Fluid-Actuated Haptic Device for Immersive Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional haptic devices face challenges in providing seamless interaction between real and virtual worlds due to limitations in force and motion transparency, intuitiveness, and the inability to fully represent physical attributes like shape, rigidity, and mass, especially when handling soft objects or requiring high torque and multiple degrees of freedom, which leads to bulky and impractical designs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-actuated haptic device that adjusts shape and stiffness to recreate controllable 3D forms and forces, providing omnipresent force and tactile sensation on the entire hand, with embedded sensors and machine learning for input commands and diagnostic data, allowing for immersive human-machine interaction without the need for calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional DC motors and transmission gears are used to produce high torques, then force output is improved, but device size and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional DC motors with transmission gears with magnetic actuators that generate forces directly through magnetic fields. This substitution eliminates mechanical transmissions while maintaining high force output, thereby reducing device mass and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators using compressed gas to generate high forces. By utilizing gas pressure directly, the system achieves high torque output without requiring bulky mechanical transmissions, thus reducing overall device mass.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of degrees of freedom is increased to match hand kinematics, then haptic realism is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the haptic device into multiple independent modular units, each providing specific degrees of freedom. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex hand-like kinematics through coordinated simple modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs actuators and mechanical elements that serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, single components provide both structural support and actuation, reducing the total number of parts needed to achieve multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining haptic realism.
3Force
If transmission elements and joints are added to achieve high torque, then force capability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical transmission elements with magnetic and pneumatic actuators that generate forces directly at the point of application. This eliminates the need for gears, belts, and linkages, significantly reducing device volume while maintaining high force capability.
4Force
If conventional robotic mechanisms are used to provide force feedback, then kinaesthetic sensation is improved, but portability and wearability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy conventional robotic mechanisms with lightweight magnetic and pneumatic actuators. These actuators provide equivalent force feedback capabilities with significantly reduced mass, enabling portable and wearable haptic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic actuators powered by compressed gas reservoirs, which provide high force output with minimal weight. This approach enables portable haptic devices that can deliver strong force feedback without the burden of heavy motors and transmissions.
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 device enables intuitive and safe haptic interaction by stimulating mechano-receptors, providing precise and powerful grasp modalities, and allowing for interactive and immersive rehabilitation, particularly effective in virtual and augmented reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
comprising at least one fluidic actuator (100) operatively connectable with pumping means (400) and a plurality of movable members (200) mechanically connected with said at least one fluidic actuator (100) wherein said movable members (200) can perform a displacement upon actuation of the fluidic actuator (100) and/or resist the movements of a body part of a user upon actuation of the fluidic actuator (100) to provide a tactile and/or force haptic sensation to a body part of a user
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic device is disclosed comprising at least one fluidic actuator operatively connectable with pumping means; and a plurality of movable members mechanically connected with said at least one fluidic actuator, wherein said movable members can perform a displacement upon actuation of the fluidic actuator and/or resist the movements of a body part of a user upon actuation of the fluidic actuator, to provide a tactile and/or force haptic sensation to a body part of a user. Methods for providing a haptic sensation to a user and receiving haptic input commands from a user are also disclosed.