Electro-responsive gel damping for immersive VR feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer-mediated reality technologies, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, fail to fully immerse participants in computer-generated environments due to the lack of physical feedback, limiting the anatomical experience and preventing realistic simulation of resistive muscle training, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-mediated physical damping feedback system that includes a motion damping device with electro-responsive gel units, which adjusts stiffness based on electrical voltage to simulate real-world resistance, in conjunction with a computer-mediated environment engine that generates a virtual skeleton and virtual objects to enhance immersion and simulate anatomical interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional computer-mediated reality technologies are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the participant cannot experience physical feedback and anatomical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical feedback systems with electro-responsive gel units that change viscosity in response to electrical voltage. This substitution maintains the physical feedback function while reducing mechanical complexity, as the gel's rheological properties can be controlled electronically rather than through complex mechanical actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gel from fixed viscosity to variable viscosity controlled by electrical voltage. By adjusting the voltage applied to the electro-responsive gel units, the system dynamically modifies the stiffness and resistance characteristics to match different virtual object interactions, providing realistic physical feedback without requiring multiple discrete mechanical components
2Reliability
If electro-responsive gel units are added to provide physical feedback, then anatomical experience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion damping device is divided into multiple electro-responsive gel units positioned at different locations corresponding to various body parts. Each gel unit can be independently controlled to provide localized physical feedback, allowing the system to simulate anatomical resistance specific to different muscles and body regions without requiring a monolithic complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-responsive gel units serve multiple functions: they provide damping, simulate muscle resistance, and adapt to different virtual object interactions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby enhancing anatomical experience while limiting the increase in overall device complexity
3Measurement precision
If voltage is applied to adjust gel viscosity for simulating resistance, then physical feedback accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage applied to the electro-responsive gel units is not continuous but is applied periodically or intermittently based on the participant's movements and the virtual object interactions. This periodic activation maintains the accuracy of resistance simulation by applying voltage only when needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application
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 system provides a more immersive anatomical experience by simulating real-world resistances, enabling effective muscle training, physical therapy, and rehabilitation by adjusting the stiffness of the motion damping device in response to interactions with virtual objects, thereby enhancing the participant's engagement with the computer-mediated environment.
Implementation Method 1
The stiffness control device comprises an electro-responsive gel unit that contains an electro-responsive gel having a viscosity that varies based at least in part on the voltage level of the electrical voltage
Implementation Method 2
The voltage generator controller is configured to generate the electrical voltage at the voltage level that induces the stress applied by the motion damping device
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-mediated physical damping feedback system includes a motion damping device, a voltage conversion controller, and a voltage generator controller. The motion damping device is worn by a participant present in a real-world environment, and is configured to vary a moveable flexibility of the participant in response to receiving an electrical voltage. The voltage conversion controller is in signal communication with a computer-mediated environment engine (CMEE) controller, and is configured to determine a voltage level of the electrical voltage based at least in part on the interaction between the participant and a computer-mediated environment. The voltage generator controller is in signal communication with the motion damping device and the voltage conversion controller. The voltage generator controller is configured to generate the electrical voltage at the voltage level that induces the stress applied by the motion damping device.