Haptic Actuator Noise Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Haptic devices face issues with increased sound levels over time due to changes in electrical and mechanical properties, leading to over-driving and unwanted noise, which can result in device failures and unpleasant user experiences.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a haptic actuator, a motion sensor, and an audio sensor, where a controller adjusts the drive signal and filter parameters based on sensed motion and audio noise to generate a polarity-inverted signal for active noise cancellation, reducing unwanted sound and maintaining optimal haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the haptic actuator is driven with increased power to maintain haptic feedback strength, then the haptic feedback performance is improved, but the sound noise level increases and device reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an audio sensor to detect sound noise generated by the haptic actuator and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the drive signal in real-time based on the detected noise level, creating a closed-loop feedback system that balances haptic performance with noise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters including drive signal magnitude, frequency, and filter parameters based on feedback from the audio sensor and motion sensor. This allows the system to optimize the balance between haptic feedback strength and noise generation by adjusting electrical and mechanical parameters in real-time.
2Force
If the haptic actuator is driven with increased power to maintain haptic feedback strength, then the haptic feedback performance is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to over-driving
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor provides feedback on the actual motion of the haptic actuator components, allowing the controller to detect when the actuator is being over-driven. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adjust drive signals to prevent excessive power application that would compromise device reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static drive signals to dynamic, adaptive drive signals that change in real-time based on sensor feedback. This dynamic adjustment allows the haptic actuator to operate within safe parameters while maintaining effective haptic feedback, preventing reliability issues caused by consistent over-driving.
3Force
If the haptic actuator is driven with increased power to maintain haptic feedback strength, then the haptic feedback performance is improved, but electrical and mechanical properties change leading to over-driving
Solution Approach 1:
Both audio and motion sensors provide continuous feedback on the actual state of the haptic actuator, allowing the controller to compensate for changes in electrical and mechanical properties. This real-time monitoring and adjustment ensures stable operation even as component characteristics drift over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by monitoring its own operational parameters through integrated sensors. The controller automatically compensates for property changes in the haptic actuator components, enabling the system to maintain stable performance without external intervention or manual calibration.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If sensors and control circuitry are added to reduce noise and optimize haptic feedback, then noise control and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio sensor, motion sensor, and control functions are integrated into a unified noise control system that works together with the existing haptic actuator. By merging these components into a coordinated system rather than adding them as separate independent subsystems, the overall complexity increase is minimized while achieving effective noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs multiple functions including haptic drive signal generation, noise detection processing, motion analysis, and adaptive parameter adjustment. By making the controller multi-functional rather than adding separate dedicated circuits for each function, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive noise control and optimization.
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 effectively reduces unwanted noise and maintains optimal haptic feedback by actively canceling noise and adjusting drive signals, thereby extending device lifespan and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an audio sensor carried by the device housing to sense audio noise from the haptic actuator
Implementation Method 2
a motion sensor carried by the device housing to sense motion of the field member
Implementation Method 3
The controller may be configured to generate a polarity inverted drive for the haptic actuator based upon sensed motion of the field member and audio noise from the haptic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a device housing and a haptic actuator carried by the device housing and that includes a haptic actuator housing and a field member movable within the haptic actuator housing. The electronic device may also include a motion sensor carried by the device housing to sense motion of the field member, an audio sensor carried by the device housing to sense audio noise from the haptic actuator, and a controller coupled to the haptic actuator, the motion sensor, and the audio sensor. The controller may be configured to drive the haptic actuator based upon sensed motion of the field member and audio noise from the haptic actuator.