Operation Device Tactile Feedback Control via Vibration Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operation devices face challenges in providing effective tactile sensations due to increased cost and size from individual tactile presentation mechanisms, and uniform reactions from common mechanisms fail to enhance operation feeling.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that varies tactile sensations based on operational inputs by using multiple vibration mechanisms with different stiffness and positioning, allowing for customized feedback vibrations and pseudo kinesthetic sensations to improve user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual tactile presentation mechanisms are disposed for each operation button, then tactile feedback quality is improved, but cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tactile presentation mechanisms into a single integrated vibration mechanism. This single mechanism can generate different vibration patterns and tactile sensations to correspond to different operation buttons, thereby providing differentiated tactile feedback without requiring separate mechanisms for each button. This resolves the contradiction by merging multiple functions into one component, reducing device size while maintaining tactile feedback quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single vibration mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions by generating various vibration patterns. It can produce different tactile sensations such as light vibration, strong vibration, continuous vibration, and intermittent vibration to correspond to different operation buttons or operational contexts. This multi-functionality allows one mechanism to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable tactile feedback.
2Device complexity
If a common tactile presentation mechanism is used for various operations, then device size is reduced, but tactile feedback becomes uniform and operation feeling is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mechanism employs dynamic control to vary its operation characteristics based on different operational inputs. It can adjust vibration intensity, frequency, duration, and pattern dynamically in response to different operation buttons or contexts. This dynamic adaptability allows a single mechanism to provide differentiated tactile feedback for various operations, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and feedback versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the vibration mechanism's operation to achieve different tactile sensations. By modifying parameters such as vibration amplitude, frequency, duty cycle, and waveform characteristics, the single mechanism can generate diverse tactile feedback patterns. These parameter variations enable the mechanism to provide operation-specific tactile responses without requiring multiple physical mechanisms, thus maintaining both device compactness and feedback differentiation.
3Reliability
If vibration strength is increased to improve tactile sensation, then operation feeling is enhanced, but user discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different vibration intensities and patterns for different operation buttons or operational contexts. Rather than using uniform high-strength vibration for all operations, the system tailors the tactile feedback characteristics to match the specific operation type. This localized differentiation enhances operation feeling for each button while avoiding excessive vibration that would cause user discomfort, as each button receives appropriately calibrated feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration mechanism employs partial action by delivering vibration feedback selectively rather than continuously or uniformly. It provides tactile sensation only when and where needed based on the operational input, adjusting the intensity and duration to be sufficient for feedback purposes without exceeding comfortable levels. This partial action approach ensures that vibration is strong enough to improve operation feeling but not excessive enough to cause discomfort.
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 effectively enhances operation feeling by providing tailored tactile feedback, reducing discomfort and improving user experience through varied vibration strengths and waveforms, while maintaining a compact device design.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration mechanism 21 that has one end of the vibration mechanism 21 fixed to the structure 25 and the other end of the vibration mechanism 21 supported by another supporting body 26
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for an operation device, the control apparatus being connected to the operation device including an operation member and a tactile presentation mechanism, the control apparatus receives an operational input by a user to the operation member, presents a tactile sensation that corresponds to the operational input to the user by causing the tactile presentation mechanism to operate when the operational input is received, and varies contents of the tactile sensation to be presented to the user in accordance with contents of the received operational input.