Multi-Touch Actuation Interface for Vehicle Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased likelihood of inadvertent closure of electrically powered vehicle windows, doors, and sun roofs poses a risk of injury due to reduced effort required for actuation and delayed detection of obstruction.

Innovation Solution

An actuation interface that requires multiple concurrent touch points to activate power-operated covers, preventing movement if fewer than two points are made, thereby minimizing accidental activation without the need for an anti-pinch mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrically powered covers are used to reduce actuation effort, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent closure and injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation effortVSAvoidinjury risk from inadvertent closure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of touch points before executing the cover actuation. By detecting multiple concurrent touch points in advance, the system prevents inadvertent activation while maintaining ease of operation for intentional use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the touch interface and the cover actuation mechanism. It processes touch inputs and determines whether they represent intentional or accidental contact before allowing cover movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional anti-pinch mechanisms are installed to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury preventionVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical anti-pinch mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses touch point detection algorithms. This substitution maintains safety functionality while reducing mechanical complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using physical anti-pinch sensors, the system uses a digital model of touch point analysis on the interface. By analyzing the pattern, number, and location of touch points, it creates a virtual safety mechanism that eliminates the need for physical sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple concurrent touch points are required for activation, then inadvertent activation is reduced, but ease of operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental activation preventionVSAvoidactivation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires more touch points than the minimum single point needed for activation. This excessive requirement (multiple concurrent points) filters out accidental activations while still being easy to satisfy for intentional use by a normal hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10884614B1Actuation interface

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 ZOOX INC

AI summary

An actuation interface for actuating a cover (e.g., a vehicle window, door, sun roof, partition, gate, etc.) that selectively covers an opening in a compartment may be configured for actuation based at least in part on a number of concurrent touch inputs. The cover may be controlled by receiving a touch input at the actuation interface, and detecting a number of concurrent touch inputs that are received as part of the touch input. The cover may be actuated to move based at least in part on a determination of the number of concurrent touch inputs that are received at the actuation interface.