US-12625553-B2 - Shape changeable apparatus, shape control method, and tactile sense providing apparatus

Abstract

A shape changeable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a base, a first deformable member, a second deformable member, an inflow control opening, a first opening, a second opening, and a flow path. The first deformable member forms a first space between the first deformable member and the base. The second deformable member forms a second space between the second deformable member and the base. The inflow control opening controls flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space. The first opening communicates with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member. The second opening communicates with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input. The first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening through the flow path.

Inventors

• Hiroshi Suzuki

Assignees

• Sony Group Corporation

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20220310

Priority Date

20210902

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base; an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body; a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; and a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening, wherein the first deformable member and the second deformable member are each connected to the base such that the second deformable member is arranged inside of a space that is formed by the first deformable member and the base, the first space is a space obtained by excluding the second space from the space formed by the first deformable member and the base, and the second space is a space that that is formed by the second deformable member and the base.
2. 2 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening is closed through the first deformable member when the specified pressing operation is input.
3. 3 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid controller that is configured to communicate with the inflow control opening, the fluid controller controlling flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening.
4. 4 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the fluid controller controls the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening according to whether the first opening is closed.
5. 5 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the operative body is a finger of a user, and the fluid controller provides a tactile sense to the finger of the user by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
6. 6 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operative body is a finger of a user, and the shape changeable apparatus is configured to be worn on the finger of the user.
7. 7 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 1 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
8. 8 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base; an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body, a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; and a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening, wherein the first deformable member and the second deformable member are each connected to the base such that the second deformable member is arranged outside of a space that is formed by the first deformable member and the base, the first space is the space formed by the first deformable member and the base, and the second space is a space that is formed by the second deformable member and the base.
9. 9 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 8 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
10. 10 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base; an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body; a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening; and a fluid controller that is configured to communicate with the inflow control opening, the fluid controller controlling flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening, wherein the fluid controller controls the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening according to whether the first opening is closed, the fluid controller stops the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening during shrinkage of the first space, and the fluid controller starts the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening when the first opening is closed.
11. 11 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 10 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
12. 12 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base; an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body; a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening: a fluid controller that is configured to communicate with the inflow control opening, the fluid controller controlling flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening; and a detector that detects that the first opening is closed, wherein the fluid controller controls the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening on a basis of a result of the detection performed by the detector, and the fluid controller controls the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening according to whether the first opening is closed.
13. 13 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the detector includes a pressure sensor that is capable of detecting pressure of the fluid, the detector being arranged at a position at which the pressure of the fluid flowing into the first space is detectable.
14. 14 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 12 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
15. 15 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base, an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body; a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening; and a drive section that moves the base relative to the operative body to cause the specified pressing operation to be input using the operative body.
16. 16 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the drive section stops the movement of the base relative to the operative body when the first opening is closed.
17. 17 . The shape changeable apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the operative body is a finger of a user, the shape changeable apparatus is installed at a specified location, and the drive section moves the base toward the finger of the user.
18. 18 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 15 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.
19. 19 . A shape changeable apparatus, comprising: a base; a first deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base; a second deformable member that is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base, an inflow control opening that is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space; a first opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body; a second opening that is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input; and a flow path through which the first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening, wherein the operative body is a finger of a user, the shape changeable apparatus is configured to be worn on the finger of the user, and the specified pressing operation is input using the finger of the user when an object is held with the finger of the user, the shape changeable apparatus being worn on the finger of the user.
20. 20 . A tactile sense providing apparatus, comprising: the shape changeable apparatus according to claim 19 ; and a tactile sense providing section that is capable of providing a tactile sense to the operative body by changing shapes of the first deformable member and the second deformable member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present technology relates to a shape changeable apparatus that is applicable to, for example, a tactile sense providing apparatus or an input apparatus, a shape control method, and the tactile sense providing apparatus. BACKGROUND ART Patent Literature 1 discloses a tactile sense providing apparatus that includes a large number of small bags arranged in a grid, where a liquid having a low boiling point is encapsulated in each small bag. Further, a heating element is connected to each small bag. Heat is generated by the heating element situated at a desired position to cause the liquid encapsulated in the small bag to evaporate, and the small bag expands. This makes it possible to provide an operator with a sense of touch to an object (for example, paragraphs [0006] and [0007] of the specification, and FIG. 3 in Patent Literature 1). CITATION LIST Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-112329 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem With respect to the tactile sense providing apparatus described above, there is a need for a technology that makes it possible to make an apparatus smaller in size. In view of the circumstances described above, it is an object of the present technology to provide a shape changeable apparatus, a shape control method, and a tactile sense providing apparatus that make it possible to make an apparatus smaller in size. Solution to Problem In order to achieve the object described above, a shape changeable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a base, a first deformable member, a second deformable member, an inflow control opening, a first opening, a second opening, and a flow path. The first deformable member is capable of being deformed, the first deformable member being connected to the base such that a first space is formed between the first deformable member and the base. The second deformable member is capable of being deformed, the second deformable member being connected to the base such that a second space is formed between the second deformable member and the base. The inflow control opening is formed in the base, the inflow control opening being used to control flow of fluid into each of the first space and the second space. The first opening is formed in the base to communicate with the first space, the first opening being formed to be closed when a specified pressing operation is input to the first deformable member and the second deformable member using an operative body. The second opening is formed in the base to communicate with the second space, the second opening being formed not to be closed when the specified pressing operation is input. The first opening and the second opening each communicate with the inflow control opening through the flow path. In the shape changeable apparatus, the first deformable member and the second deformable member are connected to the base. Further, the first opening and the second opening are formed in the base and each communicate with the inflow control opening through the flow path. When a specified pressing operation is input to the two deformable members, the first opening is closed, and the second opening is not closed. Thus, when the specified pressing operation is input, the first space is not expanded, and the second space is expanded. This results in there being no need for, for example, a mechanism that controls deformations of the deformable members separately, and this makes it possible to make the apparatus smaller in size. The first opening may be closed through the first deformable member when the specified pressing operation is input. The first deformable member and the second deformable member may each be connected to the base such that the second deformable member is arranged inside of a space that is formed by the first deformable member and the base. In this case, the first space may be a space obtained by excluding the second space from the space formed by the first deformable member and the base, and the second space may be a space that that is formed by the second deformable member and the base. The first deformable member and the second deformable member may each be connected to the base such that the second deformable member is arranged outside of a space that is formed by the first deformable member and the base. In this case, the first space may be the space formed by the first deformable member and the base, and the second space may be a space that is formed by the second deformable member and the base. The shape changeable apparatus may further include a fluid controller that is configured to communicate with the inflow control opening, the fluid controller controlling flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening. The fluid controller may control the flow of the fluid into the inflow control opening according to whether the first opening is closed. The fluid controller may stop the flow of the fluid i