Rotating Input Device Axial Vibration for Uniform Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic feedback devices with cantilever members experience vibration issues, where the free end vibrates differently from the fixed end, making operational feel inconsistent and difficult to use, especially when vibrating in the direction of penetration.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a rotatable operation unit supported by a rotation shaft, featuring a vibrating element that generates vibration in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, ensuring uniform vibration across the operation surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cantilever member is used with the free end swinging about the fixed end, then haptic feedback can be generated, but the vibration direction penetrates the surface making it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional cantilever configuration by making the operation unit rotatable about a rotation shaft rather than swinging the free end about a fixed end. This inversion changes the vibration direction from penetrating the surface to occurring along the surface, resolving the contradiction between haptic feedback generation and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the cantilever member vibrates in the penetration direction, then vibration can be generated, but the operational feel at the fixed end differs from the free end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the entire operation unit rotates together about the rotation shaft, so that every point on the operation surface experiences the same rotational vibration characteristics. This eliminates the discrepancy in operational feel between different locations that occurs in traditional cantilever designs.
3Ease of operation
If the operation unit rotates about a rotation shaft, then uniform vibration along the surface is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation unit with the rotation mechanism, where the operation unit itself rotates about the rotation shaft rather than being a separate component. This integration achieves uniform vibration along the surface while minimizing structural complexity by combining functions into a single rotating assembly.
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 input device provides consistent and easily perceivable vibration along the surface, improving operational feel and reducing the influence of external vibrations, such as those from a moving vehicle, by vibrating uniformly in the direction of the surface.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating element configured to generate vibration of the operation unit in an axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit
Data Source
AI summary
An input device and an input module are provided that vibrate in a direction along the surface of a cantilevered operation unit. The input device includes a fixed member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft, an operation unit having an end rotatably supported by the rotation shaft and being rotatable relative to the fixed member, and a vibrating element that generates vibration of the operation unit in the axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit.