Inflatable Bladder Touch Sensing for Adjustable Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are sensitive to environmental conditions, occupy significant space, and lack adjustable tactile feedback, making them inefficient for user interaction in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A distributed inflatable touch sensing system utilizing a sensing bladder array with thermoplastic sheets, pressure regulators, and sensors to provide adjustable tactile feedback and determine user input, featuring a processor that calculates bladder depression based on pressure measurements and algorithmic analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional HMI components (touch screens, buttons, knobs) are used, then user interaction is enabled, but the system occupies significant space and is sensitive to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible inflatable bladders made of thin film material that can be inflated and deflated to create tactile feedback. These thin-film structures replace bulky traditional HMI components while maintaining user interaction capabilities through pressure-sensitive sensing and tactile response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic inflation and deflation of bladders to generate tactile feedback and enable user interaction. By controlling gas pressure within the bladder structure, the system creates adjustable tactile responses without requiring large mechanical components, thus reducing space occupation while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical HMI designs (buttons, switches) are used, then tactile feedback is provided, but the feedback characteristics are fixed and cannot be adjusted during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tactile feedback by inflating and deflating the bladders in response to user interaction and contextual conditions. The system can adjust the degree of inflation, pressure levels, and response timing to provide varied tactile feedback characteristics, transforming the static mechanical feedback into a dynamic, adaptable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as bladder pressure, inflation rate, and deflation timing to adjust tactile feedback characteristics. By modifying these parameters based on usage context, the system provides adaptable tactile responses that can be customized for different interaction scenarios without changing the underlying mechanical structure.
3Measurement precision
If traditional HMI systems are implemented, then sensing functionality is provided, but the electronics complexity and environmental sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with a simplified pneumatic-mechanical sensing approach. Pressure-sensitive films and bladder deformation mechanically detect user input and transmit this information through fluid pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors, circuits, and signal processing while maintaining sensing precision.
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 system offers adjustable tactile feedback, resistance to environmental noise, and reduced complexity, allowing for efficient user interaction while minimizing space and electrical components, with the ability to deflate for storage and reconfigure interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure regulator for regulating a pressure in the sensing bladder array. The pressure regulator is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of ports
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sensors for measuring the pressure in the sensing bladder array, each of the plurality of sensors being in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of ports
Implementation Method 3
the sealing portions of the interior surfaces of the first and second thermoplastic sheets are fixedly attached using a heat seal
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed inflatable touch sensing system is provided. The distributed inflatable touch sensing system includes a sensing bladder array, the sensing bladder array having a plurality of bladders, passageways, and ports in fluid communication. The system further includes a pressure regulator in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports for regulating a pressure in the sensing bladder array. The system further includes a plurality of sensors, each in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports, for measuring the pressure in the sensing bladder array. The system further includes a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to determine which of the plurality of bladders has been depressed by a user.