Malleable Haptic Input Device for Nonlinear CAD Surface Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD input devices, such as traditional mice and space mice, limit user control to linear inputs in two-dimensional and three-dimensional planes, making it difficult to accurately and efficiently model complex nonlinear surfaces of physical real-world objects on a computer interface.
Innovation Solution
A haptic input device with a malleable outer surface, composed of materials like silicone gel or rubber, that allows users to deform the surface by applying pressure, simulating the experience of molding clay, and equipped with transducers to measure and transmit displacement data to the computer, enabling the modeling of complex surfaces in a nonlinear manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional mouse devices are used for input, then the device structure remains simple, but the user is limited to providing linear input in a two-dimensional plane, reducing modeling precision for complex surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The input device employs a malleable outer surface made of flexible material that can be deformed by user input. This flexible shell allows the device to transition from a rigid structure to a deformable one, enabling nonlinear shape manipulation while maintaining operational simplicity. The flexible surface directly maps user tactile actions to digital model transformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional mouse input to three-dimensional spatial manipulation. The malleable surface allows users to apply force from multiple directions (x, y, z axes), enabling volumetric modeling operations. This dimensional expansion provides intuitive control over complex 3D surface geometry that cannot be achieved with planar input devices.
2Ease of operation
If space mouse devices are used for input, then the user can provide input in a 3D plane, but the input is still limited to linear movement, reducing ease of operation for nonlinear shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The input device transforms from a static rigid structure to a dynamic deformable system. The malleable outer surface continuously changes shape in response to user input, allowing the device to adapt its form factor during operation. This dynamic behavior mirrors the creative process of sculpting, where the tool itself can be reshaped to match the desired form.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in physical parameters (shape, volume, surface curvature) of the malleable material to encode user input. Instead of relying solely on positional movement, the system measures deformations in the flexible surface, translating physical parameter changes into digital modeling operations. This provides more nuanced control over surface geometry.
3Manufacturing precision
If a malleable outer surface is used in the input device, then nonlinear shape control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a direct deformation-sensing approach. Instead of using multiple encoders, potentiometers, or mechanical linkages to track surface geometry, the system uses the malleable material's inherent deformability coupled with simplified sensors to capture shape information. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The malleable outer surface acts as an intermediary between the user's tactile input and the digital modeling system. This intermediate layer translates complex hand movements and shaping actions into measurable physical deformations, which are then converted into digital commands. The intermediary simplifies the interface by providing a direct physical-digital mapping without requiring complex mechanical transmission mechanisms.
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 haptic input device provides users with enhanced control to shape complex surfaces on a computer interface, mimicking the sensation of working with clay, allowing for accurate and efficient modeling of nonlinear shapes, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional input devices.
Implementation Method 1
The malleable outer surface may be composed of: silicone gel of different densities inside a rubber skin, a thin rubber membrane surrounding a fine powder with malleable properties suited to provide a level of resistance within the rubber membrane, closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber
Implementation Method 2
The one or more transducers may be piezoelectric transducers or any other sensor known in the art to measure pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an input device, system, and method for modeling complex surfaces in a CAD environment. The system and method include a computer communicatively coupled to a user interface, such that the computer is configured to display a modeled surface on the user interface. The system and method further include the input device of the present invention communicatively coupled to the computer by a connection interface. The input device comprises a malleable outer surface that corresponds to the initial modeled surface displayed on the user interface, and a user provides input to the input device by applying pressure to deform the malleable outer surface. The input device further comprises transducers operatively coupled to the malleable outer surface to measure the pressure applied to deform the malleable outer surface. The input device also includes a processor operatively coupled to the transducers to determine displacement of the malleable outer surface based on the measured pressure. The computer of the system and method receives the determined displacement from the connection interface and converts the determined displacement to a corresponding displacement of the displayed modeled surface, such that the displayed modeled surface is updated to reflect the deforming of the malleable outer surface.