Vehicle Input Device with Opaque Panel and Orthogonal Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle input devices either require multiple mechanical switches on the instrument panel, which are aesthetically undesirable, or use a dedicated touch panel display, increasing costs and vulnerability to display malfunctions, while lacking user convenience by not constantly displaying operation buttons.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle input device featuring an opaque plate-shaped interior panel with operation and non-operation areas, equipped with a press sensor and vibrator that provides tactile feedback in an orthogonal direction, allowing for reduced mechanical switches and constant display of operation icons without increasing costs or vulnerability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used on the instrument panel, then user convenience is maintained with constant operation capability, but the number of mechanical switches increases and design quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mechanical switch functions into a single integrated operation panel with multiple pressable symbols. The operation panel integrates the functions of multiple separate mechanical switches into one unified component, reducing the total number of discrete switch elements while maintaining the ability to perform multiple control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation panel serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both a decorative interior panel and a control interface with multiple pressable symbols. Each symbol on the panel can be pressed to trigger different control functions, making the single panel universal for multiple control purposes rather than requiring dedicated switches for each function.
2Loss of information
If a dedicated touch panel display device is used, then display functionality is improved, but cost increases and reliability deteriorates due to display malfunction risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from the operation panel itself, using a separate display device positioned adjacent to the panel. The operation panel focuses solely on providing pressable symbols and tactile feedback, while the separate display handles visual information presentation. This separation eliminates the risk of display malfunctions affecting the input functionality of the operation panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separate display device as an intermediary between the user and the control system. The display acts as a mediator that provides visual feedback and information without being integrated into the pressable symbol panel, allowing the input function (pressing symbols) and output function (displaying information) to operate independently.
3Ease of operation
If vibration is transmitted parallel to the touch panel, then tactile feedback is achieved, but vibration transmission efficiency deteriorates due to housing absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vibration transmission approach by vibrating the operation panel in the direction opposite to the housing - specifically, in the direction away from the housing (orthogonal to the panel surface). This inversion allows vibration energy to be transmitted directly to the user's finger without being absorbed or dampened by the housing structure, significantly improving vibration transmission efficiency.
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
This configuration reduces the number of mechanical switches, maintains user convenience by allowing operation at arbitrary times, and enhances tactile feedback while minimizing discomfort and display dependency, thus improving both design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a press sensor for detecting a press operation of a user on a switch portion
Implementation Method 2
a vibrator that vibrates the operation area portion in an operation surface orthogonal direction
Implementation Method 3
The operation area portion and the vibrator are connected via a primary transmission member for transmitting vibration generated by the vibrator to the operation area portion. The primary transmission member and the operation area portion are connected by multiple secondary transmission members having elasticity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A vehicle input device includes: an interior panel (11) that is an opaque plate-shaped member and provides a portion of an interior of a vehicle; and multiple fixing portions (16) for fixing the interior panel to the vehicle. In the interior panel, an operation area portion (11a) in which multiple symbols indicating multiple control contents in accordance with an instruction capable of being provided by an occupant and a non-operation area portion (11b) that is a portion other than the operation area portion are set. On a rear surface side of the operation area portion, a press sensor (12) for detecting a press operation of a user on a switch portion (111) and a vibrator (13) that vibrates the operation area portion in an operation surface orthogonal direction are placed. The switch portion is a portion in which the multiple symbols are placed in a surface of the operation area portion. The operation surface orthogonal direction is a direction orthogonal to the surface of the operation area portion. The vehicle input device includes a controller (15) that specifies an operation content of the occupant based on a detection result of the press sensor and causes the vibrator to vibrate. The multiple fixing portions are placed in the non-operation area portion and are not placed in the operation area portion.