Light-Driven Vibrotactile Layer for Stronger Contactless Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contactless tactile sensation displays face challenges in generating strong vibrotactile feedback due to the lack of direct contact between the actuator and skin, resulting in low efficiency and power loss during energy transmission through the air.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a light source, a vibration layer with a thermo-elastic layer and a photo-thermal conversion layer having differing thermal expansion coefficients, and a vibration detection unit, which uses light to generate vibrations and detect them, allowing for efficient vibrotactile sensation generation without mechanical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless tactile sensation display is used, then user movement is not restricted and device portability is improved, but vibration intensity is reduced and tactile sensation generation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thermal expansion coefficient difference between the photo-thermal conversion layer and the thermo-elastic layer. When the photo-thermal conversion layer absorbs light energy and converts it to heat, it expands thermally. Due to the bonded interface with the thermo-elastic layer having a different thermal expansion coefficient, this differential thermal expansion generates strong mechanical vibration at the interface, which is then transmitted to the user's skin contact portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed light irradiation to the photo-thermal conversion layer, causing rapid thermal expansion and contraction cycles. This periodic phase transition between expanded and contracted states generates high-frequency vibrations that are effectively transmitted to the user's skin, overcoming the limitation of contactless transmission.
2Device complexity
If contactless tactile sensation display is used, then device structure is simplified, but energy transmission efficiency deteriorates due to dispersion and attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators (such as motors or piezoelectric elements) with a photo-thermal conversion system. Light energy is directly converted to thermal energy in the photo-thermal conversion layer, which then generates mechanical vibration through differential thermal expansion. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical transmission structures while maintaining efficient energy conversion and vibration generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the photo-thermal conversion layer by controlling light irradiation intensity and pulse duration. By adjusting these parameters, the thermal expansion coefficient difference between layers is optimized to generate maximum vibration intensity, thereby improving energy transmission efficiency without increasing structural complexity.
3Force
If vibration layer with different thermal expansion coefficients is used, then vibration intensity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a photo-thermal conversion layer bonded to a thermo-elastic layer. These two materials are selected specifically for their different thermal expansion coefficients, creating a bimetallic-like structure that generates vibration through differential expansion. The composite material approach allows optimization of vibration characteristics while managing manufacturing precision requirements through material selection rather than extreme dimensional tolerances.
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 apparatus effectively transmits vibrotactile sensations to the skin with increased vibration intensity by leveraging the thermal expansion coefficient difference between the layers, enhancing the efficiency of tactile sensation generation.
Implementation Method 1
a photo-thermal conversion layer that is disposed on the thermo-elastic layer and has a second thermal expansion coefficient less than the first thermal expansion coefficient
Implementation Method 2
a thermo-elastic layer that has a first thermal expansion coefficient; and a photo-thermal conversion layer that is disposed on the thermo-elastic layer
Implementation Method 3
a vibration detection unit disposed adjacent to the vibration layer to detect a vibration signal of the vibration layer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for generating a vibrotactile sensation. The apparatus for generating a vibrotactile sensation includes a light source generating light, a vibration layer generating a vibration by receiving the light, a vibration detection unit disposed adjacent to the vibration layer to detect a vibration signal of the vibration layer, and a control unit connected to the vibration detection unit to determine the vibration of the vibration layer by using the vibration signal. Here, the vibration layer includes a thermo-elastic layer that has a first thermal expansion coefficient and a photo-thermal conversion layer that is disposed on the thermo-elastic layer and has a second thermal expansion coefficient less than the first thermal expansion coefficient.