Tactile Knob Interface With Synchronized Vibration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panels lack surficial unevenness, requiring visual confirmation for operation and are not versatile in their use environment, limiting their applicability in environments like vehicle components or medical testing devices.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device with a mechanical knob device that provides tactile stimuli through a mechanical structure and synchronized vibration via a vibration generator, enhancing tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a touch panel is used to replace mechanical switches or buttons, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the user cannot perceive tactile feedback and must visually check the operation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by introducing a vibration generator that produces tactile feedback through the knob device. The vibration generator generates vibrations in response to knob operation, allowing users to perceive tactile feedback without requiring traditional mechanical switches or buttons. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplified touch panel structure while adding tactile feedback capability through controlled vibration.
2Ease of operation
If a touch panel with tactile presentation function is developed, then tactile feedback is provided, but the use environment is limited and versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a knob device that combines multiple functions: tactile feedback through vibration, visual display integration, and mechanical operation. The vibration generator can be controlled to provide different tactile feedback patterns for various operations, making the same device suitable for multiple use environments including vehicles, medical equipment, and audio devices. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by expanding adaptability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical switches or buttons are used, then tactile feedback is provided through surficial unevenness, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the traditional mechanical surficial unevenness structure with an electronic vibration generator. Instead of relying on physical mechanical switches or buttons with tactile bumps, the system uses a vibration generator that can be integrated with a touch panel or display. This substitution maintains tactile feedback functionality while simplifying the overall device structure, as the vibration generator can be controlled electronically without requiring complex mechanical components.
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 tactile augmented reality by providing diverse tactile feedback, allowing users to operate devices intuitively without visual confirmation, suitable for environments like vehicle components or medical testing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator configured to vibrate the knob device, the vibration generator being controllable by the controller. The controller controls the vibration generator to make the knob device vibrate synchronously with the predetermined amount of knob operation
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface device includes a knob device having a mechanical structure that presents a tactile stimulus in response to every predetermined amount of knob operation, a panel on which the knob device is mounted, a controller, and a vibration generator configured to vibrate the knob device, the vibration generator being controllable by the controller. The controller controls the vibration generator to make the knob device vibrate synchronously with the predetermined amount of knob operation for the knob device to present a tactile stimulus in addition to the tactile stimulus by the mechanical structure.