AR/VR Welding Rod Interface With Finger-Tracked Material Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented and virtual reality training systems for welding techniques, particularly TIG welding, fail to accurately simulate the movement of depositing welding material, limiting the realism and precision of skill development.
Innovation Solution
A simulation device comprising a rod with spatial location means and a touch actuator that encodes finger movements to simulate the depositing of material, using optical and electromechanical sensors to track and translate user interactions into precise material deposition in AR/VR environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a carbon fiber rod is moved closer or away from a target in AR/VR welding simulation, then the welding exercise can be performed, but the movement does not correspond entirely with real TIG welding operations, limiting the degree of perfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement of a carbon fiber rod with a touch actuator that encodes finger movements. Instead of physically moving a rod in 3D space, the user performs tactile gestures on a touch-sensitive surface that are then translated into virtual welding rod movements, achieving both ease of operation and precision in technique training
Solution Approach 2:
The touch actuator serves as an intermediary between the user's fingers and the virtual welding rod. It captures subtle finger movements and encodes them into precise control signals, acting as a mediator that translates human touch into accurate virtual welding motions without requiring direct manipulation of a physical rod
2Reliability
If real welding materials and parts are used for training, then realistic welding practice is achieved, but considerable expenditure and generation of emissions and wastes with high environmental impact occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the welding environment and materials in an AR/VR system. Instead of using real welding rods, metal pieces, and consuming actual materials, the system replicates the welding experience digitally, allowing unlimited practice without material consumption or environmental waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the training materials from real physical materials to virtual digital representations. By transforming the material parameter from physical to digital, the system maintains the realism and reliability of training while eliminating the harmful environmental factors associated with material consumption and waste
3Reliability
If a touch actuator encodes finger movements to simulate material depositing, then realistic TIG welding movements can be performed without consuming actual materials, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking systems with a touch actuator that uses electromagnetic or capacitive sensing. Instead of requiring mechanical sensors, motors, or complex positioning mechanisms, the system uses a relatively simple touch-sensitive surface that detects finger movements through electrical field changes, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining simulation realism
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
Enhances the realism and precision of welding skill training by allowing users to perform realistic TIG welding movements without consuming actual materials, providing ergonomic and safe practice in AR/VR environments.
Implementation Method 1
a touch actuator (2) arranged on the rod (1), wherein the touch actuator (2) comprises encoding means for encoding the movement of at least a finger of the hand of a user of said device, substantially longitudinally along the rod (1)
Implementation Method 2
spatial location means adapted for recognition by first optical acquisition means to determine the position and orientation of the rod in the augmented reality and/or virtual reality environment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a simulation device suitable for use in augmented reality and/or virtual reality environments, which comprises: a rod (1); one or more markers (3) arranged on the rod (1); and a touch actuator (2) arranged on the rod (1). The device is characterized in that the actuator (2) comprises encoding means for encoding the movement of at least a finger of the hand of a user of said device, longitudinally along the rod (1). Said device is useful for simulating techniques of depositing and/or removing welding material, industrial paint and/or surgical and/or odontological procedures. The method for interacting with the augmented reality and/or virtual reality environment comprises a pincer movement using two fingers of the hand on the rod (1), moving the fingers longitudinally along same and activating, for that purpose, the actuator (2).