Touch Sensor with Integrated Switch for Steering Wheel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors for vehicle control require a large area due to separate power and release keys, making them cumbersome and difficult to install on steering wheels, and drivers must manually distinguish between keys, leading to increased complexity and risk of unintentional operations.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor system with multiple electrodes, a detection mechanism, and a switch that allows for touch judgment based on input signals, enabling intuitive operation without looking at the surface and preventing accidental touches by requiring the switch to be pressed before detection, with electrodes arranged in an arc shape for easy access and guide portions for accurate manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate power key and release key are provided, then the touch sensor can perform multiple functions, but the installation area becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power key and release key into a single integrated manipulation portion. The manipulation portion includes multiple electrodes arranged in different regions, where one region functions as the power key and another region functions as the release key. This merging reduces the number of separate components and decreases the overall installation area while maintaining both power and release functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single manipulation portion serves multiple functions by incorporating both power key and release key capabilities. The control unit distinguishes between different touch regions and operations within the same manipulation portion, enabling it to perform both power control and release operations without requiring separate dedicated keys.
2Ease of operation
If surface level differences are provided to distinguish keys, then the operator can identify key functions, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing surface level differences only in specific regions corresponding to the power key and release key areas within the manipulation portion. Rather than making the entire manipulation portion three-dimensional, only the key identification regions have elevated or depressed surfaces, while other areas remain flush. This localized application maintains simplicity while providing necessary tactile feedback.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manipulation keys are provided, then the touch sensor can handle complex operations, but the driver burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manipulation keys into a single integrated manipulation portion that the driver can operate with one hand. The manipulation portion contains both power key and release key functions in close proximity, allowing the driver to access both functions without moving the hand to different locations or manipulating separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension within the manipulation portion by arranging electrodes in different regions (first region for power key, second region for release key). This dimensional arrangement allows multiple functions to be accessed within a compact two-dimensional footprint, reducing the need for the driver to reach across large distances or manipulate keys in different spatial locations.
4Area of stationary object
If the touch sensor is made small for steering wheel installation, then the steering operation is not hindered, but the manipulation area becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maximizes the utilization of the limited manipulation area by arranging electrodes in different regions within the compact manipulation portion. The first electrode and second electrode are positioned in distinct regions, allowing both power key and release key functions to be accessed within a small footprint suitable for steering wheel installation.
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 system simplifies the touch sensor's structure, reduces driver burden, and prevents unintentional operations by allowing single-handed operation without looking at the surface, enabling quick and intended manipulation of vehicle controls, even on a steering wheel, while maintaining efficient space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a touch sensor configured to detect a user's touch on an electrode based on a change in the capacitance of the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a touch sensor having a simple structure and enabling a driver to appropriately and quickly manipulate the touch sensor as intended without looking at a manipulation surface of the touch sensor. The touch sensor includes: multiple electrodes; detection means for detecting touch on any of electrodes and for outputting a detection signal for each electrode; touch judgment means for judging whether each of the electrodes is touched or untouched based on the detection signal; a switch having a manipulation button; control mode judgment means for determining a control function for a controlled device in accordance with an input signal transmitted from the switch when the manipulation button is manipulated; and permission means for permitting the touch judgment means to judge touch on each electrode in response to the input signal from the switch.