Automated Touch Display Testing Device for Reproducible Haptic Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the functionality and quality of touch displays in vehicles lack reproducibility, leading to inconsistent results and quality fluctuations in automotive components.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement using a handling device with integrated force and moment sensors, a probe element with a vibrationally decoupled plastic body, and an evaluation unit to simulate human finger gestures, allowing for reproducible testing of touch screens by applying pressure and analyzing force feedback signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual testing methods are used to test touch display functionality and quality, then human operators can assess multi-finger gestures and haptic impressions, but the test results lack reproducibility and show high operator dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human testing with an automated test device that copies human finger gestures using probe elements. The probe elements simulate human finger movements, pressures, and multi-finger gestures on the touch display, enabling reproducible automated testing while maintaining the ability to assess functionality and haptic impressions that were previously only evaluable by human operators.
2Reliability
If automated testing with robot and touch element is used, then reproducibility of test results is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test device integrates multiple functions into a single automated system: it combines positioning mechanisms, force feedback sensors, vibration detection, and multiple probe elements that can simulate various finger gestures. This multi-functional integration achieves reproducible automated testing of touch displays while consolidating complexity into a unified testing arrangement rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated mechanical systems controlled by computer algorithms. The robot arm with integrated sensors automatically positions and applies pressure through probe elements, replacing human hand movements. This substitution enables reproducible testing while the computational control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple actuators and sensors.
3Ease of operation
If force feedback functions are tested through manual assessment, then haptic quality can be evaluated, but the testing lacks objective measurement and shows quality fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The test device incorporates sensors that detect force feedback vibrations generated by the touch display when probe elements apply pressure. The system measures vibration amplitude, frequency, and temporal characteristics objectively, providing quantitative feedback on haptic quality. This feedback mechanism replaces subjective manual assessment with precise instrumental measurement, ensuring consistent quality evaluation across different test runs and eliminating operator-dependent variations.
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 reproducible functionality and quality testing of touch displays, simulating human finger movements to ensure consistent performance and quality across various gestures and operations.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor integrated in the first probe element, which reacts to the pressurization vibrationally decoupled from the handling device, in particular a vibration sensor, with which reactions triggered by the pressurization can be detected in the form of a vibration sensor
Implementation Method 2
with a body made of plastic relative to the handling device vibrationally decoupling intermediate element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for checking a function-triggering surface (17) by applying pressure to the surface, said surface reacting in a haptically-detectable manner following an application of pressure which triggers the function. The surface (17) reaction triggered by this application of pressure is detected by a vibration sensor (48) which is integrated in a sensor element.