Active Haptic Vehicle Controls for Function Availability Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle operating elements provide uniform mechanical haptic feedback regardless of the availability and executability of assigned functions, making it difficult for users to discern whether a function has been successfully activated.
Innovation Solution
A control device that determines the activation of an operating element and assesses whether it is assigned an executable function, emitting distinct active haptic positive or negative feedbacks to inform the user of the function's availability and executability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If uniform mechanical haptic feedback is provided for all operating element activations, then the mechanical structure remains simple and reliable, but the user cannot distinguish whether the activated function is actually executable or available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device receives activation signals from the operating element, checks function availability, and sends control signals to the haptic actuator to provide differentiated feedback. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by enabling the user to distinguish between executable and non-executable functions through distinct haptic patterns, while keeping the overall system architecture manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback system transitions from a static, uniform mechanical response to a dynamic, context-dependent response. The control device dynamically adjusts the haptic feedback characteristics ( vibration patterns, intensity, duration) based on real-time function availability status, allowing the same physical operating element to convey different information states through varied haptic signatures.
2Ease of operation
If distinct active haptic feedbacks are provided for executable and non-executable functions, then the user can clearly distinguish function availability, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated haptic feedback characteristics for different functional states. Instead of changing the entire system architecture, the solution locally modifies the haptic response properties (vibration frequency, amplitude, pattern) based on the specific function availability condition, making the complexity localized to the feedback generation layer while keeping the operating element interface simple.
3Reliability
If mechanical haptic feedback is provided without considering function availability, then the operating element structure remains simple, but the user may be distracted by ambiguous feedback signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical haptic feedback with an active haptic system controlled by electronic actuators. This substitution allows the haptic feedback to be dynamically controlled based on software-determined function availability, replacing the limited mechanical feedback mechanisms with electronically controllable actuators that can provide programmable, context-aware haptic responses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user interaction by providing context-dependent haptic feedback, allowing users to operate elements blindly and reducing distractions, thereby improving safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator can comprise a piezo-electric actuator, or be designed as such
Data Source
AI summary
A control device actuates an active haptic operating element for a motor vehicle. The control device is designed to determine whether there is an activation of the operating element; to determine whether the operating element is assigned an available function if an activation of the operating element has been determined; and to actuate the operating element to emit an active haptic positive feedback when an activation of the operating element has been determined, and it has been determined that the operating element is assigned an executable function. The control device is designed to actuate the operating element to emit an active haptic negative feedback when an activation of the operating element has been determined, and it has been determined that no executable function is assigned to the operating element. The active haptic positive feedback and the active haptic negative feedback differ from one another.