Vehicle Touch Input Panel With Haptic Isolation and Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle input devices face challenges in manufacturing complexity and flexibility due to the integration of multiple buttons with associated light sources, which increases production costs and complicates the manufacturing process, especially when optional features like sunroofs are involved.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a housing, vibration generating unit, decoupling unit, light guide, and light source arrangement that allows for compact design and flexible adjustment to vehicle configurations, using a light guide to illuminate the input panel remotely and a decoupling unit to separate the vibration generating unit from the housing, reducing the need for multiple light sources and simplifying production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If each button is associated with its own light source, then the input panel can be illuminated, but the manufacturing complexity increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
A single light source serves multiple buttons simultaneously through the light guide, making the lighting system universal rather than individual for each button. This reduces the number of light sources from multiple to one, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining illumination of all buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary component that transfers light from a single light source to multiple buttons. This mediator enables one light source to illuminate multiple areas, resolving the contradiction between adequate illumination and manufacturing complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are integrated into the input device, then each button can be illuminated, but the device occupies more space and resources
Solution Approach 1:
One light source performs the function of multiple light sources by illuminating all buttons through the light guide. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple separate light sources, reducing the overall volume and resource requirements of the input device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple lighting functions into a single integrated lighting system consisting of one light source and a light guide. This consolidation combines what would have been separate components into one unified system, reducing device volume.
3Device complexity
If the vibration generating unit is directly fastened to the housing, then the structure is simple, but the vibrations are transferred to the housing causing unwanted noise and reducing haptic feedback quality
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling unit serves as an intermediary between the vibration generating unit and the housing. It allows the vibration unit to be mounted while preventing harmful vibration transfer to the housing, thus eliminating unwanted noise while maintaining structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling function is extracted as a separate unit between the vibration generator and housing. This extracted intermediate layer specifically addresses vibration isolation without complicating the overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and vibration control.
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 provides a compact, flexible, and cost-effective input device that can be easily adjusted to different vehicle configurations, saving resources and constructional space while ensuring effective haptic and visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light guide arranged in the cavity for guiding light generated by a light source to the input panel for illuminating the same
Implementation Method 2
the vibration generating unit is activated upon touching the input panel, the input panel is supported to the housing such that the vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit are transferred to the input panel, thereby providing haptic feedback
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The present invention relates to an input device (101, 102) of or for a vehicle (12) for inputting commands for triggering vehicle related functions, comprising a housing (14) enclosing a cavity (16), a vibration generating unit (26) arranged in the cavity (16), the vibration generating unit (26) comprising an exciter (28) for generating vibrations or impulses, a decoupling unit (56) by which the vibration generating unit (26) is fastened to the housing (14), the decoupling unit (56) being designed for decoupling the vibrations from the housing (14), an input panel (50) for inputting commands for triggering vehicle related functions by touching the input panel (50), wherein the vibration generating unit (26) is activated upon touching the input panel (50), the input panel (50) is supported in the input device (101, 102) such that the vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit (26) are transferred to the input panel (50), thereby providing haptic feedback, and at least one light guide (34) arranged in the cavity (16) for guiding light generated by a light source (20) to the input panel (50) for illuminating the same. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a vehicle (12) comprising such an input device (101, 102).