Tactile Control Interface Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch control interfaces in motor vehicles lack reliability and sensitivity, and often require multiple control stations, making them cluttered and costly to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tactile control interface featuring a rigid plate with at least three piezoelectric force sensors configured for triangulation to determine finger position, which can also provide haptic feedback and estimate environmental parameters, reducing the need for additional components by using amplified piezoelectric sensors and a microcontroller for precise location and validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control stations are used to provide access to functions, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid plate surface serves multiple functions: it acts as both a display background and a touch-sensitive control surface. The same physical structure provides both visual information display and tactile input capabilities, eliminating the need for separate control stations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display function and control input function into a single integrated interface. The rigid plate merges the roles of display background and touch sensor array, allowing users to interact with vehicle functions through a unified surface rather than multiple separate controls, thereby reducing clutter while preserving adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to locate finger presses, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a uniform array of sensors across the entire plate, the system employs only three force sensors positioned at specific locations (preferably at the corners of an equilateral triangle). This localized sensor placement provides sufficient measurement precision for triangulation while minimizing the number of sensors required, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational algorithms as an intermediary between the simple force sensor measurements and the final position determination. The triangulation algorithm processes the force measurements from three sensors to calculate precise finger position, replacing the need for complex sensor arrays with sophisticated but computationally efficient signal processing.
3Reliability
If piezoelectric sensors are used, then sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric sensors are pre-mounted on the rear side of the rigid plate during the plate manufacturing process, before the final assembly. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing by incorporating the sensors into the plate structure itself, reducing the number of separate assembly steps required while maintaining the high sensitivity benefits of piezoelectric materials.
4Measurement precision
If the plate is made rigid to transmit force accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but haptic feedback capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the rigid plate into functionally distinct zones: the main plate structure remains rigid for accurate force transmission to the sensors, while specific localized regions incorporate piezoelectric actuators that can independently vibrate to provide haptic feedback. This segmentation allows the plate to simultaneously maintain measurement precision and provide tactile response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration through piezoelectric actuators mounted on the rigid plate. These actuators generate controlled vibrations that provide haptic feedback to the user's finger, while the rigid plate structure ensures that the vibration is effectively transmitted and perceived. The rigidity of the plate actually enhances haptic feedback by providing a firm surface that can efficiently transmit vibrational energy.
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
This solution provides a reliable, sensitive, and uncluttered touch control interface that reduces equipment costs while enhancing user interaction with motor vehicle functions, offering improved ergonomics and reduced complexity in design.
Implementation Method 1
the force sensors are piezoelectric sensors
Implementation Method 2
piezoelectric sensors are sensors mechanically amplified by a substantially elliptical structure, the piezoelectric element being located along the major axis of the ellipse and the measured force being applied along the minor axis of the ellipse
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tactile control interface (1) including an outer surface (2) and means for locating a pressure by a finger of a user, on the outer surface (2), characterized in that the outer surface (2) is made from a rigid plate (3) and in that said locating means include: at least three force sensors (5) onto which the plate (3) is attached and which are configured for measuring a force in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the plate (3), and means for calculating the position of the pressure of a finger on the plate (3), on the basis of the measurements supplied by said at least three force sensors (5).