Vehicle Touch Sensor with Electrostatic Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch sensor systems in vehicles lack tactile feedback, are prone to cross-talk issues, and struggle with harsh environmental conditions, leading to reliability and cost concerns.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor assembly with capacitive sensing circuitry, including a sensor cover with raised domes for tactile feedback, and a suppression algorithm to prevent cross-talk, along with ambient light-controlled LEDs for improved visibility, is integrated into a vehicle's user interface, providing a user-friendly and reliable touch-based control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical components (spring and lever in snap-acting arrangement) are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tactile feedback components (springs, levers, pivot races) with an electrostatic tactile feedback mechanism. The electrostatic actuator uses electrical fields to generate tactile sensations, eliminating the need for complex mechanical snap-acting arrangements while maintaining the tactile feedback function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tactile feedback function from the mechanical switch assembly and implements it separately through an electrostatic actuator integrated with the touch sensor. This separation allows the touch sensor to remain simple while adding tactile feedback capability through a dedicated electrostatic mechanism.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical components with narrow tolerances and highly polished surfaces are used, then frictional forces are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact components that require high polishing tolerances by using an electrostatic actuator. The electrostatic mechanism uses electrical fields to actuate the tactile feedback without mechanical friction, thereby eliminating the need for highly polished surfaces and narrow tolerances on pivot races and shafts.
3Device complexity
If touch sensor configurations are used instead of mechanical switches, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but tactile feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch sensor function with an electrostatic actuator in a single integrated assembly. The electrostatic actuator is positioned behind the touch sensor and shares the same housing and control circuitry, combining the simplicity of touch sensing with tactile feedback capability in one unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates electrical signals from the touch sensor into tactile feedback sensations. It mediates between the simple touch sensor input and the user's tactile perception, providing feedback without requiring complex mechanical components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple touch sensors are used in close proximity, then user interface functionality is enhanced, but cross-talk between adjacent sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrostatic field confinement techniques to prevent cross-talk between adjacent touch sensors. By carefully designing the electrostatic field distribution and using conductive shields between sensor elements, the system can pack multiple sensors closely together while maintaining signal integrity and preventing interference.
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 solution enhances user interaction by providing tactile feedback, reduces inadvertent actuations, and maintains system reliability even in harsh conditions, while minimizing component complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
A touch sensor assembly may include a touch sensor configured to provide an output in response to contact with a touch area
Implementation Method 2
The sensor cover includes a raised portion over the touch area. The raised portion may be in the form of a raised dome that may provide tactile feedback to a user
Implementation Method 3
ambient light-controlled LEDs for improved visibility
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor assembly. The touch sensor assembly may include a housing, at least one touch sensor and a sensor cover. The sensor cover may identify a touch area associated with each touch sensor. The housing may form a water tight cavity for the sensor cover and the touch sensor when coupled to an housing cover. A raised dome may be provided, e.g. on the sensor cover or another element, to provided tactile feed back. LEDs may be provided for illuminating the touch areas and/or sensing ambient light. A controller may control the illumination level of the LEDs in response to sensed ambient light. Adjacent key suppression algorithms are also provided.