Optical Waveguide Haptic Sensing for High-Density Multi-Point Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic sensors face challenges with complex cabling, limited working scenarios, and insufficient adaptation capabilities, making them difficult to integrate in high density and effectively sense pressure at multiple points.
Innovation Solution
A haptic sensing device is designed with a light source, an optical waveguide, a photoelectric sensor, and a housing, where the optical waveguide includes a waveguide layer and a cladding, and the contacts are in a one-to-one correspondence with the paths, allowing for real-time sensing of pressure through changes in optical signal intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional haptic sensors (capacitive, inductive, piezoresistive, piezoelectric) are used, then they can sense pressure, but they have complex cabling and are difficult to integrate in high density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical sensing mechanisms (capacitive, inductive, piezoresistive, piezoelectric) with an optical sensing system. Light sources emit optical signals through optical waveguides to photoelectric sensors, eliminating the need for complex electrical cabling while maintaining pressure sensing functionality. The optical system uses light transmission and photoelectric conversion to detect contactless interactions, thereby reducing mechanical and electrical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide structure serves multiple functions: it transmits optical signals, provides structural support for high-density integration, and enables contactless sensing. The same optical infrastructure can be used for various sensing applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional haptic sensors are used, then they can detect pressure, but they have limited working scenarios and insufficient adaptation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing system is designed to work across multiple scenarios including contactless interactions, sliding detections, and pressing operations. The same light source-optical waveguide-photoelectric sensor configuration can adapt to different working conditions without requiring specialized sensor types, thereby improving versatility while maintaining measurement precision through optical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different interaction types (contactless, sliding, pressing) by monitoring changes in optical signal transmission. The photoelectric sensors detect variations in light transmission caused by different types of interactions, allowing the system to adjust its interpretation and response accordingly, thereby enhancing adaptability across diverse working scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If optical waveguide with multiple paths is used, then pressure can be sensed at multiple points, but device integration density needs to be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar sensor arrangements to three-dimensional optical waveguide structures. Multiple light transmission paths are routed through different spatial dimensions within the optical waveguide, allowing multi-point pressure sensing without increasing lateral footprint. This vertical and spatial routing enables high-density integration while maintaining the ability to sense pressure at multiple distinct points.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide structure nests multiple light transmission paths within a single integrated component. Different optical paths are embedded within the waveguide matrix, allowing multiple sensing points to be contained within a compact structure. This nesting approach enables high integration density while preserving multi-point sensing capabilities.
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 solution enables reliable data collection for precise operations by effectively sensing pressure at multiple points, improving decision-making efficiency, and allowing for integration in high-density applications.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive index of the waveguide layer is greater than a refractive index of the cladding. This is to ensure that transmission, in the waveguide layer, of an optical signal emitted by the light source meets a condition for total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
the photoelectric sensor is disposed at an output end of each path. The optical signal emitted by the light source is transmitted to the photoelectric sensor by using the plurality of paths
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic sensing device, including a light source, an optical waveguide, a photoelectric sensor, and a housing. The optical waveguide includes a waveguide layer and a cladding, the cladding encloses the waveguide layer, and a refractive index of the waveguide layer is greater than a refractive index of the cladding. The waveguide layer includes a plurality of paths, the light source is disposed at an input end of each path, and the photoelectric sensor is disposed at an output end of each path. The light source, the optical waveguide, and the photoelectric sensor are accommodated in the housing. A plurality of contacts are distributed on the housing. When a contact is pressed, the contact is in contact with one path, and the path is deformed. When any two contacts are pressed, the two contacts are in contact with different paths.