Motor Vehicle Operating Element With Electromagnetic Haptic Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control elements with display and switching functions often require complex mechanical components for haptic feedback, leading to increased design complexity, cost, and potential failure points, while also lacking flexibility in operation and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A control element for motor vehicles utilizing a combination of a permanent electromagnet and a permanent magnet, with an electromagnet providing user-defined blocking and release functions, allowing for flexible operation and a compact design without additional mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless operating elements are used, then hygiene is improved and cleaning effort is reduced, but haptic feedback and tactile recognition are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is segmented into distinct functional layers: a contactless sensor region for hygienic operation and a separate haptic feedback mechanism (vibrator) that provides tactile response without requiring physical contact between the user and the control surface
Solution Approach 2:
A haptic feedback mechanism (vibration motor) acts as an intermediary to transmit operational status and system states to the user through tactile sensations, compensating for the lack of direct haptic interaction in contactless operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless operating elements are used, then cleaning effort is reduced, but operability and user guidance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless operating element incorporates visual indicators (such as LED lights or display elements) that change color or illumination patterns to indicate operational status, available functions, and system states, providing intuitive user guidance without requiring physical contact
Solution Approach 2:
Visual and haptic intermediaries convey system information and operational status to the user, replacing the need for tactile exploration and physical feedback that would otherwise guide operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless operating elements are used, then bacterial growth is reduced, but tactile recognition is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical contact-based operating system is replaced with a contactless sensing system (such as capacitive or optical sensors) that detects user input without physical contact, thereby eliminating bacterial growth while maintaining operational capability through alternative detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Haptic feedback mechanisms serve as intermediaries to provide tactile recognition of operational status and system states, compensating for the loss of direct tactile interaction in contactless operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating element (10) for a motor vehicle. An operating element (10) of this type comprises a housing element (12), a keycap element (14) arranged on the housing element (12), at least two lever elements (16) arranged in the housing element (12), and at least one switch element (28) which is arranged such that it can switch between the at least two lever elements (16) and the keycap element (14). The operating element (10) also comprises at least one at least partially electrically switchable first functional element (20) and at least one second functional element (22) arranged on the two lever elements (16). The at least one at least partially electrically switchable first functional element (20) is also operatively connected to the at least one second functional element (22). A change in status in the at least one first functional element (20) brings about a change in status in the at least one second functional element (22), such that the at least one switch element (28) can be switched in a user-defined manner from a first position into a second position by means of at least one of the two lever elements (16) with the application of external force on the keycap element (14). The invention also relates to a vehicle (58) comprising at least one proposed operating element (10).