Continuous Touch Pad Handle Switch for Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handle switch devices for vehicles become complex and costly as the number of vehicle-mounted devices increases, limiting operation freedom and increasing component count, with complicated shapes and layouts reducing usability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A handle switch device featuring a continuous touch pad with a touch sensor and computing device for drag operations, a rib structure for tactile feedback, and a vibration generation system, allowing a single operation surface to control multiple vehicle-mounted devices with improved usability and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of operation switches is increased to control more vehicle-mounted devices, then the control capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touch pad is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different touch positions and drag directions. A single touch pad can control multiple vehicle-mounted devices including winker, headlamp, and traveling mode switching, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate switches. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive control capability while maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple operation switches are merged into a single touch pad component. The touch pad integrates the functions of multiple switches by detecting touch position coordinates and drag operation directions, combining what would be separate switching mechanisms into one unified interface. This merging reduces device complexity and component count while preserving the ability to control multiple vehicle-mounted devices.
2Reliability
If ribs are formed on the switch case to prevent unintentional operation, then the reliability is improved, but the operation range and ease of operation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical rib structure is replaced with a software-based operation determination system. Instead of using physical ribs to guide and limit finger movement, the patent uses the touch sensor to detect touch position coordinates and the computing device to determine operation type based on drag direction and position. This substitution removes physical constraints on operation range while maintaining reliability through intelligent operation classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation guidance transitions from static mechanical ribs to dynamic software-based operation determination. The system adaptively determines operation type based on real-time touch position and drag direction, providing flexible guidance without fixed physical constraints. This dynamic approach allows full operation range while maintaining reliable distinction between different operations.
3Ease of operation
If the part to be contacted has concave or convex shape to improve operation ease, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical shape features (concave/convex surfaces) are replaced with a software-based operation determination system. The flat touch pad surface is maintained for simple manufacturing, while operation ease is achieved through intelligent detection of touch position and drag direction by the computing device. This substitution eliminates complex molding requirements while providing clear operational guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a handle switch device provided at a position adjacent to a grip part at an end portion of a handle and provided with a control device for controlling an operation of a predetermined vehicle-mounted device by an operation of a passenger. The control device includes a touch pad having an operation surface that the passenger touches upon the operation, a touch sensor for detecting a touch of the passenger to the operation surface and a computing device for performing an operation determination based on an output of the touch sensor. The operation surface is formed as a continuous surface that can be touched by the passenger through a drag operation. The touch sensor can detect the touch to the operation surface at least by the drag operation.