device with Fabric Cover for Tactile Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices, such as gloves with sensors, can interfere with a user's ability to feel objects and may be uncomfortable or ineffective in gathering suitable input, posing challenges in controlling electronic equipment.
Innovation Solution
The development of finger-mounted electronic devices with U-shaped housings that include force sensors, accelerometers, and haptic output devices, integrated with breathable fabric or leather for comfort and functionality, allowing users to interact with virtual and real environments while maintaining sensitivity and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a glove with sensors is used to control electronic equipment, then input detection capability is improved, but tactile sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into multiple independent sensor modules, each responsible for detecting specific hand motions. This segmentation allows the sensor system to be distributed across the glove surface, minimizing the amount of material covering any single area and preserving tactile sensitivity while maintaining input detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glove have different sensor densities and material properties optimized for their specific functions. Areas requiring high tactile sensitivity have minimal sensor coverage, while areas requiring precise motion detection have higher sensor density. The glove material properties vary locally to balance comfort and sensing performance.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and haptic devices are integrated into finger-mounted units, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (force sensors, accelerometers, haptic output devices, and electronic components) are integrated into a single finger-mounted unit housing. This merging reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high control precision through the coordinated operation of integrated sensors and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger-mounted unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting force, detecting acceleration, providing haptic feedback, and processing signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving control precision through integrated sensing and actuation.
3Ease of operation
If fabric covers electronic components, then comfort and breathability are improved, but sensor signal quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A thin fabric layer is used to cover the electronic components and sensors. The fabric is thin enough to allow sensor signals to pass through with minimal attenuation while providing comfort and breathability. The flexible nature of the fabric accommodates finger movements without interfering with sensor operation or signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric acts as an intermediary layer between the sensors and the external environment. It provides comfort and breathability while being designed with specific electromagnetic properties that allow sensor signals to pass through. The fabric mediates between the need for user comfort and the need for high-quality sensor signals by optimizing its material properties.
Data Source
AI summary
A finger-mounted electronic device may include a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have first and second side body members that leave the finger pad exposed and an upper body member extending between the first and second side body members. Some or all of the body may be covered in fabric or leather. Fabric may wrap around the first and second side body members and may extend across the upper body member. The fabric may cover electronic components. A touch sensor may have electrodes that are formed from conductive material on the fabric or conductive strands in the fabric. Infrared-reflective ink may form visual markers on the fabric for an infrared tracking system. The fabric may have light-transmissive portions that overlap optical components.