Thermally Isolated Haptic Actuator for Low-Power Heat and Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable technology faces challenges in power consumption, packaging size, and effectiveness of haptic actuation due to direct skin contact, separate actuators, and limited thermal isolation, which restricts the use of thermotactile actuation in mobile and wearable devices.

Innovation Solution

A haptic actuator with a thermally isolated heating membrane, supported by one or more thermally insulating supports, applies both thermal and vibrotactile sensations efficiently by reducing thermal mass and power consumption, allowing for low-power operation and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If direct skin contact is used for haptic actuation, then effective thermal transfer is achieved, but thermal isolation is limited and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidthermal isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional layers: a heating element layer, a thermally insulating support layer, and a skin-contact membrane layer. This segmentation allows the heating element to be thermally isolated from the skin-contact surface, reducing power consumption while maintaining effective thermal transfer to the skin through the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thermally insulating support structure acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the skin-contact membrane. This intermediary provides mechanical support and thermal isolation, enabling low-power operation while maintaining reliable thermal transfer to the user's skin through the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate actuators are used for thermal and vibrotactile stimulation, then functional versatility is achieved, but device complexity and packaging size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges thermal and vibrotactile actuation functions into a single integrated structure. The heating element and vibration actuator are combined in one device, with the skin-contact membrane serving as a common interface for both thermal and mechanical stimulation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The skin-contact membrane serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal transfer interface for heating, a mechanical interface for vibration transmission, and a protective barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuators and simplifies the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If heating membrane is thermally isolated from the body, then power consumption is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a thin, flexible skin-contact membrane that can be precisely manufactured with controlled thickness and thermal properties. This thin film structure enables effective thermal isolation while maintaining manufacturability through established thin-film fabrication techniques, balancing power consumption reduction with manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 actuator provides efficient, low-power thermal and vibrotactile stimulation with rapid response times, maintaining a compact size and effective thermal isolation, enabling comfortable wear in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a heating membrane... constructed and arranged to transmit heat to an adjacent surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

An actuator is disposed in the body, and the actuator is constructed and arranged to apply mechanical vibrations to the one or more supports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

one or more supports constructed and arranged to thermally isolate the heating membrane from the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12478545B2Thermal and vibrotactile haptic actuators

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 EMBR LABS IP LLC

AI summary

Embodiments related to a haptic actuator for transmitting heat and/or mechanical vibrations to an adjacent surface are disclosed. The haptic actuator may include a heating membrane, one or more supports, and a body. The one or more supports may extend between the body and the heating membrane to physically separate the heating membrane from the body.