Haptic Texture Emulator With Multi-Actuator Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic feedback devices are limited in their capabilities, lacking degrees of freedom, being cumbersome, and primarily focused on individual aspects of human haptic perception, making them unsuitable for providing comprehensive tactile experiences in virtual and augmented reality applications.
Innovation Solution
A haptic feedback device featuring a texture emulator with an array of actuators providing linear strokes to haptic rods, a housing to contain the actuators and rods, and a controller to receive instructions and control the actuators to apply forces simulating various textures, along with a three degrees of freedom manipulator for surface orientation and normal force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing haptic feedback devices use simple actuator mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but the degree of freedom and tactile perception capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback device divides the contact surface into multiple independent actuator locations, with each actuator capable of providing normal and shear forces independently. This segmentation allows complex tactile sensations to be synthesized from simple individual actuator actions, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and tactile capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each actuator in the array is designed to provide multiple types of forces (normal force and shear force) simultaneously, making the actuators multi-functional. This universal design enables a single actuator mechanism to address multiple aspects of tactile perception, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatile tactile capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback devices provide comprehensive tactile feedback across multiple dimensions, then tactile perception capabilities are improved, but device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple force generation capabilities (normal force and shear force) into a single integrated actuator array system. By combining these functions into one compact array rather than using separate mechanisms, the device achieves comprehensive tactile feedback while minimizing volume and maintaining portability.
3Device complexity
If haptic feedback devices focus on individual aspects of haptic perception, then device complexity is reduced, but the range of haptic feedback applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller synthesizes complex tactile sensations by coordinating feedback from multiple actuators based on desired texture characteristics. This feedback coordination allows the system to adapt to various haptic applications while maintaining relatively simple individual actuator designs, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
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 device effectively stimulates mechanoreceptors to provide a wide range of texture sensations, enhancing the tactile experience in virtual and augmented reality environments, and is designed to be compact and wearable, suitable for integration with various input devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each actuator may include: a coil; a static magnet; a floating magnet; a static cover attached to the static magnet; and an anti-magnetic cover attached to the floating magnet and configured to be connected to the haptic rod.
Implementation Method 2
a vibration motor connected to the contact surface. A controller may be configured to control a frequency and amplitude of the vibration motor based on the received instructions.
Implementation Method 3
The housing may include a plurality of micro-holes; and the at least one texture emulator may include: a plurality of tubes, each tube is connected from one end to one of the micro-holes in the housing and from the other end to a valve; and a pressurized gas supplier configured to supply pressurized gas to each tube.
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic feedback device is disclosed. The haptic feedback device may include at least one texture emulator; a housing at least partially containing the texture emulator; and a controller configured to: receive instructions to provide a texture sensation; and control the texture emulator to apply force to at least one location on a surface based on the received instructions.