Motor Vehicle Button Haptics via Magnetic Field Bundling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control elements, such as joysticks, lack the ability to adjust their haptics effectively and efficiently, requiring significant design changes or costly modifications to alter the force-displacement curve.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating magnetically conductive materials, such as electrically conductive materials or rare earths, around the permanent magnets to influence the magnetic field and adjust the haptics without altering the magnets' strength or size, allowing for precise control of the force-displacement curve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetically conductive materials are added around permanent magnets, then haptics adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the magnetic field characteristics through added magnetically conductive materials rather than changing the fundamental magnet structure. This allows adjustment of haptic parameters (force magnitude, deflection path) while keeping the basic device architecture simple and recognizable.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetically conductive material acts as an intermediary between the permanent magnets and the operating element. It mediates the magnetic field interaction, allowing fine-tuning of haptic characteristics without requiring direct modification of the magnets themselves or complete redesign of the control element structure.
2Force
If permanent magnet strength or size is increased to adjust haptics, then maximum force is improved, but manufacturing cost and design effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing physical parameters of the permanent magnets (strength, size), the patent changes the magnetic field distribution parameters by introducing magnetically conductive materials. This achieves force adjustment while maintaining the same magnet specifications, thereby preserving ease of manufacture and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes a mechanical approach (changing magnet physical properties) with a magnetic field approach (using magnetically conductive materials to reshape field lines). This replacement allows force adjustment without mechanical modification of the magnets themselves, simplifying manufacturing.
3Manufacturing precision
If geometric dimensions of permanent magnets are changed to vary force-displacement curve, then haptics precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise haptics control by changing magnetic field parameters through the conductive materials rather than altering geometric dimensions. This allows independent optimization of haptic precision without coupling it to manufacturing complexity associated with precision machining of magnet geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution segments the haptics adjustment function from the magnet structure itself. The magnet geometry remains simple and easy to manufacture, while the haptics precision is achieved through separately optimized magnetically conductive materials that can be added or adjusted independently.
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
Enables targeted adjustment of the haptics with minimal design effort and cost-effectiveness, increasing the maximum force and varying the path to achieve it, while maintaining the geometric dimensions of existing magnets.
Implementation Method 1
Depending on the strength and magnetic conductivity of the casing, the external magnetic field lines are bundled to a greater or lesser extent in the casing or the side extension of the permanent magnets
Implementation Method 2
The force between the magnets keeps the secondary lever arm and thus the entire lever in the middle position
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating element (20) for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating button, a bearing site (22) for the operating button located in a housing (29) of the operating element (20), an extension (23) permanently connected to the operating button, a first permanent magnet (27) attached to the extension (23), and a second permanent magnet (28) attached in the housing (29). The permanent magnets (27, 28) form a permanent magnet pair (27, 28). In a central position of the operating button, non-identical poles of the magnets are spaced opposite from each other. A magnetically conductive material (14, 15, 16, 17) is attached at least in some regions and at the circumference on the permanent magnet pair (27, 28).