Composite Rocker Button with Capacitive Film for Mechanical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior button technologies either provide mechanical feedback at a high cost or lack it entirely, disrupting the visual smoothness of surfaces, and fail to integrate touch or function selection capabilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A composite rocker button arrangement with a bezel, rotatable rocker button, capacitive film, and a rocker actuator that provides both capacitive touch feedback and mechanical feedback through a pivotable mechanism, allowing for seamless surface design and function control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical buttons with feedback mechanisms are used, then user tactile feedback is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is divided into separate functional components: a capacitive sensor layer for touch detection, a mechanical rocker component for tactile feedback, and a circuit board for signal processing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both capacitive and mechanical feedback capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines capacitive touch technology with mechanical rocker feedback into a single integrated button assembly. The capacitive film is mounted on the rocker button, merging the sensing function with the mechanical actuator, thereby providing dual functionality (capacitive detection + mechanical feedback) without requiring separate systems
2Shape
If capacitive button nodes are used, then surface smoothness is improved, but mechanical feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitive film is mounted on the rocker button, creating a flexible sensing layer that maintains the smooth visual appearance of the button surface while enabling capacitive touch detection. The film conforms to the rocker button's surface, preserving the seamless aesthetic while adding sensing capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch nodes are added to the rocker button, then function selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker button assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: capacitive touch detection for function selection, mechanical rocking for mode switching, and visual indication through LEDs. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate controls, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
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 offers a cost-effective means to provide users with both capacitive touch and mechanical feedback, enabling seamless surface design while allowing for function control through touch nodes and rocker button positions, enhancing user interaction with vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive film is connected to the back side of the rocker button and is visible through the viewing surface of the rocker button
Data Source
AI summary
A rocker panel button arrangement having a bezel with an opening. A rocker button is rotatably mounted to the bezel and is located within the aperture. The rocker button is pivotable about an axis between a first position, a second position and a neutral position. The rocker button also includes a viewing surface and a back side. A capacitive film is connected to the back side of the rocker. A chassis is connected and supports the capacitive film and is also connected to and movable with the rocker button. A circuit board is connected to the bezel adjacent the chassis. The circuit board is connected to the bezel in such a manner that the chassis, capacitive film and rocker button may rotate freely near the circuit board. Between the chassis and the circuit board is a rocker actuator that may take several forms.