Vehicle Control Knob With Capacitive Position and Pressure Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems with capacitive touchscreens for functions like air conditioning or navigation lack intuitive validation of commands and are prone to detection errors due to manufacturing variations and air gaps, leading to inefficient user interaction.
Innovation Solution
An interface with a mobile gripping element, metal index, guide, and capacitive touch screen, equipped with pressure sensors to measure pressing force, allowing validation of selections through pressure and enhancing detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touchscreen is used to detect the angular position of the wheel, then the display can be programmed to show different functions (air conditioning, audio, navigation), but the system cannot validate commands by simply pressing the wheel and detection may be delayed or inaccurate due to air gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a capacitive touchscreen with a pressure-sensitive switch into a single integrated control unit. The touchscreen detects angular position while the pressure-sensitive switch detects pressing actions, allowing both rotational selection and pressing validation functions to coexist in one component, resolving the contradiction between versatility and validation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive switch acts as an intermediary element between the user's pressing action and the command validation system. It provides a reliable mechanical detection mechanism that complements the capacitive touchscreen, ensuring accurate command validation even when the touchscreen alone may be delayed or inaccurate due to air gaps
2Ease of operation
If a capacitive touchscreen detects the metal index finger, then tactile entry is enabled, but detection time increases and detection accuracy decreases due to manufacturing variations and air gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: the capacitive touchscreen handles angular position detection while the pressure-sensitive switch handles pressing detection. This segmentation allows each sensor to optimize its specific function without interference from manufacturing variations affecting the other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent partially replaces the purely capacitive detection system with a mechanical pressure-sensitive switch for validation detection. This mechanical element provides more reliable and faster detection of pressing actions, compensating for the limitations of capacitive sensing in detecting finger presses through air gaps
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
Enables intuitive command validation and improved detection by measuring pressing force, reducing errors and enhancing user interaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive touch screen configured to detect the position of the metal index
Implementation Method 2
at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a parameter representative of a pressure force exerted on the capacitive touch screen
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
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AI summary
The invention relates to an interface (1) for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle body, comprising at least one control body (2) which comprises a movable grip element (4), at least one metal index (6a, 6b) carried by the movable grip element (4) and movable therewith, a guide (5) used to support and guide the movement of the mobile grip element (4), and a capacitive tactile tile (3) designed to detect the position of the metal index (6a, 6b), the guide (5) being fixed to the capacitive tactile tile (3), and the metal index (6a) being arranged facing the capacitive tactile tile (3), characterised in that the interface (1) comprises at least one pressure sensor (11) designed to measure a parameter representing a pressure force exerted on the capacitive tactile tile (3). The invention also relates to a method for controlling at least one function of a body of a motor vehicle by means of such an interface.