Joystick Switching Device Tactile Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joystick switching devices for automotive electrical systems lack a sharp operational feel due to the flexible sheet's positioning near the shaft, leading to inadequate tactile feedback for the tilt-operation knob, making it difficult for users to perform controls without looking at the device.
Innovation Solution
A joystick switching device with a tiltable component and a tilt-operation feel providing mechanism, including a cylindrical tilt-shaft holder, slider, driving bar, and spring, which shortens the distance between the feel-providing means and the tilt-operation knob, providing direct tactile feedback and enhancing operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the flexible sheet is positioned near the leading edge of the shaft, then the structure is simplified, but the distance between the tilt-operation knob and the dome portion becomes long, resulting in poor tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the flexible sheet from a lateral position near the shaft leading edge to a position above the shaft, utilizing the vertical dimension. This dimensional change shortens the distance between the tilt-operation knob and the dome portion, enabling direct transmission of operational feel while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the flexible sheet is positioned near the leading edge of the shaft, then the structure is simplified, but the operational feel becomes unclear, making it difficult to operate without visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet is repositioned from the lateral dimension to the vertical dimension above the shaft. This positional change in another dimension ensures that the dome portion is directly above the shaft, allowing clear tactile feedback to be transmitted to the tilt-operation knob, thereby improving operational reliability without increasing structural complexity.
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 offers a stable and sharp operational feel, increasing user control reliability and longevity, allowing for efficient operation of automotive electrical systems without visual attention.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft 108 and the X-Y operating unit 107 are tilted in the direction of the force while resisting an elastic force of the spring 110
Implementation Method 2
the elastic deformation of the shaft 108 and the X-Y operating unit 107 prevents tactile feedback occurring when the dome portion 103a is compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed shaft mounted to a lower casing holds a tiltable component used for operating tilt-detecting switches. At the upper portion of the tiltable component, a tilt-operation feel providing member including a first slider unit being slidable by the tiltable component, driving bars in contact with the first slider unit, and springs urging the driving bars toward the first slider unit is arranged. First operational-feel providing portions arranged like flowers are formed on the bottom of the first slider unit. When the tiltable component is tilted, the first slider unit is slid. The driving bars are then moved on recesses constituting the first operational-feel providing portions.