Haptic Feedback for Rotary Inputs via Piezoelectric Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical inputs in electronic devices, such as buttons and knobs, often fail to provide tactile feedback to users, resulting in a less engaging interaction experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing haptic feedback mechanisms that simulate sensations like ridge or valley features, detents, or resistance changes to provide users with a richer interaction experience, using components like mechanical input sensors and actuators, optical encoders, DC motors, and piezoelectric elements to create counter-rotations or resistive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical inputs (buttons, knobs) are used in electronic devices, then user interaction capability is provided, but tactile feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tactile feedback mechanisms with an actuator system that generates haptic feedback through controlled mechanical movement. The actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and produces haptic feedback by moving in response to detected input, simulating tactile sensations without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary component between the mechanical input and the user's finger. This actuator mediates the interaction by generating haptic feedback that simulates tactile sensations, bridging the gap between electronic detection and physical feedback.
2Reliability
If haptic feedback mechanisms are added to mechanical inputs, then tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the actuator to serve multiple functions: it provides haptic feedback for different types of mechanical inputs (buttons, knobs, switches) and can generate various haptic sensations (clicks, resistance, vibration). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate feedback mechanisms for each input type, thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is integrated with the mechanical input detection system, where the same sensor that detects mechanical input movement also triggers the corresponding haptic feedback. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate control circuits and reduces overall system complexity.
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
Enhances user interaction by providing tactile feedback that mimics mechanical sensations, such as the 'click-click-click' of a mechanical watch, assisting or resisting rotation, thereby improving user engagement and feedback on input effects.
Implementation Method 1
an optical encoder including a code wheel rotatable with the shaft, a light source positioned to shine through the code wheel, and a sensor positioned to sense light from the light source through the code wheel
Implementation Method 2
wherein the mechanical input actuator includes at least one piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
haptic feedback can be provided to the user via rotational displacement of a mechanical input that is opposite to the direction of the rotational movement of the mechanical input provided by the user
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a mechanical input configured to rotate in a first direction about a rotation axis in response to a first input at the mechanical input. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a mechanical input sensor coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense a rotation of the mechanical input about the rotation axis. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a mechanical input actuator coupled to the mechanical input and configured to rotate the mechanical input in a second direction about the rotation axis. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a shared driving and sensing segment. In some examples, the mechanical input sensor is configured to sense the rotation of the mechanical input at the shared driving and sensing segment. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to generate magnetic fields for rotating the mechanical input at the shared driving and sensing segment. In some examples, the mechanical input is further configured to translate along the rotation axis in response to a second input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator comprises at least one piezoelectric element configured to allow the mechanical input to translate along the rotation axis. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator comprises at least one piezoelectric element configured to rotate the mechanical input in the second direction about the rotation axis.