Vehicle Badge Assembly With Force-Concentrating Touch Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle closure access control systems lack integration of sensor-based features within decorative or informative badge assemblies, limiting their functionality in controlling access closures efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A badge assembly with a sensor module that includes a deflectable wall and an electrically conductive film, where protrusions on the badge concentrate force to deflect the wall, triggering a sensor signal change, which controls the access closure state, such as locking or unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensor-based closure access control features are integrated into motor vehicle badge assemblies, then the functionality and efficiency of controlling access closures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the decorative badge assembly with sensor-based access control functionality by integrating a sensor module, deflectable wall, and conductive film into the badge structure. This merging allows the badge to serve dual purposes: aesthetic identification and functional access control, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The badge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a decorative identifier and simultaneously functions as an access control interface. By making the badge universal for both aesthetic and functional purposes, the system enhances adaptability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
2Ease of operation
If a deflectable wall with protrusions is used to concentrate force and trigger sensor signals, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable wall with protrusions is designed to automatically concentrate applied force and trigger the sensor signal without requiring additional mechanical components or complex actuation mechanisms. The structure serves itself by converting user pressure directly into sensor activation, improving ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
3Reliability
If the sensor is spaced apart from the electrically conductive film, then the reliability of sensor detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable wall acts as an intermediary element between the user's manual force and the sensor. When the deflectable wall deflects, it brings the conductive film into proximity with the sensor, enabling reliable detection through the intermediate mechanical action rather than direct contact, thus improving reliability while managing structural complexity.
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
Enables efficient control of access closures by converting manual force applied to the badge into detectable sensor signals, effectively changing the state of the access closure, enhancing the integration of sensor-based features within motor vehicle badge assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor spaced apart from the electrically conductive film and configured to produce a sensor signal, wherein the sensor is configured to produce a detectable change in the sensor signal in response to deflection of the deflectable wall to within a detection proximity of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A badge assembly may include a badge having a display surface and an opposite mounting surface, and a sensor module mountable to a motor vehicle and including a deflectable wall with an electrically conductive film affixed thereto, and at least one sensor spaced apart from the electrically conductive film and configured to produce at least one sensor signal. The badge is mounted to the deflectable wall with at least one protrusion extending between and in contact with the mounting surface and the deflectable wall. The at least one protrusion concentrates force applied to the display surface of the badge to the deflectable wall to cause the deflectable wall to deflect toward the at least one sensor to produce a detectable change in the at least one sensor signal, the detectable change in the at least one sensor signal causing a change of state of the access closure.