Operation Panel Actuator Layout for Localized Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional haptically-enabled display devices lack details on the arrangement and positional relationship between actuators and the display screen, which affects the localized haptic effect generation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a holding member, operation panel, attaching parts, actuators, position detection, and control part that drives the actuators based on detected positions to generate localized vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plurality of actuators are used to provide localized haptic effects, then the haptic feedback capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback capabilityVSAvoidactuator arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation panel is divided into multiple regions, with each region containing a specific actuator. This segmentation allows independent control of haptic feedback in different areas, improving localized feedback capability while managing complexity through modular organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different actuators are positioned at specific locations (e.g., center, edges, corners) of the operation panel to provide localized haptic effects. Each actuator is strategically placed to influence a particular region, enabling differentiated haptic feedback experiences across the panel surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If actuators are positioned at specific locations to generate localized vibration, then the haptic effect precision is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidactuator positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The actuators are pre-positioned at predetermined locations (center, edges, corners) during manufacturing. These predetermined positions serve as reference points that simplify the assembly process and reduce the need for high-precision real-time positioning, while still achieving the desired localized haptic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple attaching parts are used to secure actuators to the operation panel, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator attachment stabilityVSAvoidattaching parts quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attaching parts are integrated into the operation panel structure itself, combining the functions of the panel and the mounting structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining stable attachment of actuators at predetermined locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves localized vibration generation in the operation panel by positioning actuators and attaching parts to create a specific relationship, allowing for effective haptic feedback.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of actuators 160 provided between adjacent suspensions 140 in plan view and each of which generates vibration in the operation panel 120

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4180922B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4180922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4180922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device that has a positional relationship between a plurality of attaching parts and a plurality of actuators of an operation panel that generates local vibration in the operation panel. The electronic device includes a holding member; an operation panel on which a user performs an operation input; a plurality of attaching parts that attach the operation panel to the holding member; a plurality of actuators each of which is provided between adjacent attaching parts among the plurality of attaching parts in plan view and generates vibration in the operation panel; a position detection part that detects a position where the operation input is performed; and a control part that drives at least one of the plurality of actuators in accordance with a position detected by the position detection part.