Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 6770; President & CEO:
Toshihiro Kuriyama) has developed the HAPTIC™ Reactor Heavy Type for
powerful vibrations in touch feedback. Sample shipments, destined
primarily for the automotive market, begin in October 2020, with a start
to mass production expected in January 2021.
Touch input is on the rise in the automotive market with
accelerating moves toward integration and multifunctionality of controls
traditionally operated by switches or dials. Even outside the realms of
car navigation and audio, use of touch control is expected to keep
growing, not only as a design consideration, but also in view of the
user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). This is seen in air
conditioning and other HVAC*1 control performed via a
display, as well as in integration of advanced driver assistance system
(ADAS) functionality into in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.
Meanwhile, HVAC and IVI integration has made control more
complex. A number of issues have surfaced. For instance, there are also
reports of accidents occurring while the driver was operating touch
controls and not concentrating on the road because they were unsure if
their input operation was successful. To address these issues, sound,
light and other types of feedback are added to touch controls. There is
currently growing demand for vibrational feedback, which allows more
intuitive control and does not require any shift of gaze. The technology
is being watched as a means of delivering greater reassurance and safety
while driving. An example is incorporation into the car’s warning
systems – including lane departure warnings and vehicle proximity alerts
that warn the driver of approaching cars – of vibrations in the steering
wheel or the driver’s seat. Such features are better at conveying a
current situation.
Responding to these market needs, Alps Alpine has developed
a new addition to its lineup of HAPTIC™ Reactor models, which have been
used extensively in gaming and virtual reality equipment. The Heavy Type
produces an excitation force of 15G (at 100g), or five times the
existing Alps Alpine product. Sample shipments will begin in October
2020, destined primarily for the automotive market. Alps Alpine is
eyeing a January 2021 start to mass production.
HAPTIC™ Reactor Heavy Type is for installation behind the
front panel of car navigation or other systems. Earlier vibration
devices have had many issues, including the need for bigger dimensions
and a booster circuit to generate the power required to cause a heavy
object (approx. 600g – 1kg), such as a display, to vibrate. Alps Alpine
developed the HAPTIC™ Reactor Heavy Type to address these issues. Using
a different internal structure to Alps Alpine’s existing Hybrid Tough
Type and only one resonance point, the Heavy Type achieves a 15G
excitation force at a low frequency (130Hz) despite compact dimensions
of 33 × 23 × 13mm (W×D×H) and while retaining the typical HAPTIC™
Reactor characteristics of horizontal resonance, which is easier to
perceive with fingertips, and an outstanding response speed. A small
input voltage of 7V, too, means there is no need for a booster circuit,
contributing to greater freedom in end product design.
This
Heavy Type has a mounting tab and harness connector for greater
installation ease. The specifications allow easy incorporation not only
behind displays but across the vehicle cabin, such as in the steering
wheel, seats and door trims. Ready to work with a driver IC supplied by
Cirrus Logic, Inc., Dongwoon Anatech Co., Ltd., or new addition Dialog
Semiconductor plc, the device can generate vibration patterns matching
the particular conditions and requirements of each end product
manufacturer.
Alps Alpine will continue contributing to user experiences
that deliver greater safety, comfort and convenience to vehicle
occupants by matching the device with electronic control units (ECU)*2
that heighten compatibility with input devices, such as switches and
touch panels, various automotive sensors, and devices for output like
sound and light, and by advancing application to ADAS and warning
applications for autonomous driving.
*1
HVAC: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
*2
Electronic control unit (ECU): Device for controlling electronic
circuits, such as for engine control, lane keeping and communication
systems
＜Usage Example＞
＜Frequency and Voltage Characteristics＞
Features
Compact size and strong vibration force for greater reliability of
in-vehicle touch input
-
15G excitation force at low frequency (130Hz) despite compact size
and low voltage
-
Horizontal resonance type for good vibration perception with fingers
-
Mounting tab and harness connector for easy mounting and connection
Principal Applications
Control feedback for various automotive control devices
Warning systems for driving
Control feedback for large displays on ATMs, ticket machines, etc.
Specifications
| Model |
HAPTIC™ Reactor Heavy Type |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) |
33mm×23mm×13mm
*Not including mounting tab or harness connector
|
| Excitation force |
15G（at100g） |
| Drive frequency |
130Hz |
| Drive voltage |
7Vp-p (20 sine waves) |
| Resistance between terminals |
10.2Ω ±10% (at 20°C) |
| Operating life |
109,500 cycles |
| Weight |
25g Typ. |
Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
On January 1, 2019, Alps Electric Co., Ltd. and Alpine
Electronics, Inc. integrated their businesses and started out afresh
as Alps Alpine Co., Ltd with 42,289 employees. Alps Alpine will
steadily bring about synergies by drawing on the two companies'
advantages in core devices, system design and software development.
The new company will endeavour to create its own unique value for not
only the automotive market, but also mobile devices and consumer
electronics, as well as new sectors such as energy, healthcare and
industry. For more information please visit www.alpsalpine.com
Alps Alpine Europe GmbH
Alps Alpine Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Alps Alpine Co.,
Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 2013 the European Head Office has
been located in Munich and as such co-ordinates the Sales, Marketing
and Product Engineering activities of our offices in Dusseldorf,
Paris, Milton Keynes, Coventry, Gothenburg, Frolunda and Milan, as
well as the production activities of our manufacturing site in
Dortmund. Alps Electric Europe GmbH changed its name on 01.04.2020 to
Alps Alpine Europe GmbH.
