Haptic Switch Assembly With Axial PCB Layout for Driver Touch Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacitive sense touchscreen technologies in vehicles distract drivers due to significant visual engagement, while mechanical switches offer limited functionality and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A switch assembly with axially arranged PCBs, force sensors, a light guide, and haptic feedback mechanism, providing tactile feedback and allowing control of multiple functions with minimal footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive sense touchscreen technologies are used, then control flexibility is improved, but driver distraction increases due to significant visual engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical switches with a capacitive sense touchscreen that provides tactile feedback through haptic actuation. The touchscreen surface allows drivers to interact with multiple vehicle functions through touch gestures while receiving tactile confirmation, eliminating the need for visual engagement while maintaining control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements haptic feedback mechanisms that provide tactile response to driver inputs on the capacitive touchscreen. This feedback loop allows drivers to receive confirmation of their selections through touch sensation rather than visual attention, reducing driver distraction while maintaining versatile control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical switches are used, then driver distraction is reduced through tactile feedback, but control flexibility is limited with each switch controlling a single function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidcontrol flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a capacitive touchscreen interface where a single touch surface controls multiple vehicle functions. Different zones, gestures, and press patterns on the touchscreen correspond to different functions, allowing one component to replace multiple mechanical switches while providing tactile feedback for each control option.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds tactile feedback as an additional dimension to the capacitive touchscreen interface. By incorporating haptic actuation mechanisms, the system provides physical feedback in the tactile dimension while maintaining the visual display dimension, enabling drivers to interact with multiple functions through touch sensation without requiring visual engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mechanical switches are installed to control multiple functions, then control flexibility is improved, but device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual mechanical switch functions into a single capacitive touchscreen assembly. The touchscreen surface integrates multiple control zones and gesture recognition capabilities, allowing drivers to access numerous vehicle functions through one compact interface rather than requiring separate switches for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Reduces driver distraction by offering tactile feedback and enabling control of multiple vehicle systems without requiring visual attention, while minimizing the assembly's size and enhancing durability of components.

Implementation Method 1

A force sensor disposed on one of the PCBs receives force input received by the touch overlay plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Implementation Method 2

a haptic feedback mechanism, providing tactile feedback

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12510984B2Switch assembly and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC

AI summary

Various implementations include a switch assembly that includes a housing and at least two printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are disposed within the housing and are axially arranged relative to each other. One or more force sensors are disposed on one of the PCBs, and, in some implementations, the one or more force sensors receive force input received by a touch overlay plate. Signals from the force sensors are processed to determine a magnitude, acceleration, and/or location of the force input, and a haptic feedback response is received by the touch overlay plate. The haptic feedback response is based on the force magnitude, acceleration, and/or location of input, according to some implementations. Axially arranging the PCBs reduces the footprint of the switch assembly and allows for the inclusion of more electrical components in the switch assembly, according to some implementations.