Center Cluster Operation Layout for Balanced Touch Feedback Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle display devices with touch panels and speakers face interference issues between electrostatic detection and sound output functions, causing varying sound perception based on the driver's seat position.
Innovation Solution
An operation device with a housing centered diagonally between driver and passenger seats, featuring left and right operation units, detection units, and an output unit positioned between them to equalize sound distances from both seats, using capacitive sensing and a piezoelectric speaker for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrostatic detection function and output function are separately provided on opposite sides of the housing to avoid interference, then interference between functions is reduced, but the sound perception becomes different depending on driver seat position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional left-right separation to a two-dimensional arrangement where the output unit is positioned at the center of the housing (in the vertical dimension relative to left-right), while detection units are arranged on both left and right sides. This dimensional change allows the output to be equidistant from both driver and passenger seats while detection units remain separated to avoid interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to accommodate multiple functions: the output unit serves as a speaker for sound output, while detection units on both sides serve electrostatic detection. The housing itself becomes a multi-functional platform that supports both output and detection functions without requiring separate external structures.
2Productivity
If the touch panel display is made thin and long with corresponding housing shape, then the display functionality is improved, but the sound perception difference between driver and passenger sides increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the sound perception issue by moving the output unit to the center position in the vertical dimension (relative to left-right), rather than placing it at one end along the length. This dimensional repositioning ensures equidistance from both driver and passenger seats while maintaining the thin and long housing shape for display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement where the output unit is centrally positioned while detection units are asymmetrically placed on left and right sides. This asymmetric configuration allows the output to be equidistant from both seats while detection units remain separated to prevent interference, resolving the contradiction between display shape and sound perception.
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 configuration suppresses differences in sound perception for drivers in right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, enhancing operational consistency and reducing potential interference and noise-related errors.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic detection function is provided on one of the left and right sides of the housing
Implementation Method 2
an output function to output a responding sound is separately provided
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device includes a housing arranged on a center cluster located diagonally in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of a vehicle, a left-side operation unit and a right-side operation unit arranged on a right side and a left side, respectively, of a front surface of the housing to receive an operation, a left-side operation detection unit and a right-side operation detection unit to detect an operation performed on the left-side operation unit and the right-side operation unit, respectively, a substrate on which the left-side and right-side operation detection units are arranged, and an output unit that outputs a sound in response to a received operation and is arranged on the substrate so as to be located between the left-side operation detection unit and the right-side operation detection unit at a position to equalize distances from the driver seat and the passenger seat.