Piezoelectric Actuator with Mechanical Lever Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic styluses for augmented reality applications require actuators with fast response times and strong movements to realistically replicate surface profiles, but face challenges in miniaturization due to increasing space requirements of energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A stylus-shaped input and output device with a piezoelectric actuator that changes extension in response to electrical voltage, combined with a mechanical amplifier to amplify the haptic signal, allowing for a minimized actuator size while generating sufficiently strong signals for haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the actuator size is reduced to meet miniaturization requirements, then the space requirements are reduced, but the haptic signal strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical amplifier is introduced as an intermediary component between the piezoelectric actuator and the haptic output. The amplifier has a first lever arm connected to the actuator and a second lever arm connected to the haptic output, creating a lever mechanism that multiplies the displacement. This allows a small actuator to generate large haptic movements through the mechanical advantage of the lever system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the system by introducing a lever mechanism with specific arm length ratios. By adjusting the lengths of the first and second lever arms, the displacement amplification factor can be controlled, allowing the actuator to produce proportionally larger haptic movements without increasing actuator size.
2Force
If a mechanical amplifier is added to amplify the haptic signal, then the haptic feedback strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical amplifier is designed to perform multiple functions: it amplifies displacement, transmits force, and maintains mechanical coupling between the actuator and haptic output. The lever mechanism serves as a multi-functional component that addresses several requirements simultaneously, reducing the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the amplifier structure with the actuator housing and output mechanism into an integrated assembly. The first lever arm is connected to the actuator rod, and the second lever arm connects to the haptic output, merging multiple functional elements into a compact, unified mechanical system that reduces overall complexity.
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 the miniaturization of the actuator while maintaining strong haptic feedback, allowing for the realistic replication of virtual surface profiles with reduced space requirements, enhancing user experience in augmented reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator (1) configured to change an extension of the piezoelectric actuator (1) in a longitudinal direction (L) in response to an electrical voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator (1), thereby generating a haptic signal
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical amplifier configured to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit in the longitudinal direction (L), the distance by which the actuator unit is moved in the longitudinal direction (L) being longer than the change in extension of the piezoelectric actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an actuator unit which is designed to generate a haptic signal, having a piezoelectric actuator which is designed to change its extent in a longitudinal direction as a function of an electrical voltage, a mechanical amplifier which is designed to amplify the haptic signal by converting the change in extent of the piezoelectric actuator into a movement of the actuator unit, wherein the movement occurs in the longitudinal direction, and the movement of the actuator unit occurs over a distance which is longer than the change in extent of the piezoelectric actuator, and the longitudinal direction is the direction in which an extent of the piezoelectric actuator is largest.