In-Vehicle Touch Panel Actuator Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle touch panels experience reduced tactile feedback due to vibrations from vehicle movement, making it difficult for users to feel appropriate tactile feedback during operations.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a touch panel, actuator, and processor that applies distinct vibrations based on touch force, using a first voltage for touch-down and a second, lower voltage for touch release, to mimic the operational feeling of a physical button, while also incorporating a sound output system to mute noise during the first vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel is fixedly installed in a vehicle to enable touch operations, then the device can provide modern user interface functionality, but the touch panel vibrates greatly with vehicle traveling, making tactile feedback difficult to perceive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through an actuator that generates tactile feedback by vibrating the touch panel. The actuator produces vibrations in response to touch operations, creating perceivable tactile feedback that overcomes the masking effect of vehicle traveling vibrations. This direct mechanical vibration approach enables users to feel operational feedback despite the noisy vehicle environment.
2Ease of operation
If vibration amplitude is increased to improve tactile feedback perception, then users can feel operational feedback better, but the device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic vibration control by adjusting vibration parameters based on the operational state. The actuator generates vibrations with varying intensity and duration depending on the touch operation phase (touch-down vs. touch release). This dynamic approach allows effective tactile feedback with optimized amplitude levels, avoiding the need for consistently high vibration amplitudes that would require larger actuators and increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic vibration patterns with distinct phases corresponding to different touch operation states. A first vibration is generated during touch-down and a second vibration during touch release, creating a rhythmic feedback pattern that enhances perceivability. This periodic action allows the use of moderate vibration amplitudes delivered in optimized time intervals, reducing the need for continuously high-power vibration generation.
3Ease of operation
If high voltage is applied to the actuator to generate strong vibrations for tactile feedback, then tactile feedback becomes perceivable, but noise interference in audio signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic vibration with distinct phases: a first vibration at higher intensity during touch-down and a second vibration at lower intensity during touch release. By limiting high-intensity vibrations to only the necessary touch-down phase and using lower intensity during touch release, the system reduces overall noise generation while maintaining effective tactile feedback during the critical operation moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic voltage control to the actuator, adjusting the drive voltage based on the touch operation phase. During touch-down, a first voltage is applied to generate strong vibrations for operational confirmation. During touch release, a second lower voltage is applied to maintain some feedback while reducing noise generation. This dynamic voltage adjustment optimizes the balance between tactile feedback strength and audio noise interference.
4Loss of information
If vibration duration is extended to improve operational recognition, then users can better recognize the operation, but the response time for subsequent operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic vibration with distinct phases of different durations. The first vibration during touch-down has a duration optimized for operational recognition, while the second vibration during touch release has a different duration. This segmented periodic approach ensures sufficient vibration duration for recognition during the critical touch-down phase without extending the total vibration time excessively, thereby maintaining rapid response capability for subsequent operations.
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
Enhances user tactile feedback and operational recognition, reducing device size and preventing noise interference in audio signals, allowing for a similar operational feeling to physical buttons even in large touch panels.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to apply a vibration corresponding to a drive voltage to the touch device
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes: a touch device configured to receive a user operation; an actuator configured to apply a vibration corresponding to a drive voltage to the touch device; and a processor. The processor is configured to: apply a first voltage to the actuator to vibrate the touch device with a first vibration in response to a touch-down during a touch operation, the touch-down in which a pressing force of a predetermined value or more is detected from start of touch to the touch device; and apply a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the actuator to vibrate the touch device with a second vibration in response to a touch release during the touch operation, the touch release in which a pressing force of a value lower than the predetermined value after the touch-down is detected.