Flexible Thermoelectric Feedback Device for Immersive VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoelectric devices are limited in providing effective thermal feedback due to their rigid design, making it difficult to apply them to body parts for immersive experiences in VR and AR applications, and they lack efficient waste heat dissipation and cognitive enhancement methods.
Innovation Solution
A feedback device utilizing a thermoelectric couple array with individually controllable first and second thermoelectric couple groups, applying distinct operating powers for exothermic and endothermic operations to enhance user cognition and reduce sensing time, and incorporating a cognitive enhancing power to prolong the perception of thermal feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional flat thermoelement is used, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult to press against a user's body part and transfer thermal feedback effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate instead of a rigid flat structure, allowing the thermoelement to conform to curved body surfaces. This enables effective thermal contact with skin while maintaining the simplicity of the thermoelectric conversion mechanism, resolving the contradiction between applicability and structural complexity.
2Power
If a single thermoelectric couple is used, then the device is simple, but the thermal feedback intensity and controllability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermoelectric element into multiple independently controllable couples arranged in an array. This segmentation allows precise control over thermal feedback intensity and distribution across different body regions, achieving high power output while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thermoelectric couples can be activated selectively based on local requirements, allowing varying thermal intensities at different locations. This enables targeted thermal feedback application while optimizing overall system performance without requiring all couples to operate at maximum capacity simultaneously.
3Power
If high power is applied to achieve strong thermal feedback, then the thermal feedback intensity is improved, but waste heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes the waste heat generated by thermoelectric operation by directing it to adjacent uncoupled thermoelectric elements that can convert it into additional useful thermal feedback. This transforms energy loss into a beneficial resource, maintaining high thermal feedback intensity while reducing net energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the primary thermal feedback function with waste heat utilization by coordinating multiple thermoelectric couples. Heat generated by active couples is redirected to neighboring couples, combining their outputs to achieve enhanced thermal feedback while improving overall energy utilization efficiency.
4Loss of information
If the thermal feedback is terminated immediately, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the user's cognitive perception of the feedback is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent initiates thermal feedback slightly before the intended termination point by activating couples in sequence, ensuring that the user's thermal perception reaches completion before power is fully cut off. This preliminary action guarantees complete cognitive perception while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption by avoiding extended operation beyond the required perception window.
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 improved thermal feedback delivery, enhanced user cognition, reduced sensing time, and optimized waste heat dissipation, providing a more immersive experience by controlling thermal feedback output through a flexible thermoelectric device.
Implementation Method 1
A thermoelement (TE) is a device which produces an exothermic reaction or an endothermic reaction through a Peltier effect by receiving electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a feedback device and a thermal feedback provision method using the same. The thermal feedback provision method may include checking first operating power applied to a first thermoelectric couple group for a first thermoelectric operation and second operating power applied to a second thermoelectric couple group for a second thermoelectric operation when the first thermoelectric operation is initiated in the first thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the first thermal feedback after the second thermoelectric operation is initiated in the second thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the second thermal feedback and include applying cognitive enhancement power for enhancing a user's cognition to the first thermoelectric couple group from a time point at which the output of the first thermal feedback is initiated up to a first time point so that the user's cognition of the first thermal feedback is enhanced.