Steering Wheel Control Panel Optical Finger Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance and infotainment systems in vehicles face complexity and space constraints when integrating touch-sensitive control panels into the steering wheel, limiting panel size and requiring intricate sensor-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A sensorless optical detection system, such as an infrared detection device, is used outside the control panel to detect finger positions, allowing for a larger control panel surface area without electronic sensors, enabling increased panel size and simplified integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a touch-sensitive control panel is integrated into the airbag cover in the center of the steering wheel, then the control panel can be made larger compared to steering wheel spokes, but the integration becomes relatively complex and space for logos and other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensors from the control panel surface itself and places them in a separate reading device positioned behind the steering wheel rim. This separation allows the control panel to be a simple, flat surface that can be easily integrated into the airbag cover while maintaining large size, and the complex sensing mechanism can be independently positioned and configured in the background space.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are integrated directly into the control panel surface, then touch detection is enabled, but the control panel requires electronic sensors which complicates manufacturing and reduces flexibility in design
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is extracted from the control panel and implemented in a separate reading device. The control panel becomes a simple input surface without embedded sensors, while the reading device positioned behind the steering wheel rim contains all the sensing and processing electronics. This separation dramatically simplifies control panel manufacturing while maintaining full touch detection capability.
3Area of moving object
If the control panel is made as large as the entire airbag cover surface, then user interaction is enhanced, but the space required for accommodating sensors and electronic elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the sensors and electronic elements from the control panel surface and relocating them to a reading device positioned behind the steering wheel rim, the patent enables the control panel to occupy the entire airbag cover surface area without requiring additional space within the panel itself for sensor integration. The reading device utilizes the background space behind the rim, effectively decoupling control panel area from sensor accommodation space.
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 solution enables a larger, sensor-free control panel on the steering wheel, enhancing user interaction while reducing installation complexity and maintaining space for logos and other components, allowing for seamless operation of vehicle systems without diverting the driver's attention.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection device is arranged outside the control panel, which detects a position of the at least one finger when touching the control panel
Implementation Method 2
A sensorless optical detection system, such as an infrared detection device, is used outside the control panel to detect finger positions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for operating a driver assistance system and/or an infotainment system of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a steering handle (3) for steering the motor vehicle (2), and a control panel (12) which is formed at least by a surface area (11) of the steering handle (3), wherein operating operations for operating the driver assistance system and/or infotainment system can be carried out by touching the control panel (12) with at least one finger, and wherein the device (1) has an optical detection device (13) arranged outside the control panel (12), which is for detecting a position of the at least one finger in the control panel (12) and assigning the detected position to an operating operation.