Haptic Display Front Glass Motion for Compact Dashboard Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of integrating haptic feedback displays into vehicle dashboards is constrained by limited space, requiring multiple large mechanical actuators to achieve minimum displacement and acceleration, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a movable front glass and modulator system, utilizing a mechanical actuator to move only part of the display relative to the backlighting device, reducing the mass to be vibrated and allowing smaller or fewer actuators to provide effective haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple large mechanical actuators are used to achieve haptic feedback, then the minimum displacement and acceleration constraints are satisfied, but the device volume and mass increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback performanceVSAvoiddisplay device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is segmented into two separate assemblies: a first assembly containing the front glass and modulator, and a second assembly containing the backlighting device. The mechanical actuator moves only the first assembly relative to the second assembly, rather than moving the entire display device. This segmentation allows the haptic feedback to be achieved with a smaller actuator that moves a reduced mass, thereby satisfying the minimum displacement and acceleration constraints while reducing the overall device volume and actuator size requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple large mechanical actuators are used to achieve haptic feedback, then the acceleration and displacement constraints are met, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the display device into movable and stationary assemblies, the invention reduces the mass that needs to be accelerated for haptic feedback. This allows the use of fewer and smaller mechanical actuators, directly reducing component costs and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining haptic feedback performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the entire display device mass, the invention applies partial action by moving only the front glass and modulator assembly. This partial movement is sufficient to generate the required haptic feedback effect at the user's finger contact point, avoiding the excessive action of moving the complete display assembly and thereby reducing actuator requirements and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the entire display device is moved for haptic feedback, then the haptic effect is achieved, but the mass to be vibrated is too large for compact integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback effectVSAvoidmass to be vibrated
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into a movable assembly (front glass and modulator) and a stationary assembly (backlighting device). Only the movable assembly with lower mass is accelerated by the mechanical actuator to produce haptic feedback. This segmentation dramatically reduces the mass to be vibrated compared to moving the entire display device, enabling compact integration while maintaining effective haptic feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial action by moving only the necessary components (front glass and modulator) rather than the entire display device. This partial movement provides sufficient haptic feedback at the user interface while minimizing the mass to be accelerated, enabling the system to meet haptic performance requirements with smaller actuators suitable for compact vehicle dashboard integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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 design enables compact integration of haptic feedback displays in small spaces while maintaining haptic performance, reducing the number of actuators needed and lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

said mechanical actuator is a piezoelectric actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least one spring, in contact by a first end with said backlighting device and by a second end with said second connecting element, so as to pre-stress said mechanical actuator and/or to return said front glass to an equilibrium position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

said flexible element is arranged so as to remain in an elastic deformation regime when said front glass undergoes an acceleration of at least 6 G and a displacement of at least 100 micrometers relative to said structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

at least one sensor is arranged between said facade glass and said structure, and is designed to measure a force exerted on said facade glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP4217832B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP4217832B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4217832B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device (1) comprising: - a cover glass (10); - a back-lighting device (20), which is designed to generate a source light beam; - a modulator (12), which is securely fastened to the cover glass and located between said cover glass and the back-lighting device so as to receive the source light beam and to transmit a modulated light beam through the cover glass; and - at least one mechanical actuator (30); according to the invention, said mechanical actuator is placed so as to be able to move the cover glass with respect to the back-lighting device.