U.S. patent application number 17/528133 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-10 for microfluidic systems and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Facebook Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Nicholas Roy Corson, Sean Jason Keller, Yigit Menguc.
Application Number | 20220072545 17/528133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220072545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keller; Sean Jason ; et
al. |
March 10, 2022 |
MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body
having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element
separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output
gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into
the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission
element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to
the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be
configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid
flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon
pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject
fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon
depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related
systems and methods are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Keller; Sean Jason;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Corson; Nicholas Roy;
(Woodinville, WA) ; Menguc; Yigit; (Kirkland,
WA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Facebook Technologies, LLC |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/528133 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16279158 |
Feb 19, 2019 |
11198125 |
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17528133 |
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International
Class: |
B01L 3/00 20060101
B01L003/00; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01; G02B 27/01 20060101
G02B027/01 |
Claims
1. A microfluidic system, comprising: a microfluidic valve,
comprising: a valve body having at least one cavity therein; a gate
transmission element disposed within the cavity and separating the
cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal; a
gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate
terminal to pressurize the input gate terminal; an inlet port
configured to convey a subject fluid into a restricting region of a
fluid channel; an outlet port configured to convey the subject
fluid out of the restricting region of the fluid channel; and a
flexible bubble positioned within fluid channel between the inlet
port and the outlet port, wherein the flexible bubble defines the
restricting region in the fluid channel that is configured to be
deformed to block the fluid channel between the inlet port and the
outlet port to inhibit subject fluid flow from the inlet port to
the outlet port upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and
to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port
upon depressurization of the input gate terminal; a drive fluid
source configured to convey the drive fluid into or out of the
input gate terminal through the gate port; a subject fluid source
configured to convey the subject fluid to the inlet port; and a
fluid-driven mechanism configured to receive the subject fluid from
the outlet port.
2. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the gate
transmission element comprises a flexible membrane and a plunger
disposed within the cavity and coupled to the flexible membrane,
wherein the plunger is configured to press against the flexible
bubble upon pressurization of the input gate terminal to block the
restricting region between the inlet port and the outlet port.
3. The microfluidic system of claim 2, wherein a surface area of
the flexible membrane within the cavity is larger than a surface
area of the flexible bubble.
4. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the fluid-driven
mechanism comprises at least one of: a microelectromechanical
device; an expansible cavity; a piston system; or a haptic feedback
device.
5. A method of controlling flow of a subject fluid in a
microfluidic system, the method comprising: conveying a subject
fluid through a restricting region of a fluid channel from an inlet
port to an outlet port; flowing a drive fluid from a gate port into
an input gate terminal within a cavity in a microfluidic valve
body, the input gate terminal being separated from an output gate
terminal by a gate transmission element comprising a flexible
membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane; responsive
to the drive fluid flowing into the input gate terminal, moving the
gate transmission element to press against and deform a flexible
bubble positioned within the output gate terminal, the flexible
bubble separating the output gate terminal from the restricting
region; and inhibiting flow of the subject fluid from the inlet
port to the outlet port by blocking the restricting region with the
deformed flexible bubble.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising flowing the subject
fluid from the outlet port into a fluid-driven mechanism to
activate the fluid-driven mechanism.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein activating the fluid-driven
mechanism comprises activating a haptic feedback device of an
artificial reality system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/279,158, titled "MICROFLUIDIC VALVES, SYSTEMS, AND RELATED
METHODS," filed 19 Feb. 2019, the disclosure of which is
incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Microfluidic systems are small mechanical systems that
involve the flow of fluids. Microfluidic systems can be used in
many different fields, such as biomedical, chemical, genetic,
biochemical, pharmaceutical, haptics, and other fields. A
microfluidic valve is a basic component of microfluidic system and
may be used for stopping, starting, or otherwise controlling flow
of a fluid in a microfluidic system. Conventional microfluidic
valves may be actuated via fluid pressure, with a piezoelectric
material, or a spring-loaded mechanism, for example.
[0003] Manufacturing of reusable and reliable valves at the scale
of microfluidic systems can be challenging. For example, it can be
difficult to form the valves at such a small scale in a manner that
reliable seals (e.g., at the valve seat, between components of the
valve, etc.) may be made with the valves. Additionally, moving
parts in small mechanisms like microfluidic valves can be fragile
and difficult to control without causing damage.
[0004] Accordingly, the present disclosure recognizes a need and
provides solutions for improved microfluidic valves and systems,
methods for controlling a fluid flow in microfluidic systems, and
methods for manufacturing microfluidic valves and systems.
SUMMARY
[0005] As will be described in greater detail below, the instant
disclosure describes microfluidic valves, microfluidic systems, and
related methods. For example, microfluidic valves of the present
disclosure may include a gate transmission element separating an
input gate terminal from an output gate terminal. The gate
transmission element may include a flexible membrane coupled to a
plunger, which may be movable between open and closed positions to
control flow of a subject fluid through a fluid channel.
[0006] In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes
microfluidic valves. The microfluidic valves may include a valve
body having at least one cavity therein and a gate transmission
element disposed within the cavity and separating the cavity into
an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal. The gate
transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger
coupled to the flexible membrane. A gate port may be configured to
direct drive fluid into the input gate terminal to pressurize the
input gate terminal. A fluid channel may include an inlet port, a
restricting region, and an outlet port. The fluid channel may be
configured to convey a subject fluid from the inlet port, through
the restricting region, and to the outlet port. The gate
transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to
restrict the restricting region to inhibit the flow of subject
fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port upon pressurization of
the input gate terminal, and to expand the restricting region to
allow or increase the flow of subject fluid from the inlet port to
the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate
terminal.
[0007] In some examples, the restricting region may be at least
partially defined by a flexible bubble positioned within the output
gate terminal, over the inlet port and the outlet port, and between
the plunger and the inlet port and outlet port. The flexible bubble
may separate the output gate terminal into the restricting region
within the flexible bubble and an output gate exhaust chamber
between an exterior of the flexible bubble and the gate
transmission element. The plunger may be configured to, upon
pressurization of the input gate terminal, press against the
flexible bubble to contract the restricting region. The valve body
may also include an exhaust outlet configured to direct fluid to
and from the output gate exhaust chamber. The output gate exhaust
chamber may be configured to be pressurized and depressurized
through the exhaust outlet. The valve body may, in some examples,
include a gate body portion disposed between the flexible membrane
and a flexible material forming the flexible bubble, a drive body
portion disposed on an opposite side of the flexible membrane from
the gate body portion and comprising the gate port, and a fluid
channel body portion disposed on an opposite side of the flexible
material forming the flexible bubble from the gate body portion and
comprising the inlet port and the outlet port.
[0008] In additional examples, a cross-sectional area of the cavity
taken parallel to the flexible membrane may be about 25 mm.sup.2 or
less, such as about 1 mm.sup.2 or less. The plunger may be
chemically bonded to the flexible membrane. The valve body may
include at least one of silicon, silicon dioxide, glass,
polycarbonate, or a rigid polymer. The flexible membrane may
include a polymer material, such as a polysiloxane material.
[0009] In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes
microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems may include a
microfluidic valve, a drive fluid source, a subject fluid source,
and a fluid-driven mechanism. The microfluidic valve may include a
valve body having at least one cavity therein and a gate
transmission element disposed within the cavity and separating the
cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal. A
gate port may be configured to direct drive fluid into the input
gate terminal to pressurize the input gate terminal. An inlet port
may be configured to convey a subject fluid into a restricting
region of a fluid channel. An outlet port may be configured to
convey the subject fluid out of the restricting region of the fluid
channel. A flexible bubble may be positioned within the fluid
channel between the inlet port and the outlet port. The flexible
bubble may define the restricting region in the fluid channel that
may be configured to be deformed to block the fluid channel between
the inlet port and outlet port to inhibit subject fluid flow from
the inlet port to the outlet port upon pressurization of the input
gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port
to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate
terminal. The drive fluid source may be configured to convey the
drive fluid into or out of the input gate terminal through the gate
port. The subject fluid source may be configured to convey the
subject fluid to the inlet port. The fluid-driven mechanism may be
configured to receive the subject fluid from the outlet port.
[0010] In some examples, the gate transmission element may include
a flexible membrane and a plunger disposed within the cavity and
coupled to the flexible membrane. The plunger may be configured to
press against the flexible bubble upon pressurization of the input
gate terminal to block the restricting region between the inlet
port and the outlet port. The fluid-driven mechanism may include at
least one of a microelectromechanical device, an expansible cavity,
a piston system, or a haptic feedback device. A surface area of the
flexible membrane within the cavity may, in some embodiments, be
larger than a surface area of the flexible bubble.
[0011] In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes methods
of controlling flow of a subject fluid in a microfluidic system. In
accordance with such methods, a subject fluid may be conveyed
through a restricting region of a fluid channel from an inlet port
to an outlet port. A drive fluid may be flowed from a gate port
into an input gate terminal within a cavity in a microfluidic valve
body. The output gate terminal and an input gate terminal may be
separated from each other by a gate transmission element, which may
include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible
membrane. Responsive to the drive fluid flowing into the input gate
terminal, the gate transmission element may be moved to press
against and deform a flexible bubble positioned within the output
gate terminal. The flexible bubble may separate the output gate
terminal from the restricting region. Flow of the subject fluid
from the inlet port to the outlet port may be inhibited by blocking
the restricting region with the deformed flexible bubble.
[0012] In some examples, the methods of controlling the flow of the
subject fluid may include flowing the subject fluid from the outlet
port into a fluid-driven mechanism to activate the fluid-driven
mechanism. Activating the fluid-driven mechanism may include
activating a haptic feedback device of an artificial reality
system. The drive fluid may be withdrawn from the input gate
terminal through the gate port to move the gate transmission
element to relieve pressure against the flexible bubble and to
unblock the restricting region.
[0013] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may include
methods of fabricating a microfluidic valve. In accordance with
such methods, a cavity may be formed within a microfluidic valve
body. A gate transmission element may be positioned within the
cavity. The gate transmission element may separate the cavity into
an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal. A fluid channel
may be formed to include an inlet port, a restricting region, and
an outlet port within the microfluidic valve body. The gate
transmission element may be positioned and configured to move back
and forth upon pressurization and depressurization of the input
gate terminal to restrict the restricting region to inhibit flow of
a subject fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port upon
pressurization of the input gate terminal and to expand the
restricting region to allow or increase flow of the subject fluid
from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the
input gate terminal.
[0014] In some examples, positioning the gate transmission element
within the cavity may include positioning a plunger within the
output gate terminal and coupling the plunger to a flexible
membrane. A flexible bubble may be positioned within the output
gate terminal and over the inlet port and the outlet port. The
restricting region may be defined in the fluid channel between the
inlet port and outlet port and within the flexible bubble. The
plunger may be configured to deform the flexible bubble upon
pressurization of the input gate terminal to block the restricting
region with the deformed flexible bubble to inhibit flow of the
subject fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. Forming the
cavity within the microfluidic valve body may include forming the
cavity to have a cross-sectional area taken parallel to the
flexible membrane of about 1 mm.sup.2 or less. An exhaust outlet
may be formed in the microfluidic valve body. The exhaust outlet
may be in fluid communication with the output gate terminal.
[0015] In some examples, forming the cavity within the microfluidic
valve body may include forming the input gate terminal within a
drive body portion of the microfluidic valve body and forming the
output gate terminal within a gate body portion of the microfluidic
valve body. The flexible membrane may be formed on a surface of the
gate body portion. The drive body portion may be coupled to the
gate body portion, and a fluid channel body portion may be coupled
to the gate body portion. A flexible bubble may be formed on a
surface of the fluid channel body portion. At least one alignment
mark may be formed on or in at least one of the drive body portion,
the gate body portion, or the fluid channel body portion. Coupling
the drive body portion to the gate body portion and coupling the
fluid channel body portion to the gate body portion may include
using the at least one alignment mark to align the drive body
portion, gate body portion, and fluid channel body portion to each
other.
[0016] In some examples, forming the cavity within the microfluidic
valve body may include performing at least one photolithography
operation. Forming the cavity within the microfluidic valve body
may include forming the cavity within at least one of a silicon
material, a silicon dioxide material, a glass material, a
polycarbonate material, or a rigid polymer material.
[0017] In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes methods
of fabricating microfluidic systems. In accordance with such
methods, a microfluidic valve may be formed. For example, a
material may be removed from a drive body portion to form an input
gate terminal and a gate port into the input gate terminal. A
flexible membrane may be formed on a gate body portion. Material
from the gate body portion may be removed to form an output gate
terminal and to define a plunger within the output gate terminal,
the plunger being bonded to the flexible membrane. A flexible
bubble may be formed on a fluid channel body portion. Material may
be removed from the fluid channel body portion to form an inlet
port and an outlet port in fluid communication with an interior of
the flexible bubble. The drive body portion may be coupled to the
gate body portion and the input gate terminal may be separated from
the output gate terminal with the flexible membrane. The gate body
portion may be coupled to the fluid channel body portion. A drive
fluid source may be operably coupled to the gate port. A subject
fluid source may be operably coupled to the inlet port. A
fluid-driven mechanism may be operably coupled to the outlet port
to be operated by subject fluid when the microfluidic valve is in
an open state.
[0018] In some examples, forming the microfluidic valve may include
simultaneously forming a plurality of microfluidic valves. Coupling
the drive body portion to the gate body portion may include bonding
a drive body substrate material including a plurality of drive body
portions to a gate body substrate material including a plurality of
gate body portions. Coupling the gate body portion to the fluid
channel body portion may include bonding the gate body substrate
material including the plurality of gate body portions to a fluid
channel body substrate material including a plurality of fluid
channel body portions.
[0019] In some examples, removing material from the drive body
portion, removing material from the gate body portion, and removing
material from the fluid channel body portion may include performing
a photolithography operation to selectively remove the material.
Forming the flexible bubble on the fluid channel body portion may
include forming a block on the fluid channel body portion, forming
a flexible material over the block and the fluid channel body
portion, and removing the block while leaving the flexible material
to remain on the fluid channel body portion. Removing the block may
include removing a material of the block through at least one of
the inlet port or the outlet port using a selective material
removal process. Each of forming the flexible material over the
block and the fluid channel body portion and forming the flexible
membrane on the gate body portion may include forming an
elastomeric material. Operably coupling the fluid-driven mechanism
to the outlet port may include operably coupling, to the outlet
port, at least one of a microelectromechanical deice, an expansible
cavity, a piston system, or a haptic feedback device. Forming the
flexible bubble on the fluid channel body portion may, in some
embodiments, include forming the flexible bubble to have a surface
area that is smaller than a surface area of the flexible membrane
separating the input gate terminal and the output gate terminal.
Coupling the gate body portion to the fluid channel body portion
may include abutting the plunger against the flexible bubble.
[0020] Features from any of the embodiments described herein may be
used in combination with one another in accordance with the general
principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features,
and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the
following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of example
embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the
following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain
various principles of the instant disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example fluidic control
system that may be used in connection with embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a microfluidic system,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3A is transparent perspective view of a microfluidic
valve, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3B is a partially transparent top view of the
microfluidic valve of FIG. 3A, according to at least one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the
microfluidic valve of FIG. 3A, according to at least one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the microfluidic
valve of FIG. 3A, according to at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0028] FIGS. 6-15 illustrate cross-sectional views of various
stages of manufacture of a drive body portion of a microfluidic
valve, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0029] FIGS. 16-25 illustrate cross-sectional views of various
stages of manufacture of a gate body portion of a microfluidic
valve, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0030] FIGS. 26-39 illustrate cross-sectional views of various
stages of manufacture of a fluid channel body portion of a
microfluidic valve, according to at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 40 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled
microfluidic valve in an open state, according to at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 41 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled
microfluidic valve of FIG. 40 in a closed state, according to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 42 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
controlling flow of a subject fluid in a microfluidic system,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIGS. 43 and 44 are flow diagrams illustrating methods of
fabricating microfluidic systems, respectively according to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 45 is an illustration of an example artificial-reality
headband that may be used in connection with embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 46 is an illustration of example augmented-reality
glasses that may be used in connection with embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 47 is an illustration of an example virtual-reality
headset that may be used in connection with embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 48 is an illustration of example haptic devices that
may be used in connection with embodiments of this disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 49 is an illustration of an example virtual-reality
environment according to embodiments of this disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 50 is an illustration of an example augmented-reality
environment according to embodiments of this disclosure.
[0041] Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and
descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical,
elements. While the example embodiments described herein are
susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the
example embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited
to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure
covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The present disclosure is generally directed to microfluidic
valves, systems, and related methods. As will be explained in
greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may
include microfluidic valves that have a flexible membrane disposed
within a cavity in a valve body. The flexible membrane may separate
the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal.
An inlet port may be configured to direct subject fluid into the
restricting region, and an outlet port may be configured to direct
subject fluid out of the restricting region when the microfluidic
valve is in an open state. A plunger may be disposed within the
cavity and coupled to the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane
and the plunger may be configured to move within the cavity to
inhibit subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port
upon pressurization of the input gate terminal and to allow subject
fluid flow upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. In
some embodiments, a flexible bubble may be positioned within the
output gate terminal and over the restricting region. Microfluidic
systems may incorporate such microfluidic valves. Related methods
of controlling flow of a fluid and of fabricating microfluidic
systems are also disclosed.
[0043] The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-5,
detailed descriptions of example fluidic systems and valves (e.g.,
microfluidic systems and microfluidic valves). With reference to
FIGS. 6-39, detailed descriptions are provided of various stages of
manufacture of a microfluidic valve. With reference to FIGS. 40 and
41, detailed descriptions are provided of an example microfluidic
valve in an open and closed state, respectively. With reference to
FIG. 42, detailed descriptions of an example method of controlling
fluid flow are provided. With reference to FIGS. 43 and 44,
detailed descriptions are provided of example methods of
fabricating microfluidic systems. Detailed descriptions of various
artificial reality systems are provided with reference to FIGS.
45-47. With reference to FIGS. 48-50, detailed descriptions are
provided of example systems and devices for haptics, artificial
reality, and virtual reality.
[0044] The present disclosure may include haptic fluidic systems
that involve the control (e.g., stopping, starting, restricting,
increasing, etc.) of fluid flow through a fluid channel. The
control of fluid flow may be accomplished with a fluidic valve.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fluidic valve 10 for
controlling flow through a fluid channel 12, according to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fluid from a fluid source
(e.g., a pressurized fluid source, a fluid pump, etc.) may flow
through the fluid channel 12 from an inlet port 14 to an outlet
port 16, which may be operably coupled to, for example, a
fluid-driven mechanism, another fluid channel, or a fluid
reservoir.
[0045] Fluidic valve 10 may include a gate 18 for controlling the
fluid flow through the fluid channel 12. The gate 18 may include a
gate transmission element 20, which may be a movable component that
is configured to transmit an input force, pressure, or displacement
to a restricting region 22 to restrict or stop flow through the
fluid channel 12. Conversely, in some examples, application of a
force, pressure, or displacement to the gate transmission element
20 may result in opening the restricting region 22 to allow or
increase flow through the fluid channel 12. The force, pressure, or
displacement applied to the gate transmission element 20 may be
referred to as a gate force, gate pressure, or gate displacement.
The gate transmission element 20 may be a flexible element (e.g.,
an elastomeric membrane, a diaphragm, etc.), a rigid element (e.g.,
a movable piston, a lever, etc.), or a combination thereof (e.g., a
movable piston or a lever coupled to an elastomeric membrane or
diaphragm).
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gate 18 of the fluidic valve
10 may include one or more gate terminals, such as an input gate
terminal 24A and an output gate terminal 24B (collectively referred
to herein as "gate terminals 24") on opposing sides of the gate
transmission element 20. The gate terminals 24 may be elements for
applying a force (e.g., pressure) to the gate transmission element
20. By way of example, the gate terminals 24 may each be or include
a fluid chamber adjacent to the gate transmission element 20.
Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the gate terminals 24
may include a solid component, such as a lever, screw, or piston,
that is configured to apply a force to the gate transmission
element 20.
[0047] In some examples, a gate port 26 may be in fluid
communication with the input gate terminal 24A for applying a
positive or negative fluid pressure within the input gate terminal
24A. A control fluid source (e.g., a pressurized fluid source, a
fluid pump, etc.) may be in fluid communication with the gate port
26 to selectively pressurize and/or depressurize the input gate
terminal 24A. In additional embodiments, a force or pressure may be
applied at the input gate terminal 24A in other ways, such as with
a piezoelectric element or an electromechanical actuator, etc.
[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, pressurization of
the input gate terminal 24A may cause the gate transmission element
20 to be displaced toward the restricting region 22, resulting in a
corresponding pressurization of the output gate terminal 24B.
Pressurization of the output gate terminal 24B may, in turn, cause
the restricting region 22 to partially or fully restrict to reduce
or stop fluid flow through the fluid channel 12. Depressurization
of the input gate terminal 24A may cause the gate transmission
element 20 to be displaced away from the restricting region 22,
resulting in a corresponding depressurization of the output gate
terminal 24B. Depressurization of the output gate terminal 24B may,
in turn, cause the restricting region 22 to partially or fully
expand to allow or increase fluid flow through the fluid channel
12. Thus, the gate 18 of the fluidic valve 10 may be used to
control fluid flow from the inlet port 14 to the outlet port 16 of
the fluid channel 12.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a microfluidic system 100
that includes a microfluidic valve 102, a fluid-driven mechanism
104 configured to be activated by the microfluidic valve 102, a
drive fluid source 106 for driving the microfluidic valve 102, and
a subject fluid source 108 for flowing a subject fluid to activate
the fluid-driven mechanism 104. The flow of the subject fluid may
be controlled by a gate the microfluidic valve 102. A gate port 110
may provide fluid communication between the drive fluid source 106
and the microfluidic valve 102. An inlet port 112 may provide fluid
communication between the subject fluid source 108 and the
microfluidic valve 102. An outlet port 114 may provide fluid
communication between the microfluidic valve 102 and the
fluid-driven mechanism 104. The microfluidic valve 102 may include
a plunger 116 that may be movable within a cavity 118 to open and
close the microfluidic valve 102 for controlling flow of the
subject fluid.
[0050] The microfluidic system 100 may include a substrate 120,
within which or on which at least some of the components of the
microfluidic system 100 are disposed. For example, at least a
portion of the substrate 120 may define one or more of a valve body
122 of the microfluidic valve 102, the drive fluid source 106, the
subject fluid source 108, the gate port 110, the inlet port 112,
the outlet port 114, the cavity 118, and/or the fluid-driven
mechanism 104. In some embodiments, the substrate 120 may include a
stack of materials, such as a drive body portion, at least one
flexible material (e.g., an elastic material), a gate body portion,
and/or a fluid channel body portion. In some examples, the term
"flexible" may mean capable of flexing and/or returning to an
original state without permanent damage. A flexible material may
also be stretchable. In some examples, the substrate 120 may
include at least one of silicon, silicon dioxide, a glass, and/or a
rigid polymer (e.g., a polycarbonate material, an acrylic material,
a urethane material, a fluorinated elastomer material, a
polysiloxane material, etc.).
[0051] The fluid-driven mechanism 104 may be any mechanism that may
be driven or controlled by flowing and/or pressurization of the
subject fluid at a microfluidic scale. By way of example and not
limitation, the fluid-driven mechanism 104 may include at least one
of a microelectromechanical device (e.g., a so-called "MEMS"
device), an expansible cavity, a piston system, and/or a haptic
feedback device.
[0052] Each of the drive fluid source 106 and the subject fluid
source 108 may be any source or mechanism that can provide a
pressurized fluid (e.g., gas (e.g., air, nitrogen, etc.) or liquid
(e.g., water, oil, etc.) to the microfluidic valve 102. By way of
example and not limitation, the drive fluid source 106 and the
subject fluid source 108 may each be or include a pressurized
reservoir, a fan, a pump, or a piston system, etc.
[0053] Optionally, in some embodiments, an exhaust outlet 124
(shown in FIG. 2 in dashed lines) may be in fluid communication
with the microfluidic valve 102. The exhaust outlet 124 may enable
one or more chambers within the microfluidic valve 102 to expand
and/or contract as the plunger 116 is moved back and forth to open
or close the microfluidic valve 102, as will be explained in
further detail below.
[0054] In some embodiments, the microfluidic system 100 may be
incorporated in a haptic feedback device, such as for use with an
artificial reality (e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed
reality, or hybrid reality) system. The microfluidic system 100 may
be positioned on or in a wearable device (e.g., a headband, a
head-mounted display, a glove, an armband, etc.)
[0055] that is configured to provide haptic feedback (e.g.,
vibration, pressure, etc.) to a user. For example, the fluid-driven
mechanism 104 of the microfluidic system 100 may be an expansible
cavity configured to fill and expand with the subject fluid upon
opening of the microfluidic valve 102. The expanding cavity may
press against the user, and the user may sense the pressure from
the expanding cavity, such as resulting from an action taken by the
user in the artificial reality. By way of example, the microfluidic
system 100 may be incorporated in a finger of a glove, and the user
may use his or her finger in space to make a selection in an
artificial reality environment. The expansible cavity of the
microfluidic system 100 may be filled and expanded with the subject
fluid to provide a pressure point on the user's finger to confirm
the selection made by the user. The pressure point may provide a
sensation that the user is touching a real object. Alternatively,
the fluid-driven mechanism 104 may include an eccentric rotating
element that may be rotated by the flowing subject fluid when the
microfluidic valve 102 is in an open state, resulting in a
vibrating sensation as haptic feedback for the user.
[0056] Examples of architectures that may be used for the
microfluidic valve 102 are described below in connection with FIGS.
3A-5, 40, and 41.
[0057] FIGS. 3A-5 illustrate various views of a microfluidic valve
200 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
The microfluidic valve 200 shown in FIGS. 3A-5 may be used as the
microfluidic valve 102 of the microfluidic system 100 shown in FIG.
2, for example.
[0058] The microfluidic valve 200 may include a gate port 210 for
controlling a gate 211. The gate 211 may control flow of a subject
fluid through a fluid channel from an inlet port 212 to an outlet
port 214. The gate port 210, inlet port 212, and outlet port 214
may each pass through a valve body 222 and into a cavity 218 formed
in the valve body 222. The cavity 218 may be divided into an input
gate terminal 230 and an output gate terminal 232 separated by a
flexible membrane 234. The gate port 210 may be in fluid
communication with the input gate terminal 230. A plunger 216 may
be disposed within the cavity 218 and may be configured to move
back and forth (e.g., up and down from the perspective of FIGS. 3A,
4, and 5) to open and close the microfluidic valve 200. The plunger
216 may be coupled to (e.g., adhered to, chemically bonded to,
fastened to) the flexible membrane 234. The plunger 216 and the
flexible membrane 234 may together define a gate transmission
element of the microfluidic valve 200. The flexible membrane 234
may be formed of a polymer (e.g., an elastomeric material, such as
a polysiloxane material).
[0059] In some embodiments, a flexible bubble 236 may be positioned
within the output gate terminal 232, over the inlet port 212 and
the outlet port 214, and between the plunger and the inlet port 212
and outlet port 214. The flexible bubble 236 may be formed of a
polymer (e.g., an elastomeric material, such as a polysiloxane
material). The flexible bubble 236 may separate the output gate
terminal 232 from a restricting region 238 (identified in FIGS. 4
and 5) of the fluid channel within the flexible bubble 236 and an
output gate exhaust chamber 240 (identified in FIGS. 4 and 5)
between an exterior of the flexible bubble 236 and the flexible
membrane 234. The plunger 216 may be positioned within the output
gate exhaust chamber 240. In some embodiments, at least one exhaust
outlet 224 may be in fluid communication with the output gate
exhaust chamber 240, enabling the output gate exhaust chamber 240
to freely (i.e., without resistance from fluid pressure within the
output gate exhaust chamber 240) expand and contract upon
pressurization and depressurization of the input gate terminal
230.
[0060] The valve body 222 may include a drive body portion 244 at
least partially defining the input gate terminal 230, a gate body
portion 246 at least partially defining the plunger 216 and/or the
output gate terminal 232, and a fluid channel body portion 248 at
least partially defining the inlet port 212 and the outlet port
214. The drive body portion 244 and the gate body portion 246 may
be separated from each other and coupled to (e.g., adhered to,
chemically bonded to) each other by the flexible membrane 234. The
gate body portion 246 and the fluid channel body portion 248 may be
separated from each other and coupled to (e.g., adhered to,
chemically bonded to) each other by a flexible material 250 forming
the flexible bubble 236.
[0061] Sufficient pressurization and depressurization of the input
gate terminal 230 by introducing or withdrawing a drive fluid
through the gate port 210 may move the plunger 216 and the flexible
membrane 234 respectively down and up (from the perspective of
FIGS. 3A, 4, and 5). Thus, when the input gate terminal 230 is
sufficiently pressurized, the plunger 216 may be moved downward to
restrict (e.g., shrink, block) the restricting region 238 between
the inlet port 212 and the outlet port 214. In some embodiments,
the downward movement of the plunger 216 may press against and
deform (e.g., depress) the flexible bubble 236 to contract the
restricting region 238. Blocking the restricting region 238 may
inhibit (e.g., reduce or terminate) subject fluid flow from the
inlet port 212 to the outlet port 214, thus closing the
microfluidic valve 200.
[0062] Upon sufficient depressurization of the input gate terminal
230, the plunger 216 may be moved upward to unblock the restricting
region 238. For example, the upward movement of the plunger 216 may
relieve pressure on the flexible bubble 236 to allow the
restricting region 238 to expand. Expansion of the restricting
region 238 may be accomplished by one or both of elastic properties
of the flexible bubble 236 and/or the pressurization of the inlet
port 212. Unblocking the restricting region 238 may allow the
subject fluid to flow from the inlet port 212 to the outlet port
214, thus opening the microfluidic valve 200.
[0063] In some examples, the exhaust outlet 224 may be used to
pressurize and/or depressurize the output gate exhaust chamber 240,
such as to facilitate blocking or unblocking of the restricting
region 238.
[0064] By way of non-limiting example, a surface area of the
flexible membrane 234 within the cavity 218 may be larger than a
surface area of the flexible bubble 236. When the input gate
terminal 230 is pressurized, a force applied by the plunger 216
against the flexible bubble 236 may be proportional to a ratio of
the surface area of the flexible membrane 234 to the surface area
of the flexible bubble 236. Therefore, the larger surface area of
the flexible membrane 234 compared to the surface area of the
flexible bubble 236 may provide a mechanical advantage to close the
microfluidic valve 200 with a lower pressure of drive fluid in the
input gate terminal 230 than if the surface areas were equal. In
some examples, a cross-sectional area of the cavity 218 taken
parallel to the flexible membrane (i.e., a surface area of the
flexible membrane 234 within the cavity 218) may be about 25
mm.sup.2 or less, such as about 1 mm.sup.2 or less.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plunger 216 and the cavity
218 may each have a cylindrical shape with a circular
cross-section. However, the present disclosure is not so limited.
For example, in additional embodiments, one or both of the plunger
216 and/or the cavity 218 may have a cross-sectional shape that is
square, rectangular, oval, elliptical, or irregular. The shape and
size of the plunger 216, cavity 218, gate port 210, inlet port 212,
and outlet port 214 may be selected to adjust the mechanical,
fluidic, and functional properties of the microfluidic valve
200.
[0066] FIGS. 6-41 illustrate cross-sectional views of various
stages of manufacture of a microfluidic valve 300, according to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Broadly speaking,
the microfluidic valve 300 may be formed my forming and assembling
a drive body portion 344, a gate body portion 346, and a fluid
channel body portion 348. FIGS. 6-15 illustrate cross-sectional
views of various stages of manufacture of the drive body portion
344. FIGS. 16-25 illustrate cross-sectional views of various stages
of manufacture of the gate body portion 346. FIGS. 26-39 illustrate
cross-sectional views of various stages of manufacture of the fluid
channel body portion 348. FIG. 40 illustrates a cross-sectional
view of the microfluidic valve 300 with a gate thereof in an open
state, after the drive body portion 344, gate body portion 346, and
fluid channel body portion 348 are assembled together. FIG. 41
illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled microfluidic
valve 300 with the gate in a closed state.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, a drive body substrate material 352 may
be selected for processing to form the drive body portion 344
(shown in its completed state in FIG. 15). By way of example and
not limitation, the drive body substrate material 352 may be or
include a silicon material, a silicon dioxide material, a glass
material, or a rigid polymer material. In some embodiments, the
drive body substrate material 352 may be a wafer or other bulk
substrate to be processed to include a plurality of drive body
portions 344 of respective microfluidic valves 300 (FIG. 40).
[0068] A first photoresist material 354 may be disposed over an
upper surface of the drive body substrate material 352, as shown in
FIG. 7. The first photoresist material 354 may be capable of
patterning via selective exposure to radiation (e.g., ultraviolet
light, infrared light, etc.) and development, as is known in the
art of photolithography. For example, the first photoresist
material 354 may be applied to the drive body substrate material
352 by a spin coating process or another deposition process.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, a first mask 356 may be positioned over
the first photoresist material 354. The first mask 356 may have a
pattern of radiation-blocking portions and radiation-transmissive
portions (e.g., transparent portions or gaps). The first
photoresist material 354 may be selectively radiated through the
radiation-transmissive portions of the first mask 356, as shown by
first arrows 358. The radiation may be blocked by the
radiation-blocking portions of the first mask 356. A chemical
structure of the first photoresist material 354 may be altered by
exposure to the radiation and may become selectively removable
(e.g., soluble) relative to the non-radiated portions of the first
photoresist material 354.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 9, the radiated portions of the first
photoresist material 354 may be removed (e.g., developed). For
example, the first photoresist material 354 may be a so-called
positive photoresist material that becomes removable (e.g.,
soluble) by a developer solvent or other chemical after being
radiated by a suitable radiation and that is not removable by the
developer solvent or other chemical when not radiated, as is known
in the art of photolithography. After the development, the drive
body substrate material 352 that was underlying the radiated
portions of the first photoresist material 354 may be exposed
through the non-radiated portions of the first photoresist material
354. The exposed portions of the drive body substrate material 352
may be in a predetermined pattern (e.g., shape, size, number,
etc.).
[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, the exposed portion of the drive body
substrate material 352 may be removed to at least partially define
an input gate terminal 330 in in the drive body substrate material
352. By way of example, an anisotropic material removal process
(e.g., an etching process) may be performed to remove the exposed
portion of the drive body substrate material 352. The material
removal process may be selective to the drive body substrate
material 352 relative to the remaining non-radiated portions of the
first photoresist material 354.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, the remaining first photoresist
material 354 may be removed from the drive body substrate material
352, such as by an isotropic or anisotropic material removal
process (e.g., a chemical etching process, an ion etching process,
a grinding process, a chemical-mechanical planarization ("CMP")
process, exposure to a solvent, etc.).
[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, a drive body carrier substrate 360 may
be attached to the drive body substrate material 352 and over the
input gate terminal 330 formed therein, such as via an adhesive
material 362. The drive body substrate material 352 is shown in
FIGS. 12-15 in an inverted orientation relative to FIGS. 6-11.
[0074] Still referring to FIG. 12, a second photoresist material
364 may be disposed over a surface of the drive body substrate
material 352 opposite the input gate terminal 330. A second mask
366 may be positioned over the second photoresist material 364, and
the second photoresist material 364 may be selectively radiated
through the second mask 366, as shown by second arrows 368.
[0075] By way of example, the second photoresist material 364 may
be a positive photoresist material, as explained above with
reference to the first photoresist material 354. Thus, as shown in
FIG. 13, the radiated portions of the second photoresist material
364 may be selectively removed (e.g., developed), and the
non-radiated portions of the second photoresist material 364 may
remain over the drive body substrate material 352.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 14, portions of the drive body substrate
material 352 that are exposed through the remaining portions of the
second photoresist material 364 may be removed, such as with an
anisotropic material removal process (e.g., an etching process)
that is selective to the drive body substrate material 352 relative
to the second photoresist material 364. This material removal
process may form a gate port 310 in the drive body substrate
material 352, which may be in fluid communication with the input
gate terminal 330.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 15, the second photoresist material 364 and
the drive body carrier substrate 360 may be removed (e.g.,
developed) from the drive body substrate material 352, and the
drive body portion 344 may be defined by the resulting structure.
The drive body portion 344 may include the gate port 310 and the
input gate terminal 330. In embodiments in which multiple drive
body portions 344 of multiple respective microfluidic valves 300
are to be formed, the multiple drive body portions 344 of a wafer
or other bulk substrate may be separated from each other (e.g.,
diced) at this time or at a later time, as will be described
further below.
[0078] As noted above, FIGS. 16-25 illustrate various stages of
manufacture of the gate body portion 346. Referring to FIG. 16, a
gate body substrate material 370 may be selected for processing to
form the gate body portion 346 (shown in its completed state in
FIG. 25). By way of example and not limitation, the gate body
substrate material 370 may be or include a silicon material, a
silicon dioxide material, a glass material, or a rigid polymer
material. In some embodiments, the gate body substrate material 370
may be in the form of a wafer or other bulk substrate to be
processed to include a plurality of gate body portions 346 of
respective microfluidic valves 300 (FIG. 40).
[0079] Referring to FIG. 17, a first etch stop material 372, such
as silicon dioxide, may be formed over the gate body substrate
material 370. By way of example and not limitation, the first etch
stop material 372 may be formed by a chemical-vapor deposition
("CVD") process, a plasma-enhanced CVD ("PECVD") process, a
diffusion process, etc.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 18, a second etch stop material 374, such
as silicon dioxide, may be formed on a surface of the gate body
substrate material 370 opposite the first etch stop material 372.
By way of example and not limitation, the second etch stop material
374 may be formed by a chemical-vapor deposition ("CVD") process, a
plasma-enhanced CVD ("PECVD") process, a diffusion process,
etc.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 19, a first flexible material 376 may be
formed over the first etch stop material 372. The first flexible
material 376 may be, for example, a polymer material (e.g., an
elastomeric material, such as a polysiloxane material). In some
examples, the first flexible material 376 may be chemically bonded
to the first etch stop material 372, which may, in turn, be
chemically bonded to the gate body substrate material 370. In some
embodiments, prior to forming the first flexible material 376 over
the first etch stop material 372, the first etch stop material 372
may be plasma treated, such as for improved bonding between the
first flexible material 376 and the first etch stop material
372.
[0082] In FIG. 20, the gate body substrate material, first etch
stop material 372, second etch stop material 374, and first
flexible material 376 are shown in an inverted orientation relative
to FIG. 19. A third photoresist material 378 may be formed over the
second etch stop material 374, and a third mask 380 may be
positioned over the third photoresist material 378. The third
photoresist material 378 may be radiated through the third mask
380, as shown by third arrows 382.
[0083] By way of example, the third photoresist material 378 may be
a so-called negative photoresist material that is soluble in a
developer when not radiated and that becomes insoluble in the
developer when radiated. As shown in FIG. 21, the portions of third
photoresist material 378 that were not radiated may be removed
(e.g., developed) to expose underlying portions of the second etch
stop material 374.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 22, the exposed portions of the second
etch stop material 374 may be removed to expose underlying portions
of the gate body substrate material 370.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 23, the exposed portions of the gate body
substrate material 370 may be removed, such as with an anisotropic
material removal process (e.g., an etching process such as a dry
reactive ion etching process) that is selective to the gate body
substrate material 370 relative to the remaining portions of the
third photoresist material 378, the first etch stop material 372,
and/or the second etch stop material 374. This material removal
process may form a trench in the gate body substrate material 370
and may expose portions of the first etch stop material 372 at a
bottom of the trench.
[0086] In some embodiments, an optional exhaust outlet 324 (shown
in FIG. 41) may be formed in conjunction with the material removal
process(es) described with reference to FIGS. 21-23. For example,
the third photoresist material 378 may be exposed to radiation
through the third mask 380 and may be developed to form a pattern
that includes the exhaust outlet 324. The pattern in the third
photoresist material 378 may be transferred to the second etch stop
material 374 and to the gate body substrate material 370 by the
material removal processes described above to form both the trench
and the exhaust outlet 324.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 24, the exposed portions of the first etch
stop material 372 may then be removed from the bottom of the
trench, such as by a material removal process that is selective to
the first etch stop material 372 relative to the first flexible
material 376. The material removal processes described with
reference to FIGS. 21-24 may define an output gate terminal 332 and
a plunger 316 within the output gate terminal 332.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 25, the third photoresist material 378 may
be removed, and the resulting structure may include the gate body
portion 346 and the plunger 316. The plunger 316 may be physically
separated from adjacent the adjacent gate body portion 346 by the
output gate terminal 332. However, the plunger 316 may be coupled
to the gate body portion 346 via the first flexible material 376,
which may define a flexible membrane 334 spanning the output gate
terminal 332. The first flexible material 376 may be chemically
bonded to the gate body portion 346 and to the plunger 316. The
plunger 316 and the flexible membrane 334 may together define a
gate transmission element. In embodiments in which multiple gate
body portions 346 of multiple respective microfluidic valves 300
are to be formed, the multiple gate body portions 346 of a wafer or
other bulk substrate may be separated from each other (e.g., diced)
at this time or at a later time, as will be described further
below.
[0089] As noted above, FIGS. 26-39 illustrate various stages of
manufacture of the fluid channel body portion 348. Referring to
FIG. 26, a fluid channel body substrate material 386 may be
selected for processing to form the fluid channel body portion 348
(shown in its completed state in FIG. 39). By way of example and
not limitation, the fluid channel body substrate material 386 may
be or include a silicon material, a silicon dioxide material, a
glass material, or a rigid polymer material. In some embodiments,
the fluid channel body substrate material 386 may be in the form of
a wafer or other bulk substrate to be processed to include a
plurality of fluid channel body portions 348 of respective
microfluidic valves 300 (FIG. 40).
[0090] As shown in FIG. 27, a fourth photoresist material 388 may
be disposed over a surface of the fluid channel body substrate
material 386. By way of example, the fourth photoresist material
388 may be a negative photoresist material, as explained above with
reference to the third photoresist material 378.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 28, a fourth mask 390 may be positioned
over the fourth photoresist material 388 and radiation may be
directed through the fourth mask 390 to exposed portions of the
fourth photoresist material 388, as shown by fourth arrows 392 in
FIG. 28.
[0092] In FIG. 29, the portions of the fourth photoresist material
388 that were not radiated may be removed by a developer to
selectively expose portions of the underlying fluid channel body
substrate material 386. A metal material 394 may be deposited over
the remaining fourth photoresist material 388 and exposed portions
of the fluid channel body substrate material 386. By way of
example, the metal material 394 may be deposited by a physical
vapor deposition ("PVD") process, such as a sputtering process. The
metal material 394 may be or include, for example, an aluminum
material.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 30, the fourth photoresist material 388
and portions of the metal material 394 thereon may be removed,
leaving a pattern of the metal material 394 on the fluid channel
body substrate material 386. The remaining metal material 394 may
form a landing pad against which a flexible bubble is to be pressed
when blocking a restricting region in a fluid channel.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 31, a fifth photoresist material 396 may
be disposed over the fluid channel body substrate material 386 and
the metal material 394. The fifth photoresist material 396 may be a
positive photoresist material, as described above with reference to
the first photoresist material 354. A fifth mask 398 may be
positioned over the fifth photoresist material 396, and the
assembly may be radiated to selectively expose portions of the
fifth photoresist material 396, as shown by fifth arrows 400.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 33, the radiated portions of the fifth
photoresist material 396 may be removed, leaving a block 402 of the
fifth photoresist material 396 over the metal material 394 and
adjacent portions of the fluid channel body substrate material
386.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 34, the fifth photoresist material 396 may
be heat treated to round upper corners of the block 402 of the
fifth photoresist material 396, forming a rounded block 404. A
temperature and time of the heat treatment may be selected based on
the type of material making up the block 402, its physical reaction
to the heat (e.g., level rounding of corners), and a desired
profile of the resulting rounded block 404 after the heat
treatment. The rounded block 404 may form a base structure over
which a flexible bubble will be formed, as explained further below.
Thus, the shape of the rounded block 404 may be selected based on a
desired shape of the resulting flexible bubble.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 35, a second flexible material 406 may be
disposed over the fluid channel body substrate material 386 and
over the rounded block 404. For example, the second flexible
material 406 may be a polymer material (e.g., an elastomeric
material, such as a polysiloxane material). The portion of the
second flexible material 406 over the rounded block 404 may define
a flexible bubble 336.
[0098] In FIGS. 36-38, the fluid channel body substrate material
386, metal material 394, rounded block 404 of the fifth photoresist
material 396, and second flexible material 406 are illustrated in
an inverted orientation relative to FIGS. 26-35.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 36, a sixth photoresist material 408 may
be disposed over a surface of the fluid channel body substrate
material 386 opposite the second flexible material 406. The sixth
photoresist material 408 may be a negative photoresist material, as
explained above with reference to the third photoresist material
378. A sixth mask 410 may be positioned over the sixth photoresist
material 408. The sixth photoresist material 408 may be radiated
through the sixth mask 410, as shown by sixth arrows 412 to
transfer a pattern of the sixth mask 410 to the sixth photoresist
material 408.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 37, the portion of the sixth photoresist
material 408 that was not radiated may be removed to expose
portions of the fluid channel body substrate material 386 through
the remaining portions of the sixth photoresist material 408.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 38, the exposed portions of the fluid
channel body substrate material 386 may be removed in an
anisotropic material removal process, such as an etching process
(e.g., a chemical etching process, a dry reactive ion etching
process, etc.), as is known in the art of photolithography. This
material removal process may form holes in the fluid channel body
substrate material 386 that will define an inlet port 312 and an
outlet port 314 in the resulting microfluidic valve 300 (see FIG.
40). The fifth photoresist material 396 of the rounded block 404
under the second flexible material 406 may be exposed through the
inlet port 312 and outlet port 314.
[0102] In FIG. 39, the structure is shown in an inverted
orientation (i.e., in the same orientation as in FIGS. 26-35)
relative to that shown in FIGS. 36-38. As shown in FIG. 39, the
fifth photoresist material 396 of the rounded block 404 may be
removed through the inlet port 312 and outlet port 314, such as by
an isotropic material removal process (e.g., a wet etching process,
a chemical etching process, etc.), as is known in the art of
photolithography. At this point, the flexible bubble 336 and a
restricting region 338 of a fluid channel between the inlet port
312 to the outlet port 314 may be formed and defined. In addition,
the fluid channel body portion 348 may also be formed and defined.
In embodiments in which multiple fluid channel body portions 348 of
multiple respective microfluidic valves 300 are to be formed, the
multiple fluid channel body portions 348 of a wafer or other bulk
substrate may be separated from each other (e.g., diced) at this
time or at a later time, as will be explained further below.
[0103] Next, the drive body portion 344 (FIG. 15), gate body
portion 346 (FIG. 25), and fluid channel body portion 348 (FIG. 39)
may be assembled and coupled to each other to form the microfluidic
valve 300, as shown in FIG. 40. In some examples, individual units
(e.g., dice) of the drive body portion 344, the gate body portion
346, and the fluid channel body portion 348 may be formed and
individually assembled and coupled to each other to form one
microfluidic valve 300. Alternatively, wafers or other bulk
substrates respectively including multiple units of the drive body
portion 344, the gate body portion 346, and the fluid channel body
portion 348 may be aligned, assembled, and coupled to each other.
Then, a plurality of the microfluidic valves 300 may be separated
(e.g., cut, diced, etc.) from each other and simultaneously
formed.
[0104] In some examples, the drive body portion 344, gate body
portion 346, and fluid channel body portion 348 may be assembled
and coupled to each other with an adhesive material. In additional
examples, the drive body portion 344, gate body portion 346, and
fluid channel body portion 348 may be assembled and coupled to each
other via chemical bonding. For example, the drive body portion
344, gate body portion 346, and fluid channel body portion 348 may
be pressed against each other and/or heat treated to form the
chemical bond. One or more bonding agents may be applied at the
interface(s) between the drive body portion 344, gate body portion
346, and fluid channel body portion 348 to facilitate forming a
chemical bond between these components.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 40, upon assembly of the gate body portion
346 to the fluid channel body portion 348, the plunger 316 may be
forced upward (relative to the perspective of FIG. 40) away from
the fluid channel body portion 348 because of the structure of the
flexible bubble 336. The flexible membrane 334 may stretch to
enable the plunger 316 to be in the position shown in FIG. 40. In
some embodiments, the structure of the flexible bubble 336 may be
sufficient to hold the plunger 316 in this upward position in the
absence of any applied fluid force or pressurization. In additional
embodiments, the plunger 316 may be forced into the upward position
(FIG. 40) upon pressurization of the inlet port 312,
depressurization of the input gate terminal 330, and/or
pressurization of the output gate exhaust chamber 340. When the
plunger 316 is in the upward position illustrated in FIG. 40, the
restricting region 338 may be unblocked, the microfluidic valve 300
may be in an open state, and subject fluid may flow from the inlet
port 312 to the outlet port 314 (and ultimately to a fluid-driven
mechanism).
[0106] In FIG. 41, the microfluidic valve 300 is illustrated in a
closed state, with the plunger 316 in a downward (relative to the
perspective of FIG. 41) position toward the fluid channel body
portion 348. The plunger 316 may press against and deform the
flexible bubble 336 to block the restricting region 338 (FIG. 40)
between the inlet port 312 and the outlet port 314. The plunger 316
may move to this downward position upon sufficiently pressurizing
the input gate terminal 330 through the gate port 310 and/or
depressurizing the output gate exhaust chamber 340 through the
exhaust outlet 324.
[0107] FIG. 41 also illustrates optional alignment marks 414 (shown
in dashed lines) formed on surfaces of the drive body portion 344,
gate body portion 346, and fluid channel body portion 348. The
alignment marks 414 may optionally be formed during the manufacture
of the respective drive body portion 344, gate body portion 346,
and/or fluid channel body portion 348. For example, the alignment
marks 414 may be formed by a printing (e.g., inkjet printing)
process, an etching process, and/or a photolithography process. The
alignment marks 414, if present, may facilitate aligning the drive
body portion 344, gate body portion 346, and fluid channel body
portion 348 for proper assembly thereof. Alternatively, other
features formed in the drive body portion 344, gate body portion
346, and fluid channel body portion 348 may be used to facilitate
alignment of these structures during assembly, such as edges of the
input gate terminal 330, edges of the output gate terminal 332, the
inlet port 312 and/or outlet port 314, etc.
[0108] FIG. 42 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 500 of
controlling flow of a subject fluid in a microfluidic system,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At
operation 510, a subject fluid may be conveyed through a
restricting region of a fluid channel from an inlet port to an
outlet port. For example, the restricting region may be within the
output gate terminal and may be defined by an interior of a
flexible bubble, as described above. In some examples, the fluid
conveyed into the outlet port may be flowed to a fluid-driven
mechanism to activate the fluid-driven mechanism. By way of
non-limiting example, the fluid-driven mechanism may be a haptic
feedback device of an artificial reality system.
[0109] At operation 520, a drive fluid may be flowed into an input
gate terminal separated from an output gate terminal by a gate
transmission element (e.g., a flexible membrane coupled to a
plunger). For example, the drive fluid may be introduced into the
input gate terminal from a drive fluid source via a gate port, as
described above.
[0110] At operation 530, the gate transmission element may be moved
to press against and to deform a flexible bubble positioned within
the output gate terminal. The output gate terminal may be separated
from the restricting region by the flexible bubble. For example,
the gate transmission element may be moved responsive to the drive
fluid flowing into the input gate terminal.
[0111] At operation 540, flow of the subject fluid from the inlet
port to the outlet port may be inhibited by blocking the
restricting region with the deformed flexible bubble. For example,
the restricting region may be contracted by the deformation of the
flexible bubble, as described above. In this manner, the
microfluidic valve may be operated to a closed state. If the
microfluidic valve is desired to be operated to an open state from
the closed state, the method 500 may also include withdrawing drive
fluid from the input gate terminal through the gate port to move
the gate transmission element to relieve pressure against the
flexible bubble and to unblock the restricting region.
[0112] FIGS. 43 and 44 are flow diagrams illustrating methods 600
and 700 of fabricating microfluidic systems, respectively according
to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 43, the method 600 may include an
operation 610 of forming a cavity within a microfluidic valve body,
which may be or include at least one of a silicon material, a
silicon dioxide material, a glass material, or a rigid polymer
material. For example, as described above, an input gate terminal
may be formed within a drive body portion of the microfluidic valve
body, and an output gate terminal may be formed within a gate body
portion of the microfluidic valve body. At least one
photolithography operation may be performed to form the cavity
within the microfluidic valve body. The cavity may be formed to
have a cross-sectional area of about 25 mm.sup.2 or less, such as
about 1 mm.sup.2 or less.
[0114] At operation 620, a gate transmission element may be
positioned within the cavity to separate the input gate terminal
from the output gate terminal, such as by disposing a flexible
membrane on a surface of the gate body portion and coupling a
plunger to the flexible membrane. The gate body portion and the
drive body portion may be coupled to each other.
[0115] In some embodiments, a fluid channel body portion may be
coupled to the gate body portion on an opposite side of the gate
body portion from the drive body portion.
[0116] At operation 630, a fluid channel may be formed to include
an inlet port, a restricting region, and an outlet port within the
microfluidic valve body. The gate transmission element may be
positioned and configured to move back and forth upon
pressurization and depressurization of the input gate terminal to
restrict the restricting region to inhibit the flow of a subject
fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port upon pressurization of
the input gate terminal. Similarly, the gate transmission element
may be configured to move back and forth to allow or increase the
flow of subject fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port upon
depressurization of the input gate terminal. A flexible bubble may
separate the restricting region from an output gate exhaust chamber
of the output gate terminal. Thus, the flexible bubble may be
formed over the restricting region and positioned within the output
gate terminal. An exhaust outlet may be formed in the microfluidic
valve body in fluid communication with the output gate exhaust
chamber.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 44, the method 700 of fabricating a
microfluidic system may include forming a microfluidic valve, as
shown at operation 710. The microfluidic valve may be formed as
described above. For example, material may be removed (e.g., by
performing at least one photolithography operation) from a drive
body portion of a microfluidic valve body to form an input gate
terminal and a gate port into the input gate terminal. A flexible
membrane may be formed on a gate body portion of the microfluidic
valve body. For example, the flexible membrane may be or include a
polymer material (e.g., an elastomeric material, such as a
polysiloxane material). Material may be removed (e.g., by
performing at least one photolithography operation) from the gate
body portion to form an output gate terminal and to define a
plunger within the output gate terminal. The plunger may be bonded
to the flexible membrane but may be otherwise separated from the
gate body portion. A flexible bubble may be formed on a fluid
channel body portion of the microfluidic valve body, and material
may be removed (e.g., by performing at least one photolithography
operation) from the fluid channel body portion to form an inlet
port and an outlet port. The inlet port and the outlet port may be
in fluid communication with an interior of the flexible bubble. The
drive body portion may be coupled to the gate body portion. The
input gate terminal may be separated from the output gate terminal
with the flexible membrane. The gate body portion may be coupled to
the fluid channel body portion.
[0118] In some examples, forming the microfluidic valve may include
simultaneously forming a plurality of microfluidic valves. Coupling
the drive body portion to the gate body portion may include bonding
a drive body substrate material including a plurality of drive body
portions to a gate body substrate material including a plurality of
gate body portions. Coupling the gate body portion to the fluid
channel body portion may include bonding the gate body substrate
material including the plurality of gate body portions to a fluid
channel body substrate material including a plurality of fluid
channel body portions. The plunger may be abutted against the
flexible bubble after the gate body portion is coupled to the fluid
channel body portion.
[0119] In some examples, forming the flexible bubble on the fluid
channel body may include forming a block on the fluid channel body
portion. The block may be rounded, such as by heat treating the
block. A flexible material (e.g., an elastomeric material, such as
a polysiloxane material) may be formed over the block and the fluid
channel body portion. The block may be removed while leaving the
flexible material to remain on the fluid channel body portion. For
example, the block may be removed by removing a material of the
block through at least one of the inlet port or the outlet port
using a selective material removal process. The flexible bubble may
be formed to have a surface area that is smaller than a surface
area of the flexible membrane, such as to provide a mechanical
advantage for operating the microfluidic valve.
[0120] At operation 720, a drive fluid source may be operably
coupled to the gate port of the microfluidic valve. For example,
the drive fluid source may be or include a pressurized reservoir, a
fan, a pump, or a piston system, etc., that may be placed in fluid
communication with the gate port.
[0121] At operation 730, a subject fluid source may be operably
coupled to the inlet port of the microfluidic valve (e.g., of the
fluid channel). For example, the subject fluid source may be or
include a pressurized reservoir, a fan, a pump, or a piston system,
etc., that may be placed in fluid communication with the inlet
port.
[0122] At operation 740, a fluid-driven mechanism may be operably
coupled to the outlet port of the microfluidic valve (e.g., of the
fluid channel). The fluid-driven mechanism may be operated by the
subject fluid when the microfluidic valve is in an open state. For
example, the fluid-driven mechanism may include at least one of a
MEMS device, an expansible cavity, a piston system, and/or a haptic
feedback device.
[0123] Accordingly, disclosed are microfluidic valves and related
systems and methods for controlling flow of a fluid. The
microfluidic valves may include a valve body with at least one
cavity therein and a gate transmission element dividing the cavity
into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal. The gate
transmission element may include a plunger coupled to a flexible
membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move
within the cavity to inhibit subject fluid flow from an inlet port
to an outlet port of a fluid channel upon pressurization of the
input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow upon
depressurization of the input gate terminal. The disclosed concepts
may provide improved architectures and methods that enable and
facilitate the control of fluid flow at a microfluidic scale.
[0124] Embodiments of the instant disclosure may include or be
implemented in conjunction with various types of artificial reality
systems. Artificial reality is a form of reality that has been
adjusted in some manner before presentation to a user, which may
include, e.g., a virtual reality (VR), an augmented reality, a
mixed reality (MR), a hybrid reality, or some combination and/or
derivative thereof. Artificial reality content may include
completely generated content or generated content combined with
captured (e.g., real-world) content. The artificial reality content
may include video, audio, haptic feedback, or some combination
thereof, any of which may be presented in a single channel or in
multiple channels (such as stereo video that produces a
three-dimensional effect to the viewer). Additionally, in some
embodiments, artificial reality may also be associated with
applications, products, accessories, services, or some combination
thereof, that are used to, e.g., create content in an artificial
reality and/or are otherwise used in (e.g., to perform activities
in) an artificial reality.
[0125] Artificial reality systems may be implemented in a variety
of different form factors and configurations. Some artificial
reality systems may be designed to work without near-eye displays
(NEDs), an example of which is an artificial reality system 800 in
FIG. 45. Other artificial reality systems may include an NED that
also provides visibility into the real world (e.g., an artificial
reality system 900 in FIG. 46) or that visually immerses a user in
an artificial reality (e.g., a VR system 1000 in FIG. 47). While
some artificial reality devices may be self-contained systems,
other artificial reality devices may communicate and/or coordinate
with external devices to provide an artificial reality experience
to a user. Examples of such external devices include handheld
controllers, mobile devices, desktop computers, devices worn by a
user, devices worn by one or more other users, and/or any other
suitable external system.
[0126] Turning to FIG. 45, the artificial reality system 800
generally represents a wearable device dimensioned to fit about a
body part (e.g., a head) of a user. As shown in FIG. 45, the
artificial reality system 800 may include a frame 802 and a camera
assembly 804 that is coupled to the frame 802 and configured to
gather information about a local environment by observing the local
environment. The artificial reality system 800 may also include one
or more audio devices, such as output audio transducers 808(A) and
808(B) and input audio transducers 810. The output audio
transducers 808(A) and 808(B) may provide audio feedback and/or
content to a user, and the input audio transducers 810 may capture
audio in a user's environment.
[0127] As shown, the artificial reality system 800 may not
necessarily include an NED positioned in front of a user's eyes.
Artificial reality systems without NEDs may take a variety of
forms, such as head bands, hats, hair bands, belts, watches, wrist
bands, ankle bands, rings, neckbands, necklaces, chest bands,
eyewear frames, and/or any other suitable type or form of
apparatus. While the artificial reality system 800 may not include
an NED, the artificial reality system 800 may include other types
of screens or visual feedback devices (e.g., a display screen
integrated into a side of the frame 802). The artificial reality
system 800 may include one or more haptic feedback devices 812,
which may be or include the fluidic system 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the
microfluidic system 100 of FIG. 2.
[0128] The embodiments discussed in this disclosure may also be
implemented in artificial reality systems that include one or more
NEDs. For example, as shown in FIG. 46, the artificial reality
system 900 may include an eyewear device 902 with a frame 910
configured to hold a left display device 915(A) and a right display
device 915(B) in front of a user's eyes. The display devices 915(A)
and 915(B) may act together or independently to present an image or
series of images to a user. While the artificial reality system 900
is illustrated as including two displays, embodiments of this
disclosure may be implemented in artificial reality systems with a
single NED or more than two NEDs.
[0129] In some embodiments, the artificial reality system 900 may
include one or more sensors, such as a sensor 940. The sensor 940
may generate measurement signals in response to motion of the
artificial reality system 900 and may be located on substantially
any portion of the frame 910. The sensor 940 may include a position
sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a depth camera
assembly, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the
artificial reality system 900 may or may not include the sensor 940
or may include more than one sensor. In embodiments in which the
sensor 940 includes an IMU, the IMU may generate calibration data
based on measurement signals from the sensor 940. Examples of the
sensor 940 may include, without limitation, accelerometers,
gyroscopes, magnetometers, other suitable types of sensors that
detect motion, sensors used for error correction of the IMU, or
some combination thereof.
[0130] The artificial reality system 900 may also include a
microphone array with a plurality of acoustic sensors
920(A)-920(J), referred to collectively as acoustic sensors 920.
The acoustic sensors 920 may be transducers that detect air
pressure variations induced by sound waves. Each acoustic sensor
920 may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected
sound into an electronic format (e.g., an analog or digital
format). The microphone array in FIG. 46 may include, for example,
ten acoustic sensors: 920(A) and 920(B), which may be designed to
be placed inside a corresponding ear of the user, acoustic sensors
920(C), 920(D), 920(E), 920(F), 920(G), and 920(H), which may be
positioned at various locations on the frame 910, and/or acoustic
sensors 920(I) and 920(J), which may be positioned on a
corresponding neckband 905.
[0131] The configuration of acoustic sensors 920 of the microphone
array may vary. While the artificial reality system 900 is shown in
FIG. 46 as having ten acoustic sensors 920, the number of acoustic
sensors 920 may be greater or less than ten. In some embodiments,
using higher numbers of acoustic sensors 920 may increase the
amount of audio information collected and/or the sensitivity and
accuracy of the audio information. In contrast, using a lower
number of acoustic sensors 920 may decrease the computing power
required by the controller 950 to process the collected audio
information. In addition, the position of each acoustic sensor 920
of the microphone array may vary. For example, the position of an
acoustic sensor 920 may include a defined position on the user, a
defined coordinate on the frame 910, an orientation associated with
each acoustic sensor, or some combination thereof.
[0132] The acoustic sensors 920(A) and 920(B) may be positioned on
different parts of the user's ear, such as behind the pinna or
within the auricle or fossa. Or, there may be additional acoustic
sensors on or surrounding the ear in addition to the acoustic
sensors 920 inside the ear canal. Having an acoustic sensor
positioned next to an ear canal of a user may enable the microphone
array to collect information on how sounds arrive at the ear canal.
By positioning at least two of the acoustic sensors 920 on either
side of a user's head (e.g., as binaural microphones), the
artificial reality device 900 may simulate binaural hearing and
capture a 3D stereo sound field around about a user's head. In some
embodiments, the acoustic sensors 920(A) and 920(B) may be
connected to the artificial reality system 900 via a wired
connection, and in other embodiments, the acoustic sensors 920(A)
and 920(B) may be connected to the artificial reality system 900
via a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). In still
other embodiments, the acoustic sensors 920(A) and 920(B) may not
be used at all in conjunction with the artificial reality system
900.
[0133] The acoustic sensors 920 on the frame 910 may be positioned
along the length of the temples, across the bridge, above or below
the display devices 915(A) and 915(B), or some combination thereof.
The acoustic sensors 920 may be oriented such that the microphone
array is able to detect sounds in a wide range of directions
surrounding the user wearing the artificial reality system 900. In
some embodiments, an optimization process may be performed during
manufacturing of the artificial reality system 900 to determine
relative positioning of each acoustic sensor 920 in the microphone
array.
[0134] The artificial reality system 900 may further include or be
connected to an external device (e.g., a paired device), such as
neckband 905. As shown, the neckband 905 may be coupled to the
eyewear device 902 via one or more connectors 930. The connectors
930 may be wired or wireless connectors and may include electrical
and/or non-electrical (e.g., structural) components. In some cases,
the eyewear device 902 and the neckband 905 may operate
independently without any wired or wireless connection between
them. While FIG. 46 illustrates the components of the eyewear
device 902 and the neckband 905 in example locations on the eyewear
device 902 and the neckband 905, the components may be located
elsewhere and/or distributed differently on the eyewear device 902
and/or the neckband 905. In some embodiments, the components of the
eyewear device 902 and the neckband 905 may be located on one or
more additional peripheral devices paired with the eyewear device
902, the neckband 905, or some combination thereof. Furthermore,
the neckband 905 generally represents any type or form of paired
device. Thus, the following discussion of the neckband 905 may also
apply to various other paired devices, such as smart watches, smart
phones, wrist bands, other wearable devices, hand-held controllers,
tablet computers, laptop computers, etc.
[0135] Pairing external devices, such as the neckband 905, with
artificial reality eyewear devices may enable the eyewear devices
to achieve the form factor of a pair of glasses while still
providing sufficient battery and computation power for expanded
capabilities. Some or all of the battery power, computational
resources, and/or additional features of the artificial reality
system 900 may be provided by a paired device or shared between a
paired device and an eyewear device, thus reducing the weight, heat
profile, and form factor of the eyewear device overall while still
retaining desired functionality. For example, the neckband 905 may
allow components that would otherwise be included on an eyewear
device to be included in the neckband 905 since users may tolerate
a heavier weight load on their shoulders than they would tolerate
on their heads or faces. The neckband 905 may also have a larger
surface area over which to diffuse and disperse heat to the ambient
environment. Thus, the neckband 905 may allow for greater battery
and computation capacity than might otherwise have been possible on
a stand-alone eyewear device. Since weight carried in the neckband
905 may be less invasive to a user than weight carried in the
eyewear device 902, a user may tolerate wearing a lighter eyewear
device and carrying or wearing the paired device for greater
lengths of time than a user would tolerate wearing a heavy
standalone eyewear device, thereby enabling an artificial reality
environment to be incorporated more fully into a user's day-to-day
activities.
[0136] The neckband 905 may be communicatively coupled with the
eyewear device 902 and/or to other devices. The other devices may
provide certain functions (e.g., tracking, localizing, depth
mapping, processing, storage, haptic feedback, etc.) to the
artificial reality system 900. In the embodiment of FIG. 46, the
neckband 905 may include two acoustic sensors (e.g., 920(I) and
920(J)) that are part of the microphone array (or potentially form
their own microphone subarray). The neckband 905 may also include a
controller 925 and a power source 935.
[0137] The acoustic sensors 920(I) and 920(J) of the neckband 905
may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound
into an electronic format (analog or digital). In the embodiment of
FIG. 46, the acoustic sensors 920(I) and 920(J) may be positioned
on or in the neckband 905, thereby increasing the distance between
the neckband acoustic sensors 920(I) and 920(J) and other acoustic
sensors 920 positioned on eyewear device 902. In some cases,
increasing the distance between the acoustic sensors 920 of the
microphone array may improve the accuracy of beamforming performed
via the microphone array. For example, if a sound is detected by
the acoustic sensors 920(C) and 920(D) and the distance between the
acoustic sensors 920(C) and 920(D) is greater than, e.g., the
distance between acoustic sensors 920(D) and 920(E), the determined
source location of the detected sound may be more accurate than if
the sound had been detected by the acoustic sensors 920(D) and
920(E).
[0138] The controller 925 of the neckband 905 may process
information generated by the sensors on the neckband 905 and/or the
artificial reality system 900. For example, the controller 925 may
process information from the microphone array that describes sounds
detected by the microphone array. For each detected sound, the
controller 925 may perform a DoA estimation to estimate a direction
from which the detected sound arrived at the microphone array. As
the microphone array detects sounds, the controller 925 may
populate an audio data set with the information. In embodiments in
which the artificial reality system 900 includes an inertial
measurement unit, the controller 925 may compute all inertial and
spatial calculations from the IMU located on the eyewear device
902. The connector 930 may convey information between the
artificial reality system 900 and the neckband 905 and between the
artificial reality system 900 and the controller 925. The
information may be in the form of optical data, electrical data,
wireless data, or any other transmittable data form. Moving the
processing of information generated by the artificial reality
system 900 to the neckband 905 may reduce weight and heat in the
eyewear device 902, making it more comfortable to the user.
[0139] The power source 935 in the neckband 905 may provide power
to the eyewear device 902 and/or to the neckband 905. The power
source 935 may include, without limitation, lithium ion batteries,
lithium-polymer batteries, primary lithium batteries, alkaline
batteries, or any other form of power storage. In some cases, the
power source 935 may be a wired power source. Including the power
source 935 on the neckband 905 instead of on the eyewear device 902
may help better distribute the weight and heat generated by the
power source 935.
[0140] The artificial reality system 900 may include one or more
haptic feedback devices 945, which may be or include the fluidic
system 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the microfluidic system 100 of FIG. 2.
The haptic feedback devices 945 may be incorporated in the eyewear
device 902 to provide haptic feedback to a user's head or face,
and/or may be incorporated in the neckband 905 or another wearable
device (e.g., a glove, a headband, an armband, etc.) to provide
haptic feedback to a user's neck or another body part.
[0141] As noted, some artificial reality systems may, instead of
blending an artificial reality with actual reality, substantially
replace one or more of a user's sensory perceptions of the real
world with a virtual experience. One example of this type of system
is a head-worn display system, such as the VR system 1000 in FIG.
47, that mostly or completely covers a user's field of view. The VR
system 1000 may include a front rigid body 1002 and a band 1004
shaped to fit around a user's head. The VR system 1000 may also
include output audio transducers 1006(A) and 1006(B). One or more
haptic feedback devices 1008, which may be or include the fluidic
system 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the microfluidic system 100 of FIG. 2,
may also be included in the VR system 1000, such as (but not
limited to) in or on the band 1004. Furthermore, while not shown in
FIG. 47, front rigid body 1002 may include one or more electronic
elements, including one or more electronic displays, one or more
inertial measurement units (IMUS), one or more tracking emitters or
detectors, and/or any other suitable device or system for creating
an artificial reality experience.
[0142] Artificial reality systems may include a variety of types of
visual feedback mechanisms. For example, display devices in the
artificial reality system 900 and/or in the VR system 1000 may
include one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting
diode (LED) displays, organic LED (OLED) displays, and/or any other
suitable type of display screen. Artificial reality systems may
include a single display screen for both eyes or may provide a
display screen for each eye, which may allow for additional
flexibility for varifocal adjustments or for correcting a user's
refractive error. Some artificial reality systems may also include
optical subsystems having one or more lenses (e.g., conventional
concave or convex lenses, Fresnel lenses, adjustable liquid lenses,
etc.) through which a user may view a display screen.
[0143] In addition to or instead of using display screens, some
artificial reality systems may include one or more projection
systems. For example, display devices in the artificial reality
system 900 and/or in the VR system 1000 may include micro-LED
projectors that project light (using, e.g., a waveguide) into
display devices, such as clear combiner lenses that allow ambient
light to pass through. The display devices may refract the
projected light toward a user's pupil and may enable a user to
simultaneously view both artificial reality content and the real
world. Artificial reality systems may also be configured with any
other suitable type or form of image projection system.
[0144] Artificial reality systems may also include various types of
computer vision components and subsystems. For example, the
artificial reality system 800, the artificial reality system 900,
and/or the VR system 1000 may include one or more optical sensors
such as two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cameras,
time-of-flight depth sensors, single-beam or sweeping laser
rangefinders, 3D LiDAR sensors, and/or any other suitable type or
form of optical sensor. An artificial reality system may process
data from one or more of these sensors to identify a location of a
user, to map the real world, to provide a user with context about
real-world surroundings, and/or to perform a variety of other
functions.
[0145] Artificial reality systems may also include one or more
input and/or output audio transducers. In the examples shown in
FIGS. 45 and 47, the output audio transducers 808(A), 808(B),
1006(A), and 1006(B) may include voice coil speakers, ribbon
speakers, electrostatic speakers, piezoelectric speakers, bone
conduction transducers, cartilage conduction transducers, and/or
any other suitable type or form of audio transducer. Similarly, the
input audio transducers 810 may include condenser microphones,
dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones, and/or any other type or
form of input transducer. In some embodiments, a single transducer
may be used for both audio input and audio output.
[0146] While not shown in FIGS. 45-47, artificial reality systems
may include tactile (i.e., haptic) feedback systems, which may be
incorporated into headwear, gloves, body suits, handheld
controllers, environmental devices (e.g., chairs, floormats, etc.),
and/or any other type of device or system. Haptic feedback systems
may provide various types of cutaneous feedback, including
vibration, force, traction, texture, and/or temperature. Haptic
feedback systems may also provide various types of kinesthetic
feedback, such as motion and compliance. Haptic feedback may be
implemented using motors, piezoelectric actuators, fluidic systems,
and/or a variety of other types of feedback mechanisms. Haptic
feedback systems may be implemented independent of other artificial
reality devices, within other artificial reality devices, and/or in
conjunction with other artificial reality devices.
[0147] By providing haptic sensations, audible content, and/or
visual content, artificial reality systems may create an entire
virtual experience or enhance a user's real-world experience in a
variety of contexts and environments. For instance, artificial
reality systems may assist or extend a user's perception, memory,
or cognition within a particular environment. Some systems may
enhance a user's interactions with other people in the real world
or may enable more immersive interactions with other people in a
virtual world. Artificial reality systems may also be used for
educational purposes (e.g., for teaching or training in schools,
hospitals, government organizations, military organizations,
business enterprises, etc.), entertainment purposes (e.g., for
playing video games, listening to music, watching video content,
etc.), and/or for accessibility purposes (e.g., as hearing aids,
visuals aids, etc.). The embodiments disclosed herein may enable or
enhance a user's artificial reality experience in one or more of
these contexts and environments and/or in other contexts and
environments.
[0148] As noted, the artificial reality systems 800, 900, and 1000
may be used with a variety of other types of devices to provide a
more compelling artificial reality experience. These devices may be
haptic interfaces with transducers that provide haptic feedback
and/or that collect haptic information about a user's interaction
with an environment. The artificial-reality systems disclosed
herein may include various types of haptic interfaces that detect
or convey various types of haptic information, including tactile
feedback (e.g., feedback that a user detects via nerves in the
skin, which may also be referred to as cutaneous feedback) and/or
kinesthetic feedback (e.g., feedback that a user detects via
receptors located in muscles, joints, and/or tendons).
[0149] Haptic feedback may be provided by interfaces positioned
within a user's environment (e.g., chairs, tables, floors, etc.)
and/or interfaces on articles that may be worn or carried by a user
(e.g., gloves, wristbands, etc.). As an example, FIG. 48
illustrates a vibrotactile system 4800 in the form of a wearable
glove (haptic device 4810) and wristband (haptic device 4820). The
haptic device 4810 and haptic device 4820 are shown as examples of
wearable devices that include a flexible, wearable textile material
4830 that is shaped and configured for positioning against a user's
hand and wrist, respectively. This disclosure also includes
vibrotactile systems that may be shaped and configured for
positioning against other human body parts, such as a finger, an
arm, a head, a torso, a foot, or a leg. By way of example and not
limitation, vibrotactile systems according to various embodiments
of the present disclosure may also be in the form of a glove, a
headband, an armband, a sleeve, a head covering, a sock, a shirt,
or pants, among other possibilities. In some examples, the term
"textile" may include any flexible, wearable material, including
woven fabric, non-woven fabric, leather, cloth, a flexible polymer
material, composite materials, etc.
[0150] One or more vibrotactile devices 4840 may be positioned at
least partially within one or more corresponding pockets formed in
the textile material 4830 of the vibrotactile system 4800. The
vibrotactile devices 4840 may be positioned in locations to provide
a vibrating sensation (e.g., haptic feedback) to a user of the
vibrotactile system 4800. For example, the vibrotactile devices
4840 may be positioned to be against the user's finger(s), thumb,
or wrist, as shown in FIG. 48. The vibrotactile devices 4840 may,
in some examples, be sufficiently flexible to conform to or bend
with the user's corresponding body part(s).
[0151] A power source 4850 (e.g., a battery) for applying a voltage
to the vibrotactile devices 4840 for activation thereof may be
electrically coupled to the vibrotactile devices 4840, such as via
conductive wiring 4852. In some examples, each of the vibrotactile
devices 4840 may be independently electrically coupled to the power
source 4850 for individual activation. In some embodiments, a
processor 4860 may be operatively coupled to the power source 4850
and configured (e.g., programmed) to control activation of
vibrotactile devices 4840.
[0152] The vibrotactile system 4800 may be implemented in a variety
of ways. In some examples, the vibrotactile system 4800 may be a
standalone system with integral subsystems and components for
operation independent of other devices and systems. As another
example, the vibrotactile system 4800 may be configured for
interaction with another device or system 4870. For example, the
vibrotactile system 4800 may, in some examples, include a
communications interface 4880 for receiving and/or sending signals
to the other device or system 4870. The other device or system 4870
may be a mobile device, a gaming console, an artificial reality
(e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality) device, a
personal computer, a tablet computer, a network device (e.g., a
modem, a router, etc.), a handheld controller, etc. The
communications interface 4880 may enable communications between the
vibrotactile system 4800 and the other device or system 4870 via a
wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, radio, etc.) link or a
wired link. If present, the communications interface 4880 may be in
communication with the processor 4860, such as to provide a signal
to the processor 4860 to activate or deactivate one or more of the
vibrotactile devices 4840.
[0153] The vibrotactile system 4800 may optionally include other
subsystems and components, such as touch-sensitive pads 4890,
pressure sensors, motion sensors, position sensors, lighting
elements, and/or user interface elements (e.g., an on/off button, a
vibration control element, etc.). During use, the vibrotactile
devices 4840 may be configured to be activated for a variety of
different reasons, such as in response to the user's interaction
with user interface elements, a signal from the motion or position
sensors, a signal from the touch-sensitive pads 4890, a signal from
the pressure sensors, a signal from the other device or system
4870, etc.
[0154] Although the power source 4850, processor 4860, and
communications interface 4880 are illustrated in FIG. 48 as being
positioned in the haptic device 4820, the present disclosure is not
so limited. For example, one or more of the power source 4850,
processor 4860, or communications interface 4880 may be positioned
within the haptic device 4810 or within another wearable
textile.
[0155] Haptic wearables, such as those shown in and described in
connection with FIG. 48, may be implemented in a variety of types
of artificial-reality systems and environments. FIG. 49 shows an
example artificial reality environment 4900 including one
head-mounted virtual-reality display and two haptic devices (i.e.,
gloves), and in other embodiments any number and/or combination of
these components and other components may be included in an
artificial reality system. For example, in some embodiments there
may be multiple head-mounted displays each having an associated
haptic device, with each head-mounted display and each haptic
device communicating with the same console, portable computing
device, or other computing system.
[0156] A head-mounted display 4902 generally represents any type or
form of virtual-reality system, such as a virtual-reality system
4700 in FIG. 47. A haptic device 4904 generally represents any type
or form of wearable device, worn by a use of an artificial reality
system, that provides haptic feedback to the user to give the user
the perception that he or she is physically engaging with a virtual
object. In some embodiments, the haptic device 4904 may provide
haptic feedback by applying vibration, motion, and/or force to the
user. For example, the haptic device 4904 may limit or augment a
user's movement. To give a specific example, the haptic device 4904
may limit a user's hand from moving forward so that the user has
the perception that his or her hand has come in physical contact
with a virtual wall. In this specific example, one or more
actuators within the haptic advice may achieve the
physical-movement restriction by pumping fluid into an inflatable
bladder of the haptic device. In some examples, a user may also use
the haptic device 4904 to send action requests to a console.
Examples of action requests include, without limitation, requests
to start an application and/or end the application and/or requests
to perform a particular action within the application.
[0157] While haptic interfaces may be used with virtual-reality
systems, as shown in FIG. 49, haptic interfaces may also be used
with augmented-reality systems, as shown in FIG. 50. FIG. 50 is a
perspective view a user 5010 interacting with an augmented-reality
system 5000. In this example, the user 5010 may wear a pair of
augmented-reality glasses 5020 that have one or more displays 5022
and that are paired with a haptic device 5030. The haptic device
5030 may be a wristband that includes a plurality of band elements
5032 and a tensioning mechanism 5034 that connects the band
elements 5032 to one another.
[0158] One or more of the band elements 5032 may include any type
or form of actuator suitable for providing haptic feedback. For
example, one or more of the band elements 5032 may be configured to
provide one or more of various types of cutaneous feedback,
including vibration, force, traction, texture, and/or temperature.
To provide such feedback, the band elements 5032 may include one or
more of various types of actuators. In one example, each of the
band elements 5032 may include a vibrotactor (e.g., a vibrotactile
actuator) configured to vibrate in unison or independently to
provide one or more of various types of haptic sensations to a
user. Alternatively, only a single band element or a subset of band
elements may include vibrotactors.
[0159] The haptic devices 4810, 4820, 4904, and 5030 may include
any suitable number and/or type of haptic transducer, sensor,
and/or feedback mechanism. For example, the haptic devices 4810,
4820, 4904, and 5030 may include one or more mechanical
transducers, piezoelectric transducers, and/or fluidic transducers.
The haptic devices 4810, 4820, 4904, and 5030 may also include
various combinations of different types and forms of transducers
that work together or independently to enhance a user's
artificial-reality experience. In one example, each of the band
elements 5032 of the haptic device 5030 may include a vibrotactor
(e.g., a vibrotactile actuator) configured to vibrate in unison or
independently to provide one or more of various types of haptic
sensations to a user.
[0160] The process parameters and sequence of the steps described
and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can
be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated
and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular
order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the
order illustrated or discussed. The various example methods
described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of
the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional
steps in addition to those disclosed.
[0161] The preceding description has been provided to enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the example
embodiments disclosed herein. This example description is not
intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form
disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The
embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects
illustrative and not restrictive. Reference should be made to the
appended claims and their equivalents in determining the scope of
the instant disclosure.
[0162] Unless otherwise noted, the terms "connected to" and
"coupled to" (and their derivatives), as used in the specification
and claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and
indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In
addition, the terms "a" or "an," as used in the specification and
claims, are to be construed as meaning "at least one of." Finally,
for ease of use, the terms "including" and "having" (and their
derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are
interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word
"comprising."
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