Capacitive Proximity Sensor Vehicle Floor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive vehicles lack enhanced user inputs for controlling vehicle operations, particularly in automated vehicles, where traditional floor assemblies do not effectively provide intuitive control mechanisms beyond basic foot placement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle floor assembly incorporating a capacitive proximity sensor assembly with multiple sensing configurations, including touch, pressure, and gesture detection, integrated into the floor structure to enable users to control vehicle functions through foot inputs, utilizing a controller to process signals from an array of capacitive sensors with interdigitated electrodes and a compliant dielectric layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional floor assembly is used, then the vehicle provides basic foot placement functionality, but it lacks enhanced user inputs for controlling vehicle operations
Solution Approach 1:
The floor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the structural floor surface and as a control input device. The capacitive proximity sensor assembly is integrated into the floor structure, allowing the same surface to detect touch, pressure, and gesture inputs while maintaining its primary function as a foot placement area. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is merged with the floor structure itself rather than being a separate control device. The capacitive sensors are embedded within the floor mat or floor panel, combining the structural element with the sensing element. This integration allows the floor to directly provide control inputs, resolving the contradiction between enhanced versatility and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive proximity sensor assembly is integrated into the floor structure, then enhanced user inputs are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive proximity sensor assembly is designed to detect multiple types of inputs (touch, pressure, gesture) using a single integrated structure. The same sensor array can identify different user intentions based on the pattern and magnitude of capacitive changes, enabling gesture detection without requiring separate specialized sensors for each input type.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is divided into multiple discrete capacitive sensors arranged in an array across the floor surface. Each sensor can independently detect inputs, and by analyzing which specific sensors are activated and their relative positions, the system can distinguish between different gesture types. This segmentation allows complex gesture detection capabilities while keeping individual sensor elements relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If multiple sensing configurations are provided, then intuitive control of vehicle operations is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing configurations (touch, pressure, gesture detection) are merged into a single capacitive proximity sensor assembly. The same basic sensor structure and readout circuitry support multiple sensing modes by analyzing different characteristics of the capacitive signal, eliminating the need to manufacture and integrate separate sensor systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor assembly is designed as a universal input device that can interpret multiple types of user interactions through a single sensing mechanism. By analyzing the temporal and spatial patterns of capacitive changes across the sensor array, the system provides intuitive control for various vehicle operations without requiring complex manufacturing processes for multiple specialized sensors.
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 intuitive control of vehicle operations, such as menu selections, navigation, and braking, by detecting touch, pressure, and gesture inputs, enhancing user interaction in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive proximity sensor assembly provided on the floor structure and configured to detect a user touch input command and a user pressure input command
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle floor assembly includes a floor structure and a capacitive proximity sensor assembly configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command. The floor assembly further includes a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling a vehicle related operation based on the detected user input commands.