Operation Feel Input Device Torque-Based Brake Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operation feel imparting devices struggle to provide suitable resistive and pulling feels to operators while preventing catching feels when transitioning from an endstop state, often resulting in complex motor control and unnecessary vibrations.

Innovation Solution

An operation feel imparting type input device with a rotating body, a rotatable operation knob, a rotation angle detection unit, a brake application unit, a torque application unit, and an operation torque detection unit, where the brake is released based on the magnitude of the operation torque detected, allowing for controlled torque application and prevention of catching feels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If motor control is used to impart resistive and acceleration feels, then operation feels can be imparted to the operator, but control becomes complicated and unnecessary vibrations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation feelVSAvoidmotor control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces motor control with a mechanical brake system that uses magnetic field responsive material to generate resistive force. The brake application unit applies braking force to the rotating body through magnetic field action on the magnetic field responsive material, eliminating the need for complex motor control while still imparting resistive feel to the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a brake application unit as an intermediary between the operator's input and the system response. This unit uses magnetic field responsive material as a mediator to convert magnetic field intensity changes into mechanical braking force, providing smooth resistive feedback without the vibrations and complexity of direct motor control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If motor rotation direction is switched to change from endstop state, then direction change can be achieved, but catching feel occurs and response is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection change responseVSAvoidoperation feel

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the brake application unit to provide gradual braking force before the rotating body reaches the endstop position. The rotation angle detection unit detects the approaching endstop and the brake application unit gradually increases braking force, allowing smooth deceleration and direction change without sudden catching feels or delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the braking force adjustable and continuous rather than fixed. The brake application unit can dynamically modulate the magnetic field intensity to the magnetic field responsive material, providing variable resistive force that adapts to the rotating body's position and motion state, enabling smooth transitions without mechanical catching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If brake force is applied to the rotating body, then braking can be achieved, but cannot apply rotational force to impart operation feels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidoperation feel

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the brake application unit with the torque application unit into an integrated system. Both units act on the same rotating body and can be controlled simultaneously by the control unit, allowing the combination of braking force and rotational torque to be applied together to impart comprehensive operation feels including resistive feel, acceleration feel, and catching feel.

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

The device effectively imparts resistive and pulling feels to operators while preventing catching feels during transitions from an endstop state, providing a natural operation feel and accurate brake control using magnetorheological fluid and torque-based brake release.

Implementation Method 1

a brake application unit configured to apply a braking force to the rotating body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetorheological fluid: Magnetorheological Fluid

Implementation Method 2

a torque application unit configured to apply a torque to the rotating body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10845840B2Operation feel imparting type input device

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An operation feel imparting type input device includes a fixed part, a rotating body rotatably supported by the fixed part, a rotatable operation knob fixed to the rotating body, a rotation angle detection unit configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotating body, a brake application unit configured to apply a braking force to the rotating body, a torque application unit configured to apply a torque to the rotating body, a control unit configured to control the brake application unit and the torque application unit, and an operation torque detection unit configured to detect the magnitude of an operation torque applied to the rotating body. When the rotating body is rotated from an endstop, brake release is performed according to the magnitude of the operation torque.