Motor Vehicle Operating Device Centering Element Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicle operating devices with movably mounted actuating elements for haptic feedback, it is challenging to maintain a defined rest position and set a consistent gap dimension between the actuating element and the housing, leading to dust and dirt accumulation due to uneven gap sizes and the need for peripheral panels.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a centering element that holds the actuating element in a predetermined rest position, allowing it to change to a free position upon user interaction, enabling a feedback movement while maintaining a flush user interface and minimizing gap size variability, using a sensor device and actuator system to generate haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuating element is made movable to enable feedback movement, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but the gap dimension consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first housing part and a second housing part, with the actuating element movable between them. This segmentation allows the actuating element to perform feedback movement while the centering element maintains consistent gap dimensions between the housing parts, resolving the contradiction between mobility and gap consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
A centering element is introduced as an intermediary component to maintain consistent gap dimensions between the first and second housing parts. This centering element ensures that even when the actuating element moves for feedback, the overall gap consistency is preserved, solving the manufacturing precision issue.
2Shape
If a peripheral panel is added to cover the gap, then appearance uniformity is improved, but dust accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful peripheral panel that caused dust accumulation is extracted/removed from the design. Instead of covering the gap with a panel, the invention uses a centering element to maintain gap consistency directly, eliminating the trough structure where dust would accumulate while preserving appearance uniformity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the gap dimension is reduced to minimize dust collection, then cleanliness is improved, but the feedback movement freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the problem to another dimension by introducing a centering element that operates in the radial direction to maintain gap consistency, while the actuating element moves in the axial direction for feedback. This dimensional separation allows small consistent gaps without restricting feedback movement freedom.
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 solution ensures the actuating element is securely held in the rest position without dust accumulation, allowing for precise feedback movements and maintaining a consistent gap dimension, enhancing user interface reliability and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator device (16) is provided which is designed to generate a feedback movement of the actuating element (7) as a function of an excitation signal
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element (7) is arranged in a rest position (S1), in which at least one centering element (29) blocks the feedback movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (3) for a motor vehicle (1), having: a movably mounted actuating element (7) and an actuator (16) for generating a feedback movement (39) of the actuating element (7) as a function of an excitation signal (37). The problem addressed by the invention is for the actuating element (3) to have a defined rest position (S1) in the housing (9). This problem is solved in that the actuating element (7) in the unactuated state is arranged in a rest position (S1) in which at least one centering element (29) blocks the feedback movement (39), and that when a user acts on the actuating element (7) with an operating force (22) the actuating element carries out a diverting movement (33) which is oriented obliquely or perpendicularly relative to the direction (14) of the feedback movement (39) and by which the actuating element (7) changes from the rest position (S1) to a free position (S2) in which the actuating element is released by the at least one centering element (29) for the feedback movement (39).