Vehicle Haptic Cover Plate With Torque-Compensating Actuation Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle operating devices with haptic feedback systems experience torque-related noise issues due to the mechanical excitation of displays, which can be costly to mitigate with complex bearings.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle operating unit with a housing, an operating element featuring a display and a cover plate that allows elastic lateral displacement, an actuator with a rigid drive unit coupled to the housing, and an elastic actuation arm that compensates for torque by extending beyond the force application point and being fixed in the housing, enabling translational movement without rotational disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator directly acts on the display for haptic feedback, then the haptic feedback effect is achieved, but torque is generated causing noise and requiring complex bearings
Solution Approach 1:
An actuation arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the actuator and the cover plate. The actuator acts on the actuation arm, which in turn acts on the cover plate, thereby mediating the force transmission and eliminating direct contact that causes torque and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection is segmented into multiple components: the actuator, the actuation arm, and the cover plate. This segmentation allows the actuation arm to serve as a separate element that can be optimized to reduce torque transmission while maintaining haptic feedback functionality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If complex bearings are added to absorb torque, then noise is reduced, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation arm is designed to utilize the torque generated during actuation as a beneficial feature. By extending the actuation arm beyond the force application point and fixing it to the housing, the torque is converted into a stabilizing moment that actually reduces vibrations and noise without requiring additional bearing systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the actuation arm is extended beyond the force application point and fixed to the housing, then torque is compensated and translational movement is achieved, but the actuation arm structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation arm is designed as an elastic component that can dynamically adapt during actuation. The elasticity allows the arm to flex and return to its original position, providing the necessary movement while maintaining structural simplicity. This dynamic design eliminates the need for complex mechanical joints or bearings.
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
The solution effectively compensates for torque, allowing the cover plate to perform substantial lateral movement while minimizing noise and additional costs associated with complex bearing systems, thus providing effective haptic feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation arm is extended, starting from its displacement portion, beyond the force application point and comprises an extension portion within which the actuation arm is elastically and mechanically fixed
Implementation Method 2
an elastic actuation arm which projects from the projecting portion of the cover plate and which is mechanically acted on by the actuating element of the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The operating unit for a vehicle comprises a housing with an operating element on the front side, wherein the operating element has a display with a display surface and a cover plate, which defines an operating surface of the operating element, and has at least one projection region projecting laterally over the display, and is elastically laterally moveably mounted on and/or in the housing. An actuator is arranged below the cover plate, said actuator having a drive and a control element driven by the drive. The operating unit is also provided with an elastic actuation arm which protrudes from the cover plate and which is mechanically acted upon by the control element of the actuator at a force application point of the actuation arm. The actuation arm has a displacement portion, reaching between the cover plate and the force application point, for laterally shifting the cover plate, and is extended from the displacement portion thereof beyond the force application point, as well as being provided with an extension portion, within which the actuation arm is elastically and mechanically fixed.