Vibration Mechanism Input Device Offset Bracket Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration-mechanism-equipped input devices face challenges in achieving a large screen size while maintaining thinness and superior design, particularly in on-vehicle applications where weight and thickness are critical factors.

Innovation Solution

A vibration-mechanism-equipped input device with a vibration generating part spaced apart from the manipulation part and linked by a bracket, allowing for increased vibration force without increasing the device's thickness, and utilizing a buffer part to control vibration components and maintain in-plane evenness, enabling efficient vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a vibration generating part is attached to the rear surface of a large manipulation part to generate sufficient vibration force, then the vibration force is adequate, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration forceVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the vibration generating part not on the rear surface (Z-axis direction) but at the lateral side (X or Y-axis direction) of the manipulation part. This spatial repositioning allows vibration force generation without increasing the thickness dimension, resolving the contradiction between adequate vibration force and thin device profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the vibration generating part is placed at the center of gravity of the manipulation part, then highly even vibration is achieved, but the device cannot be made thin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration evennessVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric configuration where the vibration generating part is offset from the center of gravity position and placed at the lateral side. This asymmetric positioning, combined with the elastic member's mechanical properties, achieves both thin profile and acceptable vibration distribution across the manipulation surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Power

If a large vibrator is used to satisfy large screen weight, then sufficient vibration force is provided, but the device cannot be thinned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration powerVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes an elastic member (flexible element) to transmit vibration from the compact vibration generating part to the manipulation part. This flexible transmission mechanism allows a small vibrator to effectively drive a large manipulation part, achieving high vibration power without requiring a large vibrator that would increase device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design effectively satisfies the demand for large and thin input devices by ensuring high in-plane evenness of vibration and efficient vibration transmission, suitable for on-vehicle applications without compromising design aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

the vibration generating part generates vibration at least in a direction deviating from a line that connects the one end and other end of the bracket together; the manipulation part has a buffer part that eliminates a vibration component in a direction along the line from vibration components generated by the vibration generating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the manipulation part has a buffer part that eliminates a vibration component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3388926B1Vibration-mechanism-equipped input device
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3388926B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3388926B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3388926B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A vibration-mechanism-equipped input device has: a manipulation part on which the manipulator can perform an input manipulation, one end of a bracket being attached to the manipulation part; a vibration generating part that generates vibration to be transmitted to the manipulation part; and a controller that controls the operation of the vibration generating part. The vibration generating part is attached to another end of the bracket, the position of the other end being offset from the one end of the bracket.