Toroidal Control Module with Axial and Circumferential Touch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control modules for motor vehicles lack ergonomics and reliability, particularly for users with long fingernails, as flat touch sensors are unreliable when fingernails contact the sensitive surface.
Innovation Solution
A toroidal-shaped control member with a sensitive surface on its inner edge, utilizing both axial and circumferential tactile movement components, equipped with capacitive or resistive sensors and an acoustic wave sensor, and featuring backlit sectors for improved user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat touch sensor is used, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates when users with long fingernails contact the sensitive surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transforming the flat touch sensor surface into a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) surface. This curvature allows users with long fingernails to interact with the sensor by touching the outer surface of the torus, where the nail does not contact the sensitive area. The sensitive surface is positioned on the inner edge of the toroidal shape, creating a recess that accommodates various finger types while maintaining reliable touch detection.
2Measurement precision
If the sensitive surface area is increased to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device occupies more space and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional toroidal structure. This dimensional change allows the sensitive surface to be positioned on the inner edge of the torus, utilizing the axial dimension for detection. The toroidal shape enables the sensor to detect both circumferential movements (for scrolling) and axial movements (for validation), achieving high measurement precision with a compact footprint.
3Ease of operation
If a toroidal shape is implemented to improve ergonomics and reliability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control member structure with the toroidal shape into a single integrated component. The control member itself is formed as a torus with the sensitive surface on its inner edge, combining the structural support and the sensing function in one piece. This integration simplifies the assembly process and reduces the number of separate components, making the manufacturing more feasible despite the complex geometry.
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
The toroidal design enhances user interaction by providing intuitive control and reliability for all users, regardless of nail length or finger diameter, allowing efficient scrolling and function validation without a large sensitive surface.
Implementation Method 1
the sensitive surface is provided with a capacitive or resistive sensor
Implementation Method 2
the sensitive surface is provided with a capacitive or resistive sensor
Implementation Method 3
the control device comprises an acoustic wave sensor which is provided to detect the tactile movement on the sensitive surface according to the propagation of the acoustic waves triggered by the tactile movement on the sensitive surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a control module (10) comprising a stationary control member (20, 22) provided with a touch-sensitive surface (24) such as to provide a control signal representative of the position or movement of a finger on the sensitive surface (24). The module is characterised in that the sensitive surface (24) of the control member (20, 22) comprises a generally donut-shaped portion about a main axis (A1) and in that the control module (10) comprises a control unit (28) for detecting the so-called axial component (Ca) and the so-called circumferential component (Cc) of a touch movement on the sensitive surface (24) such as to produce a control signal established according to said two components (Ca, Cc).