Automotive Touch Circuit ESD Detection to Block False Touch Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive touch panels are vulnerable to electrostatic discharge (ESD) interference, which can cause accidental touch events, threatening driving safety and failing to meet high functional safety requirements.
Innovation Solution
An automotive touch circuit device with an electrostatic discharge detector, error detection codes, and a micro control unit to prevent accidental touch events by disabling the notification signal when ESD interference or error detection is detected, utilizing a combinational logic circuit for reliable protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional automotive touch panels are used without ESD protection, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to electrostatic discharge interference causing accidental touch events
Solution Approach 1:
The touch circuit device is segmented into distinct functional modules: touch sensing circuit, ESD detector, error detection units (first and second error detection codes), micro control unit, and electrostatic discharge protector. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability through modular error detection and protection while managing complexity through organized functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The error detection codes are preliminarily generated and stored in the first and second storage units before actual touch data processing occurs. The ESD detector continuously monitors for electrostatic discharge conditions in advance. When ESD interference is detected or error codes indicate problems, the system preliminarily disables the notification signal output before accidental touch events can occur, preventing rather than reacting to errors
2Reliability
If ESD protection mechanisms are added to automotive touch panels, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Error detection codes serve as intermediaries between the touch sensing circuit and the micro control unit. The first error detection code monitors the control parameter, and the second error detection code monitors the touch data. These intermediary error codes enable automated error detection and protection without requiring complex manual monitoring systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis through automated error detection codes that continuously monitor data integrity. The electrostatic discharge protector automatically disables notification signals when errors are detected, without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. This self-service approach improves safety while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive touch circuit device includes: an analog front-end circuit, a first storage, a second storage, a micro control unit and an ESD protector. The analog front-end circuit has an ESD detector for detection to output a detection result signal. The first storage stores a control parameter having a first error detection code based on which a first error detection signal is generated. The second storage stores touch data having a second error detection code based on which a second error detection signal is generated. The micro control unit generates a notification signal based on the control parameter and touch data. When detecting no ESD interference, the ESD protector enables the notification signal to be output. When detecting ESD interference and an error detection result represented by one of the first and second error detection signals indicates an error, the ESD protector disables the notification signal to be output.