Haptic Operating Device with Dynamic Rotational Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minicomputers and smartwatches with small display sizes face operational difficulties due to the large size of fingertips covering the display, and prior haptic elements using magnetorheological fluids have high rotational resistance, making them unsuitable for fine operations.
Innovation Solution
A minicomputer with a haptic operating device featuring a rotatable unit and a controllable transmission apparatus that dynamically changes rotational resistance using a magnetic field and magnetorheological medium, allowing for adjustable torque and improved user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotational resistance is kept low for easy operation, then single-finger operation becomes possible, but control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts rotational resistance based on the operational phase. During normal scrolling or navigation, the resistance remains low to enable effortless single-finger operation. When a selection or confirmation action is needed, the resistance increases to provide tactile feedback and improve control precision, resolving the trade-off between ease of operation and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational resistance is periodically adjusted during operation cycles. The system alternates between low-resistance states for navigation and high-resistance states for selection, creating a periodic pattern that provides both ease of operation and precision when needed.
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 enables a minicomputer with a low rotational resistance, allowing for easy operation with a single finger, reducing the need for two-handed operation and enhancing user experience by dynamically adjusting torque based on the current state and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a controllable transmission apparatus operatively associated with the rotating unit and configured for dynamically changing a rotational resistance against a rotation of the rotating unit during the rotation thereof, the controllable transmission apparatus including a magnetic field generating unit and an amount of magnetorheological medium disposed to magnetically adhere to the rotating unit upon being subjected to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit
Data Source
AI summary
A minicomputer has a processor and a display unit and a communication unit and a haptic operating device. The haptic operating device has a rotatable rotating unit with a rotational resistance which can be changed by way of a control device. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit and a menu item is selected by rotating the rotating unit. A rotational resistance of the rotating unit is dynamically changed during a rotation of the rotating unit and the rotating unit is latched at a plurality of haptically perceptible latching points during the rotation of the rotating unit.