Vehicle Deformation Sensor Layout for False Trigger Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch- and pressure-sensitive sensors in vehicles face design limitations due to surface penetration, leading to aesthetic drawbacks and false triggers from external influences like temperature changes, and require improved accuracy in deformation detection to distinguish between intentional and unintentional actuations.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing multiple sensor elements to generate and evaluate sensor signals based on specific directions and amplitudes of deviation, allowing differentiation between positive and negative deflections, and incorporating signal filtering and reference adjustment to compensate for measurement errors and environmental interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If touch- and pressure-sensitive sensors are positioned behind a vehicle panel to avoid surface penetration, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but false triggering from temperature changes and external influences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into multiple sensor elements (first sensor element, second sensor element, and optionally third sensor element) arranged in a specific spatial configuration. Each element detects deformation independently, and the control unit evaluates the combined signals to distinguish between intentional actuation and environmental influences through directional analysis of deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors sensor signals and compares deviations from reference values in specific directions. The system uses feedback from multiple sensor elements to evaluate whether detected deformations represent intentional user actuation or environmental influences like temperature changes, enabling dynamic discrimination between valid and invalid triggers.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor elements are used to improve deformation detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor element is positioned at a specific location with a defined detection direction (first direction, second direction, and optionally third direction perpendicular to the panel). The control unit evaluates deviations in these specific local directions to determine intentional actuation. This spatial and directional differentiation allows precise measurement while maintaining a relatively simple evaluation process through directional comparison.
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
Enhances the accuracy of deformation detection by compensating for measurement errors and external influences, reducing false triggers, and enabling precise localization and differentiation between intentional and unintentional actuations.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second sensor signals can be generated inductively, for example, by having the sensor elements associated with the sensor signals incorporate a coil to enable inductive measurement when a magnetizable and/or electrically conductive body approaches the sensor elements due to deformation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a sensor device (10) for actuation by deformation of a control element (2), comprising the following steps: - generating (101) a first sensor signal (11.1) as a result of deformation of the control element (2), - generating (102) a second sensor signal (12.1) as a result of deformation of the control element (2), - detecting (106) the actuation as a function of at least one specific direction of deviation (200.1, 200.2) of the first and second sensor signals (11.1, 12.1) from a reference (200). The invention further relates to a computer program product (300), a sensor device (10) for actuation by deformation of a control element (2), and a vehicle (1).