Capacitive Touch Control for Vehicle Volume Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle operating devices face challenges in simplifying the operation of multiple functions while conserving installation space, as traditional volume controls on touch-sensitive screens are difficult to use, ergonomically challenging, and occupy excessive space, leading to poor operability and increased risk of injury in crashes.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive operating device with a frame element and central region, utilizing a single detection element for pressure-sensory and capacitive sensing, allowing for intuitive operation with haptic feedback and compact design, reducing the number of components and installation space, and enhancing driving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch-sensitive slide control is used on a touch display, then volume control functions can be integrated into the screen, but it becomes difficult to operate and takes up excessive screen space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slide control on a touch display with a capacitive touch sensor system that detects finger position and movement. This allows volume control to be implemented through capacitive sensing zones on the dashboard surface, eliminating the need for physical slide movements while maintaining ease of use through intuitive touch gestures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional slide control on a screen to a three-dimensional capacitive sensing field in the dashboard surface. By creating capacitive zones at different depths and positions, the system enables volume control through finger placement and movement in multiple dimensions, improving operability while saving screen space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive linear slide control is used in the dashboard, then it can be integrated into the dashboard structure, but it is difficult to operate with small operating surface and takes up space for extra functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dashboard surface into multiple capacitive sensing zones (first capacitive zone, second capacitive zone, third capacitive zone) with different functions. Each zone can be independently activated and configured for specific operations, allowing a compact physical footprint to support multiple functions while maintaining adequate operating surface area for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive operating element is designed to perform multiple functions through different touch gestures and zone combinations. The same physical capacitive structure can control volume, temperature, or other parameters depending on the detected finger position and movement pattern, eliminating the need for separate controls for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotary knobs are added to operate different functions, then each function can have its own dedicated control, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single capacitive operating element that can be configured to control multiple different functions through software programming. The same physical component responds to different touch patterns, positions, and gestures to control volume, temperature, lighting, or other vehicle functions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated rotary knobs while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive operating element's functionality is dynamically reconfigurable through software. The control system can adapt the operating characteristics, sensitivity, and assigned functions based on the detected touch pattern, current vehicle state, and user preferences, allowing one physical component to replace multiple static controls.
4Ease of operation
If a classic rotary knob is used for volume control, then it can be operated intuitively, but it is an additional element that goes against gapless and flush designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotary knob with a capacitive touch sensing system that detects finger rotation gestures on the dashboard surface. The capacitive zones can detect rotational movement patterns and translate them into volume control commands, maintaining the intuitive rotary interaction while achieving a flush, gapless dashboard design without protruding mechanical components.
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 provides improved operability, reduced risk of injury, and enhanced crash safety by enabling intuitive operation of multiple functions with minimal space usage, while also reducing production costs and promoting a modern design.
Implementation Method 1
The detection element in this case is understood to be a component or a component combination for pressure-sensory and/or contact-sensory and/or capacitive sensing of an operating action
Implementation Method 2
The detection element in this case is understood to be a component or a component combination for pressure-sensory and/or contact-sensory and/or capacitive sensing of an operating action
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device for a motor vehicle, having a touch-sensitive operating element with a frame element and a central region. The touch-sensitive operating interface has a predetermined operating region at each of at least two predetermined touch positions for activating an operating function assigned to the respective operating region. The operating element is arranged to be displaceable at least partially along a translation axis that intersects the operating interface. The operating device has only one detection element, which is arranged facing an inner side of the touch-sensitive operating element that faces away from the touch-sensitive operating interface, and which is arranged to detect a displacement of each operating region along the translation axis.