Rotary Actuator Touchpad Force Sensor Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating assemblies such as touchpads and touchscreens lack haptic feedback, making it difficult to reliably detect and differentiate between intentional and inadvertent actuations of rotary adjusters, especially in environments where visual feedback is not possible, like in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a matrix of force sensors between the carrier and actuating element to measure actuating forces, combined with touch-detection means, allows for reliable identification of rotary adjuster actuations by comparing signal differences, enabling enhanced positional evaluation and assignment of additional switching or controlling functions based on force direction and magnitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary adjuster is integrated into a touchpad or touchscreen, then the haptic feedback and input options are improved, but the reliability of detecting intentional actuation versus inadvertent contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensor types: touch-detection means for detecting contact presence and force sensors for measuring actuating force magnitude and direction. Each sensor type independently monitors different aspects of user interaction, allowing the system to distinguish between inadvertent contacts and intentional actuations by evaluating both touch and force data simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Force sensors act as intermediary elements between the carrier and actuating element, providing indirect measurement of actuation intent. By measuring the force vector (magnitude and direction) exerted on the rotary adjuster, the system can determine whether a contact is intentional (with significant force in a specific direction) or inadvertent (minimal force), thereby resolving the detection reliability issue.
2Reliability
If force sensors are added to detect actuating forces, then the differentiation between intentional and inadvertent actuation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor matrix serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects the presence of actuating force, determines the direction of the force vector, measures the magnitude of the force, and helps distinguish between intentional and inadvertent actuations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor systems for each detection task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-detection means and force sensors are merged into an integrated sensor system where both types of sensors are positioned between the carrier and actuating element. The evaluation unit processes both touch and force data together to determine actuation intent, combining the capabilities of both sensor types into a unified detection mechanism that improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the input surface is made planar and homogeneous to reduce costs, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the haptic feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical haptic feedback mechanisms (which would require complex physical structures) with an electronic sensing system that detects force vectors. The force sensors electronically measure the characteristics of user input, providing haptic feedback information without requiring a mechanically complex input surface structure, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving operational capability.
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 provides reliable detection and differentiation of intentional rotary adjuster displacements, enhancing operational reliability and enabling additional functional capabilities like joystick or pushing functions, while also providing haptic feedback for improved user experience.
Implementation Method 1
force sensors measuring piezo-electrically or capacitively or inductively or resistively
Implementation Method 2
force sensors measuring piezo-electrically or capacitively or inductively or resistively
Implementation Method 3
force sensors measuring piezo-electrically or capacitively or inductively or resistively
Implementation Method 4
force sensors measuring piezo-electrically or capacitively or inductively or resistively
Implementation Method 5
touch-detection means on the input surface
Implementation Method 6
touch-detection means on the input surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an operating assembly consisting of a carrier, an actuating element that is mounted movably relative to the carrier and so as to return into a rest position and which defines an input surface and has a detector for detecting a touch occurring on the input surface, and of at least one rotary adjuster, which is disposed on the input surface and is mounted rotatably relative to the input surface, and of a matrix of force sensors between the carrier and the actuating element, and of an evaluator, which is configured for carrying out a positional determination of a touch that has occurred on the input surface from the signal obtained by the detector, and for identifying at least one action of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors by a comparison with predetermined values.