Vehicle Control Device with Proximity Sensor and Elastic Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in providing user-friendly and safe methods for inputting commands, as hard key methods require significant space and increase manipulation load, while touchscreen and gesture recognition methods can compromise safety and are prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device featuring a manipulating unit with an object detecting unit that uses capacitive, ultrasonic, or optical proximity sensors to detect objects non-contactually, combined with a pressure detecting unit, and a controller to generate control signals based on user inputs, allowing for intuitive and safe command inputs without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hard key method is used, then control command can be received, but substantial amount of space is required and manipulation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single touchscreen display, eliminating the need for separate hard keys. The touchscreen integrates navigation, media control, and vehicle function controls in one interface, reducing the space required while maintaining ease of operation through graphical user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen serves multiple functions including displaying navigation maps, controlling audio playback, adjusting climate settings, and providing vehicle status information. This multi-functional approach replaces numerous dedicated hard keys with a single versatile interface that adapts to different control needs.
2Area of stationary object
If touchscreen method is used, then space is reduced, but safe driving is compromised due to manual touching requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen interaction (manual touching) with a gesture recognition system that uses optical sensors and image processing. The system captures images of hand gestures and interprets them to control vehicle functions, eliminating the need for physical contact with the display while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the user and the touchscreen. Instead of direct hand-to-screen contact, the system uses cameras and image processing algorithms to detect and interpret hand gestures in the air space above the display, providing a safe intermediate interaction method.
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 convenience and safety by reducing the need for physical contact and minimizing the risk of malfunctions, enabling efficient operation of vehicle functions like navigation and audio controls with improved tactile feedback and reduced spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The object detecting unit may include at least one of a capacitive proximity sensor, an ultrasonic proximity sensor, and an optical proximity sensor
Implementation Method 2
The object detecting unit may include at least one of a capacitive proximity sensor, an ultrasonic proximity sensor, and an optical proximity sensor
Implementation Method 3
The object detecting unit may include at least one of a capacitive proximity sensor, an ultrasonic proximity sensor, and an optical proximity sensor
Implementation Method 4
a pad disposed above the object detecting unit and having elasticity... The pad may be made of a gel-like elastic body
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device including a manipulating unit that is manipulated by a user and a vehicle having the same are provided. The vehicle control device includes a manipulating unit having an object detecting unit configured to detect an object in a noncontact manner and a pad disposed above the object detecting unit and having elasticity. In addition, a controller is configured to generate a control signal for operating a vehicle based on an output signal of the manipulating unit.