Soft Vehicle Trim with Localized Haptic Touch Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior trim elements with haptic feedback are typically hard and fixed, leading to potential distractions and reduced user experience, while aesthetic and haptic demands for soft, deformable surfaces are increasing.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle interior trim element with a soft feel is designed using an elastic base layer, a flexible cover layer, and a piezoelectric actuator layer, combined with a capacitive touch sensor layer for deformation-free touch detection and localized haptic feedback, allowing for simplified operability and improved user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hard fixed control elements are used for haptic feedback, then haptic feedback function is achieved, but aesthetic and haptic impression is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback functionVSAvoidaesthetic and haptic impression

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane as the control element that can deform under touch input and return to its original state. This flexible membrane integrates the haptic feedback function while maintaining a soft, aesthetic appearance that matches the surrounding vehicle interior surfaces, resolving the contradiction between functional haptic feedback and aesthetic impression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the control element by using a flexible membrane with specific elastic properties rather than rigid materials. This parameter change allows the element to provide haptic feedback through deformation and recovery, achieving both functional reliability and aesthetic harmony with the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If soft deformable surfaces are used for aesthetic purposes, then aesthetic and haptic impression is improved, but haptic feedback function is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic and haptic impressionVSAvoidhaptic feedback function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the soft, aesthetic appearance required for vehicle interior design while also enabling haptic feedback through its deformable properties. The same element that looks good aesthetically also functions as the control interface, achieving universality and resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane uses its own elastic properties to provide haptic feedback without requiring separate rigid components. When touched, the membrane deforms and naturally returns to its original shape, providing tactile feedback through its self-service mechanism, thus maintaining both soft appearance and functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If deformation-free touch detection is used, then operability is simplified, but sensor complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidsensor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical switch mechanisms with a capacitive touch sensor system that detects touches without requiring physical deformation of the sensor itself. The flexible membrane deforms visually and tactilely, while the capacitive sensor layer beneath detects the touch through electrical field changes, simplifying operability while managing sensor complexity through non-mechanical detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a soft, deformable trim element with localized haptic feedback, enhancing user experience and reducing distractions by ensuring deformation-free touch detection and localized vibration, thus improving operability and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric actuator layer (130) disposed between the sensor layer (120) and the base layer (150)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The sensor layer (120) is configured to detect contact with the upper layer (110) without deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12449903B2Vehicle interior trim element with haptic feedback function

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 FAURECIA INNENRAUM SYSTEME GMBH

AI summary

A vehicle interior trim element with haptic feedback function includes an elastic base layer that gives the vehicle interior trim element a soft feel, and a flexible cover layer. The flexible cover layer includes an electrically insulating top layer disposed on the visible side of the vehicle interior trim element, an electrically conductive sensor layer disposed between the upper layer and the base layer, and a piezoelectric actuator layer disposed between the sensor layer and the base layer. The sensor layer is configured to detect contact with the upper layer without deformation and to localize a corresponding contact area. The actuator layer is configured to provide haptic feedback.