Automotive Haptic Feedback Control Under Ambient Vibration

Solution Overview

Problem

Ambient vibration in automotive environments affects the perceived strength of haptic experiences, making them imperceptible or uncomfortably strong, depending on the set strength of haptic feedback relative to the ambient vibration level.

Innovation Solution

A haptic control system that adjusts the haptic output based on ambient vibration levels by obtaining and determining the level of ambient vibration, generating a haptic control signal that compensates for these vibrations, ensuring consistent and comfortable haptic experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If haptic feedback strength is increased to overcome ambient vibration, then haptic experience becomes perceptible, but user comfort deteriorates due to uncomfortably strong feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic experience perceptibilityVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic control system dynamically adjusts the haptic feedback strength based on real-time ambient vibration level detection. The controller continuously monitors vibration levels and modifies the haptic output accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to maintain optimal haptic experience across varying vibration conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where ambient vibration levels are detected and used to adjust haptic feedback strength. The controller receives vibration level information and modifies the haptic actuator output in response, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If haptic feedback strength is decreased to improve user comfort, then user comfort improves, but haptic experience becomes imperceptible against ambient vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidhaptic experience perceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts haptic feedback strength based on real-time ambient vibration level detection. The controller continuously monitors vibration levels and modifies the haptic output accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to maintain optimal haptic experience across varying vibration conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where ambient vibration levels are detected and used to adjust haptic feedback strength. The controller receives vibration level information and modifies the haptic actuator output in response, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If fixed haptic feedback strength is used, then system complexity is low, but haptic experience quality deteriorates in varying vibration environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidhaptic experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic controller performs multiple functions: it generates haptic feedback signals and simultaneously monitors ambient vibration levels to adjust feedback strength. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to varying environments without requiring entirely separate control and sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where ambient vibration levels are detected and used to adjust haptic feedback strength. The controller receives vibration level information and modifies the haptic actuator output in response, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250249925A1Haptic control for automotive environments

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 CIRRUS LOGIC INT SEMICON LTD

AI summary

An automotive haptic control system for controlling a haptic output of a haptic actuator of an automobile, the haptic control system comprising: a haptic controller configured to: obtain vibrational information indicative of a level of ambient vibration in an operational environment of the haptic actuator, wherein the operational environment is an automotive environment; determine the level of ambient vibration from the vibrational information; and generate a haptic control signal for use in controlling the haptic output of the haptic actuator, wherein a value of the haptic control signal is a function of the level of ambient vibration.