Haptic Feedback System Using Electromagnetic Substrate Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-computer interface systems lack effective methods for providing tactile and auditory feedback that mimic the experience of mechanical buttons, especially in touch sensors without external moving parts or surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a touch sensor with an array of sense and drive electrode pairs, a resistive layer, a vibrator, and a controller that detects force inputs and triggers haptic feedback through a speaker and vibrator to simulate the feel and sound of button presses and releases, using a housing with a coupler to oscillate the touch sensor within a vibration plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a touch sensor without external moving parts is used, then device complexity is reduced and reliability is improved, but tactile feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by oscillating the substrate in a vibration plane parallel to the touch sensor surface. A magnetic element rigidly coupled to the chassis interacts with an inductor to generate controlled vibrations that simulate mechanical button press and release sensations, providing tactile feedback without external moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button structures with an electromagnetic actuation system. A magnetic element and inductor combination generates electromagnetic forces to oscillate the substrate, substituting mechanical linkages and moving parts with a more reliable electromagnetic mechanism that provides equivalent tactile feedback.
2Ease of operation
If electromagnetic actuation components are added, then tactile feedback capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation components (magnetic element and inductor) directly with the substrate structure. The magnetic element is rigidly coupled to the chassis while the inductor is coupled to the substrate, creating an integrated electromagnetic actuation system that minimizes additional complexity by combining multiple functions into unified components.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural support for the touch sensor array, the oscillating element for haptic feedback, and the mounting surface for the inductor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining tactile feedback capability.
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
Enables a tactile and auditory feedback mechanism that replicates the experience of mechanical buttons, allowing users to interact with a touch sensor surface as if pressing physical buttons, without the need for external moving parts, enhancing user interaction and feedback.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor coupled to the substrate below the touch sensor surface and configured to magnetically couple to the magnetic element, a driver configured to intermittently source current to the inductor
Implementation Method 2
a resistive layer arranged over the substrate in contact with the sense electrode and drive electrode pairs, defining a touch sensor surface opposite the substrate, and defining a material exhibiting changes in local bulk resistance responsive to variations in magnitude of force applied to the touch sensor surface
Data Source
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Figure 5A~7
AI summary
One variation of a system for detecting and responding to touch inputs with haptic feedback includes: a magnetic element rigidly coupled to a chassis; a substrate; a touch sensor interposed between the substrate and a touch sensor surface; an inductor coupled to the substrate below the touch sensor surface and configured to magnetically couple to the magnetic element; a coupler coupling the substrate to the chassis, compliant within a vibration plane approximately parallel to the touch sensor surface, and locating the inductor approximately over the magnetic element; and a controller configured to intermittently polarize the inductor responsive to detection of a touch input on the touch sensor surface to oscillate the substrate in the vibration plane relative to the chassis.