Active Haptic Vehicle Controls for Long-Press Function Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operator control elements in motor vehicles provide mechanical haptic feedback regardless of the functionality of the control elements, leading to confusion and undiscovered long-press functions.
Innovation Solution
A control device that determines whether an operator control element is being operated with a short press or a long press, and activates an active haptic feedback if a long-press function is assigned but not performed, allowing for context-dependent haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical haptic feedback is provided for all operator control elements, then consistent control feedback is achieved, but user confusion increases when functions are not usable
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback system transitions from static mechanical feedback to dynamic active haptic feedback that adapts based on operational context. The control unit activates different haptic patterns (confirmation for usable functions, error indication for unusable functions) depending on real-time system state, resolving the contradiction between consistency and information provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements contextual feedback by analyzing whether the pressed control element corresponds to a currently usable function. The control unit provides differentiated haptic feedback - confirmation signals for valid functions and error signals for invalid functions - thereby conveying functionality information while maintaining reliable feedback delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long-press functions are implemented, then additional functionality is provided, but user discovery difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation during the pressing action itself. As the user presses the control element, the control unit immediately determines whether a long-press function is assigned and prepares the appropriate haptic feedback pattern, enabling real-time guidance without requiring users to learn or search for function meanings beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
Differentiated haptic feedback provides immediate information about function type during the pressing action. The system delivers specific haptic patterns that inform users whether they are activating a standard function or a long-press function, making function discovery intuitive and eliminating the need for prior learning or manual reference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active haptics actuators are added to operator control elements, then context-dependent feedback is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes control element inputs, determines function usability, selects appropriate haptic patterns, and activates the actuator. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function, making the added complexity manageable and justified by the gained adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the mechanical control element and the active haptic actuator. It translates physical pressing actions into contextual haptic responses by evaluating system state and selecting appropriate feedback patterns, thereby managing the complexity of integrating active haptics while enabling rich contextual feedback.
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
The solution enhances user experience by providing clear haptic feedback about the operability of control elements, reducing confusion and minimizing distractions for drivers by indicating the need for longer operation to perform assigned functions.
Implementation Method 1
By way of example, the actuator can comprise or be in the form of a piezoelectric actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for activating an active haptics operator control element for a motor vehicle is configured to determine whether the operator control element is being operated with a short press or a long press. The control device is configured so as, if it has been determined that the operator control element has been operated with a short press, to determine whether the operator control element has an assigned long-press function that is performable after the operator control element has been operated with a long press, and to activate the operator control element to output an active haptic feedback if it has been determined that the operator control element has an assigned long-press function.