Inflatable Cuff Force Feedback for Remote Manipulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force feedback systems in remote control applications are not intuitive, often requiring operators to divert attention from their tasks to interpret visual or vibrational feedback, leading to desensitization and increased cognitive burden, especially when handling multiple systems or dual arm manipulators.
Innovation Solution
A force feedback cuff system that uses an inflatable cuff connected to an air pump, controlled by a microcontroller, to relay force feedback signals from remote devices as radial pressure, allowing operators to feel forces experienced by the device without the need for specific controllers, enabling intuitive and non-obtrusive haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators or vibrational feedback are used to relay force feedback information, then force feedback can be provided to the operator, but the operator must divert attention from the task to interpret the feedback, increasing cognitive burden and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and vibrational feedback systems with a pneumatic feedback system that uses an inflatable cuff connected to a pump. The pump inflates or deflates the cuff based on force feedback signals from the remote device, providing tactile feedback through pressure changes on the operator's body without requiring visual attention or cognitive interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable cuff acts as an intermediary between the remote device and the operator. It translates force feedback signals into physical pressure sensations that the operator can feel intuitively, eliminating the need for the operator to interpret visual indicators or vibrational patterns, thus reducing cognitive burden while maintaining productivity.
2Loss of information
If vibrating hand controllers are used to provide force feedback, then force feedback information can be relayed to the operator, but desensitization occurs making it difficult to detect various levels of intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the vibrational feedback mechanism with a pneumatic pressure system. Instead of using vibrations that cause desensitization, the system uses an inflatable cuff that applies varying pressure to the operator's body, providing intuitive tactile feedback that maintains sensitivity across different force levels without the desensitization problem associated with continuous vibration.
3Loss of information
If haptic feedback joysticks are used to provide force feedback, then force feedback can be provided through the control mechanism, but it is explicitly tied to a specific controller and not scalable to multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal force feedback system where the inflatable cuff can be worn on any body part and can receive force feedback signals from any remote device through a standardized interface. The system is not tied to any specific controller type, making it scalable and adaptable to multiple systems including dual arm manipulators, while maintaining controller independence.
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 provides enhanced situational awareness by applying corresponding pressure to the operator's body, independent of the controller used, reducing cognitive load and desensitization, and allowing for intuitive feedback across various applications, including dual arm manipulators and prosthetic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a microcontroller coupled to the air pump equipment, the system inputs, and the user controls, where the microcontroller is programmed to selectively inflate or deflate the wearable, inflatable cuff by controlling the air pump equipment based on the force feedback signals
Data Source
AI summary
A force feedback cuff system, method, and apparatus may include receiving force feedback signal from an external, remotely controlled device; processing the force feedback signal to determine a correlated amount of pressure; applying a correlated signal to air pump equipment to inflate or deflate an inflatable cuff on an operator; and continuing the receiving, processing, and applying while the operator controls the external, remotely controlled device to provide haptic feedback to the operator in an intuitive and non-obtrusive fashion.