Piezoelectric Haptic Actuator with Cymbal Metal Sheet Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating active haptic feedback lack effectiveness in providing perceivable and reliable tactile sensations, especially in converting force and material properties into user-interactive feedback.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a flat piezoelectric actuator with truncated-cone-shaped metal sheets that amplify and redirect linear expansions to enhance haptic feedback perception, combined with an actuation mechanism that detects force through the inverse piezoelectric effect and generates a measurable voltage for triggering actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piezoelectric actuator generates linear expansion perpendicular to the normal, then the actuator can be actuated effectively, but the haptic feedback is not easily perceptible by a user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or inclined surfaces (such as inclined planes or arc-shaped surfaces) to redirect the linear expansion of the piezoelectric actuator. This curvature transforms the perpendicular expansion into a direction parallel to the normal, making the haptic feedback easily perceptible by users while maintaining effective actuator operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a geometric transformation that converts motion in one dimension (perpendicular to the normal) into motion in another dimension (parallel to the normal). This dimensional redirection ensures that the actuator's linear expansion is effectively translated into perceptible haptic feedback in the desired direction.
2Reliability
If the basic body is designed to generate haptic feedback through piezoelectric deflection, then active feedback is produced, but the change in length is difficult to perceive without amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The curved or inclined surfaces amplify the perceptibility of the basic body's length change by redirecting the piezoelectric deflection into a more pronounced direction parallel to the normal, enhancing user perception of the active haptic feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the basic body (such as introducing curved surfaces or inclined planes) to transform and amplify the small piezoelectric deflection into a larger, more perceptible movement in the direction parallel to the normal.
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 device provides a more pronounced and perceivable haptic feedback by amplifying the linear expansion of the piezoelectric actuator, allowing for the detection of force and conversion into electrical signals, enabling user interaction with defined tripping forces and varied feedback mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
If a voltage is applied to the actuator electrodes, the basic body generates a linear expansion
Implementation Method 2
owing to the piezoelectric properties of the basic body, the force exerted upon this basic body can also be detected and converted into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device having a piezoelectric actuator, which can both detect the actuation force and provide a haptic feedback. The linear expansion of the actuator can be amplified in the desired direction by a deformable metal sheet. The actuator has a flat piezoelectric basic body having plane-parallel main surfaces and two electrodes. The body is designed to generate an active haptic feedback when a force exerted upon the basic body is detected. The haptic feedback is generated in that an actuator voltage, which, by piezoelectric actuator action, results in a change in the length of the basic body, is applied between the electrodes. A cymbal-shaped metal sheet is fastened to the basic body. The body is fixed with the truncated cone vertices between a base and an actuation means connected to the base and fixed by means of a bias, which is set as tensile or compressive stress.