Tactile Sensation Apparatus Pressure Threshold Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch sensors lack physical feedback, leading to potential erroneous inputs due to lack of tactile sensation, especially in noisy environments or when the input object is small, and existing vibration-based feedback can trigger unintended operations with low threshold sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A tactile sensation providing apparatus that detects pressure loads on a touch sensor and vibrates when a predetermined standard is reached, adjusting the standard load and time for each user to ensure timely tactile feedback, thereby preventing erroneous inputs and enhancing the operation feeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the touch sensor has a low threshold to receive input, then the input sensitivity is improved, but erroneous operations are triggered by unintentional touches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput sensitivityVSAvoiderroneous operation prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of touch position and pressure magnitude before triggering input. By evaluating whether the pressure meets a predetermined threshold at the detected position, the system prepares and validates the input condition in advance, preventing erroneous operations from unintentional touches while maintaining sensitivity for intentional inputs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter for input recognition from solely position-based to a combination of position and pressure magnitude. By introducing pressure magnitude as an additional parameter with a predetermined threshold, the system distinguishes between intentional presses and unintentional touches, resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and error prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If tactile sensation is provided immediately upon touch, then the feedback responsiveness is improved, but the operation feeling is impaired when light pressure is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback responsivenessVSAvoidoperation feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter for triggering tactile feedback from immediate touch detection to pressure magnitude evaluation. By requiring the pressure magnitude to reach a predetermined threshold before providing tactile sensation, the system ensures that feedback is provided at appropriate timing for intentional presses while avoiding premature feedback for light or unintentional touches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where tactile sensation is provided based on evaluated input conditions rather than immediate touch. The feedback timing is controlled by whether the pressure magnitude meets the predetermined threshold, creating a responsive yet controlled feedback system that maintains proper operation feeling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 reliable tactile feedback at the appropriate time, maintaining the operation feeling even with light pressure loads, reducing the likelihood of erroneous inputs and providing a sensation similar to pressing a physical button switch.

Implementation Method 1

A piezoelectric element, which serves as a load detection unit, is attached to the rear face of the touch sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the tactile sensation providing unit which vibrates the touch face... A piezoelectric element, which serves as a load detection unit, is attached to the rear face of the touch sensor and serves as a tactile sensation providing unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConverse piezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2515209B1Tactile sensation providing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP2515209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2515209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2515209B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tactile sensation providing apparatus capable or providing a tactile sensation to a user at timing maintaining an operation feeling of the user, even when a light pressure load is applied, is provided. According to the present invention, the tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor 11 configured to detect a touch input, a load detection unit 12 configured to detect a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor 11, a tactile sensation providing unit 13 configured to vibrate the touch face, and a control unit 16 configured to adjust a standard for providing a tactile sensation and, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 satisfies the standard, to control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit such that the tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch face.