Morphing Vehicle Operating Interface for Haptic Driver Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle operating interfaces often distract drivers by requiring them to visually select and distinguish between inactive and active operating elements, which can divert attention from the road.
Innovation Solution
A morphing operating interface with operable elements that shift translationally and rotationally between a resting and an active position, featuring a display that only indicates functional assignments when active, allowing haptic perception without visual distraction, utilizing actuators like voice coil or Piezo actuators, and a sealing clasp to maintain a gap and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating elements are displayed on a touch screen, then the functionality of the operating interface is enhanced, but the driver's visual attention is required which distracts from the driving task
Solution Approach 1:
The operating elements are designed to dynamically change their spatial position and orientation between a resting position (flush with the surface) and an operating position (protruding from the surface). This dynamic transformation allows the interface to adapt its state based on operational needs, providing tactile feedback when elements are active while maintaining a clean, non-distracting surface when inactive.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating interface is segmented into multiple independent operating elements that can be individually actuated. Each element can independently transition between resting and operating positions, allowing the driver to selectively engage only the necessary functions while maintaining awareness of other available controls through tactile exploration.
2Loss of information
If operating elements are made visually distinct to indicate active vs inactive state, then the functional status is clearly communicated, but the driver must visually scan the interface which diverts attention from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual indication systems with a tactile-mechanical indication system. The active operating elements physically protrude from the surface, creating a mechanical state that can be perceived through touch. This substitution eliminates the need for visual scanning to determine functional status, as the tactile difference between protruding and flush elements provides immediate feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a metaphorical 'color change' in the spatial domain rather than the visual domain. Active elements change their spatial position (from flush to protruding), analogous to how color changes indicate state in traditional interfaces. This spatial transformation provides clear functional indication without requiring visual attention.
3Ease of operation
If operating elements protrude from the surface to be haptically perceivable, then the interface can be operated without visual attention, but the surface complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operating elements are nested within the surface body structure, with each element capable of independent movement while remaining integrated into the overall surface. This nesting approach allows complex haptic functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing external surface complexity, as the mechanical complexity is contained within the nested structure.
4Device complexity
If a continuous surface panel is used to display all operating elements, then the design is clean and simple, but the driver cannot easily distinguish between inactive and active elements without visual inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous surface panel is made dynamic through the ability of individual operating elements to change their position relative to the panel. When inactive, elements are flush with the panel maintaining surface continuity and simplicity. When active, elements protrude to create tactile differentiation, allowing state detection through touch while preserving the clean surface design when all elements are inactive.
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
Enables easy, distraction-free operation by allowing drivers to perceive active elements haptically, ensuring the interface is user-friendly and minimizes visual attention, while maintaining a clean and functional design.
Implementation Method 1
The particular actuator can be a voice coil actuator
Implementation Method 2
The particular actuator can be a voice coil actuator, a Piezo actuator or the like
Data Source
AI summary
An operating interface (10) is in an interior of a vehicle and has a surface (11) that is visible in the interior. The operating interface (10) has an operating element (14) that can be shifted relative to the surface (11) between resting and operating positions. The operating element (14) has a display (17) that is inactive in the resting position and does not indicate a functional assignment of the operating element (14). However, the display (17) is active in the operating position and indicates a functional assignment of the operating element (14). The operating element (14) has a first orientation to the surface body (11) when in the operating position and has a second orientation to the surface body (11) when in the resting position. A gap (19) is formed between the operating element (14) and the surface body (11) and surrounds the operating element (14).