Spring-Suspended Haptic Cover Plate for Uniform Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic devices struggle to generate haptic signals effectively at all positions of a cover plate, particularly when the cover plate is large, and often allow tilting, which affects force sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A device with a spring-loaded suspension connecting a base plate and a cover plate, featuring a guide element to prevent tilting and ensure that forces applied anywhere on the cover plate are transmitted to a centrally located haptic module, using a piezoelectric actuator for vibration generation and force sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single centrally located haptic module is used, then device complexity is reduced, but haptic signal generation at all positions of a large cover plate becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded suspension acts as an intermediary mechanical system between the single centrally located haptic module and the cover plate. It transmits vibrational energy from the central module to all positions of the cover plate through elastic deformation, enabling reliable haptic signal generation across the entire surface without requiring multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded suspension utilizes mechanical vibration transmission to propagate haptic signals from the central actuator to all positions on the cover plate. The elastic elements vibrate and transmit mechanical energy through the suspension system, ensuring uniform haptic feedback across large surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the cover plate is allowed to tilt relative to the base plate, then ease of operation is improved, but force sensing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded suspension serves as a mediator that decouples the cover plate from direct rigid attachment to the base plate. It allows controlled movement and tilting for ease of operation while maintaining accurate force transmission to the haptic module, thus preserving force sensing precision despite operational freedom.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate has large dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but haptic signal generation at remote peripheral areas becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded suspension system transmits mechanical vibrations from the central haptic module to remote peripheral areas of the large cover plate. The elastic elements act as vibration carriers, ensuring that haptic signals are reliably transmitted across the entire extended surface area regardless of distance from the central actuator.
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 allows haptic signals to be generated and sensed reliably at any point on the cover plate, preventing tilting and ensuring consistent force transmission, making it suitable for large surfaces like displays and control panels.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded suspension via which the base plate and the cover plate are mechanically connected to each other... a compressive force is always transmitted to the haptic module when a force is applied in the direction of the base plate on any point of the top side of the cover plate
Implementation Method 2
using a piezoelectric actuator for vibration generation
Implementation Method 3
the actuator may further be used to provide force sensing at any position of the cover plate, i.e. to detect a force applied to the cover plate
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating a haptic signal. The device includes a haptic module for generating a vibration, a base plate and a cover plate arranged parallel to each other. The cover plate has an abutment surface facing towards the base plate and a top side facing away from the base plate. The haptic module is arranged between the base cover plates, a first partial area of the haptic module abuts the abutment surface of the cover plate and a second partial area of the haptic module abuts the base plate. A spring-loaded suspension mechanically connects the base plate and the cover plate. The spring-loaded suspension is designed so that the abutment surface of the cover plate is moved towards the base plate when the cover plate is in a neutral position and a force is exerted in the direction of the base plate on any point on the top side of the cover plate.