Programmable Vehicle Control Module With Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and variety of vehicle components and functions lead to a large number of mechanical controls, which complicates production, storage, and interior design, and can disrupt driving safety due to the need for drivers to visually confirm haptic feedback from mechanical controls.
Innovation Solution
A module with programmable electronic display units and haptic feedback mechanisms, such as piezo actuators, allows for multiple functions to be assigned to control elements, providing tactile feedback without visual distraction, and enables easy assembly and reconfiguration of control elements within a vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple mechanical control elements are used to operate different vehicle functions, then each function can be operated reliably with dedicated control, but the number of control elements increases leading to production costs, storage complexity, and interior design complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single mechanical control element to perform multiple functions through reprogrammable electronic displays. The display unit can show different symbols and functions for the same physical button, allowing one control element to replace multiple dedicated controls while maintaining reliable operation through context-appropriate function assignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control element's function changeable over time through reprogramming. The electronic display can be updated to show different functions based on vehicle operating conditions, allowing the same physical control to adapt to different operational contexts without physical modification
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical control elements are designed with reprogrammable displays to reduce their number, then production and storage costs decrease, but the complexity of the control elements increases due to electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical control element with an electronic display unit and haptic feedback mechanism into a single integrated component. This combination allows the mechanical button to incorporate electronic functionality for displaying multiple functions and providing tactile feedback, reducing the need for multiple separate control elements while managing complexity through integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic display unit as an intermediary between the mechanical control element and the user. This intermediary layer provides visual information about the current function without requiring multiple physical controls, mediating between the simple mechanical button and the complex vehicle control system
3Reliability
If drivers visually confirm haptic feedback from mechanical controls, then operating safety improves through verification, but driver distraction increases and driving safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback through vibration motors or piezo actuators that provide tactile confirmation to the driver upon button actuation. This feedback mechanism allows drivers to verify control activation through touch rather than visual confirmation, maintaining operating safety while eliminating the need to take eyes off the road
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual feedback mechanisms with haptic feedback through mechanical vibration. Instead of requiring visual confirmation of control activation, the system uses tactile vibration feedback to confirm operation, substituting the visual sense with the tactile sense to maintain safety
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
This solution enhances operating comfort and safety by reducing driver distraction and simplifying the installation and configuration of control elements, allowing for intuitive operation without visual confirmation, thus improving overall vehicle usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator for generating haptic feedback is advantageously designed as a piezo actuator, vibration motor or another mechanically deformable element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a control element for a vehicle component comprising an actuating unit for generating an electrical control signal for the vehicle component, an electronic display unit (2) for displaying a display allocated to the control element and an actuator (5) for generating a haptic feedback to a vehicle user as a response to an actuation of the actuating unit. The control element can be programmable in such a manner that different displays are shown on the electronic display unit and/or different haptic feedback can be generated depending on the function assigned to the control element. A plurality of control elements can be arranged in a common module (8).