Vehicle Interior Touch Interface With Tactile Reconfigurable Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior operating elements often lack tactile detection capabilities, leading to difficult operation and potential distractions, while reconfigurable elements are typically not tactilely detectable, and there is a need for compact, durable, and cost-effective designs.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable operating element with a partially transparent cover layer featuring tactilely detectable raised or recessed areas, a light source, and a non-transparent mask layer, along with a capacitive actuating element, allowing for tactile detection and visual reconfiguration, and incorporating a haptic actuator for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable operating elements are used with light sources and display elements, then visual reconfiguration capability is improved, but tactile detectability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer is segmented into multiple operating areas with distinct tactile features (raised, recessed, or textured surfaces). Each operating area corresponds to a specific functional region that can be tactually distinguished from others, enabling tactile detection while maintaining visual reconfiguration capability through the transparent material.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the cover layer are given different tactile qualities (raised areas, recessed areas, textured patterns) to enable tactile detection of operating areas. The transparency and tactile features are distributed non-uniformly across the cover layer to achieve both visual reconfiguration and tactile detectability simultaneously.
2Volume of moving object
If operating areas are arranged tightly together for compact design, then device compactness is improved, but detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each operating area, even when tightly packed, is given a unique tactile signature through variations in surface topology (raised, recessed, textured patterns). This allows precise tactile differentiation between adjacent operating areas despite their close proximity, maintaining detection precision while achieving compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tactile differentiation in the vertical dimension (raised and recessed areas) in addition to horizontal arrangement. This dimensional addition allows operating areas to be distinguished tactilely even when horizontally compressed, enabling compact design without sacrificing detection precision.
3Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical operating elements are used, then tactile detectability is improved, but reconfiguration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical operating elements (pushbuttons, rocker switches, slide controls) with a transparent cover layer that has tactile features but no moving parts. The tactile features provide detectability similar to mechanical elements, while the underlying display layer enables dynamic reconfiguration of operating symbols and indicators without mechanical movement.
4Reliability
If the cover layer is made transparent for robust design, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the transparent cover layer: it serves as the protective durable outer layer, the display medium for visual information, and the tactile interface with integrated operating areas. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional multi-layer mechanical operating elements.
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 easy and distraction-free operation with a compact design, improved tactile detection, and robust construction, while allowing for visually appealing and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit light in the direction of an underside of the cover layer opposite the upper side
Implementation Method 2
The operating element may furthermore comprise a haptic actuator configured to generate a vibration when the actuating element is actuated
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an operating element (100, 100′, 100″) for a vehicle interior, comprisingan at least partially transparent cover layer (200) having at least one tactilely detectable raised and/or recessed area (210) on an upper side (201) of the cover layer (200) facing the vehicle interior,a light source (300) configured to emit light toward an underside (202) of the cover layer (200) opposite the upper side (201),a non-transparent mask layer (400) arranged between the light source (300) and at least a portion of the cover layer (200), andan actuating element (500), that can be activated by touching the upper side (201) of the transparent cover layer (200), configured to output an operating signal when activating the actuating element (500).