Input Device Haptic Feedback via Mechanical Frequency Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for motor vehicles face challenges in providing effective haptic feedback due to unintended vibrations in unintended degrees of freedom, which are difficult to suppress and can be perceived as troublesome, requiring a simpler constructional design to improve haptic feedback.
Innovation Solution
The input device is designed with mechanical restoring means and an electromechanical actuator that allows movement in two degrees of freedom, with aligned mechanical natural frequencies to synchronize vibrations and achieve a deceleration effect, reducing vibration amplitude by over 70% and minimizing perceived unwanted vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the input component is designed to move in multiple degrees of freedom with mechanical restoring means, then the haptic feedback capability is improved, but unintended vibrations in unintended degrees of freedom occur and are difficult to suppress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and tuning the mechanical natural frequencies of the input component in different degrees of freedom. The restoring means are designed so that the mechanical natural frequencies in at least two degrees of freedom have a maximum deviation of less than 100 Hz, with preference for less than 50 Hz or 25 Hz. This frequency alignment causes vibrations in different degrees of freedom to be phase-synchronous, which prevents the vibrations from being perceived as troublesome by the user.
2Power
If mechanical restoring means with pronounced elastic compliance in the actuator direction are used, then the actuator performance is improved, but vibrations in other degrees of freedom cannot be completely suppressed and require large constructional effort
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is designed with pronounced elastic compliance in the actuator direction (x-direction) to optimize actuator performance, while simultaneously being configured to have comparable natural frequencies in multiple degrees of freedom. This is achieved by carefully selecting the spring constants kx and ky such that the natural frequencies fx and fy have a maximum deviation of less than 100 Hz. This parameter tuning allows the system to maintain high actuator performance while naturally suppressing unwanted vibrations through phase-synchronous behavior, avoiding the need for complex additional vibration suppression mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mechanical natural frequencies in different degrees of freedom are aligned within 100 Hz deviation, then unintended vibrations are suppressed, but the design requires precise frequency matching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise frequency matching requirements with a maximum deviation of less than 100 Hz between mechanical natural frequencies in different degrees of freedom, with preferred deviations of less than 50 Hz or 25 Hz. This is achieved by carefully selecting the spring constants (kx, ky) and mounting distances (a, b) of the restoring means to tune the natural frequencies fx and fy. The design provides clear numerical targets for manufacturing and assembly, making the frequency matching process systematic and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs measurement and analysis of the actual vibration behavior and natural frequencies during the development and tuning process. By measuring the vibration characteristics and comparing them against the design targets, the restoring means can be adjusted to achieve the desired frequency alignment. This feedback approach allows for iterative optimization to meet the frequency matching requirements.
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
This approach results in an improved haptic feedback system that is simpler in design and effectively suppresses unintended vibrations, providing a synchronized vibration behavior that enhances user experience without excessive constructional complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The restoring means comprise a spring which has a pronounced elastic compliance in a direction corresponding to the excitation direction of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
an electromechanical actuator, wherein the actuator is designed to movingly drive the input component in a motor-operated manner in order to generate a haptic feedback
Data Source
AI summary
An input device for generating improved haptic feedback. The input device includes a housing and an input component that defines a control surface and is movably supported on the housing with at least two degrees of freedom and associated mechanical natural frequencies. The input device is designed to assign a switching or controlling function to an operator touching or pressing the control surface, where the input device further has mechanical restoring means for restoring the input component into a rest position and an electromechanical actuator, where the actuator is designed to drive the input component along the at least two degrees of freedom and optionally decelerate the input component, counteracting the restoring force caused by the mechanical restoring means, in order to generate haptic feedback characterized in that the mechanical natural frequencies of the at least two degrees of freedom have a maximum deviation of less than 100 Hz.