EP3256340A1 - Haptic feedback device for motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a haptic feedback device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a tactile surface (2) for detecting the contact of a user and at least one electrically controlled vibration actuator (3) for vibrating the tactile surface (2), said device being characterised in that it comprises at least one passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43) arranged at a distance from the electrically controlled vibration actuator (3) and designed such that it begins to vibrate as a result of the vibration of the tactile surface (2) generated by the electrically controlled vibration actuator (3). The invention also relates to a haptic feedback method for a haptic feedback device (1) of a motor vehicle.

Description

 HAPTIC RETURN DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

 The present invention relates to a haptic feedback device for a motor vehicle, generating a haptic feedback to the user in response to a touch on a touch surface.

 In the automotive field, touch-sensitive multifunction control interfaces are increasingly used to control electrical or electronic systems, such as an air conditioning system, an audio system or a navigation system. Such interfaces may be associated with a display screen and allow navigation in pull-down menus comprising various commands relating to the systems to be controlled.

 In order to compensate for the loss of information by mechanical feedback confirming to the user a contact on the tactile surface, the generation of a haptic feedback is provided as feedback to the user. The haptic feedback is generally obtained by the action of a vibratory actuator fixed to the tactile surface and controlled by a control unit in order to vibrate the tactile surface in response to a contact.

 However, when the touch surface has large dimensions, the haptic feedback may not be perceived on the entire surface. Indeed, the more the point of contact of the user with the touch surface is away from the actuator and the more the haptic feedback is attenuated.

 Several vibratory actuators can then be used to transmit a haptic feedback that can be felt on the entire touch surface. These actuators are controlled simultaneously. The larger the size of the touch surface, the more the number of actuators increases. For example, four vibratory actuators are provided to vibrate a nine inch touch surface and eight actuators to vibrate a fifteen inch touch surface.

 A disadvantage of these systems is that they have a complex architecture.

 Another disadvantage is the difficulty of implementing the control synchronization of this plurality of actuators.

Another solution is to substantially increase the size of the vibratory actuator. Thus, the larger the touch surface, the larger the actuator. A large actuator makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the vibration of the tactile surface so that it can be felt even in areas far from the actuator. However, such an actuator increases the size of the system. Moreover, it is more expensive.

 Moreover, it may be difficult to obtain haptic feedback of "frankness" with these solutions, that is to say with a strong acceleration over a short period.

 An object of the present invention is to provide a haptic feedback device for tactile surfaces of relatively large size, having a moderate cost, a simple and compact architecture, easy to implement, can generate a haptic feedback of frank appearance that is felt well on the entire touch surface.

 For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a haptic feedback device for a motor vehicle comprising a tactile surface intended to detect a contact of a user and at least one electrically operated vibratory actuator intended to vibrate the tactile surface, characterized in that it comprises at least one passive resonator arranged at a distance from the electrically controlled vibratory actuator and configured to vibrate due to the vibration of the touch surface generated by the electrically operated vibratory actuator.

 The passive resonator is an actuator having a resonant frequency of its own without power supply. This makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the vibration generated by the electrically operated vibratory actuator so that the haptic feedback can be felt on the entire tactile surface. In addition, it eliminates the problems of control synchronization. The haptic feedback device is thus simplified and compact.

 According to one or more characteristics of the haptic feedback device, taken alone or in combination,

 the haptic feedback device comprises a passive resonator and an electrically operated vibratory actuator disposed on a diagonal of the tactile surface,

 the haptic feedback device comprises a passive resonator and two electrically controlled vibratory actuators, arranged in a triangle, the two electrically controlled vibratory actuators being arranged in two corners of the tactile surface,

the haptic feedback device comprises two passive resonators and two electrically operated vibratory actuators arranged at the four corners of the tactile surface, the electrically operated vibratory actuator and the passive resonator have the same resonance frequency. The generated vibration is thus homogeneous over the entire tactile surface,

 the passive resonator has a resonant frequency of the order of that of the tactile surface. The vibration of the passive resonator then makes it possible to amplify the haptic effect,

 the haptic feedback device comprises a control unit connected to the electrically operated vibratory actuator and the passive resonator comprises an electrically controlled vibratory actuator not connected to the control unit. The vibratory actuators with electric control can therefore be identical. This facilitates assembly and assembly of the haptic feedback device.

 the haptic feedback device comprises a control unit connected to the electrically-controlled vibratory actuator and the passive resonator comprises an electrically-controlled vibratory actuator connected to the control unit, the control unit being configured to control the implementation of vibration of a single electrically operated vibratory actuator at a time, the vibratory actuator with unmanned electrical control forming the passive resonator. The possibility of generating complex haptic feedback is then preserved, the electrically operated vibratory actuators are identical,

 at least one electrically operated vibratory actuator is of electromagnetic or piezoelectric type,

 the passive resonator comprises mass-spring resonator. The cost and size of the passive resonator can be reduced and wiring simplified.

 the diagonal of the touch surface is greater than 25.4 centimeters.

 The subject of the invention is also a haptic feedback method for a motor vehicle haptic feedback device as described above, characterized in that the vibration control of a single electrically operated vibratory actuator is controlled at the same time to make vibrate the touch surface in response to contact of the touch surface.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as on the appended figures which represent a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention and in which:

 FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of an example of a haptic feedback device for a motor vehicle,

 FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of the arrangement of electrically operated vibratory actuators and of a passive resonator under a tactile surface,

 FIG. 3 is a graph showing the amplitude of the acceleration as a function of the position of a user's finger along a dimension of the tactile surface, for a haptic feedback device (curve A) and for a system of the prior art (curve B),

 FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a passive resonator,

 FIG. 5 shows three examples of the elastic blade of the passive resonator of FIG. 4,

 FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a passive resonator, and

 FIG. 7 represents a schematic view of another example of a haptic feedback device for a motor vehicle.

 In these figures, the same elements bear the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of a haptic feedback device 1 for a motor vehicle, for example arranged in a control panel of the vehicle.

 The haptic feedback device 1 comprises a touch-sensitive surface 2, at least one electrically-controlled vibratory actuator 3 integral with the touch-sensitive surface 2, for example fixed to a support of the touch-sensitive surface 2, and a control unit 5 connected to the electric vibratory actuator 3.

 The touch surface 2 is for example a flat surface. It comprises a sensor, such as resistive or capacitive, for detecting a contact of a user on the surface and determining the position of the contact. The sensor is connected to the control unit 5.

The touch surface 2 allows a user to select, activate or validate a function, such as a function of the air conditioning system, navigation system, the car radio or scrolling and selecting a choice from a list, such as a phone list. The touch surface 2 is for example associated with a display screen to form a touch screen and allow navigation in pull-down menus comprising various commands relating to the systems to be controlled.

 The touch surface 2 may have large dimensions, the diagonal being for example greater than 10 inches (or 25.4 cm).

 The control unit 5 is configured to control the vibration of the electrically operated vibratory actuator 3 in response to a contact of the tactile surface 2. The vibration of the tactile surface 2 makes it possible to provide a haptic feedback to the user in response to a contact, such as a support or a rotation or a linear movement ... by his finger or any other activation means (for example a stylus). The return is said to be "haptic" because it is perceptible by the touch of the tactile surface 2.

 The haptic feedback device 1 furthermore comprises at least one passive resonator 4, arranged at a distance from the electrically-controlled vibratory actuator 3 and configured to vibrate due to the vibration of the tactile surface 2 generated by the vibratory actuator. electrically operated 3.

 The passive resonator 4 is an actuator having a resonance frequency of its own without power supply. This makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the vibration generated by the electrically operated vibratory actuator 3 so that the haptic feedback can be felt on the entire tactile surface 2. In addition, the control synchronization problems are overcome. . The haptic feedback device 1 is thus simplified and compact.

 The haptic feedback device 1 may thus comprise one or more electrically actuated vibratory actuator (s) 3 and one or more passive resonator (s) 4, with a similar or distinct number of control vibratory actuators. electrical 3 and passive resonators 4.

 The vibratory actuators 3 and the passive resonators 4 are for example fixed to the tactile surface 2 in a regularly alternating manner.

 The haptic feedback device 1 comprises, for example, a passive resonator 4 and an electrically operated vibratory actuator 3, for example arranged on either side of the tactile surface 2, opposite each other, for example example on the diagonal of the touch surface 2, in a respective corner.

According to another example illustrated in FIG. 2, the haptic feedback device 1 comprises a passive resonator 4 and two electrically operated vibratory actuators 3 arranged in triangle, the two electrically operated vibratory actuators 3 being arranged in two corners of the tactile surface 2.

 In another example, the haptic feedback device 1 comprises two passive resonators 4 and two electrically controlled vibratory actuators 3, arranged at the four corners of the tactile surface 2, the passive resonators 4 being arranged on the same diagonal and the vibratory actuators at electrical control 3 being arranged on the other diagonal.

 The electrically operated vibratory actuator 3 and the passive resonator 4 have for example the same resonance frequency. The generated vibration is thus homogeneous over the entire tactile surface 2.

 According to another example, the passive resonator 4 has a resonant frequency of the order of that of the tactile surface 2. The vibration of the passive resonator 4 then makes it possible to amplify the haptic effect.

 According to a first exemplary embodiment, the passive resonator 4 comprises an electrically controlled vibratory actuator not connected to the control unit 5. This non-controlled electrical vibratory actuator vibrates due to the vibration of the tactile surface 2. The electrically actuated vibratory actuator 3 connected to the control unit 5 and the electrically operated vibratory actuator of the passive resonator 4 may therefore be identical. This facilitates assembly and assembly of the haptic feedback device 1.

 Vibratory actuators with electrical control are for example of the electromagnetic type. They are based for example on a technology similar to that of the speaker (in English: "Voice-Coil"). Vibratory actuators with electrical control comprise for example an LRA (for "Linear Resonant Actuator" in English), also called "linear motor". The moving part is for example formed by a movable magnet sliding inside a fixed coil or by a movable coil sliding around a fixed magnet, the movable part and the fixed part cooperating by electromagnetic effect.

 In another example, the electrically operated vibratory actuators are of the piezoelectric type.

 It is also possible to associate a piezoelectric type electrically controlled vibratory actuator with an electromagnetic type electrically controlled vibratory actuator, the piezoelectric type electrically controlled vibratory actuator being able to be the passive resonator 4 or the control vibratory actuator. 3 electric piloted.

The electrically operated vibratory actuator 3 and the passive resonator 4 are intended to vibrate the tactile surface 2, for example in a direction of vibration Z perpendicular to the plane of the tactile surface 2 (Figure 1).

 Thus and as can be seen in FIG. 3, the amplitude of the vibration of the tactile surface 2 is increased (curve A in solid lines), compared to the amplitude of the variation of a tactile surface 2 to which n It is fixed that a single actuator (curve B in dashed lines), for a haptic return device 1 comprising two identical electrical vibratory actuators and therefore having the same resonance frequency.

 According to another exemplary embodiment, the passive resonator 4 comprises a spring-type resonator 41; 42. The mass-spring type resonator 41; 42 comprises an elastic element, such as a blade 6 and a weight 8 attached to the elastic element. It vibrates because of its mechanical structure and the vibration to which it is subjected.

 FIG. 4 thus represents a first example of a spring-mass resonator

41.

 The mass-spring type resonator 41 comprises an elastic blade 6, having a substantially curved shape at rest (FIG. 5), fixed at its two ends to an upright 7 of the resonator 41. The amount 7 is itself attached to the touch surface 2 or its support. The resonator 41 further comprises a flyweight 8 fixed to the elastic blade 6, for example substantially in the center of the elastic blade 6. The weight of the flyweight 8 and its position on the elastic blade 6 make it possible to adjust the resonance frequency of the resonator 41. The upright 7 is fixed to the tactile surface 2 so that the weight 8 and the elastic blade 6 vibrate in the same direction of vibration Z as the touch surface 2, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the touch surface 2.

 FIG. 6 represents another example of mass-spring type resonator 42.

 The resonator 42 comprises an elastic blade 6, having a substantially linear form at rest, a first end of which is fixed to an upright 7 of the resonator 42. The upright 7 is itself fixed to the tactile surface 2 or to its support. The resonator 42 further comprises a flyweight 8 fixed to the second end of the elastic blade 6. The weight of the flyweight 8 and its position on the elastic blade 6 make it possible to adjust the resonance frequency of the resonator 42. The amount 7 is fixed at the touch surface 2 so that the weight 8 and the elastic blade 6 vibrate in the same vibration direction Z as the touch surface 2, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the touch surface 2.

 It is understood that the cost and size of the passive resonator can be reduced and wiring simplified.

According to another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the passive resonator 4 comprises an electrically operated vibratory actuator 43 connected to the control unit 5. The vibratory actuators with electrical control 3, 43 are for example identical.

 The control unit 5 is then configured to drive the vibration of a single electrically operated vibratory actuator 3, 43 at a time, the unmanned electrical control vibratory actuator forming the passive resonator 4. It then retains the possibility of generating complex haptic feedback.

Claims

 A haptic feedback device (1) for a motor vehicle having a tactile surface (2) for detecting a contact of a user and at least one electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) for vibrating the tactile surface (2), characterized in that it comprises at least one passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43), arranged at a distance from the electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) and configured to vibrate due to the vibration of the touch surface (2) generated by the electrically operated vibratory actuator (3). ).  A haptic feedback device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43) and an electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) arranged on a diagonal of the tactile surface (2).  A haptic feedback device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43) and two vibratory actuators with electric control (3), arranged in a triangle, the two electrically operated vibratory actuators (3) being arranged in two corners of the touch surface (2).  A haptic feedback device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two passive resonators (4; 41; 42; 43) and two electrically operated vibratory actuators (3) arranged at the four corners of the tactile surface (2). .  A haptic feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) and the passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43) have the same resonance frequency.  A haptic feedback device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the passive resonator (4; 41; 42; 43) has a resonant frequency of the order of that of the touch surface (2).  A haptic feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (5) connected to the electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) and in that the passive resonator (4) comprises a electrically operated vibratory actuator not connected to the control unit (5).  A haptic feedback device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (5) connected to the electrically operated vibratory actuator (3) and in that the passive resonator (4) comprises an electrically operated vibratory actuator (43) connected to the control unit (5), the control unit (5) being configured to control the setting in vibration of a single electrically operated vibratory actuator (3, 43) at the same time, the electrically operated vibratory actuator (43) which is not controlled and forms the passive resonator (4).  9. haptic return device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the vibratory actuators electrically controlled (3, 43) are identical.  10. haptic feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrically actuated vibratory actuator (3, 43) is of electromagnetic or piezoelectric type.  1 1. A haptic feedback device according to one of claims 1 to 6 or 10, characterized in that the passive resonator (41; 42) comprises a mass-spring resonator.  12. haptic feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diagonal of the touch surface (2) is greater than 25.4 centimeters.  13. A haptic feedback method for haptic feedback device (1) of a motor vehicle according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it controls the vibration of a single electrically operated vibratory actuator (3, 43) both to vibrate the touch surface (2) in response to contact of the touch surface (2).