Piezo-Electric Touch Panel for Compact Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels with tactile presentation functions are bulky and costly, and they struggle to efficiently transition from a sleep state to an active state when touched, limiting their usability and input capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A tactile presentation device featuring a plate panel with piezo-electric elements that generate tactile sensations and detect touch positions, using a tactile actuator and detection unit to drive the piezo-electric elements and detect electrical signals for position detection, allowing for easy transition from a sleep state upon touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate tactile presentation panel is provided in addition to the touch panel, then tactile sensation is achieved, but the device becomes thick and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tactile presentation function and touch detection function into a single integrated panel structure. The piezoelectric elements are embedded within the panel itself, allowing the panel to serve dual purposes: presenting tactile sensations to the user and detecting touch positions through electrical signal changes, thereby eliminating the need for separate tactile and touch panels
Solution Approach 2:
The panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as both a tactile output device (presenting sensations through piezoelectric vibration) and a touch input device (detecting position through electrical signal changes), making it a multi-functional component that reduces overall device complexity and component quantity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the touch panel is turned to sleep state to reduce electricity consumption, then power saving is achieved, but data input becomes impossible and returning from sleep state is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the piezoelectric elements before fully activating the display from sleep state. When the display is in sleep mode, the piezoelectric elements remain capable of detecting touch positions through electrical signal changes, allowing the system to prepare for wake-up in advance and enable data input even during the transition from sleep state
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements provide continuous feedback about touch positions and user interactions even when the display is in sleep state. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect user intent to wake up and process input commands, creating a feedback loop that maintains usability while in low-power mode
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 provides a compact, cost-effective touch panel that can efficiently detect touch positions and transition from a sleep state to an active state, enhancing usability and input capabilities while maintaining tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a piezo-electric element (31a to 31c, 32a to 32c) attached to the back surface of the panel (20)... an actuator (61) that drives the piezo-electric element to vibrate
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit (62) that detects an electrical signal generated at the piezo-electric element, touching of an object to the panel (20) being detected based on the detected electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A tactile presentation device includes a plate panel; a piezo-electric element attached to the panel; an actuator that drives the piezo-electric element to vibrate the piezo-electric element so that a tactile sensation is generated on the panel; a detection unit that detects an electrical signal generated at the piezo-electric element, touching of an object to the panel being detected based on the detected electrical signal.