SmartKnob Simplifies Haptic Technology Innovation

A Versatile Smart Button

A button can offer a surprisingly versatile interface, especially when it comes to the SmartKnob, which integrates a BLDC motor for programmable haptic feedback. It can rotate freely or with set resistance, returning to a fixed point when released, can lock at certain points, and can completely change its behavior based on interface requirements.

An Easy-to-Assemble Solution

For those without experience in electronics assembly, smart buttons can be difficult to mount. That's why the team at Kokensha Tech has created a simplified version that allows the use of a wider range of BLDC motors.

Technical Modifications

In addition to the motor, the original design used a magnetic encoder to detect position, as well as a voltage sensor to detect the pressure applied to the button. A circular LCD on the button provided visual feedback but required the motor to have a hollow central shaft, complicating assembly. Kokensha Tech has moved the display to a separate board that connects to the control board, thus expanding the range of compatible motors, as they no longer need a hollow shaft. The motor now attaches to a separate support plate, making it easier to swap out different motors.

Cost Reductions

Furthermore, the board has been redesigned for easier soldering, avoiding components with narrow pin spacing, and the original processor has been replaced with an ESP32, which is more affordable and easier to assemble.