Haptic Rotary Knob With Magnetic Field Concentration for Low Base Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Haptic operating devices, particularly in vehicles and smart devices, face challenges in achieving a low base torque for intuitive operation, as existing magnetorheological brakes have high base torque due to unfavorable shearing areas, making them unsuitable for small rotary knobs and requiring additional locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A haptic interface with a magnetorheological transmission apparatus featuring a magnetic field concentrator that focuses the magnetic field onto a smaller area, allowing for a low base torque and flexible operation by varying the resistance of a rotary element based on the selected menu, enabling easy rotation with minimal finger effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If magnetorheological brakes with conventional shearing area design are used, then torque transmission capability is improved, but base torque becomes too high for intuitive operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the magnetic field onto a smaller, specific area rather than distributing it uniformly. The magnetic field concentrator focuses the field to act only on the shearing area where needed, creating high torque transmission capability locally while keeping the overall base torque low. This resolves the contradiction by providing strong torque where required without increasing the base torque across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field concentrator serves as an intermediary element between the magnetorheological fluid and the rotary element. It mediates the magnetic field distribution, concentrating it precisely where torque transmission is needed while preventing excessive base torque. This intermediary structure enables high torque capability without proportionally increasing the base torque, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If magnetorheological brakes with high base torque are used, then blocking capability is improved, but additional locking mechanisms become unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the magnetic field locally at the shearing area, the patent achieves high blocking capability precisely where needed without requiring high base torque throughout the entire system. This local concentration approach provides reliable blocking function while avoiding the need for additional locking mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetorheological transmission apparatus that provides blocking capability through controlled magnetic field concentration. The magnetorheological fluid, when subjected to the concentrated magnetic field, provides sufficient blocking force to eliminate the need for separate mechanical locking components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic field is concentrated onto smaller area, then base torque is reduced for easy rotation, but torque transmission efficiency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field concentrator creates local quality by concentrating the magnetic field precisely at the shearing area where torque transmission occurs. This allows the system to maintain high torque transmission efficiency locally while keeping the overall base torque low, enabling easy rotation. The concentrated field ensures that torque is generated only where needed, not across the entire rotary element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of the magnetic field from uniform to concentrated. By adjusting the magnetic field concentration parameter, the system achieves low base torque for easy rotation while maintaining high torque transmission efficiency when the field is activated. This parameter change allows the system to switch between easy rotation and effective torque transmission as 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 base torque less than 0.1 Nm, allowing convenient single-finger operation and reducing the need for complex locking mechanisms, while maintaining low fluid friction and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetorheological transmission in which the transmission property is affected by a magnetorheological fluid that is subjected to a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
A haptic interface with a magnetorheological transmission apparatus featuring a magnetic field concentrator that focuses the magnetic field onto a smaller area
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices, such as consumer electronics devices and control systems in vehicles are controlled by way of a haptic operating device with a rotating unit. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit, and a menu item is selected by rotating the rotating unit. The rotating unit latches at a number of haptically perceptible latching points during rotation. The number and rotational position of the haptically perceptible latching points is dynamically changed in accordance with a specific menu item selected by the user.