Stop Element Gap Control for Haptic Feedback in Vehicle Input Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input units in center console units of motor vehicles, such as those used for multimedia, navigation, and radio devices, face challenges in providing reliable haptic feedback with minimal actuation paths, as they often lack precise control and adequate tactile feedback due to manufacturing tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a stop element that limits the movement path of a feeler element to a predetermined gap dimension, utilizing a spiral spring and extension sleeve for restoring force transmission, and allowing elastic deformation transverse to the actuation direction, along with precise positioning and fixing during assembly, to enhance haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If minimal actuation path is used, then device compactness is improved, but haptic feedback quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element is designed to be elastically deformable in the transverse direction, allowing it to dynamically change its mechanical properties during actuation. This elasticity provides tactile feedback to the user while maintaining minimal actuation travel in the primary direction, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and haptic feedback quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the stop element by allowing elastic deformation in the transverse direction while maintaining rigid constraint in the actuation direction. This parameter differentiation enables the system to provide rich haptic feedback through transverse elasticity while keeping the actuation path minimal.
2Ease of manufacture
If component tolerances are used for gap dimension, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but gap precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element acts as an intermediary component that defines the gap dimension. By making the stop element elastically deformable in the transverse direction, it compensates for manufacturing tolerances in other components while maintaining precise control over the gap dimension in the actuation direction, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and gap precision.
3Reliability
If transverse elasticity is added, then haptic feedback is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element is designed with differentiated local properties: rigid in the actuation direction to maintain minimal travel and elastic in the transverse direction to provide haptic feedback. This localized quality differentiation improves haptic feedback without requiring complex additional mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between haptic feedback quality and device complexity.
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 improved haptic feedback and precise control with minimal actuation paths by adjusting gap dimensions and incorporating a restoring mechanism, enhancing user experience through better tactile feedback and tolerance compensation.
Implementation Method 1
an extension sleeve for transmitting the spring force is arranged in a space between the stop element and the actuating element, following the coil spring
Implementation Method 2
a stop element is provided which, by positioning and fixing it to the base element during assembly, limits the movement path of the sensing element to a predetermined gap dimension
Implementation Method 3
the stop element and/or the actuating element is designed to be elastically deformable transversely to the direction of actuation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device 1 for the mechanical actuation of an electrical or electronic input unit, in particular for center console units of motor vehicles, is proposed, wherein a tactile element 7 for actuating a sensor unit and/or an actuator unit is movable in an actuation direction relative to a base element against a restoring force, characterized in that a stop element 4 is provided which, by positioning and fixing on the base element 2 during assembly, limits the movement path of the tactile element 7 to a predetermined gap dimension.