Capacitive Operation Member Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operation devices with proximity sensors on operation levers have limited component arrangement flexibility and reduced lifespan due to the sensor's presence.
Innovation Solution
An operation device with a housing featuring an electrically conductive surface that capacitively couples with an operation member, allowing for detection of the operation body's proximity without a proximity sensor on the movable part, enhancing component arrangement freedom and device longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a proximity sensor is equipped on the operation lever, then the location of the operation body can be detected, but the degree of freedom in arranging components is decreased and the life of the operation device is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical proximity sensor system with a capacitive detection system. The operation lever itself becomes a capacitive element that forms a capacitor with the operation body, eliminating the need for separate proximity sensors and their associated wiring and power supply components.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mechanical operation component and the capacitive sensing element. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
2Measurement precision
If a proximity sensor is equipped on the operation lever, then the location of the operation body can be detected, but the life of the operation device is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical proximity sensor system with a capacitive detection system. The operation lever itself becomes a capacitive element that forms a capacitor with the operation body, eliminating the need for separate proximity sensors and their associated wiring and power supply components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the movable operation lever and transfers it to the fixed housing. The housing with its conductive coating becomes the sensing element, while the operation lever simply serves as the mechanical operation component without any embedded 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
This configuration increases the degree of freedom in arranging components and extends the operational life of the device by eliminating the need for proximity sensors, while maintaining effective detection of the operation body's proximity through capacitance changes.
Implementation Method 1
The operation member is configured to be capacitively coupled to the operation body and to the electrically conductive portion. The detector is configured to detect whether the operation body is in proximity to the operation member based on a change in capacitance at the electrically conductive portion.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device includes a housing, an operation member, and a detector. The housing includes an electrically conductive portion on a surface thereof. The operation member is supported by the housing such that the operation member is movable in response to an operation by an operation body, and is configured to be capacitively coupled to the operation body and to the electrically conductive portion. The detector is configured to detect whether the operation body is in proximity to the operation member based on a change in capacitance at the electrically conductive portion.