Overhead Console Force-Sensing Switches to Prevent False Touch Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems, such as overhead consoles, often rely on capacitive sensing which can lead to inadvertent actuation of switches when drivers are not looking at the console, causing unintended button activation while driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular sensing and control system that combines capacitive and force sensing with haptic feedback, using a piezoelectric actuator and microcontroller to differentiate between touch and pressure inputs, providing tactile feedback for multiple functions through a single button or group of buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensing is used for vehicle control systems, then the system can detect touch inputs, but inadvertent actuation occurs when drivers are not looking at the console
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines capacitive sensing with force sensing in a single sensor module. The capacitive sensor detects touch contact while the force sensor (piezoelectric or strain gauge) measures pressure magnitude. This merging allows the system to distinguish between intentional presses (higher force) and inadvertent touches (lower force), resolving the contradiction between touch detection capability and inadvertent actuation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by introducing force magnitude as an additional dimension beyond simple touch detection. By monitoring the force parameter alongside capacitive touch detection, the system can set thresholds to differentiate intentional from inadvertent actuation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If multiple buttons are used for different functions, then each function has dedicated control, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single button that performs multiple functions by detecting different force magnitudes. Light presses activate one set of functions while heavier presses activate another set. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of physical buttons needed while maintaining clear control over multiple vehicle functions, thus reducing device complexity without sacrificing ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The button's function dynamically changes based on the applied force magnitude. The system adapts the activated function according to how hard the user presses, allowing a single static physical component to provide multiple dynamic functions. This eliminates the need for multiple static buttons while preserving functional clarity.
3Measurement precision
If force sensing is added to capacitive sensing, then touch and pressure can be differentiated, but sensor module complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical switch structures with integrated sensor modules that combine capacitive and force sensing elements. The force sensing uses piezoelectric materials or strain gauges that convert mechanical pressure directly into electrical signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, springs, or moving parts while achieving precise input differentiation.
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
Enables accurate control of vehicle features like lighting and sunroof operation by differentiating between touch and pressure inputs, reducing complexity and cost by using a single button for multiple functions and providing tactile confirmation of activation.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensing sensor disposed behind the switch face so as to sense force applied at the switch face
Implementation Method 2
a haptic feedback device operable to provide haptic feedback at the switch face
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular sensing and control system includes a sensor module having (i) a switch face, (ii) a force sensing sensor, (iii) a haptic feedback device, and (iv) a microcontroller. Responsive to a user applying a first finger force the switch face, a first signal generated by the force sensing sensor is provided to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, based on the first signal, causes the haptic feedback device to generate a first haptic feedback associated with a first function of the vehicle and controls the first function of the vehicle. Responsive to the driver applying a second finger force to the switch face, a second signal generated by the force sensing sensor is provided to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, based on the second signal, causes the haptic feedback device to generate a second haptic feedback associated with a second function of the vehicle and controls the second function of the vehicle.