Thermal-Vibrotactile Haptic Actuator Structure With Isolated Heating Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable technology faces challenges in power efficiency, packaging size, and effective haptic actuation due to high thermal mass and separate actuators for temperature and vibration, which limits comfortable and robust wearability.
Innovation Solution
A thermally isolated heating membrane with supports that reduce thermal mass and separate actuators for both thermal and vibrotactile sensations, allowing efficient and compact haptic actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a heating membrane with high thermal mass is used, then thermal stability is improved, but thermal response speed deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into a thin heating membrane separated from the bulk substrate by thermally isolating supports. This segmentation allows the heating membrane to have low thermal mass for fast response while the substrate provides structural stability, resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermally isolating supports act as intermediaries between the heating membrane and the substrate. These supports reduce thermal coupling, allowing the heating membrane to maintain temperature changes rapidly while the substrate remains thermally stable, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and response speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate actuators for thermal and vibration functions are used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and packaging size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating membrane serves multiple functions: it provides thermal actuation through resistive heating and vibrotactile actuation when coupled with the vibration actuator. This multi-functionality allows a single component to deliver both thermal and vibration sensations, improving versatility while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration actuator and heating membrane are merged into a single integrated assembly where the heating membrane acts as both a thermal source and a vibration transmission element. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity and packaging size while maintaining functional versatility.
3Strength
If the heating membrane is thermally coupled to the body, then structural support is improved, but thermal isolation and power efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Thermally isolating supports serve as intermediaries that provide mechanical structural support while minimizing thermal conduction. These supports allow the heating membrane to be structurally stabilized without being thermally coupled to the body, thereby maintaining power efficiency and reducing energy loss to the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating membrane is implemented as a thin film structure that is mechanically supported by the substrate but thermally isolated from it. The thin film geometry provides sufficient mechanical strength while minimizing thermal mass and thermal coupling, thus resolving the contradiction between structural support and power efficiency.
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 low-power, rapid thermal response with reduced size and weight, providing both thermal and vibrotactile sensations effectively, enhancing user comfort and wearability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating membrane, having a heat capacity per unit area between or equal to one of 0.002 J/(K·cm 2) and 0.02 J/(K·cm 2)
Implementation Method 2
An actuator is disposed in the body, and the actuator is constructed and arranged to apply mechanical vibrations to the one or more supports
Implementation Method 3
one or more supports constructed and arranged to thermally isolate the heating membrane from the body
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments related to a haptic actuator for transmitting heat and/or mechanical vibrations to an adjacent surface are disclosed. The haptic actuator may include a heating membrane, one or more supports, and a body. The one or more supports may extend between the body and the heating membrane to physically separate the heating membrane from the body.