Tilting Haptics Motor Vehicle Control Permanent Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control elements with springs for tilting operations in motor vehicles suffer from decreased spring force over time, limited achievable forces, and unsatisfactory haptic feedback, making it difficult to achieve an optimal force profile and consistent feel.
Innovation Solution
A control element with a tiltable lever and a pair of permanent magnets that generate a force to center the lever, allowing for adjustable haptic feedback through the design of the receiving element and force transmission mechanism, enabling precise control and consistent feel over the lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are used to generate force for tilting control, then the control element can return to central position and provide haptic feedback, but the spring force decreases over service life and optimal force profile cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a magnetic field-based force generation system. Permanent magnets mounted on the lever arm interact with a stationary magnet to generate a position-dependent magnetic force that provides haptic feedback without the degradation issues of mechanical springs. This substitution eliminates the wear and relaxation problems inherent in spring-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical principle from elastic deformation (springs) to magnetic field interaction (permanent magnets). The magnetic force can be precisely controlled by adjusting magnet positions, strengths, and arrangements, allowing for customizable force profiles that remain consistent throughout the service life of the control element.
2Force
If springs are used to generate force, then the control element can provide haptic feedback, but the achievable forces are limited and quality of haptics is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs permanent magnets with adjustable positions and orientations to generate magnetic forces that can be precisely tailored. By changing the distance, orientation, and strength of the magnetic field interaction, the system can produce a wide range of force magnitudes and profiles, overcoming the limited force capability of springs while providing high-quality haptic feedback.
3Reliability
If permanent magnets are used to generate centering force, then consistent haptic feedback is achieved throughout service life, but the device complexity increases compared to simple spring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the permanent magnets directly into the existing lever arm structure, combining the force generation function with the mechanical linkage. This merging approach minimizes additional components and simplifies the overall structure compared to separate spring assemblies, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Force
If the receiving element has steep flanks, then the lever arm deflection is increased for a given lever deflection, but the force profile becomes harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the magnetic field's inherent flexibility to adjust force profiles without being constrained by the receiving element geometry. By changing magnetic parameters (magnet strength, position, orientation) rather than mechanical geometry, the system can achieve desired force characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized receiving element designs.
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 control element with customizable haptic feedback and consistent feel across tilting directions, ensuring reliable centering and adaptable force profiles without the limitations of traditional spring-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of permanent magnets is arranged in the operating element, one magnet of the pair of permanent magnets being arranged on the lever arm and a magnet stationary in the operating element such that in the middle position of the lever unequal poles of the magnets face each other at a distance. The attraction between the two magnets of the permanent magnet pair generates a force on the lever arm, which forces it into a zero position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an operational control (1), especially a joystick, comprising tilting haptics for a motor vehicle. Said operational control comprises a tiltably mounted lever (2) with a first (3) and a second lever end (4), the first lever end (3) extending from a housing (5) of the operational control (1) outward, a pivotally mounted lever arm (6) with an accommodating element (7), a force transmission element (8) on the second end (4) of the tiltably mounted lever (2), the force transmission element (8) extending into the accommodating element (7) of the lever arm (6) and transforming a tilting movement of the lever (2) into a pivoting movement of the lever arm (6), and a pair of permanent magnets (9), one magnet (10) of the pair of magnets (9) being arranged on the lever arm (6) while the other magnet (11) being stationarily arranged in the operational control (1) in such a manner that opposing poles of the magnets (10, 11) face each other at a distance in the central position of the lever (2).