Infrasound Drive Integration for PoE Haptic Seat Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing a consistent haptic experience to a large audience in entertainment venues is challenging due to high power requirements and the complexity of cabling heavy gauge wires to each seat, which is difficult to manage and install efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An i-drive system that integrates low-frequency audio amplifiers and transducers within a single unit, powered by a power over Ethernet cable, allowing for a unified wiring solution that reduces the need for separate power sources and heavy gauge cabling, and includes a multi-channel LF amplifier on a circuit board with integrated transducers in each seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heavy gauge cabling is used to provide power to each seat, then sufficient power can be delivered to produce perceptible haptic sensations, but the cabling becomes difficult to dispose in a discrete or efficient manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and data transmission into a single integrated cable system. The amplifier unit integrates both power supply and audio signal processing functions, eliminating the need for separate heavy gauge power cabling and data cables. This merging approach maintains sufficient power delivery while dramatically reducing cabling complexity and installation burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier unit serves multiple functions: it amplifies audio signals, provides power to transducers, and transmits data through a single integrated interface. This multi-functional design replaces the traditional separation of power and signal systems, allowing one cable to perform what previously required multiple dedicated cabling systems.
2Power
If separate amplifier installations are required for each seat, then sufficient power can be provided, but installation costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amplifier function with the transducer assembly into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate amplifier installations at each seat and reduces installation complexity. The integrated design allows one installation action to provide both power and signal processing functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses modular amplifier units that can be independently installed at each seat location. Each module is self-contained with integrated power and signal processing, allowing flexible deployment without requiring complex centralized amplification systems. This segmentation enables easy installation and maintenance while maintaining sufficient power delivery.
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 i-drive system effectively delivers haptic feedback to multiple users with reduced installation costs and complexity by using a single unitary cable for power and data, eliminating the need for bulky cabling and separate amplifier installations, thus enhancing the haptic experience while minimizing facility impact.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer (e.g., a driver or seat driver)
Implementation Method 2
low frequency (LF) audio amplifiers
Data Source
AI summary
An infrasound drive system and method are disclosed. An infrasound drive system includes a control circuit for transmitting a data signal and a power signal, and one or more infrasound drive that includes an input terminal, an amplifier and a tactile transducer. In one or more infrasound drives, the amplifier receives a power signal from the power channel and a data signal from the data channel. The amplifier outputs an amplified signal to the tactile transducer. The tactile transducer generates a tactile vibration based on the data signal and the power signal. An infrasound drive can be disposed in a housing and transmit a haptic force to a user in contact with the housing. A user can limit the haptic force transmitted by the infrasound drive. The power channel and the data channel can be provided by a power over Ethernet (PoE) cable.