Capacitive Touch Vehicle Shifter Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle shifter modules are complex and costly due to the use of moving parts, prone to wear, and can allow liquid egress, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle shifter interface with a protruding contoured member featuring capacitive touch sensor pads that eliminate the need for moving parts, allowing for gear selection and other inputs through rotary and positional movements, integrated into a center console or armrest for a seamless human-machine interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional stick-type or rotary knob shifters are used, then gear selection function is achieved, but the module becomes complex and costly due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical shifter system (stick-type or rotary knob with moving parts) with a capacitive touch sensor system. The capacitive sensors detect finger proximity and touch gestures to determine gear selection, eliminating the need for physical moving components. This substitution of mechanical system with an electrical sensing system directly reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the gear selection function.
2Reliability
If traditional shifters with moving parts are used, then gear selection is enabled, but wear and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates moving parts by replacing the mechanical shifter mechanism with a capacitive touch sensor array. The sensors detect finger proximity and touch gestures to determine gear selection intent, with no physical contact or moving components involved. This eliminates wear and reliability issues associated with mechanical parts while simplifying the overall device structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shifter modules are used, then gear selection function is provided, but liquid egress and sealing issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the enclosed mechanical shifter mechanism with a flat array of capacitive touch sensors that can be integrated into the vehicle console surface. This eliminates the need for sealed enclosures and moving parts that could allow liquid egress. The capacitive sensor array can be manufactured as a planar structure without internal cavities or moving components that would require sealing.
4Ease of manufacture
If capacitive touch sensors are used instead of mechanical parts, then production costs are reduced, but input precision and user feedback must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitive sensor input area into multiple discrete sensor zones, each corresponding to a specific gear selection option. By segmenting the touch surface into distinct sensing regions, the system can accurately determine which gear the user intends to select based on which zone is touched or activated. This segmentation maintains measurement precision while using the simpler capacitive sensor technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual feedback indicators (such as LED lights or display elements) that provide real-time feedback to the user about which gear is currently selected or about to be selected. This feedback mechanism ensures that the user can clearly understand the system's response to their touch input, maintaining precision in the gear selection process despite the absence of mechanical confirmation.
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 reduces production costs, simplifies the module, and integrates it seamlessly into vehicle surfaces, providing a lighter, less complex interface that offers haptic feedback and versatile input capabilities without the risks of moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on the inner surface of the protruding contoured member in an area underlying the first contour, the first set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged and configured to provide output signals in response to a rotary movement of a driver's fingers about the round shape of the first contour
Implementation Method 2
a second set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on the inner surface of the protruding contoured member in an area underlying the second contour, the second set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged and configured to provide output signals in response to at least one of a position of a driver's finger on the second contour and a change of position of a driver's finger along the second contour
Implementation Method 3
a haptic feedback generator for generating haptic feedback upon detection touching of the first contour of the protruding contoured member
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle shifter interface including a protruding contoured member including an outer surface having a first contour with a round shape and a second contour; a first set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on an inner surface of the protruding contoured member in an area underlying the first contour, the first set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged to provide output signals in response to a rotary movement of a driver's fingers about the round shape of the first contour thereby indicating a change in gear selection; and a second set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on the inner surface in an area underlying the second contour, the second set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged and configured to provide output signals in response to at least one of a position of a driver's finger on the second contour and a change of position of a driver's finger.