Vibration-Homogenizing Plate for Uniform Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch devices with force feedback functions face challenges in uniformly transmitting vibration energy across larger touch panel displays, leading to increased power consumption, volume, and manufacturing costs when multiple actuators or altered vibration frequencies are used.
Innovation Solution
A touch device with a vibration transmitting unit featuring a vibration-homogenizing plate whose rigidity decreases with distance from the vibrator, ensuring uniform energy distribution through strategically arranged machined structures such as openings or indentations, allowing for efficient force feedback without the need for multiple actuators or frequency changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the area of the touch panel display increases, then the coverage area is improved, but the vibration energy transmission uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration transmitting unit employs a non-uniform rigidity distribution where the rigidity decreases as the distance from the vibrator increases. This local variation in mechanical properties allows the single vibrator to uniformly transmit vibration energy across the entire large-area touch panel display, resolving the contradiction between increased area and maintained vibration uniformity
2Force
If more actuators are used to increase force feedback, then the force feedback capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple actuators into a single vibrator by designing a vibration transmitting unit with non-uniform rigidity distribution. This single vibrator, coupled with the specially designed transmitting unit, can uniformly provide force feedback across the entire touch panel area, eliminating the need for multiple actuators and reducing power consumption
3Force
If more actuators are used to increase force feedback, then the force feedback capability is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuator functions are merged into a single vibrator with an optimized vibration transmitting unit. The non-uniform rigidity distribution in the transmitting unit enables one vibrator to cover the entire large-area touch panel, significantly reducing device volume compared to using multiple actuators distributed across the panel
4Force
If the vibration frequency of actuators is changed to increase force feedback, then the force feedback capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing vibration frequency to improve force feedback, the patent changes the mechanical parameter of the vibration transmitting unit - specifically the rigidity distribution. By making the rigidity decrease with distance from the vibrator, the system achieves uniform force feedback across the entire touch panel without requiring frequency modulation or complex control mechanisms
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 uniform vibration energy transmission across the touch panel, reducing power consumption and manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient force feedback, thus improving user interaction without increasing complexity or costs.
Implementation Method 1
The vibrator is used for generating vibration
Implementation Method 2
The rigidity of the vibration-homogenizing plate decreases as the distance from the vibrator increases
Data Source
AI summary
A touch device includes a touch sensing unit, a vibrator and a vibration transmitting unit. The vibrator is used for generating vibration energy. The vibration transmitting unit is installed on a backside of the touch sensing unit and connected with the vibrator for transmitting the vibration energy to the touch sensing unit. The vibration transmitting unit includes a vibration-homogenizing plate. The rigidity of the vibration-homogenizing plate decreases as the distance from the vibrator increases.