Steering Wheel Haptic Calibration Using Resonance Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering wheel assemblies provide inconsistent haptic feedback due to manufacturing variations and wear over time, distracting drivers and requiring manual recalibration.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that utilizes sensors within the steering wheel assembly to determine resonance frequencies of haptic motors, adjusting operational parameters to ensure consistent haptic feedback without external equipment, allowing for remote recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If haptic motors are used to provide tactile feedback in steering wheel assemblies, then user interaction feedback is improved, but manufacturing variations and wear cause inconsistent haptic quality over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters of the haptic motor based on resonance frequency detection. By changing the operating frequency parameter to match the detected resonance frequency, the system compensates for manufacturing variations and wear, maintaining consistent haptic feedback quality throughout the product lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure-sensitive components as target sensors to detect haptic playback from the haptic motor. This feedback loop allows the controller to measure the actual haptic output and adjust operational parameters accordingly, ensuring consistent performance despite manufacturing tolerances and wear over time
2Reliability
If manual recalibration is performed to correct haptic feedback issues, then haptic quality is restored, but driver distraction and service organization burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration using the steering wheel's existing pressure-sensitive components as sensors. The controller executes calibration routines that detect resonance frequencies and adjust operational parameters without requiring external equipment or manual intervention, eliminating driver distraction and service organization burden while maintaining haptic feedback quality
3Measurement precision
If external calibration equipment is used to determine resonance frequencies, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing pressure-sensitive components designed for user interaction as dual-purpose elements: they function both as input sensors for detecting user gestures and as target sensors for calibration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate calibration equipment, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision through the same high-quality sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel assembly calibrates itself using its own integrated sensors and controller. The system performs resonance frequency detection and operational parameter adjustment internally without requiring external calibration equipment, simplifying the overall system while achieving accurate calibration through self-contained measurement and control capabilities
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
Provides consistent haptic feedback across manufacturing variations and wear, reducing the need for manual recalibration and service organization burden, enhancing user experience and vehicle functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one pressure or proximity sensitive component (e.g., sensor) generates electric signals in response to force applied or anticipation of force being applied on the switchpack. The at least one pressure or proximity sensitive component may include any one or more of at least one piezoelectric switch, a piezoelectric sensor
Implementation Method 2
The pressure sensitive component may provide a haptic feedback via a haptic motor
Implementation Method 3
During the calibration process, the target sensor senses haptic playback emitted by a haptic motor disposed in the steering wheel assembly
Implementation Method 4
the controller determines the resonance frequency of the steering wheel assembly which is then utilized during the first mode of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A switchpack for a vehicle is provided that includes a haptic motor configured to provide haptic feedback to a user in a first mode of operation and provide haptic feedback to at least one sensor in a second mode of operation. The switchpack includes at least one sensor adapted to generate electric signals in response to force applied on the at least one sensor by the user during the first mode of operation. The at least one sensor is further configured to sense the haptic feedback provided by the haptic motor during the second mode of operation.