Flexible Haptic Mounting for Wearable Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices struggle to provide a range of haptic effects efficiently and cost-effectively in terms of material costs and power consumption, as typical inertial actuators are rigid and costly, limiting the variety and naturalness of sensations that can be conveyed to users.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a flexible mounting system and haptic output devices connected via a flexible casing, using short duration control pulses to create small deformation sensations, allowing for localized and directional haptic effects with reduced power consumption and material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If rigid inertial actuators are used to provide haptic effects, then haptic feedback can be delivered to users, but material costs and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid actuator casings with flexible casings made from elastomeric or plastic materials. The flexible casing encloses the inertial actuator and allows the haptic output device to conform to the user's body contour, reducing material costs while maintaining effective haptic feedback delivery through the flexible mounting system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible mounting system that dynamically adapts the haptic output device to the user's body. The flexible mounting includes a flexible casing and flexible wearable member that can deform and conform to different body shapes, providing consistent haptic feedback across various wear positions and user anatomies without requiring expensive rigid precision mounting
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid actuators are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different body contours and wear positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible casing acts as a compliant structure that adapts to body contours while enclosing the rigid inertial actuator. The flexible material allows the outer shape to conform to the user's body while the internal actuator maintains its structural integrity for reliable haptic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with flexible elastomeric or plastic materials for the casing and wearable member, combined with rigid inertial actuators. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both flexibility for adaptability and rigidity where structurally necessary, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability
3Use of energy by moving object
If short duration control pulses are used, then power consumption is reduced, but haptic effect duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed actuation where short duration control pulses are delivered in repeated cycles. The flexible mounting system sustains and transmits these brief pulses effectively to the user's skin, creating perceptible haptic effects through cumulative or rhythmic stimulation that feels continuous despite the brief individual pulse durations
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible mounting system dynamically responds to short pulses by utilizing its elastic properties to extend the effective duration of haptic sensation. The flexible material can deform during the pulse and gradually return to its original shape, extending the perceptible haptic effect beyond the brief electrical pulse duration while consuming minimal energy
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 a wider range of natural haptic interactions, such as soft transient deformations, enhancing user experience while reducing costs and power usage, offering a more pleasant and varied sensory feedback compared to standard vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible mounting connecting the haptic output device to the flexible wearable member
Implementation Method 2
Typical inertial actuators, such as Eccentric Rotating Mass ('ERM') actuators, are mounted in a rigid casing and create a range of vibration frequencies and magnitudes
Implementation Method 3
the flexible mounting comprises a spring connected to the haptic output device
Implementation Method 4
the flexible mounting comprises a damper connected to the haptic output device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system includes a wearable device configured to be worn by a user. The wearable device includes a flexible mounting, and a haptic output device connected to the flexible mounting. The system includes a signal generator configured to generate a haptic signal and communicate the haptic signal to the haptic output device. The haptic signal includes a short duration control pulse configured to create a small deformation sensation to the user.