Capacitive Vehicle Switch Spring Earthing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for motor vehicles lack precision and efficiency in recording physical parameters due to the absence of haptic feedback and require a large number of components for reliable grounding and operation.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a measuring unit having a first and second electrode, where a coupling element and a spring element ensure reliable grounding and maintain contact during relative movements, allowing for precise detection of physical parameters like capacitance or inductance, and is designed with a reduced number of components using a printed circuit board for enhanced functionality and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitive force sensor is used without haptic feedback, then the device can be operated, but the operator is unclear whether a device has been operated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback through a spring element that provides tactile resistance and feedback to the operator during operation. The spring element is integrated into the operating device structure, allowing the operator to feel the actuation state clearly, thus resolving the ambiguity of whether a device has been operated.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for grounding and operation, then reliable grounding is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The spring element serves dual purposes: providing haptic feedback and maintaining electrical grounding connection. The first and second electrodes are integrated into the operating device structure, eliminating the need for separate grounding components while maintaining reliable grounding throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, maintains electrical contact for grounding, and delivers haptic feedback to the operator. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while ensuring reliable grounding and operational feedback.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are moved relative to each other during actuation, then physical parameters can be detected, but contact reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring element that adapts its configuration during operation. The spring element maintains continuous electrical contact between the first electrode and grounding while allowing the second electrode to move for measurement purposes. This dynamic design ensures contact reliability is preserved even as electrodes move relative to each other for parameter detection.
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 solution enables precise and reliable operation with reduced components, providing haptic feedback and improved resolution, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design, allowing for efficient detection and operation of physical parameters in motor vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element 33 is separate from the ground contact 31 and, given the different distances A that occur as a result of the relative movements between the electrodes 7, 8, is in contact with both the ground contact 31 and the first electrode 7
Implementation Method 2
Depending on the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode, a value of a physical parameter can be detected by the measuring unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (3) for operating at least one device (5) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising an operating element (4) and a measuring unit (6, 6') which has a first electrode (7) and a second electrode (8) which are movable relative to each other depending on an actuation of the operating element (4), and which, depending on a distance (A) between the first electrode (7) and the second electrode (8) from each other, a value of a physical parameter can be detected by the measuring unit (6, 6') and the device (5) can be operated depending on the value, wherein the operating device (3) has a coupling element (11) which is motionally coupled to the operating element (4) and to the first electrode (7), and the operating device (3) has a carrier plate (9) on which the second electrode (8) is formed, and an earthing contact (31) of an earthing connection (32) for earthing the first electrode (7) on the carrier plate (9) is trained,wherein the grounding connection (32) has a spring element (33) separate from the grounding contact (31), which is in contact with both the grounding contact (31) and the first electrode (7) in the case of the different distances (A) occurring due to the relative movements between the electrodes (7, 8).