Snap Haptic Input Part with Position Indicator for Reliable Push Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for motor vehicles face challenges in reliably detecting the shifting of a movably mounted input part perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface, particularly distinguishing between intentional and inadvertent approaches, leading to errors in push actuation detection.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a touch-sensitive surface and a movable input part equipped with a position indicator and restoring means generating snap haptics, where the detection device analyzes the course and frequency spectrum of sensor signals to differentiate between intended and unintended actuations based on predefined characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive detection device is used to detect the position of the input part, then the position can be detected spatially resolved, but the detection of push actuation perpendicular to the input surface becomes unreliable and cannot be distinguished from random approach
Solution Approach 1:
A position indicator is introduced as an intermediary element that is fixed to the input part and moves synchronously with it. This position indicator creates a detectable influence on the measuring fields that is distinct from the influence of the operator's finger, enabling reliable detection of the input part's position and push actuation while maintaining spatially resolved detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device analyzes the course over time of sensor signals and the frequency spectrum to detect characteristic patterns. By monitoring temporal and spectral parameters of the signal changes, the system can distinguish between intentional push actuations with snap haptics and inadvertent approaches, thereby improving push actuation detection reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the input part is made movable perpendicular to the input surface for push function, then manual operating input is enabled, but the small change in approach location makes detection error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The position indicator serves as a mediator that amplifies the detectable signal when the input part moves perpendicular to the input surface. By being fixed to the input part and moving synchronously with it, the position indicator creates a more pronounced influence on the measuring fields, improving the precision of approach location detection despite the small movement幅度
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device provides feedback by analyzing the course over time of sensor signals and comparing them against characteristic patterns of snap haptics. This feedback mechanism allows the system to accurately determine when and where the input part has been pushed, compensating for the small changes in approach location
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
Enhances the reliability of detecting the shifting of the input part by providing distinct haptic feedback and movement profiles, allowing for accurate assignment of control functions and reducing errors from inadvertent touches.
Implementation Method 1
The restoring means are configured for generating a restoring force with snap haptics counteracting the manual shifting from the rest position
Implementation Method 2
a capacitive detection device is typically provided, which has an electrode structure for generating an array of measuring capacitances, the influence on which, caused by approach or touch, can be detected
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an input device comprising: a touch-sensitive input surface facing towards an operator (B); a detection device for the spatially resolved detection of an approach towards and touch on the touch-sensitive input surface having a sensor array for capacitive and/or inductive detection, which extends parallel to the input surface; an input part, which is disposed on the input surface and mounted so as to be movable from a rest position (X0) into an actuation position (XE) along an actuating direction (B1) extending perpendicularly to the input surface, for enabling a performance of an operating input by the operator (B) through a manual displacement of the input part along the actuating direction (B1); a position indicator for contactless position detection, which is attached to the input part and cooperates with the detection device; restoring means for generating a restoring force (F) with snap haptics counteracting the manual shifting from the rest position (X0); wherein the detection device is designed for acquiring a course over time of an approach towards the touch-sensitive input surface by means of a course over time of a sensor signal (Z(t)) of the detection device and to analyze the course over time of the sensor signal (Z(t)) and/or an associated frequency spectrum, and is further designed to assign a switching or controlling function exclusively if it was found in the preceding analysis that the course over time of the sensor signal (Z(t)) and/or the associated frequency spectrum has characteristics that are predefined by the snap haptics.