Floating PCB Mount for Haptic Vehicle Touch Controls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control devices with capacitive touch sensors lack haptic feedback, leading to unintentional actuation errors due to relative movement between the control surface and printed circuit board, which affects the accuracy of touch detection.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle control device with a floatingly mounted printed circuit board and haptic actuator unit, where the circuit board carrier is decoupled from the outer housing part, ensuring precise positioning and movement with the control unit, and providing haptic feedback through an electromagnetic drive, thus preventing unintentional actuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If capacitive touch sensors are used for control elements, then wear is reduced compared to mechanical switches, but haptic feedback is lost leading to unintentional actuation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces haptic feedback through an electromagnetic drive that generates vibrations or movements of the control element when actuated. This feedback mechanism compensates for the lack of mechanical snap-in sensation in capacitive switches, allowing users to confirm actuation through tactile sensation rather than visual inspection alone, thereby reducing unintentional errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate mechanical coupling between the control element and the printed circuit board. This coupling mechanism transmits haptic feedback from the electromagnetic drive to the control element while maintaining the electrical connection for capacitive sensing, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between electronic switching and mechanical feedback
2Ease of operation
If the control surface is shifted relative to the printed circuit board to provide haptic feedback, then tactile feedback is achieved, but unintentional actuation of adjacent touch sensors occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable mechanical coupling that can vary its degree of freedom based on operational requirements. During normal operation, the coupling maintains precise alignment for accurate touch detection. During actuation, it allows controlled movement to transmit haptic feedback, dynamically adapting between precision and feedback modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control device into functionally independent modules: the control element layer, the mechanical coupling layer, and the printed circuit board layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the control surface for tactile feedback and the touch sensors for precise detection - while maintaining their functional relationship through the coupling mechanism
3Manufacturing precision
If the printed circuit board is rigidly mounted to ensure precise positioning, then alignment accuracy is maintained, but haptic feedback transmission is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling acts as an intermediary element between the rigid printed circuit board and the flexible control element assembly. It provides precise positioning for the PCB while simultaneously enabling haptic feedback transmission to the control elements, mediating between the conflicting requirements of rigidity and flexibility
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
Ensures reliable actuation and accurate detection of touch inputs by maintaining the relative position of the printed circuit board and control unit, reducing errors and enhancing user experience with both tactile and visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
This becomes possible via corresponding capacitive touch sensors which form a capacitor between a printed circuit board and a control surface
Implementation Method 2
there is used an electromagnetic drive which generates a haptic feedback via the control element, in case the corresponding control element has been actuated. The haptic feedback can be effected in the form of a vibration of the motor vehicle control device
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle control device, comprising an outer housing part, a control unit including a control surface and a printed circuit board which is carried by a circuit board carrier that is at least partly accommodated and floatingly mounted in the outer housing part.