Head-Mounted Display Edge Actuators for Tactile Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted displays primarily focus on visual stimulation, lacking integration of tactile sensations to enhance the realism of virtual reality experiences.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of actuators along the outer edge or within the structure of a head-mounted display to provide tactile stimulation, utilizing various configurations of actuators and supporting structures for effective vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If actuators are added to provide tactile stimulation, then user sensory experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensory experienceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuators (voice coils and vibrating motors) into a single head-mounted display device, integrating tactile stimulation functionality with the existing visual display system. This merging approach provides multi-sensory experience while consolidating components to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head-mounted display is designed to perform multiple functions: visual display through the ocular optical system and tactile stimulation through actuators. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide both visual and tactile sensory feedback, enhancing overall user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuators are integrated into the head-mounted display, then tactile feedback capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedback capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the actuator system into distinct components (voice coils and vibrating motors) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the head-mounted display. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each actuator type while simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an actuator support structure that serves as an intermediary component, holding and positioning multiple actuators within the head-mounted display. This mediator structure simplifies manufacturing by providing a standardized platform for actuator installation and integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the user's sensory experience by providing realistic tactile feedback, improving the immersion in virtual reality environments.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of actuators located along a direction in which the buffer extends

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3640708B1Head-mounted display
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 BHAPTICS CO LTD
  • EP3640708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3640708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3640708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A head mounted display in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display capable of displaying an image; a buffer extending along an outer edge of the display; and a plurality of actuators located along a direction in which the buffer extends.