Haptic Feedback Control Using Perpendicular Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic feedback control devices often fail to provide a strong vibratory effect to users, as the vibration is poorly felt when the finger follows a command trajectory, and the perception is heavily dependent on the frequency of vibration rather than other parameters like direction and speed.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a control device with a backing plate, a sensor, and two actuators that drive the plate in perpendicular and coplanar directions, allowing independent control based on the components of the finger's movement, enhancing the haptic feedback by generating a resultant vibratory effect felt perpendicular to the finger's movement, thus improving perception regardless of the finger's trajectory and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single actuator generates vibration along the finger's trajectory, then the device structure is simple, but the haptic feedback is poorly perceived by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator is divided into two separate actuators (first actuator and second actuator) that can independently drive the backing plate in perpendicular directions. This segmentation allows the system to generate vibration in directions perpendicular to the finger's movement trajectory, significantly improving haptic feedback perception regardless of the finger's movement direction or speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional vibration (along the finger's trajectory) to two-dimensional vibration by adding a second actuator that operates in a perpendicular direction. This dimensional expansion enables the system to generate vibration perpendicular to the finger's movement, ensuring consistent haptic feedback perception across all trajectory directions.
2Ease of operation
If vibration frequency is increased to improve haptic feedback, then the vibratory effect is stronger, but the feedback becomes dependent on trajectory frequency and less perceptible
Solution Approach 1:
By generating vibration in a direction perpendicular to the finger's movement trajectory, the system decouples the haptic feedback from the trajectory's frequency characteristics. This dimensional separation ensures that the perceived vibration strength is not influenced by whether the finger moves quickly or slowly along its path, providing consistent feedback across all movement speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the vibration from parallel to perpendicular relative to the finger's movement trajectory. This parameter change fundamentally alters how the vibration is perceived, making it independent of the trajectory's frequency and speed characteristics while maintaining strong haptic feedback.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator drives the plate in the same direction as finger movement, then the control is simple, but the haptic effect is not consistently perceived
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent control channels, one for each actuator. Each actuator can be independently controlled based on the finger's movement components, allowing the system to generate perpendicular vibration that is consistently perceived regardless of the overall movement direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism generates vibration in a dimension perpendicular to the finger's movement trajectory. This dimensional change ensures that the haptic feedback is always perceived in the same relative orientation (perpendicular to movement), providing consistency across all possible finger trajectories.
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 method enhances the haptic feeling by making the vibratory effect independent of the finger's speed and trajectory, allowing for a more robust haptic experience by incorporating direction and speed parameters, ensuring the vibratory effect is consistently perceived by the user.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second actuator connected to said plate in order to generate the haptic feedback in said zone as a function of a signal originating from said sensor, the first actuator being capable of driving said plate in a first drive direction and the second actuator being capable of driving said plate in a second driving direction, substantially perpendicular to and coplanar with the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for haptic feedback control that comprises a control device for transmitting a haptic feedback to the finger of a user in a movement area of said finger, characterized in that said control method comprises a first step (101) of determining the direction of an elementary movement of said finger and decomposing the elementary movement into components along said first and second driving directions (D1, D2), and a second step (102) of independently driving said first actuator (7a) and second actuator (7b) based on the components of the elementary movement (dU) in order to drive said plate (3) in translation so that the result of the vibratory effect generated by said actuators (7a, 7b) can be felt by said finger in a direction (dR) substantially perpendicular to and coplanar with the direction of said elementary movement (dU).