Haptic feedback for trailer controller and / or switches

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a haptic feedback apparatus that provides a positive physical response, such as a vibration, to switches and / or controllers used in trailer-towing applications. Specifically, the disclosure relates to haptic feedback apparatuses that provide indications to vehicle operators of a given function change and / or status (such as braking being applied / status thereof) through a pattern of vibrations when a switch (such as a manual slider or other switch / controller, such as an auxiliary controller) is actuated by, for example, the operator pressing, pulling, rotating a switch or button and / or touching a touchscreen

Description

HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR TRAILER CONTROLLER AND / OR SWITCHESFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to controllers and switches for use in controlling and / or reporting the condition of braking functions, and other functions, related to trailers being towed by vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for providing controllers or switches having haptic feedback so that an operator of a vehicle towing a trailer does not need to divert visual attention from operating the vehicle to control a trailer function and / or be made aware of conditions related to the trailer.BACKGROUND

[0002] Current controllers / switches used for operators of towing vehicles to control and / or report the status of functions, including braking, lights, etc., on towed trailers generally require the operator to divert eye contact from operating the vehicle to operate which is not optimal and can lead to accidents and / or injury if not done properly. Generally, the only responsive feedback that operators have received from prior art switches / controllers have been limited to visual (such as lights, gauges, etc.) and / or aural (in the form of beeps or other aural alarms) for providing information regarding the operation and status of towed-trailer functions. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have switches and / or controllers for a vehicle operator to use in controlling functions and / or providing the status of various operations related to a towed a trailer that provide feedback to the driver related thereto that does not require the driver to lose visual contact with the road / driving surface.SUMMARY

[0003] Haptic technologies make use of actuators (or other apparatuses) to apply forces or provide other feedback to an operator who is touching the device / s witch having the haptic technology incorporated therein. Such haptic technologies can include actuators that create some type of mechanical motion that is transmitted to a surface and / or switch that the operator is touching. Early haptic actuators made use of electromagnetic technology such as vibratory motors which provided a somewhat limited number of feedback sensations. Newer forms of this technology7have resulted in more sophisticated devices that can be used to provide specific responses or that are fully customizable by the operator as desired. Even newer haptic technologies have provided devices that are sensitive to the pressure provided by the operator and which can provide proportional responses to the amount of force applied by the operator.

[0004] The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for adding haptic technology7which provide a positive response, such as a vibration, to switches and / or controllers used in trailer-towing applications. Specific applications of such methods and apparatuses can include haptic actuators that provide indications to vehicle operators of a given function change and / or status through a pattern of vibrations when a switch (such as a manual slider or other switch / auxiliary controller) is actuated by the operator pressing, pulling, rotating a switch or button and / or touching a touchscreen. Other non-limiting operator indications may include a pattern of vibrations for warnings indicating or any faults for things trailer breakaway, no connection (NC), short to ground (STG), short to battery (STB).

[0005] The advantage of using haptic feedback in accordance with the present invention as disclosed herein is that the operator need not divert his vision to look at the auxiliary controller / switch / instrument cluster to see the exact condition or warning that is being transmitted from the trailer to the operator. Instead, the intensity and / or pattern of haptic feedback provides the operator the indication of that condition / waming. Other uses of haptictechnology in accordance with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, warnings of any faults observed and / or hazardous conditions provided as feedback from any of the trailer towing systems and / or accessories as well as current status of conditions of various trailer systems and functions. Finally, information can also be provided to the operator in accordance with the present disclosure through the lack of haptic feedback where the operator would otherwise expect a haptic response.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Illustrative detailed embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate, but not limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements and in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an auxiliary controller operable for use in connection with a haptic feedback apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of exemplary switches / controllers operative in connection with a haptic feedback apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram illustrating a control loop for use in connection with an exemplar embodiment of a slide switch having a haptic feedback apparatus incorporated therein in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0010] FIG. 4 is a chart representing the duty cycle for a haptic feedback apparatus as used in an on / off, linear and exponential control arrangement in accordance with the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes maybe made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0012] The present invention provides a haptic feedback apparatus that provides a positive physical response, such as a vibration, to switches and / or controllers used in trailer-towing applications. Specifically, the present invention provides haptic feedback apparatuses that provide indications to vehicle operators of a given function change and / or status through a pattern of vibrations when a switch (such as a manual slider or other switch / controller) is actuated by, for example, the operator pressing, pulling, rotating or touching a touchscreen.

[0013] As best show n in FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects of the invention, an auxiliary controller 10 may be utilized in vehicle trailer towing applications which sends control signals, such as braking and / or lighting controls (or other functions), to the corresponding control circuits of the trailer and receives response signals back. More specifically, as is known in the art, the auxiliary controller 10 may include a front housing 12, back housing 14 for encasing a control board 16 having an LED indicator 18 thereon. It may be provided with control buttons 20 and a manual override button 22 to provide operator control. Power may be supplied by a battery 24 which is connected to the control board 16 by a connector 26 and which is held in the housing by a battery cover 28. Operator output devices including a buzzer 30 and a haptic feedback actuator 32 may be mounted in the case to provide operator feedback and connected to the control board as is known in the art. The haptic feedback actuator 32 in accordance with the invention is connected to the control circuits of the control board 16 and mounted to inside the controller 10 to provide a desire haptic output when the operator sends a desired output (such as braking at a predetermined force) to the trailer brakes. When used in this way, it isgenerally desired that current output from the power source, such as the battery 24, and as controlled by the controller 10, should match and / or be proportional to the haptic feel desired.

[0014] Examples of haptic feedback apparatuses that would be useful in connection with the present invention include, but are not limited to, eccentric rotating mass motors (ERMs) linear resonant actuators (LRAs), and Piezo-electric actuators. ERMs are generally comprised of a DC motor with an offset (non-symmetric) mass attached to the shaft. A constant voltage drives the motor at a constant speed, and hence constant frequency and vibration amplitude, until the power supply is switched off. Downsides to ERMs is that and additional “start up” current is required, take more power than other options, and require additional braking.

[0015] LRAs provide haptic feedback through linear motion. The vibrations created by an LRAs are based upon the movement of a mass w hich causes repeated displacement w ith spring and magnetic coil and provide maximum vibration at a resonant frequency of the LRA and a much lower vibration at non-resonant frequencies. Built with an internal magnetic mass and spring, an electrical current in voice coil causes the mass to displace. In order to drive the mass in the opposite direction, the current in the voice coil must be reversed, so LRAs are driven by AC signals. Also, given that the mass moves in a straight line, vibrations are only produced on one axis. LRAs have some advantages over ERMs. LRAs vibrate at a fixed resonant frequency which means that varying the amplitude of vibration doesn’t affect the vibration frequency (which does occur in ERM motors). With no internal brushes or commutators, LRAs have a longer life, have improved haptic response times, and use less power than ERMs. Also, a multitude of different feedbacks can be achieved by varying the AC drive signal in LRAs because small changes in Hertz significantly affects the output amplitude. Conversely. LRAs can be somewhat more expensive than ERMS in that they require an additional driver circuit to operate.

[0016] Piezo-electric haptic actuators utilize the piezo effect to generate vibrations using piezoelectric material mounted in a cantilever beam configuration inside the actuator. Unlike ERMs and LRAs, the amplitude and frequency of the deflection can be controlled individually, allowing for considerably more sophisticated and detailed signal waveforms. A voltage signal across the piezoelectric materials causes the material in the beam to bend, the bend dependent on the two different types of materials used therein to create displacement near the tip of the beam. Advantages of Piezo-electric actuators include the possibility- for very quick and precise vibration patterns, higher resonance frequencies, multiple vibration patterns, low power consumption, and smaller sizes.

[0017] In accordance with the present disclosure, ERMs, LRAs, Piezo electric, as well as other types of haptic feedback devices and / or actuators, may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Further, in addition to providing operator feedback during actuation of a controller and / or switch as to confirmation of the requested operation (applying brakes for the towed vehicle), or magnitude of the requested operation (amount of braking force requesting being applied), the haptic feedback apparatuses in accordance with the present invention may provide status information and / or warnings or alerts. In accordance with aspects of the invention, embedded software may preferably determine the duty- cycle of a pulse width modulation cycle driving the vibration based on actual braking applied at the output of the braking module. As braking duty cycle increases, vibration intensifies to give a feel to operators.

[0018] With respect to status confirmation, such status confirmation may include confirmation that requested braking is applied at the 7-way brake output through confirmation feedback received from the trailer brake magnets. Other operator indications include a pattern of vibrations when gain and / or boost is varied to certain different extents for the trailer braking system or when other desired or undesired conditions are detected. Warnings that could beindicated via the haptic response could include warnings or any faults for things like breakaway, NC, STG, STB, or no etc.

[0019] As discussed above, the advantage of using haptic feedback in any of the above situations is that the operator need not divert his vision to look at the instrument cluster to understand what is going on with the towed trailer. Instead, the intensity7and / or pattern of haptic feedback provides the operator an idea and feel of the particular status / request or w arning, such as the amount of braking that is being applied. Other uses of haptic actuators in accordance with the present disclosure include warnings of any faults observed and / or hazardous conditions provided as feedback from any of the trailer towing systems and / or accessories. Similarly, current status of conditions of various trailer systems and functions are provided by the invention as well.

[0020] Other examples of uses of haptic actuators in accordance with the invention include providing information to the operator through the lack of haptic feedback. For example, the controller 10 could include programming disabling all haptic feedback when there is no trailer connected so the operator would know, through the lack of haptic feel, that the trailer is not connected. For example, if the operator applies braking, or any other action, through the controller 10 (or other device, such as a slider switch) in accordance with the invention, the operator would know that the trailer is disengaged through the lack of a haptic response.

[0021] Additionally, the haptic actuator 32 can provide a haptic output that is selected to inform the operator of various response signals received back. Non-limiting examples of such response signals can be signals received from 7-way door sensors, camera inputs, proximity sensors, mechanical coupling sensors, load sensors, breakaway switches, etc. and haptic feel, frequency, strength, etc. may be changed or altered depending on function or status being provided. A haptic actuator 32 as used in this way may be used as part of the operator decisionmaking process and feedback (e.g., ready to tow or not ready to tow) or to cause an action. Aswould be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, anon-limiting, exemplary use of the haptic actuators of the present invention would be in connection with prior art control systems of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,738,125, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, as show n best in FIG. 2, a haptic actuator may be used in connection w ith other forms of switches and / or controllers in accordance with the invention. Non-limiting examples include manual slider switches 100, rotational knob switches 102, plunger switches 104 and lever switches 106. as are know n in the art for use in controlling functions, such as braking, in a trailer being towed by a vehicle. Non-limiting examples of indications that can be provided via the haptic actuator mounted to the slider switch include: (1) indicate to the operator when manual slider is pressed to request braking; (2) indicate to the operator w hen the actual braking is applied; and (3) indicate warnings or any faults observed by the controller and / or slider module.

[0023] As with the controller 10 embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a slider embodiment preferably includes the haptic actuator being closely placed / attached to the manual slider to have the effect noticeable to operators. As best shown in FIG. 2, a control loop for use in connection with an exemplary embodiment of a slide switch having a haptic actuator incorporated therewith comprises the following steps: (1) operator squeezes manual slider; (2) manual slider notifies braking module about the status; (3) braking module pushes the braking duty cycle via output; (4) braking module feedback circuit checks the duty cycle; (5) based on duty cycle / feedback, braking module transmits manual slider to turn on haptic; (6) operator feels the vibration. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, while the control loop shown in FIG. 2 applies to the use of a haptic actuator 32 as used in connection with a manual slider, it applies identically to use in an auxiliary controller 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] As depicted in FIG. 3. an exemplary duty’ cycle for a haptic feedback apparatus, whether used in an auxiliary controller 10 or manual slider application, may be of any knownduty cycles for similar sized and shaped motors / actuators but specifically may include: on / off(A); linear (B); and exponential (C).

[0025] As discussed above, use of haptic actuators in accordance with the invention provide additional safety' for operators since the operator need not have to look at any other indicators or move his focus away from roads which might be a potential hazard. When the brakes fail to be applied by the braking module, the operator will know immediately can take necessary' precautions to avoid any accidents. When a fault is being recognized by the module, can indicate to operators if other indicators go unnoticed.

[0026] Having described exemplary' embodiments of haptic apparatuses and methods for use with towed vehicle controllers and switches, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by7the patent laws, what is claimed and protected is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A control system for controlling the functions and reporting the conditions of a trailer being towed by a vehicle, the control system comprising: a control device for operation by an operator of a vehicle towing a trailer, the control device being operably connected to the trailer such to control and receive signals related to at least one trailer-related function; a haptic feedback device operably connected to the controller such that operation of the controller to control a trailer-related function or the receiving of a signal from a trailer sensor results in activation of the haptic feedback device.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the haptic feedback device is selected from the group consisting of eccentric rotating mass actuators, linear resonant actuators, or Piezoelectric actuators.

3. The control system of claim 1 wherein the control device is selected from the group consisting of slider switches, rotational knob switches, plunger switches, lever switches, a touchscreens and auxiliary controllers.

4. The control system of claim 1 wherein the trailer-related function controlled by the controller is a trailer braking system.

5. The control system of claim 4 wherein the haptic feedback device provides a pattern of vibration upon receiving a signal from said trailer braking system confirming that requested braking is being applied.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein the signal received from said trailer braking system is generated from trailer brake magnets or trailer braking gain and / or boost levels.

7. The control system of claim 1 wherein the haptic feedback device provides a pattern of vibration upon receiving a signal relating to a fault or warning condition.

8. The control system of claim 7 wherein the fault or warning condition is selected from the group consisting of trailer breakaway, no connection, short to ground, or short to battery.

9. A control system for controlling the functions and reporting the conditions of a trailer being towed by a vehicle, the control system comprising: a control device for operation by an operator of a vehicle towing a trailer, the control device being operably connected to the trailer such to control and receive signals related to at least one trailer-related function and at least one trailer related fault or warnings; a haptic feedback device operably connected to the controller such that operation of the controller to control a trailer-related function or the receiving of a signal from a trailer sensor results in activation of the haptic feedback device.

10. The control system of claim 9 wherein the haptic feedback device is selected from the group consisting of eccentric rotating mass actuators, linear resonant actuators, or Piezoelectric actuators.

11. The control system of claim 9 wherein the control device is selected from the group consisting of slider switches, rotational knob switches, plunger switches, lever switches, touchscreens, and auxiliary controllers.

12. The control system of claim 9 wherein the fault or warning condition is selected from the group consisting of trailer breakaway, no connection, short to ground, or short to battery.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein when a fault or warning condition is received by the controller, haptic feedback device does not actuate to indicate to the operator the existence of the fault or warning condition.

14. The control system of claim 9 wherein a trailer-related function controlled by the controller is a trailer braking system.

15. The control system of claim 14 wherein the haptic feedback device provides a pattern of vibration upon receiving a signal from said trailer braking system confirming that requested braking is being applied.

16. The control system of claim 15 wherein the signal received from said trailer braking system is generated from trailer brake magnets or trailer braking gain and / or boost levels.

17. A control system for controlling the brake system in a trailer being towed by a vehicle and reporting the status conditions thereof, the control system comprising:an auxiliary controller, the auxiliary' controller including a housing, an indicator display, control buttons, a power source, a control board, and a haptic actuator mounted in the housing, the auxiliary' controller being operably connected to the trailer to control and receive signals related the control and operation of a braking system of the trailer; wherein the haptic actuator is operably connected to the controller such that reception of a signal from the trailer brake system results in activation of the haptic actuator.

18. The control system of claim 17 wherein the haptic actuator is selected from the group consisting of eccentric rotating mass actuators, linear resonant actuators, or Piezoelectric actuators.

19. The control system of claim 17 wherein the signal received from said trailer braking system is generated from trailer brake magnets or trailer braking gain and / or boost levels.

20. The control system of claim 17 wherein the wherein if the signal received from said trailer braking system corresponds to braking application significantly below braking requested by an operator through the controller, the activation of the haptic actuator generates an alarm state haptic vibration.

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