Piezoelectric Haptic Device with Segmented Surface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haptic sensation technologies generate contact sounds when a finger touches the panel surface due to the lack of effective suppression methods and surface roughness considerations.

Innovation Solution

A vibration generating device with a piezoelectric actuator and a surface featuring recessions and projections at equal intervals, along with a drive signal frequency of 60 kHz or more, to prevent contact sounds by ensuring non-continuous finger contact and vibrating frequencies beyond human audibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piezoelectric actuator generates ultrasonic vibration on a panel surface to create haptic sensation, then haptic feedback is achieved, but contact sound is generated when a finger touches the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic sensation qualityVSAvoidcontact sound

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel surface is segmented into multiple recessions and projections at equal intervals, breaking the continuous contact between finger and panel into discrete contact points, thereby suppressing contact sound generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel surface is given non-uniform local quality through recessions and projections, creating specific contact zones that prevent continuous finger-panel contact while maintaining haptic feedback capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the panel surface is made rougher to reduce contact sound, then contact sound is suppressed, but the continuity of recessions and projections is not optimized for haptic sensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact sound reductionVSAvoidhaptic sensation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is divided into regular recessions and projections patterns that simultaneously achieve contact sound suppression and maintain effective haptic sensation transmission to the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Specific parameters of the surface structure are optimized: recessions and projections have controlled depths of 0.01-0.1mm and widths of 1-10mm, creating optimal conditions for both contact sound reduction and haptic feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively presents haptic sensations while eliminating contact sounds, maintaining optical transparency and ensuring the surface does not impair the haptic experience.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric actuator that is joined to the second main surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

generating a vibration in an ultrasonic band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20230095671A1Vibration generating device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 TAIYO YUDEN KK

AI summary

A vibration generating device includes: a vibrator; and a piezoelectric actuator. The vibrator has a first main surface and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface. The piezoelectric actuator is joined to the second main surface. A plurality of recessions and projections is formed at equal intervals on the first main surface. The vibration generating device is configured to be capable of presenting a haptic sensation while preventing a contact sound from being generated.