Haptic Actuator Secondary Control for Wear Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haptic feedback tactile interface modules in vehicles suffer from reduced efficiency due to repeated shocks between mechanical parts, leading to unwanted noise and wear, and the use of damping elements absorbs energy, reducing overall performance.

Innovation Solution

A haptic feedback tactile interface module that incorporates a secondary actuator, such as a piezoelectric oscillator or electromagnetic actuation means, connected to both the frame and the movable core, along with elastic means like springs or polymers, to modulate and enhance haptic feedback without mechanical impacts, using a control unit to actuate these components in various phases to generate a range of haptic responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If damping elements are implemented between parts likely to collide, then wear and noise are reduced, but energy absorption reduces overall actuator efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator durabilityVSAvoidactuator efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes damping elements from the system entirely. Instead of absorbing energy, the design allows the moving core to freely reverse direction at the ends of its travel without collision dampers, eliminating energy loss while preventing wear through magnetic field control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical damping elements with electromagnetic control. The coil and magnet system controls the moving core's motion through magnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical dampers and their associated energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If moving cores strike stops or actuator frame at end of travel, then mechanical limits are enforced, but repeated impacts produce noise and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical constraintVSAvoidnoise and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful mechanical impact into a beneficial magnetic field interaction. The moving core reverses direction through magnetic braking and attraction forces, transforming what would be a damaging mechanical strike into a controlled electromagnetic deceleration and reversal process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical stops and physical constraints with electromagnetic field control. The coil and magnet system enforces travel limits through magnetic forces, eliminating mechanical impacts and their associated noise and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If electromagnetic actuators use coil and magnets to generate haptic feedback, then user perceives feedback, but moving parts collide reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback perceptionVSAvoidactuator effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical collision-based feedback with electromagnetic field-based feedback. The coil and magnet system generates haptic sensations through controlled magnetic forces and vibrations, eliminating the need for mechanical impacts to convey feedback information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves the haptic feedback experience by avoiding mechanical impacts, maintaining efficiency, and allowing for a wide range of haptic responses with reduced energy consumption, thus enhancing user interaction in vehicle control systems.

Implementation Method 1

the actuator comprises electromagnetic actuation means (15, 17)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The secondary actuator includes a piezoelectric oscillator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2740016B1Touch interface module

Publication Date: 2019.01.09 DAV

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an actuator (9) for a touch interface module (1) with haptic feedback, the interface module comprising a touch surface (3) able to detect at least one property of a user's touch, the actuator (9) comprising: a frame (11); a moveable core (13) interacting with the frame (11) and intended to be driven to move between extreme positions in order to generate the haptic feedback; and a main actuator connected to the touch surface (3) and able to generate haptic feedback depending on the detected touch and comprising electromagnetic actuating means (15, 17) for driving the moveable core (13) to move, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a controlled secondary actuator (18) cooperating with the moveable core (13).