Vehicle Touch-Force Input Sensing for Small-Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating input devices for motor vehicles struggle to achieve high accuracy in detecting operating inputs, particularly with small operating forces, while also being space-efficient.
Innovation Solution
The operating input device incorporates a touch sensor and a force sensor, with an evaluation apparatus that determines the actuation state based on touch signals, actual force signals, and a basic force value. It switches between unactuated and actuation-expected states based on contact detection and force signal gradients, ensuring accurate detection with minimal component size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a force sensor device and touch sensor device are used to detect operating inputs with high accuracy, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the force sensor device and touch sensor device into a single integrated sensor unit. The force sensor detects both contact presence and operating force magnitude through a single measurement system, eliminating the need for separate touch and force sensing components. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect both light touches and deliberate actuations with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting contact presence (touch detection) and measuring operating force magnitude. By making the sensor universal, the patent reduces the total number of components needed while achieving both touch sensitivity and force measurement capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing detection precision.
2Measurement precision
If a force sensor device and touch sensor device are used to detect operating inputs with high accuracy, then detection precision is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate force and touch sensor devices into a single integrated sensor unit. This consolidation reduces the total installation area required, as one compact sensor replaces what would otherwise require space for multiple discrete sensing components. The single sensor maintains the capability to detect both contact presence and force magnitude with high precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the basic force value is continuously updated to track actual force signal, then adaptability is improved, but detection accuracy for small forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic basic force value that adapts to different operating conditions through continuous monitoring and adjustment. The basic force value changes based on the operational state, allowing the system to maintain high detection accuracy across varying force ranges. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to distinguish small operating forces from background variations by adjusting the reference level according to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the actual force signal to continuously update and optimize the basic force value. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn and adapt to normal operating variations, thereby improving its ability to detect genuine small operating forces by comparing them against an dynamically adjusted baseline that reflects current operational conditions.
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 high detection accuracy and a high detection rate of operating inputs, even with small forces, while allowing for a compact design, thus improving both performance and space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one touch sensor device for detecting a touch of the operating surface by an operator
Implementation Method 2
at least one force sensor device for detecting an actual operating force applied to the operating surface
Data Source
AI summary
An operating input apparatus for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an operating surface, at least one touch sensor device for detecting a touching of the operating surface by an operator, at least one force sensor device for detecting an actual operating force applied to the operating surface, and an evaluation apparatus for determining an actuation state of the operating input device. The touch sensor device is configured to generate and output a touch signal. The force sensor device is configured to generate and output an actual force signal dependent on the actual operating force applied. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine the actuation state of the operating input device at least as a function of the touch signal, the actual force signal, and an associated basic force value and to generate and output an operating signal characterizing the actuation state of the operating input device.