Soft Exoskeleton Jacket for Drone Haptic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haptic feedback systems for controlling robots and drones are cumbersome, expensive, and lack user-friendly designs, leading to inefficiencies in operator control and immersion due to reliance on visual feedback alone.

Innovation Solution

A wearable soft exoskeleton jacket with integrated actuators, sensors, and feedback mechanisms that provide kinetic and tactile feedback, allowing users to control drones or simulate flight experiences with intuitive body movements and immersive sensations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional haptic feedback systems are used for controlling robots and drones, then force feedback and control capability are provided, but the systems are cumbersome, heavy, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible textile materials and soft robotic components to create a wearable exoskeleton that provides haptic feedback without the rigidity and weight of traditional mechanical systems. The textile-based structure allows for lightweight construction while maintaining the necessary force feedback capabilities through integrated actuators and sensors in the fabric layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical haptic feedback systems with a combination of soft actuators, pneumatic elements, and electronic sensors embedded in textile materials. This substitution reduces the overall system weight while maintaining control capability through a more integrated and flexible mechanical-electronic hybrid approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional haptic feedback systems are used for controlling robots and drones, then force feedback and control capability are provided, but the systems are cumbersome and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable exoskeleton is designed as a multi-functional system that integrates force feedback, motion tracking, and control interface capabilities into a single unified garment. The textile structure serves multiple purposes: structural support, sensor integration, actuator mounting, and user interface, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite maintaining advanced control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate components (haptic feedback mechanism, motion sensors, control electronics, and structural support) into an integrated textile-based exoskeleton system. This consolidation reduces the number of separate subsystems and interfaces, simplifying the overall device while maintaining comprehensive control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If visual feedback alone is used for controlling robots and drones, then system simplicity is maintained, but operator immersion and reaction time are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator immersionVSAvoidreaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements bidirectional feedback by providing force feedback to the operator through the wearable exoskeleton that corresponds to the forces experienced by the remote robot or drone. This haptic feedback loop allows the operator to feel resistance, contact forces, and environmental interactions remotely, enhancing immersion and enabling faster intuitive reactions without increasing system complexity significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If wearable exoskeleton is designed to be lightweight and compact, then user-friendliness and portability are improved, but haptic feedback capability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidhaptic feedback force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the textile materials and actuator systems to achieve high haptic feedback forces in a lightweight package. By varying the tension, stiffness, and activation parameters of the soft actuators and pneumatic elements within the textile structure, the system can deliver substantial force feedback while maintaining a compact and wearable form factor that prioritizes user-friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10860014B2Jacket for embodied interaction with virtual or distal robotic device

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)

AI summary

A system for interacting with a remote object comprising a wearable jacket for a user, two actuators for supporting arms of the user, motors for causing movements to at least one of a torso and the arms of the user, and sensors for measuring at least one of a force applied to the user and a position of the user, and a controller and data transmission device for communicating with the remote object.