Pneumatic Haptic Device Having Actuation Cells for Producing a Haptic Output Over a Bed Mattress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices that provide tactile feedback to users in bed are limited in the types of feedback they can offer, often causing discomfort due to their design and lack of advanced sensing and actuation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An in-bed haptic system featuring a sensing pad with an array of actuation cells and pressure sensors that use pressurized air to create a pressure map of the user, allowing for personalized haptic feedback, posture identification, and physiological parameter measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electronic devices provide tactile feedback to users in bed, then users receive tactile feedback, but the types of feedback are limited and devices cause discomfort to users
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the feedback mechanism into multiple independent actuation cells arranged in an array, where each cell can be independently controlled to provide different types of tactile feedback to different body regions, greatly increasing the versatility of feedback types while allowing customization to avoid discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different feedback characteristics to different locations on the user's body by selectively actuating specific cells in the array based on pressure sensor data, enabling tailored feedback that adapts to local body regions and user preferences to minimize discomfort
2Measurement precision
If an array of actuation cells and pressure sensors is integrated into the sensing pad, then precise pressure mapping and personalized haptic feedback are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors and actuation cells are integrated into a single unified sensing pad structure, combining sensing and actuation functions in one device. This merging approach enables precise pressure mapping while avoiding the complexity of separate sensing and feedback systems, as both functions share the same physical platform and control architecture
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 system provides comfortable and advanced haptic feedback, enabling precise identification of user posture and physiological parameters, enhancing user experience while minimizing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Each pressure sensor in the array of pressure sensors coupled with the actuation cell of the array of actuation cells. Each pressure sensor can be configured to measure a fluid pressure within a corresponding actuation cell
Implementation Method 2
each actuation cell in the array of actuation cells is configured to actuate in response to a fluid being introduced into each actuation cell
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a pressure mapping system that includes a sensing pad configured for placement between a user and a bed. The sensing pad can include an array of actuation cells where each actuation cell in the array of actuation cells is configured to actuate in response to a fluid being introduced into the actuation cell. The sensing pad can also include an array of pressure sensors where each pressure sensor in the array of pressure sensors is configured to output pressure measurements. The pressure mapping system can also include a control system that is configured to receive the pressure measurements from the array of pressure sensors, generate a pressure map for the user based on the set of pressure measurements and a position of the pressure sensing cells on the sensing pad, and actuate a subset of the array of actuation cells based on the pressure map.