Vehicle Operation Detection Using Peak Position Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle operation detecting devices are susceptible to errors in determining the operation direction due to sensitivity differences among sensors, leading to incorrect determination of user gestures, especially when product tolerance or environmental changes occur.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle operation detecting device comprising a plurality of sensors arranged side by side, a peak position detector to identify peak positions in detection signals, and an operation direction detector that determines the moving direction based on the order of peak positions, regardless of sensitivity differences, with a driving controller to control the opening/closing member accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If threshold-based detection is used to determine user gesture, then the detection method is simple, but sensitivity differences among sensors cause erroneous determination of operation direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection method complexityVSAvoidoperation direction determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from threshold-based magnitude comparison to peak position timing detection. By monitoring when each sensor output reaches its peak value during a swipe gesture, the system can determine operation direction based on the sequence of peak positions rather than absolute signal magnitudes, thereby eliminating errors caused by sensitivity differences among sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional threshold-based detection mechanism with a peak position detection mechanism. Instead of comparing signal magnitudes against a fixed threshold, the system detects the timing when each sensor output reaches its maximum value, substituting a more reliable detection approach that is insensitive to sensor calibration variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensitivity differences occur among sensors due to product tolerance or environmental change, then sensor output varies, but conventional threshold-based determination fails to accurately detect operation direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sensitivity variation toleranceVSAvoidgesture detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection approach by changing from magnitude-based threshold comparison to timing-based peak position detection. This parameter change makes the detection system adaptive to sensor sensitivity variations, as the relative timing of peak positions remains consistent even when absolute signal magnitudes vary due to product tolerance or environmental factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the sequence of peak positions to determine operation direction. By monitoring which sensor reaches its peak value first, second, and third in sequence, the system can accurately determine the direction of swipe gestures without being affected by variations in sensor sensitivity, as the temporal sequence provides reliable directional information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 accurately detects the operation direction and reduces the likelihood of erroneous operations by using peak positions and time differentiation values, ensuring precise control of opening/closing members even with sensitivity variations among sensors.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of electrostatic capacitance sensors 15 which individually output a plurality of detection signals S1 to S3 which change as a detection target touches or approaches the plurality of electrostatic capacitance sensors 15

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10450789B2Vehicle operation detecting device

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 AISIN SEIKI KK

AI summary

A vehicle operation detecting device includes: a plurality of sensors that are arranged side by side in a vehicle and individually output a plurality of detection signals changing as a detection target touches or approaches the sensors; a peak position detector that detects a plurality of peak positions of the plurality of detection signals; an operation direction detector that detects a moving direction of the detection target in an arrangement direction of the plurality of sensors, based on an order of the plurality of peak positions; and a driving controller that controls a driving of an opening/closing member according to the detected moving direction.