Seat Speaker Haptic Control for Vehicle Infotainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infotainment systems in vehicles require costly and difficult installations of dedicated vibration generators for haptic feedback, making it challenging to implement effectively, especially in aftermarket upgrades.
Innovation Solution
An infotainment system that utilizes an existing speaker attached to a vehicle seat, controlled by an electronic control unit to generate both audible sounds and vibrations, switching between audio and vibration modes without the need for a dedicated vibration generator, allowing for haptic feedback without interrupting audio playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated vibration generator is installed for haptic feedback, then the haptic feedback function is achieved, but the system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate audible sounds in the audio frequency range and produce vibrations for haptic feedback in the vibration frequency range. The electronic control unit switches between audio mode and vibration mode by controlling the frequency range of the signal sent to the speaker, eliminating the need for separate dedicated vibration generators.
2Reliability
If a dedicated vibration generator is installed for haptic feedback, then the haptic feedback function is achieved, but the installation cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate audible sounds in the audio frequency range and produce vibrations for haptic feedback in the vibration frequency range. The electronic control unit switches between audio mode and vibration mode by controlling the frequency range of the signal sent to the speaker, eliminating the need for separate dedicated vibration generators.
3Power
If the speaker generates vibrations for haptic feedback, then the haptic feedback power output increases, but audible sound may interfere with the vibration output
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit dynamically switches the speaker's operating mode based on the signal frequency range. When a haptic feedback signal is detected (frequency below the threshold), the system switches to vibration mode, directing full power to vibration output. When audio signals are present (frequency above the threshold), the system switches to audio mode. This dynamic switching ensures that the speaker operates in the appropriate mode without interference between audible sound and vibration output.
4Power
If the speaker operates in audio mode, then audible sound output is achieved, but haptic feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit dynamically switches the speaker's operating mode based on the signal frequency range. When a haptic feedback signal is detected (frequency below the threshold), the system switches to vibration mode, directing full power to vibration output. When audio signals are present (frequency above the threshold), the system switches to audio mode. This dynamic switching ensures that the speaker operates in the appropriate mode without interference between audible sound and vibration output.
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
Enables easy and cost-effective implementation of haptic feedback by repurposing the speaker for vibration mode, providing higher power output for haptic feedback without audible sound interference, and allowing seamless transitions between modes, reducing stress on the system.
Implementation Method 1
which comprises a transducer, and which is configured to generate audible sounds above a first threshold
Implementation Method 2
to excite the transducer in a frequency range below a predetermined second threshold, the second threshold being equal to or lower than the first threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
This infotainment system (100) for a vehicle comprises a speaker (102), which is configured to be attached to a seat of the vehicle and which comprises a transducer (104). The infotainment system comprises an electronic control unit (120), which is configured to receive a first signal (132) from an audio source (130), and to transmit a first output (122), based on the first signal, to the transducer, so as to excite the transducer in an audible frequency range above a predetermined first threshold, the infotainment system being in an audio mode. The infotainment system further comprises a haptic controller (140), which is configured to generate a second signal (142), representative of a haptic signal. The electronic control unit is configured to transmit a second output (124), based on the second signal, to the transducer, so as to excite the transducer in a frequency range below a predetermined second threshold, the second threshold being equal to or lower than the first threshold, the infotainment system being in a vibration mode. The infotainment system is configured to combine or to switch between the audio mode and the vibration mode.