Wearable EMS Sleeve for Immersive Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current haptic devices fail to provide deep, realistic physical feedback to users during gaming and virtual experiences, as they primarily rely on external vibrations that do not simulate internal sensations effectively, such as a stab in the stomach, and require bulky designs with high energy consumption for multiple electrode pairs.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a control unit generating asynchronous, biphasic quadrangular waves for stimulating multiple muscles simultaneously, using a conductive elastic cable and electrodes integrated into a garment, allowing for real-time, customizable electric pulses with nine parameters to create nuanced and immediate sensory feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of electrodes are used to simulate complex sensations, then the realism and depth of physical feedback is improved, but the device becomes bulkier and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode pairs into a single integrated electrode structure that can be configured in different arrangements on the wearable device. This single electrode can simulate multiple sensations by varying electrical parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) rather than requiring separate electrodes for each sensation type, thereby reducing device bulk while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in electrical stimulation (varying frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and duty cycle) to create different tactile sensations from a single electrode. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can simulate diverse physical feedback (vibration, pulse, pressure) without adding corresponding physical complexity to the device hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of electrodes are used to provide diverse sensations, then the versatility of physical feedback is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensation-generation capabilities into a single electrode structure, eliminating the need for multiple electrode pairs. This reduction in electrode数量 directly decreases the overall energy consumption of the device while maintaining the ability to provide diverse tactile feedback through parameter modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves diverse sensations through parameter changes rather than through multiple electrodes. By modulating electrical parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) in real-time, a single electrode can provide varied tactile feedback with lower energy consumption compared to activating multiple electrode pairs simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If mechanical vibrating devices are used for haptic feedback, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to simulate deep internal sensations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical vibration-based haptic devices with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using mechanical motors that physically vibrate external body surfaces, the system uses electrical pulses to directly stimulate muscles and nerves, enabling simulation of deep internal sensations (such as a stab in the stomach) that mechanical vibrations cannot achieve.
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 the simulation of complex, realistic sensations by stimulating multiple muscles simultaneously with lower energy consumption and a more compact design, providing immediate and immersive feedback to users during gaming, multimedia consumption, and virtual experiences.
Implementation Method 1
EP2291115B1 discloses a wearable device and system for a tamper free electric stimulation of a body; this device is mainly oriented to an application of Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation of a user's body
Implementation Method 2
EP2291115B1... includes at least one electrode embedded in the wearable device transferring a stimulating current to the user's body
Implementation Method 3
a conductive elastic cable and electrodes integrated into a garment
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The wearable device of the invention hereby disclosed allows the user to feel the sensations, in such a way a deeply immersive experience is provided. The wearable device is a pair of sleeve or single sleeve where a series of electrodes have been strategically placed in such a way that every single muscle covered by the sleeve can be stimulated electrically by means of pulses generated by a control unit. The electrodes may be applied along with a conductive solution or conductive gel layer allowing a quick and easy fix on the skin of the user, providing a higher electrical conductivity as well.