Vehicle Input Switch Sensing With Position-Corrected Push Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for vehicles face challenges in maintaining stable detection performance, particularly when subjected to vehicle vibrations, which can affect the accuracy of input operations across different switch regions.
Innovation Solution
The input device incorporates an operative member, a support member, an elastic component, and sensors to detect displacement, with a control unit that applies correction coefficients to stabilize push operation detection, allowing for consistent detection regardless of pushing position or vehicle vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are used to detect push operations across different switch regions, then detection coverage is improved, but detection stability deteriorates due to variations in displacement caused by different pushing positions and differences in sensor sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing position-specific correction coefficients (first correction coefficients) for different pushing positions on the operative member. Each sensor is assigned appropriate correction coefficients based on its location and the expected displacement characteristics at that position. This allows the system to maintain uniform detection stability across all switch regions despite inherent variations in displacement and sensor sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor output by applying correction coefficients to normalize the displacement values from multiple sensors. The control unit stores and applies these correction coefficients to transform raw sensor data into standardized push detection values, thereby eliminating the impact of position-dependent displacement variations and sensor sensitivity differences.
2Measurement precision
If correction coefficients are calculated and applied in real-time, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the first correction coefficients (for different pushing positions) and second correction coefficients (for sensor sensitivity) in the control unit before actual operation. During push detection, the system simply retrieves and applies these pre-computed coefficients rather than calculating them in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If the input device is made robust to withstand vehicle vibrations, then reliability is improved, but sensitivity to genuine push operations may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detection approach with an optical or electromagnetic sensor-based system. Instead of relying on mechanical switches or contacts that require significant force and are prone to vibration-induced false signals, the invention uses sensors that detect displacement optically or electromagnetically. This substitution allows the system to be highly sensitive to genuine push operations while being inherently more resistant to vehicle vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the expected push operation characteristics by pre-calculating correction coefficients based on known displacement patterns for each switch region. During operation, the system compares actual sensor readings against this virtual model, allowing it to distinguish genuine push operations from vibration-induced disturbances with high accuracy.
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
This configuration enables stable and consistent detection of push operations, unaffected by vehicle vibrations, ensuring accurate input performance across all switch regions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic component which elastically supports, on the support member, a region of the operative member where a pushing force is applied to
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sensors, each of which is provided on the support member and detects a displacement of the operative member based on a change in distance from the operative member caused by the pushing force
Data Source
AI summary
An input device has an operative member on which switches are arranged to receive a pushing force. The input device has a control unit which is configured to store both a first correction coefficient and a second correction coefficient. The first correction coefficient may correct variations in displacement caused by differences in pushing positions on the operative member. The second correction coefficient may correct differences in sensitivity among a plurality of sensors. The control unit is configured to perform: correcting a plurality of displacements by the first correction coefficient and the second correction coefficient; and determining whether presence or absence of a push operation by comparing a summation of corrected values with a predetermined threshold value.