Active Haptic Actuator Layout for Uniform Automotive Touch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic actuators for human machine interfaces, particularly in vehicles, face challenges in efficiently transferring vibration energy to the user while ensuring durability and uniformity across surfaces, often requiring complex mechanical decoupling that increases size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A haptic actuator design with a ferromagnetic plate and non-ferromagnetic vibrating plate, using a coil core and spring mechanism for self-supporting mechanical decoupling, allowing efficient energy transfer in the Z positive direction without external support, eliminating the need for permanent magnets and reducing the actuator's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical decoupling concepts are used with decoupling elements, then component robustness and durability are improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the haptic actuator and mechanical decoupling functions into a single integrated unit. The actuator housing serves dual purposes: containing the actuator components and providing the mechanical decoupling function through its elastic mounting to the vehicle structure, eliminating the need for separate decoupling elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the actuator mechanism, provides structural support, and acts as the decoupling element through elastic mounting. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall mechanical decoupling system.
2Reliability
If the complete HMI box vibrates to transfer energy to user's finger, then feedback is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vibration function to only the necessary components. Instead of vibrating the entire HMI box, only the actuator housing and localized components are vibrated through elastic mounting, while other parts remain stationary. This segmentation reduces the mass that needs to be accelerated and lowers energy consumption for vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic mounting creates localized vibration isolation, allowing vibration energy to be concentrated where needed (at the user's finger contact point) while other parts of the HMI box remain relatively stationary. This local quality approach ensures effective feedback transfer with minimal energy expenditure.
3Loss of energy
If decoupling elements are arranged inside HMI box to reduce energy absorption, then energy efficiency improves, but vibration feedback uniformity across surface decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic elastic mounting that allows controlled vibration transmission. The elastic mounting dynamically adapts to vibration frequencies and amplitudes, maintaining uniform feedback across the surface while minimizing unnecessary energy absorption through its frequency-dependent damping characteristics.
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 design enhances energy transfer efficiency, simplifies mechanical design, reduces costs, and allows for multiple actuator placements, ensuring reliable vibration feedback across surfaces with reduced complexity and size.
Implementation Method 1
coil winding on a bobbin and through which a coil core extends... when current is applied to the coil winding, with the gap being reduced due to a movement of the ferromagnetic plate away from the base plate and towards the ferromagnetic plate
Implementation Method 2
the spring means are configured to bring back the ferromagnetic plate to its resting position when no current is applied to the coil winding, from its activation position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an active haptic feedback device for a human machine interface, comprising a fixed part, a moveable part and a vibrating plate, wherein the fixed part comprises a coil winding on a bobbin and through which a coil core extends, which is fixed to a base plate; the moveable part comprises a ferromagnetic plate arranged between the coil core and the base plate, wherein the ferromagnetic plate has a resting state, when no current is applied to the coil winding, with a gap between the ferromagnetic plate and the coil core, and an activation state, when current is applied to the coil winding, with the gap being reduced due to a movement of the ferromagnetic plate away from the base plate and towards the coil core, and the vibrating plate is arranged on the side of the coil core opposite to the side of the ferromagnetic plate such that the coil core is extending at least partly between the vibrating plate and the ferromagnetic plate, wherein the vibrating plate is fixedly attached to the ferromagnetic plate and moveably attached to the base plate via spring means, wherein the spring means are configured to bring back the ferromagnetic plate to its resting position when no current is applied to the coil winding, from its activation position.