# US 10,310,603 B2 · Control interface with haptic feedback using a magnetorheological fluid module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,603 B2 - Document ID: US10310603B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/917,374 - Filed: 2014-09-08 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-09 - Assignees: Dav - Applicants: Dav - Inventors: Stéphane Vanhelle; Jean-Marc Tissot - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310603B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - G06F 3/0362: with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts - G06F 3/0383: {Signal control means within the pointing device} - B60K 35/25: using haptic output - B60K 2360/126: Rotatable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/141: Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens - G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels - H01H 3/08: Turn knobs - H01H 2003/008: {with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract The invention relates to a control interface with haptic feedback (1), especially for a motor vehicle, designed to take into account an action of a user by providing the user with a haptic feedback, comprising a magnetorheological fluid module (5), said module comprising: an element (7) which rotates about an axis (Z) of the module (5), said rotary element (7) being in contact with the magnetorheological fluid and designed to be coupled to a grip element (3), a unit (9) for applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid, designed to modify the strength of the magnetic field, wherein said interface (1) comprises a processing unit (10) designed to receive a signal emitted by an environmental sensor (25, 26, 27, 29) and to control the unit (9) for applying a magnetic field according to the signal received. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control interface with haptic feedback for a motor vehicle, configured to take into account an action of a user by providing the user with a haptic feedback, the control interface comprising: a magnetorheological fluid module, said magnetorheological fluid module comprising: a rotary element comprising a plurality of walls and which rotates about an axis of the magnetorheological fluid module, said rotary element being in contact with a magnetorheological fluid and configured to be coupled to a grip element; an application unit for applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid, and modifying a strength of the magnetic field; a processing unit configured to receive a signal emitted by an environmental sensor and to control the application unit for applying a magnetic field according to the signal received; and a cavity to receive the magnetorheological fluid, wherein a central wall protrudes from the cavity and is arranged between the plurality of walls of the rotary element, wherein the environmental sensor is a torque sensor, and wherein the grip element is mounted in a pivoting manner in relation to a ring of the rotary element, and the pivoting of the grip element is blocked by the torque sensor arranged between the grip element and the ring of the rotary element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor is a user approach sensor at the grip element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The control interface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user approach sensor is a contact sensor configured to detect a user's touch on the grip element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The control interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is a resistive sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The control interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The control interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is an optical sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The control interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control of the application unit for applying a magnetic field corresponds to an absence of application of a magnetic field when the user does not touch the grip element and to the application of a magnetic field when the user touches the grip element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The control interface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user approach sensor is a contactless sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The control interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the contactless sensor is a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The control interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the contactless sensor is an optical sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The control interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control of the application unit for applying a magnetic field corresponds to an absence of application of a magnetic field when the user is not detected by the contactless approach sensor and the application of a magnetic field when the user is detected by the contactless approach sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is configured to supply a signal representative of a direction of the rotary element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is configured to supply a signal representative of an activation force of the rotary element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque sensor comprises a strain gauge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to detect a parameter of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The control interface as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control of the application unit for applying a magnetic field corresponds to the application of a haptic feedback pattern that is predefined as claimed in a value or a state of the motor vehicle's parameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a position encoder configured to supply a signal representative of an angular position of the rotary element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The control interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application unit for applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid is configured to modify the strength of the magnetic field applied to the magnetorheological fluid according to the rotation of the rotary element about the axis of the magnetorheological fluid module.