Vehicle Operating Device With Electroactive Polymer Blocking Body
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for motor vehicles lack a simple and effective method to control the generation of haptic feedback on control elements, often relying on complex mechanisms or continuous voltage application for haptic and acoustic feedback.
Innovation Solution
An operating device featuring a snap-action disk for haptic feedback and an electroactive polymer blocking body that changes shape with electrical voltage, allowing controlled deformation and blocking of the control element, along with a detection device to adjust voltage based on touch position, enabling precise haptic and acoustic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a blocking body made of electroactive polymer is used to control haptic feedback, then the precision of haptic feedback control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of voltage control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the blocking body by applying electrical voltage to the electroactive polymer, causing it to expand or contract. This parameter change (voltage application) directly controls whether the blocking body prevents or allows depression of the control element, thereby precisely controlling haptic feedback generation without requiring complex mechanical switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical blocking mechanisms (such as physical locks or springs) with an electroactive polymer blocking body that responds to electrical voltage. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and moving parts while achieving precise control over the control element's depressibility and haptic feedback timing
2Measurement precision
If voltage is applied to the blocking body to enable control element depression, then the accuracy of finger positioning is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies voltage to the blocking body in a periodic or conditional manner rather than continuously. The control device activates the electroactive polymer only when finger positioning accuracy needs to be enforced, allowing the control element to be depressed only when the finger is correctly positioned. This periodic activation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application while maintaining high positioning accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If a snap-action disk is used for haptic feedback, then the acoustic feedback quality is improved, but the risk of false triggering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies voltage to the blocking body in advance to prevent premature or false depression of the control element. By maintaining the blocking body in an expanded state that prevents contact element engagement, the system eliminates false triggering before it can occur. The snap-action disk remains ready to provide high-quality acoustic feedback when legitimately activated, while the blocking body preemptively prevents erroneous activation
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 simple and precise control of haptic feedback on motor vehicle control elements, preventing false triggering by ensuring accurate finger positioning and reducing the need for continuous voltage application.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking body (18) made of an electroactive polymer which can be deformed as a function of an applied electrical voltage in such a way that the lowering of the control element (12) is blocked or lowering of the control element (12) for deforming the snap disk (16) is made possible
Implementation Method 2
a snap-action disk (16) arranged under the control element (12) for exerting haptic feedback on the control element (12) when the snap-action disk (16) is deformed by lowering the control element (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element (12) which can be lowered by applying a force; a snap disc (16) arranged under the operating element (12) for providing haptic feedback at the operating element (12) when the snap disc (16) is deformed by lowering the operating element (12); a blocking element (18) made of an electroactive polymer arranged under the operating element (12) and next to the snap disc (16), the shape of which can be changed depending on an applied electrical voltage such that lowering of the operating element (12) is blocked or lowering of the operating element (12) is enabled to deform the snap disc (16); a detection device (22) for detecting a finger's touch position on the operating element (12);a control device (24) which is configured to adjust a voltage at the blocking element depending on the detected touch position of the finger. The invention further relates to a method for operating a control device (10) and a motor vehicle with such a control device (10).