Haptic Waveguide and Integrator for Seat Assembly Cross-Talk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Haptic devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting mechanical vibrations to users without causing cross-talk and requiring large signal generators, which limits packaging density and vibration intensity.
Innovation Solution
The use of waveguides and integrators embedded in a host, such as a seat, to selectively generate and transmit haptic signals, with waveguides configured to channel energy efficiently and integrators positioned close to the user to reduce cross-talk, allowing for smaller signal generators and closer packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If signal generators are placed close together to improve packaging density, then device compactness is improved, but cross-talk between signal generators increases
Solution Approach 1:
Waveguides serve as intermediary structures that channel vibrations from signal generators to integrators along directed paths. By introducing waveguides as mediators between signal generators and integrators, the system enables close packaging of signal generators while preventing direct vibration transmission between them, thus reducing cross-talk while maintaining compactness.
2Power
If larger signal generators are used to produce specified alert signals, then vibration intensity is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Waveguides act as intermediary structures that efficiently transmit vibrations from smaller signal generators to integrators. The waveguide system concentrates and directs vibration energy along specific paths, enabling smaller signal generators to produce the required vibration intensity at the integrator location without increasing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the vibration transmission path from direct proximity to the integrator into a directed path through waveguides. This dimensional extension allows vibration energy to be transmitted efficiently over longer paths, enabling smaller signal generators to achieve the required intensity at the integrator by utilizing the waveguide's directed transmission capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If waveguides with bent portions are used to direct vibration paths, then cross-talk is reduced, but waveguide complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Waveguides incorporate bent portions with specific bend angles to direct vibration paths around other components and away from potential cross-talk paths. The curved geometry of the waveguides allows them to navigate around obstacles and direct vibrations along controlled paths, reducing cross-talk while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized bend configurations.
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
This configuration reduces cross-talk and allows for more compact design while maintaining vibration intensity, enabling effective haptic feedback without compromising discrimination.
Implementation Method 1
A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator
Implementation Method 2
Haptic devices include elements that produce mechanical vibrations, which are intended to be felt by a user of the device as an alert or feedback mechanism
Implementation Method 3
A fluid is placed in the hollow interior cavity of the first waveguide such that the first haptic signal is channeled through the fluid towards the first integrator. In one example, the fluid is an incompressible liquid
Implementation Method 4
The first integrator may be characterized by a segmented construction with one or more first segments alternating between one or more second segments. The first segments may be configured to be relatively stiff and the second segments may be configured to be relatively flexible
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic device includes a first signal generator embedded in a host and configured to generate a first haptic signal. A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator. A first integrator is operatively connected to the first waveguide and configured to receive the first haptic signal. The first waveguide and the first integrator are in mechanical communication with the host. The first waveguide may include a first bent portion characterized by a first bend angle. An additional waveguide may be configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first integrator. The additional waveguide may include an additional bent portion characterized by a second bend angle. The haptic device may be part of a seat assembly, where the host is at least one of a seat bottom, a seat back and a head rest.