Tactile Presentation Knob Friction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panels, such as those used in in-vehicle devices and consumer electronics, lack intuitive tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to operate them by touch, especially in blind conditions, and fail to provide a user-friendly operation feeling similar to mechanical switches.

Innovation Solution

A tactile presentation control apparatus with a tactile presentation knob that presents different tactile senses to various operation regions through controlled frictional forces, allowing for intuitive operation by generating electrostatic capacitance between the knob and the tactile electrode, enabling a range of tactile feedback experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a touch panel with a smooth glass surface is used to ensure designability and protectiveness, then the surface robustness and design freedom are improved, but the tactile detectability of switch positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface robustnessVSAvoidtactile detectability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a new dimension of tactile feedback by applying electrostatic forces in the vertical dimension between the presentation electrode and the indicator, allowing tactile information to be conveyed without altering the horizontal smoothness of the glass surface. This enables blind operation while maintaining the protective smooth surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses an electrostatic field as an intermediary between the touch panel and the user's finger. The presentation electrode generates electrostatic forces that act on the indicator (user's finger), providing tactile feedback without requiring physical contact or surface unevenness. This intermediary field transmits tactile information while preserving the smooth surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a uniform smooth touch panel surface is used to maintain design simplicity and protectiveness, then the manufacturing ease and surface protection are improved, but the operability by blind touch deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidblind touch operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the tactile feedback dynamic by varying the electrostatic forces in different operation regions. As the indicator moves across different regions, different tactile sensations are generated, providing dynamic feedback that guides blind operation without requiring static surface features. This enables intuitive blind operation while maintaining a uniform smooth surface throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a touch panel without movable portions is used to achieve long life and robustness, then the durability and reliability are improved, but the tactile feedback capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong lifeVSAvoidtactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical feedback system (physical switch movements and surface changes) with an electrostatic feedback system. Instead of relying on movable mechanical parts to provide tactile feedback, the presentation electrode generates electrostatic forces that simulate tactile sensations. This substitution maintains the long life and robustness of the touch panel while adding tactile feedback capability.

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 user-friendly operation feeling with intuitive tactile feedback, enhancing operability and accessibility, particularly for blind users, by varying the frictional force experienced during knob rotation, thus addressing the limitations of traditional touch panels.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for intuitive operation by generating electrostatic capacitance between the knob and the tactile electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

presents different tactile senses to various operation regions through controlled frictional forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrictional force: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11972053B2Tactile presentation control apparatus, tactile presentation panel, tactile presentation touch panel, and tactile presentation touch display

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tactile presentation control apparatus that can provide an operation feeling of a dial knob that allows intuitive operation by a tactile sense of the user, and is user-friendly. A tactile presentation control apparatus according to the present disclosure that has a tactile presentation knob placed on an operation surface and presents a tactile sense to the user via the tactile presentation knob. The tactile presentation control apparatus includes a tactile control unit that performs control to present different tactile senses to each of a plurality of operation regions on the operation surface when the tactile presentation knob is rotationally operated. When the tactile presentation knob is present in one of the operation regions, the tactile control unit performs control to present, as the tactile sense, a frictional force generated in the tactile presentation knob to the operation region.