Feedback device and method for providing thermal feedback using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoelectric elements are difficult to fabricate using flat substrates, limiting their integration in virtual reality and augmented reality applications due to challenges in making tight contact with user body parts, and they struggle to prevent thermal inversion illusions during feedback termination.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible thermoelectric elements and a feedback device that applies operating power to thermoelectric elements for thermal feedback, followed by a buffering power to reduce temperature return speed, preventing thermal inversion illusions by controlling the power application and termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermoelectric elements are used, then thermal feedback can be provided to users, but it is difficult to fabricate them using flat substrates and they cannot make tight contact with user body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved/flexible substrate geometry instead of flat substrates to enable the thermoelectric element to conform to and make tight contact with curved body parts such as fingers. This curvature adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing effective thermal contact while remaining compatible with flexible manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible thin film substrates that can bend and conform to body contours, enabling tight contact with user body parts while facilitating fabrication through flexible manufacturing techniques. This flexible film approach resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and contact effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If operating power is stopped abruptly to terminate thermal feedback, then the feedback ends quickly, but thermal inversion illusion occurs due to rapid temperature returning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a buffering power before completely stopping the operating power to preemptively counteract the rapid temperature return that causes thermal inversion illusion. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preventing the harmful effect while still achieving timely feedback termination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a buffering power with opposite effect (counteracting the rapid temperature return) before the main power is completely stopped. This preliminary anti-action prevents the thermal inversion illusion from occurring while maintaining operational control, resolving the contradiction between quick termination and preventing harmful effects.
3Reliability
If flexible thermoelectric elements are developed, then tight contact with body parts is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film structures that inherently conform to body contours, achieving tight contact without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This flexible film approach maintains simplicity while improving contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible thermoelectric element automatically conforms to body parts through its inherent flexibility without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex control systems. This self-adjusting property achieves tight contact while minimizing device complexity.
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
Enables effective thermal feedback delivery to users in VR and AR applications while preventing thermal inversion illusions, enhancing user experience by ensuring consistent and controlled temperature transitions.
Implementation Method 1
Thermoelectric elements (TEs) are electrical devices that generate or absorb heat using the Peltier effect
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a thermal feedback performed by a feedback device is disclosed. The method includes: applying an operating power to a thermoelectric element to start a thermoelectric operation for outputting a thermal feedback; stopping the application of the operating power to terminate the thermoelectric operation; and when the application of the operating power is stopped, applying a buffering power to the thermoelectric element to reduce a temperature returning speed of a contact surface so that a thermal inversion illusion is prevented. The thermal inversion illusion is a sensation felt by the user when a temperature of the contact surface returns to an initial temperature due to the termination of the thermoelectric operation, the thermal inversion illusion being opposite to the outputted thermal feedback.