Vehicle Handle Capacitive Sensor Assembly for Rain False-Trigger Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive sensors on vehicle exterior surfaces, such as handles, are prone to false detections due to environmental factors like rain, leading to unwanted triggering of locking or unlocking functions.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensor arrangement with a main electrode and auxiliary electrodes, where the evaluation unit compares capacitance changes across all electrodes to verify plausibility, filtering out false signals from environmental interference and ensuring reliable detection of object contact or approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capacitive sensor arrangement is used to detect approaching objects on vehicle exterior handles, then the convenience of operation is improved, but false identifications occur due to environmental conditions like heavy rain
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is segmented into multiple electrodes (first, second, third electrodes) with different orientations. Each electrode monitors specific directional changes in capacitance, allowing the system to distinguish between genuine touch inputs and environmental interference like rain by comparing signals from different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit continuously monitors capacitance changes from multiple electrodes and uses feedback logic to determine whether detected changes represent genuine user interaction or environmental interference. The system compares signals from different electrodes and only triggers functions when the pattern matches genuine touch, filtering out false signals from rain or contamination.
2Reliability
If multiple electrodes are added to filter out false triggers, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrode is oriented in a specific direction to monitor capacitance changes from particular directions. The first electrode monitors one orientation, the second electrode monitors a different orientation, and the third electrode provides additional directional monitoring. This local specialization allows the system to distinguish genuine touch from environmental interference without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple electrodes with different orientations are merged into a single sensor arrangement on the vehicle exterior handle. The evaluation unit combines signals from all electrodes using logic operations to determine genuine touch versus false triggers, achieving reliable false trigger filtering while maintaining a compact integrated design.
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 reliably triggers or blocks vehicle functions based on verified object contact, preventing false triggers from environmental factors and ensuring accurate operation.
Implementation Method 1
each having a predetermined capacitance and being connected to an evaluation unit, which detects changes in the capacitance of the respective electrode
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a capacitive sensor arrangement (4) for detecting at least one approaching object (5), wherein the sensor arrangement (4) is designed as a touch sensor (9) and comprises a plurality of electrodes (4.1 to 4.n), each designed as a planar electrode and arranged aligned with and spaced apart from one another, wherein: - each electrode (4.1 to 4.n) has a predetermined capacitance and is connected to an evaluation unit (6) which detects changes in the capacitance of the respective electrode (4.1 to 4.n), - one of the electrodes (4.1) is a main electrode (S) and the other electrodes (4.2 to 4.n) are auxiliary electrodes (H), - the evaluation unit (6) is configured to measure all electrodes (4.1 to 4.n).n) jointly monitor such that changes in the capacitances of the multiple auxiliary electrodes (H) and changes in the capacitance of the main electrode (S) are recorded and compared with each other and/or with predetermined reference values, and - the evaluation unit (6) is set up to check the plausibility of the recorded changes (D(S)) in the capacitance of the main electrode (S) on the basis of the recorded changes (D(H)) in the capacitances of the multiple auxiliary electrodes (H) as to whether or not there has been contact with or approach to the main electrode (S).