Intermediate Carrier Coupling for Uniform Touch Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control elements face challenges in uniformly transmitting haptic feedback across non-flat contact surfaces with varying geometries, due to the placement and vibration transmission difficulties of actuators, leading to inconsistent haptic sensations and inefficient integration.
Innovation Solution
A control element design featuring a carrier with an intermediate support and vibration dampers, coupled with an actuator that excites vibrations in the support, and a contact part with selective connection areas for uniform haptic feedback, using sensors to trigger feedback based on contact detection and force, ensuring precise haptic perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is placed directly on the contact part, then vibration transmission efficiency is improved, but installation flexibility and integration density deteriorate due to geometric constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate support as a mediator component between the actuator and the contact part. This intermediate support has a first connection surface for the actuator and a second connection surface for the contact part, allowing flexible positioning and orientation. The intermediary enables vibration transmission while providing installation flexibility to adapt to various geometric constraints and integration requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the contact surface has elevations or depressions for haptic orientation, then user interaction is improved, but haptic feedback uniformity deteriorates due to varying contact areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating selective connection areas on the contact surface where the contact part is integrally connected to the intermediate support. These localized connection regions are positioned to compensate for geometric variations (elevations or depressions), ensuring that vibration transmission remains uniform across the entire contact surface while preserving the haptic orientation features for user interaction.
3Reliability
If vibration dampers are used to isolate the actuator, then reliability is improved, but haptic feedback intensity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing vibration dampers with frequency-dependent damping characteristics. The dampers are designed to provide strong vibration isolation at certain frequencies (reducing unwanted vibrations and improving reliability) while maintaining effective vibration transmission at the actuator's operating frequency (preserving haptic feedback intensity). This frequency-selective parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between isolation and transmission.
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 design achieves uniform haptic feedback across uneven surfaces with high integration density and reliability, providing precise and efficient haptic perception through controlled vibration transmission and damping.
Implementation Method 1
An intermediate support (3) elastically supported on the support (2) by means of at least one vibration damper (14)
Implementation Method 2
an actuator (4) which is designed to excite a vibration in the intermediate support (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating element (1) comprising: a carrier (2); an intermediate carrier (3) supported on the carrier (2) by means of one or more vibration dampers (14); a touch part (5) having a touch surface (18) facing an operator for carrying out an operating input via the operator; an actuator (4) which is designed to bring about a vibration in the intermediate carrier (3), wherein, with its side facing away from the touch surface (18), the touch part (5) is arranged adjacent to the intermediate carrier (3), forming a common contact surface (17a, 17b), in order to couple the vibration from the intermediate carrier (3) into the touch part (5) via the contact surface (17a, 17b) to generate haptic feedback that is perceptible on the touch surface (18); a sensor (6, 8) for detecting an actuation of the touch part (5) and/or a touching of the touch surface (18); and a control electronics system (12) that is electrically connected to the actuator (4) and the sensor (6, 8), in order to trigger the haptic feedback by applying the actuator (4) with an actuation signal; wherein the contact surface (17a, 17b) comprises one or more connection regions (17b), that are smaller in comparison to the entire contact surface (17a, 17b), in which the intermediate carrier (3) is integrally connected to the touch part (5).