Control Unit Lateral Haptic Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of force sense/force feedback systems in vehicle components like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems is challenging due to the need for expensive storage of the control element, which requires recording actuating force and providing tactile feedback through movable mounting.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with an elastically supported operating element that moves laterally after actuation, using sensors to detect actuation and an actuator to provide tactile feedback orthogonal to the actuation direction, with support arms allowing rigid mounting in the actuation direction and flexibility laterally, utilizing Z- or U-shaped support arms with film hinge-like designs for flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control element is movably mounted to provide tactile feedback, then the user interface is enhanced, but the mechanical structure becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support arms that can be independently designed and positioned. Each support arm can be optimized for specific functions (support, guidance, actuation) while reducing the complexity of the overall structure. This segmentation allows the system to provide tactile feedback through coordinated movement of multiple simpler components rather than one complex movable mounting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces lateral movement (transverse to the actuation direction) as an additional degree of freedom for tactile feedback. Instead of relying solely on vertical movement in the actuation direction, the control element can move laterally to provide haptic feedback. This dimensional change distributes the feedback mechanism across different spatial dimensions, simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining effective tactile response.
2Measurement precision
If the control element is elastically supported in the actuation direction, then force detection is enabled, but lateral rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are designed with non-uniform cross-sections, having different moments of inertia in different directions. Specifically, the support arms have higher rigidity in the lateral direction (to maintain structural stability) while maintaining elastic compliance in the actuation direction (for force detection). This local quality differentiation allows the same support structure to simultaneously satisfy both requirements of force detection and lateral rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms can be constructed using composite material structures or heterogeneous materials that exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties. These composite structures provide different stiffness characteristics in different directions, enabling the support element to be compliant in the actuation direction for accurate force detection while maintaining rigidity in the lateral direction for structural stability.
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
This design simplifies the mechanical structure, provides haptic feedback through lateral movement, and allows for precise force detection and displacement measurement without play, enhancing the user interface's tactile feedback while maintaining rigidity in the actuation direction.
Implementation Method 1
The operating element (16) can be depressed in the direction of actuation and is elastically supported on a supporting element (24)
Implementation Method 2
Tactile feedback is provided in the form of a forced vibration movement of the control element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The control unit (10) for an electrical appliance, in particular a vehicle component such as a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system, is provided with a control element (16) which can be pressed down in a direction of actuation (28), and a support element (24) which is mechanically coupled to the control element (16) and on which the control element (16) is elastically supported so as to be movable in the direction of actuation (28). The control element (10) further comprises a sensor (30) for detecting the motion of the control element (16) when the latter is pressed down, and/or for detecting a force applied to the control element (16), an actuator (36) for moving the support element (24) and the control element (16) coupled thereto, and an evaluation and drive unit (34) connected to the sensor (30) and to the actuator (36) for driving the actuator (36) when the sensor (30) detects the motion of the control element (16) as a result of the latter being pressed down, and/or a force applied to the control element (16). The support element (24) can be moved by the actuator (36) in at least one direction of movement (38) transverse to the direction of actuation (28) of the control element (16).