Capacitive Electronic Seat Switch for Autonomous Vehicle

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat switches for autonomous vehicles are bulky and prone to failures, lacking the compactness and reliability needed for efficient operation in both manual and autonomous driving modes.

Innovation Solution

An electronic seat switch system with capacitive sensors and a printed circuit board (PCB) that detects pressure and capacitive information to adjust seat positions, including an emergency return feature, allowing for seamless operation in both manual and autonomous driving modes with reduced space occupancy and failure rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical switch is used for seat control, then the switch structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the switch occupies more space and has higher failure rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure rateVSAvoidswitch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with electronic sensors (capacitive or resistive touch sensors) that detect finger proximity or contact to control seat adjustments. This eliminates mechanical contact components, reducing failure rates while maintaining control functionality through electronic detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential control function from mechanical switches by using only the sensing capability without the mechanical contact elements. The switch structure is reduced to sensor arrays and control circuits, removing bulky mechanical components while preserving the seat adjustment control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If a mechanical switch is used for seat control, then the switch structure is simple, but the switch occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupancyVSAvoidswitch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with electronic sensors (capacitive or resistive touch sensors) that detect finger proximity or contact to control seat adjustments. This eliminates mechanical contact components, reducing failure rates while maintaining control functionality through electronic detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential control function from mechanical switches by using only the sensing capability without the mechanical contact elements. The switch structure is reduced to sensor arrays and control circuits, removing bulky mechanical components while preserving the seat adjustment control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate switches are provided for seat cushion, seat back, and headrest adjustment, then each function is controlled independently, but the switch occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control functionVSAvoidswitch space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate control switches into a single integrated touch sensor panel. The sensor array detects finger position and movement across different zones to control seat cushion, seat back, and headrest adjustments independently, consolidating multiple functions into one compact interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear switches to a two-dimensional touch sensor array. This allows multiple control functions to be distributed across different zones of the sensor panel, enabling independent control of seat components while maintaining a compact single-panel design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The electronic seat switch system provides a compact, reliable, and user-friendly solution for seat adjustments in autonomous vehicles, reducing space requirements and failure rates compared to mechanical switches, while ensuring passenger comfort and safety through efficient operation in various driving modes.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of sensors detecting pressure information and capacitive information caused by the touch of the user's finger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of sensors detecting pressure information and capacitive information caused by the touch of the user's finger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10252641B2Electronic seat switch for power seat of autonomous vehicle and method of operating power seat using electronic seat switch

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic seat switch for a power seat of an autonomous vehicle and a method of operating the power seat by using the electronic seat switch, wherein the power seat is configured to be operated by using the electronic seat switch that is compact and slim.