Shape Changing Electronic Device Surface Topology Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with deformation mechanisms struggle to move objects that come into contact with them or move the devices themselves effectively, particularly when handling delicate or difficult-to-handle items.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a plurality of deforming interfaces with shape changing units and a shape change control unit allows for the formation of vertices on a surface by controlling the shape changes of these interfaces, enabling the movement of objects or the device itself by altering the surface topology in desired positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deformation mechanism is joined to a surface of a flexible member, then the surface can reconfigure properties, but it is difficult to move objects that contact the electronic device or the electronic device itself
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member is divided into multiple independently controllable deforming interfaces, each with its own shape changing unit. This segmentation allows different regions to deform independently, enabling complex surface reconfiguration patterns that can effectively contact and move objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static surface properties to dynamic, continuously adjustable surface morphology. By controlling shape changing units in real-time, the surface can adapt its configuration to grasp, push, or move objects of various shapes and sizes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and operational effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If the shape of deforming interfaces is changed to form vertices in desired positions, then objects can be moved effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly controlling the entire flexible member, the system applies deformation locally at specific deforming interfaces where vertices are needed. Each interface can be independently actuated to create vertices in desired positions, reducing the complexity of global control while achieving effective object manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions vertices by controlling shape changing units before object contact occurs. This preliminary configuration allows the surface to be optimally prepared for specific manipulation tasks, simplifying the control sequence and reducing real-time computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electronic device and a shape changing system. The electronic device includes a plurality of deforming interfaces, each having a shape changing unit that causes a shape of the deforming interface to change, and, by controlling operations of the shape changing units to cause the shapes of the deforming interfaces to change, is capable of forming a vertex formed by causing a part of a surface formed including the plurality of deforming interfaces to protrude, in any desired position of the surface formed including the plurality of deforming interfaces. The shape changing system includes a shape change control unit that, by controlling operations of the shape changing units to cause the shapes of the deforming interfaces to change, is capable of forming a vertex, formed by causing a part of a surface formed including the plurality of deforming interfaces to protrude, in any desired position of the surface.