Door Handle Electrostatic Sensor Layout for False Lock Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handle electrostatic sensors inadvertently lock doors when hands approach from unintended regions, leading to undesirable locking situations.

Innovation Solution

The operation detection device employs a dual-conductor electrostatic sensor system with specific conductor arrangements within the door handle casing, allowing the controller to differentiate between intended and unintended locking operations by measuring electrostatic capacitance differences based on hand approach directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrostatic sensor detects hand approach from any region, then the door can be locked or unlocked, but erroneous locking occurs when hand approaches from unintended regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of locking operation detectionVSAvoiderroneous door locking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor's detection area is divided into multiple regions: a first detection region for intended locking operations and a second detection region for unintended operations. By segmenting the detection space and assigning different functional meanings to different regions, the system can distinguish between intentional and accidental hand approaches, thereby preventing erroneous locking while maintaining reliable detection in the intended region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the hand can approach from any direction, then the door handle is easy to operate, but unintended regions cause false locking detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of door handleVSAvoidprecision of locking operation detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different detection regions are assigned different functional qualities: the first detection region is configured to detect intended locking operations with high precision, while the second detection region is configured to identify unintended operations. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain ease of operation for legitimate users while achieving precise discrimination against false operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents erroneous door locking by accurately detecting manual operations only when the hand approaches the intended region, ensuring secure and intended locking or unlocking operations.

Implementation Method 1

the controller applies a voltage to each of the first conductor and the second conductor, to measure an electrostatic capacitance of each of the first conductor and the second conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11773629B2Operation detection device and door handle

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An operation detection device includes an electrostatic sensor accommodated inside a casing and including a first conductor and a second conductor, and a controller electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor, and applies a voltage to each of the first conductor and the second conductor, to measure an electrostatic capacitance of each of the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor is arranged in and the second conductor is not arranged in a detection region in which an operating body is detected by the electrostatic sensor. The first conductor and the second conductor are arranged in a non-detection region in which the operating body is not detected.