Force Sensor Actuator Haptic Feedback Motor Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating arrangements in motor vehicles often provide unreliable haptic feedback, leading to mechanical stress and potential defects, as they can generate feedback without actually operating the electrical device, causing confusion for operators.

Innovation Solution

An operating arrangement with a force sensor and actuator that generates a switching signal only when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded, ensuring haptic feedback is provided only when the electrical device is operated, and incorporating touch-sensitive sensors to prevent unintentional operation, along with multiple force thresholds for nuanced control and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical haptic feedback is provided without verifying electrical device operation, then operator feedback is provided, but reliability of feedback deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of haptic feedbackVSAvoidcomplexity of operating arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the haptic actuator provides mechanical feedback to the operator only after confirming that the electrical device has actually operated in response to the operating element actuation. The control unit monitors the electrical device's operation status and conditionally activates the haptic actuator based on this confirmation, ensuring reliable feedback while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If force threshold verification is implemented, then unintentional operation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional operationVSAvoidcomplexity of sensor system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with an electronic force sensor system. The force sensor electronically detects whether a predetermined force threshold has been exceeded, and the control unit processes this information to prevent unintentional operation. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic sensing and control reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If haptic feedback is generated without force verification, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of force detectionVSAvoidease of operating element actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary force verification before triggering haptic feedback. The force sensor detects and verifies that the predetermined force threshold has been exceeded before the control unit activates the haptic actuator. This preliminary action ensures precise force measurement while maintaining ease of operation, as the operator simply needs to apply the threshold force without complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides reliable haptic feedback to operators, ensuring safe and correct operation of safety-relevant electrical devices by ensuring feedback is only generated when the device is in use, reducing mechanical stress and enhancing user safety and device longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a force sensor, by means of which the force that can be exerted can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an actuator, by means of which a haptic signal for haptic perception by an operator on the control element can be generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3388276B1Operating arrangement for operating at least one electrical appliance with a force sensor, driver assistance system, motor vehicle, and method of operating an operating arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP3388276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3388276B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3388276B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an operating arrangement (3) for operating at least one electrical device (17, 18) in a motor vehicle (1), comprising an operating element (4) upon which, when the operating element (4) is actuated in a first actuation direction (12) viewed from a basic position (14) of the operating element (4), a force can be exerted by an operator, and comprising a force sensor (11) by means of which the exertable force can be detected, wherein, upon exceeding a predetermined first force threshold (A1), the operating arrangement (3) generates a switching signal for operating the electrical device (17, 18), wherein the operating arrangement (3) comprises an actuator (6).wherein, when the first force threshold (A1) is exceeded, a control device (7) of the operating arrangement (3) generates a control signal to the actuator (6) and the actuator (6) generates a first haptic signal for haptic perception by the operator at the operating element (4).