Temperature Sensation Control Using Finger Temperature Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensation providing apparatuses are susceptible to environmental temperatures, leading to inconsistent user experiences, as the sensitivity to temperature sensations depends on the user's finger temperature, making it difficult to effectively provide intended temperature sensations, especially when the temperature difference is small.
Innovation Solution
A controller that uses a database to associate contact surface temperatures with controlled variables of a temperature sensation provider, such as a Peltier element, to adjust the temperature sensation based on measured finger temperature, ensuring a stronger sensation is provided when the user is insensitive to the intended temperature, by increasing the temperature increment as the actual temperature difference between the target and contact surface temperatures decreases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature of the contact surface is controlled to a specific temperature to provide the intended temperature sensation, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the user does not readily feel the temperature sensation in certain environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the user's finger temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the contact surface temperature. The temperature controller references a database to determine the appropriate contact surface temperature based on the measured finger temperature, ensuring the temperature difference remains within the sensitive range regardless of environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by adjusting the contact surface temperature based on the user's finger temperature. When the finger temperature is high, the contact surface temperature is increased; when the finger temperature is low, the contact surface temperature is decreased. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains reliable temperature sensation across different environmental conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature difference between the contact surface and the user's finger is small, then the temperature sensation accuracy is improved, but the user becomes insensitive to the temperature sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the contact surface temperature based on the user's finger temperature to maintain an optimal temperature difference. The temperature controller continuously monitors finger temperature and adjusts the contact surface temperature accordingly, ensuring the temperature difference remains within the sensitive range (0.5°C to 5°C) for reliable temperature sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from finger temperature measurements to adjust the contact surface temperature. The temperature controller references a database that maps finger temperatures to appropriate contact surface temperatures, ensuring the temperature difference maintains an optimal range for user sensitivity while providing accurate temperature sensation.
3Reliability
If the contact surface temperature is lowered to provide a cold sensation in warm environments, then the temperature sensation effectiveness is improved, but the temperature difference becomes too large causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the contact surface temperature parameter dynamically based on the user's finger temperature. When the finger temperature is high (warm environment), the contact surface temperature is increased rather than lowered excessively, maintaining an optimal temperature difference that provides effective temperature sensation without causing discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the contact surface temperature to match the user's physiological state. The temperature controller continuously adapts the contact surface temperature based on real-time finger temperature measurements, ensuring the temperature difference remains within a comfortable and effective range regardless of environmental conditions.
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 system effectively reduces the influence of environmental temperatures, allowing for consistent and accurate provision of temperature sensations, even when the actual temperature difference is small, by dynamically adjusting the temperature increment based on the user's finger temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element or a heat-absorbing element (e.g., a Peltier element) is provided and positioned in the tactile sensation providing mechanism to contact a surface of a finger
Data Source
AI summary
A controller controls a temperature sensation provider that provides temperature sensations to an object contacting a contact surface of the temperature sensation provider. The controller includes a database including control information that associates values of a temperature of the contact surface with values of a controlled variable of the temperature sensation provider for each of the temperature sensations, and a temperature controller that controls the temperature sensation provider based on a measured temperature of the contact surface, a temperature sensation to be provided, and the control information.