DYNAMIC TACTILE INTERFACE

摘要

One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.

主权项

1. A dynamic tactile interface comprising:
a tactile layer comprising a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the retracted setting; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining a fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, supporting a volume of fluid, and coupled to the substrate; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, the displacement device displacing fluid from the bladder into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting and displacing fluid out of the variable volume into the bladder to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel to maintain pressure within the equilibrium range in response to a pressure of fluid in the fluid channel less than a lower pressure bound of the equilibrium range of fluid pressures.