Tactile Panel Sliding Mechanism for Compact Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile sensation providing apparatuses, which vibrate panels in the thickness direction, lack improvement in apparatus configuration, limiting the effectiveness of tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A tactile sensation providing apparatus that includes a touch panel supported by a housing, using a piezoelectric element and a conversion unit to slide the panel, providing a tactile sensation by converting the displacement of the piezoelectric element into a sliding motion, allowing for a more realistic and enhanced tactile experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the panel is vibrated in the thickness direction, then a tactile sensation can be provided, but the apparatus configuration has room for improvement and the design is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thickness-direction vibration mechanism with a sliding motion mechanism. The panel is made to slide in the plane direction rather than vibrate in the thickness direction, fundamentally changing the mechanical system from vertical vibration to horizontal sliding, thereby simplifying the apparatus configuration while maintaining tactile sensation provision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the tactile sensation generation from the thickness direction (vertical dimension) to the plane direction (horizontal dimension). By making the panel slide horizontally instead of vibrating vertically, the system utilizes another dimension for motion, freeing up the thickness direction and allowing for a more compact design with reduced dimensional restrictions
2Reliability
If the panel is vibrated in the thickness direction, then tactile feedback is provided, but restrictions on dimensions are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the dimensional restriction problem by changing the motion direction from thickness direction to plane direction. This dimensionality change allows the tactile feedback mechanism to operate horizontally, freeing vertical space and enabling a more compact overall device volume without compromising tactile feedback quality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of vibrating the panel vertically as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by sliding the panel horizontally. This inversion of the motion paradigm eliminates the need for large thickness-direction space, allowing for compact device dimensions while maintaining effective tactile feedback
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 apparatus provides a more realistic tactile sensation by sliding the panel, reducing restrictions on dimensions and allowing for a more compact design, while using readily available piezoelectric elements for a simple configuration and stable operation over time.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element and a conversion unit to slide the panel
Data Source
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AI summary
Included are a panel (30), an actuator (50), and a conversion unit (60) that is engaged with the panel (30) and the actuator (50) and uses displacement of the actuator (50) to convert the displacement direction and the displacement amount of the actuator (50) into a different displacement direction and a different displacement amount so as to cause the panel (30) to slide.