Rotary Manipulation Device Pulse Braking Torque Click Feel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotation-type manipulation devices face challenges in producing a clear click feeling due to torque changes that can cause vibration, leading to a lower quality manipulation experience.

Innovation Solution

A rotation-type manipulation device with a manipulation member, rotational angle sensor, driving machine, and braking machine, where the control unit adjusts the control torque from an encouragement direction to a suppression direction as the rotational angle changes, and increases braking torque in a pulse state through a transition area to enhance the click feeling without causing vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the torque change is made steep to produce a clear click feeling, then the click feeling is improved, but vibration occurs and the manipulation feeling quality is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclick feeling clarityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using a clicking mechanism that generates periodic torque changes during rotation. The clicking mechanism creates regular, controlled torque impulses that produce a clear click feeling without continuous vibration. The control unit regulates the timing and magnitude of these periodic torque changes to achieve desired haptic feedback while avoiding harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The clicking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the electric actuator and the manipulation member. It transforms the continuous torque from the electric actuator into discrete, controlled torque changes that produce clear click feelings. This intermediary mechanism filters out harmful vibrations while preserving the desired haptic feedback characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the electric actuator reverses torque direction to control manipulation feeling, then the manipulation feeling is improved, but torque vibration occurs making it difficult to obtain a clear click feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulation feeling qualityVSAvoidtorque vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the torque control function into two separate components: an electric actuator for general torque control and a clicking mechanism for specific click feeling generation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with the other, enabling clear click feelings without torque vibration. The clicking mechanism handles the directional torque changes independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clicking mechanism serves as an intermediary that mediates between the electric actuator's torque output and the manipulation member. It converts continuous torque into segmented, controlled torque changes in specific directions, producing clear click feelings while eliminating harmful torque vibrations. The intermediary filters and shapes the torque characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a clicking mechanism is added to produce clear click feeling, then the click feeling is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclick feeling clarityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the clicking mechanism with the existing electric actuator system, integrating multiple functions into a unified structure. The clicking mechanism is combined with the manipulation member or shaft, sharing common components and mounting structures. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clicking mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: generating click feelings, providing tactile feedback, and assisting in rotational position detection. By making the clicking mechanism multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby minimizing device complexity while achieving multiple objectives with a single integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a clear and stable click feeling by effectively changing the control torque, allowing for easier rotation stopping and improved manipulation experience, even at high speeds, while minimizing fatigue and maintaining a light manipulation feeling.

Implementation Method 1

a braking machine that applies a brake to the rotation of the manipulation member by using a friction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3614229B1Rotary-type operation device, method for controlling same, and program
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3614229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3614229B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3614229B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Braking torque Tb based on a friction force is increased in a pulse state in a transition area U in which control torque T1 changes from a direction to encourage the rotation of a manipulation member 102 to a direction to suppress the rotation. Braking torque Tb based on a friction force does not cause vibration as in the driving torque of an electric motor even if braking torque Tb is steeply increased. Therefore, when the rotational angle passes through the transition area U, a clearer click feeling can be produced without a change like vibration being caused in control torque T1. Also, when the manipulation member 102 is rotated fast, this braking torque Tb in a pulse state is likely to be felt as vibration. Therefore, the braking torque Tb can be clearly felt as vibration even at a high frequency. In addition, an extra force to stop rotation in the transition area U is reduced and a sense of fatigue is less likely to be felt when compared with a case in which this assistance is not available. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the quality of a manipulation feeling.