Vehicle Door Handle Capacitive Sensing to Block False Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handle modules for vehicle doors lack reliable mechanisms to prevent unintended actuation due to environmental factors like dirt, dew, or snow, leading to potential incorrect triggering of locking or unlocking functions.
Innovation Solution
A handle module with a capacitive actuation module that includes a main electrode for detecting actuation paths and auxiliary electrodes for secondary signal detection, an electronic evaluation unit triggers or blocks switching functions based on these signals, ensuring accurate actuation detection and preventing false triggers by using capacitive sensors and a metal-over-capacitive touch sensor module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive actuation sensor is used to detect actuation paths, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to false triggering from environmental factors like dirt, dew, or snow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auxiliary electrodes as intermediary sensing elements that detect environmental factors (dirt, dew, snow) before they can cause false triggering of the main electrode. These auxiliary electrodes act as mediators that provide early warning signals to the evaluation unit, allowing the system to distinguish between legitimate actuation and environmental interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit continuously monitors signals from both the main electrode and auxiliary electrodes, creating a feedback mechanism that dynamically adjusts switching function triggering. When auxiliary electrodes detect environmental conditions indicative of false triggering risks, the evaluation unit suppresses inappropriate switching signals, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple electrodes and an evaluation unit are added to prevent false triggering, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation sensing function and the environmental monitoring function into a single integrated actuation module. The main electrode and auxiliary electrodes are spatially arranged and electrically connected to a common evaluation unit, merging multiple sensing functions into one compact device structure, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit serves multiple functions: it processes signals from the main electrode to detect actuation paths, monitors auxiliary electrodes for environmental conditions, and makes intelligent decisions about switching function triggering. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving reliability while controlling device 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 enables precise detection of small actuation strokes, preventing false unlocking or locking, and allows for a compact design without the need for foam or elastomers, ensuring reliable and secure operation in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation travel of an actuating element or trigger element can be determined by means of the electronic evaluation unit based on a detected change in capacitance of the capacitive actuation sensor
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary electrodes are designed, for example, as a capacitive proximity sensor with low sensitivity or as a sensor for measuring the electric field strength
Data Source
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a handle module (5) comprising at least one actuating module (4) for triggering a switching function, wherein the actuating module (4) is designed as a capacitive actuating sensor (6) and comprises at least: - two or more capacitive auxiliary electrodes (13) for detecting secondary signals, - a capacitive main electrode (12) for detecting an actuating path, and - an electronic evaluation unit (7) which is connected to the auxiliary electrodes (13) and the main electrode (12), wherein the evaluation unit (7) is configured to trigger or block a switching signal for the switching function depending on the detected signals of the auxiliary electrodes (13) and the detected signal of the main electrode (12).