Capacitive Sensor Electrode Positioning for Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive proximity sensors in existing operating devices often affect the haptic feedback of depressible buttons and limit uniform backlighting due to their integration within the button body, impacting user experience.
Innovation Solution
The capacitive proximity sensor electrode is arranged outside the guide element and button body, designed as a helical spring between the carrier plate and front panel, ensuring mechanical independence and maintaining haptic integrity while providing reliable object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the capacitive proximity sensor electrode is integrated within the button body, then the sensor can detect approaching objects reliably, but the haptic feedback of the button is affected and backlighting uniformity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is extracted from the button body and relocated to the guide element structure. Specifically, the electrode is arranged on the inner side of the guide element wall, separating it from the button body's mechanical structure. This extraction eliminates the interference of the electrode with button haptics while preserving proximity detection functionality through capacitive sensing of approaching objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element is given multiple functions: it provides mechanical guidance for the button body during depression, structural support for the electrode arrangement, and serves as the mounting structure for the capacitive proximity sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and maintains compact design while resolving the haptic interference issue.
2Measurement precision
If the capacitive proximity sensor electrode is integrated within the button body, then the sensor can detect approaching objects, but uniform backlighting of the button is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is extracted from the button body and positioned on the guide element structure. This relocation removes the physical obstruction that the electrode would create within the button body, allowing light to pass through the button uniformly from the backlight source without being blocked or scattered by sensor components.
3Device complexity
If the electrode is arranged inside the guide element receiving space, then the sensor structure is compact, but the button haptics are mechanically affected
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode arrangement moves from a two-dimensional plane within the button body to a three-dimensional position on the guide element wall surface. This dimensional change allows the electrode to be positioned in the available space of the guide element structure without interfering with the button's mechanical depression path and haptic characteristics.
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 arrangement preserves the natural haptic properties of the button and allows for uniform illumination, enhancing user interaction without mechanical interference from the sensor components.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive proximity sensor with at least one electrode (34) for detecting an object (48) approaching a front wall (27) of the button body (26)
Implementation Method 2
The electrode is designed as a helical spring, ie as a spring element, by means of which the electrode is arranged under tension between the carrier plate and a front panel of the operating device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The operating device (10), in particular for a vehicle component or generally for a human/machine interface, is provided with at least one pushbutton (28), which has a depressible pushbutton element (26). In addition, the operating device (10) has a guide element (18), which defines an accommodating area (24) in which the pushbutton element (26) is at least partially accommodated and in which the pushbutton element (26) is guided, and a capacitive proximity sensor (36) with an electrode (34) for detecting an object approaching the pushbutton element (26), in particular a hand or a finger of a hand. The electrode (34) is arranged outside the accommodating area (24) of the guide element (18).