Automotive Force Sensing with Acceleration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices in automobiles face challenges in accurately detecting force applied to input surfaces due to environmental accelerations, such as those caused by the vehicle's movement, which can lead to incorrect calculations of the force applied by input objects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an accelerometer to measure environmental acceleration values, which are then used in conjunction with force sensor measurements to calculate and report the input object force value, thereby compensating for environmental forces and improving the accuracy of force detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to detect input object forces in automobiles, then force detection capability is provided, but environmental accelerations cause incorrect force calculations
Solution Approach 1:
An accelerometer is introduced as an intermediary device to measure environmental accelerations. The processing circuitry uses this acceleration data to calculate compensation values that are subtracted from the force sensor readings, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of environmental accelerations on force detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the accelerometer continuously monitors environmental accelerations, and the processing circuitry dynamically adjusts the force calculations by applying compensation values based on real-time acceleration data. This closed-loop approach ensures accurate force detection despite changing environmental conditions.
2Measurement precision
If accelerometer is added to compensate for environmental accelerations, then force detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves multiple functions: it measures environmental accelerations for compensation, provides data for calculating compensation values, and enables the system to adapt to various driving conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing broader system capabilities beyond simple force detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical force sensing mechanisms with a combination of simpler sensors (accelerometer and force sensors) and computational processing. The compensation calculation approach substitutes mechanical complexity with electronic sensing and software-based correction, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more accurate detection of input object forces by accounting for environmental accelerations, enhancing the usability and reliability of input devices in automotive systems.
Implementation Method 1
obtain, from an accelerometer, an environmental acceleration value
Implementation Method 2
sensor circuitry configured to obtain measurements from force sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Automotive acceleration compensation force sensing includes determining a total force value from the measurements from force sensors, obtaining, from an accelerometer, an environmental acceleration value, and calculating an input object force value on an input surface using a total force value and the environmental acceleration value. Automotive acceleration compensation force sensing further includes reporting the input object force value.