Grid-Link Manipulator With Tactile Feedback and Posture Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manipulating devices lack the ability to provide force-like tactile sensations and do not adequately respond to user manipulations with high freedom, limiting the immersive experience in gaming and other interactive applications.
Innovation Solution
A manipulating device with a grid-shaped configuration of link shafts and node mechanisms, equipped with three-dimensional magnetic sensors, inertial measurement units, and vibrators, that outputs signals based on posture changes and vibrates in response to user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manipulating device uses traditional buttons or sticks, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the degree of freedom for manipulation is limited and tactile sensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulating device is divided into multiple independent node mechanisms (e.g., 16 nodes arranged in a 4×4 grid), each capable of independent posture changes. This segmentation allows high degrees of freedom for manipulation while keeping each individual node relatively simple in structure
Solution Approach 2:
Each node mechanism incorporates movable components including link shafts that can rotate and change posture dynamically. The link shafts connect adjacent nodes and can vary their angles, enabling the entire device to adapt its shape in response to user manipulation while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized joint designs
2Ease of operation
If the manipulating device includes vibration feedback mechanisms, then tactile sensation and sense of presence are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration feedback is provided locally at specific node mechanisms rather than uniformly across the entire device. Each node can independently generate vibrations based on its state, allowing tactile feedback to be concentrated where most needed while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The node mechanisms serve multiple functions: they detect user manipulation through posture changes, transmit mechanical movements through link shafts, and provide tactile feedback through vibration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby simplifying manufacturing
3Measurement precision
If the manipulating device uses a grid-shaped structure with multiple node mechanisms, then posture recognition precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from traditional two-dimensional button layouts to a three-dimensional configurable structure where nodes can change posture in multiple dimensions. This spatial dimensionality enhancement improves posture recognition precision while the modular grid structure keeps individual components manageable
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a manipulating device that is capable of expressing force-like tactile senses. The manipulating device includes a plurality of link shafts, a plurality of node mechanisms that cooperate with the plurality of link shafts in providing a grid shape, the plurality of node mechanisms holding ends of at least two or more of the link shafts of the plurality of link shafts such that the at least two or more of the link shafts are variable in posture, and a vibrating structure for vibrating the manipulating device, depending on a state of at least either one of the plurality of node mechanisms.