Foldable Haptic Actuator Layout for Consistent Flexible Display Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in delivering effective haptic feedback across the entire flexible display due to a haptic actuator being mounted in only one housing structure, which rotates relative to others, leading to inconsistent placement relationships.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates dual haptic actuators, one in each housing structure, enabling vibration phase control between them to provide improved haptic feedback regardless of the device's folding position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single haptic actuator is mounted in one housing structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the haptic feedback effectiveness deteriorates due to inconsistent placement relationships during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the haptic feedback system into multiple independent actuators, each mounted in different housing structures. This segmentation allows each actuator to maintain its placement relationship with its local housing while collectively providing comprehensive haptic feedback across the entire device, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each housing structure is designed to potentially accommodate a haptic actuator, making the system multi-functional. Depending on the operational mode and which housing structures are active, different combinations of actuators can provide haptic feedback, allowing the system to adapt to various scenarios while maintaining consistent performance.
2Reliability
If dual haptic actuators are mounted in each housing structure, then the haptic feedback effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and controls which haptic actuators are active based on the current operational state and which housing structures are in use. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain consistent haptic feedback quality across different configurations while avoiding the need to permanently install excessive actuators, thus balancing effectiveness with complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adjusts parameters such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and phase of each haptic actuator based on real-time detection of the device state. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes haptic feedback performance for the current configuration, reducing the need for additional hardware while maintaining reliability.
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
This configuration ensures consistent and enhanced haptic feedback experiences across the entire flexible display, regardless of the device's folding state, by utilizing vibration phase control between dual haptic actuators.
Implementation Method 1
haptic actuators, which may output a vibration in response to a touch input
Implementation Method 2
haptic actuators, which may output a vibration in response to a touch input
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the disclosure an electronic device comprises a foldable housing including: a hinge structure, a first housing structure connected to the hinge structure, and including a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and a second housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a third face and a fourth face opposite the third face, the second housing structure being configured to be rotated about the hinge structure; a flexible display extending over the first face and over the third face; at least one sensor disposed within the foldable housing, and configured to sense an angle formed between the first face and the third face; a first haptic actuator disposed within the first housing structure; a second haptic actuator disposed within the second housing structure; at least one processor disposed within the first housing structure or the second housing structure, and operatively connected to the flexible display, the at least one sensor, the first haptic actuator, and the second haptic actuator. The at least one processor may detect a folding state of the foldable housing using the at least one sensor, and independently control the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator based on at least part of the detected folding state.