Input device with variably protruding control buttons

Tactile Vehicle Armrest Variable Input Device Based on Shape Memory Coil Grid Actuators

This technology is an input device where selecting a convenience feature via mode buttons on a vehicle armrest causes a grid of coil-type shape memory actuators to protrude individually, forming 3D control buttons tailored to the selected function, while an elastic sensing layer above detects touch inputs.

Touch-based user interfaces are implemented on flat surfaces, forcing drivers to rely entirely on sight to distinguish buttons. This creates safety risks, as drivers must look away from the road to operate the center console. While fluid-based 3D buttons and motion recognition have been proposed, they face challenges regarding low-cost commercialization.

This technology allows +/- or arrow-shaped buttons to rise tactilely under the fingertips based on the selected mode, enabling drivers to operate climate, audio, navigation, and call functions by touch alone while keeping their eyes on the road. Piezoelectric elements provide haptic feedback based on pressure, and LEDs confirm inputs with light. Suitable for compact spaces like armrests and consoles, it can replace multiple physical buttons with a single compact module.

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Key Features:

• Multiple mode buttons placed on one side of the vehicle armrest for selecting in-vehicle convenience features by type
• Multiple coil-type shape memory actuators arranged in a grid, individually powered to variably protrude control buttons corresponding to the selected mode
• A highly elastic resin film contact surface that deforms flexibly under pressure from the actuator ends, with sensing patterns installed inside to detect touch input
• Piezoelectric elements provided at the actuator ends to provide haptic feedback corresponding to touch pressure, and LED elements that emit light corresponding to touch pressure

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Education for the development of soft robot deformation and stiffness control technology for avatar-type disaster rescue robots.

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