Tactile Sensation Presentation Panel Electrostatic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels, particularly capacitive touch panels, lack the ability to provide tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to accurately operate devices, especially for visually impaired individuals and in environments requiring blind touch operations, due to their smooth surfaces which do not allow confirmation of switch positions through touch.
Innovation Solution
A tactile sensation presentation panel is developed, featuring a transparent insulation substrate with alternately disposed first and second electrodes, a dielectric layer, and a voltage supply circuit that applies distinct frequency signals to these electrodes to generate tactile sensations, adjusting voltage and frequency based on electrostatic capacitance to provide feedback regardless of finger thickness and skin type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smooth protective glass plate is used to cover the touch screen, then robustness and long life are improved, but tactile feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tactile sensation presentation layer between the protective glass plate and the touch sensor. This layer includes electrostatic frictional force generation electrodes that can generate tactile sensations through electrostatic forces, allowing the smooth glass surface to provide tactile feedback without compromising its protective function. The intermediary layer transfers tactile information to the user's finger through electrostatic interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tactile feedback mechanisms (such as physical projections or moving parts) with an electrostatic field-based system. By applying electrostatic forces through the electrodes, the system generates tactile sensations without mechanical contact, maintaining the smoothness and durability of the glass surface while providing tactile feedback capability.
2Measurement precision
If visual confirmation is required for switch position, then operational accuracy is improved, but usability in blind touch operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements tactile feedback by generating electrostatic frictional forces that provide sensory information to the user's finger. This feedback mechanism allows users to perceive switch positions and operational states through touch, enabling blind operations with the same accuracy as visual confirmation would provide. The feedback is generated in real-time in response to user interaction.
3Ease of operation
If electrostatic frictional force is generated to provide tactile sensation, then tactile feedback capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or intermittent application of electrostatic forces rather than continuous operation. The tactile sensation electrodes are activated only when needed for tactile feedback, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining tactile feedback capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage and electrostatic field parameters based on operational conditions. By optimizing the electrostatic frictional force generation parameters, the system provides adequate tactile feedback with minimal energy expenditure, adapting the energy consumption to the actual tactile feedback requirements.
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 solution enables perception of tactile sensations on touch panels, enhancing operational accuracy and usability for blind touch operations and compatibility with universal design by providing feedback through electrostatic forces, thus improving user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage supply circuit configured to apply a first voltage signal having a first frequency to the plurality of first electrodes located in at least a partial region of the transparent insulation substrate, and apply a second voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency to the plurality of second electrodes located in the at least partial region of the transparent insulation substrate. The first and second voltage signals are respectively applied to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes so that tactile sensation is provided to the pointer
Implementation Method 2
The voltage supply circuit includes a capacitance detection circuit configured to calculate first electrostatic capacitance formed between the tactile sensation electrode and the pointer
Data Source
AI summary
In a tactile sensation presentation panel according to the present disclosure, a tactile sensation presentation screen includes a tactile sensation electrode including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes alternately disposed on a transparent insulation substrate at intervals. A first voltage signal having a first frequency is applied to the plurality of first electrodes located in at least a partial region of the transparent insulation substrate, and a second voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency is applied to the plurality of second electrodes located in the at least partial region of the transparent insulation substrate. First electrostatic capacitance formed between the tactile sensation electrode and a pointer is calculated. An amplitude voltage and frequency of first and second voltage signals are adjusted based on the calculated first electrostatic capacitance.