Vehicular Operation Detecting Apparatus Using Ratio-Based Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular operation detecting systems are prone to errors in determining the direction of movement due to variations in sensor sensitivity and environmental changes, leading to incorrect detection of opening and closing operations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular operation detecting apparatus that uses a plurality of sensors side by side, computing a ratio value of detection signals from these sensors to determine the direction of movement, and controlling the opening and closing of vehicle components based on the detected direction, thereby absorbing sensitivity variations and reducing erroneous detections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If threshold-based detection is used to determine sensor activation sequence, then the system can detect movement direction, but sensitivity variations between sensors cause erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from absolute threshold comparison to ratio-based comparison. Instead of comparing each sensor output to a fixed threshold value, the system calculates the ratio of outputs between sensors. This parameter transformation makes the detection immune to sensitivity variations, as the ratio remains consistent even when individual sensor sensitivities change due to environmental factors or aging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a ratio calculation as an intermediary processing step between raw sensor outputs and direction determination. This intermediary transformation converts absolute sensitivity differences into a normalized relative measure, eliminating the direct impact of sensitivity variations on detection accuracy while preserving the movement direction information.
2Device complexity
If fixed threshold values are used for detection, then the detection logic is simple, but environmental changes cause erroneous detections
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the detection approach by changing from fixed threshold parameters to dynamic ratio parameters. The ratio of sensor outputs automatically adapts to environmental changes without requiring adjustment of detection thresholds, maintaining both simplicity and reliability across varying conditions.
3Measurement precision
If individual sensor sensitivity calibration is performed, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ratio calculation serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for individual sensor calibration. By comparing sensors in pairs and using their output ratio, the system inherently compensates for sensitivity differences without requiring separate calibration procedures for each sensor, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration through the ratio calculation mechanism. The relative comparison between sensors automatically compensates for sensitivity variations without external intervention or additional calibration equipment, allowing the system to maintain accuracy through its own operational data.
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
This approach improves the accuracy of detecting the direction of movement and reduces the likelihood of erroneous operations by using a ratio value-based method that is less sensitive to sensor variations and external disturbances, ensuring precise control of vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensors 11, 12 which are provided side by side in a vehicle and individually output detection signals S1, S2 which change when a detection target comes into contact with or approaches the plurality of sensors 11, 12
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular operation detecting apparatus includes: sensors provided side by side in a vehicle, and individually outputting detection signals that change when a detection target comes into contact with or approaches the sensors; a computing unit computing a ratio value which is a value of a ratio of a first detection signal to a second detection signal, which are detection signals of a first sensor and a second sensor that are one and another one of the sensors, respectively; an operational direction detection unit detecting a direction of movement of the detection target from the first sensor toward the second sensor if the computed ratio value decreases, and detecting the direction of movement from the second sensor toward the first sensor if the computed ratio value increases; and a drive control unit controlling the driving of an opening and closing body in accordance with the detected direction of movement.